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It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 43, Youth Radio speaks to Kip May, a local Indiana photographer who is nationally published that traveled to Cuba to take pictures to document a story. He is traditionally a portrait studio photographer, but for this series he is doing street photography capturing Cuba.
“Kip May is a nationally published photographer. He opened his portrait studio 30 years ago and serves his growing base of clients from his studio in Bloomington, Indiana. He has been named Bloomington’s favorite photographer 9 times by the Herald Times People’s Choice Award.”
“Cigars and Eggs for Sale, Old Havana, Cuba” by Kip MayThis episode of Art Walk was recorded at The I Fell Building on July 3rd, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Lexington Babcock
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with LaTonya Benson, the Unit Director of the Ferguson Crestmont Club branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, IN.
She has made a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Many are impressed with her commitment to nurturing, encouraging, and inspiring the next generation. Her leadership is making a real difference in our community.
Since 1956, the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington has been dedicated to serving the youth in our local community. They annually provide extensive camps and programs during after-school hours, holiday breaks, and summer break. They have three core program areas in which all program activities are formulated: Healthy Lifestyles, Academic Success, and Good Character & Active Citizenship.
Serving over 700 youth daily, they operate four Club locations throughout Monroe & Owen County. Their primary unit is the historic Lincoln Street Club, which has been serving the community since 1956 and underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2018.
Additionally, they operate the Steve & Connie Ferguson Crestmont Club, where they serve those living in the Bloomington Housing Authority, the Ellettsville Club, which is located about 10 miles west of Bloomington & the Owen County Club located in Spencer, Indiana. The Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington is also a proud member of United Way Monroe County.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 10th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Elena Bai speaks with the owner of a new boba shop that opened up on Kirkwood Avenue – Window 85. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear local writer Brittany Talissa King, from Bloomington’s Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Birthday Celebration Commission. Learn how this small group of dedicated volunteers work year-round to build what Doctor King called the “beloved community” later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County election board sets hearing on Davis write-in bid, delays on Trimble complaint
By Dave Askins
Monroe County election board from left: Nicole Browne, Danny Shields, and Penny Githens. (Dave Askins, Aug. 6, 2026)The Monroe County election board will hold a hearing next Wednesday (Aug. 12) on the question: Is Joe Davis legally eligible to remain a declared write-in candidate on Nov. 3 for county clerk?
The issue arose after five people challenged his candidacy under Indiana’s so-called “sore loser” law. Davis lost the Democratic Party primary race for clerk.
The decision to set a hearing on the challenges to Davis for this coming Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. was made at the board’s regular meeting last Thursday (Aug. 6).
Also on Thursday, the board delayed until its Sept. 3 meeting a decision about whether to hold a separate hearing on an election-law complaint against independent county assessor candidate Lisa Jeneé Trimble.
The two proceedings have different stakes and timelines. The challenges to Davis could disqualify his write-in candidacy and have to be resolved by Aug. 14, according to county attorney Molly Turner-King. If Davis is determined not to be eligible, no blank line would appear on the ballot for a voter to fill in.
The complaint against Trimble would not remove her name from the ballot and does not face the same short-term deadline.
Davis has previously acknowledged the so-called “sore-loser ” statute, but said he wants to challenge its constitutionality. He has referred to the provision as the “sore winner” law rather than the “sore loser” law.
During Thursday’s election board meeting, Shields said the label Davis uses for the statute is beside the point.
“He can call this law whatever he wants to call it,” Shields said. “Is he eligible? The question is: Is he eligible to run as a write-in under that law?”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Monroe County election board sets hearing on Davis write-in bid, delays on Trimble complaint.”
Bloomington City Council criticizes community survey for leaving out student voices
(Photo by Kade Young).By Kade Young
The city’s latest community survey drew criticism from the Bloomington City Council during its regular meeting on August 5th.
Several council members and local residents say the survey intentionally excluded Indiana University students in an effort to focus on year-round residents.
Jeff Andreasen, president of aQuity Research who conducted the survey, says they purposely designed it to reflect the views of what she calls “permanent residents” rather than the city’s student population.
“We were designing our sample to be more representative of year-round residents outside of the significant IU population, since those residents are obviously taxpayers, and are probably more engaged in the community, more familiar with city services and city issues than the IU population,” said Andreasen.
Councilmember Hopi Stosberg says the decision to exclude students overlooks a substantial population in Bloomington.
“As somebody who represents District Three, which is a huge part of campus and is represents a lot of students, I find that pretty disappointing,” said Stosberg. ”
Councilmember Sydney Zulich echoed those concerns, calling the reasoning behind the exclusion of students offensive to the thousands of students she represents.
“As someone who was very recently a student herself, but also represents 10,000 plus young people. That is a stunningly insulting answer,” she said.
Zulich asked how the firm was selected. Communications Director Desiree DeMolina says the city changed its approach after receiving backlash from the 2023 survey.
“The questionnaire had some critiques with residents feeling that the questions were lengthy and maybe did not capture some of the concerns and considerations for the larger community,” said DeMolina.
Zulich maintained the city left out about half of its population in the survey – questioning the use of taxpayer dollars to fund it.
“This community has a crisis in workforce retention, and yet we have just eliminated 40,000 potential future long-term residents from participating in shaping the future of our city. I don’t know why any young person would want to stay here when we’re so blatantly disrespectful towards them,” said Zulich.
During public comment, local resident Paul Rousseau questioned whether excluding students’ perspective weakens the usefulness of the survey. He recalled the tragedy of Nathaniel Stratton, an IU student who was killed by a drunk driver in a scooter accident in 2022.
“Nathan and his family and friends were obviously negatively impacted by 1) the public safety failure to intercept impaired drivers; 2) the condition of sidewalks that Nathan chose not to use that night, and 3) the safety of bicycle lanes that are protected by nothing more than a painted white line,” said Rousseau.
Council members took no action on the survey during their Wednesday meeting. However, several signaled they would continue discussing how future community surveys can better capture the voices of all Bloomington residents.
Starting next week, the city council begins its 2027 budget hearings. The council’s next regular session is September 2nd.
Featured Segments:
WFHB News Correspondent Elena Bai visits Window 85, a new boba shop on Kirkwood Avenue. Bai speaks with the shop’s owner about her decision to open a business in Bloomington, her experiences as a recent IU graduate and her hopes for building connections with the community through the shop.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration happens in January, but in Bloomington a small group of dedicated volunteers work year-round to build what King called the “beloved community.” The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is an official City of Bloomington board promoting justice, racial harmony, and equal opportunity. Brittany Talissa King is a writer who is passionate about exploring American racial issues – you can read her latest piece in yesterday’s Sunday edition of The Herald-Times. As a King Commission member Brittany is now working with the Monroe County NAACP to launch a education project to cultivate understanding and leadership among local students, inspired by the Freedom Schools of the 1960s. Brittany invites you to support the board’s work on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Elena Bai.
This week’s episode of Activate! was produced by high school students Juliet Mueller, Virginia Balkcom, Holly Mullins, Matt Fonseca and Cameron Lincoln as part of the IU High School Journalism Institute, where WFHB is proud to be the service learning partner for the Audio Storytelling workshop.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Andrew Miller and Elena Bai.
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on the Monroe County CASA Court-Appointed Special Advocate opportunity, visit bton.in/CASANeed
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County ReStore at bton.in/ReVol
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at the annual Brown County Humane Society Barn Sale event at bton.in/BCHSBarn
- To view the Crested Hill Refuge Wish List, visit bton.in/Crest26
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration happens in January, but in Bloomington a small group of dedicated volunteers work year-round to build what King called the “beloved community.” The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is an official City of Bloomington board promoting justice, racial harmony, and equal opportunity. Brittany Talissa King is a writer who is passionate about exploring American racial issues, including through her online magazine American Shade. As a King Commission member Brittany is now working with the Monroe County NAACP to launch an education project to cultivate understanding and leadership among local students, inspired by the Freedom Schools of the 1960s.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Juliet Mueller, Virginia Balkcom, Holly Mullins, Matt Fonseca and Cameron Lincoln
as part of the High School Journalism Institute
Louisville, KY duo Molly’s Midnight Villains joined us in the Firehouse studio on May 29th for a great session with host Nicki Seven. Between live performances, they talked songwriting, their particular brand of witchy folk rock, and wandered into some woo-woo territory along the way. A really fun session and conversation from start to finish—listen to the full thing in our Firehouse Sessions archive.
Host: Nicki Seven
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle and Sara Raines
Post-Production Engineer: Jared Coyle
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Bloomington Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Caeden Windschitl, 2nd year medical student at the U of Minneapolis Twin Cities campus. He is president of Students for a National Health Program, SNaHP, Twin Cities chapter, and is a board member of Physicians for a National Health Program, PNHP. When the first year medical students found that United Healthcare was teaching a class as part of the medical school curriculum, and it was the only class they were going to receive in school about the US healthcare system, the students organized in protest, and the class was withdrawn.
Caeden WindschitSelections from the podcast:
Caeden – I came into medical school, and within three weeks everyone got an email sent to their inbox about this new great class that the University medical school was going be offering. And right front and center was that UnitedHealth Group would be teaching it. UnitedHealth Group, who is now the fourth-largest company in the world by revenue, UnitedHealth Group who we had heard so much about in recent years, UnitedHealth Group who is 30 minutes away from the University of Minnesota campus. This class was to be taught on the UnitedHealth Group campus to University of Minnesota medical students about health insurance- specifically value-based healthcare. Sounds absurd. To rub salt in the wound UnitedHealth Group was donating some unknown amount of money to the University of Minnesota Healthcare Foundation to put on this course. Some professors from the University of Minnesota published a paper encouraging the design of coursework partnered with health insurance companies for other medical students to implement themselves. In addition to this, this is the only course that the University of Minnesota Medical School provides concerning health insurance. For any students that want to learn about health insurance or health systems, this is their course. From the start everyone in my year was like, ‘Wow what even is this?’ We already knew that our voices would not be heard as individuals. This course had already had a bit of a trial run. And those students had already voiced their concerns with the course. And with this course as well the CEO of UnitedHealth Group at the time even came down and took three hours out of his day to talk to the students. At the time, in the trial run there were 10 students enrolled in it. We knew that this course was both important to UnitedHealth Group, as well as something from the article that was published by the University of Minnesota Medical School, something that the U wanted to continue pursuing. We knew that it was more than just this course that was at stake here. From the start this sort of kicked off our Students for a National Health Program chapter ramping up on campus. The chapter had been simmering down for the last few years so we used this as an opportunity to stage a bit of a protest using the group on campus. So we took to a petition. We identified many that would not be willing to sign on publicly in blatant disagreement with UnitedHealth which made it very difficult at the start. So a lot of our work was very grassroots. Me and a select group of medical students instead took to using one-on-one calls talking to individual students, getting people to sign on before we blasted it out to the entirety of the campus. At the end of it all over 90% of first-year medical students signed on to the petition to remove UnitedHealth Group from our coursework. Over 70% of second-year medical students, we had over 30 University of Minnesota medical professors sign on to our petition as well as almost 200 currently practicing physicians… The class was withdrawn and we won…
Karen – Caeden, what is your prescription for healthcare?
Caeden – I love this question. I think there’s so much to talk about! Most patients in the United States see a physician somewhere between two to three times a year. If you look at other countries that have a national healthcare service, they are visiting a physician between five to seven times on average per year. That almost double. I think the patient-physician relationship is just so much more in that sort of system. Almost it’s grounded in the health outcomes of the patient instead of this relationship with money… People are dismayed seeing their co-pay, their deductible, seeing that they can’t get certain medications. Doctors are dismayed, not just at the paperwork, but at the fact that often we do not get to decide what our patient receives. Instead it is someone that has not gone through schooling someone behind a desk at a health insurance company deciding that no, they cannot receive the healthcare that both me and the patient decided was necessary for them. More than anything else, I believe that a national healthcare system is the solution to bringing back patient-centered care and to bring back the patient-physician relationship.
[listen above for the full interview]
American Economic Liberties Group – UnitedHealth Group Abuse Tracker
Students for a National Health Program
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
WFHB welcomes Steve Plessinger to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, August 8, from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy this Bloomington singer-songwriter’s bountiful blend of blues, folk, country, and rock – and get a preview of Steve’s next LP in the works. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Steve Plessinger on Saturday’s Child, free of charge, this Saturday, August 8, at 11am on WFHB.
Wildfires are burning through the states of Oregon and Washington this week as human caused fires and dry conditions create fires around the world that continue to destroy homes and other buildings, and raise concerns, following evacuations. In eastern Washington state, as of Tuesday, August 4th, estimates of 60,000 people had evacuated their homes due to wildfires, and over 600 structures had been destroyed.
The Spokane fires burned an estimated 8.2 square miles over the weekend, as reported in the Associated Press, and about 390 square miles have been burned in Washington state so far this year, some fires, such as the Spokane fires, still uncontained.
Federal agencies and local fire fighters are at their limits as to what they can do to contain these fires, asking for assistance from the White House.
In Idaho, crews were fighting fires with bulldozers and helicopters in the cattle ranching farmlands as a fire burned more than 525 square miles through grassland, in eastern Oregon, and western Idaho. The Associated Press reported the fire has posed a threat to over 600 homes and 800 other structures, and that lightning was the official cause, as dry conditions and temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit continue to cause wildfires.
The wildfire map of the United States on www.EGP.wildfire.gov shows there are still wildfires burning in Washington state, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California, as well as several in Texas, Florida, and Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. There are also several fires along the coast of North and South Carolina.
While wildfires are natural and occur every year, the hot conditions this year have caused wildfires and human caused fires to burn areas of the world more than before, and in many instances, authorities are continually at their limits on how to respond to contain them.
Could a dangerous chemical be lurking in your coffee? Last year, the Environmental Defense Fund found that the US Food and Drug Administration has been allowing 25 chemicals linked to cancer into America’s food system. Many are used in packaging and processing. Eight are known human carcinogens and 17 are probable human carcinogens.
Maria Doa, EDF’s senior chemicals expert said that she believes the FDA is putting people at risk. By law, the agency is required to ban food additives that cause cancer in humans or animals. While many of the chemicals are looked at are not added into food as ingredients, two-thirds of them can migrate into food from processing and packaging, including plastics, paperboard, metals and coatings.
Here’s one concerning example: Methylene chloride, commonly used as a paint stripper, is so dangerous that the EPA has banned its use in most instances. But the FDA still allows it to be used to decaffeinate coffee and tea. The FDA, not the EPA, regulates chemicals in food, and their failure to act shifts the burden of toxic chemicals onto consumers, with estimated health costs reaching up to $2.2 trillion every year.
The agency’s inaction is even harder to accept when you consider that many people are exposed to these same carcinogenic chemicals from multiple sources every day – in their food, air and water – and that cumulative exposure isn’t a risk they even consider. That is a huge regulatory gap. Plus, in may cases safer substitutes are readily available.
You can sign a petition urging the FDA to take action. Go to EDF.org/SaferFoods.
Below are some cancer-causing chemicals permitted by the FDA. These known carcinogens are among 25 cancer-linked chemicals the FDA allows in our food system.
—Formaldehyde – It is allowed for use in contact surfaces and melamine kitchenware, as well as defoaming agents.
—Methylene chloride – Allowed in use in decaffeinating coffee, in hops and spice extracts, adhesives and industrial products.
—Tricholoroethylene (TCE) – It is allowed for use in hops and spice extracts and in decaffeinating coffee.
—Asbestos – It is allowed for use in adhesives, rubber articles and polyester resins in food-related manufacturing.
Earlier this week I was mowing my lawn and an orange butterfly went by in front of me. It was a Monarch Butterfly. I did a double take, and sure enough it was definitely a Monarch. We have had many Frittilaries, Viceroys and Checkers, but not any Monarchs. I had to share the wonderful news about seeing the Monarch Butterfly with my husband.
So, what’s going on with Monarch Butterflies? Why are they so special?
The Monarch Butterfly or simply monarch is a milkweed butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. Starting in central Mexico they travel 3,000 miles to the United States and Canada. It is a multi-generational journey with each generation living up to nine months. They go through a four-stage, one-month long life cycle, starting with the egg, then caterpillar, pupa and adult butterfly.
As the weather gets colder, the North American monarchs migrate south to Mexico, where they live in protected forests. Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed leaves, which provide necessary toxins for protection. Adult monarch butterflies feed on the nector from a wide variety ot flowers such as goldenrod, asters, and other wild flowers.
While adult monarchs are toxic to many animals due to milkweed toxins, insects like wasps and spiders eat the eggs and caterpillars, and a few birds target the butterflies. Monarch butterfly populations are dropping fast – falling over 80% in the east and 95% in the west since the 1990’s. The decline is driven by the loss of milkweed plants, heavy use of farm chemicals, deforestation in winter homes, and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change.
I have a huge milkweed patch in my flower garden and do not use any chemicals in my yard because it is important to protect Monarch butterflies and all insects, especially the pollinators, because they allow us to have food and to live.
They symbolize change, resilience, and hope, and many people believe they are the souls of their loved ones.
In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright, in Part 2, interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.
- August is National Wellness month! Take a Wellness Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, August 9th, beginning at 10 am. Hike on Trail 5 around Spring Mill Lake that will focus on wellness. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
- Enjoy a S’Mores Celebration on National S’Mores Day at Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter on Monday, August 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Build and eat your own S’Mores. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A program on Edible Perennial Gardening is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Review how to establish and care for some of the most delicious garden favorites like strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Snake Chat will take place in the Activity Center at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, August 14th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Drop by to meet and touch a live snake and get your questions about snakes answered.
- Take a Grissom Memorial Tour at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 1 pm. The guided tour will take you to see additional artifacts rarely seen by the public.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Cynthia Roberts
Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Vanessa Glavinskas with EDF
Julianna Dailey
Feature Report
Carrie Albright
Ashton Harper
Script & Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Housing is more than a roof overhead. It’s the foundation for health, safety, opportunity and belonging.
In our conversation with Mandy New, a Heading Home street outreach case manager, we explore what it’s like to experience homelessness, what might lead to a housing crisis, and what it takes to turn your life around. Mandy works for Heading Home in partnership with HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) in Bloomington, and is making a difference in people’s lives every day.
We also celebrate that in the first six months of 2026, Heading Home and our regional partners helped 115 households find a place to call home. That number represents people working together for a shared purpose: To help individuals and families find a safe, stable place to live.
Are you looking for resources? Check out our Heading Home Guide (headinghomeguide.org), where you’ll find information on housing, food, transportation and other basic needs.
Want to learn more about Heading Home? Check out our website for information about our work, news related to homelessness and housing insecurity in our region, a data dashboard, and more.
Thanks for listening!
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 6th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the Bloomington City Council criticized a recent city survey for sidelining college students. More in today’s edition of B Square Bites – in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we start a new segment covering housing and homelessness issues in partnership with Heading Home of South Central Indiana. More in the bottom half of our broadcast.
Council rips Bloomington survey for sidelining college students
By Dave Askins
Link to report included in the Bloomington city council’s meeting information packet for Wednesday (Aug. 5, 2026)What population does this survey actually represent?” Bloomington city council president Isak Asare asked at the council’s regular meeting on Wednesday night (Aug. 5).
The answer was that the city’s latest community survey, by design, mostly reflected older, longer-term, year-round residents and under-emphasized Indiana University students.
That fact shifted the council’s focus on Wednesday from at least some favorable findings to sharp criticism of the administration’s choices about whose views should count when Bloomington asks what residents think.
Several councilmembers questioned whether the results of such a survey should guide city policy or spending decisions. Hopi Stosberg called the treatment of students “pretty appalling.” Sydney Zulich called the consultant’s explanation for the de-emphasis of students “a stunningly insulting answer.”
The criticism came despite at least some findings that reflected favorably on much of life in Bloomington. About 80% of respondents were satisfied with the city’s overall quality of life, and 72% said they would be at least somewhat likely to recommend Bloomington as a place to live. But even the item asking about recommending Bloomington came under scrutiny as councilmember Andy Ruff called it an “odd question.”
About 76% were dissatisfied with the availability of affordable housing, while streets, sidewalks and homelessness also emerged as prominent concerns. And except for fire, police, and fire protection, satisfaction with public services in the city was below 60%.
The city paid aQity Research & Insights Inc. $37,900 to conduct the survey. The firm received 561 responses between Feb. 18 and April 10. No council action was requested Wednesday.
But it was not clear what the answer to Asare’s basic question was for the consultant and city staff, as the council heads into the 2027 budget review season:
Audio: “What I’m trying to get at in all of my questioning is what’s the ‘So what?’ for council and the city? … What are the things that we’re claiming that should inform our behaviors, actions, decisions, especially as we’re going into budget here?”
No votes were taken Wednesday night in connection with the presentation of the survey results.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin dot com and look for the headline: “Council rips Bloomington survey for sidelining college students.”
Featured Segments:
Correspondents Elena Bai and Ben Sharpe take to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents how they feel for the students returning to town (Photo by Kade Young).Townie summer is coming to a close. In a few short weeks, thousands of IU students will flood the streets of Bloomington. On July 29th, WFHB News Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai went around town, asking residents how they feel about the students coming back. Today, we rebroadcast that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Executive Director Mary Morgan and Case Manager Mandy New in the WFHB studio recording the Heading Home podcast.Heading Home of South Central Indiana has launched a new podcast highlighting the realities of homelessness. In the first episode, street outreach case manager Mandy New shares her journey from addiction and living in her vehicle to finding stable housing, while offering insight into the challenges many people experiencing homelessness face every day. WFHB News brings you this excerpt from the “Heading Home” podcast. We turn to host Mary Morgan for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai produced today’s voxpop.
Mary Morgan produces the Heading Home podcast.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kade Young and Ben Sharpe.
By Aidan Verde
Beep Baseball as a sport was created in 1964 by a telephone company engineer named Charles Fairbanks in Colorado. In 1975, the very first World Series tournament was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1976, the National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) was officially founded to organize the sport as a whole. The Indy Thunder in particular was founded by Darnell Booker in 2000. The Indy Thunder have won six National Beep Baseball Association World Series championships, with their most recent championship in 2025 with the team going undefeated with a 26-0 season.
According to the organization, a game consists of at least 6 innings unless more are necessary with extras to break the tie. A team has three outs per inning, with umpires having the right to eject unruly players or spectators. Unlike baseball, the bases in Beep Baseball are different, with no second base. First and third bases are four foot high padded cylinders with speakers, which are placed one hundred feet down the respective baselines and ten feet outside the foul lines. The bases contain sounding units that give off a continuous buzzing sound when activated. A batter is allowed four strikes and one pass ball. The fourth swing must be a clean miss. A player does one of three things when batting: hit the ball and be put out by the defense, hit the ball and score a run, or strike out. A couple other important things to know about a home run is when a ball travels 170 feet in the air, which counts as two points so long as the batter makes it to the buzzing base in 30 seconds. In regards to defense, there are one or two sighted spotters positioned in the outfield, one on either side of the field. Outs are recorded by fielding the ball before the runner reaches the base, with the outfielder needing the ball in his/her hands. As noted by Darnell Booker; here is how the indy thunder practice to meet the standards of the rules expected of them:
“Agility is really important to us because we know we can hit, we know we can field…,” said Booker. “…we do ball drills and we do all this agility work.”
During their final practice before their championship games, on a cloudy saturday in late july, the indy thunder’s pitcher and coach Jared Woodard prepares the team with batting to the outfield. Zooming out you can see the outfield of a baseball diamond scattered with Indy Thunder players ready to field. The ball itself in its continuous beeping motion, is thrown up a couple feet in the air and is hit into various directions multiple times. As the ball rolls upon landing, a beep baseball player falls to his knees and does a sideways crawl to the beeping sound of the ball.
Photo taken by Aidan VerdeOne player who was at practice that day was Deshawn Harper-Owings, who was one of two subjects of an interview on Beep Baseball and the Indy Thunder. Coach Jared hits a fly ball over Deshawn, to which Deshawn yells “OVER!” for his teammate in the outfield behind him. On the very next play, the same thing happens where Deshawn yells so that his teammate knows that the beeping baseball is incoming.
Photo taken by Aidan VerdeDeshawn, a sophomore on the team, joined through a blind rehabilitation program called Bosma Enterprises based in Indianapolis, with his assistive technology (AT) teacher introducing him to the Indy Thunder. He was asked if he was one of the youngest players on the team, to which his response was candid.
“Pretty much…,” said Deshawn. “…I plan to play until my body just decides to give out. This is only my second year.”
The other player, who wasn’t at practice that day that was interviewed alongside Deshawn is a veteran of a team in Michael Lewis, who joined the Indy Thunder in 2007. He heard about the team through Darnell Booker, who was his teacher at Indiana School for the blind in Indianapolis, where Booker would introduce the game and pitch balls to Lewis. Lewis wants to continue playing Beep Baseball even if he wasn’t able to play this season due to injuries and other time commitments.
“I don’t have any plans on stopping…,” said Michael. “…but I’m still going to be getting ready for and prepping and preparing so that I’m ready to start back up again.”
Two Indy Thunder players, with two different career trajectories, with one being an up and comer while the other being an experienced veteran looking to prepare for next season. As for the season itself, the two discussed the structure of a Beep Baseball regular season, and who the team faces abroad or here at home. Deshawn describes his experience with tournaments so far in his young career, while Lewis walks through their competition, which includes a team from Taiwan to compete against.
“there’s been an Indy tournament and a Chicago tournament…,” said Deshawn. “…we usually play three games on the first day, and then depending on how those games go, will end up depending on who goes to the championship games and so forth.”
“We have teams all across the country…,” said Lewis. “…so we are kind of branching out internationally as well.”
As the team prepares for their championship games from August 3rd to the 8th, the Indy Thunder are looking to repeat as champions and prove to not just themselves, but to the world that Beep Baseball deserves the recognition, with the Indy Thunder leading the charge!
For WFHB News, I’m Aidan Verde
Welcome back to “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we talk with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. Host Winnie Dong looks to help anyone curious about entering the field or interested in global healthcare. She’s determined to create a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system really works.
This episode features physical therapist Allison Van Doren, who views healthcare holistically and treatment as an understanding of the root causes rather than providing band-aid solutions. She discusses the need for inclusive and cost-effective healthcare, heartbroken by the brokenness of the for-profit system. Van Doren dispels some of the myths about pelvic health and provides career-insight for those interested in earning a DPT or PT degree.
“What the Health?!” is produced by Winnie Dong for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on the Tomato Tasting Event volunteer opportunity, visit bton.in/Tomato26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer as a Greenhouse Volunteer at The People’s Cooperative Market at bton.in/Green26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer as a Graphic Designer for the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at bton.in/BSOArt
- To view the New Leaf-New Life Wish List, visit bton.in/NLNL26
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 5th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Mayor Kerry Thomson outlines budget challenges and city priorities at a Traveling Town hall on Monday night.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Don’t Let Crooks Captcha You” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Two teams pitch competing visions for Bloomington’s College Square development
By Ben Sharpe
Two development teams pitched their plans Monday for the future of Bloomington’s College Square site, a key parcel connecting the new convention center with downtown.
The first proposal, from Concord, TWG, Ratio and Shield Sexton, would build a 160-room hotel alongside mixed-income housing. The team proposed a four-million-dollar land swap with the Capital Improvement Board and estimated the project would require about twelve million dollars in public subsidy.
Ratio Design’s Adam Thies said the proposal would include affordable housing along the B-Line Trail.
“We think that there are 27 units that would be low-to-moderate income units that would be included in this development, and it would be right along the B-Line Trail,” said Thies.
The competing proposal, submitted by Dora and Partners, calls for a 135-room hotel, 80 to 100 market-rate housing units, retail space and a pedestrian promenade linking College Avenue to the B-Line Trail.
Unlike the first proposal, Dora and Partners said they would purchase the property for one million dollars and seek a five-million-dollar Tax Increment Financing incentive, with no additional public subsidy.
Developer Travis Spencel said the housing would be aimed at residents rather than students.
“We’re just not going to be able to meet the affordability definition of a for-sale product from a market standpoint, if we’re leasing these units,” said Spencel. “We’re going to be designing them to that scale, and so we believe that they would be leasing also market rate, which is slightly above the affordable rate.”
Spencel also said downtown Bloomington lacks market-rate housing that’s not geared toward students.
“We think there’s a real need for that in Bloomington’s downtown. We don’t have a whole lot of market-rate apartments that aren’t associated with student properties,” he said.
Dora and Partners also hinted at plans outside the College Square proposal, saying they’re exploring affordable housing on the city’s south side to replace units that will be lost through upcoming demolitions.
During public comment, Bloomington resident Audrey Smith questioned whether downtown needs another hotel at all.
“How many hotels do we need? That’s my question. And who are we making space for in downtown Bloomington?” asked Smith.
The commission took no action on either proposal Monday.
Commissioners will evaluate both submissions before selecting a development team for the College Square project.
Thomson outlines budget challenges, city priorities at Traveling Town hall
By Kade Young
Mayor Kerry Thomson said the city faces a new financial reality as declining revenues force city officials to rethink how they fund services and future projects.
During a town hall at the Banneker Center on Monday night, Thomson acknowledged the city’s budgetary challenges, saying Bloomington expects to lose roughly 30 million dollars annually over the next several year due to state tax changes.
“We are really focused on essential city services. What can can the municipal government uniquely do?” said Thomson. “We are committed to doing things like keeping our streets up and running, making sure your water is clean and your trash gets picked up, and that we’re seeking balance in all of those things.”
Even with financial constraints, the mayor highlighted several accomplishments, which included accreditation for the public works department, police recertification and a 7 million dollar grant supporting affordable artist studios.
“We’re really proud of them,” said Thomson.
Thomson also defended her position to keep Kirkwood Avenue open after vetoing the city council’s effort to close the corridor to vehicle traffic.
“We’re just not ready yet,” she said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re not going to close it in the future. It means that if we do it and when we do it, we need to put some some significant investments into doing it right so it’s safe for everyone.”
Thomson maintains housing and homelessness remain a top priority. She announced the launch of Streets to Stability, a new initiative that pairs enforcement with housing resources.
“The plan is month by month to increase that that area of downtown where sleeping is not allowed, and to get people who are sleeping outside inside,” said the mayor.
Another major topic centered around the city’s development process. Interim Planning and Transportation Director Lynn Coyne says one of his first priorities is making permitting faster.
“What we’re going to do is we’re moving toward what we call concurrent processing, and with the help of our consultant, the engineering firm, and the help of information technology services at the city who are terrific, we have a software in place,” said Coyne.
Coyne says this new system should be operating by November. Later in the evening, Thomson said future investments, including improvements on Kirkwood, will be evaluated on more than just their upfront costs.
“I envision working not only with the council but importantly with the public on how on getting input for that corridor plan, and then trying to find a best-case scenario for Kirkwood – whatever that may be – for all of the people who live here and want to live here,” said Thomson.
The Thomson administration’s budget proposal moves forward to the city council for a series of public budget hearings later this month.
Meanwhile, Thomson says traveling town halls will continue every other month, with one-on-one traveling office hours scheduled in between.
Featured Segments:
Now it’s time for “What the Health?!” – a segment from Youth Radio where host Winnie Dong explores the realities of working in healthcare. This episode features licensed clinical social worker Lindsay Potts, who reflects on nearly 20 years in behavioral health. She discusses her work on Senate Bill 1 in 2023, which established the 988 crisis response system and expanded mobile crisis teams to 90% of counties in Indiana. Potts also talks about the transition of Community Clinic Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) from grant-funded to self-sustaining models through federal demonstration participation.
Up next, “Don’t Let Crooks Captcha You” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ben Sharpe and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Winnie Dong from WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kade Young and Jaimmie Ford.
This is a relatively new problem but it’s getting worse and worse so fast that it needs another mention, even though we covered it earlier this year. Back then I’d only heard about it, and now I’ve run into it quite often. The CAPTCHA program you’re seeing on more and more websites is used to prove you’re a human and not a computer bot or an AI program, and scammers have been turning it into a dangerous trap. Here’s how it works, what to watch out for, and how to stay safe.
T.V. Mike stands at the door of the Orbit Room.
He’s posted up with a card reader, his attention pulled in every direction.
One minute, he walks up the stairs. The next, he’s back down, scurrying through the room.
He wears a backward baseball cap, tie-dye shirt, rolled-sleeve button-down, greying-brown beard and brown hair falling down the sides.
He crosses to the back of the room, talking with a patron before disappearing behind the bar and into the kitchen.
Moments later, he creeps out from behind the bar and speaks to the sound guy.
With a smile and the crack of a beer can, he rejoins the customers.
Seamlessly, quietly, he keeps the place running.
A group of patrons huddle around the bar during the finals days of the venue (Photo by Kade Young).Michael Klinge said the idea for the Orbit Room came to him in the back of a tour van in the mid 2000s. He started dreaming of opening a venue in Bloomington.
Klinge moved to Bloomington in 1997 and started hosting arts events two years later. After about a decade, he and his wife Katie Novotny moved to Oakland, California.
During their time in Oakland, he was playing a lot of music and booking his own band, T.V. Mike and the Scarecrows. He was involved in DIY spaces and what he called the “warehouse scene.”
“There’s a huge warehouse scene that when we first moved there, that was really exciting to see, like how you can put things together, like full production, a nice sound system and seeing 300 people cram into a warehouse that also looks like a pirate ship,” he said.
As local residents often do, the couple circled back to Bloomington in 2017 – what we like to call a “Bloomerang.” He and his wife heard of the space available – the same space where Mike had an office and recording studio in the early 2000s.
“We found the space, and then maybe somewhat being naïve, we jumped right in, and then discovered we found a very hard space, like an almost unusable space that needed to be created to be usable. And we went through a lot to do it.”
He hasn’t done a tour with his band, the Scarecrows, since the venue opened. It’s been “all in” with the Orbit.
A list of draft beers and a hot dog special hangs on the wall in the Orbit Room (Photo by Kade Young).It’s been nearly a decade since T.V. Mike’s dream came true, but now he says it’s time to hang up his hat.
“If it’s not really supporting itself after that long, then why is it not? Those kinds of things come to your mind, and it seemed like a good time to focus on transitioning out of this project, this long thing that we had been pouring all of ourselves into for years.”
As the Orbit Room’s run comes to an end, T.V. Mike says his mission is for bargoers to have the best summer in Bloomington. Crowds have packed the Orbit’s recent shows.
“I mean, the outpouring of support and people showing up right now – we are literally busier than we’ve ever been in our entire existence. People are walking in that have never ever been there, that have lived in Bloomington this entire time. So it is a little bittersweet with that, but it’s also like we’re here to show you what is possible with a lot of hard work and a great community supporting you.”
However, he says the Orbit Room has run its course. He doesn’t see the financial situation improving, and he’s running out of steam to maintain the bar.
“Orbit Room is closing because it just is time to wrap it up. We can’t keep pushing the rock up the same hill. I think it makes sense to just celebrate what we have left and use this love and community that we have gathered into something new.”
Orbit Room’s gourmet hot dog menu (Photo by Kade Young).Orbit Room’s closing marks another local staple in town that has shuttered its doors. Around the time Klinge announced the venue’s closure, Fat Dan’s decided it would also be shutting down. Soon after, Trojan Horse revealed plans to move to Ellettsville after 48 years in Bloomington.
They’re not alone. Longtime Kirkwood staples Irish Lion and Cafe Pizzeria closed in recent years along with beloved places like Darn Good Soup, Bedrak Cafe, Juanitas Restaurant and the Laughing Planet Cafe.
While each business has a unique story, restaurant owners often cite the same struggles — steep rent increases, inflation and rising labor costs have made it difficult to stay open.
At a place like Orbit Room, located on the downtown square, growing a profitable business is especially challenging. Orbit is unique – it’s not just a restaurant and bar. It’s a live music venue, an arcade and a third space for community members.
“I don’t think they’ll realize how razor thin margins are, in general, for a restaurant. You add being an art event space that’s all ages on a square in a basement. Little things matter,” said Klinge. “We haven’t even the restaurant industry haven’t even seen the real changes of what gas prices just going up $2 in the period of a month. That’ll all just get trickled out like all kinds of other things.”
He pointed to other closures of creative spaces in town like Player’s Pub and Rhino’s All Ages Club.
“I don’t know if Bloomington can support an all ages venue that needs to be in the normal capitalist system. That’s my only real answer.”
Sarah Owen, community engagement coordinator for Exodus Refugee Immigration, gives a presentation between live music sets (Photo by Kade Young).The lights are low. Multi-colored fiesta lights wrap around the room while seven thumb-tack-shaped lights cast alternating glows of mustard yellow and faint purple.
House music hums through the speakers as people trickle down the stairs. Before long, about 50 people fill the room, nearing capacity.
“What’s up, everyone?” says Sarah Owen, the community engagement director of Exodus Refugee Immigration.
A portion of the night’s ticket sales goes to Exodus, a testament to the ethos of the Orbit Room. Over the years, it’s been a gathering place for live music, film screenings, nonprofit events, pinball games, hot dog eating contests and everything in between.
As Owen presents T.V. Mike keeps moving, making sure patrons are comfortable. He grabs a can of beer, cracks it, hustles across the room, out the door and up the stairs to hand it to a customer waiting outside.
One of the last hot dog specials Orbit Room ran, the “Busty Bear” in collaboration with Mother Bear’s Pizza (courtesy photo).Upstairs on the patio, local resident Wendy Gingerich sits with her niece, enjoying a specialty hot dog called the “Busty Bear” – which contains Mother Bear’s Pizza sauce, garlic flat-top cheese curds, grilled peppers and onions.
Gingerich, Mother Bear’s general manager, calls the bar a town staple. If she happens to walk around downtown, she knows where she wants to go.
Gingerich says her 24-year-old niece regularly drives 40 minutes to Indianapolis for “glizzies,” a slang term for hot dogs.
Gingerich told her there was no need to leave Bloomington. She took her to the Orbit Room for one of its local, gourmet glizzies instead.
After trying it, she says her niece was convinced.
Telling the story, Gingerich smiled. She says Orbit showcases the welcoming atmosphere of Bloomington.
“I had a date here, in which being gay… in this space, it was just so normalized, and it made me feel at home and safe, and it’s such a vibe of being all inclusive and accepting and supportive.”
She says she understands times are tough right now with local businesses. Nonetheless, she holds fond memories of the venue.
“There’s just something relaxing about it,” said Gingerich. “It’s like home – a second space.”
Gingerich said while the world outside might seem in shambles, she feels safe at the Orbit.
“It’s just that B-Town vibe,” she said. “With everything going on in the world right now, it means a lot to me that I can still come here and capture that feeling.”
In her mind, the Orbit Room is a secret place, a hidden-gem, if you will.
“I don’t know how many times I walked past this,” she said. “When you find the Orbit Room, you know you have made it.”
With the Orbit Room shutting its doors, Gingerich described what she thinks Bloomington will lose.
“As far as the space, it will be a loss,” she said. “Where do you go to get that?”
In the future, she says she can only hope the location will provide a safe community-centered, second space that fosters new friendships. If the seed is planted, she says magic can happen.
Bargoers exit the hallway that leads into the main room at the Orbit (Photo by Jar Turner).Small pockets of three to four people fill every corner of the room — a mix of longtime Bloomington residents, IU students and families with children.
It’s a tight space with a small bar, limited seating and a small “stage” – if you can even call it that. It’s essentially an opening in the front of the room with bandmates huddled closely together.
A thick bass line cuts through crowd chatter. The heavy machinery of electric guitar falls in. Badkill, a two-piece band from Athens, Georgia, is off to the races.
“Everybody give it up for Exodus Refugee,” says the lead singer.
They’re normally a three-piece band, but the lead singer maintains their drummer is currently “traveling the world.”
At the edge of the room, a projector loops images of tiny green aliens, their hands waving and heads bobbing.
Low lights hang at the bar at the Orbit Room (courtesy photo).Shiny blue streamers dangle from the ceiling. Chili-pepper lights glow overhead. The room smells of beer and hot dogs.
When local folk noise rocker Neko Anne Hedonia and his three-piece band take the stage, the room falls silent.
After the show, Hedonia stands outside on College Avenue, talking to a group of friends. He towers over the sidewalk, his long curly-brown hair falling around his face, catching in his scraggly facial hair and horseshoe mustache.
Hedonia doesn’t call his music “folk noise rock,” he prefers “postmodern folk emo.” He says his relationship with the Orbit Room is complicated.
“It’s kind of a microcosm of small-town social trauma and redemption,” he said. “I like underground things.”
For Hedonia, part of the appeal comes from the familiarity of seeing people he knows at the bar, which he frames as a “ground loom.”
As for the future of the location, he hopes to see a continuation of the vibrant Bloomington arts scene. But he worries the city might face a bigger issue – preserving art despite rising costs.
“There’s a deep contradiction in the soul of this town which holds that we can have a vibrant arts scene,” said Hedonia. “And also continue to have our property values go up indefinitely.”
He points to new ventures keeping the spirit of the Orbit Room intact, including Cicada Cinema.
“I think that there is a good bit of the soul of the Orbit Room remaining in projects like the Cicada Cinema building, which is pretty exciting,” he said. “That’s really the thing that’s gonna make anything worth doing survive – a continuous community organism that does not exist at any one person’s brick and mortar establishment.”
Orbit Room patrons stand in a packed room watching Busman’s Holiday perform on the last day of the Orbit Room (Photo by Jar Turner).The Orbit Room’s closing leaves behind a question facing many cities. How do you preserve a community space when those spaces struggle to survive financially?
For T.V. Mike, the answer is still being written.
He says he’ll continue creating events in Bloomington and the surrounding area, but he doesn’t know what the next permanent home for that work will look like.
“I’m gonna go on vacation with my family, and I’m gonna play a lot of Grateful Dead on my guitar with my Grateful Dead buddies, and just kind of do the things I haven’t been able to for at least a couple months, and start fielding ideas, because I don’t know what door I want next.”
Whatever comes next, he hopes it carries the same energy that built the Orbit Room: a place where art, music and a sense of belonging can exist under one roof.
For now, it’s the end of an orbit. But like all things that move in cycles, something new is bound to come back around.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 4th, 2026.
In today’s broadcast, a longtime Bloomington gathering place has officially closed its doors. The Orbit Room has become known for live music, community events and its unique atmosphere downtown. WFHB News brings you a special feature report on why the venue is closing and what its loss means for Bloomington.
Also coming up in the next half hour, find out four ways you can get involved in your community on the latest edition of “Volunteer Connection” in partnership with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Dora, Concord pitch rival College Square projects; Bloomington RDC mulls decision
By Dave Askins
This is panorama taken from the vicinity of 3rd Street and College Avenue in the parking lot of the College Square property. (Dave Askins, Aug. 3, 2026)Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) heard competing plans Monday (Aug. 3) for redevelopment of College Square, at the corner of College Avenue and 4th Street. But no decision was made on Monday.
A decision won’t come any sooner than the RDC’s Sept. 7 meeting. That’s because the next regular meeting for the RDC, on Aug. 17, falls inside a 30-day window that starts after the opening of bids, which took place on July 20. Inside of that 30-day window, the RDC can’t accept an offer that is less than the average of two appraisals of the real estate, which was $7.59 million.
Something the two proposals have in common is the price the respective developers are willing to pay for the property, which is $4 million.
But the presentations underscored a big difference between the proposals. Concord Hospitality’s plan for mixed-income housing on CIB-controlled property south of the convention center and a hotel at College Square, depends on cooperation from the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB).
And that would mean backtracking by the CIB on a choice it has already made for development of a host hotel with Dora Hospitality south of the existing convention center. The host hotel is meant to support the convention center expansion which is well underway between College Avenue and Walnut Street on the south side of 3rd Street.
In contrast, Dora Hospitality described its College Square development as a stand-alone project that does not require any further coordination with the CIB. But Dora sees its proposed College Square hotel as complementing the convention center host hotel it is now negotiating with the CIB to build south of the existing convention center.
Still, the Concord team, which includes RATIO Design, made an undaunted pitch. Speaking for the team, RATIO Design’s Adam Thies, a former CIB member, said, “This site is basically the gap in the smile of that downtown. And filling that gap, I think, with a really strong sense of arrival and a really strong sense of a compelling hotel product, really helps to bridge those visitors that will be at the convention center, getting them to come up into the courthouse square, which I think is really the kind of crown jewel of the downtown.”
After the meeting, RDC executive director Anna Killion-Hanson told The B Square the RDC would consider both proposals in good faith.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Dora, Concord pitch rival College Square projects; Bloomington RDC mulls decision.”
Featured Segments:
Local favorite Busman’s Holiday performs at Orbit Room on their last day of business (Photo by Jar Turner).For nearly a decade, the Orbit Room has been more than a bar. It’s been a music venue, a gathering place and a home for Bloomington arts. Last Sunday, the Orbit Room shut its doors. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young chronicles the Orbit Room’s final days – what made the venue special, why it’s closing and what comes next. That’s coming up in a special feature on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting four ways you can get involved in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Claire Zeyen for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin produced B Square Bites.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Aubrey Seader produced Volunteer Connection in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Ben Sharpe.
A double big thanks to Double Standards for joining us for Local Live on May 11th!
Made up of musicians with deep roots in Bloomington’s music scene, the band brings decades of experience to every performance. That chemistry comes through in a set that’s polished, entertaining, and a whole lot of fun.
Give the session a listen and hear what Double Standards are all about.
Host: DJ Alchemy
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Silver, and engineer apprentice Frank Sanfilippo
Post Production: Jar Turner
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
Youth Radio interviewing Garry TutorowIn episode 42, Youth Radio speaks to Garry Tutorow, a local Indiana photographer traveled Cuba 1995 and took photos to document the story. His photos were taken on film because he prefers a physical form for his work.
“These prints came to fruition in the following manner. After several sojourns in Cuba, principally in Santiago de Cuba, I realized upon what I thought was my farewell to the island that I had neglected La Habana, and it neglected was falling down. I thought: save it. But how? My eyes informed me: photographs. I know nothing of the craft. But upon returning home, I bought a battered Leica, eye-studied the masters, especially Atget, hoping more for the alchemy of the osmosis, added an antique Rolleiflex, and returned to La Habana, July, 1995, during the depths of the Special Period.”
“Unfed, fed-up under or Doña Quixote comes home” by Garry TutorowThis episode of Art Walk was recorded at The I Fell Building on July 3rd, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Lexington Babcock
In last week’s edition of BloomingOUT, filmmaker Rachael Himsel discusses the personal experiences that inspired her documentary about the Hoosier National Forest and why she believes protecting Indiana’s forests is ultimately about protecting people’s health. BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTQ+ radio shows, featuring conversations with people from across central Indiana’s queer community and beyond. The program airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. here on WFHB.
Environmental ReportsGrant Creating Eco Jobs for TNAn economic development initiative named the BRIDGES Engine, aimed at creating thousands of jobs in Tennessee and Alabama, could secure up to $160 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) over the next decade. The initiative focuses on converting underused farmland into sites for biobased innovation by cultivating specially developed perennial grasses, such as switchgrass, to manufacture high-demand products for the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. The BRIDGES Engine will initially receive a $15 million award for the first two years, with potential additional funding contingent on achieving specific milestones. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the University of Tennessee, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Auburn University, AGgrow Tech LLC, and Volkswagen Group of America. Prior investments include $20 million from UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as a $10 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The BRIDGES initiative is expected to significantly boost the income of farmers in Tennessee and Alabama as the bioproduct manufacturing sector expands.
Grant Helps IN Counties Recycle TiresFunding has been allocated to assist communities in collecting and recycling waste tires, which can pose serious health and environmental hazards when not managed correctly. Stockpiled or illegally discarded tires are problematic as they can ignite, attract disease-carrying pests, and lead to various public health issues. IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods emphasized the dual role of improperly stored tires as both visual pollution and significant community health risks, stating that the funding empowers local partners to responsibly recycle waste tires. Notable grant recipients include various county and city solid waste management districts across Indiana, such as Allen County, Bartholomew County, and the City of Indianapolis, although Monroe County reportedly did not receive funding.
Moving Backwards on Fossile FuelsCoal-fired electricity, considered the most expensive and polluting power source in the U.S., experienced a 13% increase last year, primarily due to the Trump administration’s efforts to support the coal industry. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is actively opposing these measures through litigation, partnering with various stakeholders, including non-profits and health advocates. They challenge the administration’s orders that prolong the operation of inefficient coal plants, which incur substantial costs that ultimately affect American consumers. For instance, the J.H. Campbell plant’s operation costs over $600,000 per day. Furthermore, the administration’s new subsidies and defense contracts for coal have been linked to a 9% increase in mercury emissions in 2025, despite the industry’s already notorious pollution levels.
The Trump administration has been granting waivers that allow coal plants to bypass pollution regulations, with 71 plants benefiting from a two-year exemption for emission limits. Recent rollbacks of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) have further eroded protections against hazardous emissions, contributing to potential health risks, including cancer and developmental issues in children. The EDF, alongside health and environmental groups, is challenging these regulatory rollbacks legally. Surbhi Sarang, a senior attorney at EDF, emphasizes that the administration’s overreach goes beyond industry requests and poses undue burdens on American families regarding both health and financial impacts.
The Hotter PlanetThe ongoing global wildfires are exacerbated by extreme heat, particularly in France and Spain, where temperatures have soared above 42°C (104°F) during the fourth heat wave of 2026. On July 30th, approximately 250,000 people in southwestern France were evacuated due to a wildfire that consumed around 395,000 acres, an area roughly four times the size of Paris. Meanwhile, Spain faces significant wildfire challenges, with the Castellon region’s fire remaining uncontrolled, while another fire near Madrid is mostly contained, leading to the evacuation of over 56,000 residents. Additional evacuations have occurred in Valencia, Avila, and Toledo, with a total of 11 active wildfires reported. The United States also experiences extreme temperatures, reaching 106°F, affecting events like a tennis tournament in Tennessee. These conditions highlight the importance of hydration and preparedness in changing weather environments.
And now for some upcoming events:* Join Brown County State Park’s Smokey the Bears’ Safety Day on Saturday, August 1st, from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Fun activities are planned for the entire day for all ages. * Put your investigation skills to the test by seeing if you can discover what scat is telling you at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, August 1st, from 2 to 3 pm. Your investigation starts in the Nature Center Auditorium. * Join the Naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 6 around Lake Strahl at Brown County State Park on Sunday, August 2nd, from 8:30 to 9:15 am. Hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make the lake their home. * The popular Flora Field Day at Moore’s Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5th, beginning at 9 am. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist. Bring bug spray, hat and water bottle. Register at tinyurl.com/florafielddays. * Monarch Madness will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, August 7th, from 10 to 10:45 am. Meet in the Nature Center to learn about the Monarch Butterflies’ journey through their life.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Cynthia RobertsThis week’s headlines were written by Knoxville News Sentinel,Aaliyah McFadden, Joanna Foster with EDF, and StephanieStewart.Today’s news feature was produced by Melanie Davis, JustinRobertson, and Kendra Carter.Script………………….Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEvents Calendar…………Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 3rd, 2026.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News speaks with attendees at Taste of Bloomington – which drew thousands to Kirkwood Avenue this weekend. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Alissa Weiss from our local Head Start program, currently accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Learn how Head Start provides free early learning for low-income households later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
County council discusses Justice Building closure, paid leave during jail sewage backup
By Jaimmie Ford
Addressing the Monroe County council is judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff, farthest from camera. Seated next to Diekhoff are Jama Chandler, court administrator and Shannon Guidry, deputy court administrator. County councilors in the right of the frame, from farthest to nearest: Marty Hawk, David Henry, Peter Iversen, Jennifer Crossley, Trent Deckard, Kate Wiltz, and Liz Feitl. (Dave Askins, July 28, 2026)The Monroe County Council heard about the recent closure of the justice building due to a sewage backup in the jail at its recent meeting held July 28th.
Councilmember Marty Hawk asked why employees in the Voter Registration Office were given paid days off when the office itself was not affected by the recent closure of the Monroe County Justice Building.
“Do you have an answer as to who gave them the order to stay home?” asked Hawk.
Deputy Clerk Tanner Branham, who was at the meeting to request approval for hiring a part-time Voter Registration Clerk during the county’s hiring freeze, stated that the decision was made by Monroe County Clerk Nicole Brown.
“That was because we had a few voter registration people who were going to be out on vacation anyway this week,” said Branham. “We just decided to go ahead and close.”
Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff, who was also requesting to fill vacancies, elaborated on how the Justice Building offices were affected by the recent jail plumbing problem.
This was awful. There was water just by the gallon full, just spreading everywhere, and it was toilet water. I was there. They were there. There was others who were there, and we were trying our best,” said Diekhoff.
She said that judges and other employees were working so that operations would be back up and running as quickly as possible. After this meeting, the justice building reopened on Friday, July 31st.
“Yesterday, there were these folks and other court reporters and other office staff and me and other judges who were in there, taking everything off of bookshelves, desks, etc. because they are ripping out carpeting, they are ripping out baseboards, they are trying to put us back together,” she said.
Council members asked questions about preventing future plumbing issues in the jail during discussion of the county commissioners’ Bond Projects presentation. Councilor Peter Iverson asked how they can prevent the same situation from happening again.
“I’m not a plumber. I don’t pretend to be one. Is there a way to plumb this so that the situation we’re experiencing now doesn’t happen again?” asked Iversen.
Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie said it was unpreventable because the problem was intentionally caused.
“The current situation was entirely intentional by inmates,” said Purdie. “This is just the result of of bad actions and bad actions in a bad design.”
Purdie brought up that new jail designs are built in ways that can prevent intentionally caused plumbing issues. Whether those new designs will be incorporated into a new jail remains to be seen because a final decision on how to move forward in building a new jail has not been made.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m on August 11th.
Featured Segments:
A Taste of Bloomington banner hangs at the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and South Grant Street (photo by Jessie Grubb).Even with shaky weather throughout the day, Taste of Bloomington drew thousands to Kirkwood Avenue on Saturday. WFHB News attended the festival to ask attendees about their experience, their favorite food, and how events like this help connect them to the community. We turn to News Director Kade Young for more.
South Central Community Action Program, or “skap,” helps low-income families struggling with poverty. Their Head Start program provides free pre-K childcare with a focus on families that need that support so that the parents can go to work. Family advocates provide wraparound services to support client families and can connect them to other SCCAP services. Head Start engagement coordinator Alissa Weiss says fall registration for Head Start is now open, and she also needs volunteers to help with fall programs. Find out how you can utilize SCCAP programming or help keep it going, on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jaimmie Ford, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This week’s episode of Activate! was produced by high school students Jory Abrams, Julian Rogers, Abel Habib and Jonathan Josefy as part of the IU High School Journalism Institute, where WFHB is proud to be the service learning partner for the Audio Storytelling workshop.
Youth Radio produced Art Walk.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Andrew Miller and Kade Young.
Even with shaky weather throughout the day, Taste of Bloomington drew thousands to Kirkwood Avenue on Saturday. WFHB News attended the festival to ask attendees about their experience, their favorite food and how events like this help connect them to the community. WFHB News Director Kade Young has the story.
CREDIT:
Interviews by Kade Young. Photos by Jessie Grubb.
En este episodio conversamos con la Dra. Claudia Lara sobre cómo comprender mejor la adolescencia desde la neurociencia y cómo las familias pueden fortalecer la comunicación y el bienestar de sus hijos durante esta importante etapa de la vida.
Además, la Dra. Lara nos presenta una oportunidad para que familias latinas con hijos adolescentes participen en un estudio de la Universidad de Oregon sobre el programa Family Check-Up, una iniciativa gratuita y basada en evidencia que ofrece recursos y herramientas para fortalecer las habilidades parentales y mejorar la comunicación familiar. Las familias participantes pueden recibir una compensación económica por el tiempo dedicado a las evaluaciones.
No te pierdas esta conversación llena de información práctica y valiosos consejos para madres, padres y cuidadores, y compártela con otras familias que puedan beneficiarse.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
Youth Radio interviewing Kay WesthuesIn episode 41, Youth Radio speaks to Kay Westhues, a local Indiana photographer who talks about Bloomington’s sister city, Santa Clara, Cuba. Westhues traveled there and took photos to tell a story about the city.
“I first went to Cuba in 1986, drawn by the Havana Biennial, an international exhibition featuring contemporary artists from the Global South and their diasporas. The work I encountered there, and the broader discourse on art and society, changed me. I fell in love with Cuba, its artists, and its people, returning for the Biennials of 1989, 1991, and most recently, 2024.”
“Tribute to Teresita Fernández García” by Kay WesthuesThis episode of Art Walk was recorded at The I Fell Building on July 3rd, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Lexington Babcock
South Central Community Action Program helps low-income families struggling with poverty. Their Head Start program provides free pre-K childcare with a focus on families that need that support so that the parents can go to work. Family advocates provide wraparound services to support client families and can connect them to other SCCAP services. Head Start engagement coordinator Alissa Weiss say fall registration for Head Start is now open, and she also needs volunteers to help with fall programs. Find out how you can utilize SCCAP programming or help keep it going for those who need it most.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jory Abrams, Julian Rogers, Abel Habib and Jonathan Josefy
as part of the High School Journalism Institute
This week on BloomingOUT, we celebrate producer Melanie Davis receiving the Human Rights Award while reflecting on community service, the importance of creating LGBTQ+ spaces and the challenges facing queer communities in Indiana. Our hosts explore why visibility, advocacy and showing up for one another matters now more than ever.
CREDITS:
Hosts for BloomingOUT are Melanie Davis, Justin Robertson, and Kendra Carter.
Engineer is Alyssa Gray.
Executive Producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 30th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the Monroe County justice building will be closed until at least Friday due to a sewage leak. County officials are pointing to the mishap as a reason to not spend any more money into a building that was described as “dying.” Find out more in the latest edition of B Square Bites.
Also coming up – for over half a century beep baseball has opened America’s pastime to athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Now, the defending champion Indy Thunder is preparing for the National Beep Baseball World Series. WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde brings us the story later in the show in a feature report.
Sewage backup in Monroe County justice center spurs scrutiny of future spending on ‘dying’ building”
By Dave Askins
Addressing the Monroe County council is judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff, farthest from camera. Seated next to Diekhoff are Jama Chandler, court administrator and Shannon Guidry, deputy court administrator. County councilors in the right of the frame, from farthest to nearest: Marty Hawk, David Henry, Peter Iversen, Jennifer Crossley, Trent Deckard, Kate Wiltz, and Liz Feitl. (Dave Askins, July 28, 2026)https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260730-dln-features_b-square-bites_shit-water.mp3A Monroe County circuit court judge and county councilors on Tuesday (July 28) filled in graphic details about the sewage backup that forced the closure of the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center last Friday.
The closure of the building is supposed to last at least through Friday.
Councilors wrestled with the idea of pouring millions more into a building that was described as “dying.”
The discussion came at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Monroe County council, four days after a bag of e‑cigarettes flushed down a jail toilet sent wastewater cascading through ceilings and into court offices below. The jail is located on the upper two stories of the building.
Also surfacing at Tuesday’s meeting were significant concerns from councilors about a decision by the county clerk’s office to also close election division offices in the North Showers building, based on the closure of the justice building, which is a block away.
The incident has also sharpened long‑standing tension about continuing to invest in the aging justice building while planning for a new jail and possible justice complex remains incomplete. A draft list of general obligation bond projects fueled that discussion on Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, Mary Ellen Diekhoff, who is presiding judge of Monroe County’s unified court, delivered the most vivid public account yet of the July 24 plumbing fiasco. She was in front of the council to request the filling of some vacancies during the county’s hiring freeze.
“I have been around a long time. I have seen a lot of things. This was awful,” Diekhoff told the council. “There was water just by the gallon … just spreading everywhere—and it was toilet water.” She compared the events of Friday inside the building to watching the movie “The Blob.”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Sewage backup in Monroe County justice center spurs scrutiny of future spending on ‘dying’ building.”
Featured Segments:
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/secretly-30-exceprt-w-anchor-tags.mp3Secretly Group is celebrating 30 years this summer. But the story of the internationally recognized indie record label begins right here in Bloomington – with basement shows, college radio, record stores and four friends who decided to start a label instead of a band. WFHB Music Director Abby Noroozi traces that history in a new hour-long documentary. Here’s an excerpt.
Coach Jared Woodard hits fly balls to the Indy Thunder players showing up to practice on a Saturday in late July (Photo by Aidan Verde).https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260730-dln-features_beep-baseball_aidan-verde.mp3The crack of the bat is familiar. But in beep baseball, players rely on sound instead of sight. The adaptive sport has grown into a national competition, and this week the defending champion Indy Thunder will look to add another title at the National Beep Baseball Association World Series in Illinois. Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde has more in a feature report coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen and Kade Young.
Our feature on Secretly 30 was produced by Abby Noroozi with support from Youth Radio.
Our sports feature was produced by Aidan Verde.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Claire Zeyen and Kade Young.
Secretly may have grown far beyond Bloomington, but the town remains at the heart of its story.
“Made in Bloomington: The Secretly Story” explores how Bloomington’s music scene, independent spirit, and creative community shaped the label—told by the founders who built it and the artists who became part of its first 30 years.
Secretly Group is celebrating 30 years in the city that helped shape it. “What Comes After the Blues: Secretly 30” brings three nights of music to three Bloomington venues essential to the Secretly story, with artists representing the labels’ past, present, and future.
August 27th at The Bluebird: Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co., Early Day Miners, and June Panic
August 28th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater: Sharon Van Etten, Kevin Morby, and Jordan Patterson
August 29th at Switchyard Park: Durand Jones & The Indications, Jensen McRae, and Angela Autumn
Host & Producer: Abby Noroozi
Produced in part by WFHB Youth Radio/Jessie Grubb
Youth Radio interviews:
Lee Stewart interviewed Jens Leckman and June Panic.
Jack Maher interviewed Chris Barth.
Special thanks to Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson, Jonathan Cargil, Eric Weddle, Phil Waldorf, Jason Groth, June Panic, Jens Leckman & Chris Barth for sharing their story.
Archival photos courtesy of Secretly Group. Additional photo credits: Anna Powell Denton, Jeremy Hogan, and Thomas Heath.
Music featured:
Early Day Miners – Blue Casino
The Impossible Shapes – We Like It Wild
Whitney – No Woman
June Panic – Yeast-Bitten
June Panic – The Divider
Jens Leckman – Still in Love with You
Songs Ohia – Farewell Transmission
Magnolia Electric Co. – The Dark Don’t Hide It
Magnolia Electric Co. – Soul
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto
Antony and the Johnsons – Fistful of Love
Bon Iver – Skinny Love
The War on Drugs – Red Eyes
Damien Jurado – Sheets
Jens Lekman – your arms around me
WFHB live broadcast from 2009 with Magnolia Electric Co. hosted by WFHB Music Director Jim Manion with live radio mix by Mike Bridavsky at Russian Recording.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 29th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondents Elena Bai and Ben Sharpe took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about how they feel about students coming back to the city in a few weeks. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Real Estate or Fake Estate” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Jessie Grubb.During public comment at the Bloomington City Council meeting last Wednesday, county commissioner Jody Madeira urged the council to reconsider the Hopewell neighborhood as a potential new site for the jail and justice center.
“The county considered the Hopewell property in 2022-23, although at the time we had a design that was limited to only a jail,” said Madeira. “The council declined to support the request at that time. We recently reviewed our scoring matrix from years ago, and Hopewell came up as a preferred site.”
Commissioner Julie Thomas continued to make the case that Hopewell could be an adequate space for the new jail.
“Because the city has expressed an interest in assisting us. We are returning now to repeat our request for consideration,” said Thomas.
Meanwhile, City Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith wrote a letter to Commissioners Madeira and Thomas, saying the Hopewell neighborhood should be reserved for affordable housing purposes. WFHB News spoke with Piedmont-Smith earlier today by phone about that letter. We turn to News Director Kade Young for more.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260729-dln-interviews_isabel-piedmont-smith_hopewell.mp3(Photo by Kade Young).Townie summer is coming to a close. In a few short weeks, IU students will come back to Bloomington. This afternoon around 2 p.m., WFHB News Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai took to the streets, asking residents how they feel about the students coming back to town. That voxpop is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, “Real Estate or Fake Estate” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Kade Young produced today’s interview with Isabel Piedmont-Smith.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our voxpop about the end of townie summer was produced by Elena Bai and Ben Sharpe.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Jaimmie Ford.
Townie summer is coming to a close. In a few short weeks, thousands of IU students will flood the streets of Bloomington. Earlier this afternoon, WFHB News Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai went around town, asking residents how they feel about the students coming back.
Credits:
Interviews and editing done by Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai. Photos by Kade Young.
The FBI is warning about a bit upsurge in real estate fraud — especially on land that’s out in the country, and land that isn’t being used. Vacant lots, farmland, pastureland, or any place that hasn’t been developed. Fake sellers bamboozle honest real estate agents into selling, and the real owner may not find out for years that their name isn’t on the title. Here’s a look at the problem and ways to make sure it can’t happen.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 28th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the Monroe County justice building will be closed at least through Wednesday due to a sewage backup. More in the latest edition of B Square Bites.
Also coming up in the next half hour, find out how to get involved in your community in the latest edition of Volunteer Connection, a weekly segment in collaboration with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Sewage backup keeps Monroe County justice building closed at least through July 29By Dave AskinsThe signs posted outside the door of the Monroe County justice building indicate the building will be closed for Monday (July 27). That will likely be updated soon to say at least through Wednesday, and maybe longer. (Dave Askins, July 27, 2026)The Monroe County justice building will be closed at least through Wednesday (July 29) according to a message sent out through the county government’s emergency alert system around noon on Monday.
Offices to be closed include the courts, clerk, prosecutor’s office, public defender’s office, probation and child support. People who have business with the courts are supposed to call the specific court handling the case to find out when it has been rescheduled. Those who aren’t sure which court is handling their case are supposed to call 812-349-2615.
The building is shut down, because it saw a sewer backup around 4 p.m. on Friday (July 24), which sent water from the jail, on the top two stories of the building, through ceiling tiles into offices below.
As water streamed through the ceiling tiles on Friday, here’s what it sounded like as staff looked on:
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/running-water-sound.mp3Already on Friday, the closure of the building was announced for Monday. Monday’s noon announcement extended the closure at least another two days.
On Friday evening, Angie Purdie, who is the administrator for the county commissioners, had anticipated that the closure could go past Monday.
The building is getting cleaned, sanitized, and dried, Purdie said. The needed work includes more than just cleaning. Purdie said that carpet and drywall are being removed as necessary.
Purdie said the building’s closure stemmed from a “blockage [of a sewer line] created by inmates” in the jail, which is located in the top two floors of the building.
Parked on College Avenue north of 7th Street on Monday around noon were four vehicles from Service Master, the same company that responded to the sewer backup on Friday.
The complete message sent out on Monday:
At this point in time, the Justice Building will be closed through Wednesday, July 29th – this includes the Court, Clerk, Prosecutor’s office, and the connected offices (Probation, Child Support, and Public Defender). County officials will reassess as they go through each day, and if the Justice Building is going to be closed longer, an advisement will be sent out.
All scheduled court proceedings are cancelled. The Clerk’s office is closed. It is recommended you contact the court handling your case to reschedule when the building re-opens. If you are unsure as to what court, call Court Administration at 812-349-2615.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Sewage backup keeps Monroe County justice building closed at least through July 29.”
Featured Segments:
Earlier this month, the Bloomington Police Department announced increased traffic enforcement leading up to the start of the Monroe County Community School Corporation’s school year. Today’s archive segment reflects on local street safety with excerpts from the August 19, 2008 episode of Interchange. In this episode, host Robert Shull speaks with Jim Rosenbarger, then a member of the Bloomington City Council’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission, about problems and possibilities facing cyclists and pedestrians. Jim Rosenbarger served on the Commission for more than 20 years and passed away in 2025. That same year, the City Council voted to merge the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission with the Parking and Traffic Commissions into a Transportation Commission. We turn to that segment from the WFHB archives repackaged and repurposed by Correspondent Adriane Pontecorvo on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting four ways you can get involved in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Dorian Villanueva from Monroe County CASA, for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Today’s headlines were written by Ben Sharpe, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our archive segment was repackaged and repurposed by Adriane Pontecorvo.
Aubrey Seader produces Volunteer Connection, in partnership with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Jim Odom.
If you’ve walked past the convention center recently, you can see construction is well underway. However, the debate over the project’s impact isn’t over. WFHB News correspondent Ben Sharpe looks at what the city hopes to gain, and what it’s losing in the process.
This week on BloomingOUT, our hosts sit down live in the studio with filmmaker and community advocate Rachael Himsel to discuss her upcoming documentary on the Hoosier National Forest. The conversation explores environmental activism, public health, conservation, the power of art to inspire change and why protecting Indiana’s natural spaces is an issue that affects everyone.
Also, check out BloomingOUT producer Melanie Davis on the latest episode of Activate! speaking about the Front Door Community Center.
CREDITS:
Hosts for BloomingOUT are Melanie Davis, Justin Robertson, and Kendra Carter.
Engineer is Alyssa Gray.
Executive Producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 27th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe looks at the impact of the Bloomington Convention Center Expansion, exploring what the community will gain and what some believe the city is losing as part of this project. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Melanie Davis from The Front Door, a new LGBTQ+ community center opening soon in downtown Bloomington. Learn all about this safe space for queer folks and allies later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Commissioners cancel Flock contract, address Thompson encampment and propose new justice center at Hopewell
By Claire Zeyen
The Monroe County Commissioners met on July 23rd. During department updates, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill informed the commissioners of deteriorating conditions at the Thompson homeless encampment and rising public safety concerns.
“It’s becoming more dangerous and more of a cause of a public safety concern,” said Cockerill. “We may need to act and begin the process formally prior to your next meeting.”
Next, commissioners approved early cancellation of the county’s contract with Flock, the automatic license plate reader vendor. Commissioner Jody Madeira explained that accepting the cost for removal was the correct choice.
“I appreciate the advocacy of the citizens who spoke before the city on this issue, and I think that it would be worth paying that $3,000 as a county,” said Madeira.
Commissioners ended the meeting by outlining their recent presentation to Bloomington City Council of a new justice center site on city-owned property at the former hospital. Commissioner Julie Thomas described the tradeoffs and said time and available space are driving the new proposal.
“It’s part of democracy. It takes time,” said Thomas. “If they’re willing to do this we need to find a quicker way to act.”
The next Monroe County Commissioners regular meeting will be on August 13th.
RBB schools upholds cell phone ban on buses despite pushback from parents
By Kade Young
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on July 21st. Board members reconsidered whether students should be allowed to use cell phones on school buses after hearing concerns from parents.
The new state law requires students to keep personal communication devices turned off and inaccessible during the school day. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders explained why he wants phones off buses.
“A bus driver’s number one priority is keeping their eyes on the road and and and safety, but there’s also a kind of a to me a hidden safety issue in terms of students having access to their cell phone while on the bus. There’s nobody to monitor what they’re looking at, who they’re talking to, what they’re sharing with other students,” said Dr. Sanders.
He acknowledged the negative feedback he received from parents about the law itself and RBB’s stricter policies.
“We did get some pushback from some parents on that,” said Sanders. “Quite frankly, my personal opinion is: I like it. I think it’ll help students to be more focused and engaged. We also know that social media often leads to some behavior issues.”
School Board President Dana Kerr said the policy could prove difficult to enforce. In his view, it’s a matter of fairness.
“It’s kind of to me a perfect opportunity for good kids to be penalized for being good, and allowing kids that push the envelope to get by with it with no recourse?” said Kerr. “I just worry about the equity in that.”
Another board member said while he wants to abide by the state law, he questioned whether the board should implement a policy that takes it a step further.
“I’m fine with going by the letter of the law,” said the board member. “But I have a hard time going above and beyond that because there’s so much gray area on the school bus travel.”
Sanders said the district will monitor the policy and revisit it during an upcoming meeting in the fall. For now, the cell phone ban on buses remains. The RBB school board will meet again on August 18th.
Feature Report:
If you’ve walked past the convention center recently, you can see construction is well underway. However, the debate over the project’s impact isn’t over. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe looks at what the city hopes to gain, and what some say Bloomington is losing in the process. We now turn to Ben Sharpe for that report on the WFHB Local News.
The Front Door is about to open. Bloomington is getting its first off-campus hub for local queer culture when The Front Door Community Center opens later this year. Organizers say The Front Door is a safe and sober space to support LGBTIQ+ organizations and social groups and engage in social justice and education opportunities. Board president Melanie Davis says The Front Door can be whatever you want it to be – and NOW is the time to get involved and make your voice heard. Learn how on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Braiden Brummett, Brady Grunkemeyer, Stites Hamner, and Landon Tuell as part of the High School Journalism Institute.
Our feature was produced by Ben Sharpe.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elena Bai and Ben Sharpe.
En este episodio conversamos con Marco Acosta, candidato a doctorado en Economía por la Universidad de Indiana, quien nos comparte cómo la inteligencia artificial y las nuevas tecnologías están cambiando la forma en que aprendemos, enseñamos y nos preparamos para el mercado laboral. Durante la entrevista hablamos sobre:
- El impacto de la inteligencia artificial en la educación.
- Cómo ha cambiado el panorama para carreras como ingeniería y desarrollo de software.
- La diferencia entre software y hardware, explicada de manera sencilla.
- Las diferencias entre estudiar y trabajar en México y Estados Unidos.
- Consejos para jóvenes que están eligiendo una carrera en un mundo donde la IA evoluciona cada día.
Marco también nos cuenta sobre su trayectoria académica y profesional, desde sus estudios en el Tecnológico de Monterrey y la Universidad de Columbia, hasta su investigación doctoral en Indiana University sobre políticas educativas y el acceso a escuelas de alto prestigio en México.
Later in the program, we will listen to Grow With Glo as she talks with Anne Middleton, Associate Director of Wildcoasts, and how they are protecting Baja’s wild coastlines and more.
Environmental ReportsU.S. Stalls on Clean EnergyClean energy investments amounting to $83 billion have faced cancellations or delays due to the Trump administration’s policies, which lessened federal support for clean energy initiatives. A report from the Blue-Green Alliance, released on July 14th, highlights that 223 clean energy projects representing $82.9 billion in investments and 111,765 jobs have either stalled or been canceled. Labor leaders discussed these findings with Senate Democrats, emphasizing that each project delay or cancellation impacts working individuals significantly. Brent Booker, president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, stated that such decisions extend beyond energy policy; they directly affect jobs, incomes, and the prospects for the middle class. Additionally, the report notes that federal funding reductions and regulatory rollbacks, initiated in 2025, have undermined workplace protections for workers in the energy and industrial sectors.
Indiana Coal AshIndiana, with over 100 coal ash sites—the most in the nation—is pursuing a permitting program for hazardous waste management as federal cleanup requirements are proposed for rollback. This state initiative would require utilities to obtain permits for disposal of coal combustion residuals, primarily managed in ponds, contrasting with federal oversight. On June 26, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee this management process, aiming to transfer regulatory responsibility to the state. Coal ash harbors dangerous pollutants like arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury, associated with serious health issues and environmental contamination. While the EPA has enforced federal regulations since 2015, IDEM’s proposed oversight would represent a significant shift. Governor Mike Braun asserted the necessity of this program in a June 30 announcement, highlighting the critical need for such measures to improve Indiana’s air and water quality, which is currently ranked the worst in the U.S. Only five other states have established similar coal ash permitting programs, making Indiana’s potential program the largest in the country due to its high number of coal ash sites.
Blue ChicorySummer brings many outdoor memories for most people, and a drive along the countryside in town brings the beautiful sight of blooming wildflowers. Many pale white Queen Anne’s lace flowers can be seen along the roads in town, as well as blue chicory. Chicory, a naturalized European perennial wildflower, blooms from the summer to the fall, with medicinal properties due to its inulin, a prebiotic fiber which helps in balancing stomach health and stimulating bile production. Chicory roots are also brewed as a coffee alternative, or into a tea. The leaves can also be eaten raw in salads, or cooked. Chicory also contains chicoric acid, an antioxidant, and flavonoids that may be used in natural medicine to heal the liver and the heart, as well as lower cholesterol levels. These blue flowers growing in the summer are medicinal, as well as a lovely sight. Consider how many plants growing as wildflowers, like chicory, that also contain medicinal properties, and remember to enjoy the view, while it is there.
The Tulip TreeTall and striking, the tuliptree (Yellow Poplar) is a prominent native hardwood in North America, distinguished by its tulip-shaped flowers. Reaching heights of 70 to 100 feet, it features unique, four-lobed leaves that turn golden in fall and has subtle greenish-yellow blooms in late spring. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it supports pollinators, provides habitat for wildlife, and offers shade in urban environments. Thriving in zones 4 to 9 under full sun and well-drained soil, the tuliptree is a versatile and stable utility wood, suitable for furniture, cabinetry, and even musical instruments.
And now for some upcoming events:* A Magnificent Mallards class and Mallard Duck paper craft is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn the importance of waterfowl to wetland ecosystems. * Where do insects hide? Join the naturalist for a guided hike and become Insect Detectives at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, July 25th, from 3:30 to 5 pm. * Are you Wild About Wildlife? McCormick’s Creek State Park will have activities all day at the park on Saturday, July 25th, beginning at 10 am with a hike to learn about Springhouse Salamanders. Presentations on Predator Protection; Live Birds of Prey; and Slimy Sallies will take place during the day. * Dragonfly Catching will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, July 27th, from 2 to 3 pm. With water boots on and a net in your hand, you will hike to the creek to catch the world’s fastest winged predator – dragonflies! * Are there Armadillos in Indiana? Find out about the Nine-banded Armadillo and their range expansion at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, July 31st from 9:30 to 11 am at the campground.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Preston RogersHeadlines: Stephanie Stewart, theIndianapolis Star, Arbor Day Organization & ReutersFeature Report……………………………..Gloria ChiScript………………….Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEvents Calendar…………Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
The Front Door is about to open. Bloomington is getting its first off-campus hub for local queer culture when The Front Door Community Center opens later this year at 122 S. College in the heart of downtown. Organizers say The Front Door is a safe and sober space to support LGBTIQ+ organizations and social groups and engage in social justice and education opportunities. Board president Melanie Davis says The Front Door can be whatever you want it to be – and NOW is the time to get involved and make your voice heard.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Braiden Brummett, Brady Grunkemeyer, Stites Hamner, and Landon Tuell
as part of the High School Journalism Institute
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 23rd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the Bloomington City Council failed to override Mayor Kerry Thomson’s veto of the seasonal Kirkwood Avenue closure. More in today’s edition of B Square Bites – in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, a rundown of Indiana news and politics in today’s installment of the Statehouse Roundup.
Bloomington council falls short of overriding Thomson veto of seasonal Kirkwood closure
By Dave Askins
File photo from the B Square by Dave Askins; “VETO” stamp overlay generated by ChatGPT.Bloomington’s city council failed Wednesday (July 22) to override mayor Kerry Thomson’s veto of an ordinance that would have required five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue to close to motor vehicles for more than seven months each year.
Bloomington council falls short of overriding Thomson veto of seasonal Kirkwood closure
After voting 5–4 on June 10 to permanently enact a seasonal street closure as a part of city code, the council’s vote on the same ordinance Wednesday night was 4–4. That fell two votes short of the six required for a veto override under state law.
Voting for the override were: Isak Asare, Courtney Daily, Matt Flaherty and Kate Rosenbarger. Voting to sustain the veto were: Isabel Piedmont-Smith, Dave Rollo, Andy Ruff and Hopi Stosberg. The tally did not add to nine because Sydney Zulich was absent.
The result reflected a changed vote by Rollo, who supported the ordinance when the council originally approved it on June 10. The other seven councilmembers present on Wednesday voted the same way they had in June.
The failed override leaves the ordinance defeated, meaning the five-block closure from April 1 through Nov. 15 will not be placed in the city’s traffic code.
The vote does not repeal the separate outdoor-dining ordinance the council approved in 2025. That ordinance remains on the books, even if not a part of city code. It gives the city engineer authority to administer or suspend the outdoor-dining program based on emergencies, participation or other conditions that make it impractical. The Thomson administration could also continue authorizing shorter Kirkwood closures for festivals and other individual events.
Indiana state law requires a two-thirds vote to override a mayoral veto. It also requires the override vote to occur at the council’s first regular or special meeting after the mayor’s 10-day period for acting on the legislation. Because Bloomington has nine councilmembers, an override required six affirmative votes.
The ordinance would have required the five blocks of Kirkwood Avenue between Walnut Street and Indiana Avenue to close to motor vehicles annually through Nov. 15. Its April 21, 2027, effective date meant the first closure would have begun on that date, with an April 1 starting date in later years.
Rollo, who changed his position, said his original vote had been intended to force a broader discussion about Kirkwood, not to establish an inflexible outcome. On Wednesday, he said the street could become an “amazing space,” but that the council needed to work with the administration, businesses, churches, accessibility advocates and other stakeholders before committing to a long-term seasonal closure.
“I don’t want to just barrel through and say, ‘We’re going to close it, and you figure it out,’” Rollo said. He said he took Thomson at her word that she wanted the council and administration to work together on a long-term vision for Kirkwood. “I’m not going to attempt to override the veto,” Rollo said. “I’m going to actually reverse my vote this evening.”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington council falls short of overriding Thomson veto of seasonal Kirkwood closure.”
‘Gutsy move’: City Council backs Bloomington Housing Authority’s $100 million housing plan
By Kade Young
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington City Council met on July 22nd. The council heard a resolution that would issue up to 100 million dollars in bonds to purchase nearly 1,000 affordable housing units across five apartment complexes from Hometown Group. Executive Director for the Bloomington Housing Authority Nathan Ferreira walked through the properties included.
“So the Hometown Group properties consist of five apartment complexes around town… totaling 924 units,” said Ferreira.
Ferreira says he hopes to preserve affordable housing before it’s redeveloped.
“We are excited about this project for a number of reasons… preservation of workforce housing of naturally occurring affordable rents is our primary goal here.”
He said federal funding support has continued to decline, therefore, forcing the Housing Authority to find new revenue sources.
“Our revenue from HUD has become less dependable… We estimate that bringing on these properties… will generate about a million dollars of revenue per year, and in the next five to ten years we would put at least one of these through a LIHTC or RAD‑like conversion… so that we can create deeper affordability.”
Bond attorney Chris Cashman from Ice Miller emphasized taxpayers would not be responsible if the bonds are not successful.
“They’re payable solely from the project revenues and any surplus funds of the Bloomington Housing Authority… They are not a general obligation of the City of Bloomington and not payable from taxes.”
Councilmember Isabel Piedmont Smith asked why the request authorized up to 100 million dollars. Cashman maintained the bond is expected to be lower than that.
“As it stands now, what we’re modeling is assuming about sixty‑five million dollars of existing mortgage debt on the properties… and then a smaller bond issuance amount, somewhere around thirty‑two million, if we go the route where the existing debt is assumed.”
Councilmember Matt Flaherty asked what the biggest risk would be. Ferreira said while he believes there’s risk involved for the BHA, he sees the effort as developing and maintaining affordable housing as worthwhile.
“Absolutely, there is risk here to the BHA… We feel like developing affordable housing, preserving affordable housing, addressing our housing shortage is a statutory responsibility of the housing authority. So we see this risk as worthwhile… there’s no reason, in my mind, that we should not try this.”
Ferreira says the BHA selected these five apartment complexes because they are deteriorating and vulnerable to redevelopment.
“We know that at least a couple of these properties are in very poor condition… We also know that two, Kingston Manor and Summit Point, are at locations that would be prime for redevelopment… Our goal here, in terms of preservation, would be to do the needed fixes and then do a much larger rehab… to save those properties,” he said.
Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger asked whether Seminary Pointe could someday be part of a similar effort.
“I don’t know if I can speak to that, but we on a side note have been part of the conversation about Seminary Pointe throughout… We have not contemplated attempting to sell bonds to purchase any other properties beyond this deal… I absolutely think we would consider selling bonds to purchase other properties for the purpose of preserving or creating affordable housing,” said Ferreira.
During public comment, Mary Morgan, executive director of Heading Home, said she supports the project saying it would fulfill a need for affordable housing in the community.
“You know, it’s a gutsy move… it’s an area that we have not explored before. It’s a need… I feel like it’s a great opportunity for our community,” said Morgan.
Meanwhile, local resident Randy Cassady raised concern about the lack of financial due diligence and the need for risk assessment with the project.
“I understand the aspect of the workforce housing and the fact of what BHA has done… it’s an admirable thing to do. The one only question I have… is this going to end up being tax‑exempt properties… those five properties at the present moment are churning out about eight hundred thirty thousand dollars a year in property taxes…”
The council voted unanimously to approve the 100 million dollar bonding authority, paving the way for the Bloomington Housing Authority to move ahead with the project. The city council meets again for its next regular session on August 5th.
Featured Segments:
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider brings you a brief rundown on Indiana news and politics in today’s edition of the Statehouse Roundup. We turn to Schneider for more.
And now, we turn to Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde who provides a recent edition of the “Cream and Crimson Check-In.” Verde has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with CATS – Community Access Television Services.
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Max Schneider produced the Statehouse Roundup.
Aidan Verde produced today’s Cream and Crimson Check In.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Max Schneider and Ben Sharpe.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed. Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
Summer Science Program is a nonprofit organization offering science immersion experiences to accelerate learning, doing, and belonging in science. It is one of the oldest and longest-running residential STEM programs in the nation, providing high school students with scientific research experiences in astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics, and other fields at some of the top research colleges and universities in North America. This summer, SSP International is running 17 Summer Science Programs across 14 colleges and universities, including Indiana University. Participants in the Biochemist Program at Indiana University are conducting modern biochemical research to understand the structural and chemical properties of enzymes and design a molecule that can combat fungal pathogens in crops. Gloria Chi of WFHB’s Youth Radio spoke with two of the research teams. In this feature you’ll hear the perspectives of six participating high school students.
Up next, from the news department, Senate Enrolled Act 76 took effect July 1st, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines the new law speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce, immigration attorney Christie Popp and Resettlement Director Erin Aquino from Exodus Refugee Immigration. We look back at that feature report, coming up next on Rewind.
(Photo by Jim Manion).Earlier this month, the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation announced its 2026 Lotus festival lineup. For our archive segment this week, we listen back to a 2018 live session with Making Movies, a band that performed at Lotus in 2018 and is returning to the festival this year. Hosted by Christine Brackenhoff, this session comes from our ongoing Lotus Live on WFHB series, which began back when Lotus and WFHB were both brand new organizations.
(Photo by Anna Powell Denton).Up next, on May 21st of this year, Chicago alt-country band Case Oats stopped by the WFHB Firehouse ahead of their show that night at The Bishop. Led by Casey Gomez Walker and featuring Spencer Tweedy (drums), Max Subar (guitar and pedal steel), Jason Ashworth (bass), and Scott Daniel (fiddle), the band joined us for three songs and a conversation about their acclaimed debut album, “Last Missouri Exit,” Midwest storytelling, and the collaborative spirit that has made them one of the most exciting new bands in alt-country. Stay tuned to that Firehouse Session coming up next on Rewind.
Credits:
Today’s episode was produced by Gloria Chi, Jessie Grubb, Grace Cabrera, Max Schneider, Adriane Pontecorvo, Abby Noroozi, Jared Coyle and Kade Young.
On the old “A-Team” TV show, George Peppard used to say “I love it when a plan comes together.” Well, I love it when the swindlers do my work for me! And with perfect timing, too. Just as I was trying to figure out what to say in this episode, a nasty — and extremely unlucky — scammer dropped a voicemail on my phone. Here it is, and you can hear why it’s obviously a flimflam. It might fool someone who is worried about owing back taxes, so if you are, or know someone who is, heads-up and beware!
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Elena Bai looks into the city’s contracts with Flock Safety, speaking with two members of Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America’s Solid State Working Group, about concerns over surveillance technology. More in today’s featured interview.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Thanks, Scammer!” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Bloomington Transit picks new management firm on split vote, ending Connell’s tenure
By Dave Askins
Deputy mayor Gretchen Knapp (in right of frame) addresses the Bloomington Transit board. (Dave Askins, July 21, 2026)Bloomington Transit’s board voted 3–2 Tuesday (July 21) to replace its longtime management company, a decision that will end general manager John Connell’s five-year tenure with the agency at the end of September.
Chair James McLary and board members Don Griffin and Doug Horn voted to negotiate a contract with Keolis instead of renewing an arrangement with RATP Dev.
Nancy Obermeyer and Kent McDaniel voted against the change.
Bloomington Transit does not directly hire its general manager. The agency contracts with a private management firm, which supplies the person who fills that position. So choosing Keolis over RATP Dev means replacing Connell, even though the board did not take a separate vote on Connell. Not named at Tuesday’s regular board meeting was the general manager who will be provided by Keolis.
The board’s vote came against the wishes of the mayor’s office, conveyed during Tuesday’s meeting by deputy mayor Gretchen Knapp, who defended RAPT Dev and Connell.
The board’s discussion was wide ranging and included: concerns about microtransit; marketing; the ballooning estimated cost of a new transit operations facility; and accusations that employee members of the recommendation committee were “disgruntled.”
Tuesday’s meeting included a dramatic exit by McDaniel, who left the meeting after saying to his colleagues: “It’s been a pleasure working with some of you.”
RATP Dev’s current contract expires Sept. 30, leaving Connell about two months to oversee a transition. Among his final major duties will be completing Bloomington Transit’s proposed 2027 budget and presenting it to the Bloomington city council in September.
Board members consistently said the vote was about the management firm, not Connell personally. Their discussion included pointed criticism of conditions at Bloomington Transit, the support provided to Connell by RATP Dev, and the performance of some agency initiatives.
Concerns voiced by board members included a slow and confusing microtransit rollout, lagging marketing efforts, and an estimated full-scope cost of about $55 million for a new operations, maintenance and administrative facility. That’s up from the roughly $35 million figure board members said they had previously understood.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington Transit picks new management firm on split vote, ending Connell’s tenure.”
Bloomington RDC Receives Two Proposals for College Square Site
By Kade Young
Top: The Bloomington RDC meets in the McCloskey Room in city hall. From the far corner clockwise: RDC member Randy Cassady; assistant city attorney Dana Kerr; and RDC members John West, Deborah Myerson, Sam Fleener (non-voting), Sue Sgambelluri, and Laurie McRobbie. Others at the table are city staff. Bottom: Land shaded with purple was transferred by either the city or the county government to the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) to support the convention center expansion project. The gray area bordered in orange is the site of the convention center expansion. It’s the dark purple area that the CIB had once targeted for a possible land swap for the blue square to the north, which is the College Square property, formerly owned by Bunger & Robertson. The dark yellow areas are historic districts. The 424 S. College and 222 W 2nd St addresses, indicated with placemarks inside the dark purple area, are listed as “contributing” in the city’s 2018 survey. Map by the B SquareThe Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on July 20th and received two proposals to redevelop the College Square site downtown. Each proposal paired a new hotel with housing, but city officials say they need time to evaluate details before deciding what comes next.
The first proposal comes from a team led by Concord Hospitality, while the other comes from Dora Hospitality. These competing plans have drawn increased attention after local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All urged the city to pursue a land swap they say could preserve affordable housing at Seminary Pointe.
The city’s Economic and Sustainability Director Anna Killion-Hanson announced the first proposal for the convention center hotel, which contained some affordable housing.
“Our proposal recognizes the opportunity for both a hotel that meets the functional needs outlined in the offering sheet, including approximately 160 rooms, full-service amenities and support for convention center activity. And complimentary mixed-use residential component that supports downtown vitality, integrates housing, including replacement of significantly affordable below-market-rate units, and activates the district beyond event driven demand,” she said.
Killion-Hanson described the competing proposal from Dora Hospitality.
“It’s from Dora Hospitality and the Louderback Group. They’re submitting the proposal for the redevelopment of College Square,” she said. “The proposal delivers two complementary projects on a single site: a 135 room boutique upscale hotel on the southern portion of the project site along Third Street, and an approximately 100-unit market-rate apartment community on the northern portion along Fourth Street.”
She maintained the commission is merely reviewing the proposals, not officially voting on any items.
“We will need to do a deep dive into what these actually say,” said Killion-Hanson.
City officials will now evaluate both proposals before bringing them back to the RDC for further discussion. The city’s redevelopment commission will meet again on August 3rd.
Featured Segments:
While Flock cameras can help local law enforcement track illegal activity, such as speeding vehicles or hit-and-run accidents, there remains public concern that the established data system constitutes an invasion of privacy. | Photo by Parker Bennett, Limestone Post.Bloomington officials chose not to renew one contract for Flock automated license plate readers earlier this year. However, some contracts with the surveillance technology company remain in place. In today’s featured interview, WFHB Correspondent Elena Bai speaks with two members of Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America’s Solid State Working Group about their campaign to eliminate Flock cameras and their concerns over surveillance technology. Stay tuned for further coverage from Bai in future broadcasts of the local news.
Up next, “Thanks, Scammer!” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Elena Bai produced today’s featured interview.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Zoe Moczek.
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on Ushering for Constellation Stage & Screen‘s 26-27 Season, visit bton.in/Usher
- You can learn more about volunteering for the New Hope for Families Early Learning Center Service Days at bton.in/NHServe
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at the 2026 Taste of Bloomington at bton.in/Taste26
- To view the Pathways Food Pantry Wish List visit bton.in/PathWish
Organizations can learn more about IU Corps’ START Program at bton.in/STARTiu
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
K-12 students in Indiana will no longer be able to access their cell phones during the school day under state law.
Senate Enrolled Act 78 went into effect on July 1st. This law prohibits students from using personal wireless communication devices, like cellphones, laptops, or smartwatches, from the time their first class begins to the time their final class ends.
Under the law, school corporations in Indiana must choose one of two options. They can either adopt a policy that prohibits students from bringing wireless communication devices to school at all, or they can adopt a policy that allows students to bring these devices, but requires that the devices are powered off, inaccessible to students, and placed in a designated storage area during school time.
Governor Mike Braun, who signed this bill into law back in May, said he expects it to improve student learning through reducing distractions in the classroom.
“This law strengthens Indiana schools’ cell phone policies so students can focus, teachers can teach, and classrooms can function as they should,” said Braun. “Cell phones, smart watches, gaming devices, and other personal devices have become major sources of distraction during the school day. The constant distraction affects learning, behavior, attention, and mental health.”
In order to comply with state law, the Monroe County Community School Corporation updated Policy 5136 regarding wireless communication devices. The MCCSC Board of Trustees discussed the updated policy in a meeting on June 23rd, passing it with a 5-1 vote.
During the meeting, MCCSC assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment Alexis Harmon explained that Monroe County schools will not ban students from bringing devices to school. Instead, the policy will mandate that devices are turned off and kept in a storage location throughout the day.
“We have gathered feedback in a variety of ways, but in particular a survey that was sent out to all family, staff, and students. We had 424 responses. 82% of them preferred the storage approach, the second option,” said Harmon.
Harmon explained that students will still be able to use their devices outside of instructional hours, and that there will be exceptions when students require devices as part of a learning accommodation or for medical use.
“Students can use devices before and after school, after school activities and extracurriculars,” said Harmon. “They can still have devices on buses. They can use them for medical use when it’s documented by a provider. They can have them as needed based upon an IEP, ILP, or 504 plan accommodations. They are allowed to be used during emergencies when authorized by administration, and they can still use school-issued devices for instruction that are connected to the internet.”
One board member, April Hennessy, said she acknowledges that cell phones can cause problems in classrooms, but she worries about the possibility of inconsistent disciplinary action for students who violate this policy.
“I really do not like this as a policy. I think that this is an overreach of the state, to sort of mandate how we determine when and where devices get used in our buildings,” said Hennessy. “I think different schools will likely have different storage places, different storage policies, different storage locations. And that will inevitably lead to different kinds of access. And then potentially greater or less disciplinary action around those phones.”
Hennessy also mentioned that enforcing the new policy will demand increased time, effort, and coordination from teachers and administrators. She expressed frustration that MCCSC schools will have to expend so much over a policy that is “fairly meaningless.”
“Of all the things that we have going on in the state, this is the thing that they sort of chose to take a stand on…but there’s no more dollars or resources for how we manage this in each of our 23 schools.” said Hennessy. “It’s like another thing that needs to be folded in and encompassed by the ever-shrinking dollars that we’re given.”
During public comment, Susan Ellenwood, a community member and parent of MCCSC students, expressed concern that this policy could make it more difficult for parents to communicate with their children during an emergency.
“As parents, we find it crucial to be able to contact our children in the event of an emergency,” said Ellenwood. “We get a lot of these texts. Some of them are false alarms. Some of them are drills. At any rate, the first thing many of us do is contact our kids, check in, make sure that they’re okay. And I would like to be able to continue doing that.”
MCCSC schools will operate under the new phone policy when students return for the start of the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, August 5th.
We rang in the new year with a WFHB Firehouse Session featuring Tre. Charles on January 29th!
Hosted by our General Manager Jar Turner, this first session of the year took place in the air room while our main studio was under renovation. The close, pared-down setting gave the session an intimate feel, letting Tre. Charles’ songs and presence really come through.
It was a beautiful session and a great way to kick off a new Firehouse Session season!
Video by No Guru Media.
Host: Jar Turner
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineer: Jar Turner
Post Production: Jar Turner
Photos: Anna Powell Denton
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on Food Waste Ambassadors at the 2026 Taste of Bloomington, visit bton.in/NoWaste
- You can learn more about volunteering for the Bloomington Clubhouse Launch Team at bton.in/BClub26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at Drool in the Pool for City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation at bton.in/Drool26
- To view the Area 10 Agency on Aging Wish List visit bton.in/Area10
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
Update: After this story was published, Meta restored The Bloomingtonian’s Facebook page following an appeal. Jeremy Hogan shared an email from Facebook stating the page had been republished and was publicly viewable again. However, the page still appears to have restricted monetization. Hogan says he also appears to have lost his Facebook subscribers. WFHB News will continue following this story and have more information in upcoming broadcasts.
Facebook has suspended the Bloomingtonian’s page after alleging the local news outlet engaged in “inauthentic behavior.” In today’s featured interview, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Bloomingtonian founder Jeremy Hogan about the suspension, how it has affected the outlet’s reach and what the incident reveals about the challenges facing independent local news outlets.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 20th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Facebook has permanently suspended the Bloomingtonian’s page, saying the independent local news outlet violated its policies on “inauthentic behavior.” Founder Jeremy Hogan says the company has not identified what prompted the action and has denied the publication’s appeal. More from Jeremy Hogan in today’s featured interview.
You’ll also hear Randy Rogers from United Way of South Central Indiana – the non-profit that helps other non-profits. Find out how you can support many good causes by supporting United Way later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
New Indiana law restricts student cellphone use during the school day
By Zoe Moczek
(Ant‘s-eye view of MCCSC’s new cell phone policy, courtesy of the B Square Bulletin).K-12 students in Indiana will no longer be able to access their cell phones during the school day under state law.
Senate Enrolled Act 78 went into effect on July 1st. This law prohibits students from using personal wireless communication devices, like cellphones, laptops, or smartwatches, from the time their first class begins to the time their final class ends.
Under the law, school corporations in Indiana must choose one of two options. They can either adopt a policy that prohibits students from bringing wireless communication devices to school at all, or they can adopt a policy that allows students to bring these devices, but requires that the devices are powered off, inaccessible to students, and placed in a designated storage area during school time.
Governor Mike Braun, who signed this bill into law back in May, said he expects it to improve student learning through reducing distractions in the classroom.
“This law strengthens Indiana schools’ cell phone policies so students can focus, teachers can teach, and classrooms can function as they should,” said Braun. “Cell phones, smart watches, gaming devices, and other personal devices have become major sources of distraction during the school day. The constant distraction affects learning, behavior, attention, and mental health.”
In order to comply with state law, the Monroe County Community School Corporation updated Policy 5136 regarding wireless communication devices. The MCCSC Board of Trustees discussed the updated policy in a meeting on June 23rd, passing it with a 5-1 vote.
During the meeting, MCCSC assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment Alexis Harmon explained that Monroe County schools will not ban students from bringing devices to school. Instead, the policy will mandate that devices are turned off and kept in a storage location throughout the day.
“We have gathered feedback in a variety of ways, but in particular a survey that was sent out to all family, staff, and students. We had 424 responses. 82% of them preferred the storage approach, the second option,” said Harmon.
Harmon explained that students will still be able to use their devices outside of instructional hours, and that there will be exceptions when students require devices as part of a learning accommodation or for medical use.
“Students can use devices before and after school, after school activities and extracurriculars”, said Harmon. “They can still have devices on buses. They can use them for medical use when it’s documented by a provider. They can have them as needed based upon an IEP, ILP, or 504 plan accommodations. They are allowed to be used during emergencies when authorized by administration, and they can still use school-issued devices for instruction that are connected to the internet.”
One board member, April Hennessy, said she acknowledges that cell phones can cause problems in classrooms, but she worries about the possibility of inconsistent disciplinary action for students who violate this policy.
“I really do not like this as a policy. I think that this is an overreach of the state, to sort of mandate how we determine when and where devices get used in our buildings,” said Hennessy. “I think different schools will likely have different storage places, different storage policies, different storage locations. And that will inevitably lead to different kinds of access. And then potentially greater or less disciplinary action around those phones.”
Hennessy also mentioned that enforcing the new policy will demand increased time, effort, and coordination from teachers and administrators. She expressed frustration that MCCSC schools will have to expend so much over a policy that is “fairly meaningless”.
“Of all the things that we have going on in the state, this is the thing that they sort of chose to take a stand on…but there’s no more dollars or resources for how we manage this in each of our 23 schools, right?,” said Hennessy. “It’s like another thing that needs to be folded in and encompassed by the ever-shrinking dollars that we’re given.”
During public comment, Susan Ellenwood, a community member and parent of MCCSC students, expressed concern that this policy could make it more difficult for parents to communicate with their children during an emergency.
Susan Ellenwood addresses the MCCSC board at the public mic during a regular board meeting. She expressed concerns regarding a new policy banning cell phones. (Kelton O’Connell, June 23, 2026)“As parents, we find it crucial to be able to contact our children in the event of an emergency,” said Allenwood. “We get a lot of these texts. Some of them are false alarms. Some of them are drills. At any rate, the first thing any of us do is contact our kids, check in, make sure they’re okay. And I would like to be able to continue doing that.”
MCCSC schools will operate under the new phone policy when students return for the start of the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, August 5th.
Featured Segments:
(Photos courtesy of Jeremy Hogan).Facebook has permanently suspended the Bloomingtonian’s page after alleging the local news outlet engaged in “inauthentic behavior.” In today’s featured interview, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Bloomingtonian founder Jeremy Hogan about the suspension, its impact and what’s next for the online publication. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Update: After this story was published, Meta restored The Bloomingtonian’s Facebook page following an appeal. Jeremy Hogan shared an email from Facebook stating the page had been republished and was publicly viewable again. However, the page still appears to have restricted monetization. Hogan says he also appears to have lost his Facebook subscribers. WFHB News will continue following this story and have more information in upcoming broadcasts.
United Way of South Central Indiana is the non-profit that helps other non-profits. All United Way agencies receive vital support from this umbrella organization, which also provides direct-to-the-public services like their popular annual tax preparation program. Local businesses conduct fundraising campaigns to support United Way, but individual support through donations and volunteer time is also welcome and critical. Executive Director Randy Roger shares ways you can support many good causes by supporting United Way on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Zoe Moczek, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our featured interview was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Henry Samson and Cameron Duerr, through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Kade Young.
¿Sabías que existen programas gratuitos que apoyan el desarrollo, la educación y el bienestar de niños desde el nacimiento hasta los cinco años de edad?
En este episodio de Hola Bloomington, conversamos con Mayra Sunción y Sonia Moreno, representantes de South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP), una organización sin fines de lucro que desde hace décadas trabaja para fortalecer a las familias del centro-sur de Indiana mediante programas de educación, vivienda, asistencia energética y desarrollo comunitario.
Durante la entrevista hablamos especialmente sobre Head Start y Early Head Start, dos programas integrales de educación temprana que ofrecen mucho más que un salón de clases. Además de preparar a los niños para el éxito escolar, brindan apoyo a las familias, promueven la participación de los padres y ofrecen servicios relacionados con la salud, la nutrición y el desarrollo infantil.
Si tienes hijos pequeños o conoces a una familia que pueda beneficiarse de estos programas, este episodio ofrece información muy útil sobre los recursos disponibles para apoyar el desarrollo de la primera infancia y fortalecer a las familias de nuestra comunidad.
Later in the program, EcoReporter Carrie Albright talks with one of the founding members of the Plastic Reduction Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to educating Hoosiers on plastic’s harmful impacts on our water soil, and humans health, and what they can do about it.
Environmental ReportsThe Ocean ConservancyThe ocean continues to be a significant repository for plastic pollution, adversely affecting marine wildlife due to the overproduction and consumption of single-use plastics. Each year, over 11 million metric tons of plastics enter the ocean, equating to a garbage truck’s worth every minute. Ingested plastics can cause severe health issues in marine animals, with evidence of plastic ingestion found in nearly 1,300 species, including mammals, seabirds, and all seven species of sea turtles. A collaborative study involving Ocean Conservancy and various universities aimed to determine how much ingested plastic is lethal for seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. The findings revealed a concerning situation: even small quantities of rubber—like that from balloons—can be deadly for seabirds, requiring only six small pieces to be fatal. Loggerhead sea turtles are affected by less than half a baseball’s worth of plastic, while marine mammals, such as sperm whales, may die from swallowing just 28 pieces of debris. This research highlights the dangers of macroplastic pollution and offers critical insights for future research and policy development to mitigate its impacts. Legislation like the REUSE Act in the U.S. aims to improve reuse and refill systems while promoting interventions such as beach cleanups and targeted policies on harmful plastic types, like bags and balloons, to safeguard vulnerable marine species from plastic-related threats.
Are You a Birder?Many people enjoy feeding birds to identify the species in their yards. During late winter and early spring, birds mate and prepare for nesting by gathering materials. However, they also experience molting, a critical process that follows nesting. As molting season begins, both adult birds and fledglings prepare for extensive feather replacement, which is physically demanding. This process requires significant energy and high-quality protein and fat. To support birds during molting, you can offer high-protein foods such as suet, bark butter, peanuts, mealworms, and bird seed, helping them maintain their health during this challenging time.
Wild FiresIn a previous EcoReport this month, high temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit swept over some parts of Europe and wildfires were burning in Colorado and Utah. As of Friday, July17th, in Canada, currently over 900 wildfires are burning across the country north of the United States. The largest of these fires is known as “Thunder Bay 36” in northwestern Ontario, which has burned 867,150 acres as of today. Canada is facing its “second worst season of wildfires,” in terms of destruction recorded, this year. Over 209 wildfires in Canada are classified as being out of control, as of today. Lightning strikes and people starting fires, along with record high temperatures, have contributed to the numerous wildfires. While the risk of lung damage due to the smoke sweeping downwards into the United States is not deemed as dangerous as in a previous recent summer, cities were cautioned about outdoor activities.
In Toronto, FIFA cancelled its semi final outdoor events and activities, and warnings were issued in Chicago, Detroit, and New York, as well. The final of the World Cup will be played on Sunday, in New Jersey, with the third and fourth place game on Saturday, n Miami.
And now for some upcoming events:* A Speolo Art Experience is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th,
from 10 am to 12:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Take
a 2.8 mile roundtrip hike to wolf cave where you will crawl through
the cave to a small room and put your art skills to test in total
darkness. Wear closed toed shoes and bring a head lamp.
* Take an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip at the Paynetown State
Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, July 21st,
beginning at 7 pm. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake on
this guided paddling trip through backwaters, bays and
slow-moving streams. Register with Jill Vance at
jvance@dnr.IN.gov.
* Join the Naturalist for a Strahl Lake Hike at Brown County State
Park on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Hike Trail 6 to
hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make
the lake their home.
* Moth Night will take place on Friday, July 24th, from 9 to 10:30
pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. A brief introduction on
moths will begin the evening, then with a white sheet and light,
you can try to identify the moths. Meet at the boathouse.
Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
* A Magnificent Mallards class and Mallard Duck paper craft is
scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the
Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the
Campground Playgrount to learn the importance of waterfowl to
wetland ecosystems.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Preston RogersHeadlines The Ocean Conservancy,Ken Keffer w/ Wild Birds Unlimited & Stephanie StewartFeature Report……………………………..Carrie AlbrightScript………………….Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEvents Calendar…………Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
United Way of South Central Indiana is the non-profit that helps other non-profits. All United Way agencies receive vital support from this umbrella organization, which also provides direct-to-the-public services like their popular annual tax preparation program. Local businesses conduct fundraising campaigns to support United Way, but individual support through donations and volunteer time is also welcome and critical. Executive Director Randy Rogers shares ways you can support many good causes by supporting United Way.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Henry Samson and Cameron Duerr
as part of the High School Journalism Institute
Summer Science Program is a nonprofit organization offering science immersion experiences to accelerate learning, doing, and belonging in science. It is one of the oldest and longest-running residential STEM programs in the nation, providing high school students with scientific research experiences in astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics, and other fields at some of the top research colleges and universities in North America.
This summer, SSP International is running 17 Summer Science Programs across 14 colleges and universities, including Indiana University.
Participants in the Biochemist Program at Indiana University are conducting modern biochemical research to understand the structural and chemical properties of enzymes and design a molecule that can combat fungal pathogens in crops.
Gloria Chi of WFHB’s Youth Radio spoke with two of the research teams. In this feature you’ll hear the perspectives of six participating high school students.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 40, Youth Radio speaks to Conray during the opening of their exhibit at the Fountain Square Mall.
“Born at the end of Y2K, Con Ray is a Michigan born multimedia artist who works in comic illustration, printmedia, painting, collage, writing, and more. Their comedic, tongue-in-cheek work is compelled by their own philosophy to truly listen to material and create work which blurs our reality with the world of art.”
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Grace Cabrera
This summer, Youth Radio hosted two summer camps at WFHB offered through Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning: a Music Journalism camp in June and an Audio Engineering camp in July. Both groups worked with local musician Claire Pendreigh to gain hands-on experience interviewing artists, taking promotional photos, and recording live performances.
Set list
Prove Me Wrong
Little Lies
Mirror Mirror
Credits
Performers: Claire Pendreigh, Chuck Roldán, Gabe Garber, Nick Romy
Interview hosts: Allie and AJ
Photos by: Allie and AJ
Session Engineers: AJ, Ben, Walt, Cade, Qa’el, Mira
Camp Instructors: Jessie Grubb and Richard Jermain
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
(Photo by Jessie Grubb).On Saturday, July 11th, Youth Radio welcomed Skippinn Stones for a live performance and interview. During the session they perform 4 original songs and answer questions about collaborating on music and the local music scene. That’s coming up next on Rewind.
Our archive segment today comes from the November 12, 2019 episode of Interchange titled “‘Are They My Poor?’ Affordable Housing in Bloomington, IN.” In these excerpts, producer Nejla Routsong speaks with Deborah Myerson from South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities about affordable housing struggles in Bloomington and beyond. The full episode is stored as a digital file in the WFHB archives.
(Photo by Aidan Verde).Up next, from the news department – one week ago, WFHB hosted a narrative journalism workshop hosted by volunteer Elyse Perry. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe, where affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center hotel. We rebroadcast that feature on Rewind.
Earlier today during the Afternoon Music Mix, DJ Disctopia spoke with two representatives from WFIU about the free upcoming Jazz in July concert at the Bartholomew County Public Library, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 17th. For more, we turn to DJ Disctopia.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 16th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board unanimously selected Dora Hospitality as the developer for the convention center host hotel. This further complicates efforts of advocates and officials wanting to preserve Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Threats to Democracy” on Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Monroe County CIB Selects Dora Hospitality for Convention Center Host Hotel
By Kade Young
The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met on July 15th and unanimously selected Dora Hospitality as the developer for the convention center host hotel.
This allows the CIB to start negotiations with Dora to build a roughly 200-room hotel south of the convention center. The decision comes despite appeals from local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All who are urging the board to pump the brakes and consider a land swap with the Redevelopment Commission to preserve Seminary Pointe’s affordable housing.
CIB president John Whikehart explained why the board selected Dora Hospitality as its hotelier.
“The Dora Hospitality proposal not only met expectations for 200 guest rooms, restaurant and bar, fitness center, and meeting space but it exceeded expectations… [it] has the potential to anchor transformational southward development of our community,” said Whikehart.
Board member Doug Bruce walked through why the board rejected waiting for a land swap, saying Dora identified the south parcels as its preferred location for the hotel.
“Time is of the essence,” said Bruce. “The south parcels are a better and preferred location for their hotel.”
CIB member Jay Baer says despite encouragement for the land swap, he doesn’t believe it’s the board’s duty to tackle affordable housing.
“I certainly understand and appreciate the enthusiasm of members of this community to preserve or attain affordable housing,” said Baer. “Our role is not to solve affordable housing for Bloomington or Monroe County.”
Developer Russ Louderback said Dora Hospitality is ready to move forward and remains confident the south parcels are the right location for the project.
“We will stand by our commitments,” said Louderback. “We’re going to do our very best to provide you the very best host hotel that we can.”
On the other hand, Bloomington Homes for All organizer Bryce Greene said despite the CIB pursuing the project, he still believes the land swap is worthwhile.
“We still believe that the land swap is still something worth pursuing… it is one of the only ways that we’ll be able to save the Seminary Point housing from being demolished,” said Greene.
Sarah Woolford, Housing Solutions Director of Habitat for Humanity, urged the board to reconsider negotiations with the city’s redevelopment commission to preserve affordable housing in the city.
“The housing crisis cannot afford the loss of 29 units… You have the opportunity to be a savior of affordable housing while also serving the purpose the CIB was called to do,” she said.
The capital improvement board voted 6-0 in support of selecting Dora Hospitality as the convention center host hotel, opening the door for negotiations on a final development agreement. The CIB will meet again on August 19th.
Featured Segments:
Up next, we have the latest edition of Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the local chapter of the League of Women Voters. In today’s edition, host Jim Allison speaks with Charles Reigeluth and Michael Molenda. Professor Reigeluth is an educational theorist who focuses on instructional design theories and is a professor at the Instructional Systems Technology Department at Indiana University. Professor Molenda, now retired from teaching in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University, continues to live in Bloomington and conduct research and write. Both are authors of the white paper titled “Remedies for the Most Serious Threats to Democracy in the US.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchored by Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 15th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with Bloomington Homes for All organizer Amber Corr about why the group wants to preserve Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. More in our featured interview.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Tricks in the Sticks” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the local news.
‘Little Five’ to start filming this week in Bloomington
By Aidan Verde
(Photo by Benedict Jones).“Little Five” is a new movie being shot in Bloomington produced by Anne Hathaway’s production company, Somewhere Pictures, in collaboration with Indiana-based Pigasus Pictures.
The film centers around 4 young women at Indiana University competing in the annual Little 500 bike race. This film follows true events centered around the young women as they try and compete in the race in an attempt to redefine collegiate sports.
The idea for the film came from Pigasus Pictures’ co-owners, Gordon Strain and Zachary Spicer, while they were working on another film.
Pigasus called out to Bloomington residents and IU students to star as extras in the film, with already more than 5,000 people signed up as of July 14th. The production aspires to have a total of 10,000 extras for scenes that require large crowds.
Production for the film starts on Sunday, July 19th. Filming will lead to a series of downtown street closures and detours. You can expect closures around Grant Street, Park Avenue and Kirkwood Avenue between late July and mid-August.
City historic preservation board debates authority over Seminary Pointe
By Elena Bai
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission met on July 9th. City of Bloomington attorney David Kerr gave updates on a legal brief regarding the Historic Preservation Commission’s ability to rescind previous decisions.
This announcement comes in response to the push to rescind the Commission’s previous decision regarding Seminary Pointe. According to Kerr, the Indiana Supreme Court has set precedence that the Board of Zoning Appeals and other similar bodies should not be able to change previously made decisions.
Commissioner Reynard Cross challenged this precedence and its application to the Seminary Pointe ruling.
He also questioned the procedures of the previous meeting of the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission.
The Commission also amended the previous meeting’s minutes to reflect details about the discussion of demolition delays.
The staff of the Commission announced that they approved Certification of Appropriateness to requests to replace a limestone retaining wall, the construction of a hoop house in a side yard, and the installation of a chain link fence.
During final commissioner comments, Commissioner John Butler also stated that the case of Seminary Pointe may point to a need to reconsider the commission’s standards for a historic place.
Chair of the commission Jeremy Hackerd also addressed Commissioner Cross’s comments on the procedures of previous votes.
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission will meet next on July 23rd.
Featured Segments:
Homes for All organizer Bryce Greene speaks in front of city hall to demand local leaders to preserve Seminary Pointe (Photo by Jessie Grubb).As debate continues over the future of Seminary Pointe, affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center host hotel. In today’s featured interview, Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with Bloomington Homes for All organizer Amber Corr about why the group believes preserving the site is critical to Bloomington’s affordable housing supply. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, “Tricks in the Sticks” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Aidan Verde and Elena Bai, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ben Sharpe.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elena Bai and Aidan Verde.
People who live out in the country often feel more isolated than city-dwellers, and that can make them better targets for some kinds of fraud. Rural communities have fewer resources — like law enforcement and social services — and they’re not as easily available as they are “in town.” Rural fraud is on the upswing, and here’s a look at some of the most common and dangerous kinds. Hey, I live out in the country myself…and the scammers better not hit on me!
On May 21, 2026, Chicago alt-country band Case Oats stopped by the WFHB Firehouse ahead of their show that night at The Bishop. Led by Casey Gomez Walker and featuring Spencer Tweedy (drums), Max Subar (guitar and pedal steel), Jason Ashworth (bass), and Scott Daniel (fiddle), the band joined us for three songs and a conversation about their acclaimed debut album, “Last Missouri Exit,” Midwest storytelling, and the collaborative spirit that has made them one of the most exciting new bands in alt-country.
Simply put, this was one of the tightest bands we’ve ever had in the Firehouse. Their chemistry is undeniable, and hearing these songs performed live in our studio was something special. Thanks to Case Oats for spending the afternoon with us—and thanks to everyone who made it to The Bishop later that evening to welcome them to Bloomington.
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle
Post-Production Engineer: Jared Coyle
Photos by: Anna Powell Denton
This month, Civic Conversations talks to Charles Reigeluth and Michael Molenda. Professor Reigeluth is an educational theorist who focuses on instructional design theories and is a professor at the Instructional Systems Technology Department at Indiana University. Professor Molenda, now retired from teaching in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University, continues to live in Bloomington and conduct research and write. Both are authors of the white paper titled “Remedies for the Most Serious Threats to Democracy in the US.” During the interview, Charles and Michael discussed their work as the Sycamore Group, identifying 91 current threats to American democracy and explaining how these build upon historical challenges to democratic governance. They covered various threats including voter suppression, gerrymandering, political polarization, and foreign interference, particularly from Russia, while proposing election reforms and regulatory changes to address these issues. Listeners can find their white papers online at www.reigeluth.net/democracy.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 14th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, we rebroadcast a feature report on the fight to preserve Seminary Pointe’s affordable housing and commercial spaces. This feature came from a narrative journalism workshop hosted by WFHB’s news department. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, learn about four volunteer opportunities across Bloomington in the latest edition of Volunteer Connection.
Jail subcommittee recommends Curry Building expansion, Thompson site as backup
By Kade Young
Photo by Jack Forrest / The Indiana Daily StudentThe Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee voted Monday to recommend renovating the current jail facility and expanding into the nearby Curry Building for the new jail project. The subcommittee also selected the Thomson property as a backup recommendation.
These recommendations will now make their way to the full Collaborative Justice Project committee, which includes county council members and county commissioners. This vote comes as the county now faces a new federal lawsuit over constitutional standards at the current facility.
The Curry Building is the county office building just west of the justice building in downtown Bloomington, located at 301 North College Avenue. It’s directly adjacent to the current jail.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said she believes the Curry site offers the best path forward.
“It just appears to me to be the best case scenario and most efficient to move forward is this site, especially given the challenges at Thompson in terms of timing,” said the mayor.
Mayor Thomson says the Thompson Road property remains a strong option; however, relocating power lines could halt construction.
“Thompson also was my number two choice… starting the move of the power lines now would be prudent,” she said.
Deputy Prosecutor April Wilson said she’s concerned the Curry site wouldn’t have enough room for both a jail and future justice center offices.
“One of the concerns that I have is it feels a little like we might be repeating the same conversation that happened 40 years ago… I think either option we go with, I think we just don’t have enough space, and I think we’re going to have additional costs,” she said.
Wilson expressed urgency with the project citing the latest federal lawsuit, saying county officials need to move quickly to find a solution.
“These allegations are what is alleged to be happening now… every day we delay, it’s not just financial cost; it’s human cost,” said Wilson.
City councilmember Sydney Zulich critiqued what she sees as years of inaction that led to the county’s current situation.
“The settlement agreement has been in place since 2008. I was six in 2008. Somebody could have had a child in 2008. That child would be eligible to vote this year,” said Zulich.
The mayor maintained the county-owned Curry site gives officials more flexibility moving forward.
“It is true that there’s some assumption that because you own the property, it is more affordable to develop it… having site control… is something that I have considered in my selections,” said Thomson.
The committee approved Curry as its first recommendation on a 3-2 vote before unanimously selecting the Thompson property as its backup recommendation.
Featured Segments:
(Photo by Jessie Grubb).Last Wednesday, WFHB’s news department hosted a narrative journalism workshop hosted by volunteer Elyse Perry. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe, where affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center hotel. We rebroadcast that feature which originally aired on July 8th.
Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Kade Young for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Aubrey Seader produced Volunteer Connection in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our feature was produced by Elyse Perry, Kade Young, Aidan Verde, Jorge Casillas, Ben Sharpe and Elena Bai.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Jorge Casillas.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 13th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, State Representative Matt Pierce discusses the impact of a new law that establishes a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. Correspondent Jorge Casillas has more in today’s featured interview.
You’ll also hear Jake Bruner from Hoosier Hills Food Bank, calling on you to help take the hunger out of poverty, later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines.
County commissioners declare emergency in jail due to overcrowding and extreme heat
By Kade Young
The Monroe County Commissioners held a work session on July 9th. County officials say the jail has reached a crisis point – from overcrowding, extreme heat and deteriorating conditions. Sheriff Ruben Marté says transporting inmates is becoming unavoidable.
“We have to be able to provide a constitutional jail. That is my responsibility, and we are at a point now that is very challenging for us to do that,” said Marté.
Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons maintains they’re struggling to keep inmates cool, fearing the overheating issue may lead to a crisis.
“We can’t even lock inmates inside their cell because it’s it’s 85, 90 degrees inside those cells. It’s 75 to 84 degrees inside the block, depending on the day,” said Gibbons.
Parker says inmate grievances are building toward litigation, making the situation even more dire.
“We’re not just living on borrowed time,” said Parker. “This litigation is coming our way…we are in an imminent situation.”
Gibbons brought up the politics of the new jail. However, in his view – the conditions of the current jail are being left out of the conversation.
“People have talked about what’s going to happen, and not a lot of people are talking about what’s happening, and we refuse to look past the needs of the people inside of that facility,” said Gibbons.
The commissioners approved a resolution by a 2-0 vote declaring an emergency at the county jail. This resolution allows county officials to begin the process of transferring inmates to neighboring jails.
New potential jail locations reviewed by Collaborative Justice Project
By Claire Zeyen
The Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee met on July 9th to discuss the evaluation of five potential jail sites.
The options under consideration include renovating the current jail in combination with the Curry Building; building on a property north of Tapp Road near I-69 at Wapehani Road and Weimer Road; building on a property south of Tapp Road near I-69 and West Tapp Road; building on the Thomson property at 1620 South Rogers Street; and building on the Fullerton Pike property near State Road 37.
Discussion centered on factors including floodways, single- versus multi-story construction, and each site’s proximity to transportation and community services.
Mayor Kerry Thomson suggested the committee focus on treating all five locations as viable options.
“I think they’re all still viable, and I would suggest that we have a conversation about at least how we’re going to prioritize them and and lenses with which we’re we’re looking,” said Thomson.
Before opening the floor to public comment, committee members agreed on a voting process that will require rankings and written explanations for all five proposed sites.
During public comment, Seth Mutchler with Care Not Cages urged the committee to support the group’s preferred location.
“I would ask you all to vote in favor of renovation of the existing Zietlow building with the possible addition of the Curry and Fiscus building,” said Mutchler.
Monroe County Commissioner Jody Madeira then spoke emphasizing the significance of the decision.
“The question isn’t simply where to build or how cheaply it can be built or how quickly square footage can be stacked. It’s what kind of jail we’re willing to build. Monroe County can’t afford to reproduce the failures of the past,” said Madeira.
UPDATE: The committee met earlier today at noon in the Nat U. Hill Meeting Room at the Monroe County Courthouse. Committee members decided to recommend renovating the current facility and expanding services at the Curry building. You can find that meeting on CATS by tapping THIS LINK.
WFHB News will have more coverage of that meeting later this week on the local news.
Featured Segments:
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider brings you a brief rundown on Indiana news and politics in today’s edition of the Statehouse Roundup. We turn to Schneider for more.
(Photo courtesy of WTHR).On July 1st, the Indiana Statehouse implemented 17 new laws to the Indiana Code. In an interview with State Representative Matt Pierce, Correspondent Jorge Casillas questions Pierce over the motivation, implementation and the effect of House Enrolled Act 1343. That new law authorizes the Indiana National Guard to establish a specialized military police force empowered to carry out law enforcement duties while on state active duty. An interview with Matt Pierce coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank serves six counties across southern Indiana, working with local agencies to make sure neighbors don·t have to choose between groceries, utilities, or medicine. Associate Director and Chief Administrative Officer Jake Bruner says they distribute between five and seven million pounds of food each year, with at least a quarter of that being fresh produce. Jake is calling on you to help take the hunger out of poverty on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Claire Zeyen, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Max Schneider produced the Statehouse Roundup.
Jorge Casillas produced today’s featured interview.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Tyson Matlock, through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Aidan Verde.
En este episodio de Hola Bloomington, conversamos con Sabrina Montiel, integrante de una de las primeras familias hispanas que se establecieron en Bloomington, Indiana. Su familia también fue pionera al abrir uno de los primeros negocios de origen hispano en la ciudad, contribuyendo al crecimiento y la visibilidad de la comunidad latina cuando todavía existían muy pocos recursos y servicios en español.
Durante esta conversación, Sabrina comparte su historia personal, desde su infancia entre Bloomington y México hasta su regreso a Indiana años después. Reflexiona sobre los retos y aprendizajes de crecer entre dos culturas, las diferencias que encontró entre los sistemas educativos de ambos países y cómo estos han marcado su identidad y su forma de ver el mundo.
Una conversación llena de historia, resiliencia y reflexión sobre cómo las experiencias de las primeras familias latinas ayudaron a abrir camino para las generaciones que hoy forman parte de la comunidad hispanohablante de Bloomington. ¡No te pierdas este interesante episodio de Hola Bloomington!
On Saturday, July 11th, Youth Radio welcomed Skippinn Stones for a live performance and interview. Skippinn Stones is a Bloomington-based indie folk duo composed of the effervescent Ben Jaffe and Coco Duneman. They have played at numerous shows around town, including Youth Radio’s 98.1 Hours of Fun in May. During this session they perform 4 original songs and answer questions about collaborating on music and the local music scene.
Set List:Before it Begun
The Breeze
Otis
Little Lucy
Credits:Music: Coco Duneman and Ben Jaffe of Skippinn Stones
Engineers: Max Harrison and Nash Robinson
Host: Jack Maher
Youth Radio Director and Post Production: Jessie Grubb
Hoosier Hills Food Bank serves six counties across southern Indiana, working with local agencies to make sure neighbors don’t have to choose between groceries, utilities, or medicine. Associate Director and Chief Administrative Officer Jake Bruner says they distribute between five and seven million pounds of food each year, with at least a quarter of that being fresh produce. Jake is calling on YOU to help take the hunger out of poverty.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Tyson Matlock
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
WFHB welcomes Step Twins to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, July 11, from 11am to noon. Join us as we journey into the contemplative and creative realm of this 90s-esque, alterna-indie project founded by the talented local multi-instrumentalist Greg Moore. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Step Twins on Saturday’s Child, free of charge, this Saturday, July 11, at 11am on WFHB.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 39, Youth Radio speaks to Rachael Gressley of Hideout Press during an opening exhibit at the John Waldron Arts Center. The exhibit featured large scale prints from the 2025 and 2026 Mini Midwest Print Fest.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Grace Cabrera
Welcome back to Paisley’s Posh Nosh on WFHB’s Youth Radio! On this bi-weekly show, I pick and review snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are my finds fun, but they’re also all healthy. Being a student athlete the majority of my life, I know first hand the importance of fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients enabling you to perform and live at your best!
If you want to know a little more about me: I’m sixteen, a homeschooled junior in high school, founder and owner of my crocheted jewelry business Sweet P Crochets, a competitive swimmer on the local swim team Indiana Swim Club, a songwriter, guitar player, lifeguard, I love spending time with my friends, and I’m also a DJ here at WFHB. Alright, enough about me, let’s get to this episode’s theme!
The theme for this episode was Red, White, and Blue. I know 4th of July has passed but this year marks the 250th anniversary of our country, and that’s quite the milestone if you ask me. So, to congratulate our country for making it this far, both picks for this episode are either red, white, blue and maybe even all three? Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out. The patriotic picks for this episode were Tanto’s Marinara Puffed Pasta Chips and Bloom Pop’s Rocket Blast Prebiotic Soda. Ironically, both these picks happen to be in my Top 3 Favorites list. I eat them all the time for a quick snack before or after swim practice! Not to mention they’re both significantly healthier than most modern snacks.
Before we get to the health benefits which I’ll keep short ‘n’ sweet, here are some flashy fun facts that are sure to spark your curiosity. The word marinara translates to “sailor’s style” in Italian. It was originally named after the preferred, quick-to-prepare meal of Italian fishermen and merchants on long expeditions at sea. Some historians note that before tomato sauces became popular, Italians ate their pasta entirely dry—or only with olive oil and garlic. Snacks like Tantos Puffed Pasta Chips are recognized as the first-ever puffed pasta chip, crafted directly from real semolina wheat pasta before being dried and puffed. Founders of Tantos Puffed Pasta Chips pitched their pasta snacks on Shark Tank, with “Sharks” like Daniel Lubetzky (founder of KIND Snacks) praising the flavor. Red, white, and blue (found on the American flag, as well as numerous patriotic holiday snacks) symbolize hardiness and valor (red), purity and innocence (white), and vigilance, perseverance, and justice (blue).
And with that, let’s get into the health benefits of this episode’s picks! We’ll start off with the snack pick. A typical serving (about 26 chips) contains around only 130 calories. It also provides 2g of plant-based protein per serving to help keep you fuller longer. Seasoned with real ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onion, and oregano. They contain zero added trans fats, zero cholesterol, and minimal sugars. They are a vegan-friendly snack free from artificial colors and preservatives. Rocket Blast prebiotic soda balances sweet cherry, lemon-lime, and blue raspberry notes. Contains prebiotic Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) which are clinically studied to support gut health and feed beneficial gut bacteria. Unlike standard sugary soft drinks, this beverage has only 20 calories and contains just 3g of sugar. Free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and aspartame. It is completely caffeine-free.
Thank you so much for reading, tuning in, or both and as always: Luck + Love!
Credits:
Produced by Paisley Antoine for WFHB’s Youth Radio
In this week’s feature, we learn about two new State Parks for Indiana, as Correspondent Zero Roze gets some updates from David Seastrom of Indiana Forest Alliance.
A heat wave swept over Indiana last week, with temperatures reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, while around the world, temperatures reached over 100 degrees last week in Europe. In the south-western city of Saarbrueken, Germany, close to the border of France, the temperatures reached 109 degrees, while temperatures in Belgium and the Netherlands also reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit last week.
Meanwhile, in Colorado, a wildfire near Leadville, the Aspen Acres fire, burned almost 92,000 acres last week and is currently 13 percent contained. There are, according to Colorado’s state wildfire map, fires.cornea.is/state/colorado, thirteen wildfires currently burning, with the second two largest wildfires still burning.
The Ferris wildfire has burned roughly 51,000 acres in Montezuma county, and the Gold Mountain wildfire has burned 29,000 acres in Ouray county. In Salt Lake City, the Bonneville wildfire was as of Tuesday morning 84% contained, having burned 566 acres above the University of Utah and Red Butte Canyon.
In 2026, according to data from the website Utah Fire Info, 412 wildfires have occurred this year in Utah, burning over 357,000 acres. It is undeniable the summer in the Midwest is going to be a hot one, with more extremely high temperatures to come, and with the high temperatures, wildfires will be more and more prone to starting.
For that reason, fireworks were banned or cautioned in July in Utah, Colorado, California, Oregon, Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico, as officials were concerned about the risks on an already dry landscape.
Many of you are aware of the drawbacks of fast fashion. Since 2010 Bloomington has offered the community the Trashion Refashion Show, initiated as a fund raiser for the local Center for Sustainable Living. The emcees do an excellent job of pointing out the downside of so called “Fast fashion.”
Impairment of the environment is only starting to be taken seriously by those responsible. There are steps however, that both the industry and the consumer can take to rectify the situation. Energy usage is a major contributing factor. The fashion industry relies on excessive water resources while also is often guilty of polluting rivers and streams.
Microplastics in fabrics used in clothing construction don’t break down readily but pile up in huge dumps that not only scar the landscape, but also release toxic dyes and methane into the air and soil, worsening climate change and polluting nearby communities.
The evidence is undeniable: pollution due to fashion is no longer hidden. It is floating in oceans, poisoning rivers, and piling up in deserts visible from space.
A number of brands now push for rapid emission reductions across their supply chains but it’s an unequal equation where the remedies are being pushed downstream to the sweat shops in countries where garments are mass produced (think Bangladesh or Haiti).
When the synthetic fibers are part of the mix the cost to the environment escalates. The main sources of environmental degradation attributed to the fashion industry are dyeing and finishing at 36%, yarn preparation 28% and fiber production at 15% according to Earth.org.
Another set of statistics from “theroundup.org.” indicates that approximately 100 billion garments are produced by the fashion industry every year. Each year, as much as 92 million tons of clothing end up in landfills. Only 20% of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling globally. Many consumers now choose to buy second hand clothing as a positive contribution to the environment.
Bloomington’s ArtRemains provides a venue to collect and sell another persons discards at a very reasonable cost. Yarn, fabrics, thread and buttons are all available among a plethora of other art supplies. My Sisters Closest and Plato’s Closest are also good sources of used clothing along with Opportunity House and Goodwill.
In West Lafayette ‘Cornflower ‘print company owner Jess McGregor screenprints on second hand, thrifted apparel, uses non toxic inks, and converts paper scraps into greeting cards. With every order she plants a tree -extolling the virtues of being conscientious about our earth and the environment.
In this week’s feature, we learn about two new State Parks for Indiana, as Correspondent Zero Roze gets some updates from David Seastrom of Indiana Forest Alliance.
- A Night Sky Viewing will take place at the Ferguson Dog Park on Saturday, July 11th, from 8:15 to 10:45 pm. The Indiana Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and equipment to aid you as you look at planets, galaxies and star clusters.
- Find out What’s Under That Rock at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, July 11th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Animals like to hide in interesting places. Join the Naturalist on a hike to the waterfall to see hidden worlds.
- Take a Sunset Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, July 16th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Meet at the Boathouse. Register by July 13th at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Beginner Kayaking Workshop will take place at the Cutright State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 16th, beginning at 9:30 am. Explore the quieter side of Lake Monroe as you learn paddling and safety skills. Register at jvance@dnr.IN.gov.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Preston Rogers
Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report
Zero Roze
Script & Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 9th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Gloria Bent joins us on Prescription for Healthcare to discuss denial from United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage coverage while trying to save her husband’s life. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Correspondent Elena Bai speaks with two local residents who are organizing a fundraiser for Venezuela following two devastating earthquakes late last month.
Featured Segments:
Designed by Jar Turner.Now it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Gloria Bent from Connecticut where she went through a nightmare of care denial from United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage coverage while trying to save her husband’s life. This happened after they were forced out of their traditional Medicare program and into Medicare Advantage coverage by their retirement program. After her husband’s death she became an activist, testified before Congress, and co-founded Connecticut State Employees for Medicare Choice. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Rescue workers on June 26, 2026, aid Daniel Cordero after pulling him from the rubble two days after an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)On June 24th, two earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing massive damage to infrastructure, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring over 16,000 people. Venezuelan community members in Bloomington are organizing aid and fundraisers in support of those that have been impacted by these earthquakes. Nora Mora and Daniela Cook, two of the organizers of Bloomington Ayuda, a fundraiser that focuses on supporting marginalized communities in the affected areas, came in to talk about their efforts and Organization. We turn to Correspondent Elena Bai for Part II of that interview.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Prescription for Healthcare was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Greene Stone.
Elena Bai produced today’s feature report.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Claire Zeyen and Jorge Casillas.
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on Garden Volunteering at the IU Wylie House Museum, visit bton.in/Wylie26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at New Hope for Families at bton.in/NHSummer
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at Beacon, INC. at bton.in/BHosp26
- To view the Youth Art Backpacks Wish List from Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana, visit bton.in/YABCSC
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
WFHB’s news department hosted a narrative journalism workshop earlier today. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe, where affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center hotel.
Credit:
Elyse Perry, Kade Young, Elena Bai, Jorge Casillas, Aidan Verde and Ben Sharpe.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB hosted a narrative journalism workshop earlier today. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Don’t Click the Bait” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Featured Segments:
Homes for All organizer Bryce Greene speaks in front of city hall to demand local leaders to preserve Seminary Pointe (Photo by Jessie Grubb).WFHB News hosted a narrative journalism workshop earlier today. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe, where affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center hotel.
Up next, “Don’t Click the Bait” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Rescue workers on June 26, 2026, aid Daniel Cordero after pulling him from the rubble two days after an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)On June 24th, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 occurred in Venezuela, causing massive damage to infrastructure, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring over 16,000 people. Venezuelan community members in Bloomington are organizing aid and fundraisers in support of those that have been impacted by these earthquakes. Nora Mora and Daniela Cook, two of the organizers of Bloomington Ayuda, a fundraiser that focuses on supporting
marginalized communities in the affected areas, came in to talk about their efforts and organization. For a more in-depth conversation on Bloomington Ayuda, come back tomorrow on the WFHB
Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Elyse Perry, Kade Young, Elena Bai, Jorge Casillas, Ben Sharpe and Aidan Verde produced today’s feature report as part of WFHB’s narrative journalism workshop.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elena Bai, Ben Sharpe, Aidan Verde and Jorge Casillas.
They’re all over the internet. You see them on all kinds of websites, especially news websites, and they are found on ALL social media websites. There’s a headline or a picture that says something intriguing, and makes you want to find out more. If you click the link, it usually turns out to be disappointing and misleading…and sometimes it can be very dangerous. Clickbait is put out by people trolling for money — or trying to hook your personal information — or spear your digital device with malware. Here’s a look at what to watch out for.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 38, Youth Radio speaks to Bert Gilbert at the opening reception for the Outliers group show at the John Waldron Arts Center.
“Bert Gilbert uses unconventional materials to tell little private stories. The exploration and development of new processes drives the subtext of these stories.”
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center on June 5th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Gabe Davis & Lexington Babcock
Edited by Lexington Babcock
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All rallied at City Hall last night, urging city leaders to save Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Volunteer Connection highlighting four ways you can get involved this week, in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Featured Segments:
Homes for All organizer Bryce Greene speaks in front of city hall to demand local leaders to preserve Seminary Pointe (Photo by Jessie Grubb).On Monday, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All rallied at City Hall, urging city leaders to save Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. Activists are calling on the city’s redevelopment commission to intervene in the planned demolition of Seminary Pointe for convention center expansion. More coverage on the rally coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
(Photo by Jessie Grubb).Up next – Youth Radio reporter Ollie Schnell interviewed photographers Kay Westhues, Kip May and Garry Tutorow at the opening reception of Seeing Cuba, Feeling Cuba at the iFell gallery on Friday, July 3rd. In today’s feature report, we broadcast those interviews. We begin with an interview with Kay Westhues.
Now it’s time for Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and guest co-host Tory Crowe from Beacon Inc. to let you in on four volunteer opportunities across the city, coming your way right now on the local news.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jorge Casillas, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature on the Save Seminary Pointe rally was produced by Kade Young.
Interviews at the Seeing Cuba, Feeling Cuba reception were produced by Ollie Schnell and Jessie Grubb from Youth Radio.
Aubrey Seader produced Volunteer Connection in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jorge Casillas and Jim Odom.
Local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All rallied at City Hall, urging city leaders to save Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. Activists are calling on the city’s redevelopment commission to intervene in the planned demolition of Seminary Pointe for convention center expansion.
Credit:
Produced by Kade Young, Photos by Jessie Grubb, Anchored by Aidan Verde and Ben Sharpe
Senate Enrolled Act 76 took effect July 1st, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines the new law speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce, immigration attorney Christie Popp and Resettlement Director Erin Aquino from Exodus Refugee Immigration.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 6th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines Senate Enrolled Act 76, which took effect on July 1st. This newly passed law requires state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear from Heidi Brown from Healing Hands Outreach Center, with a true story of a family fleeing Afghanistan and finding refuge in Bloomington. Learn about the services offered at Healing Hands later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Capital Improvement Board narrows host hotel proposals to two
By Claire Zeyen
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board held a special meeting on Wednesday, July 1st, to review responses to its request for proposals for a host hotel at the convention center. Of the five proposals submitted, only two—Dora Hospitality and MHG—met the board’s requirements. Deb Kunce of JS Held explained why the remaining proposals were disqualified.
“Concord did not propose the required 200-room hotel or use the site identified in the request for proposals. Garfield failed to provide a site selection, development plan or financial plan, leaving nothing to evaluate against the requirements. Phoenix Downtown submitted a workforce housing proposal instead of a host hotel proposal,” Kunce said.
The board also discussed next steps for the project, including demolition bids and the conclusion of residential leases at the end of August.
Public interviews for the Dora Hospitality and MHG proposals will be held July 8th in the Rogers Room at the Monroe County Convention Center. Dora Hospitality’s interview is scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by MHG at 2:15 p.m.
The Capital Improvement Board is expected to make its final consideration at its next meeting on July 15th.
Utility board discusses new water rates and infrastructure upgrades
By Elyse Perry
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on June 29th.
The Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission passed a drinking water rate increase on June 24th. Board member Amanda Burnham said Bloomington Utilities had to pay the commission nearly $25,000 for a one-time processing fee.
“So this is in addition to legal fees, the state gets funds just for this whole process,” said Burnham.
Board president Jim Sherman added that these fees would not exist if the utility was not under the IURC.
The board moved on to discuss a service agreement with Ivy Tech for CDL training in 2025 and 2026. City attorney Audrey Brittingham explained the agreement.
“Essentially, this is just an agreement with Ivy Tech for them to train our potential CDL employees right now we have a system set up with Ivy Tech, where if we’re having trouble hiring a someone who are into someone into a position that requires a commercial driver’s license, what we can do is we can hire someone and pay for them to get their commercial driver’s license through Ivy Tech’s program, so they have a set price for city employees, that’s listed in there, and we have a set process for Ivy Tech,” said Burnham.
Brittingham said utilities have sent multiple people through the program. She said the agreement is behind.
“It took them a bit to get that approved on their end and signed, and then it’s just taken me a bit to get this onto the public works agenda, and then on this board’s agenda. But hopefully this is this will be it for the 2026 signature process,” said Brittingham.
The board approved the agreement and a similar one for 2026 through 2027.
Next, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson presented a contract with Wessler Engineering for upgrades to Utilities’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.
“What they’re doing is replacing the PLCs, they’re reprogramming it, and for three sites they are removing the radio and putting on cellular systems,” said Hudson.
The contract was approved unanimously. Hudson said he would be back when approval is needed for the next phase.
Then, the board discussed a broken credit card reader at the utilities bulk water station. Until it is fixed, Utilities will pay the credit card fee and add it as a surcharge to the transaction.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be on July 13th.
Featured Segments:
Senate Enrolled Act 76 took effect July 1st, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines the new law speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce, immigration attorney Christie Popp and Resettlement Director Erin Aquino from Exodus Refugee Immigration. For more, we turn to Max Schneider.
Healing Hands Outreach Center started in a closet at City Church in 2009, helping maybe 50 fifty people that year. Today Healing Hands has its own storefront on the south side of Bloomington, and last year they helped nearly 50,000. Their focus is on basic needs assistance – things like food, clothing, and household items. Healing Hands is open to anyone, and director Heidi Brown says they mostly see people struggling with poverty and housing insecurity. Along the way Brown has witnessed some incredible stories of impact, including a family of refugees from Afghanistan. Brown shares that story on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen and Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature on Indiana’s new immigration law was produced by Max Schneider.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Muniz, through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jorge Casillas and Elena Bai.
By Aidan Verde
Coach Gross and Peter both just happened to stumble on Rugby later in their lives. Peter played hockey all his life. It wasn’t until he was a junior in high school when his friends from the rugby team invited him to play in the spring. Coach didn’t pick up the sport until grad school, and didn’t even know rugby existed until he subleased a bunch of rooms to rugby guys at his college. Before rugby, Coach Gross played Division 1 basketball for Indiana State University and Marshall University. Gross then transitioned to playing Rugby at the age of 24. He played for the United States Eagles from 1996 to 2003, while also being represented by Team USA at both the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups.
For both Luke and Peter; Rugby was a sport that just happened to fall into their laps, and when it did, it became something that was near and dear to their hearts. Meanwhile, Matthew grew up around Rugby his whole life. His father grew up in Australia and played Rugby there. Eventually he moved to the states and continued to play the sport. He taught Matthew and his brothers how to play at a young age. And, while Matthew’s Rugby journey started earlier than the other two, it’s never too late to become what you might have been.
Indiana Rugby finished their previous 2026 Spring season with the team winning three out of eight tournaments, while being placed top 3 in five out of eight tournaments. Their Spring Season concluded being ranked 8th in the country. Previously, Indiana Rugby finished their Fall 2025 season with a 5-5 overall record, finishing 11th in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Coaches Poll. For added context; there are two Rugby seasons; in the fall are traditional 15 on 15 80-minute matches, while in the spring are faster-moving 7-on-7 matches which consist of two 7-minute halves, totaling 14 minutes of regulation play.
Coach Gross discussed the transition from playing to coaching, with the lessons that he learned from his playing career that helped carry over into coaching for Indiana Rugby.
“College rugby is not only about the sport itself,” said Coach Gross. “they’re a brotherhood that lasts.”
Coach highlights the importance of building relationships with your teammates which grows into connections as you move on to working life. The same question is asked of both Matthew and Peter; what have they taken away from Rugby and put forth into life off the field.
“I’d say leadership’s a huge one that I’ve taken away from rugby,” said Matthew Chevalier. “…gives me courage off the field to kind of situations when there’s a lack of leadership.”
“Trust, as well, in my teammates on the field,” said Peter Drake. “…how I like to go into interactions with other people in both a personal and professional sense.”
Leadership and trust were emphasized among the players, as it leads to how they look to better themselves towards their futures with their personal lives. As John Wooden, former basketball head coach of the UCLA Bruins once said: “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” No matter the sport, bonds between players and coaches last a lifetime.
Fans are another factor into building character for the players involved, and depending on the moment; a fanbase can very well decide the outcome of a game with pure enthusiasm alone. Take this moment for example; the IU Rugby team faces off against U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint. The rain is coming in, the wind is setting, yet the fans aren’t deterred. Despite the game being played at Army’s campus, IU’s passionate fanbase took the drive to watch their players battle on. Even with IU losing to a powerhouse which was Army; fans, which included parents, but also a passionate alumni base, didn’t care so long as they could watch the team they grew up with. Even though IU Rugby is a club sport at IU, Coach Gross spoke to the community of people who support the club on and off the field.
(Photo by Aidan Verde).“We have a very good group of alumni who are very involved,” said Coach Gross. “…behind the scenes, do other pieces, or donate, things like that.”
For the team, it has a financial board, an alumni director board, and also has officers, being the players who are on the board. Around 190-200 people are involved to help bring the IU Rugby team to life. One of those people involved is Peter Drake, who on top of being a player, is also one of the club Rugby’s vice presidents. Peter talked about the balance of being a player and being a club vice president.
“I’ve never felt like there was too much tension between the two,” said Peter. “…I felt like it was all part of the same work that I’m doing to leave the rugby club a better place than I found it when I came as a freshman.”
This club is filled with people who want to build the Rugby team into something better than it once was. A group of people; coaches, players, alumni; coming together to support a sport that they all are passionate about and want it to succeed. And to close off this journey, Matthew, Peter and Coach Gross speak on the appeal of rugby to people who are otherwise unaware of the sport.
“It has all the good stuff, and it has everything you want to see in a football game. It has all the big hits, all the fast runs,” said Matthew. “…even though they don’t really know the rules of the game, they get excited when stuff happens, because the big hits are thrilling to see.”
“It is the epitome of a college sport,” said Peter. “…how, just over the last few years, the number of supporters of rugby in America have grown.”
“I mean, it’s the sport for every shape and size,” said Coach Gross. “…and you have the flair of basketball, and you have the physicality of football, and the kicking of soccer, you know, it’s the ultimate sport.”
For anyone who is interested in rugby, more specifically IU Rugby, information about the team’s schedule and program is available on the IU Rugby website. The energy, the passion, and the physicality the sport demands, you truly cannot ask for anything more exciting than a game of rugby.
Welcome back to “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we chat with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. Host Winnie Dong looks to help anyone curious about entering the field or interested in global healthcare. She’s determined to create a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system really works.
This episode features Chutavion Walker, a clinical research coordinator who works at Riley’s Hospital for Children. Walker explains how pediatric clinical trials at Riley shape standard care, the role of research in addressing health disparities, the emerging but limited role of AI in data management, and his own path into research.
“What the Health?!” is produced by Winnie Dong for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Healing Hands Outreach Center started in a closet at City Church in 2009, helping maybe 50 fifty people that year. Today Healing Hands has its own storefront on the south side of Bloomington, and last year they helped nearly 50,000. Their focus is on basic needs assistance – things like food, clothing, and household items. Healing Hands is open to anyone, and director Heidi Brown says they mostly see people struggling with poverty and housing insecurity. Along the way Brown has witnessed some incredible stories of impact, including a family of refugees from Afghanistan. Brown relies on donors and volunteers to keep this essential community service going.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Muniz
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
A production of Once Upon a Mattress is in full swing this summer with BloomingArts Theater – a new nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of actors and performers. WFHB’s Youth Radio spoke with the cast and crew behind the production to give you the inside scoop!
Once Upon a Mattress will be at the Buskirk Chumley Theater July 17 – July 19, 2026.
Interviews conducted by Coco Duneman and Gloria Chi.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Gloria Bent from Connecticut where she went through a nightmare of care denial from United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage coverage while trying to save her husband’s life. This happened after they were forced out of their traditional Medicare program and into Medicare Advantage coverage by their retirement program. After her husband’s death she became an activist, testified before Congress, and co-founded Connecticut State Employees for Medicare Choice
Gloria BentFrom the podcast:
Karen – “You’ve been testifying before Congress, working at the Connecticut State Legislature and with your senator, Richard Blumenthal. What has that been like for you?”
Gloria- “I really appreciated working with Senator Blumenthal, and every time we spoke somewhere, it was just another affirmation of the level at which this is prevalent. We would have people telling us, ‘Yes, this has happened to us,’ or, ‘I know people that it’s happened to.’ There was some healing for me in the ability to work with his office and to speak out.”
Karen – “Gloria Bent, what is your prescription for healthcare?”
Gloria – “Ah. Um, I think profit needs to come out of it. I came to realize that the use of artificial intelligence, at least in my husband’s case, it was greed that was the enemy in this, not necessarily the use of the algorithms. I’m a big supporter of Physicians for a National Health Program. I think ultimately Medicare for All or whatever we come up with, a single payer, is the only way out of this. Because anytime you have Wall Street attacking insurance companies because they’re not making enough money for their shareholders, the patient suffers. I was surprised to learn that a Medicare Advantage plan gets a certain amount of money for however many they insure, and what they don’t spend is their’s. Having learned that, I found myself saying, ‘Is it any wonder that the level of denial is at the level that it is?’ Because that’s how they make money. I’ve read articles about UnitedHealthcare being pressured by the powers that be on Wall Street because they were spending too much on their patients and not bringing home enough reward for their shareholders.
Karen – “Gloria, thank you for talking with us today, and thank you for your dedication and your advocacy, your fierce advocacy. I’s been a pleasure to connect with you and talk about what you are doing in Connecticut to stand up and speak out.
Gloria – “Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for doing what you’re doing in Indiana. I think these stories have to keep being told, so that people are aware.
Karen – “For our listeners, the deeper we go into Medicare Advantage, and we’ve done other interviews as well, and because PNHP did a deep dive into Medicare Advantage plans, the darker it gets. For our listeners who want to follow up on this conversation, a piece by Reed Abelson in The New York Times on June 11th [Private Medicare Plans Often Deny Access to Rehab Care, Analysis Shows] looks at the denials for care in Medicare Advantage plans that are paid a fixed amount to care for patients so they have a financial incentive to spend less on care. And to achieve savings, these plans often deny people expensive specialized inpatient care. Overall, about one in five patients appeal to insurers’ denials, and nearly all were reversed, according to the investigators’ review of denials by 19 companies in June 2024. UnitedHealth, your company, which received the highest number of requests for appeal, reversed 99.7% of its rejections according to the inspector general’s inquiry. The high percentage of denials that were overturned suggest that some people’s care, very personal for you, was inappropriately – delayed because of the insurer’s decision, and others may not have gotten the care they deserved because they never appealed.”
Another recent story from The Washington Post 6/29/26 – After her insurer denied coverage of medication, she ended up in the ER – After switching Medicare Advantage plans, a woman with a weakened immune system got tangled in the preapproval process, which the insurance industry has vowed to improve.
Please Note: Anyone reading or listening to this who is currently covered by a Medicare Advantage plan rather than Traditional Medicare, please do not feel like you should immediately drop your Advantage plan. Your plan may be what is best for you as an individual. What we are saying is that Medicare Advantage as a policy is bad policy, but in your individual situation it may make good sense. Many people with Medicare Advantage plans get good care and are happy with their coverage.
We need to change the policy. You don’t necessarily need to change your coverage, but you should understand that you may face denials and delays that would not come up with traditional Medicare.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
During WFHB’s Youth Radio Music Journalism Summer Camp, campers AJ and Allie sat down with Stevie Violet to learn to learn about her music after the release of her debut album, Chrysalis.
Stevie shares how growing up in Greencastle, studying audio engineering at Indiana University, and becoming part of Bloomington’s music scene has shaped her sound. She talks about learning guitar from her dad, writing her first song as a teenager, and finding inspiration from artists ranging from Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish to Paramore and Michael Jackson.
Photos and interview by AJ Ira and Allie Alonso
Welcome to Voices in the Street. Public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington. Voices in the Street provides an opportunity for residents to anonymously voice their opinions and perspectives on the issues and events that matter most to Bloomington citizens.
In this edition of Voices in the Street, Youth Radio reporters took to the streets to ask some lighthearted questions in honor of America’s 250th birthday. We spoke to a few people who were out during an extreme heat warming about American history, weird ways to celebrate this 4th of July, and more.
This segment of Voices in the Street was produced by Dat Nguyen, and Gloria Chi for WFHB’s Youth Radio.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 2nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, a federal judge has ordered the release of a Milwaukee Palestinian activist who had been held in ICE custody at the Clay County Jail. An interview with Salah Sarsour’s son coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde looks into how Indiana rugby prepares for its upcoming season.
CIB narrows Bloomington convention center host hotel field to Dora, MHG
By Dave Askins
Top: Signs were posted on June 10, giving notice of the pending planned demolition of buildings on the Seminary Pointe block. Bottom: Land shaded with purple has been transferred by either the city or the county government to the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) to support the convention center expansion project. The gray area bordered in orange is the site of the convention center expansion. It’s the dark purple area that the CIB has targeted for a possible land swap for the blue square to the north, which is the College Square property, formerly owned by Bunger & Robertson. The dark yellow areas are historic districts. The 424 S. College and 222 W 2nd St addresses, indicated with placemarks inside the dark purple area, are listed as “contributing” in the city’s 2018 survey. Map by the B Square.The field for the Bloomington convention center host hotelier was narrowed Wednesday (July 1) to two development teams. Monroe County’s capital improvement board (CIB) is advancing just two of five proposals, from Dora Hospitality and MHG Hotels, for interviews next week.
The proposals came in response to an RFP issued by the CIB in mid-April.
The selection of two interviewees, which came at a special meeting of the CIB on Wednesday, appears to put the CIB on track by mid-July to choose a hotel developer for the Seminary Pointe block south of the existing convention center.
That further dims hopes that a land swap could be worked out to use the Bloomington redevelopment commission’s (RDC’s) College Square block for the host hotel and preserve Seminary Pointe for use as extremely affordable housing and commercial space, which is its current use. College Square (aka the former Bunger & Robertson lot) is the southwest corner of College Avenue and 2nd Street.
The two proposals selected for interviews are from Dora Hospitality, submitted by Vince Dora and Russ Louderback, and MHG Hotels, submitted by Neal and Sanjay Patel. According to the CIB, those were the only two submissions that met the RFP submission requirements.
Both Dora Hospitality and MHG Hotels submitted proposals in response to the CIB’s original request for proposals two years ago. On Wednesday, CIB board member Jay Baer quipped: “The Groundhog Day nature of this from two and a half years ago was throwing me off … I’ve seen this movie!”
The first time around it was Dora that was selected by the CIB as its preferred hotelier. Negotiations between Dora and the Bloomington RDC over the use of the College Square lot finally foundered in early 2026 after lasting for more than a year.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “CIB narrows Bloomington convention center host hotel field to Dora, MHG.”
Featured Segments:
Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Submitted photo from the Islamic Society of MilwaukeeA federal judge has ordered the release of a Milwaukee Palestinian activist Salah Sarsour who had been held in ICE custody at the Clay County Jail. The ruling came days after supporters rallied outside the jail in Brazil, Indiana. Correspondent Kade Young has more.
With Indiana University Rugby being well into its offseason; head coach Luke Gross, and two rugby players in Matthew Chevalier and Peter Drake speak with WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde on how Rugby has played a role in their lives, and how the sport is much more than just a club sport at IU.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
B Square Bites was produced by Dave Askins and edited by Claire Zeyen.
Our feature was produced by Aidan Verde.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jorge Casillas and Claire Zeyen.
Welcome back to “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we chat with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. Host Winnie Dong looks to help anyone curious about entering the field or interested in global healthcare. She’s determined to create a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system really works.
This episode features licensed clinical social worker Lindsay Potts, who reflects on nearly 20 years in behavioral health. She discusses her work on Senate Bill 1 in 2023, which established the 988 crisis response system and expanded mobile crisis teams to 90% of counties in Indiana. Potts also talks about the transition of Community Clinic Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) from grant-funded to self-sustaining models through federal demonstration participation.
What the Health?! is produced by Winnie Dong for WFHB’s Youth Radio
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 1st, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Senate Enrolled Act 76 takes effect today, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with State Representative Matt Pierce about what the new law does, who it affects and the legal questions it raises. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Rogues’ Gallery 2” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Jessie Grubb.Today’s headlines include rundowns of several government meetings, including the Ellettsville Town Council, the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission and the city’s Transportation Commission. Tune in to hear a breakdown of all things local government.
Senate Enrolled Act 76 expands cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities while banning sanctuary policies. Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with State Representative Matt Pierce about the legislation and its potential impact.
And now, “Rogues’ Gallery 2” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Jorge Casillas, Elena Bai and Aidan Verde, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Max Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elena Bai, Aidan Verde and Jorge Casillas.
Con Artists can get extremely creative — and bold. Here’s a look at a couple of famous swindles that succeeded simply because they were so audacious the victims couldn’t believe anyone would try something that crazy. The “Big Lie” is a well-proven tactic, used by scammers, dictators, politicians and others…because it works.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 30th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington. They discuss the SEEL program which provides grant funding and assistance to install solar panels. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Volunteer Connection in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington.
County Council Funds Sheriff’s Office for ACLU Lawsuit, Advances Tax Abatement
By Claire Zeyen
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on June 23rd and heard a request from the Sheriff’s Office for additional funds to hire outside counsel to prepare for an ACLU lawsuit. Sheriff Ruben Marté asserted the need to move quickly.
“We’re moving a very fast pace that we don’t have the luxury to wait,” said Marte.
Much of the discussion centered on whether the county’s insurance would cover litigation and whether the sheriff should reallocate existing funds before seeking a new appropriation. Council Member Kate Wiltz questioned the request.
“You already have a line for this, and you have money for these purposes. I’m just unsure as to why you need an extra appropriation before a lawsuit has been started,” Wiltz said.
The council approved the Sheriff’s Office request for an additional $30,000, 6-1, with Council Member Marty Hawk casting the lone dissenting vote.
Next, the council heard from Scientia, a software and cybersecurity company, seeking a property tax abatement to support a major expansion. Doug McDaniel, the company president, said the company offers high-wage local jobs and long-term careers.
“We currently have 39 employees. Our average salary is just a little north of $105,000 a year, but 90% of our employees are in Indiana. 74% of those are here in Monroe County. The average longevity of our folks is right at five and a half years, and we’ve got quite a few young folks as well,” McDaniel said.
Councilors largely praised the company’s local economic impact, while asking about workforce longevity, benefits and whether any environmental regulations applied to its operations.
The Council voted to advance the Scientia tax abatement request to public notice.
Later, the County Council approved Resolution 2026‑25, restructuring the Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee after its first meeting failed for lack of quorum. County Attorney Molly Turner-King explained the narrowed scope of the subcommittee.
“Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee’s focus shall be on location only at this time,” she said.
The subcommittee is expected to return a recommended jail site in roughly a month.
The meeting adjourned with council members thanking those who assisted with storm cleanup and recognizing the recent Juneteenth celebration. The Monroe County Council’s next meeting is July 14th.
Jail Site Subcommittee Begins Search, Sets July Recommendation Timeline
By Elyse Perry
The Monroe County Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee held its first meeting on June 24th. The expected first meeting lacked a quorum, so the Monroe County Council reduced voting membership from eight to six members.
Currently, the subcommittee has five members because the Monroe County Commissioners have yet to appoint a representative.
The subcommittee’s goal is to evaluate potential properties within Bloomington city limits and recommend one location to the city-county collaborative group.
Deputy Prosecutor April Wilson presented a proposed process for the task.
“With the truncated schedule. I think one of the things we should do is create a site evaluation metrics, identify properties, apply the site evaluation metrics to the identified properties, discuss our findings, and make recommendations. I recognize we only have three weeks,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the council gave the subcommittee one month to find a location.
“Trying to reach that deadline with this process, it seems like we would have to have multiple meetings. I just put some meetings on a calendar, obviously I haven’t checked with anyone’s schedule, so I understand that they might have to be moved,” Wilson said.
Wilson said she hopes the process and pacing will allow the subcommittee to meet its deadlines. Her plan also provided six metrics to judge each property.
The subcommittee agreed to review the proposed metrics before the next meeting. Thomson suggested the subcommittee members submit additions before June 26th.
The subcommittee approved scheduling six meetings through July 13th to finalize its recommendation. It voted to accept public comment during the June 29th and July 6th meetings while also establishing a process for written public input.
The committee moved on to hear County Attorney Larry Allen present a history of the jail property search.
“We looked at Fullerton Pike, and we looked at a property further south. The one further south didn’t get a lot of traction, because it’s so far south, but there was a lot of back and forth, at least the initial meeting between the Fullerton Pike site and the Vernal Pike site. We reached out to the owner of Vernal Pike, and they weren’t interested in selling at that time, so that kind of eliminated that. So that’s how we got to Fullerton. We went through the city council process. City council rejected it,” Allen said.
Allen also explained the history behind the Thomson, Hopewell, Power Lines and North Park sites. The North Park site was denied by the county council in May.
County attorney Molly Turner-King moved onto the properties that design company DLZ identified downtown and on the outskirts of Bloomington.
Turner-King said the properties were considered for their size, location within flood plains and whether they are for sale. She said none of six properties met the stated criteria.
The subcommittee decided to add the Thomson property, the Curry property and the Power Lines property to the list of sites under current consideration.
The subcommittee will meet next on June 29th.
Featured Segments:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington. They discuss the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Annabelle Vosmeier for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Claire Zeyen, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Carrie Albright and Ashton Harper.
Aubrey Seader produces Volunteer Connection in partnership with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Benedict Jones.
There was something especially meaningful about welcoming The Matriarch to the WFHB Firehouse studio on April 24, 2026. Though now based in Chicago, the band first came together in Bloomington—making this session feel a bit like a homecoming. Hosted by Adriane Pontecorvo, the session featured conversation and live performances highlighting the band’s growth and enduring connection to Bloomington.
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle
Post-Production Engineer: Jared Coyle
WFHB recently caught up with Laura Veirs for a phone interview about her forthcoming album, “Temple Songs.”
In our conversation, Veirs discusses the creative journey behind her first fully self-produced record—an album she wrote, recorded, arranged, produced, and performed almost entirely on her own. You’ll also hear clips of her new singles, “Pulse” and “Flying into Darkness.”
Producer & Host: Abby Noroozi
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 37, Youth Radio speaks to Dave Diegel at the opening reception for the Outliers group show at the John Waldron Arts Center. Dave Diegel is a 45 year resident of Monroe County. He works in multimedia constructions, as well as hand colored monotypes. His influences range from Thomas Hart Benton, to vintage postcards, to Dali and Dr. Seuss.
Kitchen Oilers by Dave DiegelThis episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center on June 5th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Gabe Davis & Lexington Babcock
Edited by Lexington Babcock
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Mark Brundage Odom. Author Mark Brundage Odom shares in his book, “The Sum of Me”, his journey of finding the truth about his biological father that had long eluded him. This deeply personal narrative explores a life-altering revelation, capturing the complex emotions of gratitude, bewilderment, and a profound sense of purpose accompanying the search for one’s identity and heritage. Odom’s story is a testament to his resilience and an inspiring beacon for those on similar quests for understanding.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, and having traversed the globe in his formative years, Mark Brundage Odom now proudly resides in Maryland with his beautiful wife, Ariane.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 29th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Executive Director of Heading Home Mary Morgan speaks with Correspondent Zoe Moczek about Senate Enrolled Act 285, which goes into effect Wednesday. This law bans camping, sleeping or long-term shelter on state and local public land. Advocates say it effectively criminalizes street homeless. Stay tuned for today’s featured interview in the bottom half of our program.
You’ll also hear Bill Baus from the Bloomington Indiana Grotto, the local chapter of a national organization for people who love caves – exploring them, and protecting them. Bill talks about taking you inside Buckner Cave over by the airport later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “Bloomington drinking water rates set to rise in August.” To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin.
Senate Enrolled Act 285 will go into effect on Wednesday, July 1st. This law will make it illegal for a person to sleep, camp, or take long-term shelter on public land. People who do so could also face misdemeanor charges if they do not leave the area within two days of receiving a warning. Up next, WFHB News correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Mary Morgan, the executive director of Heading Home of South Central Indiana, an organization aimed at reducing homelessness and strengthening housing security. Morgan explains how Senate Enrolled Act 285 may impact people experiencing homelessness here in Bloomington and the organizations that are working to provide aid to them. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time. That’s the slogan of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto, the local chapter of a national organization for people who love caves – exploring them, and protecting them. Bloomington sits atop a karst landscape – that means lots of caverns, sinkholes, and underground streams. These limestone labyrinths make for some exciting spelunking – but it’s not safe to go caving alone and unprepared. Members of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto are volunteers who can teach you about techniques and equipment, safe caving practices, cave science, and good conservation ethics. Bill Baus is a longtime member who was instrumental in reclaiming Buckner Cave from graffiti and litter. Bill is eager to share his love of caving with YOU on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
This episode of Activate! was produced by Henry Holloway, through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Our featured interview was produced by Zoe Moczek.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Max Schneider and Zoe Moczek.
¿Cómo puede la música, la fe y las historias de las mujeres latinas fortalecer nuestras comunidades? En este episodio de Hola Bloomington conversamos con Yuriria Rodríguez, cantante, sacerdotisa episcopal y creadora del proyecto Caminemos con María, una iniciativa que celebra la vida, las experiencias y la espiritualidad de las mujeres latinas en nuestras comunidades y comunidades de fe.
Durante nuestra conversación hablamos sobre:
- Su historia personal y el camino que la llevó de una carrera musical al ministerio en la Iglesia Episcopal.
- ¿Cómo nació el proyecto Caminemos con María y la importancia de visibilizar las voces y experiencias de las mujeres latinas.
- El proceso de creación y grabación del álbum Caminemos con María, quiénes participaron y dónde puede escucharse.
- Su vocación de servicio, la música como herramienta de esperanza y los proyectos musicales en los que trabaja actualmente.
Durante esta conversación inspiradora sobre identidad, comunidad, liderazgo, espiritualidad y el poder de la música para unir a las personas, escuchamos también las canciones “Yo soy Maria de Buenos Aires” y “Maria va”
Websites de las organizaciones apoyadas con la descarga del disco:
- Tu Refugio Seguro – https://turefugioseguro.org/
- Mujeres conectadas – www.Mujeresconectadas.org
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time. That’s the slogan of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto, the local chapter of a national organization for people who love caves – exploring them, and protecting them. Bloomington sits atop a karst landscape – that means lots of caverns, sinkholes, and underground streams. These limestone labyrinths make for some exciting caving – but it’s not safe to try it alone and unprepared. Members of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto are volunteers who can teach you about techniques and equipment, safe caving practices, cave science, and good conservation ethics. Bill Baus is a longtime member who was instrumental in reclaiming Buckner Cave from graffiti and litter.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Henry Holloway
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.
We’ve had some serious storms in southern Indiana this spring, and you may have noticed that it’s bigger and more destructive than previous years. Climate researchers now have evidence that golf-ball-size hail and larger will become much more common in the United States. According to climate researchers at Northern Illinois University, a warmer atmosphere creates more powerful thunderstorms which are then capable of producing larger hailstones.
The research shows this trend will intensify as global temperatures continue rising. For those of us who are not hail scientists, hail forms when rising air in thunderstorms lifts water droplets into freezing air high in the atmosphere. The stronger the storm’s updraft, the more ice accumulates around each droplet before gravity finally pulls it down to earth.
More atmospheric energy from warming means more powerful updrafts and bigger hailstones. While this phenomenon is fascinating, maybe even fun—it also has some very real dangers. Larger hail can cause more damage to private property, like vehicles, roofs, and outdoor structures. Massive hailstones are just one of the many symptoms of how our planet continues to change.
The tornado that moved northwards in Monroe County recently, close to Martinsville, Indiana, has been a significant damage tornado, taking trees along the corridor of I-69 and felling many, with shards of their trunks still standing. High winds and heavy rain began late Wednesday night on June 17th, with winds reported at up to 40 to 45 miles per hour speeds by the National Weather Service, causing severe damage to the trees along I-69, as well as power lines and vehicles, and closing roads.
The tornado became a significant debris tornado close to 10 pm on Wednesday night last week, with most of the damage in Mount Pleasant, Indiana, as fallen trees blocked roads and cellular service was limited. Emergency workers found some people with injuries in Mount Pleasant, and as power lines and trees had fallen, blocking in residents, workers had to access residents on foot, however, due to the damage, some areas were impassable as of yesterday’s reports.
On Brighton Road, there was a fire, although no one was reported as severely hurt. The extent of the tornado damage is not yet known, The Bloomingtonian reports. In some areas, workers have reported trees being down for nearly 100 to 200 yards. I-69 was closed along mile marker 130 due to fallen trees.
In the Netherlands, a mobile cart is trading mini pancakes for something most people throw away—cigarette butts. Okay, yes, it sounds odd, but it’s working to clean up streets while educating communities about waste. WasteBar is a project that exchanges litter—specifically cigarette butts and aluminum cans—for food and drinks.
Bring a handful of discarded butts to the cart, and you’ll walk away with poffertjes (Dutch mini pancakes). For those of us shocked by this business decision, it turns out that the Netherlands discards between five and ten billion cigarette butts annually. Each filter is made of a plastic that takes up to a decade to break down while leaching nicotine and heavy metals into soil and waterways.
When customers bring their cigarette butts to exchange, the WasteBar team doesn’t just offer a pancake, they explain why this type of litter is so damaging and even walk you through waste reduction practices. Partnering with artist Angelina Kumar and the organization UPPACT, WasteBar is targeting one million collected butts in 2026 to transform into a recycled bench or garden set.
By making litter cleanup feel rewarding rather than thankless, this project shows how behavior can shift when organizations take on creative solutions and engage their community.
There are lots of ways to approach environmentally conscious behavior change and Amsterdam just took on a new one: They’ve become the first city in the world to ban public advertising for both meat and fossil fuels. Since May 1st, Amsterdam’s outdoor advertising space no longer promotes meat products or fossil fuel-related travel and transportation.
The city is framing this as part of its climate strategy, with targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and halve meat consumption by the same date. This move intentionally targets consumer choices that are directly responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water depletion.
Banning ads for meat products is focused on the meat industry, not local, sustainable farming businesses. Many small-scale and regenerative farms operate with environmental footprints that look completely different from factory farming. The intention behind this ban is to prevent corporations from normalizing consumption of industrially-produced, high-impact products.
Other Dutch cities have followed with similar restrictions. By removing these ads from public spaces, Amsterdam is shifting what communities consider the default option. The goal is making people think twice about industrial meat and fuel consumption.
Do you get frustrated by how much plastic you end up with after a trip to the supermarket? You can participate in a supermarket audit so we can collectively demand change. Supermarkets are key to less plastic. Supermarkets can influence how brands package their products, and how much plastic consumers end up being exposed to when shopping for everyday products.
They are key players in the plastic pollution lifecycle. Supermarkets have a huge opportunity to help reduce plastic pollution but currently they have largely avoided responsibility for their role in the crises. There’s a lack of information on supermarket business practices around the world, and without information, we can’t demand they do better.
By surveying how supermarkets are either increasing plastic pollution or helping reduce it, we can see what best practices exist, and what practices need to become things of the past. By auditing stores around the world we can see which companies are leading the way and pressure others to follow their example.
If you are interested in participating in a questionnaire, you can go to #breakfreefromplastic to conduct a supermarket audit.
In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright interviewed Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.
- A Snakes by the Lake activity is planned for Saturday, June 13th at Spring Mill State Park beginning at 1 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Meet snakes that are used for education during the activity.
- A class on Learn to Compost at Home will take place on Tuesday, June 16th, from 6 to 8 pm at Butler Park Community Gardens. This workshop will cover composting methods that can be used in your yard. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Take a Sunset Paddle on Griffy Lake at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, June 18th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Watch the sunset in a peaceful surrounding while floating on the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Bloomington’s Bee City committee has scheduled A Pollinator Week Pop-Up Exhibition at the Lilly Library beginning on June 18th.
- The Bloomington Bee City committee has also scheduled a documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21st. Contact the library for times.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Cynthia Roberts
Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts
Carrie Albright
Feature Report
Carrie Albright
Ashton Harper
Script & Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 25th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, we have the latest edition of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the local chapter of the League of Women Voters and WFHB.
You’ll also hear media law expert Anthony Fargo, a member of the task force calling for editorial independence and a sustainable funding structure for IU student media. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Featured Segments:
A task force pondering the future of student media at Indiana University has issued its recommendations. The Task Force on Editorial Independence and Sustainability was launched in November by The Media School at Indiana University after the firing of the director of student media and suspension of print editions of the student newspaper drew outrage on campus and across the nation. In May the task force issued its recommendations including enforceable protections for editorial independence, meaningful student representation in student media governance and a sustainable funding structure that cannot be used to influence or punish editorial coverage. Earlier this month a coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter to IU administrators urging them to act on these recommendations. As Bloomington and press freedom advocates around the country wait to see what happens next, task force member Anthony Fargo sat down with correspondent Carolina Pierce for a feature report. We first aired this feature on June 15th.
In today’s edition of Civic Conversations, Indiana University Professor Jessica Story-Nagy, a political and linguistic anthropologist, discusses how private talk with friends and family can influence voting behavior. She is a research associate and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Anthropology and the Russian and Eastern European Institute.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature story on faculty response to IU’s student media crisis was produced by Carolina Pierce in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Jamyl Efiom.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jorge Casillas and Ben Sharpe.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News speaks with Mayor Kerry Thomson about her recent veto of a city council ordinance that would close Kirkwood Avenue to car traffic. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Runaround When You Run Around” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the local news.
ACLU interviews at Monroe County jail frame $30K legal request, reset for work group
By Dave Askins
Top: Jail commander Kyle Gibbons and Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté. Bottom: Monroe county councilors from far to near: Marty Hawk, David Henry, Peter Iversen, Jennifer Crossley, Trent Deckard, Kate Wiltz, and Liz Feitl. (Dave Askins, June 23, 2026)The political rift over how to respond to a potential new lawsuit against Monroe County officials over conditions at the jail was a factor in two significant actions at Tuesday night’s (June 23) county council meeting.
On one front, councilors voted 6–1 to appropriate $30,000 in response to a request from sheriff Ruben Marté for his own outside lawyer, as the ACLU of Indiana is preparing fresh litigation over conditions at the county jail. That’s after the ACLU allowed a settlement agreement from a long-running 2008 lawsuit to expire.
The prospect of fresh litigation moved beyond speculation at Tuesday’s meeting, when Marté reported that lead ACLU attorney Ken Falk would visit the jail the next day to interview prisoners as potential plaintiffs in a new legal action.
On another front, the county council tightened up the membership of a joint city-county working group that is supposed to recommend a new jail site, shrinking its voting membership in hopes of avoiding the kind of quorum failure that derailed the group’s first meeting last week. The group will try again to meet on Wednesday (June 24).
County officials have settled on the idea of building a new jail as the solution to addressing overcrowded conditions at the existing facility. A split between commissioners and councilors over a choice of jail site emerged after North Park was twice rejected in a six-month span by the county council.
For the jail site working group, councilors assigned “ex officio” status to the sheriff’s office and the board of judges, which was consistent with clear indications from each that they would not be participating. The move reduced the number of members relevant for quorum from eight to six.
County officials are now trying to protect themselves in a potential new court case, while also finding a place to build a new jail, but without the public participation of the sheriff or the board of judges or, so far anyway, the county commissioners.
The sharpest exchange of Tuesday’s county council meeting came when Hawk suggested the sheriff should simply reallocate money inside his existing services budget within the same category and come back later if he needed to refill other lines. That is a workaround the council often urges departments to use for mid-year, unplanned expenses.
“Maybe what they need is a new line within their services,” Hawk said. “Then they can move it up and down within that, as they choose. We don’t need to do an additional appropriation …”
After a back-and-forth about internal transfers, Hawk tried to simplify her point:
Hawk: Take the line, just say thank you. We’ll put a line in place … ”
Marté: …You want me to say thank you? That’s what I heard you say to me??
Hawk: You can transfer the very day it gets under. You can do it. We don’t have to do it. You’re ready to go tomorrow. Isn’t that what you want?”
A short while later, Marté was candid with his thoughts about Hawk’s comment: “I do not need to be told to be thankful,” Marté said. He added, “That took a very offensive turn there.”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “ACLU interviews at Monroe County jail frame $30K legal request, reset for work group.”
Featured Segments:
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson has vetoed the city council’s plan for a seasonal closure of Kirkwood Avenue to vehicle traffic. Earlier this afternoon, WFHB Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Jorge Casillas spoke with the mayor over the phone to discuss her decision and what’s next for the future of Kirkwood.
(Photos by Aidan Verde)
Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe takes to Kirkwood Avenue to ask for residents’ opinions on the future of Kirkwood.
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Wednesday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider brings you a brief rundown on Indiana news and politics in today’s edition of the Statehouse Roundup. We turn to Schneider for more.
And now, “The Runaround When You Run Around” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Our feature was produced by Jorge Casillas and Ben Sharpe.
Ben Sharpe produced today’s voxpop.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elena Bai and Ben Sharpe.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson has vetoed the city council’s plan for a seasonal closure of Kirkwood Avenue to vehicle traffic. Earlier this afternoon, WFHB Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Jorge Casillas spoke with the mayor over the phone to discuss her decision. Tap this link to hear a voices in the street segment where residents give their opinions on the future of Kirkwood.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thompson vetoed a proposal to close Kirkwood Avenue to vehicles on Monday evening, citing issues with funding and community consensus. WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe takes to Kirkwood Avenue to ask for residents’ opinions on the future of Kirkwood.
(Photos by Aidan Verde).
Travel can be expensive — and if you get ripped off, it can be REALLY expensive. There are so many ways scammers prey on travelers, when planning a trip, booking a trip, and while on a trip that we can’t possibly mention them all, but here are some basic ways to stay safe and not have some fraudster ruin your time away from home. Do some research on your own, too, before you set foot outside your door.
Each week Volunteer Connection brings you four ways to get involved in your community through volunteer service. The show is your weekly snapshot of how people of all ages can match their time and talents to local needs.
Volunteer Connection is a co-production of WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
Links to Content Mentioned in the Episode:
- For more information on the 2026 Taste of Bloomington Event Volunteer opportunity, visit bton.in/Taste26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at IU Hilltop Garden & Nature Center at bton.in/Summer26
- You can learn more about how to volunteer at the Stone Belt Fun Day event at bton.in/SBFunDay
- To view the Pathways Food Pantry Wish List, visit bton.in/PathWish
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to build a strong, healthy and engaged community by inspiring, supporting, and celebrating volunteerism in our community. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or call 812-349-3433.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623-Volunteer-Connection-1.mp3
WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about the city’s biggest strengths, its most pressing challenges and what they believe should be Bloomington’s top priority moving forward.
(Photos by Aidan Verde).
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News hits the streets of Bloomington to ask residents what issues matter most to them. Hear more from your fellow community members in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Volunteer Connection, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. But first, your local headlines:
Mayor Thomson vetoes Kirkwood Avenue closure ordinance
By Kade Young
Construction on Kirkwood Avenue earlier this afternoon (Photo by Aidan Verde).Mayor Kerry Thomson vetoed a city council ordinance that would close Kirkwood Avenue to vehicular traffic on a seasonal basis.
The mayor put out a news release on Monday evening, announcing her decision. She called for a broader community plan for a more “pedestrian-friendly” Kirkwood; however, she argued the ordinance committed the city to a long-term closure without the fiscal analysis and community consensus necessary to carry it out.
Ordinance 2026-12 passed in the city council by a narrow 5-4 vote on June 10th. During that city council meeting, Council Member Hopi Stosberg expressed concerns that additional planning and investment are needed before making the closure permanent.
“I don’t think what we have right now on Kirkwood spells success for a closure to vehicular traffic,” said Stosberg.
During that same city council meeting, Resident Zach Ammerman supported pedestrianizing Kirkwood.
“Bloomington has every structural advantage research identifies for implementing a successful pedestrian program. The one ingredient we are missing is political will and vision,” said Ammerman.
Mayor Thomson hosted a listening session last Tuesday regarding the future of Kirkwood Avenue following the council vote. Several speakers brought up accessibility concerns for elderly residents or people with disabilities. Charlie Davis, who is blind, said accessibility issues have not received enough attention in the conversation about Kirkwood.
“How is this not reducing or limiting accessibility?” asked Davis. “I just haven’t heard this discussion at all…it makes me feel invisible.”
Mark Lockley, a real estate developer, said he doesn’t believe the decision to close off Kirkwood to cars is well thought out.
“There are more important questions that still need answers,” said Lockley. “How will businesses not located on Kirkwood compete if they don’t have outdoor seating? Where will customers park? How far would those people have to walk? And what will be the economic impact of permanently eliminating almost 100 if not more than 100 parking spaces?”
Not everyone in the listening session opposed the idea of closing traffic downtown. One resident said the city could afford to dedicate a small portion of the street to pedestrians.
“Mayor Thomson, I’ve heard you mentioned multiple times about how you’d like to bring more young professionals into Bloomington. A car-free street is exactly the sort of thing that attracts more young professionals to it to a city,” he said.
Resident Mitchell Farmer says the debate shouldn’t be limited to whether the street is open or closed. In his view, the city should focus on long-term investment.
“Any plan like this only works with infrastructure and investment, so it needs a plan,” said Farmer. “Bloomington summers are not the way that they were… we are increasingly becoming a resort town for the university.”
Community member Alex York says he’s a young professional with children. He says his family enjoys when Kirkwood Avenue is closed off to cars.
“When the street is closed, I am much more likely to bring my family there. I am much more likely to be there. I feel like my children are safer. We visit the businesses there more often,” said York.
York also mentioned climate change saying the closure allows Kirkwood to become less car-dependent.
“We need our communities to be more sustainable, which means denser, which means more walkable, less car dependent, and that is difficult,” said York. “There’s no one project in Bloomington that accomplishes that goal, but this project would go a long way towards that goal.”
The mayor’s veto means the council will revisit the ordinance on July 22nd following its summer recess.
Housing advocates urge delay as CIB advances hotel process
By Kade Young
About 70 people attended a block party last month at Friendly Beasts aimed at preserving affordable housing at Seminary Pointe apartments (photo by Jessie Grubb).The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met last Wednesday and laid out a plan that could select a hotel developer recommendation by its July 15th meeting.
Housing advocates urged the board to delay the process and pursue an alternative hotel site. The CIB seeks a developer for a convention center hotel that would likely require acquiring Seminary Pointe. Seminary Pointe is a block of affordable housing and commercial property near Kroger and adjacent to the new Hopewell development.
Local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All has proposed preserving seminary Pointe and instead use the College Square site for the hotel. However, the CIB signaled they will move ahead with a tightened schedule that could produce a host hotel recommendation within weeks.
During the meeting, board president John Whikehart spells out the timeline that could lead to a hotel developer recommendation by mid-July.
“The hotel evaluation group will be reassembled to review all the information submitted in the RFPs, to review the information from the interviews, and to come back to us at our regular meeting on July 15 with a recommendation on a hotelier at that time,” said Whikehart.
Meanwhile, the local activist group Bloomington Homes for All urged the CIB to pump the brakes on the hotel selection process. Organizer Bryce Greene says this would give the CIB more time to make an arrangement with the city’s redevelopment commission to consider a “land swap” for the College Square property. Greene says this would open the door to preserve Seminary Pointe.
“Delaying the decision on whether or not to move forward with some development on the RDC or on Seminary Pointe would be worthwhile for everyone involved,” said Greene.
Greene says circumstances have changed and the board should revisit the College Square property as an alternative site for convention center expansion.
“I believe that the RDC is open to a deal. We have been interfacing within Bloomington Homes for All about a proposed redevelopment project at Seminary Pointe that involves preserving these affordable housing units and this affordable business space,” he said.
Matthew Joseph, business representative for Homes for All, asked the board to submit a proposal to the RDC for College Square. He says Homes for All has financing lined up to preserve Seminary Pointe.
“We have a 25 page business plan about how we’re going to do this, as well as a built-out pro forma reviewed by interested lenders for how Seminary Pointe can not only be retained but also flourish with the necessary renovations and maintaining the super-affordability of it,” said Joseph.
In Joseph’s view, the College Square site is a better location for a convention center hotel.
“The research is clear that the closer a hotel is to a convention center, the more successful the convention center is,” he said.
The CIB now has a public offering of the College Square site with responses to the requests for proposals due on June 30th.
Homes for All members presented a plan for the future of Seminary Pointe on Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library. Visit this link to hear coverage of that presentation during yesterday’s local newscast.
Ellettsville–Richland reorganization headed to November ballot
By Dave Askins
From left: Richland Township board members (Jay Thrasher, David Willibey, and Dawn Durnil) and Ellettsville Town councilors (Pam Samples, Scott Oldham, William Ellis, and Trevor Sager).(Dave Askins, June 23, 2026)The proposed reorganization of Richland Township and the Town of Ellettsville will now go to voters in November, after the Richland Township board and Ellettsville town council each voted Monday night to put the question on the ballot.
The one vote of dissent came from township board member David Willibey, who said, “The majority of the people I’ve talked to are against it, so therefore I say no.”
The separate votes came after the second of two public hearings required under Indiana state law. The first hearing was held June 10, and the second took place Monday, June 22.
The proposal, if approved by voters, would dissolve Richland Township government and consolidate its functions into a reorganized Town of Ellettsville. The new municipal government would cover both the existing town limits and the unincorporated parts of Richland Township.
Under the plan, the reorganized town would have a seven-member town council, with five district seats and two at-large seats. The government would also include two primary taxing districts: an urban district, roughly corresponding to the current town boundaries; and a rural district covering the rest of Richland Township.
Supporters of the move say it’s needed in order to protect essential public services, preserve local identity, and create a more efficient and sustainable structure for future growth for the entire township. That comes against the backdrop of fiscal pressure from SEA 1 and a concern that the state legislature wants eventually to completely eliminate township government.
President of the Ellettsville Town Council, Scott Oldham, exhorted voters to get their questions answered before Nov. 3, and not to rely on mere rumors:
This is a significant vote. I would encourage everyone to ask the questions you need to find out the answers for yourself. Don’t just believe everything that’s floating around, because there’s a lot of misinformation, both pro and con, out there. This shapes this town’s future. This shapes this township’s future, so let’s all try and get it as absolutely right as we can, and not just believe a rumor of a rumor of a rumor of a rumor.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Ellettsville–Richland reorganization headed to November ballot.”
Featured Segments:
Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with a local resident earlier today about what issues in Bloomington matter most to him (Photo by Aidan Verde).WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Kirkwood and asked residents: What should Bloomington’s top priority be right now? And other questions over residents’ opinions on the current state of the city.
Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Zoe Moczek for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Claire Zeyen, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jorge Casillas.
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Aubrey Seader produced Volunteer Connection in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Jim Odom.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 36, Youth Radio speaks to Amy Brier, an exhibiting artist in The Outliers group show at the John Waldron Arts Center.
“Carved directly in stone, Amy Brier’s work combines traditional carving techniques with contemporary art ideas such as public interaction and appropriation. While her main means of production is carving, she does not limit her efforts to a single ‘signature’ medium. Instead, she moves between various media such as glass, stone, paper, metal.”
Zen Master by Amy BrierThis episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center on June 5th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Gabe Davis & Lexington Babcock
Edited by Grace Cabrera
Attorney William MorrisOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Dr. Gloria Howell spend the hour with attorney William Morris. He is also known as Brother William on WFIU’s Soul Kitchen, a radio program focused on American soul, jazz, and old-school rock music. Brother William is a former WFHB radio personality and a respected attorney. He also recently became a deacon at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, IN.
In addition, he is a member of BTCC (Building a Thriving Compassionate Community), a group of Monroe County residents committed to Racial Justice that offers implicit bias training. He has earned degrees from Lehigh University, Howard University, the University of North Carolina School of Law, and Indiana University. As a friend of Bring It On!, he joins us tonight to catch up, reflect on his international travels, and give us his insights on issues that matter to our community.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Dr. Gloria Howell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Gloria Howell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 22nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All presented a plan on Saturday to preserve affordable housing and commercial spaces at Seminary Pointe. More from that presentation in today’s headlines.
You’ll also hear Carrie McHaley from Bloomington Meals on Wheels, with the amazing story of a food delivery that went way beyond a hot meal. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
Photo by Elena Bai.Local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All presented a plan to preserve affordable housing and commercial spaces at Seminary Pointe at noon on Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library. The plan would transfer Seminary Pointe into community ownership through a partnership with the Avalon Community Land Trust. It would require collaboration between the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board and the city’s redevelopment commission, which are currently at odds over a potential land swap involving the convention center expansion. In today’s headlines, WFHB News features perspectives from local activists at the podium.
Given heightened awareness of data practices on digital platforms, WFHB News Correspondent Elena Bai uses a series of cases on mental health apps to explore broader issues around privacy in our healthcare system. Although Talkiatry LLC was not found guilty in this case, recent Supreme Court cases such as Charlie vs. US on digital privacy and data make this still relevant and important. We turn to Elena Bai for more.
The Bloomington chapter of Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound locals for over 50 years. Historically many of those clients are elderly – seniors who cannot shop or cook for themselves. But Meals on Wheels isn’t aged-based; they also serve people with a chronic illness or a disability or injury. Carrie McHaley is the executive director of Bloomington Meals on Wheels. She says the impact goes beyond nutrition – it’s about human connection. For some clients that volunteer bringing a hot meal might be the only person they see or talk to that day, and having someone checking on you might just save your life. Carrie has a great example of that on a new episode of Activate, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Elena Bai.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Reeves, through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kade Young and Lexington Babcock.
Welcome back to Paisley’s Posh Nosh on WFHB’s Youth Radio! On this bi-weekly show, I pick and review snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are my finds fun, but they’re also all healthy. Being a student athlete the majority of my life, I know first hand the importance of fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients enabling you to perform and live at your best!
If you want to know a little more about me: I’m fifteen, a homeschooled sophomore in high school, founder and owner of my crocheted jewelry business Sweet P Crochets, a competitive swimmer on the local swim team Indiana Swim Club, songwriter, guitar player, lifeguard, I love spending time with my friends, and I’m also a DJ here at WFHB. Alright enough about me, let’s get to this episode’s theme!
The theme for this episode was “My Summertime Favorites”! For context, both of the flavors of the picks for this episode are some of my all time favorite flavors, and the picks themselves are also high up on the favorites list. I’m sure you’re very curious to know what they are so without further ado: the picks for this episode were Evolution Fresh’s Watermelon Raspberry Organic Soda and Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Key Lime Cake Mix! All of my friends and family know that watermelon is my favorite fruit and raspberries are my second. SO, when I saw Evolutions Organic soda with BOTH flavors, naturally I HAD to try it. Additionally, ever since I was little I’ve loved key lime pie, and who doesn’t love cake? So, when I saw a key lime cake mix on the shelf, it was a must try. Additionally, we went over a lot of fun facts and here are a couple of my favorites to keep to the theme!
Botanically speaking, watermelons are a type of berry called a pepo. However, they are legally classified as a vegetable crop in the U.S. for trade and tariff purposes. Next, Real Florida key limes are native to Southeast Asia and arrived in the Caribbean via Spanish explorers. A devastating hurricane in 1926 wiped out the vast majority of the commercial Key lime groves in the Florida Keys, meaning most “key limes” in supermarkets today are grown in Mexico and/or Central America. Also, despite having “berry” in the name, botanists do not consider raspberries to be true berries. They are “aggregate fruits,” meaning each individual berry is a cluster of tiny separate fruits called drupelets. Lastly, believe it or not raspberries are related to roses!
Of course, we went over the picks’ health benefits as well and while I save the detailed analysis so to speak for on air, it wouldn’t be fair for you to miss out so here’s a quick run down.
Evolution Fresh’s Watermelon Raspberry Organic Soda is a better-for-you sparkling beverage that provides digestive support, immune-boosting Vitamin C, and natural hydration. It contains real squeezed fruit, zero added sugar, and prebiotic fiber, making it a healthier alternative to traditional sugary sodas. You can find it at your local Kroger, on their website, at Blooming Foods, and Fresh Thyme! Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Key Lime Cake Mix is formulated with natural, Non-GMO ingredients and natural key lime powder rather than artificial flavors or colors (it uses turmeric and spirulina for color). It is certified Kosher and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans (depending on the oils and egg substitutes used to bake it). While it is a healthy alternative to other mixes and desserts, moderation is always, always, always key!
Thank you so much for reading, tuning in, or both and I’ll catch you on the flip side, Luck+Love!
Credits:
Produced by Paisley Antoine for WFHB’s Youth Radio
This episode of Grow with Glo features Wildcoast’s Associate Director Anne Middleton. Anne talks about protecting Baja’s wild coastlines, women-led mangrove restoration in La Paz, and how policy and everyday choices can both drive climate solutions.
Credits:
Grow with Glo is produced and edited by Gloria Chi for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The guest from this episode was Anne Middleton of Wildcoast
Welcome back to “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we chat with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. Host Winnie Dong looks to help anyone curious about entering the field or interested in global healthcare. She’s determined to create a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system really works.
Dr. Cami Lokken, a clinical health psychologist with over 20 years of experience, joins the show to discuss how psychology intersects with both mental and physical health. She explains how psychological interventions can reduce suffering from chronic pain and clarifies the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. The conversation also touches on the rise of AI chatbots in mental health, the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists, and why our culture’s “tough it out” mindset makes living with disability and chronic conditions even harder.
What the Health?! is produced by Winnie Dong for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The Bloomington chapter of Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound locals for over 50 years. Historically many of those clients are elderly – seniors who cannot shop or cook for themselves. But Meals on Wheels isn’t aged-based; they also serve people with a chronic illness or a disability or injury. Carrie McHaley is the executive director of Bloomington Meals on Wheels. She says the impact goes beyond nutrition – it’s about human connection. For some clients that volunteer bringing a hot meal might be the only person they see or talk to that day, and having someone checking on you might just save your life. Carrie shares a great example of that.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Reeves
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 18th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News covers the aftermath of yesterday’s tornado.
Featured Segments:
(Photos by Ben Sharpe).
Last night, a strong tornado tore through the forest on the northern end of Monroe County across Interstate 69. WFHB news reporters Kade Young, Ben Sharpe, Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde describe the aftermath, coming up next.
Designed by Jar Turner.Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Karen Palmer, adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, an independent health policy analyst, health systems researcher and consultant. Palmer says, “U.S. doctors are moving to Canada.” Learn more about Canadian healthcare on the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare.
WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe talks to IU professor Cody Kirkpatrick about Tornado Alley’s eastward expansion (Photo courtesy of Kosciusko County, IN).A tornado swept through northern Monroe County last night, leaving behind downed trees, scattered structural damage and power outages across rural areas north of Bloomington. In light of yesterday’s storm, we rebroadcast a feature from WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe who speaks with IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick about Tornado Alley’s expansion into Indiana, and how to be prepared for severe weather. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Earlier today, WFHB News interns Aidan Verde, Jorge Casillas and Ben Sharpe attended an autograph signing with IU student-athletes at Merchant’s Bank of Indiana in downtown Bloomington. Coverage of that signing is coming up next on the local news.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s newscast by Kade Young, Jorge Casillas, Ben Sharpe and Aidan Verde.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Aidan Verde and Ben Sharpe anchored today’s newscast.
Kentucky singer-songwriter Colton Bowlin stopped by the Firehouse on May 7, 2026 for a special session hosted by Nicki Seven, ahead of his show that night at The Bluebird opening for Benjamin Tod.
Fresh off the release of his new album, Grandpa’s Mill, Bowlin brought his raw, heartfelt songwriting to WFHB for an intimate performance and conversation. Rooted in Appalachian storytelling and shaped by family, place, and memory, Grandpa’s Mill has quickly established Bowlin as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.
We can’t wait to see what he does next! Enjoy this session.
Host: Nicki Seven
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray
Post-Production Engineer: Richard Jermain
Photos by Anna Powell Denton
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Karen Palmer, adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in BritishColumbia, Canada, an independent health policy analyst, health systems researcher, and consultant. She also serves as a board advisor to Physicians for a National Health Program, PNHP, here in the US.
From the podcast:
Karen Green Stone: Karen, we recently heard you talk about the Canadian healthcare program, which is called Medicare, specifically physician recruitment to Canada, and physicians in the US choosing to move to Canada to work in the Canadian Medicare system. You said that the goal of the health ministry is to find a place for every qualified healthcare practitioner who wants to work in BC. Other provinces are doing the same. Will you please talk about what is happening with US physicians and other medical professionals moving to BC and Canada?
Karen Palmer: Yes, I will. So that is a real change from the past when it was so difficult for healthcare providers to move here from the States. Like many countries in the world, and for many reasons, Canada is facing healthcare staffing shortages, especially in family medicine and nursing and rural and remote care. In response several provinces, especially British Columbia, have launched, pretty aggressive recruitment campaigns targeting healthcare workers from the States. What I can talk about a little bit is, how many healthcare providers from the States have applied, how many have actually been hired, and why, some say that they are choosing Canada at this particular time in history. I’ll just tell you a little bit about what BC’s Minister of Health said in June of 2025, and I’ll quote her. She said that, “With the chaos and uncertainty happening in the US, we are seizing the opportunity to attract the talent we need to join and strengthen our public universal healthcare system in British Columbia.” These campaigns are attracting significant interest because Canada’s offering faster licensing pathways than in the past, a publicly funded healthcare practice for physicians, of course, and a relatively stable social and political environment. This has been supported by the Canadian Medical Association, and I’ll read you a quote from what they said, “Reducing barriers for all internationally trained physicians qualified to practice in Canada will help close critical gaps in the health workforce and make it easier in the short term for anxious US-based healthcare workers to live where quality of care meets quality of life”…**
As of March 2026, since launching its targeted US recruitment campaign in March 2025, the year before, BC has received nearly 2,800 applications from US health professionals, so nearly 3,000. Over 3,000 have expressed interest through various webinars and recruitment efforts and events. The numbers from British Columbia’s Ministry of Health show that between March 2025 and January 2026 more than 400 health professionals from the US had accepted jobs in British Columbia including 89 doctors, 42 nurse practitioners, 216 nurses, and 23 allied health professionals…**
A major reason healthcare professionals are leaving is dissatisfaction with the US healthcare system. I think many US healthcare professionals, we all know this, say that they are worn out by insurance paperwork and corporate healthcare systems and staffing shortages and workplace stress. I mean, those first two, the insurance paperwork, we don’t have a multi-payer system in Canada. We have a single-payer system for medically necessary hospital and physician services, so there’s one payer in each province and territory. And we don’t have these corporate structures to the extent that you have in the States. Some have specifically mentioned that they want to practice in a universal publicly funded system instead of dealing with so many insurance companies. Another reason is political and social concerns in the United States. Some have cited political polarization, reproductive rights issues, gun violence…
Listen to the entire show above.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Let’s say you want a historically accurate reproduction of a classical music horn from 200 years ago. The ancestor of the modern French horn, known in the music world as “natural” horns. The guy you want for that job lives and works right here in Bloomington, Indiana. Richard Seraphinoff is a music professor who plays these period-correct instruments and also makes them by hand. Simply Google “natural horns” and Richard’s website will be very near the top of your search results. Rick and his wife Celeste share a passion for creating natural horns and performing on them. Click HERE to watch a video of Rick playing various horns and explaining the evolution of the instrument.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on local hornmaker Richard Seraphinoff was produced by Henry Holloway in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Music from the IU Jacobs School of Music album “Cornucopia II” and the YouTube video “Historic Horns with Rick Seraphinoff”
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 17th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Rick Seraphinoff, a local man who builds period-accurate reproductions of horns from hundreds of years ago. Head inside his workshop later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Movin’ But Not Groovin’” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Featured Segments:
Bloomington city councilmember Sydney Zulich (with mic) and mayor Kerry Thomson listen to feedback on the council’s ordinance that closes Kirkwood Avenue to cars for seven months out of the year. (Dave Askins, June 16, 2026)Mayor Kerry Thomson hosted a listening session on Tuesday regarding Kirkwood Avenue. This follows a recent vote by the Bloomington City Council, which would establish a seasonal closure of Kirkwood to vehicular traffic. The council ordinance narrowly passed by a 5-4 vote. It now awaits Thomson’s signature. Thomson was joined by City Councilmember Sydney Zulich to hear public opinion on the future of Kirkwood. Zulich was one of the council members to vote against the ordinance last Wednesday. Mayor Thomson has until June 26th to decide whether to approve or veto the council ordinance. To watch the full listening session, you can visit Community Access Television Services.
Let’s say you want a historically accurate reproduction of a classical music horn from 200 years ago. The ancestor of the modern French horn, known in the music world as “natural” horns. The kind Beethoven wrote music for. The guy you want for that job lives and works right here in Bloomington, Indiana. Richard Seraphinoff is a music professor who plays these period-correct instruments and also makes them by hand. Simply Google “natural horns” and Richard’s website will be very near the top of your search results. Rick and his wife Celeste are the power couple of the classical horn world. Correspondent Henry Holloway has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, “Movin’ But Not Groovin’” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on local hornmaker Richard Seraphinoff was produced by Henry Holloway in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Music from the IU Jacobs School of Music album “Cornucopia II” and the YouTube video “Historic Horns with Rick Seraphinoff”
Ben Sharpe produced today’s feature on extreme weather.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Kade Young.
Most Americans move a dozen times in their life, and most moves do not cross state lines. But that still means millions of people need to hire a professional moving company. There are some very nasty scams that can trap the unwary — and not only trash your bank account, but everything you own! Here is a quick look at the worst con games and some important tips on how to get from one place to another safely.
This month on Civic Conversations, Indiana University Professor Jessica Story-Nagy, a political and linguistic anthropologist, discusses how private talk with friends and family can influence voting behavior. She is a research associate and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Anthropology and the Russian and Eastern European Institute. She is also the President of the Hungarian Studies Association and Associate Editor of Social Sciences, Hungarian Studies Review. In the podcast, Story-Nagy discusses how disinformation shapes political identity and warfare, with a focused analysis of Hungary under Victor Orban, Russian disinformation in the Ukraine War, and parallel tactics visible in US political discourse.
En este episodio conversamos con Liliana León, estudiante de doctorado en Antropología en Indiana University, periodista, antropóloga visual e investigadora con más de 20 años de experiencia trabajando en temas de educación, comunidades indígenas, medio ambiente, cultura y alimentación en Colombia y Ecuador.
El tema de este episodio fue: Las injusticias alimentarias que enfrentan los inmigrantes latinos en Bloomington, Indiana. Durante esta profunda e interesante conversación exploramos cómo la comida va mucho más allá de la nutrición: es identidad, memoria, cultura y un vínculo con nuestras raíces. Hablamos sobre las barreras y desafíos alimentarios que enfrentan muchas familias inmigrantes latinas, y de las formas en que la migración transforma nuestra relación con la comida y el impacto emocional de extrañar los sabores del país de origen. Esta entrevista nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo la alimentación también es una cuestión de justicia social, identidad cultural y bienestar comunitario.
WFHB welcomes Lee Hartman back to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, June 13, from 11am to noon. Join us for the gritty yet soothing, dulcet sounds of this country-folk singer performing an eclectic array of country classics, contemporary gems, and assorted oddities with his signature soulful style. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Lee Hartman on Saturday’s Child, free of charge, this Saturday, June 13, at 11am on WFHB.
Construction has become a common sight along Kirkwood Avenue in recent months. WFHB News Correspondent Aidan Verde speaks with Bloomington residents about the ongoing work, outdoor dining and what they hope to see from Kirkwood in the future.
Chris Arsenault needs a job. This new IU grad is fresh out of college and…uhhh…it isn’t going well. Gen Z is navigating a historically tough entry-level job market, and we’re not sure Chris is ready. Over at the Indiana University Walter Center for Career Achievement, Tanner Terrell is offering sound advice, but is anyone listening? Chris says it’s harder for his generation. Tanner says every graduating class has its own challenges. Both offer useful perspectives in understanding the plight of the unemployed..and the under-employed.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on Gen Z’s job search was produced by Jack Hogan in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Jamyl Efiom.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Tanner Terrell, a senior director at IU’s Walter Center for Career Achievement. Gen Z needs a job – is anyone listening? Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a new segment called Volunteer Connection – in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Featured Segments:
(Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services).Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson gave updates and answered questions from local residents during a town hall last night at the Monroe County History Center. Mayor Thomson was joined by Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street to share more about city projects and initiatives. WFHB Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Jorge Casillas report on the mayor’s remarks as part of her traveling town hall series. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Chris Arsenault needs a job. This new IU grad is fresh out of college and…uhhh…it isn’t going well. Gen Z is navigating a historically tough entry-level job market, and we’re not sure Chris is ready. Over at the Indiana University Walter Center for Career Achievement, Tanner Terrell is offering sound advice, but is anyone listening? Correspondent Jack Hogan has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Correspondent Aidan Verde interviews local resident Benedict Jones about construction on Kirkwood (Photo by Kade Young).Construction has become a familiar sight along Kirkwood Avenue in recent months. WFHB News Correspondent Aidan Verde speaks with Bloomington residents about the ongoing work, outdoor dining and what they hope to see from Kirkwood in the future.
Up next, we have a new segment on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. We turn to Aubrey Seader and Kade Young for the segment, Volunteer Connection, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jorge Casillas and Ben Sharpe, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on Gen Z’s job search was produced by Jack Hogan in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Jamyl Efiom.
Today’s voxpop on construction in Bloomington was produced by Aidan Verde.
Volunteer Connection was produced by Aubrey Seader in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Aidan Verde.
Oakland, California-based Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble is celebrating 45 years of performing folk traditions from the Baltics, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and beyond. Kitka’s current executive director and artistic director, Shira Cion, has been part of the group since 1988, one of its youngest members at the time. Ahead of new Kitka album Kolo, Shira talked with WFHB programmer Adriane Pontecorvo over Zoom about learning a vast repertoire, themes and production techniques of the new album, and the significance of folk culture in times of conflict.
Songs featured (all performed by Kitka):
“Svatba”
“Loomine”
“Oj, Jak Že Bulo, Izprežy Vika”
“Ruotā, Ruotā”
“Kakhuri Iavnana”
“Gelino”
Producer: Adriane Pontecorvo
Libby Dale is the solo project of Libby Weitnauer, whom you might know from her work with Dallas Ugly or collaborations with Kelsey Waldon and Margo Price. Now, the Grammy-winning fiddler and singer-songwriter takes the spotlight with upcoming full-length album Freehand. Ahead of a show with Jack Studer and Nick Harley at the Blockhouse Bar on June 13, 2026, Libby spoke with WFHB programmer Adriane Pontecorvo over Zoom about her new projects, collaboration in Nashville, and the value of play.
Producer: Adriane Pontecorvo
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 35, Youth Radio speaks to Ariana Berman, a member of The Outliers art group who is based in Lexington, Kentucky. Berman was present at the John Waldron Arts Center on June 5th during the opening of The Outliers group show. Berman is a sculptor who uses metals to represent the beauty of human imperfection and how it connects us all.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center on June 5th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Gabe Davis & Lexington Babcock
Edited by Lexington Babcock
For nearly a decade, Cicada Cinema has brought eclectic and under-seen films to Bloomington through pop-up screenings. Now, the volunteer-run organization is preparing to open its first permanent movie theater on the city’s Near West Side. Cicada Cinema Programming Chair Derek Navardauskas speaks with WFHB News Director Kade Young about the new venue, plans for expanded programming and a fundraising campaign that will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
A task force pondering the future of student media at Indiana University has issued its recommendations. The Task Force on Editorial Independence and Sustainability was launched in November by The Media School at Indiana University after the firing of the director of student media and suspension of print editions of the student newspaper drew outrage on campus and across the nation. In May the task force issued its recommendations including enforceable protections for editorial independence, meaningful student representation in student media governance and a sustainable funding structure that cannot be used to influence or punish editorial coverage. Earlier this month a coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter to IU administrators urging them to act on these recommendations. For a faculty perspective on this situation, we hear from task force member Anthony Fargo and information science professor Howard Rosenbaum.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on faculty response to IU’s student media crisis was produced by Carolina Pierce in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Jamyl Efiom.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 15th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear media law expert Anthony Fargo, a member of the task force calling for editorial independence and a sustainable funding structure for IU student media. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear from Greg Janowiak from the Community Bike Project, where you can earn a free bike by volunteering at this non-profit bike repair shop. Learn how bicycles are building community in Bloomington later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
A task force pondering the future of student media at Indiana University has issued its recommendations. The Task Force on Editorial Independence and Sustainability was launched in November by The Media School at Indiana University after the firing of the director of student media and suspension of print editions of the student newspaper drew outrage on campus and across the nation. In May the task force issued its recommendations including enforceable protections for editorial independence, meaningful student representation in student media governance and a sustainable funding structure that cannot be used to influence or punish editorial coverage. Earlier this month a coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter to IU administrators urging them to act on these recommendations. As Bloomington and press freedom advocates around the country wait to see what happens next, task force member Anthony Fargo sat down with correspondent Carolina Pierce for a feature report.
Photo by Jorge CasillasMonroe County takes a step towards the litigation route after the county council rejected the North Park Property as the location for a new county jail. The vote to reject North Park nearly guarantees lawsuits to be filed against Monroe County officials which would create a situation where the Monroe County taxpayer becomes the piggy bank to pay for legal fees. However, the approval of North Park would guarantee a price tag of approximately 100 million dollars to be placed upon taxpayers. In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with activists and county officials to paint a picture over the current state of legal issues that have haunted Monroe County for 17 years.
Cicada Cinema is opening up a movie theater. For nearly a decade, Cicada has operated as a pop-up movie theater, screening an eclectic array of films. Now, the organization plans to open up a permanent movie theater in Bloomington’s near west side, and today they’re kicking off a fundraising campaign with a dollar-for-dollar match. WFHB speaks with Derek Navardauskas, programming chair of Cicada Cinema, coming up next on the local news.
When Greg Janowiak moved to Bloomington in late 2024 he found connection in an unexpected place: a non-profit bike shop. The Bloomington Community Bike Project is a volunteer-run space where anyone can stop in, use professional tools, get help with repairs, and maybe even earn a free bike by volunteering. Greg says the group does more than fix flats; volunteers build relationships and sometimes help change the direction of someone’s life simply by showing up. Hear how a few hours in a bike shop can turn into real community on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature on the new jail was produced by Jorge Casillas.
Today’s feature story on faculty response to IU’s student media crisis was produced by Carolina Pierce in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Jamyl Efiom.
Kade Young produced our interview with Cicada Cinema.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ethan Poto through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Aidan Verde.
¿Sabías que el consumo frecuente de sodas y bebidas azucaradas puede aumentar el riesgo de obesidad, diabetes y otros problemas de salud en niños y adolescentes? En este episodio, conversamos sobre nutrición y salud con nuestra invitada Verónica Sambra, estudiante de doctorado (PhD) en Indiana University Bloomington en el área de nutrición y salud pública, e investigadora enfocada en los hábitos alimentarios de adolescentes y familias latinas.
Además de su labor académica, Verónica es colaboradora del Boletín Comunitario, la publicación mensual en español de Latino Programs de la Ciudad de Bloomington, donde comparte artículos educativos sobre nutrición para nuestra comunidad.
No te pierdas esta oportunidad de aprender consejos prácticos para cuidar tu salud y la de tu familia.
Monroe County takes a step towards the litigation route as the county council rejects the North Park Property as the location for a new county jail. The vote to reject North Park nearly guarantees lawsuits to be filed against Monroe County officials which would create a situation where the Monroe County taxpayer becomes the piggy bank to pay for legal fees. However, the approval of North Park would guarantee a price tag of approximately 100 milliondollars to be placed upon taxpayers. WFHB correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with activists and county officials to paint a picture over the current state of legal issues that have haunted Monroe County for 17 years.
When Greg Janowiak moved to Bloomington in late 2024 he found connection in an unexpected place: a non-profit bike shop. The Bloomington Community Bike Project is a volunteer-run space where anyone can stop in, use professional tools, get help with repairs, and maybe even earn a free bike by volunteering. Greg says the group does more than fix flats; volunteers build relationships and sometimes help change the direction of someone’s life simply by showing up.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ethan Poto
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s feature, an interview by Stephanie Stewart about Andy Mahler, who passed away recently, but had a profound affect on the Forest of Indiana, especially here in south-central Indiana.
While the coral reefs continue to be a cause of concern, due to record high ocean temperatures leading to coral bleaching, researchers and scientists are working to do what they can to save the coral reefs from widespread damage, for the future of their survival.
Expeditions in the French Polynesian Tatakoto (ta-ta-koh-to) atoll are surveying a “super coral” that is able to survive extremely high temperature fluctuations in the ocean, often to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, in a day. The expeditions are sponsored by 1 Ocean, UNESCO, and Labex Corail and the UPF, in partnership with the CRIOBE and SECOPOL labs, the article on UNESCO’s website states.
Their missions have been to study whether these super corals can survive in high temperatures, as well as to take these “super corals” and plant them in the reefs Moorea, an archipelago with less extreme temperature fluctuations in the ocean waters on a daily basis, to study their growth.
Six missions, since 2021, have been completed so far, as ocean researchers and scientists working on the project study whether the corals have an ability to sustain higher temperatures in future growth, which, if so, means these more resilient corals could be grown and planted in fragile, declining coral reefs that have suffered bleaching.
Studies performed by researchers in other parts of the world, along with the Tatakoto expeditions, confirm the data, that some corals, such as those in the Gulf of Aqaba, are resistant to heat waves higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, without suffering massive damage. In the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef, certain coral species observed between 30 and 60 meters also show a certain amount of heat tolerance, without widespread, permanent bleaching without any ability to recover their coral color.
As researchers continue to find ways to attempt to save the coral reefs, the fact there are some places where coral is proving resistant to higher ocean water temperatures gives some hope.
Honey bees are everywhere. If you go outside, you are going to see bees gathering honey from all the flowers. We need to protect our honey bees because they protect our public health and our food security. Back in the 1980’s, Shell and Bayer scientists developed a product called neonicotinoids better known as neonics.
It is a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine and they affect the central nervous system of insects. Repeated exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides starts to change a bee’s life and impact the entire colony. The science shows there are a number of different outcomes after exposure.
Neonics make it hard for bees to groom themselves, making them susceptible to disease and mites and weakening their immune systems. Neonics also affect bee’s ability to navigate back to the hive. Unable to find their way home, they die. Worker bees supply the colony’s food.
If they don’t come back, the entire colony can starve. If a bee is able to return to the hive, they return covered in contaminated pollen. As other bees store the pollen, they all become contaminated. Honey bees are critical to U.S. food supples. One-third of the foods we eat are pollinated by honey bees, especially the good stuff, like “super-foods” that are rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Here is an example of what could happen if we had no bees. Your picnic which might include kabobs, would not have any onions, peppers or tomatoes. Your blackberry pie would not have any berries, and your PB & J sandwich would not have any jelly or peanut butter.
Lemonade would have no lemons and you would not have watermelon to eat. Your Greek salad would have no tomatoes, cucumbers, onions or olives. There would be no guacamole or salsa, and your fruit salad would have only bananas and pineapple. Neonics have already been banned in Europe. They need to be banned now in the United States.
Womens International League for Peace & Freedom’s recent newsletter carried an article by member Patricia Hynes. Known by its acronym, WILPF is an activist women’s peace organization established during World War with multiple concerns regarding militarism, climate justice and social justice.
Hynes poses the question:
“How can we reduce toxic plastic pollution, given that it is ubiquitous—found everywhere from the highest mountain peaks and the deepest parts of the sea to our own internal organs and even in the air we breathe?”
Here are suggestions from Patricia on possible ways to mitigate excessive pollutants:
-phase out single use plastics and encourage your community to do likewise.
-use refillable ( nonplastic) water bottles
-cutting boards of plastic can result in microplastic in your food so are best avoided.
-advocate for a tax—or, even better, a ban—on single-use plastic bags,
-eliminate plastic bottles for liquid soap’s & detergents.
Additionally says Patricia Hynes, “In Finland, forty-two daycare centers have replaced plastic -flooring, rubber mats, asphalt, and gravel with natural materials such as soil, sand, moss, plants, and sections of forest floor.”
Stay tuned for further reports on clothing choices and ways to dress sustainably. Along those lines we end with a final quote from Patricia – ”Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon shed microplastic fibers into the air, onto our skin, and into water supplies. A single load of synthetic laundry can release up to 1.5 million microfibers into waterways. Some researchers estimate that synthetic textiles contribute up to 35% of all microplastic pollution.“
Not all bugs in your garden are pests. There are some computer apps like iNaturalist.org that can help with identification. Bugs are actually an essential part of nature. But when they feed on our plants, stored foods, wood, fabric, us and our animals, they become a problem. Things like moths and fleas.
Less than 1% of bugs are pests. Beneficial bugs pollinate, decompose, aerate soil, biocontrol weeds and damaging bugs, are a food source for many animals, provide products like honey and silk, have medical uses, and some even have aesthetic qualities like butterflies.
Not all garden pests are bugs. Some are mites and snails and slugs. There are some beneficial members of those families, though. Other garden pests are moles, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels. However, moles aerate the soil.
Try not to use any chemical sprays in your garden. I have been told that good old vinegar works really well in controlling weeds and pests. With time, patience, observation and spot control, you can move to a more natural, ecologically balanced garden
Most of us think of Bloomington as a very progressive city. Did you know that recycling is declining in Bloomington? If you live in the city limits, you get a recycling tote bin for your bottles, cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, junk mail and more and it is taken to a recycling center. If you live outside the city limits you have to gather all these products and physically take them to a recycling center.
People in Bloomington have been recycling since 1973, when the city began curbside collection. By 1991, the Bloomington program was serving 8,600 single-family dwellings. Today, about 14,000 households participate.
Although Bloomington scores well on recycling, Indiana as a whole is a lagger. Only 17% of recyclable stuff discarded by all Hoosier households gets into the recycling stream. By comparison, Illinois and Wisconsin recycle at 23%; and Michigan at 26%. California and Oregon lead the nation at 37%.
Participation is pretty good in Bloomington, but the volumes are not increasing year after year. Drop off sites include 6200 N. Matthews Drive in Ellettsville; 6015 E. Indiana 45, in New Unionville; 341 N. Oard Road in Bloomington; 3400 S. Walnut Street in Bloomington; 400 W. Dillman Road in Bloomington. All sites are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, flattened boxes, plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminum and tin cans, electronics, batteries, textiles, yard waste and used oil can be recycled. The recycling participation is dropping worldwide, driven by what analysts say is urbanization, population growth and rising living standards.
Here is what is suggested if you want to reduce your “carbon footprint:
-Use energy efficient appliances and turn them off when not in use.
-Turn off your lights when not in a room.
-Try to buy “sustainable” products at the grocery store.
-Avoid single-use plastic bags (that’s a no-brainer).
-Walk, cycle and use public transportation or carpool.
-Conserve water and just be more mindful about taking care of Earth.
- A Snakes by the Lake activity is planned for Saturday, June 13th at Spring Mill State Park beginning at 1 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Meet snakes that are used for education during the activity.
- A class on Learn to Compost at Home will take place on Tuesday, June 16th, from 6 to 8 pm at Butler Park Community Gardens. This workshop will cover composting methods that can be used in your yard. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Take a Sunset Paddle on Griffy Lake at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, June 18th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Watch the sunset in a peaceful surrounding while floating on the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Bloomington’s Bee City committee has scheduled A Pollinator Week Pop-Up Exhibition at the Lilly Library beginning on June 18th.
- The Bloomington Bee City committee has also scheduled a documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21st. Contact the library for times.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Carrie Albright
Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts
Julianna Dailey
Feature Report
Stephanie Stewart
Script
Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 11th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Josh David, giving a tour of the Bloomington Community Orchard at their open house last night. Learn about this edible public park later in the show in a feature report.
For many Bloomington residents, the annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival is about more than dessert. The fundraiser helps support programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington. Correspondent Ben Sharpe has more in the bottom half of our program.
Election Board Refers Complaints Against Joe Davis to Prosecutor
The Monroe County Election Board met on June 4th and approved sending complaints against former clerk candidate Joe Davis to the county prosecutor for further investigation. This comes after allegations that Davis violated state election laws. County attorney Molly Turner King walked through a summary of the first complaint against Davis.
Former election supervisor Karen Wheeler provided testimony to the board, saying she observed Davis throughout early voting.
Wheeler continued to explain why she believed Davis’ conduct was problematic.
Election Supervisor Kylie Farris described multiple attempts by election officials to address the situation.
Local resident Carol McGarry, who filed the second complaint, said Davis approached her after she exited her car. She said she kept telling him she didn’t want to talk while walking to vote early.
Wheeler said she believed Davis’ demeanor was misleading and “bizarre” – not emblematic of how Monroe County candidates should behave during elections.
Then, Joe Davis had the opportunity to defend himself. Davis argued he wasn’t acting improperly with voters, he was cleaning the area.
Davis said it was alleged that he violated several rules during the election cycle.
Davis then defended his title of “jurist at law.”
Republican Chair Danny Shields explained the board isn’t deciding whether Davis is guilty.
The board approved sending the complaints to the prosecutor in two unanimous votes. The next meeting of the Monroe County Election Board will take place on July 2nd.
Featured Segments:
Summer in Bloomington means a bountiful harvest at the Bloomington Community Orchard – our town’s edible park. Volunteers are hosting weekly Work and Learn Days every Wednesday evening, so WFHB went on-location last night to learn more. We found out it’s not just about harvesting produce – it’s also about growing community. Correspondent Hunter Drummond has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Local residents turned out to Switchyard Park today for Bloomington’s annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival. The event raises money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington while serving up a summertime favorite. WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with attendees and organizers.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Elyse Perry in partnership with CATS – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on the Bloomington Community Orchard was produced by Hunter Drummond and Chad Carrothers in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Kara Square.
Ben Sharpe produced today’s voxpop at the Strawberry Shortcake festival.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Kade Young.
By Aidan Verde
Indiana University Wrestling ended its 2025-26 season with a 9-5 overall record, with a 4-4 record in Big 10 play. Now, the wrestling team looks forward to new arrivals, a new season, but the same philosophy of hard work drilled by head coach Escobedo.
Both former Hoosiers, with Jacob Moran graduating in the fall, he was an NCAA All-American for the first time in his career in his redshirt senior year. He was the captain of that Hoosiers wrestling team with an overall record of 20-8. His overarching goal is to compete for team Puerto Rico and win world and Olympic titles.
Coach Escobedo competed for IU from 2007 to 2010. In 2008, he was the 125 pound individual weight champion in the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament. Following his IU career ending in 2010, Escobedo competed internationally as a member of Team USA. His top performances include a fifth-place finish at the 2013 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and a second place finish at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. He went on to join Iowa State’s coaching staff from 2015-17. Then, in 2017, he joined Indiana University as an associate coach and was promoted to head coach in 2018. They each share their perspectives on what wrestling means to them, and how it’s helping shape their futures.
“I wanted to figure out how I could defend myself,” said Coach Escobedo. “…it’s kind of in our family blood.”
“I grew up around the sport…” said Moran. “I got older and was mature enough to understand all the kinds of life lessons that wrestling brings you.”
The two share a similar start to their wrestling journeys, with both being raised in a wrestling household and wanting to compete with their families. Eventually, the hard work that led to competing within their household turned into passions for themselves. Coach Escobedo and Jacob Moran each talk about the energy of Wilkinson Hall; home to IU Wrestling.
“We have fire, we have a run-out song, we have graphics…,” said Coach Escobedo. “…And you know that facility brings a lot of life.”
“It gets pretty rowdy in there,” said Moran. “So it’s really nice to know that you have that crowd on your side.”
Both player and coach acknowledge while it may not hold nearly as many people as Memorial Stadium or Assembly Hall, Wilkinson Hall still provides a home to a passionate wrestling fanbase to cheer for their players to perform at their best, and this translates to the wrestlers. Coach Escobedo speaks on wrestling as a whole – the will and determination of watching two competitors wrestle against each other in a 7-minute match finding a way to win.
“The characteristics emulate life, and you know in life life isn’t an easy life, you know you struggle and it’s overcoming that struggle, struggle, persevering the hard work, the determination, if you want to see that in the sport, come to wrestling,” said Coach Escobedo. “It’s how can you struggle and how can you persevere, and then who has the will to win?”
With both being former IU wrestlers, the experience of being on the mat allows them to understand the struggle to win. And for newcomers to the sport, it’s an opportunity for audiences to cheer and hope for the best of their players. As for the wrestlers themselves, Coach Escobedo instills the balance between a school and wrestling lifestyle.
“We just prioritize the scheduling…,” said Coach Escobedo. “These are the days you’re going to be wrestling, these are the days you’re going to have individuals, these are days you’re going to have off.”
Everything is mapped out for coach Escobedo and his staff for managing their players time while also keeping up with the constant commitment of competing for a better record. Both Escobedo and Moran highlighted the future of Indiana wrestling.
“Continue to follow Indiana Wrestling, and we’re doing great things,” said Coach Escobedo. “We’re going to have a lot of fun, and we’re going to continue to build this into a championship program.”
“Indiana Wrestling is continuing to rise, so I’m excited for these guys next year,” said Moran. “We continue to get better every day, and the best is yet to come.”
As the door closes on Jacob Moran’s IU career, a new season of Indiana Wrestling coached by Angel Escobedo will commence with new transfers, consisting of Kai Owens from Columbia and Connor Barket from Duke. The passion that the coaches and players have for the game of wrestling will convey to the fans who decide to watch them play, and you can catch the Indiana wrestling team compete in Wilkinson Hall in Fall 2026.
Summer in Bloomington means a bountiful harvest at the Bloomington Community Orchard – our town’s edible park. The orchard is open to the public from dawn to dusk, and anyone can walk in and just eat whatever you want right off the plant – over 60 varieties of edible trees, bushes, and flowers, all packed into one acre of public land. This unique edible park was featured in Mother Earth News as one of the only projects of its kind in the nation. It’s not just about harvesting produce; it’s also about growing community. By tending the garden together orchard participants make meaningful connections. We hear from orchard devotees Dani Ansaldo, Sofia Sanchez, and Josh David who gives us an audio tour of the orchard.
CLICK HERE for the full 23-minute recording!Orchard entrance
In this extended 23-minute bonus audio you didn’t hear on the radio, Bloomington Community Orchard volunteer Josh David walks us through Bloomington’s only edible park. CLICK HERE for the shorter feature story.
Welcome to the Bloomington Community Orchard!
Tour guide Josh David leads us down the path
Welcome sign and orchard info
First-time visitors getting the tour
A grape and kiwi trellis
Grapes
Hand-carved orchard logo
Josh shows off trees and flowers
Pear tree
Apple tree
Compost pit
Bokashi anaerobic compost fermentation
Propagation station
Tool shed
Work & Learn Days
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 10th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from Amy Gaffney, an expert in helping neurodivergent students improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. Meet Bloomington educators working to normalize neurodiversity later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Scams Busting Out All Over” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Monroe County revises 30-day notice policy ahead of July 1 ‘street camping’ lawBy Dave Askins
From left: Monroe County commissioners Julie Thomas and Jody Madeira. (Dave Askins, June 4, 2026)A new Indiana law (SB 285) that takes effect July 1, will make it illegal to camp, sleep or live for an extended time on land owned by the state or a local government, unless the land has been set aside for that purpose.
With a month to go before the law takes effect, Monroe County commissioners last Thursday (June 4) took formal action to strike a clause from their existing policy on responding to homeless encampments, which says they’ll give 30 days notice to residents before removing them. The resolution enacting the new policy says the 30-day prior notice has been made “irrelevant” by SB 285.
The law does not require police to arrest someone the first time they are found sleeping or camping on public land. First, an officer has to decide whether the person should be taken for emergency mental health care under Indiana law. If that applies, the officer is supposed to use that process instead.
If emergency detention does not apply, the officer is supposed to give the person a warning and information about places where shelter or services are available.
A person can be charged with a crime only after that warning has been given, at least 48 hours have passed, and the person is still camping, sleeping or living on public land within 300 feet of the place where the warning was issued. The offense is called “street camping” and is a Class C misdemeanor.
The law also limits what local governments can do. Cities, towns and counties may not adopt policies that bar or discourage enforcement of laws against public camping, sleeping or blocking sidewalks.
Last Thursday, county attorney Jeff Cockerill told commissioners the new state statute requires local law enforcement to act when people are sleeping on public property without authorization, and bars local policies that could be interpreted as limiting that authority. The 30-day notice had to be eliminated, because of that, according to Cockerill.
Cockerill contended that the county’s policy has not changed: When a camp removal is initiated by county government, commissioners intend to give as much notice as possible and still views 30 days as the goal. But he said they can no longer guarantee that in writing without risking conflict with state law.
Commissioner Jody Madeira used the vote to deliver a blunt critique of the statute, fighting back tears to frame it as criminalizing poverty and shifting costs onto local governments without new resources for housing or services:
I think we have an obligation to protect public spaces and the quality of life for all residents. We also have an obligation to say really clearly that homelessness isn’t solved by pushing people from one place to another, and poverty shouldn’t become a pathway into the criminal legal system. People don’t have to sleep outside because it’s easy, they sleep outside because they run out of options, because housing is too expensive, shelter is unavailable and unsuitable, and treatment is hard to access, and the safety net has failed them.
Madeira called the state’s approach “horrible” and “a double cruelty,” adding that “criminal penalties are not housing policy.” That was an allusion to the title of SB 285, which was “Housing Matters.”
Commissioner Julie Thomas echoed the criticism, describing the statute as “another unfunded mandate from the state of Indiana” that doesn’t solve anything.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Monroe County revises 30-day notice policy ahead of July 1 ‘street camping’ law.”
Featured Segments:
“Neurodivergent” is an umbrella term covering a variety of individuals whose brains process, learn, and experience the world differently than most. This includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia and even Tourette’s. Here in Bloomington two local educators are applying innovative methods to help neurodivergent students improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. Correspondent Thomas Nicholson has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Up next, we have today’s Statehouse Roundup – a rundown on Indiana news and politics on the WFHB Local News. Indiana’s Secretary of State race is facing new controversy, a former Indiana congressman has received a presidential pardon, and the Chicago Bears are taking another step toward a possible move to Northwest Indiana. Correspondent Max Schneider has those stories and more in today’s Statehouse Roundup.
Jacob Moran (Photo courtesy of IU Athletics).With the Indiana Wrestling season at its end, head coach Angel Escobedo and former IU wrestler Jacob Moran speak with WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde on how wrestling has impacted their lives and how the IU wrestling program will continue to grow within a loaded Big 10 conference.
Up next, “Scams Busting Out All Over” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Today’s feature story on educators supporting neurodivergent students was produced by Thomas Nicholson in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by FoolBoyMedia.
Max Schneider produced the Statehouse Roundup.
Aidan Verde produced today’s feature on IU wrestling.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Elena Bai and Jorge Casillas anchored today’s broadcast.
“Neurodivergent” is an umbrella term covering a variety of individuals whose brains process, learn, and experience the world differently than most. This includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia and even Tourette’s. Here in Bloomington two local educators are applying innovative methods to help neurodivergent students improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. Amy Gaffney is an educational consultant at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Amy uses the term “neurodiverse” to describe the students she can help improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. We also hear from Dr. Jim Ansaldo, founder and co-director of Camp Yes And, a neurodivergent-affirming summer program that offers a unique combination of professional learning for adult “helping professionals” and an improv theatre summer camp for neurodivergent teens. The adults learn pedagogy and exercises from improv to integrate into their work, while the teens make social connections, have fun, express themselves, and so much more.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on educators supporting neurodivergent students was produced by Thomas Nicholson in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by FoolBoyMedia.
June is busting out all over, and June is a very popular month for weddings. No matter when the happy day is scheduled, there are scammers lining up to ruin your wedding plans. There are lots of arrangements to make for any marriage ceremony, and there are sneaky and sophisticated ways to fool anyone who’s working on one — especially when they’re in a hurry and have a deadline. Here’s a look at the most dangerous ones, and solid advice on how not to invite any fraudsters.
A months-long investigation by the Indiana Daily Student examined safety and quality-of-care concerns at Bloomington Meadows Hospital, drawing on federal inspection reports, police records and interviews with former patients, employees and families. WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with former IDS Co-Editor-in-Chief Andrew Miller about the reporting behind the project.
Former IDS editors-in-chief Ben Miller and Mia Hilkowitz (Photo courtesy of IDS).
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 9th, 2026.
An Indiana Daily Student investigation found years of documented safety concerns at Bloomington Meadows Hospital. WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with former IDS Co-Editor-in-Chief Andrew Miller about the findings and the six-month reporting effort behind the story.
You’ll also hear from Alex Bruce, senior director of undergraduate admissions at the Kelley School Business. Bruce explains why IU is making it harder to get into Kelley later in the show in a feature report.
Bloomington plan commission wants answers on stormwater before subdivision vote
By Dave Askins
Bloomington plan commission listens to a presentation from Daniel Butler of Bynum Fanyo & Associates. (Dave Askins, June 8, 2026)The Bloomington plan commission on Monday night (June 8) declined to take final action on a controversial subdivision proposed for North Dunn Street, instead voting unanimously to continue the case to a required second hearing, which will take place on July 13.
The plan commission had already considered a version of the petition in January.
In front of the plan commission on Monday was a revised proposal, this time for a 14-lot subdivision on 4 acres at 2511 N. Dunn St., where an existing single-family house would be demolished and replaced with 11 single-family residential lots and three common-area lots. The property is zoned R2 (residential medium lot) and the proposal calls for a new public street, stormwater detention, utility work, tree-preservation areas and drainage improvements.
The request was reduced from the earlier 18-lot version with 15 residential lots that was proposed in January.
The proposal in front of the plan commission on Monday was different enough from the January version that it was treated as a fresh proposal, subject to the plan commission’s mandatory two-hearing requirement, unless waived by the commission. Continuing its consideration until July 13 meant the plan commission did not waive the second hearing.
Planning staff had recommended continuing the proposal, citing among other unresolved issues a stormwater review by City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU). Plan commissioners were clear about their expectation that a representative from CBU would be present for the July 13 plan commission hearing.
It was Bloomington’s senior zoning planner Jamie Kreindler and development services manager Eric Greulich who gave the staff report on the proposal to plan commissioners, which included some variances considered in February by Bloomington’s board of zoning appeals. The BZA denied some of the requested variances, which covered smaller lot areas, narrower lot widths and reduced side setbacks.
But the BZA also granted some variances related to the city’s tree and forest preservation standards and riparian buffer requirements. With those variances, the proposed road and stormwater facilities were allowed to proceed as designed.
But some residents have asked for a judicial review of the variances that were granted by the BZA. A hearing on the granted variances in front of circuit court judge Emily Salzmann is set for June 17. Greulich said the city’s legal department has advised that the pending court proceedings do not prevent the plan commission from acting on the petition, though it would limit the petitioner’s ability to proceed with construction.
The commentary from the public mic on Monday night was uniformly against the proposal. Much of the opposition was based on existing stormwater management and flooding issues in the nearby Matlock Heights neighborhood. The remarks from Fritz Drive resident Deirdre Sheets were typical:
The plan to significantly reduce permeable surfaces, remove trees that naturally prevent or mitigate erosion, and leave it up to the homeowners to manage a detention pond all upstream from an area without storm drains and with already existing drainage and flooding issues, to pretend that anything other than the obvious is going to happen, is to participate in a fiction, and it feels like—and I apologize for my language here—but and it feels like giving the homeowners and residents of Matlock Heights a really big middle finger.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington plan commission wants answers on stormwater before subdivision vote.”
County Commissioners advance cybersecurity measures, repeal 30-day encampment rule
By Claire Zeyen
(Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services).The Monroe County Commissioners met on June 4th and approved a three-year cybersecurity agreement to allow ethical hackers to test county networks for vulnerabilities. Monroe County Chief Technology Officer Greg Crohn explained the process.
“For those who don’t know what deep penetration is, basically you’re contracting with a company to act as white hackers to go after your systems, just the same as any threat actor would do to try to discover reveal vulnerabilities in your system, and then bring them up for remediation,” said Crohn.
The agreement was approved unanimously. Commissioners noted that prevention is far less costly than responding to a successful cyberattack.
The commissioners moved on to ratify the county’s 2026-2027 Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative grant to fund local diversion programs. Commissioner Jody Madeira praised the effort.
“Anything that keeps anybody, especially at these core ages, out of the system, especially out of detention, is just so important. For every dollar spent, you can’t even anticipate the amount of return you get. I think this is just so precious,” she said.
Then, the commissioners discussed Resolution 2026-21, which would repeal Monroe County’s 30-day notice policy for homeless encampment removals due to a new state law taking effect July 1.
Officials emphasized the action was required by state legislation and does not represent a change in the county’s overall approach to homelessness.
Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed concern that the law relies on enforcement without providing resources to address housing instability, mental health needs or substance use treatment.
“I know there are a lot of good folks in the community. I know there are a lot of agencies, churches and other well-meaning people involved. I hope they’re able to fill the gap, because beyond being an unfunded mandate, this is a human tragedy. It is horrible to imagine what will happen here in Monroe County and across the state, especially where they may have different kinds of leaders,” said Thomas.
The resolution passed unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will be on June 11th.
NASA announces four-astronaut crew for Artemis III mission
By Ben Sharpe
The rugged topography of the moon can be seen near the terminator, or the line that appears to divide the illuminated and unilluminated sides. (NASA)NASA has announced the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis Three, the next crewed mission in the agency’s Artemis Moon program.
Veteran astronaut and former Marine Corps colonel Randy Bresnik will command the mission. Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, making his third trip to space, will serve as pilot. Mission specialists include Army Black Hawk pilot and astronaut Frank Rubio, along with Coast Guard Commander Andre Douglas, who will be making his first spaceflight after serving on the Artemis Two backup crew.
Unlike Artemis Two, which flew around the Moon earlier this year, Artemis Three is currently planned as a low-Earth orbit test mission. The crew will practice docking operations with the lunar landers and help prepare spacecraft and spacesuits for future lunar landings.
The mission is targeted for launch in late 2027.
Featured Segments:
(Photo by Alayna Wilkening, IDS)A months-long investigation by the Indiana Daily Student examined safety and quality-of-care concerns at Bloomington Meadows Hospital, drawing on federal inspection reports, police records and interviews with former patients, employees and families. WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with former IDS Co-Editor-in-Chief Andrew Miller about the reporting behind the project.
Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country, but it’s getting harder to get in. New changes to admission policies are narrowing the pipeline for both incoming freshmen and current IU students. Correspondent Oliver Swats has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ben Sharpe and Claire Zeyen, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
B Square Bites was produced by Dave Askins.
Our interview with the IDS was produced by Zoe Moczek .
Today’s feature story on changes to admission requirements at the Kelley School of Business was produced by Oliver Swats in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University with Theme music by Kikoru.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Jim Odom.
Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business undergraduate program is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country, but it’s getting harder to get in. New changes to admission policies are narrowing the pipeline for both incoming freshmen and current IU students. The biggest change is that there is no longer any such thing as automatic direct admission. Incoming high school applicants used to get in simply by meeting a minimum GPA and test score threshold. Starting in the fall of 2026 all applicants seeking direct admission to Kelley must complete a Kelley Prospective Inventory — a questionnaire designed to provide insight into your leadership style, business interests, personal aspirations, and how you approach problem-solving — as part of a comprehensive candidate review by an admissions committee. Students who are not offered direct admission have the opportunity to join the Kelley School through standard admission after completing at least one academic year at IU, but that bar is raising too – current IU students will only be automatically admitted if their grades are A- or better in every IU Bloomington course on the first attempt; previously the threshold was a B, raised in 2025 to B+. Senior director of undergraduate admissions Alex Bruce explains these changes, and we also hear from a pre-business student trying to clear the hurdles.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on changes to admission requirements at the Kelley School of Business was produced by Oliver Swats in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Kikoru.
In this episode of Grow with Glow, we sit down with Tamas Badacsonyi, the founder of RAINRAVER to discuss the invention of RAINRAVER’s biodegradable rain poncho.
Tamas shares the lightbulb moment behind the idea and his motivation to replace single-use plastics. He talks about the process of creating bioplastics and pulls back the curtain on greenwashed marketing claims like corn and sugarcane plastics that don’t actually decompose in nature.
Credits:
Grow with Glo is produced and edited by Gloria Chi for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The guest from this episode was Tamas Badacsonyi, the founder of RAINRAVER
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell spend the hour again with Alexis Briggins, a doctoral candidate in mental health counseling, and Muhammad Saahir, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Blue Sofa Counseling Services. They are here to continue our discussion about mental health dynamics within the Black community, with a particular focus on the college experience.
Alexis BrigginsAlexis Briggins (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington. Her research sits at the intersection of race, relationships, and sexuality within Black and Black/White biracial communities, where she examines how family racial socialization shapes romantic relationships in adulthood. A McNair Scholar, Holmes Scholar, and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alexis is committed to making psychology accessible, culturally responsive, and community-centered.
Muhammad Saahir, as seen on a Sussex Directories, Inc. siteMuhammad Saahir is a Counselor – Mental Health based out of Bloomington, Indiana, and his medical specialization is Counselor – Mental Health. He practices in Bloomington, Indiana, and has the professional credentials of LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor).
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloira Howell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Gloria Howell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
One of our nation’s foremost environmental policy experts returned to Indiana University recently and has strong words for the federal administration she left behind. Janet McCabe was deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 2021 to 2024. McCabe is currently a senior policy advisor for IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute here in Bloomington, and she says current EPA policy puts business interests above environmental concerns. McCabe directed the Environmental Resilience Institute from 2017 to 2021. The ERI is home to the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub, which helps Hoosier local governments, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses pursue funding opportunities for climate, energy, and resilience projects. We also hear from Environmental Sustainability Studies student Ben Gaunt, who echoes McCabe’s concerns at the state level. Indiana Senate Bill 277 was signed into law in March and environmental groups say it weakens public health safeguards and natural resource protections.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on weakened environmental protections at the federal and state levels was produced by Jack Reeves in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Seth_Makes_Sounds.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 8th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Janet McCabe, former deputy boss of the EPA and current policy adviser at the IU Environmental Resilience Institute here in Bloomington. McCabe has strong words for the federal administration she left behind later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear Andrea Kleesattel from Windfall Dancers, talking about the special dance floor they have for classes and rehearsals. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County election board sends complaints about candidate for clerk to prosecutor
By Dave Askins
Monroe County’s election board voted Thursday, June 4th, to send two separate complaints about county clerk candidate Joe Davis to the county prosecutor. The board concluded there was “substantial reason” to believe he violated state election laws during the May primary’s early voting period.
In the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for clerk, Davis came third in a three-way race, which was won by Tree Martin Lucas.
The three‑member board consists of Nicole Browne, Danny Shields, and Penny Githens. They unanimously agreed to forward both complaints to the Monroe County prosecutor under the state law that governs investigations of alleged election law violations. The prosecutor may in turn refer the matter to the Indiana State Police.
The first complaint, filed by Karen Wheeler, a former Monroe County election supervisor, alleged four categories of violations: campaign signs lacking the required disclaimer; electioneering inside the “chute” (the 50‑foot zone leading to the entrance of the polls); following voters after they cast ballots; and potentially misleading claims by Davis that he was a “practicing jurist at law.”
The second complaint, from voter Carol McGarry, alleged that Davis’s approach to her on April 30 as she arrived to vote was intimidating and amounted to electioneering too close to the entrance.
Davis, who ran in the Democratic Party’s primary for Monroe County clerk and says now that he is attempting an independent run in the fall, denied any legal wrongdoing. He told the board he was trying to clean up the early voting site, improve access for voters, and deliver a fast campaign pitch that emphasized his court experience and his plans to improve accuracy in the clerk’s office. He apologized to McGarry “if you felt intimidated” but maintained that, out of a thousand people he spoke with, she was the only one who complained.
The board stressed that Thursday’s hearing was not a trial, but a screening step required by state law. That step is to decide whether the evidence presented should be referred to the prosecutor. After extended back‑and-forth with Davis about timing, points of procedure, and his desire to cross‑examine witnesses, the board ended the presentations and moved into their own deliberations.
Davis arrived about 20 minutes into the hearing, which started with the board’s adoption of the procedures, and the hearing of Wheeler’s complaint. When he arrived, Davis asked for more time to bring all of his exhibits, which included a shovel, a broom, several 5-gallon pails with dirt, books, and files. Davis also asked for time to review the procedures that had been adopted. Davis complained that the 10-minute timer was on a screen that was not in his immediate field of view.
At one point, Davis exhausted the patience of Shields, who was presiding over the hearings as chair of the election board:
I’m sorry, sir, this poor, poor me stuff is not wearing well with me. I mean, I appreciate what’s happening here, but I’m like: Everybody in here was here at 1:30, OK? You chose not to be, for whatever reason. You know, I go back to some people saying: On time is 10 minutes late. And you make your own choice with that, but you’re truthfully to me, you’re not helping your case right now. You’re just not.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Monroe County election board sends complaints about candidate for clerk to prosecutor.”
Bloomington City Council approves letter in support of land swap to preserve Seminary Pointe
By Kade Young
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington City Council met on June 3rd and approved a letter to the redevelopment commission supporting a land swap between College Square and Seminary Pointe. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith said the land swap could preserve or even add affordable housing in the area.
“There are multiple ways to leverage this property to advance affordable housing and enable downtown residency for those who otherwise could not afford it,” she said.
Councilmember Matt Flaherty said while he supports the letter, he does have some reservations about public subsidies for the convention center.
“My concern here is that we’re not just talking about public expenditure to preserve affordable housing,” said Flaherty, “but we’re also talking about public subsidy for convention center, that’s TIF revenues, and how much is a little bit unknown, because the properties were bought at different times.”
Councilmember Dave Rollo said he wants to leave negotiations up to the redevelopment commission.
“I think, in spirit, I would like to see this negotiation happen. In terms of the specifics, I think it’s up to the RDC to negotiate that, and perhaps they can arrive in the middle somewhere,” said Rollo.
Local activist Bryce Greene spoke on behalf of the group Bloomington Homes for All during the public comment portion of the meeting. Greene addressed Flaherty’s remarks, saying this land swap is unprecedented.
“I think that the this case is exceptional enough that no one can really claim that it’s a precedent for anything that we can anticipate in the future,” said Greene.
Greene clarified why he believes the letter from the city council is important.
“The leases for Seminary Point are set to be extended to August 31st,” said Greene. “Every second that it’s unclear that there’s a solution on the table, more and more of the people and businesses in Seminary Point are making plans to leave.”
Another resident, Barry Herbers, said he’s glad the city is listening to activists and taking the land swap into consideration.
“It’s such a relief to know that there’s people in our government who are as hopeful about keeping that place like thriving and beautiful and communally oriented for people of all different income brackets,” said Herbers.
Housing Solutions Director for Habitat for Humanity Sarah Woolford announced that Bloomington Homes for All will give a presentation on June 20th in support of preserving Seminary Pointe.
“You all will be invited, as well as members of the CIB and RDC, just so all of the decision makers and also people of the public can come and kind of have a presentation of what we hope to bring to the community in regards to this incredible property, and how we envision improving it,” said Woolford.
Matthew, also a member of Homes for All, said he doesn’t want to see people and businesses displaced as a result of convention center expansion.
“As a reminder, like the land that we’re trying to save is considered like super affordable land. We’re talking like 30 to 40% AMI being served just by this land alone, as well as like five, you know, four to five flourishing businesses, nonprofits that really would love to stick around and stay there and keep their communities,” he said.
The letter passed by an 8-0 vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on June 10th.
Featured Segments:
(Photo courtesy of Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute)One of our nation’s foremost environmental policy experts returned to Indiana University recently and has strong words for the federal administration she left behind. Janet McCabe was deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 2021 to 2024. McCabe is currently a senior policy advisor for IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute here in Bloomington, and she says current EPA policy puts business interests above environmental concerns. Correspondent Jack Reeves has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Windfall Dancers is a Bloomington-based nonprofit dance company that believes movement is more than performance. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel says it’s about connection; through classes, workshops, and community collaborations, Andrea invites people of all ages and abilities to move, create, and belong. Learn how to volunteer at Windfall or utilize their programming on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on weakened environmental protections at the federal and state levels was produced by Jack Reeves in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Seth_Makes_Sounds.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ashanti Snodgrass through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Use Your Words is a screamo band from Bloomington, Indiana. In this interview, Charlie from Youth Radio spoke with Monty Vergiels (vocals), Jonathan Massey (Lead Guitar), Jack Munden (Second Guitar), Trey Tabereaux (Bass), Liam Havill-Weems (Drums) of Use Your Words.
Interview conducted and edited by DJ Charlie of WFHB’s Youth Radio.
May 19, 2026
Use Your Words performed at the Youth Radio festival 98.1 Hours of Fun on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026.
Photos by Jar Turner
Windfall Dancers is a Bloomington-based nonprofit dance company that believes movement is more than performance. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel says it’s about connection; through classes, workshops, and community collaborations, Andrea invites people of all ages and abilities to move, create, and belong. Learn how to volunteer at Windfall or utilize their programming, including dance scholarships for teens!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ashanti Snodgrass
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
The stereotype of being a “broke college kid” is easy to believe, given that full-time students often don’t also have full-time jobs to cover the cost of living and the financial burden of higher education. But how far into basic human needs does the shortfall extend? Kristen Lucas is Associate Director of Basic Needs for the Indiana University Student Care and Resource Center. Kristen cites a 2023 study claiming that 41% of U.S. college students may be food insecure. On the Bloomington campus Lucas runs a student-only food pantry known as Crimson Cupboard. More than 7,000 Hoosier students used Crimson Cupboard in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the university. We also hear from Christina, one of those Crimson Cupboard patrons, and Jake Bruner from Hoosier Hills Food Bank which supplies Crimson Cupboard and accepts donations on their behalf.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on food insecurity among college students was produced by Jack Muniz in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by The Mysteries of Life.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 4th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Bloomington’s Juneteenth celebration returns to Switchyard Park on June 19th. The hosts of our public affairs program, Bring It On, discuss the significance of the holiday and what community members can expect at this year’s event.
You’ll also hear from Christina, an IU student who didn’t know where her next meal was coming from. She’s one of thousands of food-insecure students right here in Bloomington. Learn about a little-known campus food pantry later in the show in a feature report.
Land swap to save Seminary Pointe housing now backed by Bloomington city councilBy Dave AskinsSeminary Pointe residential properties (Photo by Dave Askins).The tension between developing a host hotel for Bloomington’s expanded convention center and the city’s affordable housing goals got more airtime Wednesday night (June 3). The city council unanimously approved a new, revised letter to Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC).
The council’s revised letter explicitly gives the council’s support to a less-than-equal land swap on College Square (aka the former Bunger & Robertson lot), in order to preserve the current affordable housing on the Seminary Pointe block. The Seminary Pointe block, south of the current convention center facility, was recently transferred at no cost to the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) by the Monroe County government, which purchased the property for around $3.2 million in 2010 with proceeds from the 5% countywide innkeeper’s tax.
The land swap, which is supported by the CIB, which is overseeing the convention center expansion, would involve transfer of the Seminary Pointe block to the RDC in exchange for the College Square lot. In that scenario, the RDC would immediately transfer the Seminary Pointe block to a community land trust.
Wednesday’s vote to approve the new letter was 8–0. Kate Rosenbarger was not present for the vote.
Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith used her report time at the start of the meeting to read the letter into the record. It marks a shift from an earlier council position statement issued two years ago, in May 2024, that effectively told the RDC not to part with College Square for less than the $6.9 million it spent to acquire the site.
The CIB has identified the College Square site, at 4th Street and College Avenue, just north of the current convention center, as the preferred location for a convention center host hotel. There’s a broad consensus that the College Square location is the best suited one for a convention center host hotel.
The new letter mentions the May 6, 2024 letter, signed by eight councilmembers and another letter from Dec. 15, 2025 signed by four councilmembers, that says the RDC College Square property should only be used for the convention center project, including a new hotel, if the RDC recouped the amount it spent to acquire the site, which was about $6.9 million in two separate transactions—one in 2019 and the other in 2023.
The new letter walks that back:
“We wish to state clearly that we are not opposed to the RDC’s disposition of the site for an amount less than the purchase price, if significant public benefit can be gained, such as the preservation and/or provision of low-income housing.”
This is the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin dot com and look for the headline: “Land swap to save Seminary Pointe housing now backed by Bloomington city council.”
Featured Segments:
(Photo courtesy of Crimson Cupboard)As many as 41% of U.S. college students may be food insecure. That means their access to adequate amounts of nutrition is limited or uncertain. On the Bloomington campus there’s a little-known student-only food pantry called Crimson Cupboard, and 7,000 local students rely on it. Correspondent Jack Muniz has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Bloomington’s Juneteenth celebration returns to Switchyard Park on June 19th. On this week’s edition of Bring It On, hosts Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell spoke with Shatoyia Moss, Director of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department, about the significance of the holiday and what community members can expect at this year’s event. Here’s an excerpt from that conversation.
(Photo courtesy of City of Bloomington).The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission took one more step toward the construction of the Hopewell South neighborhood, which the city hopes will introduce more affordable housing to Bloomington. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe took to the B-line trail to ask residents for their thoughts.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced today’s edition of B Square Bites.
Today’s feature story on food insecurity among college students was produced by Jack Muniz in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by The Mysteries of Life.
Clarence Boone produces Bring It On!
Ben Sharpe produced today’s voxpop on the Hopewell South redevelopment.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Ben Sharpe.
Welcome back to Paisley’s Posh Nosh on WFHB’s Youth Radio! On this bi-weekly show, I pick and review snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are my finds fun, but they’re also all healthy. Being a student athlete the majority of my life, I know first hand the importance of fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients enabling you to perform and live at your best!
If you want to know a little more about me: I’m fifteen, a homeschooled sophomore in high school, founder and owner of my crocheted jewelry business Sweet P Crochets, a competitive swimmer on the local swim team Indiana Swim Club, songwriter, guitar player, lifeguard, I love spending time with my friends, and I’m also a DJ here at WFHB. Alright enough about me, let’s get to this episode’s theme!
The theme of this episode was “Yellow”. No long, hard to pronounce, ambiguous names this time! My DJ song set was also that theme which was really fun. Once I reveal the picks for this episode, the color wheel will stop spinning and you’ll see why “Yellow” is the theme. Speaking of, the picks for this episode were Fillo’s Walking Tamales and Woodstock’s Banana Water in the flavor Strawberry! I don’t need to quiz you on what color bananas are, they’re of course yellow, but so are tamales. While tamales themselves air on the more golden side, it’s in the same color family. What they’re made of though is what’s yellow, and that’s corn!
Moving on to the health benefits of these yellow picks! Before that though, both of these picks can be found at Bloomingfoods or Kroger! While I keep the in-depth analysis for on air, here’s a quick run down. Both picks are excellent sources of potassium, antioxidants, an assortment of vitamins like vitamin A, and carbohydrates. Perfect before a sports practice or even a midnight snack.
Thank you so much for reading, tuning in, or both. Tune in next episode to hear what I pick next, and as always, Luck+Love!
Credits:
Produced by Paisley Antoine for WFHB’s Youth Radio
In May 2026 local house show venue Rotspot held its last full-tilt rock show, featuring Bloomington band Mourning Star. For the previous two years Rotspot held a special position in the local music scene as a strictly sober space – no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking allowed. As the tenants of 330 North Roosevelt Street graduate and move out, show host Zach Gutzwiller vows to continue Rotspot as a concert series, booking shows in different places in Bloomington like Harmony School. Back in February Rotspot hosted a fundraising concert at Harmony, donating nearly $2,000 to the Immigrant Defense Network.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the Rotspot sober music venue was produced by Emma Broach in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Mike Arnold from Indiana Public Media about the ongoing fallout of federal and state budget cuts to public broadcasting.
You’ll also hear from Zach from Rotspot, a sober music venue in Bloomington that is shutting down. Zach vows to continue Rotspot as a no-drugs no-alcohol concert series later in the show in a feature report.
Featured Segments:
Last month local house show venue Rotspot held its last full-tilt rock show. As the tenants graduate and move out, show host Zach vows to continue Rotspot as a concert series, booking shows in different places in Bloomington like Harmony School. Rotspot held a special position in the Bloomington music scene as a strictly sober space – no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking allowed. Correspondent Emma Broach has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Photo by Jennifer Coombes of KUNC NewsUp next, we look at the ongoing fallout of federal and state budget cuts to public broadcasting. Following the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Bloomington’s public radio and television stations, WFIU and WTIU, recently downsized their operations, initiating a series of layoffs last month. In today’s featured interview, Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Mike Arnold, executive director of Integrated Public Media at WFIU and WTIU, about the impact of federal CPB cuts and the future of Indiana Public Media.
(Photo by Aidan Verde).WFHB reporters Aidan Verde and Elena Bai took to the streets of Bloomington earlier today to ask residents: “what keeps you in Bloomington?” Hear what people on Kirkwood Avenue had to say, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, “Scams Galore” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s voxpop on “What Keeps You in Bloomington?” was produced by Aidan Verde and Elena Bai.
Our interview with Indiana Public Media was produced by Max Schneider.
Today’s feature story on the Rotspot sober music venue was produced by Emma Broach in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Zoe Moczek.
Sometimes scammers get so obvious it’s ridiculous. That’s been happening recently in email — and the enormous number of phony emails is a dead giveaway. Here’s a look at what’s been happening, and a couple of easy ways to spot the fraud. Artificial Intelligence now makes fake messages look very real, but anything can be overdone if you work at it hard enough.
The popularity of Indiana University football is a relatively new phenomenon, but some IU football traditions go way back. Attend any home game at Memorial Stadium and there is one sound that fans hope to hear, because it means IU has a scored a touchdown. It’s the celebratory blast from “Big Jake,” the IU ROTC Bison Battalion’s vintage 75mm pack howitzer gun located behind the north end zone. “Big Jake” is named after Brigadier General Jacob Ammen, hired by the Trustees in 1839 to teach math and IU’s first course on Military Science – the first free elective course in IU history. We hear from ROTC cannon crew leader Sam Enes and IU superfan Henry Maley. Click here to see a slow-motion reel of Big Jake in action.
(All photos courtesy of Indiana University ROTC).
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the IU football cannon “Big Jake” was produced by Julia Timmering in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by the IU Marching Hundred.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with Sam Holdemann and Seth Mutchler, two members of the group Care Not Cages, about the county council’s recent rejection of North Park as a new jail site.
You’ll also hear ROTC cadet Sam Enes on the feeling he gets shooting “Big Jake” – that’s the cannon fired in Memorial Stadium every time IU football scores a touchdown. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
Bloomington RDC moves Hopewell South housing from concept towards construction
By Dave Askins
Hopewell South looking north across 1st Street from a couple hundred feet in the air. (Kelton O’Connell, July 1, 2025)Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) used its regular meeting on Monday (June 1) to push the Hopewell South project out of the conceptual phase and into the mechanics of platting and permitting. In the western corner of the site, the RDC took a step towards getting potential home construction started before year’s end.
A few separate items on the agenda included Hopewell South: acceptance of the city council’s conditions on the planned unit development (PUD); blanket authorization for staff to pursue all necessary plats and permits; and a targeted lot line adjustment aimed at getting a handful of houses started ahead of the main infrastructure work.
Hopewell South is the portion of the IU Health hospital redevelopment project that sits south of 1st Street.
On a unanimous vote, the RDC formally accepted the “reasonable conditions” the Bloomington city council attached to the Hopewell South PUD when it gave its approval of the rezone on May 6.
Assistant city attorney Dana Kerr told commissioners they essentially had two choices: accept the council’s conditions and move forward, or reject them. RDC executive director Anna Killion-Hanson made clear her position on that.
“Please don’t make me do that!” she said.
Affordability, which was the most contentious topic throughout the city council’s deliberations, reappeared during the RDC’s discussion on Monday. The council’s condition requires that at least 35% of all dwelling units in Hopewell South be “permanently affordable,” with a goal of reaching 50%. Within that 35%, at least 15% of total units have to be reserved for households earning at or below 90% of area median income (AMI), and at least 20% for households at or below 120% of AMI.
Killion-Hanson told RDC members that satisfying the council’s affordability condition is “going to be difficult at best,” given the uncertain construction costs. But she said the administration will “do our ‘college try’ on trying to get as many affordable units as possible without creating an additional burden to the RDC.”
The commission ultimately agreed to an amendment to the resolution proposed by RDC member Laurie McRobbie:
The RDC fully intends to comply with the city council’s conditions to the extent they can feasibly be accomplished without significantly undermining the goals of the Hopewell South Project and the PUD.
Infrastructure work for most of Hopewell South is supposed to be completed by spring 2027.
If that basic timeline holds, it would mean several houses in the in the Hopewell South neighborhood could be finished in late 2027.
Killion-Hanson wrote the The B Square: “2027 is going to be a good year for housing supply! It won’t be enough, but it should have an impact!”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington RDC moves Hopewell South housing from concept towards construction.”
Featured Segments:
Up next, the Monroe County Council rejected the North Park property as a new jail site during last Tuesday’s meeting. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas interviewed two members of Care Not Cages.
This interview was conducted on Thursday of last week, just one day before the ACLU lawsuit expired for conditions at the current Monroe County Jail. As a result of the county not approving the purchase agreement for North Park, the ACLU dismissed its longstanding private settlement regarding jail conditions, clearing the path for new litigation.
Today, we air a portion of that interview. Stay tuned for further coverage from Casillas, featuring perspectives from county officials and members of the public, later this week on the local news.
(Photos courtesy of Indiana University ROTC).The popularity of Indiana University football is a relatively new phenomenon, but some IU football traditions go way back. Attend any home game at Memorial Stadium and there is one sound that fans hope to hear, because it means IU has scored a touchdown. It’s the celebratory blast from “Big Jake,” the ROTC cannon. Correspondent Julia Timmering has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Today’s feature story on the IU football cannon “Big Jake” was produced by Julia Timmering in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by the IU Marching Hundred.
Jorge Casillas produced today’s interview with Care Not Cages.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Aidan Verde.
¿Sabías que el karate puede ayudar a desarrollar disciplina, confianza, liderazgo y respeto tanto en niños como en adultos? En este episodio de Hola Bloomington, conversamos con Génesis Navarrete y Alexander Nicastro, fundadores del Altius Karate Club, una escuela de karate establecida en Bloomington por una familia venezolana comprometida con el crecimiento físico y personal de nuestra comunidad.
Altius Karate Club tiene la misión de enseñar mucho más que técnicas de defensa personal. A través del karate Shotokan tradicional y deportivo, ayudan a niños, jóvenes y adultos a fortalecer su carácter, desarrollar confianza en sí mismos y adquirir valores que los acompañen dentro y fuera del dojo.
Durante el programa hablamos sobre:
- La historia de Altius Karate Club y cómo nació este emprendimiento latino en Bloomington;
- De los beneficios físicos, mentales y emocionales del karate;
- Cómo las artes marciales ayudan a desarrollar disciplina, respeto y liderazgo;
- Por qué el karate puede ser una excelente actividad para niños, jóvenes y adultos de cualquier edad;
- ¿Qué hace diferente a Altius Karate Club y qué pueden esperar las familias que desean comenzar esta experiencia?
Para más información sobre Altius Karate Club:
- Teléfono: 689-318-3372
- Instagram: @altiuskarate
- Email: altiuskarate@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Altius-Karate-Club/61583832367620/
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 1st, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from the attorney for Jim Rodenbush, the former Indiana University student media adviser who says he was fired for refusing to stop the Indiana Daily Student from printing hard news. Little speaks on WFHB for the first time later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear from Nate Hurr, board president of the Bloomington Center For Global Children. This nonprofit early learning center uses a unique model to teach kids to care for themselves, their community, and their planet. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
(Photo courtesy of Bloomington Transit).Bloomington Transit is offering free bus rides to passengers starting today through June 7th. In today’s featured interview, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for BT, about the initiative. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Former Indiana University student media adviser Jim Rodenbush says he was fired for refusing to stop the Indiana Daily Student from printing hard news, while attorneys for IU have argued in their legal filings that the case is a simple workplace dispute having nothing to do with freedom of the press. Lawyers for Rodenbush have dropped his federal lawsuit against IU in response to a jurisdictional question, and plan to refile it in state court. Jon Little is the head of the law firm representing Rodenbush, and he speaks with correspondent Patrick Schultz in a feature report that includes some striking and provocative comments from Little.
June is Pride Month, and LGBTQ+ organizations across Indiana are working on building community despite political and cultural challenges. On last week’s episode of BloomingOUT, hosts Melanie Davis and Justin Robertson discussed Pride organizing, political pressure facing LGBTQ+ communities and concerns about legislation affecting transgender students. Here’s an excerpt from that conversation, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
The Bloomington Center For Global Children isn’t your typical preschool. It’s a non-profit, and it’s multilingual – teachers and kids communicate in both English and Spanish. Rather than just babysitting kids, the center teaches them to care for themselves, their community, and their planet. Nate Herr has two kids that go there, and the experience has been so transformative for them that he volunteered to be on the board – in fact he is the board president. The Bloomington Center For Global Children seeks donations and volunteers to support their mission to raise children who are compassionate and capable on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Ben Sharpe produced today’s featured interview with Bloomington Transit.
Today’s feature story on the Jim Rodenbush lawsuit was produced by Patrick Schultz in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Bas Lamerichs.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Julia Timmering through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kam Shaw and Max Schneider.
Former Indiana University student media adviser Jim Rodenbush says he was fired for refusing to stop the Indiana Daily Student from printing hard news, while attorneys for IU have argued in their legal filings that the case is a simple workplace dispute having nothing to do with freedom of the press. Lawyers for Rodenbush have dropped his federal lawsuit against IU in response to a jurisdictional question, and plan to refile it in state court. Jon Little is the head of the law firm representing Rodenbush, and he does not mince words in his striking and sometimes provocative statements, including his assertion that Eli Lilly “owns” IU. We also read a fresh statement from IDS editors on this issue. In April 2026 Rodenbush received the Indiana High School Press Association’s “Friend of the Student Press” award.
(photos courtesy of Jim Rodenbush)
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the Jim Rodenbush lawsuit was produced by Patrick Schultz in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Bas Lamerichs.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Dr. Gloria Howell spend the hour with Ignoisco Miles and Shatoyia Moss to discuss Bloomington’s celebration of this year’s Juneteenth holiday. They are here to represent the remarkable community partnership bringing Bloomington’s 2026 Juneteenth Celebration to life. Led by the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department and presented in collaboration with Indiana University’s Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, the Indiana University African American Arts Institute, and Food Truck Friday, this year’s celebration promises to be a meaningful and memorable event.
Taking place on Friday, June 19, at Switchyard Park, the free, family-friendly gathering will commemorate freedom, celebrate Black culture and achievement, and foster community through live entertainment, food, educational opportunities, and fellowship.
Ignoisco Miles, director of Camp S.O.U.L.Ignoisco Miles is the director of Camp S.O.U.L., which stands for Students Obtaining Unique Musical Levels. Camp S.O.U.L. will host its summer experience on the Indiana University campus from June 14 through June 19 through Indiana University’s African American Arts Institute for incoming IU students.
Ignoisco Miles is an artist, teacher, director, and winner of the premiere season of The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge on Netflix. Now living in Phoenix, AZ., Ignoisco currently works as an Assistant Principal for Performing Arts at the Arizona School for the Arts. He also continues to serve as the Artistic Director for Camp S.O.U.L., a summer music intensive which is steeped in the history, performance, and practice of Black music in America. A more detailed overview of his career can be found at official Arizona School for the Arts Leadership Team directory.
Shatoyia Moss, director for the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources DepartmentShatoyia Moss is the director of the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department. Moss has been the Safe & Civil City Program Director for the Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD) since 2018.
Additionally, she serves on the boards of New Hope for Families, IU Credit Union, and Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County. In 2022, she was selected by President Barack Obama to participate in the Obama Leaders Foundation’s inaugural cohort for the United States. Before working for the City of Bloomington, Moss served as the Director of Indiana Kids, a mentoring and tutoring program at Indiana University. Moss holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloira Howell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Gloria Howell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The Bloomington Center For Global Children isn’t your typical preschool. It’s a non-profit, and it’s multilingual – teachers and kids communicate in both English and Spanish. Rather than just babysitting kids, the center teaches them to care for themselves, their community, and their planet. Nate Herr has two kids that go there, and the experience has been so transformative for them that he volunteered to be on the board – in fact he is the board president. The Bloomington Center For Global Children seeks donations and volunteers to support their mission to raise children who are compassionate and capable.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Julia Timmering
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Yellowwood State Forest is growing. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acquired 122 acres in northwestern Brown County to expand Yellowwood. Forest preservation advocates approve but remain wary, given the history of state-sanctioned logging on Hoosier public lands. Correspondent Andrew Price has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Spring storms are a fact of life in Indiana, bringing the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds, and tornadoes each year. But researchers say changing weather patterns may mean communities need to rethink how they prepare for severe weather. In this week’s program, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick to take a closer look at Tornado Alley’s recent eastward expansion, what it could mean for Indiana, and how residents can stay prepared.
Indianapolis and the surrounding metropolitan area failed a number of critical air pollution measures in the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report.
The ALA’s annual nationwide report published each spring gives the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie metro area an “F” in smog and soot pollution. The report analyzes emissions data over a three-year period from 2022 to 2024.
Smog is ground-level ozone pollution and soot is particulate matter. The two comprise two of the six commonly found air pollutants in the United States according to the EPA. Both pollutants form in part when coal-fired power plants and diesel engines burn fossil fuels. Smog and soot can cause premature death and other serious health hazards such as heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, asthma and cognitive decline, according to the ALA.
The lung health report ranks the central Indiana metro area in a number of categories with the region performing poorly in most. Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie ranked the 11th most polluted area for year-round particle pollution and 14th for short-term particle pollution.
And the rest of the state fares little better. More than 670,000 Hoosier children breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution, the report says. This year’s report focused on the risk to youth that polluted air can pose. Small lungs are particularly vulnerable, said Tiffany Nichols, ALA director of advocacy.
“Infants, children and teens have lungs that are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to the impacts of unhealthy air,” Nichols said.
To prevent today’s youth from developing diseases related to polluted air, the American Lung Association has been asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop rolling back clean air rules put in place by previous administrations. The Indiana chapter has also asked state lawmakers to take steps to protect air quality.
Nichols grew up on the northwest side of Indy where the neighborhoods had been demolished to build I-65. Nearby trees were torn down to make way for the highway that would bring cars and trucks emitting harmful exhaust.
“So, then you have these areas that are essentially like a pocket of unhealthy air, and then those neighborhoods also had a lot of factories,” Nichols said. “That exacerbated health conditions in many of those communities that are oftentimes less fortunate already.”
While air pollutants have existed for centuries, the rise of data centers poses a new threat. State and local lawmakers, Nichols said, should also pay attention to these new potential sources of pollution both in Indiana and across the country.
“We’re asking that those companies that are interested in putting data centers in communities work with the local community,” Nichols said. “Since data centers have the potential to be another source of pollution we also ask that they use renewable, zero-ignition energy sources.”
The ALA report also urges the U.S. EPA to recommit to protecting people’s health from harmful air pollution. This year, the EPA has gone on what Administrator Lee Zeldin has characterized as a deregulation campaign that environmental advocates in Indiana have charged will lead to “death by 1,000 cuts.”
The current EPA, the American Lung Association report says, has “retreated from its public health foundation by rolling back clean air protections.”
Since we just celebrated Arbor Day, we thought you would like to learn 5 simple tips for tree selection success. Planting a tree is one of the most lasting ways to shape your space. The right choice delivers decades of shade, beauty, and wildlife benefits – but success starts with smart selection.
First, start with your site. Look beyond hardiness zones. Consider sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and weather extremes. The better you understand your conditions, the better your tree will thrive.
Second, plan for mature size. That sapling will grow. Check height and spread at maturity, and allow space away from roofs, utilities, sidewalks, and driveways.
Next, choose with purpose. Decide what you want your tree to do – provide shade, create privacy, support wildlife, or conserve water – and let function guide your choice.
Then, think roots and maintenance. Tree roots need space to grow, and some trees have higher care needs. Pick a species that fits both your space and your schedule.
And last, do your homework and don’t just settle for what’s available. Research native and climate – resilient trees suited to your area. They are more likely to thrive and support local ecosystems long term.
During a visit to one of Europe’s most polluted regions, Pope Leo openly criticized companies that prioritize profit over environmental protection and the health of vulnerable communities.
On May 23rd, Pope Leo visited Acerra, Italy. This area is known as the Triangle of Death because of abnormally high cancer rates linked to decades of illegal toxic waste dumping. There Pope Leo met with families who lost loved ones to pollution-related illnesses and called out companies seeking what he termed “dizzying profits” [end quote] at the cost of environmental destruction.
In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italian authorities had repeatedly failed to protect residents from illegal dumping since at least 1988. Italy’s Prime Minister launched a task force aimed at helping victims and pursuing environmental cleanup. But Pope Leo identified the systemic break in these good intentions, stating that “unscrupulous people and organizations have been allowed to act with impunity for too long.”
Pope Leo, who took office in May, has been speaking more forcefully on environmental and social issues, and is expected to release encyclicals—or letters directed at the 1.4B Catholics of the world, outlining the church’s perspective on a topic—that focus on these unchecked environmental concerns.
This June, Bloomington is hosting Pollinator Week as part of its Bee City USA designation. Local residents are invited to be citizen scientists by simply taking photos of pollinators and plants with your phone.
BioBlitz 2026 runs June 21–28 throughout Bloomington and surrounding areas. A bioblitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. Residents are invited to join community events or make observations on their own using the iNaturalist app, a tool used by everyday nature enthusiasts for species identification and logging GPS-tagged observations.
By snapping photos of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, or plants, community members help scientists identify species and gather crucial data about local biodiversity. All observations support current and future management of urban, landscaped, and natural areas around Bloomington.
Pollinators like bees transfer pollen between flowers, allowing more than 85% of all flowering plants and 67% of agricultural crops to reproduce . Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps, bats, and hummingbirds are also important contributors to this process. Yet research shows significant declines in native pollinator populations globally, with up to 40% of pollinator species at risk of extinction in coming years due to habitat loss, harmful pesticides, and climate change.
By participating in BioBlitz, Bloomington residents join the global efforts to document and understand the biodiversity we share. Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just someone with a smartphone, you can contribute to real science and help protect the pollinators that sustain our food, gardens, and ecosystems.
Bloomington’s Bee City committee has organized three events:
– A Pollinator Week Pop-up Exhibition at the Lilly Library on June 18
– A documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21, and
– Green Drinks Bloomington featuring a Sycamore Land Trust discussion about the cypress firefly on June 24 at Upland Brewing.
- Aquatic Wildlife of the Waterfall hike is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 30th, from 10 to 11 am. See parks and animal ambassadors at the waterfall.
- Once In A Blue Moon event is scheduled at Griffy Lake on Sunday, Mary 31st, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The moon will rise on this 1 mile hike. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Strahl Lake Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Monday, June 1st, from 9 to 9:45 pm. Hike Trail 6 to learn the history of the lake and about animals that make the lake their home.
- An activity about Fish of Monroe Lake is scheduled for Friday, June 5th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn about common fish seen at Monroe Lake.
- Nature Play Days will take place at Lower Cascades Park in the Waterfall Shelter on Saturday, June 6th, from 1 to 4 pm. The activities will include hikes, scavenger hunts and hands-on fun with nature in mind. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Carrie Albright
Headlines
Karl Schneider with IndyStar
Carrie Albright
Feature Report
Ben Sharpe
Andrew Price in partnership with
The Media School at Indiana University
Script
Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
On May 4th, Wreckers of Romance joined us in the Local Live Lounge for a fabulous session. Around here, we like to call them the Rockers of Romance — and honestly, the costumes alone are swoon-worthy.
Beyond the style, the band brought a fun, lively set that made this one a blast to have in the studio. Give the session a listen and see what all the romance is about.
Host: Sarah Vaughan
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Christy Crandall, and engineer apprentice Lori Wombles
Post Production: Jar Turner
Even if you don’t know who Jordan Davis is, there’s a chance you’ve eaten something he’s connected to. By day he’s running operations at The Chocolate Moose, but he’s also the mastermind behind Bloomington’s two biggest public food events. He revived Taste of Bloomington last year as a free event, returning again this year August 1. He also organizes Food Truck Fridays, which runs every Friday April through October in Switchyard Park. If all that wasn’t enough, he also hosts the foodie podcast “No Dishes.” Hear what makes Bloomington’s Food Dude hungry for food culture, with supporting comments from Garrett Poortinga who records, edits and produces the podcast and expanded it from audio to video.
(all photos courtesy of Jordan Davis)
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on Bloomington food dude Jordan Davis was produced by Nate Barrett in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Lewis Rogers of Busman’s Holiday performing as Lew Bruno.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 28th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Jordan Davis, Bloomington’s Food Dude. Whether he’s scooping ice cream at The Chocolate Moose or running Taste of Bloomington and Food Truck Fridays or hosting the No Dishes podcast, Jordan’s got something for you to eat. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, indie-rock musician Phoebe Bridgers will perform tonight at the Buskirk Chumley Theater as part of her pop-up tour. More from people waiting in line to buy tickets coming up next in your daily headlines.
Featured Segments:
(Photo by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomington).Acclaimed indie singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers will play a surprise show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington tonight. Flyers announcing the performance, part of her pop-up tour, appeared around town this morning. Bridgers has won four Grammys for her sophomore album, Punisher, released in 2020. She’s also known for her work in the indie-rock supergroup, boygenius. Bridgers is signed to the Bloomington-based record label Dead Oceans, which operates under the independent label umbrella Secretly Group. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde spoke with fans waiting in packed lines outside the Buskirk-Chumley to hear what residents had to say about the surprise set.
Even if you don’t know who Jordan Davis is, there’s a chance you’ve eaten something he’s connected to. By day he’s running operations at The Chocolate Moose, but he’s also the mastermind behind Bloomington’s two biggest public food events: Taste of Bloomington and Food Truck Fridays, which is up and running for the season tomorrow and every Friday through October in Switchyard Park. If all that wasn’t enough, he also hosts the foodie podcast “No Dishes.” Davis is Bloomington’s Food Dude. Correspondent Ashanti Snodgrass has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, host Jim Allison speaks with Mindy Besaw, director of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art on the IU campus. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s voxpop on the Phoebe Bridgers show was produced by Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde.
Today’s feature story on Bloomington food dude Jordan Davis was produced by Nate Barrett in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Lewis Rogers of Busman’s Holiday performing as Lew Bruno.
Civic Conversations was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Aidan Verde.
Spring storms are a fact of life in Indiana, bringing the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds, and tornadoes each year. However, researchers say changing weather patterns may mean communities need to rethink how they prepare for severe weather. WFHB’s Ben Sharpe and IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick take a closer look at Tornado Alley’s recent eastward expansion, what it could mean for Indiana, and how residents can stay prepared.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
As summer kicks off, tonight we are revisiting a clip from the 2023 Youth Radio summer camp. For the podcasting week campers chose to talk about food and tonight you’ll hear them rate their school lunches.
“Townie summer” is officially upon us. As many of the students at Indiana University have left for the summer, the city settles into a different rhythm. In today’s episode of Rewind, WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents and students about summer in the city.
This week’s archive segment comes from a March 24, 2017 episode of Kite Line titled “Cyclical Confinement: Homelessness and Incarceration.” Kite Line is a radio program devoted to prison issues around the Midwest and beyond. In this episode, hosts Emma Johnson and Mia Beach speak with guests Reverend Forest Gilmore and Mike Feltner about their experiences with the relationship between homelessness and incarceration.
Now, from the music department, local band Early Grey joined us in the Local Live Lounge on March 9. After multiple weather-related reschedules, we were especially glad to finally have them in the studio. They brought a set of original songs, along with plenty of talent and good vibes — well worth the wait! Give the session a listen and catch what they brought to our new room.
Credits:
Produced by Aja Essex, Jessie Grubb, Jorge Casillas, Aidan Verde, Mia Beach, Hugh Farrell, Adriane Pontecorvo, Alex Hammel, Richard Jermain, Frank Sanfilippo, Jar Turner and Kade Young.
Two local women were inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last month. Almost thirty years ago Martinsville high school athletes Kristen Bodine and April Traylor-Percy led the Lady Artesians in back-to-back championship seasons. It sounds like a movie, but this story is true. For decades, all Indiana high school basketball teams competed in one single tournament, commonly known as “Hoosier Hysteria,” instead of being separated into classes by their school size. This meant “wonder teams” from tiny schools would take on the biggest Goliaths to earn the state championship – like the one from Milan, Indiana immortalized in the movie “Hoosiers.” In the final year of Hoosier Hysteria that’s exactly what the Lady Artesians did, beating the larger Crown Point team for the final single-class championship in Indiana. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) then ended the single-class tournament and divided high schools into four classes based on enrollment size beginning with the 1997–98 season. That year the Lady Artesians did it again, winning the first Class 4A girls basketball state title. We hear from their coach Jan Connor, current Martinsville school superintendent and former coach Eric Bowlen, and Hall of Fame inductee Kristen (Bodine) Lovell in a true story of champions.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on Martinsville players inducted into The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame was produced by Nate Barrett in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by The Mysteries of Life.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Kristen Bodine, being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last month for leading the Martinsville girls basketball team to back-to-back championship seasons in 1997 and 98. Hear their amazing story later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Council rejected the North Park property as a new jail site and justice center during its meeting last night. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.
Monroe County Council Rejects North Park Jail Purchase Agreement
Former city councilmember Steve Volan urges the county not to pursue North Park during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting (Photo by Jorge Casillas).The $11.4 million purchase agreement for North Park as a jail site failed by a 1-6 vote during last night’s Monroe County Council meeting. This likely ends the county’s effort to purchase the property for a new jail site and justice center.
Tuesday’s decision followed months of debate over cost, environmental concerns, transparency and whether county officials properly explored alternative sites.
During public comment, former city councilmember Steve Volan urged the council to reject the proposal and called on the commissioners to resign over how they handled the process.
“If this was the best they had to offer, let their next act be to send a message that might get the ACLU to back off,” said Volan. “Let them do the honorable thing and resign their seats.”
Following public comment, county council members shared their rationale behind how they voted. Councilmember Pete Iversen was the one vote in favor of the purchase agreement. He said while the proposal was unpopular, he believed delaying the decision would not be wise.
“A vote for the affirmative option presents a solution that perpetuates a system that jails too many people,” said Iversen. “We have a viable path forward to end 17 years of stalemate.”
On the other hand, several council members said they could not support moving forward with the proposal after considerable public opposition. Council member Jennifer Crossley said the North Park property had become too divisive for the county to pursue it.
“We are trying to talk about it, whether or not other people really want to come to the table and really want to talk to us about it,” said Crossley.
Council member Trent Deckard shared concerns about the financial uncertainty of the project.
“In October, there was concern at that time. It was unanimous agreement of council not to move forward, and in time we’ve continued to hear opinions from taxpayers regarding this site,” said Deckard. “Ultimately, this evening I will vote the way I voted in October, and I will vote no.”
The council ultimately voted 1-6 to not move forward with North Park as a jail site. The council made another motion to deny the ordinance altogether, which passed by a 6-0 vote. The decision also comes ahead of a May 29 ACLU deadline that could expose the county to renewed legal action over jail conditions.
County officials now face mounting pressure to choose another site for a new jail and justice center, while questions remain about how much time, money and legal ramifications the county has to restart the effort. WFHB News will continue following this story.
Featured Segments:
Damage from the Feb. 19 tornado to the Monroe County Humane Association. (Kathryn Coers Rossman, Feb. 20, 2026, first published in B Square Bulletin).Spring storms are a fact of life in Indiana, bringing the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds, and tornadoes each year. But researchers say changing weather patterns may mean communities need to rethink how they prepare for severe weather. Up next, WFHB’s Ben Sharpe and IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick take a closer look at Tornado Alley’s recent eastward expansion, what it could mean for Indiana, and how residents can stay prepared.
(Photo courtesy of Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame).Two local women were inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last month. Almost thirty years ago local high school athletes Kristen Bodine and April Traylor-Percy led their Martinsville team in back-to-back championship seasons. It sounds like a movie, but this story is true – and correspondent Nate Barrett has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, “Classic Scams 11 – Unholy Trio” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Jorge Casillas, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ben Sharpe.
Today’s feature story on Martinsville players inducted into The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame was produced by Nate Barrett in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by The Mysteries of Life.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Max Schneider and Aidan Verde.
As we’ve said before, there are really only a few kinds of scams — although there are an infinite number of variations on those nasty con games. Here is a look at three of the oldest ones, which are still being used, and very successfully too. If you understand the idea behind a swindle, you can spot it, even if the fraudsters have dressed it up in brand new clothing.
County Councilmember Pete Iversen says rejecting the agreement could lead to costly litigation and delays for a new jail project.The Monroe County Council will vote tonight on a purchase agreement for the North Park property for the purpose of a new jail and justice center. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with County Councilmember Pete Iversen about what this vote means for taxpayers of Monroe County. In the interview, Iversen discusses the upcoming vote, the county’s financial options, concerns raised by the ACLU lawsuit over jail conditions and why he believes approving the purchase agreement is the best way to avoid costly litigation and further delays.
CREDIT:This interview was produced by WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas.
Yellowwood State Forest is growing. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acquired 122 acres in northwestern Brown County to expand Yellowwood, increasing the total footprint of Yellowwood State Forest to more than 24,100 acres. Forest preservation advocates like Dave Seastrom from the Indiana Forest Alliance approve but remain wary, given what they see as decades of harmful practices like state-sanctioned logging on public lands. Governor Mike Braun has proven to be an unlikely bedfellow to the IFA, promising to protect our forests and prioritize recreation over logging. But Seastrom says that current state forest management practices favor oak and hickory – two of the most commercially valuable species for the timber industry.
(All photos courtesy of the Hoosier National Forest).
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the expansion of Yellowwood State Forest was produced by Andrew Price in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Speck.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 26th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, County Councilmember Pete Iversen speaks with WFHB News about the implications of tonight’s council vote on a purchase agreement for the North Park property for the purpose of a new jail and justice center.
You’ll also hear Dave Seastrom of the Indiana Forest Alliance, wary of the state’s promise to protect Hoosier forests. As news breaks of the upcoming expansion of Yellowwood State Forest we’ll hear more later in the show in a feature report.
MCCSC board advances staff reductions, cell phone ban, gets update about online school
By Kelton O’Connell
Bloomington High School North junior Lyle Henry speaks during public comment at the school board meeting. (Kelton O’Connell, May 19, 2026)Last Tuesday (May 19), at its final regular meeting before the end of classes on Thursday, the Monroe County Community School Corporation board took several actions tied to staffing, finances, district policy, and facilities as administrators continued work on a two-year plan to stabilize the district’s budget.
Trustees approved a personnel report that included administrator departures, teacher transfers, and one reduction in force (RIF). The RIF provided one of the tenser exchanges of the night.
Context for the reduction are tight district finances.
MCCSC is just over a year into a two-year plan to reach fiscal sustainability that began in February 2025. The district cites declining student enrollment, reduction in state funding, and increasing payroll expenses as primary causes for projected losses.
Since 2025, MCCSC says it has evaluated spending and staffing and has made staffing adjustments accordingly. The May personnel report approved by the board on Tuesday included the elimination of one administrator position, three administrator retirements or resignations, 76 teacher position transfers, 20 teacher retirements or resignations, one teacher termination, and one reduction in force (RIF).
Losing her position was Hongzhi Wang, who taught Chinese language full-time for MCCSC, splitting her effort between Bloomington High School North (BHSN) and Jackson Creek Middle School. According to the personnel report, William Sanders, who taught Chinese at Bloomington High School South (BHSS) and Batchelor Middle School, will instead teach at the two high schools.
The meeting’s sole comment from the public mic came from BHSN junior Lyle Henry, who said, “I am here to speak out in support of my teacher, Mrs. Wang.” Board president Erin Cooperman cut him off.
Here is the full exchange, which begins at 11:23 in the meeting recording.
Henry: Good evening, my name is Lyle Henry and I am a junior at BHSN. I am here to speak out in support of my teacher, Mrs. Wang.
Cooperman: Lyle, I’m sorry. I’m going to have to interrupt you. We can’t use specific names of any personnel. We have—one of the guidelines is that we don’t talk about specific people at—
Henry: I am here to speak out in support of my teacher.
Cooperman: I hear that, and I appreciate that.
Henry: I just want to know answers. I’m not getting any clear answers.
Cooperman: So Lyle, I did email you today and I encouraged you to just speak generally. If you’d like to talk generally about … what you appreciate about teachers in general, for example, you’re welcome to do that. But I can’t let you talk about specific personnel.
Henry: OK, I want to know why only one person is being RIFed and it’s her. [Henry gives an exasperated palms up gesture.] That’s all. I really want you guys to think about that. It’s an injustice. [Henry steps away from the lectern.]
The guideline Cooperman cited is included on the board’s online public comment form: “Please know, there is no commenting on personnel issues.” The MCCSC bylaw on the topic says that the presiding officer may “interrupt, warn, or terminate a person’s statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant.”
Cooperman told The B Square that she believes discussion of personnel matters during public comment can open the commenter or the board to liability, and that’s why it isn’t allowed. On the topic of not responding to speakers, she said, “I can imagine the philosophy behind not having us respond to public comment directly, that they want to minimize conflict, but that’s just my guess.”
Later during the meeting, MCCSC chief financial officer Matt Irwin presented a financial update. According to his presentation, “significant progress” has been made since December 2024 projections. “We have come a long way,” Irwin said, “and we are taking steps in the right direction.” He said that means the district is starting to look ahead, preparing for expected and unexpected increases in costs that may come in the future.
During the same presentation, MCCSC superintendent Markay Winston said the district has already conducted a thorough analysis of its fiscal situation, spending, and staffing levels, and is continuing to make staffing adjustments and increase efficiency.
According to the presentation, since 2024, there have been about 90 full-time-equivalent (FTE) voluntary resignations and retirements and about 70 FTE position transfers. The district also said that 79% of staffing cost savings were achieved through voluntary attrition and position transfers. The remaining savings can be attributed to position eliminations and terminations.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “MCCSC board advances staff reductions, cell phone ban, gets update about online school.”
Featured Segments:
Photo by Kade Young.The Monroe County Council will vote tonight on a purchase agreement for the North Park property for the purpose of a new jail and justice center. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with County Councilmember Pete Iversen about what this vote means for taxpayers of Monroe County.
(Photo courtesy of Indiana Forest Alliance)Yellowwood State Forest is growing. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acquired 122 acres in northwestern Brown County to expand Yellowwood. Forest preservation advocates approve but remain wary, given the history of state-sanctioned logging on Hoosier public lands. Correspondent Andrew Price has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Kelton O’Connell produced today’s edition of B Square Bites in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Our feature was produced by Jorge Casillas.
Today’s feature story on the expansion of Yellowwood State Forest was produced by Andrew Price in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Speck.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Kade Young.
En este episodio, una de nuestras locutoras de Hola Bloomington, la Dra. Raquel Anderson, nos compartió un poco del apoyo que ha brindado a las familias hispanohablantes en nuestra comunidad, principalmente a través del desarrollo del lenguaje bilingüe y salud del habla.
La Dra. Raquel Anderson, profesora emérita del Departamento de Speech and Hearing Sciences de Indiana University Bloomington, fue directora del programa bilingüe de la maestría en Patología del Habla y Lenguaje. Además, ha coordinado programas académicos y desarrollado investigación enfocada en la adquisición del lenguaje en niños bilingües, especialmente en familias hispanohablantes que hablan español e inglés.
La Dra. Anderson también forma parte de la Comisión para Asuntos Hispanos y Latiné (CHLA) de la Ciudad de Bloomington, donde ha apoyado iniciativas enfocadas en educación, inclusión y bienestar de nuestra comunidad, y esta cargo del programa bilingue La Escuelita para Todos, de El Centro Comunal Latino.
We were thrilled to have Bartees Strange in the Firehouse on November 4th for a strikingly intimate in-studio session hosted by Abby Noroozi. Known for bending genres with fearless creativity, Bartees brought a deeply personal set that blended vulnerability, grit, and the boundary-pushing sound he’s become celebrated for.
In conversation, he talked about influences, songwriting, his expansive approach to production, and the brand-new EP Shy Bairns Get Nowt — now in rotation on WFHB. Between songs, Bartees opened up about where his music is headed and the themes that continue to shape his evolving catalog.
He joined us ahead of his solo show that night at The Bishop, and this Firehouse Session captures Bartees at his most distilled: warm, thoughtful, and fully in command of his craft.
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Photos by Anna Powell Denton
Video by No Guru Media
Philadelphia band Gladie joined us for a Firehouse Session on April 28, 2026 ahead of their show that night at The Bishop. To help save their voice for the show, singer Augusta “Gus” Koch skipped the live performance — so instead, host Ahmed al-Awadi sat down with the band for a fun conversation with songs from their new album “No Need To Be Lonely” mixed throughout.
Even without the live set, it turned into a great session full of laughs, stories, and thoughtful conversations about community and music. Keep your eye on this band!
Host: Ahmed al’Awadi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineer: Jared Coyle
Post Production: Jared Coyle
Photos: Anna Powell Denton
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell spend the hour with Alexis Briggins, a doctoral candidate in mental health counseling, and Muhammad Saahir, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Blue Sofa Counseling Services. They are here to explore mental health dynamics within the Black community, with a particular focus on the college experience.
Alexis BrigginsAlexis Briggins (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington. Her research sits at the intersection of race, relationships, and sexuality within Black and Black/White biracial communities, where she examines how family racial socialization shapes romantic relationships in adulthood. A McNair Scholar, Holmes Scholar, and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alexis is committed to making psychology accessible, culturally responsive, and community-centered.
Muhammad Saahir, as seen on a Sussex Directories, Inc. siteMuhammad Saahir is a Counselor – Mental Health based out of Bloomington, Indiana, and his medical specialization is Counselor – Mental Health. He practices in Bloomington, Indiana, and has the professional credentials of LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor).
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloira Howell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Gloria Howell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Coming up later in the program, Julianna Dailey talks with Gloria Chi, an eighth grader at Jackson Creek Middle School, who collects used coffee grounds from nearly a dozen Bloomington coffee shops through her nonprofit, Fungi For Future. She is also part of the WFHB Youth Radio program and has been very involved with environmental interviews for WFHB Community Radio.
Environmental ReportsForaging in IndianaIndiana’s landscapes offer a range of edible plants for foraging, including morels, wild raspberries, and hickory nuts. Emmitt Bog, a forager and guide from Fort Wayne, emphasizes the roots of foraging in food sovereignty and community support. Beginners are advised by Carrie Vrabel to learn plant identification step-by-step and gain skills independently. Julia Angstmann highlights the importance of understanding local foraging laws and avoiding contaminated areas, cautioning against poisonous plants like hemlock, which resembles safe species such as Queen Anne’s Lace. It is recommended to forage with experienced individuals to ensure safety and knowledge acquisition.
Foraging in Indiana ContinuedIndiana’s rich plant life supports various wildlife, prompting experts Angstmann and Vrabel to advise foragers to take only 10-20% of any plant population, except for invasive species. Spring foraging options include raspberries, blackberries, common violets (Viola sororia), cleavers (Galium aparine), and hickory bark from shagbark hickory trees (Carya ovata). Mushroom hunters can also look for dryad’s saddle (Cerioporus squamosus). Various native and nonnative mustards, like hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsute), are emerging, alongside spring ephemerals such as spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) and cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenate), both fully edible. Foragers must adhere to Indiana’s laws on harvesting from state-owned lands and consult local regulations for permits to ensure habitat protection.
Forestry Funds ReturnCounties in south central Indiana, including Monroe, Brown, Jackson, and Lawrence, will receive $339,196 from the US Forest Service this year for local schools and infrastructure, due to the Secure Rural Schools program. This program helps local governments compensate for reduced tax revenue from federal land and was reauthorized in December after a two-year lapse. Funding comes from activities such as permitting, timber production, and livestock grazing.
And now for some upcoming events:* Learn about the Edible Forest at the RCA Community Park on Thursday, May 28th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Foraging for your food can be a fun and frugal way to eat. On a 1.3 mile hike, learn what you can eat and what to avoid. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. * Make Fire Starters at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, May 29th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Learn about the “fire triangle” and make a fire starter to help get your campfire started. Meet at the Campground Playground. * Meet at the Waterfall at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 30th, from 10 to 11 am to learn about Aquatic Wildlife of the Waterfall. Meet some of the parks animal ambassadors. * Find out what a blue moon is at the Once In A Blue Moon event at Griffy Lake on Sunday, May 31st, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Watch the moon rise on this 1 mile hike. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Preston RogersHeadlines…Eco Report Team &Karl Schneider w/ Indy StarFeature Report……………………………..Julianna DaileyScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
Stroll down Indiana Avenue near Sample Gates and you’ll see a historical marker on the sidewalk honoring Bloomington’s most famous son. Hoagy Carmichael is considered one of the most important American composers of the twentieth century. Songs like “Stardust,” “Heart and Soul,” and “Georgia on My Mind” are some of the most influential and enduring tunes in American popular music. Hoagy was born and raised right here in Bloomington and graduated from Indiana University with a law degree, so it is perhaps no surprise that IU’s Hoagy Carmichael Collection represents the largest holding of materials pertaining to Hoagy Carmichael available anywhere in the world. Recently items formerly kept in the Hoagy Carmichael Room in Morrison Hall were moved to the Simon Music Center along with the rest of the Archives of Traditional Music, where you can sit for a spell in the reading room next to Hoagy’s piano. While you’re there you might run into Amy Rose Wilson, a Senior Collections Reference Assistant who would be happy to tell you all about the thousands of items in the collection – music manuscripts, lyric sheets, sound recordings, films and videos, photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, typescripts, and other memorabilia. We also hear from WFIU jazz director David Brent Johnson, a diehard Hoagy fan. Not in Bloomington? The online archive has more than 800 entries including rare vintage recordings.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the Hoagy Carmichael collection at IU was produced by Ben Winn in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University with archival content from IU’s Archives of Traditional Music. Special thanks to Librarian Emeritus Suzanne Mudge for her guidance on this story.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 21st, 2026.
That’s legendary composer Hoagy Carmichael, with fond memories of Bloomington – his hometown. Hear more vintage Hoagy audio from IU’s Archives of Traditional Music later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board approved a public art installation for the new convention center. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.
Skybridge sculpture selected as public art for Bloomington convention center expansionBy Dave AskinsA $400,000 public art installation wrapping the new convention center skybridge in a sweeping, illuminated sculpture was approved by the Monroe County capital improvement board at its Wednesday (May 20) meeting.
The skybridge will connect the existing convention center across College Avenue to the 60,000-square-foot expansion. The construction center expansion is well underway between Walnut Street and College Avenue on the south side of 3rd Street, and is planned for completion near the start of 2027.
On a unanimous roll-call vote, the board approved “A Form of Connection” by Ball-Nogues Studio, lead by Benjamin Ball, following months of public input, community surveys, and a review by a committee and the Bloomington Arts Commission.
Presenting the public art recommendation was CIB member and BEAD (Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District) advisory group chair Galen Cassady. He opened by crediting the network of volunteers and arts leaders who helped shape the process.
Cassady gave special praise to former city assistant director for the arts, Holly Warren. Cassady told the board: “We really would not be here without the leg work that Holly put into this.” Warren, who attended the meeting, received applause from the audience. CIB president John Whikehart underscored Warren’s role when he wrapped up the agenda item, saying to her, “Holly, thank you again so much for your leadership and assistance in all of this—much appreciated.”
The approximately 8,000-pound installation will be fabricated from marine-grade aluminum and attached to the bridge at 14 structural connection points. Integrated lighting will illuminate the faceted surfaces at night. The proposal emphasized digital modeling, custom fabrication, and engineering precision to create what artist Benjamin Ball described as a “one-of-a-kind civic form.”
Whikehart commented on the reception of the selected design among those who reviewed the finalist proposals, indicating it was the most provocative: “If I recall correctly, this particular piece had the most public reaction. Both strongly for and strongly against, which shouldn’t be too surprising—we’re talking about art.”
Bloomington Utilities Board Approves $197K College Mall Sewer Design Study, Retreat Agreement
By Elyse Perry
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on May 18th and discussed the College Mall Road sewer system design study. Capital Projects Coordinator Kevin White explained it.
White said a contract with Commonwealth Engineers for the study will cost $197,461. Engineer Phil Peden said there has been an action plan in the area since 2004 to fix undersized pipes.
Board president Kirk White asked if the area was mostly affected by heavy rain. Peden responded that problems only occur during rain, and it has only been once in the past year.
The board passed the agreement for the design study unanimously. It moved on to discuss a memorandum of understanding with The Retreat at Switchyard that was tabled at the last meeting. Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger introduced the resolution.
Board member Megan Parmenter said the legal team has looked over the M-O-U and she hopes the agreement is holding The Retreat to the board’s expectations.
The MOU was approved unanimously. The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be on June 1st.
Community Rallies Behind Kyra Campbell During Richland-Bean Blossom School Board Meeting
By Ben Sharpe
The Richland-Bean Blossom School Board met on May 19th. Much of the meeting’s public comment period focused on support for the appointment of Kyra Campbell as the next director of the Edgewood High School choir program. Parents, students, alumni, and educators spoke about Campbell’s impact on students and the future of the program.
Community members pointed to Campbell’s history with the Edgewood program and her familiarity with students and families. Jessica Foster said Campbell could help create continuity between programs and strengthen student connections.
Several speakers described Campbell’s mentorship and influence on students’ confidence and personal growth. Andrea Andrews said Campbell had already developed strong relationships with students and families.
Students also spoke about Campbell’s role in helping them develop confidence and leadership skills. Ethan Staggs said Campbell encouraged him to stay involved in choir and helped him believe in himself.
Parents continued to describe the impact Campbell had beyond the classroom. Molly Osgood said Campbell helped her son gain confidence through show choir participation.
The board voted to extend public comment beyond its planned thirty-minute limit to allow additional speakers to finish their remarks.
Public comment continued for nearly the first hour of the meeting, with speakers repeatedly emphasizing Campbell’s leadership, mentorship, and connection to students and the choir program.
The board later approved its consent agenda, AI guidebook, and other classroom items, as well as three new faculty hires. The school board will meet again on June 16th.
Featured Segment:
Hoagy Carmichael is considered one of the most important American composers of the twentieth century. Songs like “Stardust,” “Heart and Soul,” and “Georgia on My Mind” are some of the most influential and enduring tunes in American popular music. Hoagy was born and raised right here in Bloomington and graduated from Indiana University with a law degree, so it is perhaps no surprise that IU’s Hoagy Carmichael Collection represents the largest holding of materials pertaining to Hoagy Carmichael available anywhere in the world. Recently items formerly kept in the Hoagy Carmichael Room in Morrison Hall were moved to the Simon Music Center along with the rest of the Archives of Traditional Music, where you can sit for a spell in the reading room next to Hoagy’s piano. Correspondent Ben Winn has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Ben Sharpe.
Today’s feature story on the Hoagy Carmichael collection at IU was produced by Ben Winn in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University with archival content from IU’s Archives of Traditional Music. Special thanks to Librarian Emeritus Suzanne Mudge for her guidance on this story.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jorge Casillas, Ben Sharpe, Claire Zeyen and Aidan Verde.
In May, Civic Conversations welcomed Mindy Besaw, director of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art on the IU campus. Mindy became director of the museum in 2025 after a stint as curator of the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mindy discussed her role as director of the museum, which houses about 48,000 objects and is among the largest collections in the Big Ten. Currently, the museum is featuring two exhibitions: “Migration and Memory,” featuring three Jewish American refugee artists, and “Where Do I Go?” by Lebanese photographer Rania Matar, who explores themes of displacement and women’s heritage. Finally, Mindy discussed the America 250 celebration planned around July 4, which includes a collaboration with the Lilly Library to showcase a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence and a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington at the Eskenazi Museum. The celebration offers visitors a tour connecting the Lilly Library exhibition with the Eskenazi Museum, and includes the opportunity to view Thomas Hart Benton murals of Indiana history.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
From WFHB’s Youth Radio, we have Episode 5 of “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we chat with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. In episode 5, Winnie interviews Shelby VanDerMoere, Mobile Integrated Health Program Manager and Community EMT for the City of Bloomington Fire Department.
Our next segment comes from the May episode of the Brown County Hour, on the anniversary of storms that caused widespread damage in this area. Pam Raider speaks with Bruce and Donna Clegg who lost at least 120 trees in the Spring 2025 tornado. They recount their experience and express gratitude that their home, and their lives, were spared. We also hear from Steve and Vera Grubbs who had just returned from New Mexico when a tornado hit their Brown County property in Spring 2025. They didn’t even make it into the house, driving straight into the garage and staying in the car for shelter. A huge tree grazed their house as it came down in a storm that bulldozed 35 acres and their barn.
Our archive segment today draws from the September 29, 2017 episode of Kite Line, a weekly program on WFHB devoted to prison issues around the Midwest and beyond. In this episode, we hear from Nasim Chatha of the Alliance for Global Justice. She talks about prison imperialism and the impact of mass incarceration in the U.S. on prison systems elsewhere in the world.
Now, from the music department, John Darnielle joined WFHB by phone for a fun conversation about The Mountain Goats forthcoming album “Days.” Darnielle talked about memory and changing perspective, revisiting the emotional landscape of the 1990s, album collaborators, and his connection to Bloomington — where he was born. We turn to Music Director Abby Noroozi for more.
Credits:
Thanks for listening to Rewind on WFHB.
Produced by Winnie Dong, the Brown County Hour crew, Mia Beach, Hugh Farrell, Adriance Pontecorvo, Abby Noroozi, Jessie Grubb and Kade Young.
Indiana University professor Dr. Linda Smith is warning parents of the consequences of excessive screen time for youngsters. When kids spend most of their time staring at screens, what happens to their brain? Screens do have the potential to enhance education and learning, but studies have shown that excessive screen time can negatively affect executive functioning, sensorimotor development, and academic outcomes. Early screen exposure has been associated with lower cognitive abilities, stunted language development and diminished academic performance in later years. Excessive screen usage can lead to problems with obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. We also hear from physical education teacher Sara Potter, who sees these problems every day and is trying to do something about it. Journalist Trisha Brand is a mother of two preteens and offers her observations and advice as well. More research data and expert advice is available online from the National Institutes of Health.
(Photo courtesy of the National Institutes of Health).CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the physics of play was produced by Ethan Poto in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Ethan Poto.
We cover a lot of topics on Better Beware, and there are always more scams and consumer issues to report. For instance, it’s becoming increasingly important to keep all your internet-connected devices updated with the latest software. You need to help spread the word to your friends and family. Not everyone hears this segment. Beyond that, it’s very important, and very welcome, for us to hear from you! Please email with comments, criticism, or information about fraud or any consumer issue – the email address is beware@wfhb.org. Thanks very much!
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 20th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Bloomington professor Dr. Linda Smith, warning parents of the effects of excessive screen time on youngsters. Learn more later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “What Can You Do?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Bloomington formally closes road to unsafe Club House Drive bridge, as officials dispute ownership
By Dave Askins
The bridge on Club House Drive looking east towards SR 37 in Bloomington’s Lower Cascades Park. (Dave Askins, May 16, 2026)The city staff decision on an emergency closure of Clubhouse Drive in Lower Cascades Park, which leads to a failing bridge next to SR 37, was ratified through a resolution by Bloomington’s board of public works on Tuesday (May 19).
The bridge was closed last Thursday, after an inspection by Monroe County government found the span unsafe for vehicular traffic heavier than 5 tons. Earlier, city staff had placed a “5” over the “9” on the posted weight limit for the bridge, which was consistent with the recommendation in the inspection report.
But at Monday’s work session, city engineer Andrew Cibor told the board, “Five tons is not a very high weight limit, and a lot of vehicles exceed that.” Even with a limit posted at five tons, a lot of vehicles weighing over five tons would probably still drive over it. “Just to reduce that risk, we decided to close [the bridge],” Cibor said.
Director of public works Adam Wason indicated that the types of vehicles in question are fairly common, saying, “When we’re talking about vehicles that exceed five tons, that could be a truck with a lawn mowing business trailer on the back. That could be … some of the heavier duty pickup trucks … ”
At Monday’s work session, city attorney Audrey Brittingham framed the action as the board’s ratification of what staff had already done in the field under the board’s general authority over the public right of way in Title 12.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Brittingham drew a distinction between closing the road, over which the board of public works has authority, and closing the bridge, which the city is keen to stress it does not own and is not responsible for. Brittingham put it like this:
“The city is closing the road and not the bridge, because at this time … we don’t believe that we own the bridge, and that we have the authority to close the bridge. But … the board has the authority over the roads and the rights-of-way on either side of the bridge.”
Lingering in the background is a dispute between Bloomington and the Monroe County governments over who has responsibility for the repair and replacement of the bridge. At Tuesday’s meeting, James Roach called on the two local government units to sort out the situation. He put it like this: “I would encourage the city and the county to bring this to a conclusion as soon as possible, and I know that everyone will be doing everything they can to do that.”
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin dot com and look for the headline: “Bloomington formally closes road to unsafe Club House Drive bridge, as officials dispute ownership.”
Bloomington residents criticize lack of traffic citations after injury crashes
By Kade Young
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington Transportation Commission met on May 18th. One resident said she was struck by a pickup truck while crossing at College Mall Road and Covenant Drive in December 2025. She criticized the police department for not issuing a moving violation.
“You can make the safest streets possible, make the best speed limits, put your infrastructure in place, but if the police don’t enforce the law, that’s my beef,” said the resident.
She continued, saying she didn’t appreciate Police Chief Mike Diekhoff’s reaction to the situation.
“The police don’t enforce the rules of the community. It’s like playing a board game without rules, but with much greater consequences,” she said.
Her speaking time expired; however, a motion was made to allow her to finish her statement. She said traffic enforcement changes driver behavior.
“If the ticket is given, it has the person who caused the problem have some skin in the game for the community having to send out the emergency response group,” she said.
Another local resident Paul Rousseau said he was seriously injured in a 2024 crash involving a vehicle.
“I was struck by a car and thrown up over the hood and nearly killed. I was waiting at a stop sign at East Third Street and Heritage,” said Rousseau. “It was a life-changing injury.”
Rousseau said the driver was never cited for a moving violation nor tested for drugs or alcohol.
“None of that was done. The driver wasn’t even cited,” he said.
Commission Member Mark Stosberg said he doesn’t see these as isolated incidents.
“We have not just isolated incidents, but a pattern of vulnerable road users being struck by motorists when it was clearly their fault,” said Stosberg.
No formal vote was taken. Transportation staff said additional intersection safety improvements remain under evaluation.
The next regular session of the transportation commission will take place on June 8th.
Featured Segment:
(Photo courtesy of the National Institutes of Health).A researcher at Indiana University is warning parents of the effects of excessive screen time on youngsters. When kids spend most of their time staring at phones, tablets, TV and computers, what happens to their brain? Correspondent Ethan Poto has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, “What Can You Do?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produced B Square Bites.
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on the physics of play was produced by Ethan Poto in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Ethan Poto.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Aidan Verde.
Welcome back to “What the Health?!” a series on WFHB’s Youth Radio where we chat with healthcare professionals to explore the future of health, global healthcare policies, and offer unfiltered insight into the realities of working in healthcare. Host Winnie Dong looks to help anyone curious about entering the field or interested in global healthcare. She’s determined to create a deeper understanding of how the healthcare system really works.
In this episode of What the Health?!, Dr. Samantha Bettinger, a regulatory affairs specialist and public health researcher, joins the show. Samantha shares how her path through research and a PhD led her to a job in the pharmaceutical industry. She gives advice for young people interested in health careers.
What the Health?! is produced by Winnie Dong for WFHB’s Youth Radio
A new state law requiring all college degree programs to have minimum numbers of graduates is reducing the range of degrees offered at Indiana University. The Bloomington campus is seeing the largest number of program cuts. One of those affected is the Jacobs School of Music Historical Performance Institute, where all standalone degree programs have been eliminated. “Historical performance” is a category of classical music attempting to render musical compositions exactly as they would have been heard in their original time period. This means using period-correct instruments, historically accurate tuning, and performance techniques from the work’s original era. Baroque violinist Ingrid Matthews learned her craft at HPI and as a professor there now she laments the loss of standalone HPI degrees but is also hopeful that there will be benefits to being part of a larger department. We also hear from Courage Barda, a recent Jacobs graduate who was the last undergrad accepted into his now-eliminated program.
(All photos courtesy of IU).CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on the Historical Performance Institute degree program was produced by Theo Hawkins in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
“Townie summer” is officially upon us. As many of the students at Indiana University have left for the summer, the city settles into a different rhythm. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents and students about summer in the city.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 19th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about what their summer is looking like now that many of the students are gone. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear violin professor Ingrid Matthews on the loss of a specialized classical music degree program at IU. Learn more about how new state law is reducing the range of diplomas offered later in the show in a feature report.
Monroe County Council Delays Vote on North Park Jail Site
By Claire Zeyen
Photo by Kade Young.The Monroe County Council met May 12th, with most of the meeting focused on debate over the proposed new county jail and justice center at the North Park site.
County commissioners brought the North Park proposal back before the council for a first reading, with the final vote delayed until the next council meeting.
During discussion Sheriff Ruben Marté stressed the urgency of moving forward.
“Every minute, every day, every hour, there are people in that facility that not everybody in this room sees, except for me and my staff,” said Marté. “I’m telling you, it’s getting worse.”
Councilmember Marty Hawk argued the county should not rush into a location decision without considering how the site affects the community it serves.
“I understand that takes a while, but anywhere you go, you’re not going to have a new jail to go to tomorrow. So, we’ve got to figure out what’s not just best for the jail and how that’s going to operate, but for the community at large,” said Hawk.
As discussion continued, council members questioned commissioners about long-term planning, public transparency, and whether the county is moving too quickly because of pressure tied to the ACLU lawsuit. County Commissioner Julie Thomas argued county leaders are balancing both financial concerns and legal deadlines.
“It makes my eyes water to think about how much money this is, and that’s a huge commitment. And I get this is a big decision, probably the biggest you’ll make as a council member,” said Thomas.
Councilmember David Henry later questioned how future decisions about co-location, treatment facilities and jail services would be made moving forward.
“I just want to know how we decide when something is proposed, why it gets jettisoned, or why we’re keeping it, and how to do that publicly,” said Henry.
Henry pushed for more public acknowledgment and transparency in how those decisions are being made and raised questions about the appraisal and value of the North Park property. Commissioner Jody Madeira asserted the valuation is fair.
“By any major, Bloomington property values have appreciated far more than 46 percent. So let’s by all means get another appraisal,” said Madeira.
Public comment began shortly after the two-hour mark. One speaker argued the Thomson property is a better choice.
“The Thompson site is already in county hands. Using our local income tax and economic development income tax reserves to fund the cleanup of the debris pile is a far more efficient use of taxpayer dollars than the $50 million budget gap currently stalling the North Park plan,” said the public commenter.
Another resident questioned the cost of the North Park property.
“Why were Allen County, Marion County, and Vigo County able to acquire land for jail or justice center projects at roughly $30,000 to $45,000 per acre, while Monroe County is being asked to pay approximately $219,000 per acre?”
Later in the meeting, another commenter warned North Park could be too valuable for long-term economic development to become a jail site.
“I worry that we may be unintentionally conflating two separate ideas, the urgency to act and the urgency to permanently commit North Park. They’re just not necessarily the same thing,” said the commenter.
Near the end of the meeting, council members debated whether to vote that night or wait until all council members could be present for a final decision. A motion to approve the North Park purchase failed in a 1-5 vote, with Councilmember Peter Iverson casting the lone vote in favor.
The Monroe County Council will cast its final vote on the second reading of the North Park proposal at its next meeting on May 26th.
Featured Segments:
Correspondent Aidan Verde interviews two recent graduates at IU for today’s feature report (Photo by Kade Young).“Townie summer” is officially upon us. As many of the students at Indiana University have left for the summer, the city settles into a different rhythm. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents and students about summer in the city. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
(Photo courtesy of IU).A new state law requiring all college degree programs to have minimum numbers of graduates is reducing the range of degrees offered at Indiana University. The Bloomington campus is seeing the largest number of program cuts. One of those affected is the Jacobs School of Music Historical Performance Institute, where all standalone degree programs have been eliminated. Correspondent Theo Hawkins has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde.
Today’s feature story on the Historical Performance Institute degree program was produced by Theo Hawkins in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde anchored today’s newscast.
John Darnielle joined WFHB by phone for a fun conversation about the The Mountain Goats forthcoming album “Days.” We talked about memory and changing perspective, revisiting the emotional landscape of the 1990s, album collaborators, and his connection to Bloomington — where he was born.
The band’s new album “Days” arrives August 7th on Cadmean Dawn, and The Mountain Goats stop at The Vogue on May 23rd.
Host and Producer: Abby Noroozi
On Friday, the local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All held a block party and fundraiser aimed at keeping Seminary Pointe apartments affordable housing. The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board wants to build a host hotel for the new convention center on the College Square property. The CIB proposed a land swap with the city’s redevelopment commission to trade Seminary Pointe for the College Square property. While the RDC rejected that proposal, Homes for All still supports that land swap. WFHB News spoke with musician and organizer Gwyn Zimmer who says Bloomington needs to preserve the 29-units of affordable housing currently at Seminary Pointe.
Lacrosse. It’s kind of like hockey, but played on a grassy field with a ball instead of a puck. Players use sticks attached to netted scoops to try to pitch the ball into the opposing team’s net. Women’s lacrosse will make its historic debut at the Olympic Games in 2028. Girls lacrosse is surging in popularity in the Hoosier state. The Indiana High School Athletic Association upgraded it to a so-called “emerging sport” starting with the 2025-206 school year, paving the way for officially sanctioned high school lacrosse games. Here in B-town a team called Bloomington Pride is ready for their chance to shine. We hear from Pride coach Leslie Cook, who has now partnered with Girls Inc to create a lacrosse program for girls in middle school. M.E. Mildenberg from the Indiana Girls Lacrosse Association weighs in on the chances that high school girls will have a fair opportunity to play lacrosse in Indiana.
All photos courtesy of Bloomington Pride.Credits:
Today’s feature story on girls lacrosse as the hot new sport in Indiana was produced by Camryn Guilfoy in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Ncone.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 18th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Leslie Cook, coach of the girls lacrosse team in Bloomington. Girls lacrosse is now recognized as an emerging sport, paving the way for officially sanctioned high school lacrosse games. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear Walt Johnson from the Lake Monroe Sailing Association, with a story about how their summer sailing camp changed a young boy’s life. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
Provisional ballots from the May 5 primary election are reviewed. From right: Monroe county election board members: Carolyn VandeWiele, Danny Shields, Nicole Browne. Seated to Browne’s right is county election supervisor Kylie Farris. (Dave Askins, May 15, 2026)Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “One-third of provisional ballots from May 5 primary election count in Monroe County.” That’s coming up next on WFHB.
On Friday, the local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All held a block party and fundraiser aimed at keeping Seminary Pointe apartments affordable housing. The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board wants to build a host hotel for the new convention center on the College Square property. The CIB proposed a land swap with the city’s redevelopment commission to trade Seminary Pointe for the College Square property. While the RDC rejected that proposal, Homes for All still supports that land swap. WFHB News spoke with musician and organizer Gwyn Zimmer who says Bloomington needs to preserve the 29-units of affordable housing currently at Seminary Pointe.
Women’s lacrosse will make its historic debut at the Olympic Games in 2028. Girls lacrosse is surging in popularity in the Hoosier state, with the Indiana High School Athletic Association recently upgrading it to a so-called “emerging sport,” paving the way for officially sanctioned high school lacrosse games. Here in B-town a team called Bloomington Pride is ready for their chance to shine. Correspondent Camryn Guilfoy has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
The Lake Monroe Sailing Association ain’t a yacht club. This local marina operates as a nonprofit in a unique partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to promote environmentally responsible sailing – it’s the first facility in this area to be designated as an official “Indiana Clean Marina.” LMSA also hosts maritime education programs, with adult classes and youth sailing camps through Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Lake Monroe Sailing Association manager Walt Johnson says that’s his favorite part – even though sailing is fun, the kids are actually learning useful life lessons. Find out how on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin.
The segment on Bloomington Homes for All was produced by Kade Young.
Chad Carrothers produced today’s episode of Activate in partnership with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Today’s feature story on girls lacrosse as the hot new sport in Indiana was produced by Camryn Guilfoy in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Ncone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Aidan Verde and Jorge Casillas.
En este episodio tuvimos una conversación muy importante sobre seguros, protección financiera y oportunidades de empleo en nuestra comunidad. Nuestra invitada, Alicia Palacios, es una agente de seguros que nos compartió sobre cómo proteger a nuestras familias, hogares, vehículos y negocios a través de diferentes tipos de seguros y asesoría personalizada.
Durante el programa estaremos conversamos sobre: Seguros de auto, casa, vida y comerciales; Qué cubren las pólizas y cómo elegir la mejor opción; Deducibles, reclamaciones y descuentos; Consejos para ahorrar dinero y proteger tu patrimonio; y sobre la importancia de revisar y actualizar tus coberturas.
¿Te interesa la industria de seguros? Alicia te da más información para integrarse al equipo de trabajo. ¡No necesitas experiencia previa! Si no tienes licencia, te ayudan y cubren el costo del curso de capacitación.
Para más información visita https://www.amfam.com/agents/indiana/greenwood/alicia-palacios-machado
By Zoe Moczek
The state of Indiana will pay over 1.2 million dollars to settle lawsuits over dangerous conditions at a state prison.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana recently finalized settlement agreements in a series of lawsuits against the Indiana Department of Correction. These lawsuits allege that incarcerated men at Miami Correctional Facility were held in solitary confinement under conditions of total or near-total darkness for extended periods of time, leading to both physical and psychological harm.
Litigation began in 2021 on behalf of one inmate but expanded to a total of 31 plaintiffs as the ACLU became aware of more incarcerated men who experienced similar conditions. According to court documents, inmates were held in cells with no working lights and windows covered by steel plates. Some cells also had exposed wires, causing some of the men to experience painful shocks.
In a press release from April 27th, legal director Ken Falk for ACLU of Indiana is printed saying, “After more than five years of litigation, these settlements bring some measure of justice to people who have endured horrific abuse at Miami Correctional Facility. The Eighth Amendment protects people in state custody from cruel and unconstitutional conditions, and our clients showed enormous courage in coming forward with their experiences.”
State Representative Ed Delaney also commented on the incarcerated men involved in the settlement.
“The reason is they have civil rights. Now, they’re limited, obviously. They don’t have a right to walk around and go out of the building, but they have a right to be treated humanely, and apparently we have failed in that,” said Delaney.
In 2025, the Indiana DOC partnered with the federal government to hold immigrant detainees at Miami Correctional Facility, drawing criticism from the ACLU and other civil rights organizations.
The Lake Monroe Sailing Association ain’t a yacht club. This local marina operates as a nonprofit in a unique partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to promote environmentally responsible sailing – it’s the first facility in this area to be designated as an official “Indiana Clean Marina.” LMSA also hosts maritime education programs, with adult classes and youth sailing camps through Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Lake Monroe Sailing Association manager Walt Johnson says that’s his favorite part – even though sailing is fun, the kids are actually learning useful life lessons.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Last week we shared information about air pollution nationwide and for the State of Indiana, including that Indiana is one of the worst states for air pollution. We have also shared several times information about plastic pollution. Now, we have learned that plastic is contributing to the warming of the Earth.
Two of our planet’s most serious environmental issues are microplastics and global warming. A new study has found microplastics floating in our atmosphere are actually helping to boost global warming. The plastic particles absorb about five times as much sunlight as they reflect. These tiny plastic fragments can travel long distances through the atmosphere, said Gilberto Binda of the University of Insubria in a companion article in Nature Climate Change.
He also said that the plastic’s color is an important factor determining the plastic’s contribution to global warming. Drew Shindell of Duke University said microplastics have a small contribution to global warming. “A fairly small percentage, around 2%, but regionally can be large. And, to reduce warming, we are going to need all the options we have available so knowing about this one is useful to add to our efforts to cut warming, even if it’s a relatively minor player.”
According to the study, colored micro-plastics and nanoplastics suspended in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming at a level equivalent to 16.2% of that caused by soot, with higher values seen over oceanic garbage patches.
The color of the plastic really matters: Researchers found that black and colored particles strongly absorb sunlight compared to white particles. Therefore, that means the darker the plastic particle, the more it contributes to global warming.
“Further research is needed to fully determine how micro- and nanoplastics contribute to Earth’s warming and to improve their representation in climate models,” according to a news release about the study. Carbon dioxide is still the biggest contributor.
Now that we know that plastic is not only in our food and bodies, but also in the air, we need to become more earnest in our use and recycling of plastic. There is In-Store Recycling where you can collect clean and dry plastic films from packaging at home and bring back to bins at the front of stores. This would include grocery and shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, shipping materials, such as shipping envelopes, bubble wraps and air pillows.
You can also recycle outer package wrapping, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers, resealable zipper bags, bread bags and plastic cereal box liners. Another way is to use Mail-In Recycling where you collect empty Kroger branded packaging at home and send the plastic to TerraCycle at no cost to you.
Flexible Plastic Food Packaging includes chip and snack bags, shredded cheese bags, frozen food bags, pouches, deli meat and cheese bags, grain and bean bags, and plastic pet food packages. The Brands that are participating in Mail-In Recyling include Kroger, Private Selection, Simple Truth, Simple Truth Organic, HemisFares, Comforts, Luvsome and Other Kroger Company brands.
Since President Trump’s return to office, his administration has purged more than 8,000 government web pages and 3,000 datasets – wiping out scientists’ and the public’s access to climate, health and environmental justice information from the EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies.
These aren’t just files. Climate scientists rely on NASA satellite data and NOAA weather records to monitor changes in Earth’s systems. Public agencies and local governments use the same data – along with census information – to identify communities most at risk. US Department of Agriculture climate risk models and crop-resilience tools help farmers plan for and manage droughts, floods and changing seasons. “If we lose environmental data, we limit our capacity to respond to climate threats,” says Ellen Robo, a transportation and clean air expert at EDF. “You can’t protect what you can’t measure.
EDF is part of Public Environmental Data Partners, a coalition that archives federal climate datasets and uploads them to public repositories. Volunteers work from university libraries and kitchen tables, using tools like the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine and Harvard’s Perma.cc to capture disappearing content, preserving critical datasets as the administration deletes information that conflicts with its pro-fossil-fuel agenda.
Since we just celebrated Arbor Day, we thought you would like to learn 5 simple tips for tree selection success. Planting a tree is one of the most lasting ways to shape your space. The right choice delivers decades of shade, beauty, and wildlife benefits – but success starts with smart selection.
First, start with your site. Look beyond hardiness zones. Consider sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and weather extremes. The better you understand your conditions, the better your tree will thrive.
Second, plan for mature size. That sapling will grow. Check height and spread at maturity, and allow space away from roofs, utilities, sidewalks, and driveways.
Next, choose with purpose. Decide what you want your tree to do – provide shade, create privacy, support wildlife, or conserve water – and let function guide your choice.
Then, think roots and maintenance. Tree roots need space to grow, and some trees have higher care needs. Pick a species that fits both your space and your schedule.
And last, do your homework and don’t just settle for what’s available. Research native and climate – resilient trees suited to your area. They are more likely to thrive and support local ecosystems long term.
A United Nations report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, warns that the world has entered a state of “water bankruptcy.” Overextraction of fresh water has reached such severe levels that past hydrological and ecological baselines cannot realistically be restored.
This irreversible damage to water sources, including rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils, and glaciers, differentiates water bankruptcy from a water “crises,” which suggests a temporary emergency followed by a return to normal through mitigation efforts.
The state of water bankruptcy is a result of governments failing to act on water overuse for too long. Three-quarters of the world’s population lives in countries classified as water-insecure or critically water-insecure, while almost half the population is now experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month a year. Water bankruptcy management requires preventing further irreversible damage while adapting systems to a smaller hydrological budget.
The report notes, “Population growth, urbanization, and economic expansion have increased water demand for agriculture, industry, energy, and cities.” Agricultural use alone accounts for 70% of all fresh water withdrawals.
Dr. Jonathan Paul, a geoscientist at Royal Holloway, University of London, told The Guardian, “The elephant in the room, which is mentioned explicitly only once, is the role of massive and unequal population growth in driving so many of the manifestations of water bankruptcy. Addressing this growth would be more useful than tinkering with outdated, non-inclusive, and top-down water resource management frameworks.”
Last month Artemis II completed a 10-day voyage around the Moon, setting a record for the greatest distance humans have traveled in space. Indiana played a part, with Hoosiers filling more than a thousand NASA jobs with $200 million in economic impact. Eighteen Indiana suppliers contributed to the Artemis program. Indianapolis company Major Tool & Machine did the friction welding on the rocket engines. Here in Bloomington, Dr. Lisa Pratt is a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Space travel fascinates the imagination, but Pratt says it also impacts life on Earth in practical ways that you may not think of. Technologies built for orbit find their way into our everyday lives. Water filters, cordless power tools, and even some lifesaving medical devices started in the space program. Correspondent Ben Sharpe delivers this week’s feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
- The Shawnee Cave Hike is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th, beginning at 10 am at Spring Mill State Park. This is a 3-mile rugged hike to see four caves – the Donaldson, Bronson, and the Twin Caves. Wear durable shoes.
- A presentation on Mason Bees is planned for Sunday, May 17th, from 3 to 4 pm at Wild Birds Unlimited. Find out why these busy bees are so vital to our ecosystem.
- Enjoy the Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Monday, May 18th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. This is a short, ADA accessible hike where you will see vistas and an historic park gatehouse.
- Enjoy Tea With Trees at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, May 22nd, from 10 am to Noon. Stop by the Nature Center to try some native teas that come from trees.
- Celebrate World Turtle Day at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 23rd, at 10 am. Meet on the Inn Lawn to warm up in the sun and learn all about turtles.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Preston Rogers
Headlines
Doyle Rice with USA Today
Environmental Defense Fund
Arbor Day Foundation
Population Connection
Julianna Dailey
Feature Report
Ben Sharpe
Script
Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
She’s the queen of events in Bloomington and south central Indiana. Kel McBride has been hatching quirky and crazy event ideas for years, organizing like-minded characters, and staging extravaganzas that draw hundreds and, occasionally, thousands. The wizard behind Eroticon, the Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls, Krampus, and many others, McBride’s Ms. Lake Lemon pageant pits gowned, muck-booted women of a certain age against each other in a contest of strength, resilience, and badassed-ness.
Hosts Michael Glab and Tristra Newyear chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
On May 9, 2026 Indiana University held commencement ceremonies for more than 21,000 graduates statewide. More than 11,000 of those degrees were handed out here in Bloomington, to IU’s largest graduating class ever. It’s a time of celebration, but some former students heading out into the real world are unsure of their next move. Fewer than 55% of graduates are employed within six months, and fresh graduates like Lilly Ison and Makayla Karsch feel nervous about their next moves. We also hear from IU Career Services Specialist Jill Romack, who says the path forward is all about working your connections. She also points out that the IU Alumni Association offers career resources to the IU alumni network, which is the largest in the world with more than 805,000 living graduates in more than 165 countries.
All photos courtesy of IU.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on IU graduates nervous about heading into the real world was produced by Karlie Flanagan in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by the Indiana University Marching Hundred.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 14th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, medical school student Ethan Fairbanks joins us on Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana.
You’ll also hear from Lilly and Makayla. On Saturday they were part of IU’s largest graduating class ever. Now these graduates are wondering what comes next. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.
Featured Segments:
WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek reports on recent settlements in a series of lawsuits by the ACLU of Indiana against the Indiana Department of Correction. These lawsuits allege that incarcerated men at Miami Correctional Facility were subject to dangerous conditions while in solitary confinement.
On Saturday Indiana University held commencement ceremonies for more than 21,000 graduates statewide. More than 11,000 of those degrees were handed out here in Bloomington, to IUB’s largest graduating class ever. It’s a time of celebration, but some former students heading out into the real world are unsure of their next move. Correspondent Karlie Flanagan has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Designed by Jar Turner.And now, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month we interview Ethan Fairbanks, a fourth-year medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine, soon to be Dr. Ethan Fairbanks as of May 15th this year when he graduates. He will be leaving Bloomington for Grand Rapids, Michigan for his residency program at Michigan State University in internal medicine. Ethan is the current president of Students for a National Health Program in Indiana, SNaHP, the student organization of Physicians for a National Health Program, PNHP. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Zoe Moczek.
Today’s feature story on IU graduates nervous about heading into the real world was produced by Karlie Flanagan in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by the Indiana University Marching Hundred.
Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone produced Prescription for Healthcare.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Amelia Bucher and Ben Sharpe.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Ethan Fairbanks, a fourth-year medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine, soon to be Dr. Ethan Fairbanks as of May 15th this year when he graduates. He will be leaving Bloomington for Grand Rapids, Michigan for his residency program at Michigan State University in internal medicine. Ethan is the current president of Students for a National Health Program in Indiana, SNaHP, the student organization of Physicians for a National Health Program, PNHP.
From the podcast: “I started growing up on the east side of Indianapolis, far east side, past 465. My family eventually, we lost our house in the financial crisis, wrongful foreclosure. We kept moving further and further east as time went on, and eventually landed in New Palestine. Money’s quite tight, when you’re losing your house or when you’re having to move, and parents working sales jobs, things like that, you come to notice when something is not present that you need, such as healthcare, such as maybe the toy you want when you’re really young. Eventually, I decided medicine was the place that I could do the most good. During medical school, it’s a very taxing, very time-consuming thing to be a part of. Frankly, during the first two years, most of my time was just spent trying to get by. It came to a head going into my third year, into my clinical year. I think this would be back in 2024, I found myself thinking things are only getting worse in healthcare, feeling as though I’m going to be graduating into, frankly, a dark age of American healthcare…”
Listen to the full podcast above.
Watch Ethan on WTHR 2/23/26: Senate Bill 1 targets welfare fraud in Indiana, but some worry it will hurt those most in need
Join Students for a National Health Program!
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
WFHB’s Youth Radio attended the Lotus Blossoms World Bazaar on April 4th, 2026 to record stories with 4th graders from across the MCCSC school district. Students read from two books about Bloomington “B is for Bloomington” and “B-Town” as well as make instrument sound effects that were turned into a sound collage!
Credits:
Edited by Maiza Munn and Jessie Grubb
Youth Radio volunteers included Nina Sa Barreto, Brynn Stewart, Claire Zeyen, and Adriane Pontecorvo
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
From WFHB’s Youth Radio – in a new episode of Grow with Glo, host Gloria Chi speaks to Alex Kornelsen, the CEO and co-founder of Mission to Marsh, an environmental project dedicated to restoring and protecting wetlands.
WFHB’s Youth Radio attended the Lotus Blossoms World Bazaar on April 4th to record stories with 4th graders from across the MCCSC school district. Now you’ll hear them reading “B is for Bloomington.”
Bloomington consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in Indiana. From the news department, WFHB Correspondents Kam Shaw and Elyse Perry took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about affordability. Residents say they find living costs unaffordable, particularly for groceries and housing.
This week, our archive segment commemorates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mother’s Day with excerpts from a 2018 episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio, a co-production of WFHB and Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center. In this excerpt, Keiko McCullough and Shay Upadhyay interview their mothers. We also hear the piece “Blowtorch,” composed by Miki Saito and performed by Lindsay Cheng, Crystal Kim, and Kara Cheng.
Our Firehouse Session with Wendy Eisenberg is up now! They joined us on 4/2/26 ahead of their show at The Blockhouse with Branches and Busman’s Holiday — and just a day before their self-titled album “Wendy Eisenberg” dropped via Indianapolis based label, Joyful Noise. It was a beautiful session and such a great conversation!
By Kade Young
The Monroe County Council voted not to approve a purchase agreement for the North Park property for a new jail site during its meeting on Tuesday.
That means the purchase agreement will be up for a second reading at the council’s next meeting on May 26th. This comes after the County Commissioners approved a purchase of North Park on April 30th.
Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marte says the conditions of the current jail continue to deteriorate. He says delays are impacting staff and people incarcerated at the jail.
“For me, this has never been about politics,” said Marte. “Time is of the essence.”
The council vote comes as the county faces pressure related to an ongoing settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana over conditions inside the current jail.
Commissioner Jody Madeira says if a site is not selected by May 29th, this could result in further litigation by the ACLU.
“This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a real threat,” said Madeira. “This is a burden borne by all Monroe County taxpayers.”
Sam Holdeman, a member of Care Not Cages, says the group is opposed to a new jail project altogether and wants to see the county invest in social services.
“We want the county to address the conditions in the current jail while not expanding incarceration,” said Holdeman.
For Holdeman, North Park is not the only viable option. He would rather see renovation of the current facility.
“Beyond that, I know that they’re looking at the Thompson site and different sites within the city,” he said. “Collaborating with city council and the mayor on more centrally located sites that would be smaller, ideally.”
Supporters of building a new jail argue delays are prolonging unsafe conditions at the current jail. However, Holdeman says renovating the current facility would still be necessary, regardless of the decisions made by county leaders.
“If we’re concerned about the conditions in the immediate present, then the way to address those is to renovate and repair the existing jail, because any site location is going to be just years and years down the road,” he said.
Holdeman says federal courts cannot require the county to build a new jail and says the lawsuit claims the county needs to have a jail that meets constitutional standards.
“That is a fundamental misconception, and it’s often sort of thrown out there as a threat that like, ‘Oh, if we don’t build this new jail at North Park ASAP, then the federal government is going to come in and force us to build this giant megajail which is less humane than the one that we want to build,” said Holdeman.
On the other hand, Sheriff Marte says the issue is urgent. The elevator in the jail keeps breaking down. Also, he says it will cost 30,000 dollars to hire professionals to clean the windows because of a mold problem.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or next week in that building,” said Marte. “It’s going to be me and my staff having to deal with that.”
Commissioner Julie Thomas also expressed time is not on the county’s side. She argues the council needs to act sooner than later.
“We now have that element of time that has become critical because of this pending lawsuit,” said Thomas. “Time is gonna be money if we don’t make that deadline.”
Despite the commissioners’ willingness to move forward with North Park, the county council has remained skeptical of the site. The council previously rejected an 8 million dollar proposal to fund the jail and justice center complex in October 2025.
Council president Jennifer Crossley questioned whether county officials are moving too quickly to revive the North Park property after the council already voted it down.
“Since time is money,” said Crossley. “How has it been that the county government has sat on this as long as we have, and had the ACLU extend throughout all this time, and nobody has said anything up until the moment when we took the vote on October 28?”
In the same vein, Councilor David Henry says he’s concerned not only about the North Park site but also how decisions surrounding the project are being made.
“How are we going to do this differently to make sure the public and this body is very aware of the requirements we’re keeping and the requirements we’re getting rid of?” questioned Henry. “How can we do it differently so we don’t relive the same process where we agree to a purchase agreement and then a few months from now, once the design comes back, it’s considerably more expensive?”
Public comment mostly consisted of residents against the North Park property. However, local resident Richard Garza says he wants to see the council move forward with the proposal.
“It’s been almost 20 years. There are people who are working in harsh conditions. There are people who have to live there in harsh conditions,” said Garza who worked at the justice center last summer.”
Commenters also urged the county to seek alternatives. Seth Mutchler of Care Not Cages says the county is rushing the process.
“I know that it has been said many times that if we don’t do this, that we’re going to get sued, and that might happen,” said Mutchler. “But that doesn’t mean we make mistakes out of fear, and that doesn’t mean we do the wrong thing.”
The Monroe County Council ultimately voted 5-1 against approving North Park with Councilor Pete Iversen dissenting. The council is expected to hear the purchase agreement on May 26th, just days before the ACLU deadline expires.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Alec McLaren, host of Bloomington’s Tiny Garage concert series. Go on-location with us to one of B-town’s hottest new house show venues later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News looks at last night’s Monroe County Council meeting where councilors delayed a vote on the new jail project.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Kade Young.The Monroe County Council voted not to approve the North Park property during its regular session last night. In today’s feature report, WFHB News looks at what last night’s vote means for the future of a new jail. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Pass by 2-0-8 South Hillsdale Court on the east side of Bloomington during the day and you would likely have no idea you are at one of B-town’s hottest new house show hotspots. This is the home of Tiny Garage, where Alec McLaren is building his own concert venue, and yes, it is in his tiny garage. Correspondent McKenzie Vitale has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, “Doing a Job On You” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on Bloomington’s Tiny Garage concert series was produced by McKenzie Vitale in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Ben Sharpe and Elyse Perry.
Pass by 208 S. Hillsdale Court on the east side of Bloomington during the day and you would likely have no idea you are at one of B-town’s hottest new house show hotspots. This is the home of Tiny Garage, where Alec McLaren is building his own concert venue, and yes, it is in his tiny garage. Bloomington’s house show scene ebbs and flows, with neighbor complaints leading to crackdowns on venues like The Pink Poodle and student-run venues like The Reef simply evaporating when tenants graduate and move on. Although Tiny Garage has hosted only about a dozen shows, McLaren’s creative vision – like theme nights and his custom-made double-decker couch – are quickly making Tiny Garage a place to be for local bands and music fans.
All photos courtesy of Tiny Garage.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on Bloomington’s Tiny Garage concert series was produced by McKenzie Vitale in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
There’s a huge spike in Employment Scams right now — phony offers of jobs that don’t really exist. The crooks are out to steal your personal information, and if you’re dumb enough to fall for it, your money too. The job market is not very good right now, but there are real jobs out there. Here’s some tips on how to find one without getting ripped off.
While the world’s attention is often captured by the grandeur of rainforests, some of our most powerful climate allies are hidden in the mud along our coastlines. In this episode, we sit down with Alex Kornelsen, the cofounder of Mission to Marsh, to discuss their work protecting and restoring wetlands.
Alex shares his journey from noticing a lack of public awareness regarding wetlands to building an organization dedicated to conserving 1 million hectares of these ecosystems. They also recently produced a documentary film with the same name, Mission to Marsh. Tune in to hear all about it!
Credits:
Grow with Glo is produced and edited by Gloria Chi for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The guest from this episode was Alex Kornelsen of Mission to Marsh
Daydream is an all-girl band that formed in a middle school class at Jackson Creek Middle School called Rock and Rhythm. The band played together through 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, deciding to stay together and keep playing as they went into high school. They’ve been playing together for three years now. So far, they’ve played covers of songs from a variety of genres ranging from classic rock, to pop, to country. They’re open to playing whatever sounds good to them and aren’t confined to any one style.
Youth Radio welcomed Daydream for a live performance and interview during the WFHB spring fund drive on Saturday, April 18th, at 6 PM.
Set List:
Kiss Me
Dirty Little Secret
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Happier Than Ever
Credits:
WFHB Engineers: Jared Coyle and Alex Hammel
Host: Paisley Antoine
Post Production: Jessie Grubb
WFHB welcomes Cloud 7 to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, May 9, from 11am to noon. Join us as we experience the heavenly harmonies of this angelic a cappella group, complete with interludes of uncustomary instrumental accompaniment. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Cloud 7 on Saturday’s Child, free of charge, Saturday, May 9, at 11am on WFHB.
A big change is coming to Granfalloon this year. Inspired by Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut, the annual Granfalloon festival celebrates arts, ideas, and community. For years the festival has culminated in a free concert on Kirkwood Avenue. Starting this year there are three concerts instead of one, but they are NOT free and they are NOT on Kirkwood. The logistics and expenses of concerts on Kirkwood are burdensome, and Granfalloon organizer Gerard Pannekoek sees opportunity to grow Granfalloon by moving the concerts to Switchyard Park. We also hear from Visit Bloomington executive director Mike McAfee, who understands why townies might bemoan the move but also envisions greater tourism capacity for the annual festival.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on changes to the 2026 Granfalloon festival was produced by Tyson Matlock in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Waxahatchee.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 12th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Gerard Pannekoek, speaking on the big change coming to the annual Granfalloon festival this year. Get the details later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Council is meeting right now at the county courthouse to discuss a pivotal development in the construction of a new jail.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council is expected to vote tonight on a purchase agreement for the North Park property, the proposed site of a new county jail.
The expected vote marks the latest development in Monroe County’s long-running debate over the future of the jail site. County officials say the current facility is overcrowded and unconstitutional. Critics argue the county should prioritize alternatives to incarceration and reconsider plans to build a new jail at the North Park site.
WFHB News looks back at the Commissioners meeting on April 30th where board members approved a purchase agreement for the North Park property. We also look back at public comments from the City Council meeting from April 23rd where the council approved a resolution reaffirming its opposition to the North Park site for a new jail.
A big change is coming to Granfalloon this year. The annual Granfalloon festival celebrates arts, ideas, and community. For years the festival has culminated in a free concert on Kirkwood Avenue. Starting this year there are three concerts instead of one, but they are NOT free and they are NOT on Kirkwood. Correspondent Tyson Matlock has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Elyse Perry in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on changes to the 2026 Granfalloon festival was produced by Tyson Matlock in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Waxahatchee.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Ben Sharpe.
A big thanks to Lennon Beasley for performing in the Local Live Lounge on April 27th!
You can check out his latest — his 76th album, Boots and Jeans Weekend Boulevard 2 — on SoundCloud. And be sure to give “Radio Station (WFHB)” a listen, too. It’s a classic, and we appreciate the tribute.
Host: Steve Philbeck
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Sara Raines and Frank Sanfilippo
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
Bloomington consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in Indiana. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondents Kam Shaw and Elyse Perry took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about affordability. Residents say they find living costs unaffordable, particularly for groceries and housing.
In April 2026 Artemis II completed a 10-day voyage around the Moon, setting a record for the greatest distance humans have traveled in space. Indiana played a part, with Hoosiers filling more than a thousand NASA jobs with $200 million in economic impact. Eighteen Indiana suppliers contributed to the Artemis program. Indianapolis company Major Tool & Machine did the friction welding on the rocket engines. Indiana University astrobiologist Dr. Lisa Pratt is a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Space travel fascinates the imagination, but Pratt says it also impacts life on Earth in practical ways that you may not think of. Technologies built for orbit find their way into our everyday lives. Water filters, cordless power tools, and even some lifesaving medical devices started in the space program. We also hear from Elaine Monaghan, Professor of Practice in The Media School at Indiana University, on how Artemis injected some much-needed “collective effervescence” into the public consciousness amid the doom-and-gloom of the mainstream media stories at the time of launch.
CREDIT:Today’s feature story on Indiana’s connections to the Artemis II moon voyage was produced by Ben Sharpe in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Everyday Astronaut.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 11th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Bloomington astrobiologist Lisa Pratt, a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Learn more about Indiana’s connections to the Artemis II moon voyage later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear Lea Woodard from Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, where spring is in full bloom. Hilltop is open to the community – learn about educational opportunities and ways to volunteer later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Bloomington City Council approves Hopewell South PUD
By Claire Zeyen
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a planned unit development for the Hopewell South project last Wednesday.
This comes after months of deliberation on the first phase of a project aimed at bringing more affordable housing to Bloomington.
The Hopewell project is a city-led redevelopment project that aims to transform the former IU Health Hospital into a mixed-use neighborhood. City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced the ordinance.
“This ordinance amends the zoning of the property from residential, urban lot and residential multi family within the transform redevelopment overlay to planned unit development,” said Bolden.
Much of the discussion centered on balancing sustainability goals with long-term affordability. Councilmember Matt Flaherty said energy efficiency measures could reduce costs for future residents.
“My orientation to energy efficiency and electrification generally is about creating affordable healthy homes. Gas appliances cause childhood asthma at very high rates. They’re unhealthy for all of us. We shouldn’t want those appliances,” said Flaherty. “It lowers utility bills over time, providing dramatic return on investment, actually, even though it does increase upfront costs to a degree.”
Anna Killion-Hanson, director of Housing and Neighborhood Development, warned council members about concerns from the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission regarding rising construction costs and affordability expectations.
“We don’t have bottomless amounts of money to be able to subsidize between the cost to build,” said Killion-Hanson. “The RDC feels like they really can only commit to the 25% right now.”
Next, Council President Hopi Stosberg considered how far the city should go with permanent affordability requirements in the project.
“I also like sticking with the 50 percent,” said Stosberg. “We could amend it later if it really became impossible to practically do that.”
The next Bloomington City Council meeting is scheduled for May 20th.
Featured Segments:
WFHB reporters Elyse Perry and Kam Shaw speak with a local resident about the problem of affordability in Bloomington (Photo by Kade Young).Bloomington consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in Indiana. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Kam Shaw and Elyse Perry took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about affordability. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
(Photo courtesy of Major Tool & Machine)Last month Artemis II completed a 10-day voyage around the Moon, setting a record for the greatest distance humans have traveled in space. Indiana played a part, with Hoosiers filling more than a thousand NASA jobs with $200 million in economic impact. Eighteen Indiana suppliers contributed to the Artemis program. Indianapolis company Major Tool & Machine did the friction welding on the rocket engines. Here in Bloomington, Dr. Lisa Pratt is a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Space travel fascinates the imagination, but Pratt says it also impacts life on Earth in practical ways that you may not think of. Technologies built for orbit find their way into our everyday lives. Water filters, cordless power tools, and even some lifesaving medical devices started in the space program. Correspondent Ben Sharpe has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Spring is in full bloom at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. Hilltop is part of Indiana University, but it’s not connected to a specific academic unit and it’s not just for IU students. Hilltop is focused on gardening education, and their work extends into our local school system. Manager Lea Woodard says Hilltop distributes seed kits to local schools, and she’s really excited about their Junior Master Gardener program that gives local preteens their own garden plot at Hilltop. There are also gardening classes for adults and plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Woodard speaks to the joy and sense of accomplishment that gardening can bring on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Elyse Perry and Kam Shaw produced today’s voxpop on affordability in Bloomington.
Today’s feature story on Indiana’s connections to the Artemis II moon voyage was produced by Ben Sharpe in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. Theme music by Everyday Astronaut.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Hogan through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Kam Shaw.
What Counts is a straight edge hardcore punk band from Bloomington, Indiana. In this interview, Charlie from Youth Radio spoke with Chance Allen, the vocalist of What Counts and CEO of RTR tapes.
Interview conducted and edited by DJ Charlie of WFHB’s Youth Radio.
March 27, 2026.
Spring is in full bloom at Hilltop Garden & Nature Center. Hilltop is part of Indiana University, but it’s not connected to a specific academic unit and it’s not just for IU students. Hilltop is focused on gardening education, and their work extends into our local school system. Manager Lea Woodard says Hilltop distributes seed kits to local schools, and she’s really excited about their Junior Master Gardener program that gives local preteens their own garden plot at Hilltop. There are also gardening classes for adults and plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Woodard speaks to the joy and sense of accomplishment that gardening can bring.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Hogan
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Coming up later we look back at a feature report from September 2020 when federal officials filed a lawsuit against Indianapolis Power and Light claiming that the company has been violating the Clean Air Act repeatedly. According to the IndyStar, the coal-fired power plant agreed to reduce its emissions, “on behalf of the state of Indiana and its environmental management agency.”
Environmental ReportsOzone Pollution on the RiseNearly 152.3 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution, primarily from ozone and PM2.5 particles, according to the American Lung Association’s 2026 “State of the Air” report. Over 129 million reside in counties with failing ozone pollution grades, a result of emissions from vehicles, industries, and chemicals that generate ground-level ozone. Approximately 62 million people experience daily spikes in particle pollution from sources like car exhaust and construction.
The report highlights significant disparities in exposure, with people of color more than twice as likely to live in regions with failing pollution measures, often linked to socioeconomic resources that limit access to healthy food, safe exercise areas, and healthcare. Contaminated air adversely impacts not just health but also family dynamics and financial conditions. Children are particularly vulnerable, with 33.5 million living in counties failing to meet standards for at least one major pollutant, which can result in reduced lung development and lower lung capacity later in life.
Despite progress under the Clean Air Act since 1970, air pollution is worsening due to climate change, which exacerbates conditions like extreme heat and wildfires. Particle pollution, while slightly improved, still affects many more people than in prior years. The American Lung Association advises residents in polluted areas to limit outdoor activity, use N95 masks, and maintain clean indoor air. Staying current on vaccines, including for flu and COVID, can provide additional health protection. Emphasizing community action, it is essential to sustain advancements in air quality through robust public health policies, as clean air efforts in one area benefit all. “Air does not respect borders,” Dr. El-Hasan states, underscoring the importance of localized efforts in promoting national air quality.
Indiana Ranks Poorly in PollutionIndiana ranks as one of the most polluted states in the U.S., with U.S. News & World Report designating it as the worst state for pollution and natural environment in 2025. The state’s performance in industrial toxins and pollution-related health risks places it 48th in both categories. In statewide air quality rankings, Indiana is often among the top three most polluted states, with the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie area ranked 11th for year-round particle pollution in the American Lung Association’s reports from 2025 and 2026. Marion and Lake counties frequently receive failing grades for ozone and particle pollution.
The primary sources of pollution include emissions from factories, steel mills, and refineries, particularly in Northwest Indiana, where coal-fired power plants are significant contributors to smog and soot. Transportation, due to heavy diesel truck traffic and passenger vehicle emissions, accounts for 60% to 70% of nitrogen dioxide levels in some areas. Additionally, natural factors such as wildfires and high ozone levels from decaying forest matter occasionally exacerbate pollution.
While the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) notes a 74% reduction in statewide air contaminants over the last 25 years, concerns arise from recent budget cuts and the rollback of stricter environmental regulations.
Monroe County to Restore Prairie GrasslandThe Monroe County Board of Commissioners convened on May 7th to discuss and approve a partnership agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aimed at a prairie restoration project at the Monroe County Nature Preserve. This undertaking will revitalize approximately 24 acres of prairie grassland habitat through a collaborative effort involving Monroe County Parks, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and federal wildlife officials. Parks Director Kelli Witmer highlighted that the initiative aims to link fragmented prairie areas into a unified habitat conducive to wildlife. Commissioner Jody Madeira expressed support for the initiative, leading to the commissioners approving the measure with a 3-0 vote. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14th.
And now for some upcoming events:* A Let’s Propogate an Herb Garden class is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Butler Community Gardens. After the class, you will get to take home a miniature herb garden to start the season. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Kade YoungHeadlines…Grace Hagen, Julianna Dailey & Kade YoungFeature Report……………………………..Katrine BrunerScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
This episode of Grow with Glo invites Angus Ware, co-founder of the Australian design studio Heliograf, to discuss how their company utilizes good design while funding plastic cleanups in the world’s most polluted places.
Angus shares the story behind the Light Soy which is a giant lamp modeled after single-use soy sauce fish packages. From the engineering of recycled ocean-bound plastics to the launch of a new compostable alternative for soy sauce, this conversation explores how thoughtful design can turn “trash” into functional art.
Credits:
Grow with Glo is produced and edited by Gloria Chi for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The guest from this episode was Angus Ware, co-founder of Heliograf
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, who provides analysis of Primary Election Day. Vaughn noted increased turnout in some areas but overall low participation. She says Indiana saw significant spending by dark money organizations against Republican senators who opposed Trump, totaling $13.5 million. For a breakdown of what this means for Indiana voters, we turn to News Director Kade Young.
Grief and healing are important themes in her work. When Katina Bitsicas’s father was dying of cancer, she recorded his feelings and impressions. Then after he died, she created a liquid light image of the type of cancer cells that ran through his body. Bitsicas also has compiled a book, Luci: The Girl with Four Hearts, about a young woman who underwent three separate heart transplants by the age of 32. Bitsicas is an associate professor in IU’s Media School.
Hosts Michael Glab and Tristra Newyear chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 7th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Julia Vaughn executive director of Common Cause Indiana, discusses the impact of President Trump on Indiana’s statewide races during Tuesday’s primaries. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a planned unit development for the Hopewell South project during its meeting last night.
Hopewell South PUD wins unanimous OK from Bloomington city council
By Dave Askins
Bloomington’s plan to turn the former IU Health hospital site at 2nd and Rogers streets into a new neighborhood finally passed a big milestone Wednesday night (May 6). The city council approved the Hopewell South planned unit development (PUD).
The decision came after a couple of months of granular debate over several issues, including what “permanent affordability” should mean for the 6-acre development, south of 1st Street. The council adopted the new zoning in the PUD on a 9–0 vote, but only after just a 6–3 majority settled on a new affordability condition.
The real estate is owned by Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC). That means Hopewell South, and eventually the rest of the Hopewell development, is seen as a chance to set a high affordability standard for development in the rest of the city.
The PUD rezone was meant to allow up to 98 homes, most of them single-family dwellings, which is more than the 28 that the city’s zoning consultant said could be constructed by satisfying only objective criteria without any additional discretionary approvals.
The new affordability condition sets a floor of 35% permanently affordable units in the first phase, with an explicit goal of reaching 50%.
Only after Section 4 of the condition was struck was Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson’s administration agreeable to the condition’s approval. Section 4 said the administration would have to bring a detailed permanent-affordability enforcement and monitoring plan to the city council for approval, before any new affordability instrument is recorded or any dwelling unit in the PUD is sold.
Anna Killion-Hanson, who is Bloomington’s housing and neighborhood development (HAND) director, and the executive director of Bloomington’s RDC warned that locking in a hard 50% requirement now, before infrastructure and construction costs are fully known, could jeopardize the project’s feasibility.
Under the council’s condition, at least 35% of the roughly 98 dwellings planned for Hopewell South have to be kept permanently affordable. Within that set, at least 15% of all units have to be affordable to households earning at or below 90% of area median income (AMI), and at least 20% must be affordable to households at or below 120% of AMI.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Thomson took a turn at the public mic to respond to complaints about the amount of information and the lack of specificity in the plan for ensuring permanent affordability: “So I hear that you’re frustrated, and that the bulk of information that has been passed along may not be understood. But there has been quite extensive documentation.”
In her remarks at the meeting, Killion‑Hanson indicated her commitment to ensuring affordability of housing:
“I know what the goal is, and it’s admirable, and it’s the mission that I live every single day here, while I work for this community, to deliver affordable housing, and to think otherwise is really offensive, to be perfectly honest with you,” said Killion-Hanson.
That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin.
Bloomington RDC discusses potential land swap with Seminary Pointe and College Square properties
By Claire Zeyen
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on May 4. The commission opened public comment concerning a potential land swap related to Seminary Pointe and College Square.
A resident, affiliated with Homes for All, spoke on the power the RDC has to support a land transfer intended to preserve affordable housing.
“We interpret this Indiana code as a means of encouragement to redevelopment commissions to find properties well suited for affordable housing projects, projects just like Seminary Pointe, a property where super affordable apartments already exist.”
RDC member Randy Cassady concluded the discussion by acknowledging that the property remains under CIB ownership and suggested tenants work with the board to pursue lease extensions while negotiations continue.
The next Bloomington RDC meeting is scheduled for May 18th.
Featured Segments:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, who provides analysis of Primary Election Day. Vaughn noted increased turnout in some areas but overall low participation. She says Indiana saw significant spending by dark money organizations against Republican senators who opposed Trump, totaling $13.5 million. For a breakdown of what this means for Indiana voters, we turn to News Director Kade Young.
And now, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson who brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news. That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Dave Askins produces B Square Bites.
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen, in partnership with CATS – Community Access Television Services.
Kade Young produced today’s featured interview.
Our sports brief was produced by Chase Dodson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Amelia Bucher and Kade Young.
WFHB News speaks with Trent Deckard, who won the County Commissioners race during last night’s primary election. Deckard’s campaign used the phrase “community of care” and focused on fostering collaboration and bridging divides. Deckard discusses what that community of care looks like in practice, how he plans to address affordable housing issues and how he intends to work with the county commissioners on the divisive new jail project.
On episode 109 of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio, IU Bloomington Sociology graduate student Haoxuan Gao joins us to critically explore the current pop cultural trends where Asian cultural practices are being hyper-consumed and exoticized in the very spaces that once mocked them. Putting on our sociological and anthropological hats, we break down structure vs. agency, text vs. subtext, and techno-orientalism. We also explore the paradoxical nature of postmodernism, “weird cuteness” of Labubu dolls, and the mechanics of neocolonialism in late-stage capitalism.
Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB Bloomington Community Radio. The show asks critical questions about identity, culture, community, and belonging, centering the experiences of Asian Americans in the Midwest. This episode was produced and hosted by Suyash Kumar Neupane.
Credits:
Hearabouts Production Team: Melanie Castillo-Cullather (ACC Director),
Suyash Kumar Neupane, and Teresa Le
Host/interviewer/Editor for this episode: Suyash Kumar Neupane
Intro/outro music: “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 6th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, we look at unofficial results from a few key races in Monroe County from yesterday’s primary election. Stay tuned for an interview with newly-elected County Commissioner Trent Deckard.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Check the Domain Name” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Featured Segments:
These are unofficial Primary Election Day results for a few key races in Monroe County. Numbers are taken from the county GIS results dashboard. These numbers include all in-person early voting, absentee votes and Election Day votes.
According to the county, 16,493 total ballots were cast among 89,940 registered voters. This makes for an 18 percent county-wide voter turnout.
Graphs for County Clerk and U.S. Congress District 9 include uncontested Republican races resulting in 100 percent of the vote. For more updates on incoming results, you can head to the Monroe County GIS web page or head to the B Square Bulletin for a breakdown of unofficial results.
Official results are released 10 days after the election.
Up next, WFHB News speaks with Trent Deckard, who won the County Commissioners race during last night’s primary election. Deckard’s campaign used the phrase “community of care” and focused on fostering collaboration and bridging divides. Deckard discusses what that community of care looks like in practice, how he plans to address affordable housing issues and how he intends to work with the county commissioners on the divisive new jail project. We turn to Correspondent Zoe Moczek for more.
Up next, “Check the Domain Name on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were produced by Kade Young and Zoe Moczek.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Kade Young.
Domain names are the scammer’s Achilles heel. A domain name is the part of an internet address that comes after the @ symbol, and they can be a flare-lit tipoff that an email, or a website, is a fake. Always make sure the domain name is exactly right before you trust anything you see on line. Here are some examples of how con artists try to fool you, and how to spot the swindle and stay safe.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, today is Indiana’s primary election day. WFHB News reports on voting and democracy in action. That’s all coming up in today’s Primary Election Day Special on the local news.
Featured Segments:
Rain drips on a “vote here” sign outside Election Central in downtown Bloomington (Photo by Jessie Grubb).WFHB News went to the polls this afternoon to interview voters, poll workers and the Monroe County Election Supervisor. Campaign signs scattered across the lawn outside Election Central contrasted sharply with the strictly nonpartisan atmosphere inside.
Election worker Rich Benak, who is also the engineer for WFHB’s Eco Report, explained how poll workers ensure a fair polling location.
Early voting started at the beginning of April. Monroe County Election Supervisor Kylie Farris told WFHB that over 5,000 votes were cast during the 28-day early voting period.
She said Indiana Senate Bill 10, which prohibits use of student IDs for voting, went back into effect during early voting after an injunction against it was stayed. Student IDs are no longer acceptable forms of identification.
Farris spoke about preparations for the primary election, including safety measures, the impact of Senate Bill 10 and efforts to ensure transparency.
Campaign signs contrast with non-partisan atmosphere inside Election Central (Photo by Jessie Grubb).WFHB interviewed Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, a nonpartisan organization created to strengthen American democracy. Vaughn talked about the importance of voting.
Up next, Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb speaks with two poll workers at Election Central who are high school students. That’s coming up next on the Primary Election Day special on the WFHB Local News. Grubb also interviewed a poll worker at the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship off Patterson Drive.
The election set-up inside the Indiana Memorial Union at IU (Photo by Jessie Grubb).WFHB went to the Indiana Memorial Union earlier today to capture students’ perspectives in light of the Primary Election. One voter, before casting her ballot, says housing affordability is at the top of her mind.
We also spoke with two representatives from the organization Count Us IN outside the polls at the IMU.
Then, the news department traveled to Tri-North Middle School, where we spoke with two voters who reside on the Northwest side of Bloomington.
Voters cast their ballots inside the gym at Tri-North Middle School (Photo by Jessie Grubb).WFHB News spoke with local journalist Dave Askins at the Boys and Girls Club. Askins discusses B Square Bulletin’s Primary Election Day coverage, coming up next on the local news.
Before the interview, Askins spoke with Regina Moore, who served as the City Clerk of Bloomington for 16 years from 2000 to 2015. Moore says she made a “rookie mistake” when filling out her ballot.
Lastly, we spoke with another voter, Jenny Noble-Kuchera after she cast her ballot at the Boys and Girls Club on Lincoln Street.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s show was produced by Kade Young, Elyse Perry and Jessie Grubb.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 4th, 2026.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News interviews both candidates running for Monroe County Commissioner, David Henry and Trent Deckard. Correspondent Audrey Ouillette has more in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Blake Waskow, local president of Kiwanis Circle K International, one of the world’s largest collegiate community service organizations. Hear more about IU students doing good things in our community later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
The 2026 primary election is tomorrow. With an open seat on the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, WFHB News Correspondent Audrey Ouillette speaks with both candidates, David Henry and Trent Deckard.
These candidates currently serve together on the Monroe County Council. They are running for the District 1 seat on the county board of commissioners. Incumbent Lee Jones is not running for re-election.
First, you will hear an interview with David Henry. Henry has a background in emergency management, public health and federal policy advising. His platform is marked by a push for transparency in county government and delivering results for county residents.
Next, you will hear an interview with Trent Deckard, the other candidate for commissioner. Deckard has a background in state government and the IU Kelley School of Business. His platform uses the phrase “community of care” and focuses on fostering collaboration and bridging divides.
The primary election will take place tomorrow on May 5th. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. To find your polling place, you can visit the state’s voter portal.
Kiwanis International is a global service organization, dedicated to improving children’s lives through community projects. Blake Waskow grew up in Ellettsville and has been involved with Kiwanis since high school, where she was president of Key Club, the student-led high school branch of Kiwanis. Now she’s president of the college branch, which is called Circle K International. It’s actually one of the world’s largest collegiate community service organizations, with an active chapter here in Bloomington at Indiana University. From launching hot air balloons at the Kiwanis Balloon Fest to building Little Free Libraries and clothing and food drives, Blake says Circle K International at IU turns volunteers into leaders. Hear how students are strengthening our community on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Audrey Ouillette and Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ben Sharpe through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Elyse Perry.
En este episodio hablamos sobre una organización muy especial en nuestra comunidad: Pantry 279. Además de distribuir alimentos, Pantry 279 ha expandido sus servicios para incluir programas como huertos comunitarios, apoyo alimentario durante el verano para niños, distribución de alimentos en días festivos y educación sobre la inseguridad alimentaria. Lo más importante es que Pantry 279 continúa siendo un espacio donde la comunidad puede unirse, aprender y apoyar a quienes más lo necesitan.
Kiwanis International is a global service organization, dedicated to improving children’s lives through community projects. Blake Waskow grew up in Ellettsville and has been involved with Kiwanis since high school, where she was president of Key Club, the student-led high school branch of Kiwanis. Now she’s president of the college branch, which is called Circle K International. It’s actually one of the world’s largest collegiate community service organizations, with an active chapter here in Bloomington at Indiana University. From launching hot air balloons at the Kiwanis Balloon Fest to building Little Free Libraries and clothing and food drives, Blake says Circle K International at IU turns volunteers into leaders.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ben Sharpe
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Gloria Chi with Youth Radio speaks with Marsha Feldman, David VanGilder and others attending the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference held at Indiana University.
May first is International Workers’ Day. On this day, the struggles and achievements of the labor movement in demanding economic justice are honored. Massive parades are held in numerous cities world wide. ( I was fortunate to attend one in Bloomington’s sister city Santa Clara some years ago.
Representatives of their numerous unions waved their banners. “May Day Strong” includes multiple activist groups that are taking a stand in support of immigrants this year and pushing back on ICE. Workers over Billionaires is a motto. Organizers are urging boycotts of work, school and shopping.
Another tradition of May Day celebrations has its roots in Medieval Europe and was popularized in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. May day baskets are a tradition of leaving secret gifts such as flowers, treats, or toys for neighbors and friends to celebrate the arrival of spring.Some Mayday traditions include washing your face in the morning dew to beautify the skin and bring good luck. Doing that while barefoot can enhance the effect.
In Hawaii, Lei Day is observed by wearing or gifting the traditional floral necklace that accompanies the aloha greeting. It is also said that beekeepers traditionally move their bees on May 1st, while some farmers plant their turnips on that day. Maypoles are another customary way to celebrate May Day. A wooden pole can be erected to welcome in spring and rebirth. Trees are honored and sometimes used rather than a pole.
Trees are seen as a connection between earth and sky. A woven or braided pattern is created using colorful ribbons as participants grab hold of their ribbons and circle around the pole weaving in and out, over and under one another until the pole is fully covered and the end of the ribbon is reached. Flowers are used as decorations at the base or the top of the tree or pole.
There may be traditional songs associated with the inter-twining of people with their ribbons. Those on the inside circle lower their ribbon as those approaching in the opposite direction raise theirs resulting in a variety of patterns as the finished product.
Environmental activist Diane Wilson has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month, protesting Dow Chemical over plastic pellets she says are turning up in San Antonio Bay near Seadrift. Wilson, a longtime critic of industrial pollution along the Texas coast, says the small pellets, a raw material used to make plastic products — pose risks to the bay and surrounding communities.
“You are destroying your health, your bay system, your whole communities, and it’s very destructive,” Wilson said. “This bay does not belong to Dow … we’re trying to get them to zero discharge the plastic.” Wilson said “zero discharge” would mean no plastic pellets in area waterways. She argues reducing pellet pollution would also reduce the risk of illness.
Wilson has linked the pellets to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her next goal, Wilson said, is a meeting with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, where she plans to push for tighter regulations aimed at preventing pellet releases from plants in Texas.
“We are too polite, and we have to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘You’re not going to take our water, you’re not going to contaminate our bays, you’re not going to kill our communities,’” Wilson said. “We’ve drawn the line, then you hold that line. We need to be a little unreasonable, quite frankly.” Ultimately, Wilson said, her focus is holding chemical plants accountable for pollution and protecting the community.
Here’s something you probably haven’t considered: That “magic eraser” sponge under your sink might be quietly contributing to microplastic pollution every time you use it. Researchers publishing in the journal Environmental Science tested melamine sponges—those powerful little cleaners that can scrub just about anything without added chemicals—and what they found is concerning.
As the sponge wears down during normal use, it releases tiny plastic fibers that wash down your drain and into water systems. How many plastic fibers? A single sponge can release about 6.5 million microplastic fibers per gram of material used. Researchers estimate that assuming each sponge loses about 10 percent of its material during use, and based on sales from just one retailer, these sponges could be releasing over a trillion microplastic fibers globally every month.
As these fibers enter wastewater, they can pass through treatment plants and end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. From there, they get ingested by fish and other wildlife, potentially moving up the food chain and eventually reaching us. The study found that sponge density makes a difference—denser sponges hold up better and release fewer fibers. So what can you do?
Switch to natural cleaning materials that don’t contain plastic, or choose denser, more durable sponges that last longer. Better filtration at home or in wastewater systems could also help capture these particles before they reach the environment. It’s a reminder that pollution doesn’t always come from the obvious sources. Sometimes it’s hiding in everyday household products we use without a second thought.
International Dark Sky Week took place between April 13 and April 20 and communities around the world took notice. In Louisville, Kentucky Mayor Craig Greenberg partnered with the Louisville Audubon Society to launch Lights Out Louisville, a conservation program aimed at reducing light pollution and protecting migratory birds and other wildlife. The initiative tackles a problem most people don’t think about: artificial light at night attracts and disorients birds during migration, leading to fatal collisions with buildings and windows. As many as five billion birds die each year across the U.S. from these crashes (the second highest cause of death after CATS!)
Indiana sits directly beneath a major migration corridor—the Mississippi Flyway—where, according to Indiana Audubon, radar estimates show that several million birds may be flying over the state on peak migration nights. About 80% of migratory land birds travel at night while we’re asleep, many giving soft flight calls overhead that most of us never notice. Research shows that nocturnal songbirds like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and sparrows make up most collision victims. Unfortunately, 44% of bird collisions don’t happen against city skyscrapers—they happen at homes and low-rise buildings in rural and suburban areas.
But the impact of light pollution extends beyond birds. Right here in Monroe County, Sycamore Land Trust has documented how artificial light affects threatened species like the Indiana bat and the rare cypress firefly at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. According to Sycamore’s Education Director, light pollution disrupts the natural rhythms of pollinators and bats that rely on darkness for navigation and foraging. Studies show that little brown bat populations can be reduced by up to 75% when light is introduced to their habitat. For the Indiana bat, light pollution represents yet another threat to their already-limited habitat. Light pollution also affects plant pollination, leading to reduced plant reproductive success, altered flowering times, and decreased biodiversity with ripple effects throughout entire ecosystems.
According to Dark Sky International, 99% of the U.S. population lives under sky glow, and sadly, Indiana has no designated “dark sky” areas. However, preserves like Beanblossom Bottoms—nestled just far enough from Bloomington—can offer spectacular views of the night sky and provide crucial habitat for light-sensitive species.
Louisville Metro Government is leading by example, upgrading lighting at parks, city buildings, and library branches while training staff to reduce excess light during migration seasons. The city is also using national lighting standards in new projects and finding ways to retrofit existing lighting—an approach that saves energy costs while protecting wildlife. They ask residents and businesses to turn off non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during peak migration months—April and May in spring, and September and October in fall.
Similar “lights out” campaigns are gaining traction nationwide. Cities like Chicago participate in coordinated efforts during migration season, significantly reducing bird mortality. For communities like Bloomington, resources like Indiana Audubon’s Lights Out Indiana program and local conservation groups like Sycamore Land Trust show how cities can balance sustainability, wildlife protection, and community engagement. Light pollution isn’t just an issue for big cities. When neighborhoods and communities work together to keep skies dark, they protect entire ecosystems, from threatened bats and rare fireflies to the pollinators that sustain our native plants.
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Gloria Chi with Youth Radio speaks with Marsha Feldman, David VanGilder and others attending the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference held at Indiana University.
- Enjoy the 2026 Junior Duck Stamp Competition Awards Ceremony at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 to 11 am. See the talented young person’s artwork that will be featured on the 2026 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
- There will be a Welcome Weekend at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Village will be open for crafts and history. Step back in time as you explore the Pioneer Village.
- Turtle Feeding will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 3rd, from 10:30 to 11 am. Watch the Red-Eared Slider hunt for fish at the Canyon Inn.
- A Flora Field Day is scheduled for Monday, May 4th, from 9 to 11 am at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. This is an excellent way to work on your flora identification skills with a trained naturalist. Bring a copy of Newcomb’s Wildlfower Guide, bug spray and water bottle. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafielddays.
- The Monthly Women’s Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, May 10th, beginning at 4 pm. This special Mother’s Day Hike will follow trails 4 and 7, meeting at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a 2.5 mile hike.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………Carrie Albright
Headlines……………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report………………………………Gloria Chi
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
You’re listening to Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week—and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
Up next, we have Paisley’s Posh Nosh – a podcast from WFHB’s Youth Radio. That’s coming up next on Rewind.
Photo by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.From the news department, five people injured in Kirkwood shooting during Little 500 weekend. In today’s edition of Rewind, we look back at three stories we covered on the local news following this incident.
Up next, in recognition of May Day this Friday, WFHB Rewind’s archive segment this week is about labor in Indiana. The following is an excerpt from a December 17, 2013 episode of Interchange titled “The Wages of Labor: Bloomington’s Industrial Past.” Host Trish Kerle speaks with Labor Studies scholar and activist Joe Varga about industrialization and deindustrialization in Indiana with an emphasis on the presence of General Electric, which founded its Bloomington plant in 1955 and announced it would close in 2010. It officially closed the local facilities in 2016.
And now, the music department welcomed Australian artist Hatchie in the studio for a Firehouse Session recorded on April 11th ahead of her headlining set at WIUX’s Culture Shock. It landed right in the middle of our Spring Fund Drive, so we pre-recorded and aired it on April 20th — still felt immediate, still felt special.
Her boss at a previous job inspired her to get involved with Court Appointed Special Advocates as a volunteer. Now, Tia Arthur is Monroe County CASA’s executive director. CASA, a nationwide network of nonprofit organizations, provides help, comfort, and guidance for kids involved in court custody proceedings. Judges depend on CASA’s reports and advice before making custody decisions.
Hosts Michael Glab and Tristra Newyear chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 30th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network recognized volunteers across the community this week for the annual Be More Awards. More coverage on that during today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news.
Monroe County commissioners OK $11.375M North Park land deal for jail; now to county council
By Dave Askins
Left: Monroe County commissioners Lee Jones, Julie Thomas, and Jody Madeira. (Dave Askins, April 30, 2026)The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted 3–0 on Thursday to approve an $11,375,000 purchase agreement for the North Park site for construction of a jail and justice center.
It’s a move that commissioner Jody Madeira framed as “not so much a vote for North Park as it is a vote against this lawsuit,” which drew immediate comment from commissioner Julie Thomas who said North Park is the only viable option on the table.
Madeira put it like this:
Just because we move forward with this purchase agreement, by the way, does not mean that if a better option presents itself, we don’t have to go down this road. If we have a better option that presents itself tomorrow, we can go with that option, but this option is before us on the table today. So to all of those who say, “The commissioners love North Park,” this is not so much a vote for North Park as it is a vote against this lawsuit.
By the “this lawsuit” Madeira meant the fresh litigation that is expected to be filed by the ACLU, if the settlement agreement related to a 2008 lawsuit is allowed to expire and the ACLU dismisses the older case.
The most recent extension of the settlement agreement goes just through May 29, having been extended on an annual basis for several years. A condition on any further extension, beyond May 29, is the approval of a purchase agreement for North Park by county commissioners before the end of April, and an approval of the same purchase agreement by the county council at one of its two meetings in May. The first county council meeting next month falls on May 12.
North Park is a roughly 52-acre site, located off SR-46, northwest of Bloomington.
Thomas followed Madeira’s remark with a blunt assessment of alternatives, saying she does not see a realistic path for any other site to meet the deadlines tied to the county’s private settlement agreement with ACLU of Indiana. Thomas put it like this:
I’m going to offer my own opinion on “if something else comes up.” I don’t think there’s any possibility that anything else can come up and be ready for a bond, a bond initiation in July, because you would have to have everything else done,” Thomas said. “I just don’t see that that’s even possible. I mean, it wish it were. It’s just not.
This is the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin dot com and look for the headline: “Monroe County commissioners OK $11.375M North Park land deal for jail; now to county council.”
City of Bloomington recognizes volunteers in annual Be More Awards
By Kade Young
Winnie Dong, a WFHB Youth Radio volunteer, accepts the Be More Creative award. She’s joined by her parents and Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb (Photo by Kade Young).The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network recognized volunteers across the community this week for the annual Be More Awards. The awards ceremony highlights community service and the impact of volunteers in Bloomington.
Marcus Whitehead, program director for the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, says the work of volunteers inspires the community at large.
“There’s a ripple effect to what they do. It helped me understand that volunteering and serving others, it creates a a contagious spirit. Because when you see people that are serving in this way, and when they’re doing it on their own volition, spending their own time doing this, it inspires the rest of us,” said Whitehead.
Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Member Aja Jester says non-profits lost a significant amount of federal funding this year. Jester said many non-profit organizations would not have survived without the work of volunteers.
“We encountered a trend during 2025. Multiple organizations in Bloomington told us that they had experienced such a decrease in federal funds that elements of their programming could not have survived were it not for the dedicated volunteer or volunteer groups stepping in, sometimes even taking on the workload of a full time employee and kept vital, vital community programming operational for free,” said Jester.
WFHB is a part of this volunteer-driven community. One of the award winners, Winnie Dong, is also a Youth Radio producer at WFHB, so we want to note that connection. Dong won the award for Be More Creative. Cassie Hakken, marketing director at Constellation Stage and Screen, presented the award.
“As the show’s creator and producer, Winnie does it all. She conducts interviews, researches, guests, edits audio and promotes the show on social media for her work producing original media at WFHB,” said Hakken.
In her speech, Dong says her show, What the Health, focuses on public impact. She calls the award a victory for women who are shunned from creative fields.
“As a woman and a first generation student, I have faced many battles in my life – the right to have health care for my parents, the right to have an education and the right to have my work recognized,” said Dong.
Other awardees were recognized for work supporting immigrant and refugee communities. David Meyer, who volunteers for the Rotary Clubs of Bloomington and the Bloomington Rotary Foundation, won the Be More Bloomington award. Raquel Anderson from El Centro Comunal Latino presented the award.
“In 2025 the issue of immigrant and refugee welfare was front and center for our community as organizations like El Centro, Exodus Refugee Immigration and the Bloomington Refugee Support Network faced uncertainty and a growing sense of danger for their clients,” said Anderson.
Meyer discussed his experience volunteering with immigrant and refugee communities. He described the resilience and determination of refugees.
“I do hope and pray that our country will once again become a welcoming place for those that have fled violence in their home countries and refugees,” said Meyer.
Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp recognized volunteer efforts addressing homelessness, especially during extreme weather.
“Individuals living on the streets have to face a more immediate question, ‘where can I find a safe place to sleep tonight?’ This question becomes even more urgent during the winter, when unhoused community members are in severe danger of frostbite, hypothermia and even death as the temperatures drop below freezing and winter storms roll in now with increasing frequency,” said Knapp.
Knapp presented the Volunteers of the Year award to the Bloomington Severe Weather Emergency Shelter volunteers.
“Volunteering for the shelter is no small feat. It requires many people to interrupt their typical work and sleep schedules, their family lives. Volunteers begin setting up the shelters around 5 p.m. Others stay overnight to monitor the shelter and provide assistance and comfort to guests during the night, leaving only in the early hours of the morning after all of the guests have left,” said Dan Caldwell who accepted the award.
Each Be More Award recipient received a $1,000 cash award provided by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County for the recipient’s nonprofit organization. To watch the full awards ceremony, you can visit this link.
Featured Segments:
Photo courtesy of WTHR.Rising gas prices are hitting drivers across south central Indiana. WFHB Correspondents Emma Maher and Shane Gebhard spoke with Bloomington residents and food truck operators about how they’re adjusting to the higher costs.
And now, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson who brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news. That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young in partnership with CATS.
Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin produced B Square Bites.
Our feature was produced by Emma Maher and Shane Gebhard.
Our sports brief was produced by Chase Dodson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Shane Gebhard and Emma Maher.
By Camdyn Glover
Victory Field overflowed with Best Buddies supporters of all ages wearing bright clothing, tiaras, tutus, sunglasses and pom-poms on April 19th for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk. The sound of laughter, celebration and making new friends drowned out the top hits playlist heard over the speakers.
Buddies wore matching face-paint butterflies and colorful balloon crowns as the 1,200-person crowd gathered around the Best Buddies inflatable arch for the mascot race, including the Indiana Pacers’ Boomer.
Colts Cheerleader Morgan McLain stood on the dugout in front of the cheering crowd to sign the national anthem using American Sign Language.
Courtesy of WTHR.Just as the walk was about to begin, bubbles filled the air as the crowd warmed up by dancing to Taylor Swift. Then, participants walked one mile around the field and continued the celebration.
Best Buddies is an internationally recognized non-profit organization which fosters friendships between people with and without disabilities.
Due to efforts by the international organization, the month of March is officially recognized as Best Buddies month. During this time, members can participate in spirit weeks, various activities and campaigns.
Best Buddies prioritizes a campaign known as “Spread the Word, ” an effort to end the use of the “R” word by spreading awareness about the term’s implications.
Founder, Anthony K. Shriver wrote, “This national campaign is dedicated to eliminating the use of the R-word — a term that demeans, insults, and discriminates against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is not to shame — it is to challenge, to educate, and to encourage meaningful dialogue with friends, teammates, colleagues, and peers. Real change happens when culture shifts, and culture shifts one conversation at a time. Inclusion begins with awareness. It grows through action.”
The founder, Anthony K. Shriver was inspired to create Best Buddies by his Aunt Rosemary Kennedy. Ambassadors for the program include Cindy Crawford, Rob Lowe, Tom Brady, Savannah Guthrie, Guy Fieri and Pierce Brosnan.
Following this month of celebrating inclusion and awareness, local Best Buddies chapters participate in an event titled the “Friendship Walk.”
Courtesy of WISH-TV.The Best Buddies of Indiana’s friendship walk at Victory Field was the first time that the venue was used for this event. Friendship walk attendees ranged from buddies, peers, club advisors, parents and supporters.
There are over 5,400 participants in the program statewide. Between participating parties and fundraising teams, the walk raised over $155,000.
Sam and Brady, two boys who have been friends for nearly a decade, shared why they chose to come out to the event. “We’re all out here today to be part of the friendship walk and to have a super fun time,” Sam said.
Supporters stood tall in their Best Buddies gear as they beamed while making new friends at activity stations for all abilities.
Nicole, a mother of a student chapter member, shared what the Friendship Walk and Best Buddies has meant to her. She said, “I think it’s just a wonderful inclusion program for the kids, and just through that program he’s met a lot of people and gained a lot of confidence. As a parent, it really makes me happy to see him being included in different things. When we go to school events, seeing the other kids, who know him from the program, give him high fives and say hello, it really puts a big smile on his face. So, it’s really nice to know there are programs like this in Indiana. It just makes my mama-heart happy.”
Madison is one of Indiana’s Miss Amazing Pageant winners. She explained what she enjoys about the program, “I like to interact with new people, new friends, and just be yourself. It’s not all about winning.”
Gwen is a buddy in her high school chapter and shared what she has done with her school. “Being with friends, we hang out, we do fun stuff, we go to the zoo. Tons of fun,” Gwen said.
Caesar has a daughter with special needs and has witnessed the impact of Best Buddies on his daughter’s life. He said, “It’s been an incredible opportunity for Maya to socialize with other peers her age. That’s very difficult for her, having very severe special needs. Placing her in a place where she can be safe, in a good environment and with other kids having fun. [It] really brings joy to her life.”
Joe has a daughter with autism and shows support for his colleague with an intellectual disability. He explained why he continues to be involved with the program and how he’s seen the impact as a parent. “We are here supporting Best Buddies for a couple of reasons. I have a daughter with autism [and] I have a co-worker with some intellectual disabilities. He was the one who introduced the organization. I partnered with him a few years ago, and so just every year we’ve been coming back,” he said. Joe also shared, “It’s really incredible, as someone who has a daughter with an intellectual disability, it’s been really nice to connect with other people going through similar things as we are. It’s really nice to know that there’s people in the community that support people with autism as far as jobs, social skills, and what to do in life. There’s a lot of things as a parent you worry about for your kid, and you never know what the future will be like for them. To know that there is a huge community that supports her is amazing.”
Molly and Natalie are another Best Buddies pair who have been friends for nearly 20 years. They shared their journey with the program. “We’ve been buddies since 2008 and I’ve been with Best Buddies since 2002, when they first came down to Indy. I’ve been a long time Best Buddy, and so I am really happy to see this wonderful event and a lot of people,” Molly said. Natalie explained, “I just think Best Buddies is a really amazing organization. It impacts a lot of people. Coming here today, to the friendship walk, you see the mission in action. You’re seeing buddy pairs, you’re seeing people with and without disabilities spending time having fun. It’s just nice seeing everyone together for the same cause, the same mission, and to see people so excited.”
The Indiana University chapter of Best Buddies was also in attendance. James, Aiden and Dane are three of the peers who shared why they attended the friendship walk. “We’re just here with Indiana supporting a good cause… It’s nice to see everyone come together for a good cause… Being a part of Best Buddies has been really fun so I thought I’d finish the year strong,” they said.
These IU students also shared their favorite part about being involved with the IU chapter. James, Aiden and Dane shared, “I just like hanging out with all the people with IDD and making lives better… Yeah, making good friends, like I wouldn’t have known him if it weren’t for it…I’ve met a lot of good people through it, so it’s been a lot of fun.”
Courtesy of Best Buddies Indiana.WFHB Local News asked attendees to describe Best Buddies in one word. They said, “friend…fun…inclusion…inspiring…friendship…impactful…Inclusivity…joy…friends…exciting…fun…inclusion…loving…support…inclusion…being amazing and being yourself.”
Volunteers and participants emphasized the importance of Best Buddies. A common concept was how friends truly become family.
Best Buddies International offers different options to be involved with the program. This includes e-buddies which is a virtual friendship format and Citizens, which is for forming friendships amongst adults. IU students can find ways to get involved with the local chapter on the BeInvolved website. Furthermore, a Best Buddies inclusive-living program has been implemented in Bloomington. For more information on the organization and its resources, you can visit bestbuddies.org.
Special thanks to WFHB News Director Kade Young and WFHB News Correspondent Emma Maher.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 29th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Camdyn Glover reports on the Best Buddies Friendship Walk that took place in Indianapolis last Sunday. Glover speaks with organizers and attendees of the walk, which serves to benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Cutting the Cost of Gas – Again” on Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Monroe County Election Board gives early voting numbers, election central renovations and poll worker training
Parking in the North Showers lot is reserved for early voters. The North Showers entrance for early voters is off Morton Street. (Dave Askins, April, 10, 2026)The Monroe County Election Board met on April 23rd and received an update on early voting numbers.
According to County Clerk Nicole Brown, 332 out of 1129 absentee ballots have been returned and 2095 votes have been cast at Election Central.
Brown discussed Senate Bill 10, which is a recently passed legislation prohibiting students from using school IDs for voting. The legislation was blocked by a federal judge earlier this month, but it was reinstated after a court of appeals decision on Monday.
Brown said poll workers are being kept up-to-date on the issue as it goes through court.
Next, Election Supervisor Kylie Farris read a statement from Fleet and Building Director Richard Crider about the election central renovations.
The board moved on to talk about parking at the early voting site. Brown said people can park in the Trade’s
District parking garage for 50 cents per hour to avoid getting parking tickets.
Republican Board Member Danny Shields said he finds issues with people having to pay for parking while voting.
The board moved on to discuss training. Brown said there would be de-escalation training for poll workers before the general election.
Democratic Board Member Penny Githens said there should also be training for emergency situations. Farris detailed the training poll workers currently receive.
Farris said the board members could stop by her office to look at the training binders. The next meeting of the Monroe County Election Board will be May 4th.
Board of Public Works advances Hopewell South preliminary engineering
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on April 21st and discussed Amendment 1 to a contract with Crossroads Engineers for preliminary engineering of Hopewell South. Project Engineer Kendall Knoke explained the contract and how it will help Hopewell’s construction.
The board passed this motion unanimously. The next item in the agenda was a contract for E&B paving for Grimes Lane, Kirkwood Avenue, Patterson Drive, and Rogers Street. Sarah Gomez with the city’s engineering department detailed road closures and construction during this project.
The motion passed 2-0. Lastly, Public Works Director Adam Wason introduced the Adopt a Roundabout policy.
The motion passed unanimously. The next meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works will be on May 4th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Camdyn Glover attended the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Indianapolis last weekend, speaking with event goers and organizers. This is a nationwide fundraiser for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more, we turn to Camdyn Glover.
Up next, “Cutting the Cost of Gas – Again” on Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins, Chase Dodson, Kade Young and Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Camdyn Glover.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchor is Kade Young.
Gasoline prices have gone up quickly, recently, and they may go up more. They’re not going to come down again soon for a number of reasons — and historically, they always go down more slowly than they go up. So let’s take another look at the best way to save money on gas — there are simple things you can do that add up to serious savings, and some of them might be surprising!
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson addressed racist assumptions made in the aftermath of the shooting on Kirkwood Avenue during Little 500 weekend. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the city council voted to reaffirm its opposition for the North Park property as a potential new jail site during its most recent meeting.
Mayor Kerry Thomson denounces racist comments on social media after Little 500 shooting
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson took to social media on Monday to denounce racist comments in the wake of the shooting that happened on Kirkwood Avenue during Little 500 weekend.
Five people were injured in a shooting outside Five Guys in the early hours of Sunday morning, raising concerns about public safety downtown during large events. The incident also prompted racist comments on social media.
The shooting happened during Little 500 weekend, one of Bloomington’s busiest times of the year, drawing thousands of people to the Kirkwood area.
Mayor Thomson condemned racist assumptions she’s seen on social media. She also said the city received emails and phone calls with speculation about race.
“I want to explicitly condemn the racism that is happening when people make comments with assumptions about race or who belongs or who’s from here and who’s not from here. That is not who we are. Bloomington, we are a city that loves one another and welcomes all,” she said.
The investigation is still ongoing. The city encourages anyone with information to call Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477.
City Council discusses Seminary Pointe land swap, amended Flock contract and reaffirms opposition to North Park jail site
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington City Council met on April 22nd. Multiple council members used opening reports to support a proposed land swap between the Seminary Pointe and College Square properties. Council member Dave Rollo said the land swap would benefit the multiple community stakeholders.
Then, Police Chief Mike Diekhoff reported on the amended Flock contracts and policies. Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked whether all Flock cameras could be turned off before the contracts expire and how access to camera feeds would be restricted. Diekhoff responded.
Next, the council considered a resolution reaffirming opposition to the North Park site for a new jail. During public comment, a resident presented cost comparisons for renovation.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Next, Kristen Weida, CEO of the Indiana Uplands Realtors Association, detailed differences between proposed Hopewell development options.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be on May 6th.
City Redevelopment Commission moves forward with public offering for College Square property
Photo by Elena Bai.The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on April 20th. First, Jane Kupersmith, director of the city’s Economic and Sustainability Department, delivered the Business Development update.
The commission then discussed opening the College Square property to public offers. Commissioners also considered a proposed land swap with the Seminary Pointe block, with Secretary John West speaking in opposition.
Monroe County Capital Improvement Board President John Whikehart, represented by attorney Jim Whitlatch, spoke in support of the swap. Whitlatch argued that value should be measured beyond just monetary terms.
Commissioners also debated whether to delay the offering for 30 days.
Commissioner Susan Sgambelluri said she doesn’t think that extension will be adequate.
The commission ultimately voted unanimously to move forward with a public offering of the property. The next Bloomington RDC meeting is scheduled for May 20th.
CIB advances hotel plans as residents urge protection of Seminary Pointe housing
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met on April 24th and heard a resolution for a host hotel at the Bloomington Convention Center. CIB Attorney Jim Whitlatch walked through the resolution.
A board member asked whether the CIB wants to clarify the incentives for hotel developers. Board President John Whikehart responded.
Whikehart said the board set a June 30th deadline regarding requests for proposals, or RFP. The board approved the resolution by a unanimous vote.
The CIB heard a second proposal for obtaining appraisals and environmental reports for newly acquired real estate.
Senior Vice President at JS Held Deb Kunce provided a timeline for the project and further expounded on the details of the contract.
The board approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. During public comment, a representative for the group Bloomington Homes for All urged the board to consider a land swap to save Seminary Pointe apartments from demolition.
Local activist Bryce Greene with Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America also advocated for preserving affordable housing in the city.
The next meeting of the Monroe County CIB will take place on May 20th.
Feature Report:
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)In today’s feature report, we look back at a story from February 2025 covering free speech issues at Indiana University. The story titled “Expressive Activity: Protest Policy at IU” was produced by Correspondent Samuel Dexter. It recently won First Place in the category of Student Radio News Reporting in the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists’ annual competition. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Claire Zeyen and Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Samuel Dexter in partnership with the Media School at IU.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Emma Maher.
A big Local Live thanks to Twice Dark for taking over the Lounge on 4/20. We got a sneak peek at the forthcoming EP Welcome to the Night Show — dark, pulsing, and a little hypnotic — plus a preview of the first single “Savage Media,” out everywhere 5/8.
Catch Twice Dark at The Bishop this June for Gallow Dance.
Host: DJ Alchemy
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Silver Coulter
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
A big thanks to Matt Lundquist of Deep Country Dream for supporting the WFHB Spring Fund Drive and bringing some seriously good original songs into the Local Live Lounge.
One of those sets that just settles into the room — easy, thoughtful, and really well played.
You can catch him at Bloomington Farm Stop Collective on May 6th. And keep your ears open for “Lost Roads”, his forthcoming album — now in rotation at WFHB!
Host: Steve Philbeck / Host Apprentice: Jeff Shew
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Frank Sanfilippo
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
Kay Krull and David Brown stopped by the studio for a Fund Drive Live Session on April 16th and played a few songs from Kay’s forthcoming album “I Dreamed Once I Was May Queen” (out May 1st) — the session was stripped back and so beautiful. It’s the first taste of what’s coming on their new label, Peppermint Future.
Host: Nicki Seven
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone spends the hour with Leon Gordon. He was appointed the new Perry Township trustee on Jan. 31 through a vacancy caucus. The Perry Township officers are elected by the people of the township. The Township Board members are Susie Hamilton, Jack E. Davis, and Barbara Sturbaum. The Perry Township primarily provides emergency assistance to low-income people experiencing a crisis of need.
Leon Gordon being sworn in as the appointed Perry Township Trustee on January 31, 2026.Perry Township offers several Programs and Services to help low-income people, primarily through the Emergency Assistance Voucher Program and its Food Pantry, located at the Perry Township office, for residents only. They are also major sponsors, supporters, and partners with other significant social service agencies. Perry Township is not an entitlement program that offers ongoing monthly assistance. Instead, they help get people through the onset of a crisis and point them to the right place for continuing assistance if needed. They’re available to help in an emergency, but not with long-term assistance.
Credits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 27th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, a shooting happened outside Five Guys on Kirkwood Avenue during Little 500 weekend. WFHB News reports on a press conference with city officials on Sunday and speaks with residents on Kirkwood about their reaction to the violence.
You’ll also hear Anna Goodrich from Honors Bloomington Outreach, seeking more students to volunteer at Fairview Elementary. Find out how you can get involved later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Five people injured in Kirkwood shooting during Little 500 weekend
Photo by Elyse Perry.Five people were injured in a shooting on Kirkwood Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning.
This comes during Little 500 weekend, one of the city’s largest annual events, that draws thousands of people to Bloomington. The incident sparked concerns about public safety during one of the largest events of the year.
Mayor Kerry Thomson held a press conference at city hall on Sunday, condemning the violence on Kirkwood.
“It is, of course, an incredibly sad day anytime there’s violence in our community,” said Thomson. “We condemn gun violence unequivocally in any form, and my thoughts are with those that were injured.”
Police Chief Mike Diekhoff clarified that five people were injured in the shooting, fewer than the 9 people initially reported. Diekhoff says all the victims are in stable condition.
“The other people we believe were injured when they ran from the scene, and those included injuries such as cuts and scrapes from falling while running,” said Diekhoff. “All were treated and released, except one who is had been admitted in this stable condition.”
Diekhoff said a fight broke out between two women outside Five Guys on Kirkwood. According to security camera and cell phone footage obtained by the Bloomington Police Department, two males involved in the fight both drew hand guns and fired their weapons.
“At that point, everyone began running from the scene, and officers rushed to the area began to look for victims,” he said.
The police chief said the crowds were estimated to be two to three thousand people. Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian captured footage of unrest on Kirkwood. This footage happened prior to the shooting after a possible armed person was reported on city police scanners at around 10 p.m.
The incident prompted concerns about public safety during large events. Mayor Thomson says while police maintained a presence on Kirkwood, the city’s ability to prevent gun violence proves limited under state law.
“In Bloomington, unfortunately, Indiana gun laws prohibit such action, and if the gun laws remain as they are, anyone can open carry. We encourage people not to bring guns to gatherings, and we encourage you to speak up to those who can change our gun laws,” she said.
Chief Diekhoff says police were active on the scene; however, the large crowd made it difficult to take control of the situation.
“It would have become a resource issue. And our belief was, if we tried to move the crowd, that would have caused more problems,” he said.
Diekhoff says the investigation is ongoing and encourages anyone with any details to contact the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.WFHB News went to Kirkwood earlier today to capture residents’ reactions to the shooting during Little 500 weekend. We spoke to residents outside Five Guys where the shooting took place, asking them their thoughts on public safety for large events and what could be done to prevent violence like this in the future.
Summit District is shown in orange. Hopwell is shown in green. Bloomington’s consolidated TIF district is shown in yellow. Maps by The B Square with information from the city of Bloomington. Pizza-themed analogy for the TIF allocation area and EDA developed with the aid of DALL·E, an AI image generator developed by OpenAI. [link to dynamic map]Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “Bloomington council OKs residential TIF for Summit, now back to RDC for final step.” That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Honors Bloomington Outreach is a community service program for IU honors students. Fairview Elementary is one of their favorite places to connect with the Bloomington community. Whether they’re reading stories with kids, helping with homework, or leading fun activities, president Anna Goodrich says those afternoons at Fairview are special for both the kids and the students. The outreach team also spends time at Bell Trace Senior Living Center, playing games and building relationships with residents there. Sometimes they do other service projects like blankets for the Shalom Center. Anna says ALL students are welcome to join their service projects, not just honors students, on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Dave Askins.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Emma Maher through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elyse Perry and Zoe Moczek.
By: Jiin Hur
Coloring is a mechanism used to pass time and has been familiar to nearly every person.
As our to-do lists pile up, we often forget that coloring is something we can do to pass time. If stress is one cause of procrastination, and teen students experience it frequently, what can we do to solve this? That’s where coloring books come into play.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, roughly 68 percent of teen students feel a fair amount of pressure to get good grades. Furthermore, in an article published in 2025 by the Economic Times, “People delay tasks not because they’re lazy, but because they’re trying to escape uncomfortable emotions — stress, boredom, or self-doubt.”
Last year, CNN published a report stating that “…a ‘cozy coloring’ aesthetic has dominated adult coloring charts — simple line art with large shapes meant for quick, relaxing fills.” Coloring works to decrease stress and anxiety for adults, with many variations including the rising popularity of this ‘cozy coloring’ method, so it wouldn’t hurt for teens to give it a try, too.
Researchers Xuening Fan and Anna Na Na Hui at the National Institute of Health in 2025 conducted a study that assessed academic stress and burnout in students using interventions. They used cluster sampling with a total of 128 middle schoolers in the Henan Province in China. They did this sampling in two classes, with one serving as the control group and the other had two intervention groups (one was the mandala-coloring group and the other was the grit-enhancing). Mandala coloring involves a round picture that depicts Hindu and Buddhist traditions of the universe. The key here is that the results from the study showed that academic stress was significantly reduced in the mandala-coloring group.
However, this ‘cozy coloring’ method is not the only coloring method available. To properly assess how coloring can be a means to reduce stress, this study accurately depicts the effects of mandala coloring on school children. This provides significant quantitative evidence that proves how mandala coloring can be an effective way to help teens cope with stress. This in turn can help the youth workforce in Bloomington.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration tells us that “Workplace stress has been reported to cause 120,000 deaths in the US each year”. In other words, when we reduce workplace stress, it saves lives. Furthermore, they state “Approximately 65 percent of U.S. workers surveyed have characterized work as being a very significant or somewhat significant source of stress in each year from 2019-2021.”
If adolescents can use mandala coloring to alleviate school stress, we can apply the same logic and encourage mandala coloring (and many other types of coloring) as a means to achieve solvency for workplace stress in Bloomington and the broader Indiana community.
Welcome back to Paisley‘s Posh Nosh on WFHB Youth Radio! If this is your first time here, then here’s a quick run down: On this bi-weekly show, I pick and review snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are my picks fun, but more importantly, they’re all healthy. Being a student athlete the majority of my life, I know first hand the importance of fueling your body with the right food and nutrients enabling you to perform and live at your best!
If you want to know a little more about me: I’m fifteen, a homeschooled sophomore in high school, founder and owner of my crocheted jewelry business Sweet P Crochets, a competitive swimmer on the local swim team Indiana Swim Club, songwriter, guitar player, lifeguard, I love spending time with my friends, and I’m also a DJ here at WFHB. Alright enough about me, let’s get to this episode’s theme!
The theme for this episode was “Sweet Pink” and the picks were Like Air’s Cotton Candy Popcorn and Lemon Perfect’s Organic Dragon Fruit Lemon Water. Inspiration for this episode came from the warm, springy weather that’s finally decided to stick around. When I think of Spring I think of flowers, Easter, pastels, plants blooming, etc. I also think of fun days outside walking through festivals, carnivals, and farmers markets. The picks for this episode are very “spring core” as the people in my generation would say. Before we get to the health benefits these picks offer, both of these can be found at your local Kroger’s. Alright let’s Get This Party Started! I won’t get scientifically specific here with the health benefits, as I save those for on air, but here’s a quick run down for you! The drink pick’s main benefits were skin health promotion as well as supporting your digestive system. As for the snack pick’s health benefits, they include: low calorie count, low fat content, and it’s an excellent alternative to standard popcorn and cotton candy all while getting to have both flavor profiles present. It’s a win/win!
Thank you so much for reading, tuning in, or both. Tune in next episode to hear what I pick next, and as always, Luck+Love!
Credits:
Produced by Paisley Antoine for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Honors Bloomington Outreach is a community service program for IU honors students. Fairview Elementary is one of their favorite places to connect with the Bloomington community. Whether they’re reading stories with kids, helping with homework, or leading fun activities, president Anna Goodrich says those afternoons at Fairview are special for both the kids and the students. The outreach team also spends time at Bell Trace Senior Living Center, playing games and building relationships with residents there. Sometimes they do other service projects like blankets for the Shalom Center. Anna says ALL students are welcome to join their service projects, not just honors students.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Emma Maher
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
First held in 1970 and recently its 50 year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. Nathaniel Weinzapfel will interview Professor Landon Yoder about Indiana’s agricultural sector and Hoosier farmers and how they are preparing for climate change later in the program.
Environmental ReportsFighting The New EPA Against Greenhouse GasThe Environmental Defense Fund, along with the American Public Health Association and 15 other groups, is legally contesting the Trump administration’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding and greenhouse gas standards for vehicles, targeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its administrator, Lee Zeldin. The 2009 Endangerment Finding established that climate pollution is harmful and that the EPA has the duty to mitigate it. The administration argues, against Supreme Court rulings, that it lacks authority to act under the Clean Air Act. The repeal removes all vehicle greenhouse gas standards and threatens protections for power plants and fossil fuel production. This action could result in up to 58,000 premature deaths and increase asthma attacks by 37 million in the U.S., along with escalated costs for fuel and insurance. EDF President Fred Krupp emphasized the importance of challenging these actions in court, where evidence is crucial, to advocate for a safer, more prosperous future.
Save on Your Electric BillTo mitigate rising electric bills, consider several eco-friendly strategies. First, switch to a time-of-use rate plan from your utility provider, which charges less during low-demand periods, or explore demand-response programs that incentivize reduced electricity use during peak times. A home energy audit can help identify energy leaks, with many states and utilities offering this service at little to no cost. Additionally, heat pumps are an effective solution for both heating and cooling, with options available for renters. Insulating your attic is one of the most effective energy-saving measures, complemented by weatherizing to prevent air leaks, and using solar screens in sunny regions. Installing solar panels can significantly reduce electricity costs, averaging savings of $57,000 over 25 years, despite the initial investment typically being high, often supported by government incentives. Paying upfront can maximize savings.
Glyphosates & The U.S. Forest ServiceGlyphosate, a widely used herbicide introduced by Monsanto in 1974, is being sprayed extensively by the US Forest Service in clear-cut and fire-damaged forests. Known for its controversial nature, glyphosate is linked to serious health concerns, including potential carcinogenic effects as identified by the World Health Organization. The Forest Service defends its use, asserting glyphosate aids in the rapid recovery of commercially valuable conifer species by eliminating competition from native plants and shrubs. Public opposition has grown, primarily driven by fears about health risks connected to glyphosate, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and gut microbiome disruption. Despite a 2020 EPA report indicating significant harm to endangered species and habitats, the Forest Service plans to increase its glyphosate application, prioritizing cost-cutting measures over ecological management alternatives. Research highlights ongoing concerns regarding glyphosate’s lingering presence in the environment and human bodies, reinforcing calls for reevaluation of its use in national forests.
And now for some upcoming events:* Sycamore Land Trust will have an “Arbor Day Tree Giveaway” on
Saturday, April 25th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Bloomingfoods East.
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree.
* Join Brown County Bluebird Club to build a Bluebird Box at
McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 25th, beginning
at 1 pm. You will build your box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. Please
register at b4bluebird@gmail.com.
* Listen to Frog Songs at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, April
26th, beginning a 1 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to
learn about all the different frog calls. You can practice making
your own frog call.
* Turtle Feeding is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park
on Sunday, April 26th, from 10:30 to 11 am. Meet in the Canyon
Inn to watch the Red-Eared Slider hunt for fish.
* A Full Moon Hike is scheduled for Friday, May 1st, from 9 to
10:30 pm at Brown County State Park. Hike around Lake Ogle to
learn all the history and folklore of May’s Full Flower Moon.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Kade YoungHeadlines…EDF, Liz Galst of Green Living and Julianna DaileyFeature Report……………………………..Nathaniel WeinzapfelScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
En nuestro más reciente episodio conversamos con la Dra. Claudia Lara, experta en salud pública y neurociencia, sobre un tema fundamental para nuestra comunidad: “Tu Cerebro Adolescente: ¿Qué está pasando?” Este taller, organizado por la Comisión para Asuntos Hispanos y Latiné (CHLA), forma parte de una serie de espacios diseñados para brindar información accesible, confiable y culturalmente relevante sobre salud mental para familias hispanohablantes en Bloomington. Hablamos sobre:
- Qué ocurre en el cerebro durante la adolescencia
- Por qué las emociones se viven con tanta intensidad
- Cómo apoyar a nuestros hijos e hijas en esta etapa
- Estrategias prácticas para el manejo del estrés y las emociones
- El papel de padres, madres y cuidadores en el desarrollo saludable
Evento gratuito y abierto al público el domingo 26 de abril, 12:30 PM, en la Iglesia Hispana Sherwood Oaks
💛 La CHLA continúa trabajando para fortalecer el bienestar de nuestra comunidad a través de la educación y el acceso a recursos en español.
🎧 Escucha el episodio completo en Spotify o en nuestra página web y acompáñanos cada semana en Hola Bloomington, tu programa 100% en español.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 2nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Erin Aquino from Exodus Refugee joins Civic Conversations to discuss immigration policy in the United States. Civic Conversations, a podcast in collaboration with the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission moves forward with public offering of College Square property
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on April 20. First, Jane Kupersmith, director of the city’s Economic and Sustainability Department, delivered the Business Development update.
The commission then discussed opening the College Square property to public offers. Commissioners also considered a proposed land swap with the Seminary Pointe block, with Secretary John West speaking in opposition.
Monroe County Capital Improvement Board President John Whikehart, represented by attorney Jim Whitlatch, spoke in support of the swap, arguing that value should be measured beyond just monetary terms.
Commissioners also debated whether to delay the offering for 30 days.
The commission ultimately voted unanimously to move forward with a public offering of the property. The next Bloomington RDC meeting is scheduled for May 20.
City’s public works board approves engineering contract for Hopewell South
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on April 21st and discussed Amendment 1 to a contract with Crossroads Engineers for preliminary engineering of Hopewell South. Project Engineer Kendall Knoke explained the contract and how it will help Hopewell’s construction.
The board passed this motion unanimously. The next item in the agenda was a contract for E&B paving for Grimes Lane, Kirkwood Avenue, Patterson Drive, and Rogers Street. Sarah Gomez with the city’s engineering department detailed road closures and construction during this project.
The motion passed 2-0. Lastly, Public Works Director Adam Wason introduced the Adopt a Roundabout policy.
The motion passed unanimously. The next meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works will be on May 4th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, host Jim Allison interviews Erin Aquino, Bloomington Resettlement Director for Exodus Refugee Immigration, to discuss immigration policies. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
And now, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson who brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news. That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen and Chase Dodson.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our sports brief was produced by Chase Dodson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Shane Gebhard and Emma Maher.
The historian and author has devoted five years of his life to studying and writing about what he characterizes as this country’s first major foreign policy initiative. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led some 40 people in an exploratory mission, hoping to find a water route from the Mississippi to the Pacific Northwest. They failed in that quest but did make contact with great indigenous nations and visited bustling trade centers. Fehrman’s new book, This Vast Enterprise, looks at the expedition through the eyes of a number of participants.
Hosts Michael Glab and Tristra Newyear chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
On Saturday, April 18th, Youth Radio welcomed the band Daydream for a fund drive live session. The band is made up of high school students Madeleine, Samantha, and Olivia who play cover songs from a variety of genres.
Up next, in celebration of Earth Day, our archive segment today is a segment from our 2022 Climate Change in Indiana feature series titled “Mock Climate Change Debate.” In it, WFHB News volunteer Nathaniel Weinzapfel talks with climate scientist Ben Kravitz about myths and realities surrounding climate change phenomena.
The city announced that it does not intend to renew its license plate reader contract with Flock Safety, a company whose technology has been utilized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bloomington DSA says the mayor’s announcement is a step in the right direction but it doesn’t go far enough (Photo by Jessie Grubb).Up next, also from the news department – last Wednesday, the city announced it would not renew its contract with Flock license plate reader cameras after months of protests and concerns about surveillance and immigration enforcement. Bloomington Police have also issued restrictions on how Flock data can be used, including bans tied to immigration or reproductive healthcare investigations. WFHB News speaks with Pat Wall, a member of the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America, who has helped organize opposition to the city’s use of Flock. Wall, who co-hosts our punk show Radio Regazzo on WFHB, says that while the mayor’s announcement is a step in the right direction, the fight against Flock is not over yet. Pat says DSA organizers intend to pack the city council meeting tonight to demand the city do more to end its affiliation with mass surveillance.
Up next, WFHB DJ Cindy Beaule brought on Aubrey Seader, the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator, on the Afternoon Music Mix yesterday. Seader discussed the upcoming Be More Awards, which honors and applauds community volunteers’ outstanding but often unrecognized efforts. One of our very own volunteers, Youth Radio volunteer Winnie Dong, received one of these awards.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondent Paige Zuckerman takes a look at the local sketch comedy group, Boy in the Bubble – speaking with President Sarah Warf, about the origins, style and operations of the group. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the local news. More following today’s feature.
City sustainability commission delays vote on glyphosate
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability met on April 14th and discussed a resolution against the use of glyphosate in Bloomington’s public spaces. Experts answered questions about the common herbicide used in weed control.
Mary Wells, the Natural Resources Manager with Bloomington Parks and Recreation, explained how the city uses the herbicide.
Wells said the city also uses the herbicide on resistant invasive species, such as bush honeysuckle. She said Parks and Recreation reports glyphosate usage on its online pesticide notice interface.
Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species Group President Ellen Jacquart said only allowing the herbicide to be used on invasive species would cause problems with keeping sidewalks cleared of weeds.
Jacquart and Wells both said their organizations use a dye and signage to show where glyphosate has been applied. Jacquart also said glyphosate is safer than other herbicides on the market.
Jacquart said using glyphosate helps clear invasive species and promotes native plant growth, which is beneficial for the environment. Wells added that invasive species change the soil, so it is best to remove them with the herbicide.
The commission postponed voting on the resolution until its May meeting so commissioners can find more information and think about possible amendments.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability will be on May 12th.
Ellettsville Town Council discusses street repaving, fire truck repair, township reorganizaiton
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on April 13th and awarded a Community Crossing Matching Grant to Milestone Contractors to repave streets. Street Commissioner Kip Heady said the low bid was just under $148,000.
The council passed the contract unanimously.
Next, Fire Chief Kevin Patton provided an update on the repair of an aerial fire truck. A routine check found an issue with a ladder that will require an almost $250,000 repair. Council member Scott Oldham said it is in the town’s best interest to fix the truck rather than buy a new one.
Patton said the repair will require a new ladder to be built which takes around 6 months. However, the truck will only be out of commission for about a month for the new ladder to be installed. The council will discuss funding the repair at its next meeting.
During supervisor comments, Town Manager Mike Farmer discussed the Town of Ellettsville and Richland Township Reorganization plan.
The finalized draft was completed by the reorganization committee on April 8th. The Town Council and Township Board will finalize a schedule for deliberation meetings and public hearings to share with the impacted residents.
The next meeting of the Ellettsville Town Council will be on April 27th.
Featured Segments:
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Paige Zuckerman looks at the sketch comedy group, Boy in the Bubble. Zuckerman speaks with Sarah Warf, president of Boy in the Bubble, about the group’s origins, style and how they operate. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. Today’s episode is titled “CAPTCHA-D By Crooks.” We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Paige Zuckerman.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Camdyn Glover.
If you surf the internet, you’ve probably encountered some version of the CAPTCHA program, which is designed to verify that you are a human being and not a computer. This is a very necessary safety device these days, and you have to use it to access a great many websites. But malicious operators — scammers and hackers — have been turning CAPTCHA into a dangerous booby trap. Here’s how it works and how to stay safe.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Pat Wall from the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America says that while he applauds the mayor for not renewing one contract with Flock Safety, the fight against surveillance is not over yet. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB.
Bloomington RDC signs off on public offering for College Square, declines 30‑day pause for land‑swap talks
Land shaded with purple has been authorized for transfer by either the city or the county government to the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) to support the convention center expansion project. The gray area bordered in orange is the site of the convention center expansion. It’s the dark purple area that the CIB has targeted for a possible land swap for the blue square to the north, which is the College Square property, formerly owned by Bunger & Robertson. The dark yellow areas are historic districts. The 424 S. College address is listed as “contributing” in the city’s 2018 survey. Map by the B Square [dynamic map]By Dave Askins
At its regular Monday meeting (April 20) Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) voted unanimously to move ahead with a public offering for the College Square property at 4th Street and College Avenue.
That meant the RDC declined a request from Monroe County’s capital improvement board (CIB) to delay action for 30 days to explore a possible land swap. The RDC wants to negotiate a swap that would trade the Seminary Pointe block, which was recently transferred by the county government to the CIB, for the College Square property, so that the CIB could offer it to a potential developer of a host hotel for the convention center.
The RDC’s resolution authorizes issuance of a notice of offering for the roughly 2‑acre College Square site, which is often called the former Bunger & Robertson lot.
The minimum offering price is set at $7.59 million, the average of two recent appraisals, according to RDC executive director Anna Killion‑Hanson. That figure is higher than the nearly $7 million the city’s RDC paid in 2019 to purchase the property in two transactions under then‑mayor John Hamilton.
The RDC meeting included public commentary from several housing advocates and tenants of the Seminary Pointe property, as well as a Bloomington city councilmember, Courtney Daily, who all spoke in favor of a 30-day delay to negotiate a land swap with the CIB.
The Bloomington redevelopment commission meets to approve a public offering of the College Square property. (Dave Askins, April 20, 2026)In the end RDC members were not persuaded that 30 days was enough time to get information about appraisals and environmental conditions for the Seminary Pointe property in order to conduct a meaningful negotiation.
The time frame for the public offering would allow for the CIB to make a proposal with that kind of information. The idea is to publish the notice of offering on April 27, with responses due and opened at the RDC’s July 20 meeting. That’s an 84‑day window that RDC executive director Anna Killion-Hanson characterized as a realistic response period for serious developers.
RDC member John West pointed out that the RDC’s public offering allows for the possibility of a response from a host hotel developer. But based on his comments, the prospects of a host hotel getting developed at College Square as a result of a land swap with the CIB sound grim. The long-time commercial real estate broker said:
I just, I’ll rip the band aid off: I don’t think the land swap as proposed is a good opportunity or even a good deal for the city.
…
At the end of the day, it’s my opinion, never appraised it, but I don’t think you’re going to see equal value. So I don’t know how we get to $7.5 million.
Feature Report:Last Wednesday, the city announced it would not renew its contract with Flock license plate reader cameras after months of protests and concerns about surveillance and immigration enforcement. Bloomington Police have also issued restrictions on how Flock data can be used, including bans tied to immigration or reproductive healthcare investigations. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Pat Wall, a member of the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America, who has helped organize opposition to the city’s use of Flock. Wall, who co-hosts our punk show Radio Regazzo on WFHB, says that while the mayor’s announcement is a step in the right direction, the fight against Flock is not over yet. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins, in partnership with the B Square Bulletin.
Our feature was produced by Elena Bai and Kade Young.
Youth Radio produced Art Walk. Interview by Gloria Chi. Edited by Maiza Munn
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Emma Maher and Jim Odom.
Last Wednesday, the city announced it would not renew its contract with Flock license plate reader cameras after months of protests and concerns about surveillance and immigration enforcement. Bloomington Police have also issued restrictions on how Flock data can be used, including bans tied to immigration or reproductive healthcare investigations. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Pat Wall, a member of the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America, who has helped organize opposition to the city’s use of Flock. Wall, who co-hosts our punk show Radio Regazzo on WFHB, says that while the mayor’s announcement is a step in the right direction, the fight against Flock is not over yet.
We had Jennifer Femme in the studio on March 26th ahead of their show that night at The Backdoor — a Chicago-based, genre-fluid band pulling from jazz, folk, and indie, built around songwriter Alexis Kellogg and a rotating group of collaborators.
The session felt especially close to home — WFHB’s former Youth Radio Director Aja Essex is part of the band, and it was so good to have her back in the building.
Good conversation, really beautiful performances, and a nice full-circle moment having Aja back through. Enjoy this session!
Host: Ahmed al’Awadi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle
Post Production: Jared Coyle
Before heading over to play the Bishop later in the weekend, Bloomington doom-nerds Omen-killer joined us live in the studio during Fund Drive week. They played a few songs from their new album Apocalypse, including a new one dedicated to the early horror of John Carpenter. Think: The Thing meets blood curdling doom metal.
Friday, April 17 at 11pm: Metalmorphic welcomes Omen-killer
Engineers: Alex Hammel and Sarah Raines
Hosts: Richard Jermain and Ben Meyers
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite and Jar Turner
We loved having Hatchie in the studio for a Firehouse Session recorded on April 11th ahead of her headlining set at WIUX’s Culture Shock. It landed right in the middle of our Spring Fund Drive, so we pre-recorded and aired it on April 20th — still felt immediate, still felt special.
Hatchie — the project of Australian artist Harriette Pilbeam — was such a fun hang. We got into growing up in Australia, life on Secretly Canadian, and a very serious conversation about Vegemite.
She also performed on an Omnichord, which gave the whole set this intimate, slightly surreal feel — super stripped back, in the best way.
Really beautiful session. Video coming soon from No Guru Media.
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Grey, Jar Turner, Chris Lucas, & Jacob Lasquite
Post Production: Jar Turner and Jacob Lasquite
Photos: Anna Powell Denton
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 34, Youth Radio speaks to Mel Yang, a current high school student and local artist. Mel was present at the Far Center on March 26th; the contemporary art center empowers artists through presentation and workshops. Mel’s pieces reflect the color wheel, and she is most inspired by television animators like The Owl House.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the Far Center on March 26th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Gloria Chi
Edited by Maiza Munn
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 20th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB reports on a forum for Indiana’s 9th congressional district where candidates discussed their views on science, technology and the environment. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Gene Gerardot from College Mentors for Kids, pairing local school-age children with IU student mentors. Find out how to sign up to be a mentor or get your kid in the program later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County Council: New Jail, Staffing Challenges in Sheriff’s Office, Convention Center Expansion
The Monroe County Council met on April 14. During public comment, a resident addressed the recently revived issue of the proposed North Park jail location.
Chief Deputy Phil Parker from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office then provided an update on ongoing hiring challenges.
The clerk’s office, represented by new Chief Deputy Tanner Branham, requested approval for overtime pay to support election-related work.
Following tornado damage, Airport Director Carlos Laverty requested funds to cover repair costs at the county airport while awaiting insurance reimbursement.
The council then deliberated a property transfer to the Capital Improvement Board for the convention center expansion. CIB President John Whikehart stated his intent to pursue a land swap for the former Bunger and
Local resident Barry expressed support for a land swap that would preserve affordable housing at Seminary Pointe.
The council approved the motion six-to-zero with Council member Jennifer Crossley abstaining. The next meeting of the Monroe County Council will be on April 28th.
Monroe County CIB Approves Land Transfers, Begins Negotiations for College Square Site
The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met on April 15th. First, the board heard updates from Weddle Brothers Construction on the Bloomington Convention Center expansion. Senior Superintendent Logan Turner said they have made significant progress.
Next, the board considered the acceptance of land transfers from the city and county. Board President John Whikehart walked through the agenda item.
The board voted unanimously to accept the conveyance of the properties.
Then, the board discussed related real estate. Whikehart maintained their mission is to expand the convention center, renovate the current building and select a hotelier and a site for the host hotel. He explained the College Square site is the best option.
Whikehart made a motion to negotiate with the president of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, Deborah Myerson, for the acquisition of the College Square location. It passed by a unanimous vote.
During public comment, City Councilmember Sydney Zulich said she supports negotiations with the city on the College Square property.
The Monroe County CIB will meet again on May 20th.
Featured Segments:
Last Tuesday, candidates running for U.S. Congress in Indiana’s 9th district participated in a candidate forum on science, technology and the environment. The local chapter of the League of Women Voters and Concerned Scientists at IU organized the forum. IU Professor Michael Hamburger served as moderator. Candidates included Democrats Jim Graham, Brad Meyer, Kyle Rourke, and Tim Peck and Independent candidate Floyd Taylor. Each of them were asked how Congress should respond to recent cuts on scientific research.
Remember when you were little and college students seemed like the coolest people ever? What if you had been able to hang out with them for a day and see what their life is like? College Mentors for Kids at Indiana University provides that opportunity. This nonprofit was started in Bloomington thirty years ago and is now serving thousands of kids all across the Midwest. In Bloomington, College Mentors for Kids pairs Bloomington elementary students with IU students and brings them to campus for fun educational activities like science demonstrations. Chapter President Gene Gerardot says the club is hosting an event tomorrow from 4pm to 6pm in the Persimmon Room in the Indiana Memorial Union. Learn how to apply to be a mentor or get YOUR kid into the program on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Claire Zeyen, Kade Young and Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Emma Broach through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Elyse Perry.
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour discussing the new documentary “Mayor Taylor: Champion of the Race” with Todd Gould, who was the writer/producer/director for this WTIU/PBS documentary, and
Courtney Bishop, a former rider and coach for “Team Major”, an IU racing team he helped to found.
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was the world’s first Black sports superstar. As a Black American, he emerged as a formidable force in the global bike racing arena. He earned nicknames that often equated to the most powerful forces in heaven and earth, such as “The Cyclone,” “The Whirlwind,” and “The Comet.” He earned the respect of civil rights pioneer Booker T. Washington. And he shook the hand of President Theodore Roosevelt, who sought out the outstanding champion to congratulate him. Reporters simply called him “The Fastest Man in the World.”
Marshall Walter “Major” TaylorTodd GouldCourtney BishopCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Remember when you were little and college students seemed like the coolest people ever? What if you had been able to hang out with them for a day and see what their life is like? College Mentors for Kids at Indiana University provides that opportunity. This nonprofit was started in Bloomington thirty years ago and is now serving thousands of kids all across the Midwest. In Bloomington, College Mentors for Kids pairs Bloomington elementary students with IU students and brings them to campus for fun educational activities like science demonstrations. Chapter President Gene Gerardot says the club allows mentors and mentees to learn about each other’s perspective and grow in understanding. Find out how to apply to be a mentor or get YOUR kid into the program.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Emma Broach
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright speaks with Erin Freese Post’uma about the upcoming Little Green Thumbs program, that invites our community’s youngest gardeners into a hands-on, engaging experience with nature.
This story supports our report to you from last weeks EcoReport. Underscoring Indiana’s commitment to clean water, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted new data to the U.S. EPA this week, showing measurable improvements to the state’s rivers and streams.
As part of the report, IDEM reported 43,657 total miles of rivers and streams assessed through 2026, which, when adjusted for size, is more than any other state in the country. In addition Indiana reported 24.49 more miles of unimpaired rivers and streams compared to 2024.
“It is important to me that we steward Indiana’s natural resources responsibly,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “We have positioned Indiana as a national leader in developing a clear picture of water quality. By investing in transparent reporting and sound science, we will continue to focus resources where they’re needed most and make meaningful progress in restoring our waterways.”
Under the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to assess and report on the condition of their waters every two years. As part of this process, the ‘303(d) List’ identifies waterbodies that are not meeting one or more designated uses defined in Indiana’s water quality standards. A waterbody is considered impaired if its water quality is not sufficient to support its intended uses. Data is measured by miles listed as impaired or unimpaired.
“Indiana has shown a deliberate track record of assessing, protecting and working to restore our waterways,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. “With more than 62,000 miles of rivers and streams, our Office of Water Quality works every day to identify impairments and develop a plan for restoration. These improvements support safer recreation, healthier streams, and stronger local ecosystems across Indiana communities.”
Historically, Indiana assesses a significantly greater variety and higher ratio of waterbodies for impairments compared to other states. Despite being a smaller state in terms of land area, in 2024 Indiana was among the top two states in the country for total miles of rivers and stream data assessed for full body contact. Only Colorado (79,367 mi) provided more sampling data than Indiana (33,643 mi) according to U.S. EPA data.
The top causes of impairment were E. coli, biological impairment, and PCBs discovered in fish tissue. In most cases, improvements were driven by measured reductions in pollutants or by restored support for designated uses.
“Indiana has put a strong focus on ensuring we have a complete picture of water health across the state. Our sampling includes everything from rivers and lakes to small streams and farm ditches,” said Martha Clark Mettler, IDEM’s Assistant Commissioner of Water Quality. “While this may show more impaired waters on paper, Indiana’s commitment to detailed monitoring ensures that issues are identified, prioritized, and addressed; not overlooked.”
When a waterbody is listed as impaired, IDEM is required to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to assess causes for impairments, and pollution reduction measures to establish a pathway for the waterbody to meet water quality standards.
Indiana was also the nation’s leader in submissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of documented waterbody improvements in 2025. Last year, the U.S EPA published 13 water quality Success Stories, which detail restoration efforts that have led to documented water quality improvements, from Indiana. The next closest states had 10.
Success Stories are U.S. EPA-designated case studies that highlight measurable water quality improvements achieved through local partnerships and community-driven solutions in waters that didn’t meet environmental standards for contaminants such as bacteria, nutrients, or sediment due to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Nonpoint source pollution refers to water pollution that does not come from a single identifiable source.
To qualify as a Success Story, a waterbody must have:
- Been previously considered impaired, meaning it was too polluted to support expected activities such as swimming, fishing, or hosting certain biological communities; and
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Be partially or fully restored, show progress toward achieving water quality goals, or show other qualitative measures toward improvement. In this weeks feature learn how Bloomington’s littlest residents can dig in – literally – to the wonder that nature and gardening can hold.
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A Migratory Bird Feeders program will take place on Saturday, April 11th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. You will learn about the unique bird species that come through our area during migration. This program will allow you to build your very own bird feeder.
- A Signs of Spring Hike is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th, from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Hike with a naturalist as they show you nature waking up.
- The White River Forestry Committee will host a wildflower hike in Bedford, Indiana on private property with one lasting from 10:30 am to Noon and another hike lasting from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on April 11th. If you are interested contact Amanda or Stephanie at 812-279-8117, ext. 3.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………Carrie Albright
Feature Report……………………….Carrie Albright
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
This month, Civic Conversations welcomed Erin Aquino, Bloomington Resettlement Director for Exodus Refugee Immigration, to discuss immigration policies. In the podcast, Aquino explained Exodus Refugee’s role in welcoming over 500 refugees to Bloomington, outlined constitutional rights of immigrants, described the complex roles of different government branches in immigration policy, and detailed ICE’s operations and recent changes. The conversation covered how Indiana’s state government has shifted toward more restrictive immigration policies, and Aquino highlighted the economic and cultural contributions of immigrants, noting that refugees and immigrants contribute significantly to Medicaid, Social Security, and local businesses while committing fewer crimes than native-born citizens.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Immigration-Erin-Aquino-04162026.m4a
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
From the Youth Radio department, we revisit a live session with the band Get Right from Saturday, April 11th. Get Right is a local youth crew band that plays fast, hardcore music. The band features youth radio intern Charlie Voyles on the bass. Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb introduces the session and the importance of creating space for teens to participate in community radio here at WFHB.
Our archive segment today comes from a special 2017 fall fund drive episode of public affairs show Interchange titled “Who Owns the Radio?” These excerpts feature host Doug Storm, studio engineer Jen Brooks, and featured guest/radio scholar Marissa Moorman discussing revolutionary histories of radio and the importance of community broadcasting today.
And now, Dason Anderson, executive editor of the Limestone Post magazine, joins us in light of our Spring Fund Drive to talk about the importance of supporting local, independent, non-profit sources of news. That’s coming up next in today’s special fund drive edition of the local news.
We had the chance to sit down via Zoom with John Linnell of They Might Be Giants ahead of the release of their new album The World Is to Dig, out April 24—the same day they kick off a three-night run at The Vogue in Indianapolis.
In the conversation, Linnell reflects on the band’s decades-long creative partnership, their ever-evolving songwriting process, and what it means to keep things interesting more than 40 years in.
We also talk how new material comes together, and the lasting impact of their beloved kids albums—including Here Come the ABCs and Here Comes Science, and their extremely devoted fan base. We even talk about another Brooklyn band getting some buzz…Geese!
It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with one of the most distinctive voices in independent music.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Anchor Benedict Jones and Correspondent Camdyn Glover will be live in the studio to ask for you to support the local news during our Spring Fund Drive. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Phony emails and real money” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Featured Segments:
Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “Judge restores use of state-issued university student cards as voter ID in Indiana—for now.” That’s coming up next on WFHB.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News correspondent Camdyn Glover reports on the increase in sexual assaults on IU’s campus. IUPD Officer Hannah Cornett and the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy Director, Sally Thomas, share their knowledge and program services. This is coming up next on WFHB.
Up next, “phony emails and real money” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins.
Our feature was produced by Camdyn Glover.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jiin Hur and Zoe Moczek.
Artificial Intelligence now makes it possible for scammers from anywhere to fake an email from a legitimate corporation, and do it so well you can’t spot the fake because it looks different or has badly written copy. I’ve gotten several of these really excellent bogus emails recently. Here’s how I spotted the scams, and avoided getting ripped off or having my computer attacked.
By Camdyn Glover
This is a note that the following feature report discusses sexual assault.
Indiana University is one of many public universities who has seen an increase in reported sexual assaults and rapes on campus. This information is gathered from the IU Annual Security Report where the reported rapes from this academic year have surpassed the previous three years’ reports.
A portion of the fall semester is known as the “Red Zone.” This is known as a high-risk time for college students to experience sexual assault. The Red Zone spans from the start of classes in August until Thanksgiving. However, sexual assaults continue to be prevalent on college campuses following this period, especially at public universities.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center states that one in five women experience sexual assault while in college. Remembering that men can also be victims of this crime, one in 16 men experience sexual assault in college. Furthermore, nine out of 10 victims allegedly know their attacker. According to RAINN and the American Psychological Association, 80 to 90 percent of sexual assaults and rapes go unreported.
It is estimated that female college students who are between the ages of 18 to 24 are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence, compared to the overall statistics of women in general. Male college students within the same age group are 78 percent more likely to experience sexual violence than men in general. According to RAINN, while in college, women are twice more likely to be sexually assaulted than robbed.
IU has multiple resources for students to utilize in regards to sexual assault. The IUPD has a “Daily Crime Log” on their website for public access. This is in compliance with the Cleary Act which requires certain universities to “disclose information about crime on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the university, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.” The IU Bloomington Daily Crime Log has documented over 45 reported rapes, beginning in August.
WFHB Local News spoke with Hannah Cornett, the Public Information Officer for the Indiana University Police Department. She broke down the language used in the log.
In certain cases, there may be indications such as a x58. This is explained by Officer Cornett. “In our daily crime law, we are required to add any crimes that are reported to us within two business days. I can use the month of March, for example, so there’s 31 days in March, if a victim comes to us and says, every single day in March, I was robbed at this location on campus, we have to put robbery in the daily crime log times 31 to represent those 31 crimes that were reported to us. And so similarly, the crimes that were reported times 58 that’s how many incidents that were reported to our agency,” she said.
Other cases have dates that can span from a few days, a month, or an entire semester. Cornett said, “It could mean the incident happened that many times, but it could mean that maybe the victim can’t remember exactly what day, but they knew it happened in the fall semester, and so we may put the date starting the fall semester to the last day of the fall semester, showing that it happened sometime within that timeframe.”
Another frequently used term in the daily crime log is “referred to university.” This is especially prevalent for the rapes on campus. She explained, “Say a sexual assault was reported to the university not to IUPD, maybe a survivor went to the IU Health Center on campus to get a kit done after an assault, those nurses and practitioners are required to report to us that an assault happened on campus, but they do not have to give us any other information. We just need to know if a crime occurred, and so in those cases, maybe a different department on campus would be following up with that student and say, like Office of Student Conduct or civil rights compliance. So while we may not be taking lawful action because the victim does not wish to pursue that path, there are other departments on campus that can still help provide that student with resources or hold offenders accountable through other processes in university.”
Cornett explained that a common overlooked factor is how people are advised on how they can best protect themselves, but the criminal and their actions are often not discussed. “Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim, and responsibility lies solely in those who choose to commit harm,” she exclaimed.
She provided insight on how students can take measures to avoid these situations. Cornett stated, “There are a few things that folks can kind of keep in mind. One is just to respect boundaries and have clear and open communication in any relationship. Silence or intoxication do not equal consent. And then the next thing that I can think of is an active bystander shift. So really look out for each other when you’re out at a party with friends. Stay connected. Speak up if someone isn’t feeling comfortable in a situation, and if it’s not safe for you to step in and prevent harm, then call 911, as quickly as you can.”
As a large portion of campus are residence halls, many of the reported rapes occurred in dorms. Cornett discussed how victims often know their attacker and how it relates to dorm-life. “Especially on a college campus, the reality is that the majority of these reported cases do not involve strangers, and they’re not random attacks out in public. They often involve acquaintances, classmates, people who may be met on social media. They’re not strangers. And so while a lot of our students are living on campus, or maybe in like apartment style on campus, this is just where a lot of consensual interactions take place. This is where you’re hanging out with friends, building relationships. And so when that consensual encounter no longer has consent, that’s when the sexual assault takes place. And so it makes sense that a lot of these locations are residence halls, because that’s where students live, and they interact with others and build those relationships,” she said.
With approximately 80 to 90 percent of sexual assaults and rapes going unreported, RAINN discovered reasons why students stay silent. Allegedly, 26 percent believed that this was a “personal matter.” 20 percent of students feared retaliation, 12 percent didn’t believe it was important, 10 percent didn’t want to have the attacker get in trouble, nine percent said they didn’t feel the police would help, four percent reported their experience to someone other than the police, and 31 percent of students provided other reasons.
Cornett says IUPD is here to help the community with their experiences and there are different avenues for victims to take. She shared, “I just think one thing I would like to say is that, there are a lot of sexual assaults or rapes that go unreported. We know it’s a very hard thing for victims to report. But we do want people to know that the IU Police Department is a resource. Just because you come to us and report your assault does not mean that you have to follow through with the criminal justice process. We can simply get you the resources and the help that you need to process. So I want folks to know that we are here to help and support really after any crime.”
Whether a victim has decided to report, or not to report, a sexual assault or rape, IU has resources available to assist students. These centers include the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy, Confidential Victim Advocates, the Sexual Assault Crisis Service, IUPD, and CAPS- a counseling service.
Sally Thomas, the Director of the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy, shares what her office provides students. “We are an office on campus that kind of functions under two purposes. The first is prevention. So we do the vast majority of the sexual violence prevention, so talking about healthy relationships, communication, consent, kind of helping understand, or helping students understand, kind of how to interact with each other, and kind of interpersonal interactions that they have. And then the other side is the advocacy piece, and that is the piece that most people are more familiar with. And so we provide support to students who have been impacted, so sexual misconduct, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment, [and] hazing,” Thomas said.
As students may have varying levels of comfort when it comes to discussing this experience, Thomas explained how the office can be contacted, “We are always just a phone call away, and I know some students don’t like phones, so we also have an email that students can reach out to. And of course, if it’s an emergency and they need something immediately, we take walk-ins, they may just have to wait a little bit until someone’s available to see them.”
The Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy hosts workshops on campus. Organizations can also request tailored workshops for a specific cause.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, IU’s 24/7 immediate sexual assault crisis support can be reached at 812-855-8900. Members of the IU community can also be on the lookout for upcoming self-defense classes hosted by IUPD on campus.
Dr. Charlie NelmsOn tonight’s special edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the evening with Dr. Charlie Nelms. Dr. Gloria Howell, a frequent co-host of Bring It On!, also joins the program. Dr. Charles Nelms is here to discuss his new literary project, “Start Where You Find Yourself II: Reflections on Leadership, Purpose, Education, and Legacy.” Dr. Charles Nelms is a renowned leader in academe, a social advocate, and an uplifting writer. He is a nationally recognized leader in higher education whose life’s work has been devoted to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and advancing the transformative power of education.
Further, if you appreciate what Bring It On! does, please consider donating. More than ever, your donation matters. Our mission remains clear and urgent! We focus on issues that matter to the African American community, beginning right here in South Central Indiana. At a time when progress can feel uneven and, in some cases, fragile, the need for informed, community-centered reporting has never been greater. Our program creates space for meaningful conversations, accountability, and connection. Your support helps ensure those conversations continue!Credits:
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Today’s program was generated with help from WFHB News Department director Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 14th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, Correspondents Paige Zuckerman and Elyse Perry will be live in the studio to ask for your support during WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. More in today’s broadcast.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News features a segment from Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin.
Featured Segments:
Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “Deadlock on delay leads to 5–3 approval by Bloomington for a 360-unit residential project.” That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Up next, a federal judge ruled that IU’s expressive activity policy violates the First Amendment. WFHB News Correspondent Paige Zuckerman sits down with Dominic Coletti, the Program Officer for FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative to discuss more. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin.
Our features were produced by Paige Zuckerman and Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Emma Maher and Jim Odom.
Get Right is a fast, youth crew hardcore band from Bloomington, Indiana, influenced by bands like Righteous Jams and Youth of Today. They have released one EP titled “In Tha House” in 2026.
Youth Radio welcomed Get Right for a live performance and interview during the WFHB spring fund drive on Saturday, April 11th, at 6 PM.
Set list:
get right
played out game
headspace
small fish (covering Righteous Jams)
friendship song
get lost (covering Stop and Think)
outro
Photo by Charlie LeRayCredits:
Youth Radio Engineers: Max Harrison and Carmina Perney
WFHB Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Alex Hammel
Host: Nash Robinson
Youth Radio Director: Jessie Grubb
Post Production: Charlie Voyles and Jessie Grubb
Music by Get Right
Shawknee – vocals | Mason – Drums | Charlie – bass | Deacon – guitar | Carson – guitar
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 30, Youth Radio speaks to Han Mahabadi, an international student and MFA candidate at Indiana University. Han speaks on her interest and connection to rocks in an art space- specifically Iranian rocks.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the Eskenazi School of Art and Design on March 9th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Maiza Munn
WFHB welcomes Chillafyde to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, April 11, from 11am to noon. Join us as we experience a special downshifted performance from a talented band known for drivin’ electric grooves, as Zillafyde turns Chillafyde on Saturdays Child. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Chillafyde on Saturday’s Child, free of charge, Saturday, April 11, at 11am on WFHB.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 13th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Elena Bai joins us live in the studio with Anchor Benedict Jones in light of our Spring Fund Drive. More in today’s broadcast.
That’s Brynna Hardiman, president of the American Sign Language Club at IU. Learn how you can help deaf people feel heard later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segment:
WFHB News Anchor Benedict Jones and Correspondent Elena Bai are live in the studio to ask for your donations during our Spring Fund Drive (Photo by Kade Young).You’re listening the WFHB Local News – your daily award-winning news program, produced by volunteers, right here in Bloomington. Each weekday at 5 p.m., we bring you local government coverage, in-depth feature reports and the latest community updates.
Community radio is rare. And stations with fully independent newsrooms like ours are even rarer. But to keep WFHB Local News strong, we need your support. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to raise $600. With cuts to public media, listener support has never been more important. Your donation ensures WFHB stays on the air, free from corporate control and political influence.
Call 812-323-1200 right now, or visit wfhb.org and click the red donate button. YOU are the heartbeat of community radio. Thank you for keeping WFHB – and your community news – alive and thriving.
Up next, we rebroadcast a feature report by WFHB Correspondent Elena Bai. Bai looks at Senate Enrolled Act 76, a new law passed by the Indiana General Assembly, requiring local entities to cooperate with federal immigration detainer requests. Stay tuned, Elena will be live in the studio with anchor Benedict Jones in light of our Spring Fund Drive.
Brynna Hardiman knows firsthand what everyday life is like for deaf people. Both of Brynna’s parents are deaf, so American Sign Language was her very FIRST language. Brynna’s mom teaches ASL at the high school Brynna went to, and together they started an ASL club there. In her sophomore year at Indiana University, she took over leadership of the American Sign Language Club at IU. All students are welcome and you don’t have to know any sign language at all, although you’ll probably learn pretty quickly. Brynna invites you to the next American Sign Language Club at IU meeting on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Elena Bai.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Andrew Price through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Zoe Moczek and Elyse Perry.
By Camdyn Glover
On January 30, 2026, New York State Judge Garnett dismissed two federal charges against Luigi Mangione.
Mangione is accused of murdering United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson, on December 4, 2024. He is still on trial for this case, but the charges he faces are reduced from the original ones. His current federal charges include interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death. His current charges in New York consist of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of a forged instrument. He pleaded “not guilty” to all of the charges he faced.
The two charges dropped by Judge Garnett consisted of murder through use of a firearm and a related firearms offense. This removes the possibility of Mangione facing the death penalty. The maximum sentence that he can receive is 25 years to life in prison.
Luigi Mangione arriving for trial. Courtesy of ABC News.WFHB News interviewed people on Kirkwood Avenue for their reaction to the case and the dropped charges. One man said, “I guess I don’t understand how the system could dismiss a charge against someone who there’s video evidence of them committing the crime.” Another woman stated,“It’s upsetting to see that someone who was recorded shooting a man on the streets of New York City is not going to face the proper consequences.”
Although people are frustrated with this news as there is surveillance footage, Judge Garnett reasoned that she did not believe that it met the legal definition of “crimes of violence.” Additionally, Judge Garnett permitted the backpack Mangione was wearing at the time of his arrest to be entered as evidence for the trial. These contents included a “ghost-gun”, a 3D-printed silencer, a fake New Jersey ID, and a notebook. The notebook is reported to contain incriminating entries about his contempt for people in the healthcare insurance industry, ideas of killing a healthcare CEO at an investor conference, escape routes, and phrases about the FBI. Additionally, one of the leading factors that warranted for his initial arrest was the fake ID. By providing false identification to authorities, forgery, and the contents of his bag, there were grounds to arrest him.
Regardless of the evidence that is exposed, Mangione has continued to receive an overwhelming amount of attention. People on Kirkwood Avenue reflect on why they believe this case and this criminal has received this sort of celebrity status. One person shared, “I think the environment of social media and public opinion at odds with the facts, leads to people getting behind a movement like this. I think there might be some baked in sentiment regarding those in charge and those not in charge. Nevertheless, it doesn’t justify violence, even if that were the perceived positions.” Another pedestrian said, “Unfortunately, I think there’s a growing sentiment of kind of the haves versus have nots, or how people view CEOs or people in the business world. So I think people who are feeling left out of that circle feel that, yeah, he’s one of us, and like what he did, to take action, and he went for it, and he’s going to change the system, and everything’s going to be better now that we’ve acted you know that he’s acted that way, maybe we can in the future. But again, it’s not something to support. It’s not something to repeat.”
Luigi Mangione pictured with his lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo. Courtesy of WSJ.As the interviewees share the idea that violence is not the answer, evidence revealed that Mangione committed the crime as a “symbolic takedown.” He was protesting what he viewed as corporate greed, corruption, and the perceived injustice in the healthcare insurance industry. His more targeted disdain is towards the insurance companies. This is further supported by the findings in his notebook, where is reported to have called health care insurers “parasites.” His notebook is believed to provide insight on his rationale, but nonetheless is evidence. Other entries from Mangione include stating, “these parasites had it coming.” When writing of his plan, which included the investor conference, he called it the “Annual parasitic bean-counter convention.”
As professionals in the healthcare industry could feel threatened by such actions, Dr. Rob Stone provides insight on the possible fears that health insurance companies and healthcare professionals are experiencing due to this act of violence. He said, “Well, I have read that it has put a lot of fear in the hearts of higher administrative people and CEOs of the big insurance companies. So I haven’t gotten any sense that physicians or nurses feel threatened by this.”
Dr. Stone further explains how civilians who are displeased with the health insurance or healthcare industry can demonstrate such feelings through an example of his own.
“I don’t want to miss any opportunity to say that the way to do it is not by violence…So now we’re back around 2005 ish or so, which is around the time I got involved with actively being an activist on the question of health care reform. I bought my wife and I stock in Anthem Wellpoint so that we could go to the annual meetings and protest. And we did that for about five years, and we actually created a shareholder resolution that shareholders can present resolutions at the annual meeting, that the annual meeting then votes on whether to pursue the resolution or not. And I don’t want to get into too many details, but basically, we created a shareholder resolution that Anthem Wellpoint should convene a study committee to assess the viability that it could return to its nonprofit roots. That resolution gained about 12 percent or something. Nine percent, roughly 10 percent, of the shareholder votes at the shareholder meeting that year, which was astounding to us. We’ve done some work nationally to try to build some support for this, which was not enough to pass anywhere, because it needed to be 51 percent to pass, but it was enough that we could bring it back a second year, and it was quite embarrassing for Anthem Wellpoint, and it got written up a little bit even in the Wall Street Journal. And then by the next year, though, they were on top of it, because even though we did everything totally publicly, I think they just kind of ignored us the first time around. So anyway, the next year they crushed it, and we only got two or three percent of the vote. Then you had to get progressively higher chances to keep bringing it back every year. So it went away. But that was just an example of a kind of a creative, totally non-violent way to try to draw attention to the problems of the health insurance industry,” Stone said.
People v. Mangione is scheduled for May 18th, with USA v. Mangione scheduled for September 8th. Both are to take place in New York. Commonwealth v. Mangione will occur in Pennsylvania, and the date is still yet to be determined.
Hola Bloomington es mucho más que un programa de radio. Es un espacio hecho con cariño, en español, para nuestra comunidad latina aquí en Bloomington. Cada semana compartimos información importante sobre recursos, eventos, educación, salud, derechos, oportunidades y las historias de nuestra gente. Y eso solo es posible gracias al apoyo de personas como ustedes y al trabajo de una radio comunitaria como WFHB.
WFHB existe para servir a la comunidad, para dar voz a quienes muchas veces no la tienen en otros medios, y para crear espacios auténticos, locales y accesibles para todos. Y Hola Bloomington es parte de esa misión.
Si este programa te ha servido, si te ha acompañado, si alguna vez aprendiste algo útil aquí, si te ayudó a enterarte de un evento, de un recurso o simplemente te hizo sentir más cerca de casa… hoy te queremos invitar a apoyar esta estación. Tu donación, por pequeña o grande que sea, hace una diferencia real. Ayuda a mantener programas en español, voces comunitarias, música, noticias locales y espacios hechos por y para la comunidad.
Apoya a WFHB y ayuda a que Hola Bloomington siga creciendo y llegando a más familias. Gracias por escucharnos, por creer en este espacio y por apoyar la radio comunitaria.
- Llama para donar: 812-323-1200
- Se aceptan cheques a nombre de: WFHB Radio o Bloomington Radio Inc.
- Donaciones en línea disponibles: wfhb.org/ways-to-donate/wfhb-merch-store/
No olvides escribir “Hola Bloomington” en la sección de comentarios.
Brynna Hardiman knows firsthand what everyday life is like for deaf people. Both of Brynna’s parents are deaf, so American Sign Language was her very FIRST language. Brynna’s mom teaches ASL at the high school Brynna went to, and together they started an ASL club there. In her sophomore year at Indiana University, she took over leadership of the American Sign Language Club at IU. All students are welcome and you don’t have to know any sign language at all, although you’ll probably learn pretty quickly.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Andrew Price
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
This week, hear Carrie Albright speak with Erin Freese Post’uma about the upcoming Little Green Thumbs program, that invites our community’s youngest gardeners into a hands-on, engaging experience with nature.
Environmental ReportsIndiana Department of Environmental ManagementThis report highlights the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) recent submission to the U.S. EPA, showcasing significant advancements in the quality of the state’s rivers and streams. IDEM assessed 43,657 miles of rivers and streams through 2026, exceeding that of any other state in the U.S. Additionally, 24.49 more miles of unimpaired waterways were reported compared to 2024. Governor Mike Braun emphasized Indiana’s commitment to responsible stewardship and effective water quality reporting. Under the Clean Water Act, states must evaluate and report on water conditions biannually, with the ‘303(d) List’ spotlighting impaired waterbodies based on the state’s water quality standards.
IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods noted Indiana’s consistent efforts in assessing and restoring the state’s waterways, focusing on over 62,000 miles across the state. Indiana ranked among the top two states for waterbodies assessed for full body contact, trailing only Colorado. Main impairment causes included E. coli, biological issues, and PCBs in fish tissue, with improvements attributed to reduced pollutants and restored water quality support.
Martha Clark Mettler, IDEM’s Assistant Commissioner of Water Quality, mentioned that comprehensive monitoring practices help ensure identified issues are adequately prioritized and addressed. When waterways are deemed impaired, IDEM establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to analyze causes and develop pollution reduction measures. Notably, Indiana led the nation in documenting waterbody improvements in 2025, with 13 U.S. EPA-designated Success Stories illustrating effective local restoration efforts. For a waterbody to be classified as a Success Story, it must have previously been impaired and show measurable improvement towards water quality goals.
And now for some upcoming events:* A Migratory Bird Feeders program will take place on Saturday, April 11th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. You will learn about the unique bird species that come through our area during migration. This program will allow you to build your very own bird feeder. * The White River Forestry Committee will host a wildflower hike in Bedford, Indiana on private property with one lasting from 10:30 am to Noon and another hike lasting from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on April 11th. If you are interested contact Amanda or Stephanie at 812-279-8117, ext. 3 * A Signs of Spring Hike is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th, from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Hike with a naturalist as they show you nature waking up
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Herb CaldwellHeadlines……….Carrie AlbrightFeature Report…………………Carrie AlbrightScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak
On April 9th, WFHB welcomed Low Landers for a special Fund Drive Live session, featuring a solo performance with songwriter Jesse Beals. The stripped-down banjo set put Jesse’s voice, songwriting, and warm acoustic picking front and center, offering an intimate look at the band’s hillbilly bluegrass sound.
It was a beautiful afternoon of music and conversation — and a great reminder of what makes community-powered radio so special. Enjoy this session and DONATE to WFHB!
Host: Jim Odom
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Richard Jermain
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
A big Local Live thanks to The Mingledees — Christy Crandall and Sharla June — for joining us on April 6. They treated us to a set of finely crafted songs and standout musicianship, making for a warm and memorable session.
You can catch Sharla June performing on April 14 at Sleepers Bar as part of the Hoosier Original Music Songwriters Showcase, and keep an eye out for Christy Crandall performing again in May.
Give the session a listen and enjoy what The Mingledees brought to the room.
Host: Nicki Seven
Apprentice Host: Sheila Ames
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Richard Jermain and Frank Sanfilippo
Post Production: Jacob Lasquite
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 2nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin will be live in the studio in light of our Spring Fund Drive. More on the importance of community journalism throughout today’s broadcast.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news.
Featured Segments:
Dave Askins joined us live in the studio in light of our Spring Fund Drive to discuss the newly launched B Square Bites, his approach to local news and the importance of community radio.Up first, the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This episode originally aired on Tuesday, the first day of early voting in Monroe County. Stay tuned, Dave Askins will be live in the studio in light of our Spring Fund Drive.
Designed by Jar Turner.Now it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interview Lori Clark, the National Organizer with Physicians for a National Health Program, and Helen Bassett, a fourth year medical student from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and founder of the Students for a National Health Program chapter at her medical school. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
And now, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson who brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news. That’s coming up next on WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our sports brief was produced by Chase Dodson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Emma Maher and Claire Zeyen.
On February 27th, WFHB welcomed Sword II to the studio for a Firehouse Session! The buzzy Atlanta indie rock band stopped by ahead of their show that night at The Bishop, giving listeners a chance to hear songs from their new amazing new album “Electric Hour” up close and learn more about the band behind the sound.
Keep your eye on this band!
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle and Chris Lucas
Post Production: Greg Moore
Photos: Anna Powell Denton
Thanks to Early Grey for joining us in the Local Live Lounge on March 9. After multiple weather-related reschedules, we were especially glad to finally have them in the studio.
They brought a set of original songs, along with plenty of talent and good vibes — well worth the wait!
Give the session a listen and catch what they brought to our new room.
Host: Nicki Seven
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Richard Jermain and Frank Sanfilippo
Post Production: Jar Turner
It’s good to have goals, right? Life is full of distractions. Let’s stay focused. As WFHB launches the Spring Fund Drive calling on YOU to help us reach a crucial donation goal, our news crew dispatched dozens of reporters to canvass downtown Bloomington and the IU campus to talk about YOUR goals. Let’s hear what your friends and neighbors are trying to get done.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature segment on goals was produced by students in the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School at Indiana University.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 8th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Shane Gebhard will be live in the studio with News Director Kade Young in light of Day One of our spring fund drive.
Local voices share their most important goals. As WFHB launches the Spring Fund Drive calling on YOU to help us reach a crucial donation goal, we hit the streets to find out what YOU are trying to get done. That’s later in the show in a feature report.
Featured Segments:
IMG_1932IMG_1923IMG_1928IMG_1924IMG_1931IMG_1929On March 28th, millions of people across the country gathered for the No Kings protest, a coordinated day of demonstrations pushing back against concentrated political power. In today’s feature report, Correspondents Shane Gebhard and Emma Maher interviewed attendees and speakers from the No Kings rally on Saturday. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
It’s good to have goals, right? Life is full of distractions. Let’s stay focused. As WFHB launches the Spring Fund Drive calling on YOU to help us reach a crucial donation goal, our news crew dispatched dozens of reporters to canvass downtown Bloomington and the IU campus to talk about YOUR goals. Let’s hear what your friends and neighbors are trying to get done, in a feature segment produced by the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School at Indiana University.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature was produced by Shane Gebhard and Emma Maher.
Today’s feature segment on goals story on youth spirituality was produced by students in the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School at Indiana University.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Coco Duneman and Kade Young.
For this 108th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio, we are thrilled to feature Maya Best, a recent M.A. graduate in Sociology from Indiana University Bloomington. Maya reflects on growing up in Bloomington, and her ethnographic fieldwork as a Fulbright fellow in Tokyo, Japan. She also shares what her current higher-ed work at Carnegie Mellon University involves, where she guides students in the Dietrich College and the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics through study abroad programs, scholarships, and community-engaged learning.
Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB Bloomington Community Radio. The show asks critical questions about identity, culture, community, and belonging, centering the experiences of Asian Americans in the Midwest. This episode was produced and hosted by Suyash Kumar Neupane.
Credits:
Hearabouts Production Team: Melanie Castillo-Cullather (ACC Director),
Suyash Kumar Neupane, and Teresa Le
Host and Editor for this episode: Suyash Kumar Neupane
Intro/outro music: “Eternal Youth” by Rude
There are lots of different ways to get money, spend money, and move money around these days. Each one has its own characteristics. Some ways are more risky than others; some give you more protection against fraud. Here’s a quick overview of how you can pay your bills — and how you can get ripped off!
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 7th, 2026.
Today marks the first day of early voting in Monroe County. Stay tuned for another edition of B Square Bites in collaboration with the B Square Bulletin coming up during today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News Correspondent Camdyn Glover reports on the increase in sexual assaults on IU’s campus.
Bloomington City Council delays Hopewell South for a third time
By Camdyn Glover
Photo by Jessie Grubb.The Bloomington City Council met on April 1st and continued discussion on the Hopewell South planned unit development.
Consultant Alli Thurman explained that new regulations and property lines would cause the housing project to lose 14 homes and three accessible units.
The council deliberated on reasonable conditions such as lenders, mortgages, and permanent or temporary affordable housing.
Mayor Kerry Thomson, who has been a vocal advocate of the Hopewell South project, shifted her tone and advised the council to postpone further discussion. She suggested the council not hold a final vote if councilmembers plan to make large changes to the PUD.
“Maximize the input and ensure that we use our time allotted with the urgency that this deserves, the urgency that is felt by people wanting to find attainable housing here in our city,” said Thomson.
During public comment, local resident Steve Bishop addressed council members and inquired about their qualifications to make such a decision.
“Indiana currently leads the country in foreclosures because people can’t afford their escrow accounts. That’s taxes and insurance,” said Bishop. “So unless you plan to cap those somewhere, there is no affordability permanence for any of this.”
Nathan Ferreira, the Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, commented on the value of the project and the importance of the council acting now.
“If we push too far, we run the risk of making this project financially infeasible, or delay it to the point that it doesn’t move forward and it has to be abandoned. And I would pose the question, what happens then?” he said.
The council continued to debate on the conditions. Council Member Hopi Stosberg addressed the approach of the council.
“I do think that that we’re all kind of proceeding about this with like the best thoughts in mind for Bloomington,” said Stosberg.
The Bloomington City Council unanimously decided to further delay discussion of the Hopewell South project until their next meeting on April 22nd.
Campaign sign kerfuffle marks early voting launch at new Monroe County location
By Dave Askins(Dave Askins, April 7, 2026)Early voting for the May 5 primary elections started at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Monroe County’s one early voting location, which is the county-owned North Showers building at 9th Street and Morton Street in downtown Bloomington.
It’s a new location for early voting.
Voting itself got off to a smooth start. But a little over an hour after the polls opened, city of Bloomington officials came to the county-owned side of the Showers building to say that candidate campaign signs and directional signs could not remain in place on city-owned property just outside the building. The property is apparently a mix of city-owned property, county-owned property, and public right-of-way.
Monroe County election supervisor Kylie Farris and others interviewed by The B Square said that Bloomington corporation counsel Margie Rice had pointed to a recent court case, involving public art in the public right of way, filed against Bloomington by Turning Point USA, as the reason the city did not want signage on its property. Bloomington prevailed in that case.
When asked if she was “relying on” the Turning Point case in an emailed question from The B Square, Rice appeared to indicate there was not a crucial connection between the Turning Point lawsuit and the question of campaign signage.
She put it like this: “I do not think it is accurate to say that I am ‘relying on’ the Turning Point case; however, that case is fresh in my mind. Of course, I always want to avoid confusion or questions about non-City signs or messages on City property.” Rice added, “ When I think about signs and sign ordinances, the first case that comes to mind for me is the 2015 United States Supreme Court out of Arizona (Reed v. Town of Gilbert).”
Asked about the idea that polling places are a governmental function and the signs could be allowed as such, Rice wrote: “The signs at issue are not City signs. As I understand it the signs are candidate signs and County-issued signs; therefore, as of now, this is not a case of the City exercising a governmental function or the City speaking. It could be, in the near future, but—as of now—the City has not authorized placement of any campaign-related, directional signs on City property.”
According to Matthew Kochevar, who is co-general counsel for the Indiana Election Division, the relevant state law allows a city to bar all campaign signage or to allow all of it on its property—it just has to apply the policy evenly:
36-1-4 Placement or display of political materials on political subdivision property
Sec. 21. If a political subdivision permits or authorizes the placement or display of materials:
(1) advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or public question; or
(2) supporting or opposing a political party; on the real or personal property of the political subdivision, the political subdivision must permit the placement or display of these materials from any person on that real or personal property subject to the same time, place, and manner restrictions.
For the county government’s part, it sounds like county commissioners would be in favor of allowing all campaign signs on county property. Asked by The B Square if she would support campaign signage outside North Showers on county-owned land, commissioner Jody Madeira said: “Yes, in all-caps.”
While the issue of candidate signage looks like it might evolve a bit over the next day or two, nothing will change for voters. They will be able to cast their ballots there just like those who showed up at 8 a.m.
Before the doors opened on Tuesday, a half dozen early voters were waiting, bundled up against the 39F° temperatures.
One early voter told The B Square she generally opts to vote during the four-week early voting period, but this year she actually has to, because she’ll be out of town on Election Day.
Another woman said she’s not sure which location her precinct has been assigned for Election Day, after the old NAPA Auto Parts story building was demolished to make way for the convention center expansion. To avoid the uncertainty, she figured she would just vote early at the new early voting location at North Showers: “I thought I’d better come here because I know where this is.”
The old NAPA building served as the county’s early voting location for a few years, and also served as the voting location for several precincts on Election Day. Voters who are uncertain about their Election Day voting location can verify it on the Indiana Voter Portal.
At 8 o’clock sharp Monroe County clerk Nicole Browne opened the doors to the North Showers building and give the announcement that the polls were open: “Hear ye, hear ye, the polls are now open!”The announcement is not just for fun. It’s a requirement of state election law, which says the announcement about the start of voting must be made “in a loud tone of voice” to “the people outside the polls.”
“Hear ye, Hear ye, the polls are now open!”Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Camdyn Glover reports on the increase in sexual assaults on IU’s campus. IUPD Officer Hannah Cornett and the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy Director, Sally Thomas, share their knowledge and program services. This is coming up next on WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Zoe Moczek and Camdyn Glover, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Camdyn Glover.
Dave Askins produces B Square Bites.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Jim Odom and Shane Gebhard.
On the Monroe County Courthouse lawn in the heart of Bloomington, as protesters gathered, speakers prepared their remarks, and organizations set up their booths. By Saturday afternoon, March 28th, thousands had filled the grass with homemade signs, chants, and a steady hum of conversation as students, families, and longtime residents stood shoulder to shoulder.
As the crowd settled in, the lawn shifted into a makeshift rally space. A small stage near the courthouse steps became the focal point, where local organizers, students, and community leaders took turns at the microphone. Each speaker drew cheers and waves of applause as they talked about civic responsibility, the stakes of the moment, and the power of showing up together.
During one of these sessions, WFHB News spoke with attendee Shelby Newland, who reflected on the power of community and the importance of showing up. Newland emphasized that protests like this are not just about making a statement, but about being physically present alongside others who share similar concerns and values.
“Personally, it’s a great chance for people from different walks of life to come together, get plugged in, and figure out what it really looks like to do something. It feels nice to be together, but this is also a place where we figure out what happens next, because if we stay as complacent as we have been, we risk bringing a kind of shame and destruction across the world that doesn’t go away for generations. This feels like a breaking point. I think it’s really cool seeing so many people show up, and I hope they keep showing up,” she said.
Between speeches, the crowd erupted into chants. The calls moved quickly through the crowd as more voices joined in, creating a steady rhythm that carried from one speaker to the next.
WFHB correspondents also spoke with Bryce Greene shortly after he stepped down from the stage. Moments earlier, he had delivered his speech about what “No Kings” means and why, in his view, people must continue to fight for it.
IMG_1932IMG_1923IMG_1928IMG_1924IMG_1931IMG_1929Photos by Jessie Grubb.
“I’m here because I want to fight against fascism and this monopoly capitalism dominating our lives. I believe the way to do that is by getting people together and joining in a common struggle. What does “No Kings” mean to you? To me, it’s a direct rejection of the ruling class that governs America, the billionaires who dominate our political and economic system and the elites who try to extract as much as they can from the working class while giving nothing back. That’s the “kings” we’re talking about, and we reject it. I hope people realize that fighting fascism isn’t something you can just show up to and expect it to happen. It’s a long, sustained effort involving organizations, institutions, and individuals who are committed over the long term to joining these common struggles, understanding where the levers of power are, and acting on them,” he said.
As the protest developed, the energy across the courthouse lawn built steadily. WFHB spoke with additional attendees, each offering a different perspective on what the No Kings protest meant to them and why they felt compelled to be there.
Among these protesters, there were different personalities and beliefs, including Matt Gargiulo, a pastor who shared his view on the importance of love and faith during this time. His perspective added another layer to the diverse motivations that brought people together.
“My name is Matt Gargiulo. I want to stand with my community and stand up for people of faith, reminding them to love thy neighbor, no exceptions. Every day brings new ways we can live that out better, and I want to be part of that,” he said.
When the final speaker stepped down, people started shifting into a line to march around downtown Bloomington. The mass of people spilled onto Kirkwood Avenue, stretching from the courthouse toward the Sample Gates. Drums, megaphones, and call-and-response chants carried the group forward as storefronts opened their doors and onlookers paused to watch the procession move past.
Many younger children attended alongside their parents, some carrying their own homemade signs. WFHB spoke with Mateo, who came with his mother and joined in the day’s calls for change, reflecting how the protest drew participation across multiple generations.
When speaking to Mateo, he explained that his sign said “Peace, Love.”
For many, the No Kings protest wasn’t just a single afternoon of speeches and chants; it was a reminder of what collective action can look like in Bloomington, a reminder that political power is shaped not only in voting booths or government buildings, but in moments like these, when a community shows up for one another.
We had the chance to sit down via Zoom with John Linnell of They Might Be Giants ahead of the release of their new album The World Is to Dig, out April 24—the same day they kick off a three-night run at The Vogue in Indianapolis.
In the conversation, Linnell reflects on the band’s decades-long creative partnership, their ever-evolving songwriting process, and what it means to keep things interesting more than 40 years in. We also talk how new material comes together, and the lasting impact of their beloved kids albums—including Here Come the ABCs and Here Comes Science, and their extremely devoted fan base. We even talk about another Brooklyn band getting some buzz…Geese!
It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with one of the most distinctive voices in independent music—still curious, still inventive, and still digging. Enjoy this conversation and grab your tickets before they are gone!
Host & Producer: Abby Noroozi
Youth Radio is proud to present the 10th annual Moth Project!
The Moth Project is an event where American Studies students at The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship tell personal, true stories under the guidance of English teacher Rachel Bahr. Students started this project in February by studying stories of those who participated in the civil rights movement. Through that exploration they not only learned about the civil rights events, but also how to set up a story arc, construct their own stories, and tell them live (without notes) in front of parents, peers, and teachers.
This year’s Moth Stories were edited by WFHB’s Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries and events to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 30, Youth Radio speaks to Olaleye Baker, an artist in the BFA program at IU. We interviewed Ola at the Eskenazi School of Art on IU campus. Ola comes from a family of artists and is currently focusing on connecting her art to her hometown and culture.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the Eskenazi School of Art and Design on March 9th, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interview by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Maiza Munn
Our Firehouse Session with Wendy Eisenberg is up now! They joined us on 4/2/26 ahead of their show at The Blockhouse with Branches and Busman’s Holiday — and just a day before their self-titled album “Wendy Eisenberg” dropped via Indianapolis based label, Joyful Noise. It was a beautiful session and such a great conversation!
Coming soon to YouTube!
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chris Lucas
Post Production: Jar Turner
Photos: Anna Powell Denton
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Lori Clark, the National Organizer with Physicians for a National Health Program, and Helen Bassett, a fourth year medical student from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and founder of the Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP) chapter at her medical school. We discuss the exciting organizing that SNaHP students are doing.
Helen Bassett, medical student. Lori Clark, PNHP National Organzier
From the podcast: Karen – “What is your prescription for healthcare?” Helen – “I think right now my prescription for healthcare is just a little more compassion. I think reminding ourselves that healthcare fundamentally is connection with fellow human beings and just wanting the best for everyone. Really brings us back, I think. There’s a lot of talk about burnout and the healthcare system just completely crumbling at the seams. And, I think when we reconnect with our compassion, it really helps protect us from what we’re noticing.
“You know, the reason why I got involved in this fight as a high schooler, I saw one of my favorite teachers get diagnosed with cancer. Students and the whole school fundraised $70,000 for her cancer treatment. Obviously I’m very happy that we were able to do that, and it’s a great accomplishment, but I remember thinking the entire time just how sad it was. Not only that she’s fighting cancer, but that she had to fundraise her own money to just be able to pay for the treatment that she needed to save her own life. And so for me, fundamentally, I just really care about other people. I think if you need to go see a doctor to get cared for something, then you should be able to, regardless of your ability to pay.
“And that fundamentally just comes down to compassion. So that’s what I want to leave us with today.”
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 6th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, WFHB’s Youth Radio speaks with students and coaches of the Binford BadgerBOTs and Tri-North Middle School Robotics who placed third in the state championship. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Vicki Pierce from Community Kitchen, with a simple mission to feed hungry people. Learn more about fighting food insecurity in Bloomington later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Bloomington police policy on Flock cameras revised ahead of April 15 city council briefing
By Dave Askins
Looking south down Walnut Street at Kirkwood Avenue, a camera configuration is visible mounted on the traffic pole. The sticker on the gray box says “Flock Safety.” (Dave Askins, April 3, 2026)Before this past Tuesday’s State of the City address, given by Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson, some residents who opposed to the city’s deployment of Flock Safety cameras distributed flyers outside the Buskirk-Chumley Theater where the speech was delivered.
The cameras, with their automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), are networked with the data collected by other jurisdictions that use the devices. The information can be used by law enforcement agencies to help locate criminal suspects.
But civil liberties advocates warn that the system results in a large database chronicling the movements of ordinary residents, raising concerns about privacy, data retention, and potential misuse.
Inside the theater, during the speech, Thomson gave Flock cameras a mention: “The city is currently reviewing our contract for Flock cameras, and we’ll be presenting our findings on April 15 to the city council, based on their recent resolution.”
From the audience came some applause and shouts calling for Bloomington to end its relationship with Flock: “Cancel the contract!” Thomson continued her speech after recognizing the shouts from the crowd: “I am happy to meet with people and talk to you about your feedback. I have met with several of you.”
The council’s resolution, which was passed on March 4, calls on the mayor to give the council a public briefing on various topics related to the city’s ALPR program within six weeks of the resolution’s passage, which works out to April 15, the date mentioned in Thomson’s speech. There’s also supposed to be a written packet provided by the police department a week ahead of the public briefing. [Added April 4, 2026: Bloomington city council president Isak Asare has told The B Square that the current plan is for the administration to present its written briefing packet by April 15, and for the public briefing to take place during the city council’s April 22 meeting.]
The city’s policies related to use of ALPR have already been modified—in a way that tries to address some of the concerns that have been expressed about use of the data. In response to a records request from The B Square, the city produced the general police order on the use of ALPR systems, which was updated on March 26, 2026. The original general police order on the topic was effective July 23, 2025.
One difference in the updated policy is easy to spot—the exclusion of uses involving investigations into reproductive health and immigration issues:
B. Use of the ALPR System.
…
3. The following uses of the ALPR system are strictly prohibited:
…
c. Reproductive healthcare or immigration investigations. The ALPR system shall not be used and data shall not be shared with any agency conducting an investigation regarding an individual seeking or using reproductive health care services or an individual’s immigration status.
The previous policy included a requirement for audits of searches, but the updated policy makes explicit how frequently audits of searches are done
C. Data Storage and Retention
…
3. An audit trail of all searches is kept. The System Administrator shall perform an audit of various user accounts once every 60 days to ensure compliance with this General Order. The results of the audit shall then be provided to the Captain of Operations for review.
The upcoming briefing of the city council on April 15 comes against the backdrop of a Jan. 30 protest outside city hall, which drew a crowd of hundreds. Part of the context of the mid-April briefing also includes the city’s history of redacting parts of Flock contracts, when providing them in response to records requests, when there was no legitimate legal basis for doing so.
It is not yet clear if the April 15 briefing, which will almost certainly highlight the recent revisions in the policy, might persuade the city council to allow the Flock camera contract to stand, or if the nine elected officials will take steps to sever the city’s connection to Flock. For the council to end the contract, would likely require the council to exercise its fiscal powers—by not funding such contracts.
Early in the public conversation about Fock cameras, Bloomington city council president Isak Asare issued a written statement that included this passage:
My preference is to eliminate our relationship with this technology entirely. The strongest protection for civil liberties is not better settings or better assurances—it is restraint. You cannot misuse data that does not exist. You cannot be compelled to share what you never collected. And you cannot normalize a form of power you have chosen not to build.
[Added April 4, 2026: Bloomington city council president Isak Asare has told The B Square that the current plan is for the administration to present its written briefing packet by April 15, and for the public briefing to take place during the city council’s April 22 meeting.]
MCCSC Robotics Teams Qualifies for VEX World Championship
By Youth Radio
The Binford BadgerBOTs and Tri-North Middle School Robotics team placed 3rd in the state championship and both teams have qualified to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship.
Members and coaches of the teams spoke to Youth Radio reporters Dat Nguyen and Gloria Chi about the highlights and challenges from this season.
The team is currently raising funds to travel to the VEX World Championship which will be held on April 28th to April 30th in St. Louis, Missouri. More information about the team and their fundraiser is available here: www.btownbots.org/.
Featured Segment:
The mission of Community Kitchen is simple: feed hungry people. This Bloomington nonprofit serves meals to anyone in need, no questions asked, from two brick-and-mortar locations and a mobile food truck. Extra services address the needs of people most vulnerable to food insecurity, like homebound seniors and school-age children. Executive Director Vicki Pierce recently celebrated 22 years on the job at Community Kitchen, and she’s not done yet. Vicki is here to ask for your support for Community Kitchen on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Camdyn Glover and Dave Askins, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Youth Radio
This episode of Activate! was produced by Sean Billups through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Elyse Perry and Zoe Moczek.
Lisa Osmon has suffered the unimaginable loss of family and friends to suicide. If your life has been touched by such tragedy, or if you have ever felt like suicide is the way out, Lisa wants you to know that you are not alone. Lisa leads our local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and in Bloomington their biggest activity is the annual “Out of the Darkness” walk, happening this year on October 19 in Switchyard Park.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
In this week’s Eco Report feature, we hear part 3 of the Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.
An ambitious plastic treaty could have a positive, lasting impact on the environment and human health. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987 to phase out ozone-depleting aerosols, is a great example of what can be achieved.
The original Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, on the other hand, was not ambitious enough. It had fewer signatories and its effectiveness varied between countries. The plastics treaty is at a similar crossroads.
This treaty is a unique opportunity. It could ensure harmful additives are disclosed, new materials are proven safe before use, and upstream measures — such as reducing production and simplifying plastic chemistry — are prioritised.
A promising draft treaty, circulated in December after two years of negotiations, was revised at the end of the first week of the summit, and then cut in half midway through the second week. All items of contention had been removed.
Words such as “target”, “chemicals”, “harmful” and “phase out” were absent. Article 19 — the one addressing human health — was deleted altogether. References to public awareness disappeared from the waste-management section.
Gone are plans to globally phase out specific products such as plastic bags and straws. So is the section on sustainable production and reduction targets. There is no mention of chemicals of concern, or transparency around additives. Even basic language about improving recycling rates, banning open burning and dumping, or encouraging behaviour change has been removed.
On a positive note, the revised draft still encourages innovation and research. But without safeguards, there’s a risk efforts will simply consist of finding loopholes to dodge penalties. We’ve seen this before too: replacing one banned chemical with another unregulated, equally harmful one.
In the absence of a strong treaty — at least for now — we shouldn’t underestimate the power and influence we have as consumers. Industry does respond to public demand. Just look at what happened with plastic microbeads.
These tiny pieces of plastic were once common in personal care products such as exfoliants, body scrubs and toothpastes. But when people started to reject products containing microbeads, recognising them as a source of microplastics, manufacturers took note.
Governments also stepped in. The Netherlands was the first country to ban them, soon followed by many others. Eventually, manufacturers phased plastic microbeads out of their product lines worldwide.
That shift was largely driven by popular pressure. It’s a small win, but a telling one — a reminder that our choices can make a difference.
Did you know some of the biggest sources of microplastics are synthetic textiles and tyres? Together they contribute more than 60% of primary microplastics. Microplastics are released not just when an item is discarded and decays in the oceans, but every time it’s worn or washed.
Seemingly small actions – such as buying fewer clothes, choosing natural fibres where possible, washing less often, and walking or cycling instead of driving – can make a difference if we all act collectively.
It’s also worth looking at other sources of microplastics in our surroundings, to limit exposure. Carpets are generally made of synthetic fibres that constantly shed microplastics. Exposure is significantly higher indoors, including inside cars – another reason to walk.
Australia is not a big producer of raw polymers from fossil fuels. That may be partly why our nation is part of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution by 2040.
However, Australians consume more single-use plastic per capita than most other countries – more than 50 kilograms per person, per year.
We don’t need to wait for a treaty to start curbing plastic pollution in our own lives. If we get serious about changing our ways, manufacturers may be forced to take notice.
Are you worried about effective environmental action? In 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demand action to protect the environment for the first time. Some protested. Others built bike paths or planted trees.
Many now look back on that day — the very first Earth Day — as a pivotal moment for the modern environmental movement. Fifty-five years later, it’s again urgently necessary for people to speak up and contact their elected officials.
“The Trump administration’s unlawful power grab will take away protections for our drinking water and clean air,” according to Joanna Slaney, who leads the Environmental Defense Fund’s advocacy work. “The American people did not ask for these health protections to be taken away.”
Here are four things you can do to help protect the environment:
—Contact your member of Congress. Don’t let he onslaught of bad news wear you down. Elected leaders need to hear from you. Call them in DC – the Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121 – sign a petition or demand action by email.
–Speak Up! Are you outraged by the extreme nature of the Trump administration’s actions? That could mean attending a demonstration, visiting your Congressperson’s local office, or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. If you use social media, use your account to re-share fact-based information about clean energy and environmental protections.
–Get Involved locally. It’s critical to find local allies who can help you take action. Your political engagement matters.
–Donate regularly. Fund organizations that work to stabilize the climate and help people and nature thrive. The current administration is making it harder than ever, and reliable, ongoing support is very much needed.
Some of the most damaging droughts in recorded history have taken place over the last two years, according to a new report by the US National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
The drought events, fueled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, have led to more than 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa facing acute hunger. In Somalia, where an estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 due to drought-linked hunger, 4.4 million people faced crisis-level food insecurity in early 2025.
While the crisis is worst in Africa, other parts of the world are not spared. In the Mediterranean, water shortages negatively impacted domestic supplies, agriculture, and tourism, while the Amazon Basin saw record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 that led to mass die-offs of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands of people.
The 2023-2024 El Nino event created a perfect storm, which amplified already dire climate change impacts in areas affected by extreme warming, population pressure, and fragile infrastructure. As with all crises, the most vulnerable people, in particular women and children, faced the worst impacts, such as acute malnutrition and more forced child marriages due to families seeking dowries to survive.
In this week’s Eco Report feature, we hear part 3 of the Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.
- Learn about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, October 11th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join NPR’s “Moment of Science” radio personality Don Glass for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
- The Big Sit is taking place at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 12th, from 7 am to 7 pm. Test your ID skills at the annual Big Sit, which is a semi-competitive, international birding event that started in 1992. The challenge is to see how many birds you can identify in one day sitting in a 17 foot diameter circle. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.in.gov.
- Take a Fall Colors Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Wednesday, October 15th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. A naturalist will share fun facts about Fall and the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Do a Leaf Rubbing at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, October 16th, from 2 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn how to identify native trees and make creative art with them.
- Enjoy a Haunted Village at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 18th, from 3:30 to 7:30 pm. A Costume Parade will take place at 3:30 pm at the campground and the Haunted Village opens at 7:30 pm.
Credits:
On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines…………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………..Environmental Defense Fund
Headlines………………….Population Connection
Feature Report………………………… Max Jancich
Feature Report…………………….. Ashton Harper
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
La Salsoteca Orquesta is a vibrant ensemble specializing in salsa and other Latin music, based in Bloomington, IN. The orchestra is led by pianist Sergio Ospina Romero. Enjoy a fantastic jam session with La Salsoteca, where they offer a fresh interpretation of classic salsa music.
Minka Wiltz will be telling a story this coming Saturday at The Hundredth Hill’s Tale Blazing fireside storytelling event. Sponsored by MDWST Fable, Tale Blazing will feature five creative raconteurs moving around campfires for an evening of woodsy community and Fall frolic. Wiltz, originally from Georgia, has experience as an opera singer, a composer, an actor, a standup comedian, and so much more.
Hosts Michael Glab and Tristra Newyear chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 9th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with documentary filmmakers Bob Arnove and Jack Comforty about their film Freedoms Under Assault which will screen at the Buskirk Chumley Theater this Sunday at 2 p.m. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
Featured Segments:
Freedoms Under Assault is a documentary that chronicles the systematic destruction of a world-class university and the politically motivated culture war against its faculty over a two-year period. WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner interviewed Directors and Producers Robert Arnove and Jack Comforty about their process in making the film and free speech issues at Indiana University in recent years. Freedoms Under Assault will screen at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 12th at the Buskirk Chumley Theater. We turn now to Katrine Bruner for a snippet of that interview. To listen to the full interview, tap this link.
In today’s feature report, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, we interviewed Dr Ed Weisbart from St Louis, a frequent guest on the program. On his last few visits he has discussed Medicare, but today’s focus is on Medicaid and the hundreds of millions of dollars Indiana could save if we de-privatized our state Medicaid program, that is, eliminating the private companies that are middlemen. There is an opportunity to realize huge savings through avoiding excessive administrative costs and profit, improve access to healthcare, make Hoosiers healthier, and salvage our embattled Medicaid program. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Up next – WFHB Sports Correspondent Nate Rushemeza brings you this week’s “Sports News Briefing” providing a weekly rundown on all things sports. We turn now to that segment on the local news.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Prescription for Healthcare was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Nate Rushemeza produced today’s Sports News Briefing.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Freedoms Under Assault is a documentary that chronicles the systematic destruction of a world-class university and the politically motivated culture war against its faculty over a two-year period. WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner interviewed Directors and Producers Robert Arnove and Jack Comforty about their process in making the film and free speech issues at Indiana University in recent years. Freedoms Under Assault will screen at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 12th at the Buskirk Chumley Theater.
Youth Radio conducted interviews during the 2025 Lotus World Music and Arts Festival in downtown Bloomington between September 25th and 28th.
Youth Radio reporters spent the weekend interviewing performers, volunteers, and festivalgoers about their experience.
ZabaZaba features Svetla Vladeva & Tomás Lozano on Bayan Accordion & Hurdy Gurdy.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-Zaba-Interview.mp3 Yeison LanderoYeison Landero grew up immersed in the music and dance tradition of cumbia in San Jacinto, on the Atlantic coast of his native Colombia.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-Yeison-Landero-Interview.mp3 The Holiday PlaygirlsThe Holiday Playgirls, anchored by Acadiana natives Juliane Mahoney and Renée Reed, interpret the canon of Louisiana French music with their own sincere reverence and air of celebration.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-The-Holiday-Playgirls-Interview.mp3 La Salsoteca
La Salsoteca is a powerhouse of salsa and other Afro-Latin dance musics, led by pianist and composer Sergio Ospina Romero, and based in Bloomington, Indiana.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-La-Salsoteca-Interview.mp3Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat BandSerge Massama Dogo’s music reflects his passion for the history, culture, and “terroir” of Togo.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-Dogo-tu-Togo-Interview.mp3Dan Kusaya & the Chimurenga InspirationDan Kusaya & The Chimurenga Inspiration is a band rooted in the traditional sounds of Zimbabwe, weaving the timeless spirit of the mbira into powerful modern arrangements.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-Dan-Kusaya-Interview.mp3CéciliaCécilia brings fresh spirit to Quebecois and Celtic traditions that have been part of Canadian music for generations.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Lotus-2025-Cecilia-Interview.mp3Credits:
Interviews were conducted by Brynn Stewart, Coco Duneman, Clare Regan, Ben Jaffe, Lena Swayze and Katrine BrunerAudio editing by WFHB Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 8th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Bloomington police arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with a recent murder at the intersection of West Howe Street and Morton Street. More in today’s headlines:
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Don’t Drop Till You Shop” on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Bloomington Police Charge 26-Year-Old for Recent Murder
The Bloomington Bloomington Police Department arrested Stephen Dixon II, a 26-year-old man, for the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man following a dispute. The shooting occurred at the intersection of West Howe Street and Morton Street on September 26th.
The victim was a 29-year-old man named Shawn Sullivan. The police report described him as transient, and said that he died from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
According to the police report, witnesses said Sullivan threw a bicycle at a dark colored car, in response to the car speeding past them. A man, now presumed to be Dixon, exited the car and shot Sullivan.
Officers say Dixon was arrested and taken into custody without incident. He was found with a loaded 9 mm handgun. Kaila Simms, a 30-year-old was also arrested and listed as an accomplice.
Mayor Kerry Thomson says that the suspect has been booked into the Monroe County Jail and is facing several felony charges. The mayor took to her social media to address the recent arrest.
Charges for Dixon include murder, unlawful carrying of a handgun and criminal recklessness. Charges brought against Simms include neglect of a dependent.
Surveillance footage linked a dark-colored Volkswagen Passat to both the homicide and an earlier shooting that took place on September 22nd.
Police say that tips from the public led to the arrest of Dixon and Simms. It’s important to note that the charges are accusations and both suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
Ellettsville Plan Commission Approves Voluntary Annexation Request
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Plan Commission met on October 2nd. The commission heard a petition for voluntary annexation of three parcels of land. Town Planner Denise Line presented the annexation case on behalf of petitioners Michael and Megan Ripley.
Plan Commissioner David Drake clarified that this is for annexing the property from the county into the town limits.
Community Member Jim Perry asked for clarification on the zoning designation. Line responded saying that Monroe County and the Town of Ellettsville classify zoning terms differently.
Local Resident Richard Dillman asked about who will maintain McNeely Street, the town’s plans for future annexation and how this would impact the tax rate for the property.
The plan commission approved the voluntary annexation by a unanimous vote. The next meeting of the Ellettsville Plan Commission will take place on November 6th.
Monroe County Commissioners Approve Environmental Contracts, Convention Center Agreement
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Commissioners met on Thursday October 2nd . The meeting started with department updates, including information that COVID-19 is currently trending down locally. Dr. John Baeten spoke to the commissioners about the Indiana Geographic Information Sowing Enriched and Enhanced Data Sets Grant.
Baeten has been awarded the funds for the grant already and received approval from the commissioners unanimously. Commissioner Jody Madeira moved to approve the Convention Center Management Agreement.
The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.
The board then heard two agreements with VET Environmental Engineering. The first agenda item included a dehumidifier installation and long-term stewardship plan at the County Justice Building. The total amount of the contract was for $44,067.65.
Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie presented the contract, explaining that this was in response to mold contamination at the building.
The commissioners approved the contract by a unanimous vote.
The second agreement with VET Environmental Engineering included ongoing mold inspection, targeted remediation and sampling. The contract was for about $135,000 dollars per year.
The Commissioners approved the contract unanimously.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, October 9th .
Feature Report:
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStarUp next, we feature an interview with Andrew King of RecycleForce. In this feature report, you’ll hear more from Andrew and our team in a broader story piece about recycling and misconceptions surrounding it. For more, we turn to Environmental Correspondents Max Jancich and Ashton Harper. This is Part I of an ongoing interview series originally broadcast on our environmental public affairs show, Eco Report, which airs each Friday at 5 p.m.
Now it’s time for “Don’t Drop Till You Shop” on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Luke Janke and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ashton Harper and Max Jancich.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We all shop online these days, don’t we? And we’re going to do a lot of shopping during the Holiday season. But e-commerce is one of the biggest categories of complaints about scams and swindles. Here’s a personal story about how I ran into a very convincing fraud — and avoided being ripped off six ways from Sunday by a nasty bunch of swindlers. To stay safe when you shop online, you have to be aware and Beware!
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Mayor Thomson addressed the housing affordability crisis during a town hall yesterday that took place at Jackson Creek Middle School. More at the top of today’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Mayor Thomson Addresses Housing Affordability Crisis At Town Hall
On Monday, Mayor Kerry Thomson spoke with community members for a Traveling Town Hall at Jackson Creek Middle School.
The forum focused mainly on housing, a top priority of Thomson’s administration since she took office. The mayor outlined the city’s ongoing efforts to address the housing affordability crisis in addition to describing her long-term vision for the future of housing in the city.
Mayor Thomson began with discussing the city’s response to homelessness, saying they hope to tackle the root causes, such as affordable housing and a lack of mental health treatment. She said if there’s any city that could address homelessness – Bloomington would be the place.
“While this is not unique to Bloomington, I am firm in my belief that if there is any city in this country that can solve homelessness, it is Bloomington, Indiana,” said Thomson. “In a city as innovative and compassionate as Bloomington is that we really have an opportunity to create solutions that others have not tried.”
According to multiple data sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey, Monroe County has the highest rate of cost-burden in Indiana. Housing cost-burden means that a household is spending more than 30 percent of its total income on housing costs.
Bloomington’s 2020 Housing Survey says that over 60 percent of renters and nearly 30 percent of homeowners in the city are cost-burdened.
During the town hall, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development Anna Killion-Hanson outlined the city’s housing ecosystem. She says the demand for housing has outpaced our growth of housing development.
“Unfortunately, right now, Bloomington is the most housing cost burden metro area in the state, high cost, low wage,” said Killion-Hanson.
Killion-Hanson explained the city’s focus on revising the Unified Development Ordinance, adding affordable housing units in the Hopewell neighborhood and implementing multifaceted strategies to promote diverse, attainable housing.
“We need to make it easier to build more types of housing in more places for more people, without compromising the unique neighborhood character,” she said.”
The mayor says the city needs to rethink the geography of the housing market. She described her vision for the future of College Mall and the East Side of the city. Thomson hopes to redevelop the East Side into a mixed-use area for housing.
“I’ll tell you one of my ultimate visions for Bloomington is that we stop thinking in this way if we only have one downtown,” said Thomson. “So my ultimate vision for College Mall would be that it becomes vibrant again.”
Thomson closed the hour-long session by inviting residents to share input on housing initiatives through the city’s website and future town halls. The city will host a presentation on the Hopewell redevelopment at 3:30 p.m. on October 20th at City Hall.
Monroe County Election Board Discusses Early Voting Site and Polling Accessibility
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Election Board met on Thursday, October 2nd. The meeting began with a brief citizenship update, followed by Election Supervisor Kylie Farris speaking on the voter list maintenance in Monroe County.
She followed by addressing concerns regarding the new early voting location.
They discussed having a backup location in case construction is not finished in time for early voting. Fleet and Facilities Director, Richard Crider, will be invited to the next Election Board meeting to help the board further discuss the facility opportunities. She then shared that she created a list of the elected officials that members of the public can easily access.
The Election Board then discussed creating an easily accessible map of the districts for citizens. Clerk Nicole Browne briefly touched on a concern that there will be redistricting ahead 2026.
Clerk Browne also continued the conversation about how to make polling more accessible in Monroe County.
Special Projects Coordinator, Michael Shermis from the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility answered questions regarding this, as he was the one that presented the new program demo to the board.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on November 6th.
Featured Segments:
The folks at Stages Bloomington take the old movie line, “Hey kids, let’s put on a show,” seriously. Stages is a local nonprofit that specializes in bringing young people – elementary and high school aged – into the theater. Annalise Cain has been hired as the organization’s teen programming coordinator. Cain, a former theater kid herself, works hand-in-hand with teens to develop and refine theatrical productions. Last weekend, stages presented a new musical workshop presentation, “Nevere’s Love Potion.” In today’s feature report, we feature an excerpt from our public affairs program, Big Talk, with host Michael Glab speaking with Annalise Cain. The full interview can be found on our website at wfhb.org.
Up next – we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Catherine Terwilliger and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced today’s edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 10 Coco and Sara speak to IU Studio Art major Camille about her favorite materials, personal artistic process, and more.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Art Center on September 5th, 2025 during Gallery Walk in Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Sara Buehler and Coco Duneman
Edited by Coco Duneman
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 6th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Bloomington police arrested a third person in connection with the recent attack outside Upstairs Pub on a man experiencing homelessness.
You’ll also hear from Mena Morcos from IU Dance Marathon, kicking off their 2025 fundraising for Riley Children’s Hospital this Thursday on the Bloomington campus. We’ll have the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Third Arrest Made in Recent Altercation Outside Upstairs Pub
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: Bobby, a 60-year-old unhoused man, lost three teeth after being punched and kicked by a group of masked men on Kirkwood Avenue near the Upstairs Pub. A video of the assault was posted to Reddit and widely shared on social media. Bobby, who has lived unhoused in Bloomington for more than a decade, told The Bloomingtonian he forgives his attackers despite his injuries. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)A third arrest was made in the recent attack on 60-year-old Robert Ballard outside of Upstairs Pub. Bloomington police arrested a 16-year-old in connection to the assault.
According to Bloomingtonian reporting, two men were previously taken into custody. “Avery Williams, 25, of Bloomington, and Khalil Morris, 21, of Bloomington. After interviews, both men were arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.”
Last week, WFHB News featured an interview with the man known as “Bobby” who was assaulted. The interview comes from the Bloomingtonian. Bobby described what happened.
Following the incident, we interviewed Rev. Forest Gilmore, executive director of the anti-poverty organization Beacon Inc. Gilmore described the incident as “horrifying.” Gilmore says he believes that violence inflicted on the unhoused community relates to dehumanizing and harmful rhetoric surrounding homelessness.
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.Rev. Gilmore says that at the end of the day – the way to push back against this kind of hate-filled rhetoric is to treat people with humanity. Also, he said we need to create a system to care and support people experiencing homelessness.
Police have still not made an arrest related to a murder that happened on the same night at near the intersection of West Howe and South Morton.
Bloomington City Council Postpones Vote on Stadium District Boundaries, Addresses Recent Violence
The Bloomington City Council met on Tuesday, September 30th. The meeting began with council Member Kate Rosenbarger expressing grief for the recent attacks in Bloomington, including the murder of Shawn Sullivan and the assault of Robert Ballard.
Rosenbarger stated that there is a Go Fund Me for both parties that can be found on the Bloomingtonian website.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith also commented on the violence this weekend, stating that this is a nation-wide issue that should be examined thoroughly.
Next, Piedmont-Smith introduced reports from the special fiscal committee which discussed the setting of salaries for elected officials for 2026.
Council Member Courtney daily responded to the discussion saying she did not agree with increasing salaries, especially right now.
Council Member Rosenbarger expressed her wish to discuss the matter when all members are present.
Bloomington Resident Kevin Keel suggested that perhaps the council could look to the median household income for ideas on paying elected officials.
Next, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development for the city, Jane Kupersmith introduced the resolution 2025 dash 18 which would establish the geographic area surrounding Miller-Showers Park and the Indiana University Memorial Stadium as the Stadium District.
Kupersmith spoke on the issue, describing the benefits they hope it would have on local businesses in the designated area.
Council Member Rosenbarg raised the question of the name for the district, and whether the Maple Heights neighborhood needs to be included in the map.
Kupersmith stated that the Maple Heights neighborhood was not consulted, because the plan was not seen as being “harmful” for residents in the designated area.
Resident of Maple Heights neighborhood, Sarah Alexander objected to the plan, stating that it would only encourage more short-term residents to the area.
Council Member Stosberg agreed it would be in the best interest to change the map to not include Maple Heights, and recommended they postpone the consideration of the name change until the next regular session. The motion was approved.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on October 6th to discuss the city’s 2026 budget.
Featured Segments:
Indiana University Dance Marathon is one of the biggest student philanthropy events in the United States, raising more than 56 million dollars for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. For Mena Morcos it’s personal – he has family who have been treated at Riley. Mena did Dance Marathon all four years of high school, and now he’s on the leadership team as a student at I-U. 2025 fundraising launches this Thursday with the annual “Day of Hope” event, then the actual Dance Marathon runs November Seventh through the Ninth. Mena has all the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Photo Courtesy of IU Athletics.Up next, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson attended the season opener for the IU Fall Softball league. Dodson spoke with parents and fans in the crowd about their expectations for this year’s team. We turn now to that report on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katrine Bruner, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Claire Keefer through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Dale BottingIn this edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dale Botting. He is a former Canadian Deputy Minister, the founding CEO of Enterprise and Innovation Saskatchewan, and the current head of Botting Leadership Inc. Through his business coaching services, he has served hundreds of organizations and executives across North America in Small Business, Industry, Indigenous, Non-Profit, and University communities.
Within business coaching, he is well-respected. Dale was recognized by his peers as the Business Coach of the Year for all of Western North America in 2016 and was the first inductee into the Canadian Business Coaches Hall of Fame in 2022. He has degrees and academic awards in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Geography, and Education. Tnus, he is a man who profoundly understands both science and business. He spends the hour with Bring It On! to discuss the current state of U.S. and Canada relations.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker
Indiana University Dance Marathon is one of the biggest student philanthropy events in the United States, raising more than $56 million for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. For Mena Morcos it’s personal – he has family who have been treated at Riley. Mena did Dance Marathon all four years of high school, and now he’s on the leadership team as a student at IU.
2025 fundraising launches October 9 with the annual “Day of Hope” event, then the actual Dance Marathon runs November 7-9
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Claire Keefer
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk to Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.
The Trump administration just made a surprising decision to keep one of the Biden era’s strongest environmental rules intact. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the Superfund designation requiring polluters to pay for cleaning up toxic PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” will continue to be enforced.
The rule designates two specific PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, meaning the companies that created PFAS contamination can be held legally responsible for cleaning it up, with price points into the billions. The decision keeps the burden of cleaning up this industrial pollution on the companies that created it, rather than taxpayers.
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally and can accumulate in human bodies over decades. These chemicals have contaminated drinking water across the country, affecting millions of Americans. They’ve been linked to cancer, liver damage, and other dangerous health problems.
What makes this decision particularly notable is the contrast with the Trump administration’s broader approach to environmental regulation. This same EPA has delayed enforcement of drinking water limits and rescinded limits on other types of forever chemicals. The administration has also pulled back on other PFAS protections, such as withdrawing a proposed rule that would have limited PFAS in industrial wastewater discharges.
This decision to defend the Superfund designations stands in stark contrast to the administration’s broader deregulation agenda. But the practical effect is significant: this Superfund program addresses more than 800 hazardous substances and promotes safer industrial practices that secure protections for communities.
The environment had a major win last Monday, as Google abruptly withdrew its billion-dollar data center proposal for Franklin Township. This dramatic announcement happened just minutes before the Indianapolis City-County Council was scheduled to vote on the project. Since the 460-acre project was first proposed, residents have been raising concerns about the air pollution, noise, and higher electricity bills that would come from this massive facility.
This development would mean losing productive agricultural land forever, along with the natural habitat and carbon storage that farmland provides, and committing this community to an enterprise with known harmful effects.
But instead of simply sitting in worry, residents took action, attending public meetings and talking with representatives. By the time of the vote, seventeen city-county councilmembers had already publicly stated they would vote no to the rezoning. Rather than lose the vote publicly, Google pulled the plug on the entire proposal.
The lesson here is powerful: when communities unite against projects that threaten land, air quality, biodiversity, and local resources, they can win even against tech giants with billion-dollar budgets. When communities organize, their voices become impossible to ignore.
Tis the season for climate conversations! Leaders from around the world have been coming together to discuss climate strategies—From Climate Week NYC which kicked off recently, to the United Nations General Assembly on last Tuesday, to the UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP30, which takes place in Brazil this November.
Climate Week NYC successfully hosted over 1,000 events for climate stakeholders, including state and local community leaders, mayors, governors (not Indiana’s Mike Braun, however), corporate executives, and environmental advocates from around the world.
Although the U.S. has stepped back from federal climate action, the global perspective remains strong. Climate Week’s organizer Climate Group’s CEO Helen Clarkson notes that “the rest of the world is moving at this incredibly rapid pace, largely driven by China.” China’s manufacturing of renewable energy equipment and electric vehicles is driving down prices globally, leading other nations to move quickly to keep up with this clean technology development.
In a forceful speech at the U.N. General Assembly, Trump continued to spread misinformation and denial of the United States’s role in climate change. Despite this resistance, over 100 countries have come together in the past week to discuss solutions. Some of these nations are ravaged by hurricanes, droughts, famine, and disease, and the impact of climate change is visible in daily life.
Last Wednesday, U.N. member countries openly committed to their climate action plans. Major emitters divulged economy-wide targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and continue to push for further decarbonization. Other countries reiterated their commitment to renewable energy, preventing deforestation, and lowering methane emissions. This unified announcement of planet-centric changes signals a collaborative shift in global climate action. These talks are expected to continue at UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, in November.
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk to Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.
- There will be a “Be a Forester” Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, October 4th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter to learn how foresters are scientists that collect data about trees and their ecosystems.
- A Weed Wrangle is scheduled for McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, October 4th, from 10 am to Noon. Join the Sweet Owen Woodland Network at the Deer Run Shelter to fight invasive species at the Peden Farm site.
- Take a Hunter Moon Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, October 6th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. Learn the history and folklore about the glowing orange hunter moon. Sign up at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- Enjoy an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip at the Cartop State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, October 8th, beginning at 9 am. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake while paddling through backwaters, wetlands, and bays. Sign up by emailing jvance@dnr.in.gov.
- The Big Sit is taking place at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 12th, from 7 am to 7 pm. Test your ID skills at the annual Big Sit, which is a semi-competitive, international birding event that started in 1992. The challenge is to see how many birds you can identify in one day sitting in a 17 foot diameter circle. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.in.gov.
Credits:
On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines…………………………….Carrie Albright
Feature Report………………………… Max Jancich
Feature Report…………………….. Ashton Harper
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr Ed Weisbart from St Louis, a frequent guest on the program. On his last few visits he has discussed Medicare, but today’s focus is on Medicaid and the hundreds of millions of dollars Indiana could save if we de-privatized our state Medicaid program, that is, eliminating the private companies that are middlemen. There is an opportunity to realize huge savings through avoided excessive administrative costs and profit, improve access to healthcare, make Hoosiers healthier, and salvage our embattled Medicaid program.
From the podcast: “For Indiana, we estimate anywhere from a 10 to 17% reduction in the Medicaid managed care budget. That means you could expect to save $200 to $340 million a year, and the savings start happening fairly quickly when a state decides to do this. And by the way, as physicians, we are here to tell you with complete confidence that you will be improving the health of people on your Medicaid program.”
Read more about the PNHP study Save Indiana Medicaid by Removing the Middlemen (insurance companies)
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
After decades of neglect, Martin Sostre is finally receiving his due as a pioneer of prisoner organizing and Black anarchism. Garrett Felber’s powerful biography, A Continuous Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Martin Sostre, excavates his many contributions as well as the work of his support committee in the successful Free Martin Sostre movement. This week, Kite Line spoke with Garrett about his work on Sostre and its connections to the struggles continuing to our present day.
We’re under a microscope, under scrutiny, and under stochastic terroristic attack by our own Government. It’s nothing new, but what do we do? Join Alyssa and Mel in a discussion and let’s hear from you what you think or what you’re doing.
email: bloomingout@wfhb.org
text: 812-671-0119
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingQUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Blooming QUI is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
• Credits:
Kade Young – Producer
Alyssa Grey – Co-Host, Audio Engineer
Melanie Davis – Producer, Co-Host
–
Last Thursday, WFHB News Correspondent Luke Janke took to the streets of Bloomington to ask community members about their thoughts on free speech. These questions come in the aftermath of Jimmy Kimmel being taken off the air, IU being voted the worst public college for free speech and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Last week, WFHB News interviewed local residents in the streets of Bloomington about their reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Residents expressed a range of perspectives from frustration over disproportionate media coverage to calls for civility, unity and stronger gun control. WFHB News Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger brings us their voices.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondents Luke Janke and Catherine Terwilliger took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about free speech issues and the assasination of Charlie Kirk. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing.
Featured Segments:
Photo courtesy of FIRE.WFHB News Correspondent Luke Janke speaks with community members about their thoughts on free speech. Then, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, WFHB News Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger took to the streets of Bloomington to gather community reactions to the news.
Our fall news interns, Luke Janke and Catherine Terwilliger, joined last week’s live airing of BloomingOUT where they discussed what they learned from their first field reporting experience. We turn now to a portion of that discussion with BloomingOUT hosts Melanie Davis and Justin Robertson and local news interns Janke and Terwilliger on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for your sports news briefing with WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson. That’s coming up next on the local news.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Luke Janke and Catherine Terwilliger.
BloomingOUT is produced by Melanie Davis.
Chase Dodson produced today’s Sports News Briefing.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She wondered, Why couldn’t the visual artists of Bloomington, in all their different genres, get together for a community-building exercise? So, Babette Ballinger founded the Bloomington Paint Out. Artists of any level of proficiency, from professionals to wannabes, will gather Saturday at Bryan Park for the fourth annual celebration of en plein-air painting, drawing, watercoloring, and any other medium to create images of the town. Ballinger was a successful apparel designer, now retired, and is a member of several local artists’ groups.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
In May of this year, Indiana University closed its office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, citing the need to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger speaks with Political Strategist Dana Black about the implications of IU ending its DEI program and what this means for the future of the university. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
The IU softball fallball season started off this weekend. WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson attended the first game Saturday and talked to some fans and parents what they think about the upcoming season.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 1st, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger speaks with Political Strategist Dana Black about Indiana University’s dismantling of its DEI program. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Tap Dancing” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Featured Segments:
Photo by Jar Turner.At around 3:00 p.m. today, a fire broke out at First Christian Church at 205 East Kirkwood Avenue. WFHB News spoke with Interim Director of Outreach at the Church Caleb Hoagland. He explained that a fire alarm was triggered during a meeting due to a burning smell and a contractor yelling “fire.” Hoagland says he hopes there is minimal damage to the church. He offered his thanks to the Bloomington Fire Department for quickly putting out the fire. According to Hoagland, the fire department arrived quickly and extinguished the fire within minutes. Everyone evacuated safely. This is a breaking story. More details to come.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: Bobby, a 60-year-old unhoused man, lost three teeth after being punched and kicked by a group of masked men on Kirkwood Avenue near the Upstairs Pub. A video of the assault was posted to Reddit and widely shared on social media. Bobby, who has lived unhoused in Bloomington for more than a decade, told The Bloomingtonian he forgives his attackers despite his injuries. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)On Friday night, a 60-year-old man known as “Bobby” was assaulted near the Upstairs Pub. He was reportedly punched, knocked down, and kicked – losing several teeth. Local journalist Jeremy Hogan interviewed Bobby near the scene where he was assaulted. We turn to that interview from the Bloomingtonian on the WFHB Local News. That interview came from the Bloomingtonian. You can find further coverage on their website at bloomingtonian.com.
According to Jeremy Hogan’s reporting, two men have been arrested, “Avery Williams, 25, of Bloomington, and Khalil Morris, 21, of Bloomington. After interviews, both men were arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.”
In May of this year, Indiana University closed its office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, citing the need to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger speaks with Political Strategist Dana Black about the implications of IU ending its DEI program and what this means for the future of the university. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Photo: Antony Quintero/AFP/Getty ImagesUp next, WFHB Prison Affairs Correspondent Zoe Moczek reports on international prison news. In her report, Moczek looks into riots at two Ecuadorian prisons which left 31 people dead. We turn now to that report on the local news.
Now it’s time for “Tap Dancing” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Catherine Terwilliger.
Today’s interview comes from Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.
Today’s headline was produced by Zoe Moczek.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Today your phone, your credit cards and your debit card can transfer information — and money! — by using a radio signal. All you have to do is tap your card or your phone, no need to insert a card or swipe it. This is called Near Field Communication. The signal is very weak — it only goes about 4 centimeters — but scammers have found ways to tap into it and grab your personal info. They can even steal money from your bank account or charge your credit cards! Here’s a quick look at the situation, and some basic ways to protect yourself.
By Zoe Moczek
Riots at two separate prisons in Ecuador have left at least 31 people dead.
On September 25th, violence broke out at a prison in the city of Esmeraldas, with reports showing that at least 17 people were killed. This comes only three days after a prison riot in the city of Machala resulted in the deaths of 13 prisoners and a guard. Officials have stated that these acts of violence were due to conflict between organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking.
Colonel William Calle, a police commander who responded to the incident in Machala, was quoted in an article by CNN stating, “You know there’s gang conflict in this prison. Two cell blocks are controlled by an organized crime group, and that’s where these murders are occurring.”
Ecuador’s prisons are highly dangerous, with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reporting over 590 deaths due to prison violence between January 2020 and December 2024. Additional factors that have contributed to poor conditions include overcrowding, insufficient staffing, and inadequate medical care.
In January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” in Ecuador in response to a period of widespread violence, which officially classified 22 gangs as terrorist organizations and enabled the military to assume control of prisons. Although this act was followed by a temporary decrease in homicides, it also led to increased allegations of human rights abuses by the military, according to an article by Human Rights Watch.
A press release by the UN Committee against Torture from July 2024 detailed concern over the management of Ecuador’s prison system and urged the government to, “redouble its efforts to implement a comprehensive plan to address the prison crisis and its systemic causes with a human rights approach.”
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/25/americas/ecuador-esmeraldas-prison-clash-intl-latam
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gkwdzld23o
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prison-clashes-ecuador-deaths-inmates-escape/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ecuador-prison-riot-deaths-2nd-massacre-days/
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/22/ecuador-unchecked-abuses-armed-conflict-announcement
https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/jsForm/?File=/en/iachr/media_center/preleases/2025/012.asp&utm_content=country-ecu&utm_term=class-mon
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/un-committee-against-torture-publishes-findings-cote-divoire-ecuador
Bloomington singer-songwriter Jon Manners joined us in the studio on July 7th for a heartfelt and engaging Local Live session.
Hosted by Nicki Seven, the session featured an intimate conversation with Jon about his music, songwriting process, and the inspiration behind his work. They also talked about his upcoming performance at Juniper Art Gallery, giving listeners a glimpse of what’s next for this talented local artist. Jon’s set on Local Live showcased his thoughtful lyricism and warm delivery — a reminder of the rich music community we’re lucky to have here in Bloomington.
✨ Enjoy this session and support your local musicians!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel & Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB interviewed attendees of this year’s Lotus Festival over the weekend. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Featured Segments:
In today’s feature report, WFHB’s Youth Radio and News Department attended the 32nd annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival over the weekend. They interview attendees, asking them about their experiences with Lotus past and present. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Photo courtesy of IU Athletics.Up next, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson attended the season opener for the IU Fall Softball league. Dodson spoke with parents and fans in the crowd about their expectations for this year’s team. We turn now to that report on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment is coming your way on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Clare Regan, Brynn Stewart, Lena Swayze, Katrine Bruner, Ben Jaffe, Coco Duneman, Jessie Grubb
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 9 Coco and Sara speak to local Artist Ben Pines about his experiences and processes while in his painting display.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Art Center on September 5th, 2025 during Gallery Walk in Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Sara Buehler and Coco Duneman
Edited by Coco Duneman
On Friday night, two violent incidents took place in Bloomington targeting people experiencing homelessness. Police say a 29-year-old man was shot and killed near West Howe and South Morton. Later that same night, a 60-year-old man known as “Bobby” was assaulted near the Upstairs Pub. He was reportedly punched, knocked down, and kicked – losing several teeth. Earlier today, WFHB News spoke with Reverend Forrest Gilmore, executive director of the local antipoverty organization Beacon Inc., who said that people experiencing homelessness face an increased risk of violence. Gilmore emphasized the need to combat hate speech and improve support systems for the unhoused. He also criticized the tendency to blame victims and called for systemic changes to prevent further violence.
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.
On Friday night in Bloomington, two violent incidents occurred involving people experiencing homelessness. A 29-year-old man was shot and killed near South Morton Street right off the B-line, and a 60-year-old man was assaulted outside the Upstairs Pub. Both cases remain under investigation. In today’s feature report, we spoke with Rev. Forrest Gilmore, executive director of the local antipoverty organization Beacon Inc., who said that people experiencing homelessness face an increased risk of violence. Gilmore emphasized the need to combat hate speech and improve support systems for the unhoused. He also criticized the tendency to blame victims and called for systemic changes to prevent further violence. Then, WFHB News went downtown to gather the community’s perspective on the incidents over the weekend. We spoke with a group of people experiencing homelessness at Peoples Park. All that and more in today’s feature report.
Helpful Links:
City of Bloomington’s Homelessness Resources
Bloomingtonian Coverage of Upstairs Pub Incident
Bloomingtonian Coverage of Shooting
GoFundMe campaign for “Bobby”
Credits:
Produced by Kade Young, Jessie Grubb, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 29th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, two violent incidents occurred involving people experiencing homelessness over the weekend. WFHB News speaks with the Executive Director of Beacon Inc. Forrest Gilmore and community members about their reactions to the incident. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Union Board VP Mickey Carrothers, calling on IU students to increase representation in Bloomington’s largest student programming organization. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: Bobby, a 60-year-old unhoused man, lost three teeth after being punched and kicked by a group of masked men on Kirkwood Avenue near the Upstairs Pub. A video of the assault was posted to Reddit and widely shared on social media. Bobby, who has lived unhoused in Bloomington for more than a decade, told The Bloomingtonian he forgives his attackers despite his injuries. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)On the same night in Bloomington, two violent incidents occurred involving people experiencing homelessness. A 29-year-old man was shot and killed near South Morton Street right off the B-line, and a 60-year-old man was assaulted outside the Upstairs Pub. Both cases remain under investigation. Earlier today, we spoke with Reverend Forrest Gilmore, executive director of the local antipoverty organization Beacon Inc., who said that people experiencing homelessness face an increased risk of violence. Gilmore emphasized the need to combat hate speech and improve support systems for the unhoused. He also criticized the tendency to blame victims and called for systemic changes to prevent further violence. Then, WFHB News went downtown to gather the community’s perspective on the incidents over the weekend. We spoke with a group of people experiencing homelessness at Peoples Park.
Union Board is the governing body of the Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University’s student union building. But Union Board is perhaps better known for hosting concerts and other events on the Bloomington campus. Mickey Carrothers grew up in B-town, going to those events and roaming the halls of the IMU. Now as an adult he is Vice President for Relations for Union Board, and Mickey is on a mission to make UB more diverse and inclusive. He’s here to call on IU students to join Bloomington’s largest student programming organization on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Jessie Grubb.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Zach Browning through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
En este episodio Alejandra Rosas, nacida en Wisconsin pero con raices de Honduras y graduada de IU, nos viene a compartir información sobre la Cocina Comunitaria Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, que brinda despensa de alimentos y otros servicios gratuitos. Más información en este episodio.
In this episode of ShowRats, host Ollie talks with Charlotte Weinman of Horsepower. Charlotte shares how her musical journey began with piano lessons in kindergarten and grew through choir, voice lessons, and teaching herself guitar in college. She discusses her background with playwriting, describing how studying the craft taught her that “when you go for specificity, the result is often universality”, a lesson she brings into her songwriting. Charlotte finds inspiration in books, overheard conversations, and dreams. She opens up about her creative process, from singing out loud while biking around Brooklyn to unraveling emotions “like a ball of yarn.”
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Union Board is the governing body of the Indiana Memorial Union, Indiana University’s student union building, but Union Board is perhaps better known for hosting concerts and other events on the Bloomington campus. Mickey Carrothers grew up in B-town, going to those events and roaming the halls of the IMU. Now as an adult he is Vice President for Relations for Union Board, and Mickey is on a mission to make UB more diverse and inclusive. He’s calling on IU students to join Bloomington’s largest student programming organization.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Zach Browning
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
Later, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk to Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit which focuses on e-waste recycling.
And now for your environmental reports:
As the saga of climate reporting (and misreporting) continues, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine just released a study confirming, beyond scientific dispute, that human-created greenhouse gases poses current and future harm to our health and welfare. The National Academics undertook this report in response to the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to overturn the endangerment finding. These rules regulate climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry. Despite federal reports minimizing the negative effects of climate change, this research demonstrates that the opposite is the case. Major fossil fuel producers, also known as “carbon majors,” have been linked to the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the past years, confirming their role in the progression of climate change.
Feeling concerned about the changes being made to pollution regulation? The EPA is currently taking feedback on www.regulations.gov regarding the Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards.
—Carrie Albright
Scientists may have the knowledge, but they don’t always have the effective communication skills to drive an impact. Researchers at the University of Notre Dame reveal that while the conservation field has grown to include more diverse voices, disconnects and even overlaps in communication are undermining biodiversity protection efforts.
The solution isn’t getting everyone to agree; in fact, the Notre Dame team developed five practical principles for more productive disagreement. This guidance includes engaging with plural perspectives and recognizing unequal power relationships. The key insight is that conservation conversations work best when they happen in specific places where people share a stake in the outcome, and when power imbalances are directly addressed.
This matters because conservation is fundamentally about people and their choices, not just science. The research shows that addressing these communication gaps and power disparities—especially between the Global North and South—is essential for lasting environmental protection. The principles offer a roadmap for more effective dialogue in an increasingly polarized world, with implications that extend well beyond environmental issues.
—Carrie Albright
The sandhill crane, a wading bird under protected status in Indiana, is treasured for its tall, elegant profile, red-orange cap, and memorable bugle call. Once extirpated from (no longer found in) Ohio, things are looking up for this impressive bird. The Ohio DNR has recorded their reappearance over the past three decades, including a 4% increase in the observed sandhill crane population in 2025 alone. These birds are often found migrating through northern Indiana up to the tens of thousands and can be spotted at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area and southwest of Bloomington at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area.
—Carrie Albright
New Map Shows $29 Billion in Climate and Environment Grants Canceled or Frozen by Trump.
Regarded as the culmination of decades of organizing for environmental justice, the Biden Administration’s sweeping community grant programs were quickly terminated by President Trump.
Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows.
Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impact.
There have been few hurricanes this year due to factors like persistent wind shear, widespread sinking air in the atmosphere, and a larger-scale pattern of dry, stable air over the Atlantic. While sea surface temperatures remain warm enough, these conditions have thwarted the development and organization of tropical systems. However, with a upcoming cycle expected to shift and bring lower-pressure air back to the Atlantic, increased hurricane activity is forecast for late in the season.
—Norm Holy
International efforts to reach an agreement on reducing plastic pollution are disappointing. But we don’t need to wait for a treaty to make changes in our own lives.
Progress towards a legally binding global treaty on plastics pollution stalled and went into reverse this past week. The United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, ran overtime. It’s likely to conclude without an agreement.
This is an incredibly disappointing result. Members of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, were hoping for action to genuinely curb plastic pollution. Their priorities included considering the whole life cycle rather than just disposal, setting targets to reduce plastic production, and regulating the use of harmful additives to reduce risks to human health.
Unfortunately, vested interests hijacked the negotiations. Countries with major petrochemical producers resisted caps on virgin plastic production. We’ve seen this before. Legitimate scientific concerns about harm have been downplayed by powerful interests time and time again — with tobacco, PFAS, asbestos, and climate change.
When it comes to plastics — especially the micro- and nanoplastics now invading our bodies — awareness and early action could make all the difference. But we can still take action into our own hands as consumers, to minimise exposure and reduce waste. It we act together, we can also send a powerful message to the plastics manufacturing industry.
—Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report:
And now, you will hear snippets of EcoReport’s interview with Andrew King of RecycleForce. Coming soon, you’ll hear more from Andrew and our team in a broader story piece about recycling and misconceptions surrounding it.
And now for some upcoming events:
- Take a Birding Trip to Riddle Point on Saturday, September 27th, from 8 to 10 am. Meet at Riddle Point on Lake Lemon to view fall migrants, including warblers and kinglets. Register at sas@sassafrasaudubon.org.
- You can take a Paw-Paw Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 27th, beginning at 10 am. Learn about the Paw-paw understory tree and it’s fruit. Hike on the Mountain Bike Trail to hopefully sample some of the fruit.
- Learn about Native Plants and Their Uses on Sunday, September 28th, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park. Explore the native flora of southern Indiana during a walk focused on identification of plants traditionally used for food, medicine and fiber. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Take the Northfork Habitat Hike at the Northfork Waterbowl Resting Area at Monroe Lake on Monday, September 29th, beginning at 5:30 pm. Learn more about wildlife management at Monroe Lake. Sign up at tinyurl.com/northfork2025.
- An Identitree class is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, October 3rd, from 11 to 11:30 am. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike to Echo Canyon and learn how to identify trees.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright, Cynthia Roberts and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Carrie Albright.
We discuss the political climate and social fallout, especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, what we can do as a community, hope, and our new interns, Catherine Terwilliger & Luke Janke, report on what they heard on the streets from Bloomingtonians.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingQUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Blooming QUI is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
• Credits:
Kade Young – Producer, Audio Engineer
Melanie Davis – Producer, Co-Host
Justin Robertson – Co-Host
The folks at Stages Bloomington take the old movie line, “Hey kids, let’s put on a show,” seriously. Stages is a local nonprofit that specializes in bringing young people — elementary and high school aged — into the theater. Annalise Cain has been hired as the organization’s teen programming coordinator. Cain, a former theater kid herself, works hand-in-hand with teens to develop and refine theatrical productions. Stages will present a new musical workshop presentation, “Nevere’s Love Potion,” Friday & Saturday, October 3rd & 4th.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 25th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News welcomes Tracey Hutchings-Goetz with Hoosier Action on the next episode of Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, your Sports News Briefing with WFHB Sports Correspondent Nate Rushemeza.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, September 17th. Financial Officer Gary Lettelier spoke on the library’s 2026 budget, and offered insights on some of the changes.
Next, Library Director Grier Carson shared the Director’s Monthly Report.
Communications and Marketing Director Tori Lawhorn spoke on the media relations policy, and some changes that have been made with the policy, in order to keep up with modern technology changes.
Next, Children’s Services Manager Angelica Candelaria gave an update on their programming.
She shared the activities that children are able to do at the library, like summer reading and games and how they are important and beneficial to the children.
Next, the Manager of the Library’s South West Branch, Cathy Riley, gave an update to the board. One main point she touched on was that the library offers many programs for children, pre-teens and families. One being a cooking program for young children to really expand their learning and possibilities at a young age.
More information on other all-ages programs can be found at the library’s website at MCPL.info. The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will take place on October 15th, 2025.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Tracey Hutchings-Goetz with Hoosier Action, a homegrown community organization rooted in small-town Southern Indiana, and led by their members. Hoosier Action has been a leader in advocating for the Indiana Medicaid program and supporting Hoosiers who need healthcare. We turn now to the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, your Sports News Briefing with WFHB Sports Correspondent Nate Rushemeza. Rushemeza has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Catherine Terwilliger, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Nate Rushemeza produced today’s sports briefing.
Youth Radio produced Art Walk.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in to learn about concerns with declawing cats, as well as alternative solutions to this practice.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Artistic Director Tamara Lowenthal about what Lotus Festival holds in store this year. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, The Never Ending Battle” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the local news. More following today’s feature.
WFHB Local News Brief: Tucker Carlson to Visit IU, University Ranks Worst Public College for Free Speech
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson will visit Indiana University as part of a Turning Point USA campus tour series.
Carlson will speak in place of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was recently assassinated during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
According to Turning Point USA’s website, “Each stop is a chance to honor Charlie’s mission and keep the fight alive. We know he wouldn’t want us to surrender or be coerced into silence. Free speech is only free if we use our voices.”
Also in the news here locally, two former organizers for a Turning Point USA chapter have asked a federal court to reconsider part of their 2022 lawsuit against the City of Bloomington.
According to a lawsuit filed by IU alumni Kyle Reynolds and Tim Wheeler and the IU chapter of Turning Point USA, the plaintiffs requested an ‘All Lives Matter’ mural to be painted on Kirkwood Avenue near the Sample Gates.
A pretrial conference is scheduled in Indianapolis for Nov. 4 and a bench trial for Nov. 17, according to reporting by the IDS.
A free speech organization ranked Indiana University as the worst public college for freedom of speech.
The report conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, referenced the university’s response to Palestine solidarity protests that took place in Dunn Meadow.
Earlier this month, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with IU Political Science Professor Jeff Isaac who gave his reaction to the news.
On September 15th, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider interviewed IU Professor Benjamin Robinson who the university placed sanctions on for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. This came after Robinson received a complaint filed in November accusing him of using class time to criticize the university’s free speech policies and Israel, according to Indiana Public Media. Here’s what Robinson had to say about the recent free speech ranking.
Richland-Bean Blossom School Board Highlights Student Leadership Program, Approves Textbook and Facility Upgrades
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on Tuesday, September 16th.
Edgewood Junior High School Counselor Callie Shlemmer introduced the Lead and Learn program, which began last year. The program works with high school students to lead a panel discussion for junior high students. Then both the high school and junior high students then attend a panel from professionals. One Student, Naveah Scott, expressed her gratitude for the program in giving her more confidence in her future.
Director of the Bloomington Success School, Christopher Emge explained that the program seems to result in more engaged students.
The program will be hosting more panels in the future, which will cover topics like nutrition and culinary arts, business and marketing, agriculture, engineering and the trades.
Superintendent, Jerry Sanders commended Edgewood Junior High School on their programs and experiences they offer.
Later in the meeting board members approved a two day training workshop for the school’s mental health team members. The training would take place over zoom, and offer follow up consultation if they have any questions.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Barrett explained more about the training.
Next, Barrett requested $92,369 for a new online textbook, called Inspire Science. The textbook would be adopted over the next six years, and would be paid over three years.
The board voted to approve the purchase unanimously.
Superintendent Sanders recommended the replacement of the bleachers at the junior high school. The Board approved the replacement, and the bleachers are now set to be replaced in February of 2026.
Sanders reminded the public that the Edgewood schools’ showcase is on October 23rd. The show focuses on the new early childhood center.
Members of the School Board’s Leadership team gave updates on the Teacher Appreciation Grant, otherwise known as TAG. The grant is now limiting awards to no more than 20 percent of certified teachers in a district. As a result, the Indiana State Teachers Association, or ISTA, is opposed to accepting the money. Co-President of the leadership team, Ty McGinnis explained the reasoning behind this decision.
The meeting ended with board members, including Vice President Jimmie Durnil, expressing their appreciation, commending the students and their leadership.
President Dana Kerr ended the meeting by thanking Legal Accountant Christie Bartlett and the Community Access Television Services.
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board will meet again in October.
Feature Report:
The 2025 Lotus Festival will take place tomorrow and will continue through the weekend. WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Artistic Director Tamara Lowenthal about what the festival entails this year. Lowenthal says that Lotus fosters a sense of belonging and promotes cultural understanding. For more, we turn to Katrine Bruner.
Up next – “The Never Ending Battle” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the local news. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, we welcomed Chicago based cosmic country band, Tobacco City. Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi chatted with Chris Coleslaw and Lexi Goddard about their new stunner of an album, Horses. They also chatted about influences, touring, Jason Molina, and the best part about being a band from Chicago. This was such a fun session that was followed by a big storm and downpour that cleared up just before their show at Orbit Room. Don’t sleep on Tobacco City!
Photo by Jaime Sweany, Bloom MagazineIn celebration of this weekend’s Lotus Festival, we’re going back 30 years to revisit selections from WFHB’s 1995 Lotus Live sessions. First, we’ll hear music director Jim Manion talk with Shahryar Saba of Ensemble Saba. Next, Diane Jarvi plays a Finnish folk song in the studios with programmer John Westhues. Finally, Ndhiko and Nomusa Xaba give us poetry and flute. All of these sessions were recorded on cassette and are stored in the WFHB archives.
In August, Indiana University placed sanctions on Professor Benjamin Robinson for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. This came after Robinson received a complaint filed in November accusing him of using class time to criticize the university’s free speech policies and Israel, according to Indiana Public Media. WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider interviewed Robinson on September 15th live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive. We turn now to an excerpt of that conversation on WFHB Rewind.
Up next, we have Show Rats from WFHB’s Youth Radio. In this episode of ShowRats, host Ollie interviews Chicago-based musician Ben Astrachan. Ben shares his journey from the East Coast to Chicago, his passion for music and the arts, and his experiences balancing a career in behavioral health with his musical ambitions. The conversation covers Ben’s songwriting process, musical influences ranging from Jesus Christ Superstar to Pink Floyd, and his upcoming album “Signs.” Ben offers advice to Ollie and other aspiring musicians to consume as much music and poetry as possible, develop a consistent writing practice, and attend shows to build community and support other musicians.
WFHB Afternoon Music Mix DJ Cindy Beaulé speaks with Tamara Lowenthal, artistic director of the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, about the upcoming Lotus Festival which starts tomorrow and continues through the weekend. That interview from yesterday’s Afternoon Music Mix is coming up next on WFHB Rewind.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
Superman wasn’t the first superhero (a quick search will turn up other earlier characters with special powers) but he was the first one that came from another planet, and probably the most famous. Today we all have to do what he did — fight a constant, never-ending battle against villains who attack us every day — scammmers and swindlers. But you don’t need super-powers to win, just some basic Earth-human common sense, a few simple rules, and a willingness to stop and think (and do some checking!) before you act.
This is a live broadcast of the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Former Mayor of South Bend and Previous Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gave a speech at the IU Auditorium and the Indiana Statehouse on September 18th. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Utilities Director Says Fluoride Tank Leak Dates Back to 2019, Repairs Targeted for 2026
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on September 18th. The County Commissioners appointed a new board of Health member, Dr. Michael Teague who introduced himself to the board.
Next, the board heard an update on the leak in the fluoride tank from the Bloomington Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger. Zaiger shared that the tank has had a leak since the end of 2019. She said they hope to develop a solution to either fix or replace the tank to provide fluoride in the drinking water by 2026.
Zaiger shared that the tank’s lining and the concrete underneath it was corroded as well.
County Health Officer Sarah Ryterband asked how other counties store the fluoride. Zaiger shared that it is with consistent maintenance of the tanks.
The Monroe County Board of Health will meet again on October 16th.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission Approves Funding for Mold Remediation, Hopewell Cleanup Effort
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on Monday, September 15th. One of the topics covered was resolution 25-116, the approval of an addendum regarding the property on
714 South Rogers Street. Director of the City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development, Anna Killion-Hanson explained that there is a mold problem that exists on the property.
The commission moved to approve the resolution, with 4 in favor and 1 opposed.
Killion-Hanson moved on to speak to the committee about a resolution with VET Environmental Engineering for remediation services at Hopewell. The property is contaminated with arsenic, benzine, and other petroleum related chemicals due to the fact it was a former gas station.
Due to his experience as an environmental consultant, Assistant City Attorney Dana Kerr stepped in to add his perspective on the proposal.
The resolution passed unanimously. Killion-Hanson came back to the topic of mold to discuss another resolution with VET Engineering LLC for mold inspection at the Trades District Garage.
The resolution also passed unanimously. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again on Monday, October 6th.
Featured Segments:
Former South Bend Mayor, Presidential Candidate and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at the IU Auditorium on September 18th (Photo by Benedict Jones).Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg spoke to crowds in Indiana last week. He spoke at the IU Auditorium on Thursday sharing stories of his military experience, family life and his political career. Buttigieg also spoke at the Statehouse for a political rally, warning Indiana voters about a proposed redistricting plan. Buttigieg called on Hoosiers of all political parties to stay engaged and hold legislators accountable. We turn now to Correspondent Benedict Jones for more.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Benedict Jones.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Former South Bend Mayor, presidential candidate and previous U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg spoke at the IU Auditorium in Bloomington on September 18th.
This was part of a series put on by the Union Board in collaboration with the IU LGBTQ+ Culture Center titled: Speaking of Excellence. In the talk, Buttigieg highlighted what he learned from his time in the U.S. navy, his political career and life with his family.
First, Buttigieg reflected on his military experience in Afghanistan, saying his time in Kabul taught him the importance of having a functioning government on the local level.
“It reinforced for me in assessment boards about what it is that a functioning government, even that basic level of city government can do,” said Buttigieg.
Buttigieg discussed his leap from mayor of South Bend to presidential candidate. He said that he saw his party struggling to connect with a younger generation of voters and out of touch with the industrial Midwest. That led him to run for president.
“I brought something that was different,” he said. “If you see that, and you think that, and enough other people around you are willing to be part of that – then the world will tell you pretty quickly whether you’re onto something.”
He touched on the political divisions we face in this country – from gerrymandering to digital algorithms that have exacerbated political polarization in the U.S.
“We have to find a way to live together. This is our country. It’s the only one we’ve got. Our country is founded on the idea that we can address our shared challenges through a political, inclusive, political, democratic process,” said Buttigieg.
All in all, Buttigieg said that family is the most important part of his life, teaching him the value of humility. He said if he can’t explain the purpose of his political career to his children, then it’s not worth it.
“It just reminded me that often it serves us well to think about things by going back to the basics, especially in public service, because if I can’t at least try to explain it to a child, I have to ask myself why I’m doing it,” he said.
That same day, Buttigieg also gave a speech at the Indiana Statehouse at a packed rally where he criticized the Republican party’s push to redistrict Indiana.
He drew on his own experience as a former mayor and described the lessons it taught him about fair elections.
“It is good to be back on Hoosier soil, and it does have me thinking back to my mayor days, and one of the things I was thinking about is – you can’t gerrymander a city limit when you’re mayor. You’ve got to go in, get work done, stand before everybody in an election and be judged on your results, and that is how every election is supposed to work in the United States of America,” said Buttigieg.
The former transportation secretary emphasized that the fight for redistricting is not a partisan issue in his view. He called on all voters regardless of political affiliation to denounce gerrymandering in Indiana.
“This is actually something that you don’t have to be a Democrat or a progressive or liberal to care about. Republicans ought to be outraged about this. Independents ought to be outraged about this. Some people say this is a divisive issue. I think this is a unifying issue because voters don’t want to be cut out of this political process,” he said.
Buttigieg stressed that he believes the stakes are high and warned against the initiative to redistrict the state to benefit one political party. He urged Indiana voters to hold legislators accountable.
“I’m talking about a form of cheating that is happening right out in the open. They’re admitting it out loud that they don’t have to do that to manipulate the results of an election, when they could be in this building worrying about things like how to get the cost of living, the cost of housing, the cost of electricity and the cost of groceries everywhere it ought to be,” he said.
He wrapped up his speech urging voters to stay engaged and make their voices count.
“So I’ve just got one question for you… are you ready to prove them wrong? Me too. So let’s get out there and make sure of it,” said Buttigieg.
On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, we welcomed Chicago based cosmic country band, Tobacco City. Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi chatted with Chris Coleslaw and Lexi Goddard about their new stunner of an album, Horses. They also chatted about influences, touring, Jason Molina, and the best part about being a band from Chicago. This was such a fun session that was followed by a big storm and downpour that cleared up just before their show at Orbit Room. Don’t sleep on Tobacco City!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle
Post-Production Engineer: Jared Coyle
Video Production: No Guru Media
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 8 Coco and Sara speak to BHSN art student Rebecca about their art experiences and processes.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center on September 5th, 2025 during Gallery Walk in Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Sara Buehler and Coco Duneman
Edited by Coco Duneman
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarenece Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Jane Elliott, noted civil rights activist and racial bias educator. Jane Elliot will be in Bloomington, IN, speaking at The Monroe County History Center on October 2nd and 3rd at 6 PM, and then on October 4th and 5th at 3 PM.
Jane ElliottJane Elliott, 91, is an American diversity educator. As a schoolteacher, she magnified the ramifications of racism with her “Blue eyes/Brown eyes” classroom exercise. She first performed the exercise with her all white, third-grade class in Riceville, IA, on April 5, 1968. It was the day after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The Associated Press picked up the story first by becoming aware of the published compositions that the children had written about the experience in the local newspaper. From there, national and even international attention grew.
Jane Elliott was featured on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) ran a documentary on her in 1970, The Eye of the Storm. Thereafter, Jane Elliott began to receive public attention, most of it negative. Her family suffered, and there were fears about her and her family’s safety. To this day, some in Riceville, IA, have fixed feelings about Jane Elliott and her Blue and Brown Eyed exercise. In December 1970, Elliott attended the White House Conference on Children, where she held the exercise with adults, an audience comprised mostly of other educators, physicians, social workers, and other professionals who worked with children.
PBS series Frontline featured a reunion of the 1970 class, as well as Elliott’s work with adults, in its 1985 episode “A Class Divided“. Invitations to speak and to conduct her exercise eventually led Elliott to give up school teaching and to become a full-time public speaker against discrimination. She has directed the exercise and lectured on its effects in many places throughout the world. She has also conducted the exercise with college students, as seen in the 2001 documentary The Angry Eye. Despite criticism of her methods and the diversity training field she pioneered, Elliott continues to lead her exercise in workshops.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 22nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt looks into how brain drain has impacted Indiana, speaking with one of the leading experts on the issue, Professor at Ball State Dr. Michael J Hicks. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear from Tammy Jo Eckhart, president of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women, on the core issues NOW is working on. Find out how you can take action on those core issues later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Considers Water Rate Hike, Approves Fiber Fund and Food and Beverage Tax Resolution for Convention Center
The Bloomington City Council met on September 17th. The council heard an ordinance that would increase the city’s water rate by 21 percent. This comes after the city’s Utilities Service Board recommended the adoption of the ordinance during their September 8th meeting. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided a rundown of the legislation.
The clerk read the ordinance by title and synopsis only. The council will continue discussing the water rate increase at future meetings with an expected vote on October 22nd, according to reporting by the B-Square Bulletin.
The council then heard an ordinance that would create a new fund to set aside money for fiber installation. The fund would contain one million dollars, which they received from an insurance claim, due to the failures of the previously hired fiber installer. Clerk Bolden provided an overview of the ordinance.
City Attorney Margie Rice presented the ordinance and provided some background information on the legislation.
Rice continued saying they want to create a separate fund for the one million dollars they received.
The council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance.
Next, the council heard a resolution requesting the Food and Beverage Tax Advisory Commission to recommend how to spend food and beverage tax revenue for the Capital Improvement Board’s budget for 2026. For context, the Capital Improvement Board, or CIB, is a joint effort between the City of Bloomington and Monroe County, overseeing the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. Treasurer for the CIB Geoff McKim presented the resolution.
The council approved the resolution by an 8-1 vote with Council Member Kate Rosenbarger dissenting. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on September 24th.
Feature Report:
Photo: Judi Bottoni/APOn August 25th, WFHB Prison Affairs Correspondent Zoe Moczek filed a report about the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana to house over 1,000 ICE detainees. This is a trend we’re noticing happening around the country. Up next, Moczek looks into a similar case at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Moczek has more.
(Illustration by Cemile Bingol/Getty Images)Brain drain is a situation in which large numbers of educated and skilled people leave where they live to work in another place where pay and conditions are better. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt looks into how brain drain has impacted Indiana. Babbitt speaks with a leading expert on the issue Dr. Michael J. Hicks, an economist and Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University. Babbitt also interviews Young Professionals Bloomington to see how the phenomenon has affected us on a local level. For more, we turn to Correspondent Harley Babbitt.
Our local chapter of the National Organization for Women formed right after the first Trump election. Chapter president TammyJo Eckhart went to that first meeting and says there were hundreds of people there, riled up and ready to do something. Since then Monroe County NOW has organized local action around intersectional feminism, fighting for constitutional equality, reproductive rights, freedom from violence, and social justice for all women. This Saturday Monroe County NOW is hosting a Day of Service, packing supply bags at the Monroe County Public Library from 10:30am to 12:30pm for women staying at a local crisis shelter. TammyJo wants to sign YOU up on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Zoe Moczek, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Harley Babbitt.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Trump Administration plans to hold undocumented immigrants at the largest maximum security prison in the nation.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly referred to as Angola Prison, is located near the town of St. Francisville, Louisiana. On September 3rd, it was announced that a closed unit in the prison known as “Camp J” will be reopened and used to house approximately 400 immigrants detained by ICE. This announcement follows legislation signed by President Trump in July which granted $45 billion to expand immigration detention capacity throughout the country.
Angola Prison’s notoriety arises from its history, as the site was formerly a plantation relying on the labor of enslaved people. After the Civil War, it was converted to a prison and practiced convict leasing, a system through which prisoners were leased out to private companies to perform unpaid and often dangerous work.
In 2023, incarcerated men filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Angola Prison’s practice of compulsory work in agricultural fields, known as the “farm line”. Prisoners recounted degrading treatment by corrections officers and unsafe conditions, particularly during times of extreme heat.
Jeff Landry, the Governor of Louisiana, discussed the plan to hold undocumented immigrants at Angola Prison in a press conference on September 3rd.
“The idea is to consolidate the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens – gang members, rapists, drug dealers, human smugglers – that have no place in this country,” said Landry.
Critics of this decision have questioned the claim that the detention center will primarily hold individuals who have committed violent crimes. A press release by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana states “The Governor’s suggestion that Camp J will house the ‘worst of the worst’ is misleading and inflammatory. ACLU of Louisiana data shows more than 70 percent of people in immigration detention in Louisiana have never been convicted of any crime.”
The Department of Homeland Security recently published a list of 51 ICE detainees that have already been moved into Angola Prison. The facility is expected to hold over 200 detainees later this month.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-noem-bondi-discuss-plans-for-ice-detention-facility-in-notorious-louisiana-prison
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/03/louisiana-angola-prison-to-hold-ice-immigrant-detainees/85943943007/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/04/louisiana-prison-chosen-for-immigration-detainees-due-to-its-notoriety-say-noem
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/louisiana-angola-prison-trump-ice-immigration
https://www.laaclu.org/press-releases/aclu-of-louisiana-condemns-plan-to-house-immigrants-at-notorious-angola-prison/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/us/ice-detention-center-angola-louisiana.html
https://promiseofjustice.org/news/press-release-in-class-action-filing-incarcerated-men-report-racism-on-angola-prisons-farm-line
Our local chapter of the National Organization for Women formed right after the first Trump election. Chapter president TammyJo Eckhart went to that first meeting and says there were hundreds of people there, riled up and ready to do something. Since then Monroe County NOW has organized local action around intersectional feminism, fighting for constitutional equality, reproductive rights, freedom from violence, and social justice for all women.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
London is back in a spirited discussion of the post-assassination environment, along with our Fund Drive wrap-up! You can always support your community radio!
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Judi and Luci are back to discuss Spencer Pride’s CommUnity Center news and upcoming events! Justin is finally back from Paris!
Check us out onApple Podcasts and Spotify
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Credits:
Kade Young – Producer
Alyssa Gray – Audio Engineer
Melanie Davis – Producer, Co-Host
Justin Robertson – Co-Host
Hello and welcome to Eco Report. In today’s feature report, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider reports on National Moth Week, a citizen science project to study and record populations of moths.
And here’s your environmental reports:
- There is a Kissing bugs warning from CDC. Native insects aren’t always adorable bumblebees or beautiful butterflies. The triatomine insect, or “kissing bug,” is native to Indiana but it’s been making recent news as a danger. The CDC has issued a warning about the recent cases of Chagas disease—a parasitic infection that, while not immediately dangerous, can be deadly if untreated.
- Environmental leaders from across the Great Lakes region gathered in Toledo this week for a groundbreaking summit focused on restoring the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes system. The “Areas of Concern Cross-Agency Partnership Summit” brought together federal, state, and local officials to coordinate restoration efforts. These “areas of concern” are locations that have experienced significant environmental degradation. The summit took place in the Maumee area, Ohio’s largest area of concern which has seen significant investment aimed at transformation.
- The timing of this summit highlights major restoration progress happening across the region. Following a successful cleanup, the EPA removed New York’s Rochester Embayment from the list of most polluted Great Lakes areas, Since the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began in 2010, the restoration program has already delisted 7 “areas of concern” and enhanced, protected, and restored nearly 530,000 acres of habitat, 13% of which are coastal wetlands.
- Feeling the Heat? These fossil fuel giants are to blame, new study says. Climate change increased the probability and intensity of more than 200 heat waves across the globe over the last two decades, according to a newly published study.
- New Map Shows $29 Billion in Climate and Environment Grants Canceled or Frozen by Trump
- Regarded as the culmination of decades of organizing for environmental justice, the Biden Administration’s sweeping community grant programs were quickly terminated by President Trump.
Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows - Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impact.
- The folks from Campbell’s soup company are in hot water after officials admit that they’ve been dumping water in the Maumee River for over 6 years, violating the Clean Water Act thousands of times. This isn’t just about soup production gone wrong—it’s about contaminated water that affects everyone downstream. The factory dumps its waste into the Maumee River, which flows directly into Lake Erie. Phosphorus from the wastewater feeds toxic algae blooms that can harm swimmers and contaminate drinking water with dangerous cyanobacteria—something residents of Monroe County and visitors to Lake Monroe are all too familiar with.
- The actor and influential environmentalist, Robert Redford, has passed away. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Redford spent over fifty years advocating for public lands and protected waters in the West, protecting wildlife, pursuing environmental justice for Indigenous communities, and climate action. Redford was one of the early voices speaking out about climate change and the choices developers, communities, and governments can make in safeguarding the planet for future generations. Redford, a longtime resident of Utah, was 89.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have a feature on National Moth Week, where we learn more about the annual Citizen Science Initiative to document moths.
And now for some upcoming events:
- An Exploring Mindfullness In The Garden workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, from 9 to 10:30 am at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Learn about mindfulness and how to deepen your gardening experience. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Take a Fall Equinox Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, September 21st, beginning at 10 am. Hike around Spring Mill Lake and enjoy the colorful trees and wild flowers. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Credits:
Last minute Spring Fund Drive pitch
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and compiled our events calender.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 18th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we revisit an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. This episode covers Part 6 of our series on Teen Mental Health.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Dason Anderson, the new executive editor of the Limestone Post magazine, will be live in the studio during our Fall Fund Drive.
But first, this message:
WFHB Local News is your daily source for independent reporting on Bloomington and beyond. We cover city hall, public health, local education and stories that highlight the people shaping our community. Producing this news takes time, energy, and dedication – and your support keeps it on the air. Every donation during this broadcast counts toward our $500 goal and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous supporter.
Call 812-323-1200 or visit this link to contribute. By supporting WFHB, you’re keeping community-powered news alive, independent from corporate or government influence. Thank you for helping us stay on the air.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we revisit an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. This was Part 6 in our series on Teen Mental Health. We turn now to that Deep Dive episode on the WFHB Local News.
WFHB News Director Kade Young and Executive Editor for the Limestone Post Dason Anderson speak live on air during WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive (Photo by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider).And stay tuned, the new executive editor of the Limestone Post Dason Anderson will be live in the studio to speak with us during our Fall Fund Drive.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On Friday morning, September 12, at 11:40 am, WFHB welcomed Bonny Light Horseman for a Firehouse Session. Bonny Light Horseman is an American folk supergroup blending traditional and contemporary influences. Firehouse Sessions feature in-studio interviews and performances from touring artists. The band played a Firehouse Session on WFHB ahead of their performance at the Buskirk Chumley Theater last Friday. We turn now to that interview and a portion of that performance on WFHB Rewind.
Today’s archive segment is a poem by local author Chris Green recorded on audio cassette at “The Gathering,” a poetry reading at the Waldron Arts Center’s Rose Firebay Theater on June 7th, 1997. The poem is called “323-1200.” It’s a celebration of your local community radio station, WFHB, and a reminder that we need your support to keep doing what we do.
On May 17th, 2025 a parking lot in downtown Bloomington was transformed into a printmaking festival. Organized by Badknees and Hideout Press, The Mini Midwest Print Fest invited printmakers from all over the Midwest to share their work. Youth Radio News Correspondent Shefar Rafiul attended the event to talk with the artists and organizers about different printmaking techniques. We turn back to that archived report on WFHB Rewind.
Today’s second archive clip comes from Big Talk with Michael Glab. In 2024, the Indiana University administration drew national criticism for their Expressive Activity Policy, which restricts students’ rights to free expression and peaceful demonstrations on campus. On August 15 that year, Michael Glab welcomed Jeffrey Isaac, a James H. Rudy Professor of Political Science at IU, to talk about the events leading up to this policy and the messages it sends about the administration’s priorities. You can find the full episode at WFHB.org. We turn now to that segment on WFHB Rewind.
The next clip comes from our Arts & Culture program from the hills and hollers of Nashville, Indiana. Chuck Wills of the Brown County Hour draws from his own family’s personal history in speaking truth to power in calling on you to support public broadcasting as federal funding is stripped from our host station, WFHB. We turn now to that segment on WFHB Rewind.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 17th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we will rebroadcast features produced by WFHB Correspondent Harley Babbitt who interned for the news department this summer. And Harley will be live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive
The WFHB Local News brings you daily headlines, detailed coverage of local government meetings and a daily feature report uncovering stories happening right here in your community. WFHB is one of only a handful of independent news outlets in Bloomington, and we rely on your support to continue our award-winning journalism produced by volunteers.
We train community members and students to become active contributors to the news that’s impacting them. There’s a level of access at WFHB that just doesn’t exist anywhere else. We’re a training ground for a generation of journalists to seek truth and report it, to hold those who seek power accountable and to serve as a watchdog on local government and institutions like the university.
Without coverage from independent news outlets, we’re left in the dark about so many issues happening in Bloomington and beyond. It’s up to us to amplify the issues that matter to us – housing, the environment, free speech, social justice issues, arts and culture, and much much more Whatever the issue – WFHB News is there to report.
But we need your help in order to maintain our award-winning, daily newscasts. With federal cuts to public media and politically charged motives that make funding harder and harder to come by – YOU can make a difference by donating to the station to support the airing of the local news. How can you do that? There’s a couple of ways. You can call 812-323-1200 or visit wfhb dot org to pledge your support.
Our goal is to raise $500 during this very newscast. And we have an anonymous donor willing to match up to 100,000 dollars. So every donation is essentially doubled. We reach that $500 goal one donation at a time. So give what you can. Support independent journalism today. 812-323-1200 or visit wfhb dot org. Thank you for your time and thank you for supporting your community radio station, WFHB.
Featured Segments:
Granfalloon, Bloomington’s annual arts and culture festival celebrating the works of author Kurt Vonnegut, returned this year with a focus on the novel “Cat’s Cradle.” WFHB correspondent Harley Babbitt spoke with local artists and organizers participating in the festival, in order to learn more about how the festival functions and how Vonnegut has remained relevant for all these years. We turn now to that archived report on the WFHB Local News. And stay tuned to hear Babbitt live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive.
Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Frequent rainfall beginning in April has left Lake Monroe flooded, at times reaching 15 feet above normal levels. While flood control is one of the primary purposes of the reservoir, water buildup still poses challenges to those who depend on the lake for their livelihood. WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with volunteers, DNR staff, and business owners to learn more about how they have adapted to the new conditions.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Harley Babbitt.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Slavery in the United States did not end with the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865. Today it’s called “Human Trafficking” and it’s going on — and growing — all over the world, including every state in our country. Slaves today aren’t being held in chains; they live everywhere, sometimes with their families. People can be enslaved by jobs, or over the internet. A shocking number are children, and that number is getting larger every year. Here’s a warning about this evil — because the only hope today’s slaves can have is that someone like you will recognize their plight and report it.
Tune in to learn about resources and solutions for keeping companion animals with their humans.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 16th, 2025.
In today’s feature report, we revisit a segment from Correspondent Ella Cummings surrounding ICE activity in Bloomington. Cummings will be live in the studio asking for your support during our Fall Fund Drive. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, this message:
This is WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive! The WFHB Local News is your daily, award-winning source for Bloomington’s stories – from city government to in-depth features on the issues shaping our community. Every weekday at 5 p.m., volunteers, students and staff bring you news you won’t hear anywhere else.
Community radio is rare. And stations with fully independent newsrooms like ours are even rarer. But to keep WFHB Local News strong, we need your support. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to raise $600.
Every dollar you give is doubled thanks to a $100,000 anonymous match. That means your $25 becomes $50, your $50 becomes $100 – and every gift helps protect independent local journalism.
With cuts to public media, listener support has never been more important. Your donation ensures WFHB stays on the air, free from corporate control and political influence. Call 812-323-1200 right now, or visit wfhb.org and click the red donate button. You are the heartbeat of community radio. Thank you for keeping WFHB – and your community news – alive and thriving.
Feature Report:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: Protesters demonstrate against ICE sweeps on May 2, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. At least 4 people were arrested but the true numbers aren’t known as the United States Government hasn’t released any official information. Arrest records indicate at least three were being held in a Kentucky jail after undercover federal agents swept the city knocking on doors in working class areas while hunting undocumented immigrants. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)Over the summer, a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have left Bloomington residents on edge. Community advocates say ICE’s presence has led to fear, confusion and the cancellation of public events. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with local organizers, legal experts and city officials about the impact and the community’s response to ICE activity in Bloomington. We now re-broadcast that feature report on the WFHB Local News during our Fall Fund Drive. Stay tuned to hear Ella live in the studio following today’s feature.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes The VLF Trio on Saturday’s Child on Saturday, September 13, from 11am to noon. Join us as this fun-lovin’ force of fabulous musicians, fronted by Fickel in a fedora, present a fine set of bluesy country funk. Listen on air, or with our audience in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington, for this live performance of good time music — free of charge! It’s Saturday’s Childwith The VLF Trio, Saturday, September 13, 11am, on WFHB.
Hola Bloomington – Special Episode!
In this week’s episode of Hola Bloomington we are thrilled to talk about La Fiesta del Otoño 2025 and extend a warm invitation to you, your family, and friends to join us on Saturday, September 20, from 12–4 pm at Switchyard Park Pavilion. Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us through music, dance, food, 50+ community booths, and activities for the whole family! Don’t miss the 5 live performances, the Zumba class, the Latino Dance Contest, and the chance to win prizes.
We also shared about an important new resource: thanks to the work of our wonderful interns, Rena Cohen, Estela Urbina y Moira Tweedie, we now have a step-by-step guide in Spanish to help Latino students and families understand the pathway to finishing high school and applying to college. This guide is designed to support families with clear information and encouragement to pursue higher education. Learn more at https://bloomington.in.gov/latino
Listen to the full episode, learn more about the Fiesta, and don’t forget to share the news with your community.
👉 Hola Bloomington airs every Friday at 6 PM on WFHB 91.3 FM and online.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 7 Ollie and Nathan speak to vendors at the Handmade Market about their work and inspiration.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the Bloomington Handmade Market on June 7th, 2025 during the Granfalloon Festival.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Ollie Schnell and Nathan Lafferty
Edited by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 15th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with IU Professor Benjamin Robinson – who the university placed sanctions on for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. Robinson speaks with WFHB live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive.
That’s Emma Young from Indiana Solar For All, bringing clean energy to local families who otherwise could not afford it. Learn about their next solar installation coming up on October Fourth later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive
The WFHB Local News brings you daily headlines, detailed coverage of local government meetings and a daily feature report uncovering stories happening right here in your community. WFHB is one of only a handful of independent news outlets in Bloomington, and we rely on your support to continue our award-winning journalism produced by volunteers.
We train community members and students to become active contributors to the news that’s impacting them. There’s a level of access at WFHB that just doesn’t exist anywhere else. We’re a training ground for a generation of journalists to seek truth and report it, to hold those who seek power accountable and to serve as a watchdog on local government and institutions like the university.
Without coverage from independent news outlets, we’re left in the dark about so many issues happening in Bloomington and beyond. It’s up to us to amplify the issues that matter to us – housing, the environment, public health, free speech, social justice issues, protests, animal rights, abuse of power. Whatever the issue – WFHB News is there to report.
But we need your help in order to maintain our award-winning, daily newscasts. With federal cuts to public media and politically charged motives that make funding harder and harder to come by – YOU can make a difference by donating to the station to support the airing of the local news. How can you do that? There’s a couple of ways. You can call 812-323-1200 or visit wfhb dot org to pledge your support.
Our goal is to raise $500 during this very newscast. And we have an anonymous donor willing to match up to 100,000 dollars. So every donation is essentially doubled. We reach that $500 goal one donation at a time. So give what you can. Support independent journalism today. 812-323-1200 or visit this link. Thank you for your time and thank you for supporting your community radio station, WFHB.
Feature Reports:
In August, IU placed sanctions on Professor Benjamin Robinson for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. This came after Robinson received a complaint filed in November accusing him of using class time to criticize the university’s free speech policies and Israel, according to Indiana Public Media. WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider interviewed Robinson in June of this year in a segment highlighting free speech issues on campus and beyond. We now revisit that report from June of 2025 on the WFHB Local News.
Emma Young was super interested in solar power, but as a new homeowner of modest means the installation cost put this clean energy out of reach. Then she discovered Indiana Solar For All, a nonprofit turning volunteer power into green power. Indiana Solar For All relies on donations and sweat equity to bring solar energy to families that otherwise could not afford it – very much like Habitat for Humanity, and in fact Indiana Solar For All has done some solar installations on local Habitat-built homes. The next solar installation is happening on October 4th and Emma is looking for help with that on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Max Schneider.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Voices in the Street. Public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington. Voices in the Street provides an opportunity for residents to anonymously voice their opinions and perspectives on the issues and events that matter most to Bloomington citizens.
This year, WFHB’s Youth Radio spoke to incoming college freshmen at the IU Student Involvement Fair on Thursday, August 28th, 2025. They gathered advice, goals, and found out what students were most excited about this school year.
Interviews conducted by Brynn Stewart, Nate Rushemeza, Jessie Grubb and Kade Young.
Edited by Coco Duneman
Produced by WFHB News and Youth Radio
On June 21, 2025, we welcomed Louisville-based, Crush Grove artist Kirsten Peckham in for a Firehouse Session, accompanied by Greg Moore, ahead of her show that night at The Orbit Room. The recording starts a little late, but the performance was far too good not to share — a heartfelt set that shows off her striking songwriting and presence. Don’t miss this one!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Spence Taylor
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Jared Coyle
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kirstin-Peckham-Full-Session.mp3
Emma Young was super interested in solar power, but as a new homeowner with modest income the installation cost put clean energy out of reach. Then she discovered Indiana Solar For All, a nonprofit turning volunteer power into green power. Indiana Solar For All relies on donations and volunteers to bring solar energy to families that otherwise could not afford it – a “sweat equity” model very much like Habitat for Humanity, and in fact Indiana Solar For All has done some solar installations on local Habitat-built homes.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
The spotted lanternfly, or SLF, was first found in Indiana in July of 2021. The insect is about one inch long, and has grey wings with black spots, and red underwings. Since its first sighting in Switzerland County, Indiana, the species has spread to other counties including Huntington, Allen, Noble, Bartholomew, and more. Lanternfly sightings in Indiana have primarily been on the tree of heaven, or ToH, a non-native and fast-spreading plant.
The City of Bloomington currently hosts around 40 tree of heaven plants, which they have been working on removing. One of the people working on this issue is Haskell Smith, the city’s Urban Forester. He explains that removing the tree of heaven significantly reduces the risk of harm from the insects.
“Tree of heaven is an invasive plant from Asia, so it’s kind of their big host plant. It’s their favorite over there and it’s their favorite over here. One way to try to reduce impact from the spotted lanternfly is to reduce the tree of heaven plant and that’s kind of what we’re in the process of doing.”
The tree of heaven spreads quickly and easily, which makes them even more of a risk, Smith explains.
“They produce a lot of seed, and they’re wind-spread, so that’s kind of why we’re going after the females, but the males all act colonially. So they’ll send out roots, and then they’ll send out shoots. So as the roots spread, they’ll send out sucker roots, and then those can turn to trees on their own, and they damage surrounding areas and infrastructure.”
In addition to harming the population of tree of heaven plants, Smith says that the community’s local tree population and local vineyards are also at a risk from being affected.
“[The] spotted lanternfly does a lot of damage to vineyards, we have a couple locally that are probably the biggest threat, but as a whole, being [that] the canopy is very important here, you could see some stunted growth on trees. They [the lanternfly] feed on up to seventy species. Some of the worst damage is on grapevines.”
The insects harm plants mostly because of their process, Smith explains.
“When you introduce a new species to an unfamiliar area, it kind of runs rampant, and this particular insect is a sap-sucking insect, so it causes damage to the plants cambiums, produces a lot of honeydew in that process, and honeydew can reduce chlorophyll and sugar production in plants.”
Lanternflies will suck and pierce the leaves and the stems of their chosen plant to extract nitrogen and amino acids. This process produces large amounts of honeydew, a shiny, sticky residue, which can block sunlight, reducing chlorophyll and sugar production in plants. These two things are vital for keeping a plant alive, as they allow them to create food and energy.
Smith expresses that citizens of Bloomington and Indiana can help reduce the impact of these insects most by looking out for them on any Tree of Heaven plants.
“Right now we’re in the report, check and report, so if you’re familiar with what a Tree of Heaven looks like, familiarize yourself with what the egg sacks look like for a Spotted Lanternfly, and then just keep an eye out. If you come across any signs that they’re there, report it to the DNR so we can try to eliminate the egg masses already in the infection point.”
Smith explains the distinct characteristics of the Tree of Heaven plant.
“It looks kind of like walnut in the leaf, it’s got kind of a long compound leaf and the big difference is it has one leaflet right on the end. It’s got smooth bark, if you crumble one of the leaves, it just smells bad. Very poor soils they will thrive in, and they’re around. You’ll usually see more than one, they’ll clump up together.”
Tree of Heavens found on private property are most likely not able to get removed by the city, however Smith explains that the Tree Assistance Program might help out depending on the circumstances.
“We currently have a program called the Tree Assistance Program, where we’ll help homeowners pay for high risk tree removal, risk mitigation and tree planting. So if it falls under that category, and you live within the city limits and you meet all the other stipulations we could potentially help people. But it just being a small, finger sized- tree, probably not.”
Smith says that he doesn’t expect to keep the lanternfly out of Bloomington, but the hope is to reduce as much damage as possible.
“In the long run I don’t think we’re going to keep them out of Bloomington. It’s all about damage control, [and] trying to keep the population limited so it doesn’t explode.”
The main reason that lanternflies are bad is because there are no predators for them. However, Smith states that that might change in the future.
“There’s some science coming out now from Pennsylvania I believe, that after so many years the local fauna have learned to feed on them. So birds are eventually learning that they can eat these so it helps keep the population down. But the initial wave of them can be pretty destructive.”
If you’d like to report a spotted lanternfly sighting, you can go to the Department of Natural Resources website, which is DNR.org. To learn more about the Tree Assistance Program, you can visit Bloomington.in.gov/About. Applications are being accepted until October 1st.
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
On June 9th, 2025, the City of Bloomington posted a news release that explained an insect, named the Spotted Lanternfly, had been confirmed in Bartholomew County, about 50 miles from Bloomington. The insect, a non-native and invasive species, can feed on more than 70 plants, harming growth and health of plants. Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the City’s Urban Forester, Haskell Smith, to learn more about the insect and what the City of Bloomington has been doing to mitigate risk. We will hear from her later in the program.
And now for your environmental reports:
- If you were in Evansville on Tuesday evening, you may have caught one of the Open House meetings hosted by the Indiana Dept of Environmental Management, or IDEM. They are currently taking input from Hoosiers on the transition to a Materials Management Plan (MMP) which would replace the Solid Waste Management Plan currently in place. The goal of these open houses is to engage local residents and establish a clearer understanding of the updated priorities of this department. The previous plan focused more on traditional recycling and waste disposal, but the MMP will adopt a sustainable materials management approach that encourages better access to recycling, as well as organics management and waste reduction. This expanded plan will cover pre- and post-consumer recyclables, and other materials ranging from organics and wood to e-waste and demolition waste. The next open house meetings will take place in South Bend and Valparaiso.
- Marine mammals will benefit from new import restrictions coming from the Trump administration due to seafood import bans, which affects over 40 countries. America imports about 80% of its seafood, giving it serious leverage over the global fishing industry. Although the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is admittedly positioned around improving America’s role as a seafood producer, legislators have acknowledged that this benefits wildlife, too. More than 650,000 whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals die from being accidentally caught and killed in fishing nets each year.
- Indiana is welcoming a new insectivore: the nine-banded armadillo! Spotted in parts of southern Indiana since 2003, this armored visitor has been reported over 230 times. Similar to other tough-but tender shelled animals like the box turtle or hedgehog, these peculiar-looking critters tend to keep to themselves. It’s assumed that their migration has been due to the warming temperatures in North, South, and Central America, reduction in large predators, and human-made passageways bridging paths previously inaccessible to the nine-banded armadillo. These traditionally nocturnal animals spend their time digging with the dual purpose of creating burrows and find food such as insects, worms, and grubs. Biologists are still gathering data on the impact armadillos are having on Indiana as the populations slowly increase.
- Last week we reported on a Department of Energy climate report that downplayed and even praised the effects of climate change. Well since then, the criticism has rolled up the ladder and the team of climate-skeptical scientists has since been dissolved. Although the initial report will remain in tact, a DOE spokesperson insists that they will entertain conversations about what is actually known and unknown about climate science, and “continue to engage in the debate in favor of a more science-based and less ideological conversation around climate science.” We hope to see a renewed report focused on the impacts of climate change and the opportunities for mitigating those effects.
Feature Report:
Andy Lavalley / Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAnd now, lets listen to Katrine Bruner as she talks with Haskell Smith, Bloomington’s City Urban Forester, about the Spotted Lanternfly.
And now for some upcoming events:
- Enjoy Stargazing at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 13th, from 8 to 10 pm. Meet the park naturalist at Hoen Point for an evening of stargazing. A telescope will be available to view the fall constellations.
- An Exploring Mindfullness In The Garden workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, from 9 to 10:30 am at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Learn about mindfulness and how to deepen your gardening experience. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright.
Today’s news feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and compiled our events calendar.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
Julianna Dailey and Carrie Albright are our anchors.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 11th, 2025.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner has a feature on the Spotted Lanternfly. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Brea from Exodus Refugee Immigration. The Indiana attorney general is demanding Exodus cooperate with an investigation into complaints from ICE that Exodus is making immigration arrests more difficult. We’ll hear from Exodus and other organizations tabling at the recent Student Involvement Fair later in the show in a feature report.
But first, this message:
IU Political Science Professor Jeff Isaac joins the WFHB Local News to discuss how to support the station during our Fall Fund Drive. Isaac speaks with Correspondent Katrine Bruner (Photo by Kade Young).This is WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive. The WFHB Local News is your daily, award-winning source for Bloomington’s stories – from city government to in-depth features on the issues shaping our community. Every weekday at 5 p.m., volunteers, students and staff bring you news you won’t hear anywhere else.
Community radio is rare. And stations with fully independent newsrooms like ours are even rarer. But to keep WFHB Local News strong, we need your support.
Our goal for today’s broadcast is to raise $600. Every dollar you give is doubled thanks to a $100,000 anonymous match. That means your $25 becomes $50, your $50 becomes $100 – and every gift helps protect independent local journalism.
With cuts to public media, listener support has never been more important. Your donation ensures WFHB stays on the air, free from corporate control and political influence.
Call 812-323-1200 right now, or visit wfhb.org and click the red donate button. You are the heartbeat of community radio. Thank you for keeping WFHB – and your community news – alive and thriving.
Feature Report:
Indiana University Bloomington is home to more than 750 registered student organizations and clubs, all created and led by students. Some of them are trying to make a difference in B-town. Some are trying to help people who feel like outsiders find their community. During the first week of this semester WFHB sent dozens of reporters to the Student Involvement Fair to seek out these stories in a report produced by the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School. We go on-location now to Showalter Fountain with correspondent Anna Fernandez.
Andy Lavalley /Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesOn June 9th, 2025, the city of Bloomington posted a news release that explained an insect, named the Spotted Lanternfly, had been confirmed in Bartholomew County, about 50 miles from Bloomington. The insect, a non-native and invasive species, can feed on more than 70 plants, harming growth and health of plants. Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the city’s Urban Forester, Haskell Smith, to learn more about the insect and what Bloomington has been doing to mitigate risk.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Today’s feature story on student organizations at the Student Involvement Fair was produced by students in the J331 Audio Storytelling class at The Media School at Indiana University: Brendan Brown, Anna Fernandez, Mia Hilkowitz, Aidan King, Graham Nash, Ella Nelson, Elizabeth Noble, Jenna Nolot, Ashton Rohrbacher, Erica Weaver, and Georgia Winston.
Sports News Briefing was produced by Nate Rushemeza.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors were Kade Young and Nate Rushemeza.
Indiana University Bloomington is home to more than 750 registered student organizations and clubs, all created and led by students. Some of them are trying to make a difference in B-town. Some are trying to help people who feel like outsiders find their community. During the first week of this semester WFHB sent dozens of reporters to the Student Involvement Fair to seek out these stories in a report produced by the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School. We hear from 11 orgs in 11 minutes including Exodus Refugee Immigration. The Indiana attorney general is demanding Exodus cooperate with an investigation into complaints from ICE that Exodus is making immigration arrests more difficult.
ORGS FEATURED:
American Conservation Coalition
Campus Girl Scouts
WildCare
Friends Club all-female philanthropy
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
Alzheimer’s Student Alliance
Exodus Refugee Immigration
Black Student Union
League of Women Voters
Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington
Live Reality Games Club
CREDITS:
Today’s feature story on student organizations at the Student Involvement Fair was produced by students in the J331 Audio Storytelling class at The Media School at Indiana University: Brendan Brown, Anna Fernandez, Mia Hilkowitz, Aidan King, Graham Nash, Ella Nelson, Elizabeth Noble, Jenna Nolot, Ashton Rohrbacher, Erica Weaver, Georgia Winston
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we revisit a report from the No Kings protest that took place in June of this year. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry will join us live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive.
WFHB Fall Fund Drive Starts Today
News Director Kade Young, Correspondent Elyse Perry and Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider are live in the studio to ask for your pledges during our Fall Fund Drive (Photo by Jessie Grubb).Welcome to the beginning of WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive! Our daily, award-winning news program, WFHB Local News, is your source for staying informed about our community. Each day, our committed volunteers, who are also local residents and students, work tirelessly to cover local government, explore in-depth news features on community issues, and provide you with the latest updates.
Community radio is a rare treasure, and stations with news departments like ours are even rarer. We take immense pride in preserving WFHB’s long-established tradition of a vibrant news and public affairs department. However, to sustain WFHB’s numerous vital local news and public affairs programs, we need your help.
You are the heartbeat of community radio. We literally could not do what we do without your support, and your pledge today can help us keep independent, local news thriving. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to secure $600 in support of our Fall Fund Drive. Your contribution can make a significant impact. Simply dial 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as possible. We do have a 100,000 dollar match from an anonymous donor, so your contribution is essentially doubled with this match. Once again, that’s 812-323-1200. Alternatively, you can visit our website and click on the big red donate button to pledge your invaluable support.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and for generously supporting WFHB, your beloved community radio station. Together, we can ensure our community stays connected and well-informed.
Feature Reports
During our Fall Fund Drive, we’re looking back at some of our best programming throughout 2025 so far. In June of this year, a large crowd gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse Square for the “No Kings” protest. Organized in response to what participants describe as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, the rally drew hundreds of community members calling for democratic accountability and human rights protections. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with several organizers and community members who spoke out against the current administration – from immigration enforcement to foreign policy. We turn now to that archived report on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, “Shop Till You Drop” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Online shopping is huge — and can be hugely dangerous. Fraud in e-commerce is one of the biggest and most lucrative (for the swindlers) problems today, all over the world. If you shop on the internet (and most of us do), you need to be more careful than ever. Here’s some tips on where the risks are, and what you can do to avoid them.
In this episode of ShowRats, host Ollie interviews Chicago-based musician Ben Astrachan. Ben shares his journey from the East Coast to Chicago, his passion for music and the arts, and his experiences balancing a career in behavioral health with his musical ambitions. The conversation covers Ben’s songwriting process, musical influences ranging from Jesus Christ Superstar to Pink Floyd, and his upcoming album “Signs.” Ben offers advice to Ollie and other aspiring musicians to consume as much music and poetry as possible, develop a consistent writing practice, and attend shows to build community and support other musicians.
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Featured song in this episode is Picture of Doubt by Astrachan
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 9th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the City’s Urban Forester about the risk Spotted Lanternfly insects pose and what Bloomington is doing now to limit their impact. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Election Board Weighs Polling Site Accessibility Software, Elects Republican Danny Shields as New Chair
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Photo by Kade Young).The Monroe County Election Board met on September 4th. First, ADA Coordinator with the City of Bloomington Michael Shermis gave a presentation on accessible polling sites.
Shermis continued, making election board members aware of a new software that would make polling more accessible.
He suggested a similar software to the county to use for polling sites.
Shermis said that the software BlueDAG could give the county a discount for services at 12,000 dollars per year. He recommended that the county election board implement the software. Republican Board Member Danny Shields asked about the length of the contract and how long it would be needed. Shermis responded.
Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland says she thinks the county could use the software once every four years to ensure they remain A-D-A compliant at polling sites.
Democratic Board Member Penny Githens expressed concerns about accessibility at the North Showers building. Shermis said he’s received complaints about the parking lot in the past. Shields asked who owns the parking lot.
County Clerk Nicole Browne reiterated that the North Showers location needs to be in compliance before the start of early voting, saying the county has 12 violations concerning accessibility.
In other election board news, Republican Chair Danny Shields nominated himself as board chair during the meeting. In a split vote, the board voted 2-1 making Shields the new chair of the Election Board. The full meeting can be found online. The county election board will meet again on Thursday, October 2nd.
Feature Report:
Andy Lavalley / Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesOn June 9th, 2025, the City of Bloomington posted a news release that explained an insect, named the Spotted Lanternfly, had been confirmed in Bartholomew County, about 50 miles from Bloomington. The insect, a non-native and invasive species, can feed on more than 70 plants, harming growth and health of plants. Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the City’s Urban Forester, Haskell Smith, to learn more about the insect and what the City of Bloomington has been doing to mitigate risk.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Youth Radio produced Art Walk.
Anchors were Benedict Jones and Jim Odom.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
In episode 6 Ollie and Nathan speak to local Fiber Artist David Sloma in his studio at the i Fell.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the Fourth and Rogers Block Party on June 6th, 2025 during Gallery Walk in Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Ollie Schnell and Nathan Lafferty
Edited by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 8th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, local writer Aaron Cohen speaks about his experiences as a 15-year-old at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when thousands of protesters clashed with police and the National Guard. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Reese Stephens from Bring Your Own Business, an IU club hosting market-style events like the one they had yesterday in Dunn Meadow. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Approves Resolution to Designate Bloomington as a Certified Bee City
The Bloomington City Council heard a resolution that would designate the city as a certified Bee City during their meeting on September 3rd. Chair of the Bloomington Environmental Commission Carrie Albright, who also volunteers for WFHB’s public affairs program Eco Report, presented the resolution.
Albright went on to describe the rationale behind why the environmental commission believes it’s important to cultivate a pollinator friendly habitat.
She went through the requirements and responsibilities that the city would need to undertake in order to receive and maintain the Bee City certification.
Albright said that the city would have an annual fee of 400 dollars that would be paid for by the Environmental Commission’s budget with potential assistance from the Parks and Recreation Department. She said that the certification would give the city access to materials for outreach or training.
City Councilmember Isak Asare said he’s supportive of the resolution, but he wondered how much of the bee city certification is symbolic and how the city could ensure success of the initiative.
Urban Green Space Manager for the City Joanna Sparks responded that the city is already following some of the guidelines outlined by the bee city certification. Albright agreed and said the certification would give the city recognition for work it’s already doing.
Councilmember Dave Rollo asked if there was any interest in certifications for other species, such as butterflies. Albright and Sparks said they do have their eyes on other certifications like the Monarch Pledge to pursue in 2026.
Councilmember Andy Ruff asked about how the resolution plays into the reduction of pesticide use by the city. Sparks said there are not any rules in the Bee City certification that would reduce pesticide use, but the city’s parks and recreation department does want to reduce its use of pesticides.
The council approved the resolution by a 7-0 vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will happen on September 10th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we turn now to a segment from Big Talk, WFHB’s weekly public affairs program featuring a one-on-one conversation with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people, hosted by Michael Glab. In this excerpt, Glab speaks with writer Aaron Cohen about his experiences as a 15-year-old at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when thousands of protesters clashed with police and the National Guard. Cohen recalls how his parents instilled in him a sense of civic duty and the importance of standing up for justice. You can hear the full conversation on Big Talk, online or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Indiana University has a well-known school of business, but one local student organization is promoting entrepreneurship across ALL majors. The Bloomington chapter of Bring Your Own Business gives students the opportunity to launch their own company, mainly by hosting market-style events like the one they had yesterday in Dunn Meadow. Recent graduate Reese Stephens was involved in BYOB for most of his time here. Now he’s passing the torch to the next class of aspiring business owners on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Brylee Stubbs through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors were Elyse Perry and Benedict Jones.
This interview features Jack from WFHB’s Youth Radio in conversation with Canadian-American musician and composer Claire Rousay. They discuss her experience re-scoring the 1980s Slovak animated film “The Bloody Lady.” Claire shares how she was approached for the project, her decision to use primarily piano and subtle sound manipulation to complement the film’s minimal animation style, and her intent to give viewers space for their own interpretations. She contrasts her approach with the original score, emphasizing a more understated and supportive musical role. Claire also reflects on how her personal circumstances and environment influenced her creative process, and she offers insights into her daily artistic practice and sources of inspiration.
“The Bloody Lady” will be screened at The Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Wednesday, September 10th at 7 PM with live accompaniment. Tickets and more information available at buskirkchumley.org
Interview conducted by Jack Maher for WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Tracey Hutchings-Goetz with Hoosier Action, a homegrown community organization rooted in small-town Southern Indiana, and led by their members. Hoosier Action has been a leader in advocating for the Indiana Medicaid program and supporting Hoosiers who need healthcare.
Tracey Hutchings-Goetz
From the podcast: ”Medicaid members do actually have rights, and Medicaid members do have things that they can do if they are kicked off in error. Those things include reaching out to Indiana Legal Services or filing an appeal, or reaching out to their elected officials, both at the state and federal level to intervene on their behalf.”
Medicaid: Know Your Rights with Indiana Justice Project
Medicaid Appeals document
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
On June 23rd, Local Live welcomed Deep Country Dream into the Firehouse! The band shared songs from their forthcoming album Lost Roads, due out this fall. It was a night filled with rich melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a taste of what’s to come from their forthcoming release.
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Whitney Cordoba, médica de formación y originaria de Cali, Colombia, nos comparte cómo llegó a IU para estudiar una maestría en Salud Pública en IU, para después trabajar en CenterStone, y quedarse a estudiar un doctorado en Epidemiología. Además, nos comparte información sobre la importancia y cuidados de la salud cerebral.
Indiana University has a well-known school of business, but one local student organization is promoting entrepreneurship across ALL majors. The Bloomington chapter of Bring Your Own Business gives students the opportunity to launch their own company, mainly by hosting market-style public events. Recent graduate Reese Stephens was involved in BYOB for most of his time here; now he’s passing the torch to the next class of aspiring business owners.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Brylee Stubbs
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
In the third part of their interview, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper with Dr. Tommy Butts of Purdue University, transition from future weeding technology to monitoring agricultural runoff.
And now for your environmental reports:
- With 70% of the Indiana’s rivers and streams unsafe for swimming, the Hoosier state has the worst water pollution problem in the nation. A comprehensive report from the Hoosier Environmental Council reveals that over 24,000 miles of Indiana waterways are polluted—more than any other state. These pollutants come from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, city stormwater, and emerging contaminants like poly-fluoro-alkyl substances and microplastics. PFAS chemicals were found in 100% of the fish sampled, while microplastics have been discovered in central Indiana’s White River.
- Ground control, the young Earthlings of Terre Haute are becoming stars themselves! This group of youth ages 7–16 from Vigo County Schools is Nickelodeon’s latest feature in a series about young climate changemakers.
- There is a Prairie catalog for restoring native species. Illinois has lost 99.9% of its native tallgrass prairie, but scientists have created a powerful new tool to help bring these vital ecosystems back. Prairies are environmental powerhouses. Their deep root systems, some reaching 8 feet down, store massive amounts of carbon, prevent soil erosion, and create incredibly resilient ecosystems that support hundreds of plant, insect, and animal species.
- Researchers at the University of Illinois just launched RELIX, a database that catalogs plant species from 353 surviving prairie remnants across the Midwest. These remnants are akin to postage stamps—tiny patches of original grassland that survived because they couldn’t be farmed. Commercial seed mixes are often missing many native species and this database can change that. Now restoration projects can use seed mixes that truly match what grew here naturally, creating stronger, more diverse prairies that can better withstand droughts, floods, and invasive species.
- A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can proceed with terminating more than $16 billion in climate grants to nonprofit organizations. The grants, awarded under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to fight climate change, had been frozen by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin who cited concerns about fraud and misalignment with the agency’s updated priorities.
- More than 85 climate scientists have issued a scathing rebuttal to a new Department of Energy report, calling it full of climate science misrepresentations and outright errors. The scientists found that Energy Secretary Chris Wright handpicked the team of five climate skeptics who cherry-picked their data and ignored critical climate impacts while writing this report. Environmental groups have sued the Trump administration, alleging the report was created illegally in secret with only one viewpoint represented.
- Schools in Paris are creating greening opportunities for increased wilderness, right in their very own backyards. A groundbreaking study examined 16 schools in a large-scale initiative to renature Paris’s schoolyards from asphalt to green spaces by 2050. The study found that arthropod communities, like insects, spiders, and other small creatures, thrived in the green schoolyards at levels similar to nearby parks. These transformed urban spaces, originally designed as “cool islands,” also combat the urban heat island effect.
- According to a recent study published in Nature, the effects of rampant carbon pollution have the potential to wreak havoc across India. And as sea levels continue to rise, a number of the country’s most prominent coastal cities are facing increased threats of flooding.
- Trump Says America’s Oil Industry Is Cleaner Than Other Countries’. New Data Shows Massive Emissions From Texas Wells. The oil industry touts Texas as a success story in controlling climate-warming methane emissions. The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, in Part 3, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about future weed technology and monitoring agricultural runoff.
And now for some upcoming events:
- An Arboretum Party in the Park sponsored by Bloomington Branches will celebrate Bryan Park which is officially Indiana’s first city park to earn accredited arboretum status. Celebrate on Saturday, September 6th, from 3 to 6 pm at Bryan Park.
- Enjoy Arts, Blues, and BBQ at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 11 am to 6 pm. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live blues music while you enjoy fresh BBQ.
A Full Moon Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Hike around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of the Harvest Full Moon. - There will be a Live Snake Program at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 13th, beginning at 6:30 pm in the Activity Center Amphitheater. Learn how snakes experience the world through their senses and get to touch a snake.
- Bug Fest takes place on Saturday, September 13th, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Karst Farm Park. Learn about insects, hands on and up close!
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
He has designed a public scratching post made of pumice and a time capsule encased in 10 pounds of beeswax. Artist and industrial designer Maxwell Fertik came from heavily forested New England and, there, learned to appreciate and love natural materials. He specializes in transforming material from local biota into usable items and art that celebrates the environment. Fertik’s co-exhibit with painter Meg Lagodzki, no_innocent_landscape, runs from September 5th through October 31st at the Process Gallery in IU’s Cook Center.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 4th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich, speaks with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News covers the latest meetings of the Monroe County Zoning Appeals Board and the Ellettsville Town Council.
More coming up next in your daily headlines:
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals Postpones Vote on South Shady Side Drive Variance Requests After Lengthy Hearing
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals met on August 25th. The board heard from the Huff Revocable Trust for 10 variance requests on their property located on South Shady Side Drive. Some of the variance requests were for accessible dwelling units, new roads, and slope encroachments among others. Nearby residents expressed opposition to the variance requests.
Assistant Director of Planning Tammy Behrman gave background information on the area of proposed development. She shared staff recommendations on the variances. Huff Legal Representative Todd Borgman explained what the purpose of the variances are for. In his view, Borgman said the widening of the roads is a safety issue.
In support of the variances, Nearby Resident Lynn Rogers said that she felt that Joe Huff has been cooperative and has taken her preferences into consideration.
During public comment on the variances, Nearby Resident Michael Cain spoke against the development and said they have engaged in litigation against the petitioner in the past.
Also in opposition to the petition, was Mark Gallhousen who said he has lived on the road for forty years.
The board voted on some of the variances. The board voted to postpone the other variances due to the time constraints as the meeting had gone past 9 p.m. The meeting was 4 hours and 14 minutes long. The full meeting is available on CATS. The board will continue to discuss the variances at a future meeting. The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals will meet again on September 18th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREIn today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich, speaks with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds. This is Part II of that interview, which previously aired on our environmental program, Eco Report. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed. Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On June 11, 2025, we welcomed Lily Seabird in for a Firehouse Session. She performed songs from her critically acclaimed album Trash Mountain, showcasing her raw, emotional vocals and fearless songwriting. In their conversation, Lily opened up about growing up in Vermont, the realities of touring, being featured by Rolling Stone, and the process of writing deeply personal songs. It was an intimate, moving session that captured both her artistry and her honesty as a storyteller. Don’t miss this one – it’s a special listen.
Up next – we have Paisley’s Posh Nosh on WFHB’s Youth Radio. On this bi-weekly show, host Paisley Antoine picks and reviews snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are her finds fun, but they’re also all healthy. The theme for Episode 1 is “Back to School.”
A Pridefest banner stretches across Kirkwood Avenue as downtown Bloomington celebrates the 11th annual festival. (Photo by Jessie Grubb).Up next, from the news department – on Saturday, August 23rd, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. This festival brought out thousands of people celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and the fight for liberation. WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with various groups and attendees about what pride means to them.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
Sales of drugs are one of the most common — and most successful — scams today, just as they have been for centuries. This is not about “recreational” drugs or prescription medicines — the fraudsters peddle all kinds of concoctions, claiming they’re safe, offering phony testimonials, and skirting the law by labeling them things like “nutritional supplements.” Of course they target the most common problems people struggle with, but when it comes to putting something in your own body, you really need to avoid being fooled.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Sheriff Ruben Marté. He discusses updates on his administration and provides a progress report on his reelection campaign as Monroe County Sheriff. More from the hosts of Bring It On in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Selling Snake Oil” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
MCCSC Projects Future Deficit Amid Funding Cuts and Enrollment Decline
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on August 26th. During public comment, President of the Monroe County Education Association Jenny Noble-Kuchera said that the teachers union will begin collective bargaining next month. This comes in the wake of funding cuts for public schools at the state level.
Next, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Alexis Harmon presented instructional materials related to human sexuality. Harmon noted that according to a new law passed in the Statehouse, all public school districts need to post an online list of materials they use to teach about human sexuality.
The board approved the motion unanimously. Then, Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston went over the school corporation’s 2-year budget. She said the school district needs to factor in population decline, a reduction in state and federal funding – all the while trying to manage expenses.
Winston went on to measure the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1 in the Statehouse, which reduced property tax revenue for schools.
Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin projected that MCCSC will face a deficit in the future based on their current financial trajectory. Irwin says this is still a problem despite cost cutting efforts the school district has enacted.
To cut costs, the school corporation has already eliminated 61 non-classroom jobs, consolidated positions and natural attrition. The next MCCSC Board of Trustees meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on September 23rd.
Bloomington Board Approves Deed Restriction Following Soil Contamination Findings
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 26th. City Legal, Chris Wheeler, asked the board to approve an environmental deed restriction on a property located on West Fountain Drive and 8th Street.
Board Member James Roach asked for more information on the environmental issues on the property. Bloomington Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger responded that they found three harmful chemicals in the soil.
The board approved the deed restriction unanimously. Later in the meeting the board heard an update from Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh on the City Wide Fiber Project.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on September 9th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Bring It On! – Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community. In this episode, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté. He discusses updates on his administration and provides a progress report on his reelection campaign as Monroe County Sheriff. You can hear the full episode online here or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Up next, “Selling Snake Oil” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Chantalle LaFontant and Clarence Boone.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Paisley’s Posh Nosh on WFHB’s Youth Radio! On this bi-weekly show, I pick and review snacks and drinks that have a special seasonal, holiday, or other theme to them. Not only are my finds fun, but they’re also all healthy. Being a student athlete the majority of my life, I know first hand the importance of fueling your body with the right foods and nutrients enabling you to perform and live at your best!
The theme of this episode is Back to School. One of the first things people usually associate with school is generally the apple. So, with this came the Apple Pie Chai Smoothie pick. This fall smoothie calls for only six simple ingredients and takes as little as 5-6 minutes to make.
When school is in session, extracurriculars, and assignments due, you need quick and easy meals that won’t weigh you down. So, I chose one of my personal favorites that checks all the boxes: the Prana Organic Chia Overnight Oats in the flavor Berry Fairy! All you do is pour milk or water into the mix and set in the fridge overnight. In the morning, TADA! Breakfast is made. I could go on forever about about all the health benefits both picks contain, but the most important ones are the high levels of vitamins, antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics that support immune, brain, digestive and other functions.
Tune in to Youth Radio on September 13th to hear which picks find the spotlight next. Luck and Love!
Credits:
Produced by Paisley Antoine for WFHB’s Youth Radio
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have coverage from yesterday’s Workers Over Billionaires protest on the Monroe County Courthouse square. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Featured Segments:
On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered for the Workers Over Billionaires protest – a nationwide campaign focused on income inequality and the “billionaire takeover” of the U.S. government. The local chapter of the 50501 Movement organized the protest, a group that has formed in reaction to the current presidential administration. WFHB News attended the protest and spoke with organizers and community members about what the protest means to them. We turn now to that report on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Katrine Bruner and Jim Odom were our anchors.
On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered for the Workers Over Billionaires protest – a nationwide campaign focused on income inequality and the “billionaire takeover” of the U.S. government. The local chapter of the 50501 Movement organized the protest, a group that has formed in reaction to the current presidential administration. WFHB News attended the protest and spoke with organizers and community members about what the protest means to them.
Photos by Jessie Grubb.
En este episodio de Hola Bloomington, conversamos con el Sheriff del Condado de Monroe, Indiana, Rubén Marté, quien nació en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, y se mudó junto con su familia a los Estados Unidos aún siendo un niño. Con una carrera previa de 31 años en la Policía Estatal de Indiana, donde fue capitán y sirvió como el primer oficial de Equidad e Inclusión, Ruben Marté tiene una vocación de servicio y una calidez humana admirable . También es bilingüe y participó activamente por dos años en la Comisión de Asuntos Hispanos y Latinos de Bloomington.
Desde su elección en noviembre de 2022, Marté ha liderado un esfuerzo transformador centrado en mejorar la seguridad pública, la transparencia y el profesionalismo del Departamento del Sheriff. Bajo su dirección se incrementó la formación especializada del personal penitenciario y sensibilización cultural. También, introdujo un programa integral de servicios de salud mental y tratamiento por abuso de sustancias en la cárcel del condado, con el objetivo de reducir la reincidencia.
Monroe County Sheriff Ruben MartéIn tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté. He joins us this evening to discuss updates on his administration and to provide a progress report on his reelection campaign as Monroe County Sheriff.
Ruben Marté was elected Sheriff of Monroe County in November 2022. He won the race against Republican nominee Nathan Williamson with 62.2% of the vote. With over 31 years of experience with the Indiana State Police. He was a captain in the office of the superintendent and was a pioneering force in his own right. In his first campaign, Sheriff Marté ran on a platform with four key elements: increasing public safety, reducing the rate of recidivism and reentry in the justice system, enhancing training for all sheriff’s office employees, and expanding public outreach and community engagement.
After being sworn in, Sheriff Marté has shed light on poor structural conditions and overcrowding at the jail, and has routinely advocated for improvements. He is now running for reelection in 2026 and officially began his campaign on June 12 of this year. So far in Marté’s service as sheriff, he has increased correctional staff in-service training by over 500%, and increased mental health and other related services in the correctional facility to address re-offenses. If reelected, Marté will prioritize staff training and support, maintain jail safety, and develop a model new jail for other communities.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Melanie and Alyssa go through some news, and then we hear from Ella’s Pride interviews, after which I almost talked. about The Front Door, our nascent LGBTIQ+ Community Center
Check us out onApple Podcasts and Spotify
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Credits:
Kade Young – Producer
Alyssa Gray – Audio Engineer
Melanie Davis – Producer, Co-Host
Justin Robertson – Co-Host
In today’s feature report, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper, in Part 2, talk with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds.
And now for your environmental reports:
- The US Forest Service is taking steps to enact a controversial plan to harvest 38,000 acres of timber and initiate prescribed burns in Hoosier National Forest, to the protest of many local groups and even Indiana Governor Mike Braun.
- In 2021, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) launched the Clean Community program in an effort to make our state a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable place to live. This year, Beech Grove was awarded Indiana’s first gold level status, a milestone for the state and a reflection of the Beech Grove community’s dedication.
- The Trump administration is making significant cuts to our nation’s next-generation weather and climate monitoring system, and this affects communities across the country who depend on these tools for our safely related to air quality and ocean health.
- The Colorado River Indian Tribes (or CRIT) are taking a groundbreaking step that could reshape how we protect our waterways—they’re working to give the Colorado River the same legal rights as a person.
- The Trump Administration Dismisses the Endangered Species List as ‘Hotel California.’ But There’s Far More to the Story. A small percentage of species protected by the law have ever recovered, but an even smaller fraction have gone extinct. With all the threats they face, including long-shrinking federal support, that’s an achievement, scientists note.
- A towering wall of dust rolled through metro Phoenix, leaving thousands without power. A powerful storm kicked up a towering wall of dust that rolled through metro Phoenix on Monday, darkening the sky, blinding drivers, knocking out power and grounding flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, in Part 2, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about managing weeds on a big farm.
And now for some upcoming events:
- A Nature’s Fireworks presentation is planned for Sunday, August 31st, from 3 to 4 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Naturalist Kaitlyn will meet you in the Nature Center to teach you about Indiana’s state insect.
- There will be a Sssnake Talk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, September 1st from 2 to 2:45 pm. Slither to the Nature Center Ampitheater to learn about the longest snake of North America and the strongest snake in Indiana.
- An Arboretum Party in the Park sponsored by Bloomington Branches will celebrate Bryan Park which is officially Indiana’s first city park to earn accredited arboretum status. Celebrate on Saturday, September 6th, from 3 to 6 pm at Bryan Park.
- Enjoy Arts, Blues, and BBQ at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 11 am to 6 pm. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live blues music while you enjoy fresh BBQ.
- A Full Moon Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Hike around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of the Harvest Full Moon.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
This episode focuses on the ICE raids still accelerating across the country, and the resistance spreading in response. We speak with K, an organizer in Los Angeles, who reflects on the ICE invasion and the movement against it, which has become a beacon for struggles across the US. Since Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has grown into the largest police force in the country and it’s clear that future movements against policing will have to place organizing against ICE, borders, and citizenship at their core.
A hot August week 57 years ago. Thousands of protesters took to the street during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. They faced off against thousands of Chicago police officers and Illinois National Guardsmen. Blood was drawn as the whole world watched. Aaron Cohen, a 15-year-old from the comfortable suburb of Winnetka was there, along with two siblings, brought by their parents. It was his parents’ way of teaching the kids civics as well as the imperative to stand up for what is right. It wouldn’t be the last time Cohen took to the streets.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed. Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life.
Featured Segments:
On Monday, June 2nd, Bloomington all-star band King Bee and the Stingers brought the house down on Local Live—nearly blowing the roof off! Their set was razor-sharp, brimming with energy, and a masterclass in musicianship. Don’t miss this electrifying session and conversation.
Up next, from WFHB’s Youth Radio, we have the most recent episode of Showrats with host Ollie Schnell. In this episode of ShowRats, Ollie is joined by Casey Dienel, a producer, singer, and songwriter from Massachusetts. Casey began writing their own songs as a teenager influenced by artists like Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell. They have released music under their own name and as White Hinterland. Casey advises aspiring musicians to remember that music is something we play, so embrace mistakes and have fun with the process.
This week’s archive segment comes from an episode of Interchange broadcast May 4, 1999. In it, host Darryl Neher talks with IU English Professor Stephen Watt and graduate student Sarah Stevens about the relationships between economics and academics. This episode was digitized from a cassette stored in the WFHB archives by Volunteer Adriane Pontecorvo.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JULY 31: Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside the Indiana University Alumni Association to demonstrate after the Indiana University board of trustees passed a policy regulating free speech on campus on July 31, 2024 in Bloomington, Ind. The free speech policy labeled, “Expressive Activity Policy” activists say is aimed at Pro-Palestine protests and Grad Student Union strikes, was passed during a meeting at the same location Monday. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)Up next, from the news department – Indiana University has ordered the Palestine Solidarity Committee to cease and desist all activities while under investigation for allegedly violating student code. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with Bryce Greene, co-founder of the Palestine Solidarity Committee and organizer with the IU Divestment Coalition. Greene argued that the suspension aims to discredit and intimidate protesters, but he believes it may instead invigorate activism. Correspondent Ella Cummings has more.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 27th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we share a segment from Bring It On! where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk with leaders of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the African American Arts Institute at IU Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Badgers and Smackers” on Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Board of Health Finalizes Public Comment Policy, Discusses Stricter Eligibility Rules
The Monroe County Board of Health met on Thursday, August 21st. The meeting began with board members finalizing legislation for the public comment policy. Chairperson Aurora DiOrio explained the new policy.
Then, Manager of Coordinated School Health, Lisa Greathouse, for I-U Health Bloomington Hospital, presented her departmental update. She explained the progress her department has made in order to meet their goals within the schools.
Health Administrator Lori Kelly went on to discuss how Monroe County’s funded Health First programs have implemented stricter eligibility requirements. The board members expressed their frustration with this new Indiana law that resulted in two individuals being turned away from county resources due to their documentation and citizenship status.
Chairperson DiOrio explained a new decision from I-U Health that will shift the responsibilities of communicable disease case investigation, TB followup, and vaccinations to the Monroe County Board of Health. She elaborated that IU Health has terminated this contract with Monroe County as of January first. The Board of Health will now retain the funds that were previously provided to IU Health and carry out these responsibilities.
The meeting wrapped up with a comment on the fluoride in the county’s water. Chairperson Stephen Pritchard, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, presented concern that the fluoride equipment has been malfunctioning for a number of years. He expressed how he believes this is a problem that could be related to an increase in tooth decay. The Board voted unanimously to invite individuals from the City of Bloomington Utilities to provide information on this topic and open discussion. The Board subsequently adjourned the meeting. The next Board of Health meeting will take place on Thursday, September 18th.
Justice Center Reopens After Mold Repair and Ongoing Testing
Photo courtesy of Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Commissioners met on August 21st. Health Department Director Lori Kelley issued an update for the Department, reporting more than 10 cases of infant deaths due to unsafe sleep across the state.
An agreement between the Monroe County Women’s Commission and the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering was accepted in order to provide middle-schoolers with a camp that would allow students to develop website design and STEM skills. County Attorney Molly Turner-King provided the details.
Finally, during announcements, Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie described the current conditions at the Justice Center, which she said resulted in the accumulation of mold and fungal spores.
The Justice Center closed on Tuesday and re-opened on Thursday after the conclusion of disruptive mold
repair. Follow-up testing has started, with the results expected back early next week.
The Monroe County Commissioners next meet on August 28th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we share a segment from Bring It On! where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk with leaders of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the African American Arts Institute at IU Bloomington. The discussion focuses on the history of these institutions and the upcoming performances and events that showcase African American music, dance and culture. We turn to that segment from Bring It On on the WFHB Local News.
Up next – “Badgers and Smackers” on Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Clarence Boone and Chantalle LaFontant.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Here are two more “classic” scams that have been practiced since time immemorial, and are still very much in use today — because they still work, in one variation or another. Both are “team” scams, and need at least two crooks to make them work. The victim must not know that the two are connected — and these scams are especially dangerous because they use both greed and fear to snare the sucker. Know the pattern, and you’ll know when to beware.
In today’s feature report, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about nozzles and herbicides and how farms manage weeds.
And now for your environmental reports:
- As rooftop solar gets hammered, virtual power plants offer a way forward.
- Tribal Solar Projects Meet Different Fates in Wyoming After Trump Administration Kills Funding
- Minneapolis-based Coffeewomple is one of the first U.S. roasters to use a commercial-scale electric coffee roaster, navigating higher costs for climate benefits.
- In Appalachia, fracking is not the job creator the industry claims.
- El Paso’s Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse.
- The Third Rock From Another Sun Shows No Signs of Life So Far.
- Environmental Groups Sue Over D.O.E. Report Downplaying Climate Change’
- How Scientists Are Using Drones to Study Sperm Whales
- While we all watch for the Monarch butterflies to return each summer, the future is not hopeful.
- Water is very much on Hoosiers’ minds. From the unpopular 2021 legislation that stripped our critical wetlands of protection to the 2023 announcement of a proposed pipeline carrying water 35 miles from Tippecanoe County to the LEAP development in Lebanon, it’s top of mind for many.
- Circumstances provide a rare opportunity. With few existing regulations, there’s a clean slate from which legislators can work. The pipeline idea, thankfully, is dead. We now have a chance to take the time necessary to fully understand Indiana’s water – how much is available, how clean it is and the locations that will need more in the future.
- It’s the ideal time for the Braun administration and legislators to appoint a wide-ranging commission – representing all the diverse needs of Hoosiers – to spend the next two years understanding
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about managing weeds on a big farm.
And now for some upcoming events:
- A Flying Bats presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about the only flying mammal in the world. Discover their special adaptations to fly while making a “flying bat” toy.
- Learn about Twiggy Owl at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, August 24th from 3:30 to 4 pm in the Nature Center. Did you know barred owls have special feather patterns to help them blend-in with the forest? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about Barred Owls.
- There will be a Cordage Mini-Workshop at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, August 28th, beginning at 10:30 am. Learn about the types of plants that can be harvested to make cordage and the practical uses for it.
- Take the Donaldson Cave Hike at Springmill State Park on Friday, August 29th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike on Trails 1 and 4 while you learn about George Donaldson and the Shawnee Cave system.
- A Nature’s Fireworks presentation is planned for Sunday, August 31st, from 3 to 4 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Naturalist Kaitlyn will meet you in the Nature Center to teach you about Indiana’s state insect.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and The Nature Conservancy
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Ashton Harper is our engineer.
Anchors are Max Jancich and Julianna Dailey.
On June 11, 2025, we welcomed Lily Seabird in for a Firehouse Session! She performed songs from her critically acclaimed album Trash Mountain, showcasing her raw, emotional vocals and fearless songwriting. In their conversation, Lily opened up about growing up in Vermont, the realities of touring, being featured by Rolling Stone, and the process of writing deeply personal songs. It was an intimate, moving session that captured both her artistry and her honesty as a storyteller. Don’t miss this one — it’s a special listen.
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Christy Crandall and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell showcase the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the African American Arts Institute on the Indiana University Bloomington Campus. Our guests today are:
- Dr. Gloria Howell is the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMCC) at Indiana University.
- Professor Raymond Wise is the Executive Director of the African American Arts Institute (AAAI) and the director of the African American Choral Ensemble.
- Professor James Strong is director of the IU Soul Revue and visiting professor in African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.
Dr. Gloria Howell and Professors Strong and Wise are here tonight to provide an overview of the upcoming cultural events offered by the NMCC and AAAI.
In January 2002, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University was officially dedicated in honor of the first African American man and woman to graduate from Indiana University: Marcellus Neal earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1895, and Frances Marshall received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919.
The African American Arts Institute preserves and promotes excellence in African American music, dance, and culture. Its history began in the early 1970s. First, in 1971, the IU Soul Revue was established, and then, in 1974, the African American Dance Company was founded. One year later, in 1975, the African American Choral Ensemble was established to provide students with the opportunity to study and perform various forms of choral music that evolved out of the Black experience. These three ensembles have become integral components of the African American Arts Institute, while they are also offered as courses through the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On Saturday, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. This festival brought out thousands of people celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and the fight for liberation. WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with various groups and attendees about what pride means to them.
Photos by Jessie Grubb and Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 25th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with attendees and various organizations about what pride means to them. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear Suzanne Allen with a success story from IU Corps, the bridge between local organizations needing volunteers and students who want to help. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Featured Segments:
Photo courtesy of WFYIUp next, WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek reports on an Indiana prison that will hold 1,000 undocumented immigrants under state partnership with ICE. For more, we turn to Zoe Moczek.
A Pridefest banner stretches across Kirkwood Avenue as downtown Bloomington celebrates the 11th annual festival. (Photo by Jessie Grubb).On Saturday, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. This festival brought out thousands of people celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and the fight for liberation. WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with various groups and attendees about what pride means to them. We turn now to that series of interviews on WFHB.
It’s the first day of class at Indiana University. If you’re a student looking to make connections, or a nonprofit needing help, Suzanne Allen is the ultimate matchmaker. Allen is the director of IU Corps, the bridge between local organizations needing volunteers and students who want to help. This Thursday IU Corps will be connecting campus to community at the Student Involvement Fair on the circle around Showalter Fountain from 4pm to 7pm. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for your Sports News Briefing with WFHB Sports Correspondent Nate Rushemeza. This segment was written and recorded on Thursday, August 21st. We turn to Rushemeza for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Zoe Moczek.
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings and Kade Young.
Nate Rushemeza produced today’s sports news briefing.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Addison Lawler through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
La Dra. Claudia N. Avellaneda, quien se especializa en gobernanza, gestión pública y gobiernos locales, nos cuenta su experiencia académica desde su natal Colombia y cómo llegó a IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs en 2013, después de haber sido profesora asistente en el Departamento de Ciencia Política y coordinadora de posgrado de Estudios Latinoamericanos en la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Charlotte. También comparte su experiencia de vida para hacer énfasis sobre las oportunidades y recursos a los que los estudiantes latinos pueden acceder en EU.
By Zoe Moczek
A state prison in Indiana will be used as a detention center for undocumented immigrants.
On August 5th, The Department of Homeland Security announced plans to make up to 1,000 beds in Miami Correctional Facility available for detained immigrants. This decision follows a recent partnership between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Indiana Department of Correction and is part of an effort by the federal government to increase ICE detention capacity nationwide.
Miami Correctional Facility is located in Bunker Hill, Indiana, about 70 miles north of Indianapolis. It’s capable of holding approximately 3,100 men, but is currently not filled due to problems with understaffing, according to an article by the IndyStar.
The prison has also faced accusations of violating prisoners’ Eighth Amendment right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment. In 2021, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed lawsuits alleging that incarcerated individuals experienced inhumane conditions, including being held in isolated cells in complete darkness for prolonged periods of time.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun expressed approval of the plan to house ICE detainees at Miami Correctional Facility, stating, “Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states.”
In a post on the social media platform X, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem referred to the facility by the nickname “Speedway Slammer”, referencing its proximity to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also on X, The Department of Homeland Security posted an AI-generated image of a racecar with the acronym “ICE” on its side and a prison in the background.
This rise in immigration detention and its surrounding rhetoric has generated backlash from immigrant justice groups. Lisa Koop, the national director of legal services at the National Immigrant Justice Center, was printed in AP News stating, “We are deeply concerned and disturbed by the dramatic expansion in Indiana, but also by the cavalier way they are approaching this, by applying alliterated names as if this makes it somehow less cruel.”
At this time, government officials have not released information regarding when the facility will begin to hold immigrant detainees.
Sources:
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/08/05/speedway-slammer-new-partnership-dhs-and-state-indiana-expand-detention-space
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2021/07/30/miami-correctional-facility-prison-inmate-rights-violation-aclu-lawyer/5429777001/
https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-indiana-prison-immigrants-f4af2d5ad5ece8481b0750dad53fb743
https://www.aclu-in.org/en/press-releases/aclu-indiana-lawsuits-challenge-systemic-abuses-inhumane-conditions-miami
https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/indycar-pushes-back-on-department-of-homeland-securitys-ai-generated-imagery-for-speedway-slammer/
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2025/08/12/immigrant-advocates-speedway-slammer-mike-braun-camp-atterbury-miami-correctional-facility/85540656007/
We turn the tables this week as author, historian, artist, and PR maven Tristra Newyear interviews Big Talk producer and host Michael Glab. They discuss the July 10th, 2025 benefit celebration for WFHB at The Bluebird. It’s been 50 years since Mark Hood and Jeffrey Morris staged the first benefit at The Bluebird for Bloomington community radio. Newyear and Glab also talk about the WFHB history project, a book-length retelling of the radio station’s story.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Over 400 degree programs were eliminated or suspended statewide, with IU facing the heaviest blows. IU professor Jeffrey Isaac details the consequences. Mike Braun continues to add members to the Board of Trustees, appointing three new members. For all that and more, we turn to Correspondent Max Schneider.
One astonishingly successful way scammers steal people’s money is to tell a lie so huge that people think it must be true, because nobody would dare say such a thing if it wasn’t. This technique has succeeded many times in the past, and the stories are kind of like an opposite phenomenon: they can be very hard to believe, but are actually completely true! Here is why you need to check the facts, every time, and never assume there’s a lie that’s too big to be told.
A number of student-run activities and events on the IU Bloomington campus were blindsided this school year by funding cuts. In the case of University Players, a student-run theater group, total funding was cut by 80%. Correspondent Harley Babbitt has the story of how some of these groups reacted to the cuts and how they will pivot to save their clubs in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credit:
Today’s feature story on funding cuts affecting IU student club activities was produced by Harley Babbitt in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University, with music by Steven F. Allen.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 9th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear from Katelyn Dunivan from University Players, a student-run theater group that saw their funding cut by 80% this school year – and they’re not the only ones. Find out how some of the hundreds of affected student groups are grappling with the loss coming up next in today’s newscast.
Feature Reports:
A number of student-run activities and events on the IU Bloomington campus were blindsided this school year by funding cuts. In the case of University Players, a student-run theater group, total funding was cut by 80%. Correspondent Harley Babbitt has the story of how some of these groups reacted to the cuts and how they will pivot to save their clubs in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The BloomingtonianIn today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Schneider covers Indiana public colleges gutting over 400 degree programs. Also, Schneider updates you on recent moves made by Governor Mike Braun regarding the IU Board of Trustees. Lastly, the IU Police Department has become the first higher education law enforcement agency to receive accreditation as a unified organization. Correspondent Max Schneider has more.
Up next, we hear from LeRoy McQueen from Thee Vatos Supreme. McQueen will open at WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project, which takes place tomorrow, Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird. That interview, produced by WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette and Music Director Abby Noroozi, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
And now, “Real Big Lies” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Max Schneider.
Today’s feature story on funding cuts affecting IU student club activities was produced by Harley Babbitt in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University, with music by Steven F. Allen.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Barbara Restle, a Bloomington resident, witnessed and survived the Nazi regime’s rise and grasp over Europe. Now, she has expressed her deep unease with the current state of American politics as it draws parallels to the totalitarian regime’s ascension to power.
Restle grew up in Nazi occupied Austria, watching as Adolf Hilter took control of her home. Her family eventually fled to the United States, but not before witnessing Hitler and his Nazi regime establish a dictatorship over much of Europe.
Now, the United States has witnessed Donald Trump come to power, recently being elected to his second term as President. His actions in office and the actions of his administration have sparked emotion in Restle. She reflected on how her upbringing has now invoked parallels to the present day.
Restle was born in Paris to American parents, but grew up just outside of Vienna. In the first grade during the early 1930s, a nun came to her school, warning the class that their life was about to change drastically. From that point, the political climate began to unravel in front of her eyes. From first grade to sixth grade, her mother began sending her off to school with a warning to keep her mouth shut and to stay on guard.
“One day our teacher introduced us to a nun who came to us from the local nunnery,” said Restle, “and she was obviously quite emotional when she told us that our life was now going to be changing in a way that was going to be very challenging for all of us.”
Although Restle’s family was not Jewish, fearing for their safety, her family escaped on a boat in 1938 alongside Jewish refugees. Ultimately, her family settled in New Jersey.
“I was in school in Vienna until 1938 at that point, my father put all of us in his Dodge and we drove from Vienna to Italy. Trieste is the Austrian sea port where we boarded a refugee ship” she said.
Not realizing it at the time, Restle’s father was an undercover agent with the U.S. State department and aided in the escape of many Jewish people from Nazi persecution. They would often house these refugees in their New Jersey home while they were awaiting a permanent place to stay. Notably, her father played a significant role in Albert Einstein’s escape from Germany.
“I finally realized my father was responsible for these Jewish people”, she said, “he had helped them get out of Europe, and now my mother was helping him find a good place for them to live.”
With the reelection of President Donald Trump and his administration, American politics have shifted to an unprecedented state and Restle revealed how this has left her feeling deeply unsettled. She reflected on how the conduct of president Trump and his administration have drawn parallels to what she witnessed as a child in Austria as the Nazi party came to power.
She said, “right now we are seeing chaos. We’re seeing political entities who are loyal to the present political system and they’re showing loyalty in order to maintain their positions in the legislature or in the White House.”
She went on to describe how she believes President Trump’s administration has had an ongoing disregard for the Constitution that has pushed his leadership further from the democratic process.
She asked “Are we moving into a regime here, which is definitely based on empirical policies, definitely not on a constitution and our amendments?”
When asked if Trump aims to be a dictator, Restle highlighted the unconstitutional actions of the President.
“He’s very, very comfortable being able to make decisions which are never, never based on our Constitution” she said.
When questioned about the state of American democracy, Restle felt uncertain, not knowing what is going to happen next, but believes that chaos is growing.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said, “the chaos is possibly growing. It’s entirely possible. It’s growing.”
With the rising parallels of the Nazi regime and the Trump administration, Restle emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstration.
“I think demonstrating peaceably is a priority,” she said.
Living through Nazi occupation taught Barbara Restle the reality of totalitarian regime changes. Today, she disturbingly questions what the future holds in America. Restle now resides in Meadowood Senior Living in Bloomington, where I work part time as a server.
In March Indiana University hired a new basketball coach. Darian DeVries is the 31st head coach of the IU Men’s Basketball program – a program that in many ways is starting over from scratch. In June DeVries hired eight new support staff members ahead of the 2025 season. Who is Darian DeVries, and what can we expect? Correspondent Trevor Donley talks with an expert and IU’s game announcer in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on IU’s new basketball coach was produced by Trevor Donley in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
On Saturday, May, 17th, 2025 we had our third in our series of Cosmic Songwriter Firehouse Sessions! We were excited to welcome Chicago based singer songwriter and guitarist, Elizabeth Moen into the studio with bassist, Gus Martini. Host Abby Noroozi and Elizabeth chatted about songwriting, growing up in Iowa, what it was like touring and opening up for Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco), and her next album – that’s being produced by Spencer Tweedy. This was a really fun session! Her vocals will blow you away. Don’t miss it!
(video from No Guru Media coming!)
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Alex Hammell
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, May 5th, 2025, we had a great Local Live session with garage rock band, Rearview Rhonda! They played all new songs, each one as good as the last. Get ready to ROCK.
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Silver Coulter, Marcus Drolet, Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, May 12th, 2025, we had a great Local Live session with Gravy Bird flying over to the station. This talented trio knows how to perform and have fun!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Later this month a team of Indiana University students will pilot a race car at an official IndyCar event – but nobody will be actually driving the car. These students aren’t drivers – they’re computer programmers, and they’ve built Indiana’s first autonomous race car. On July 24 the IU Vehicle Autonomy and Intelligence Lab heads to California for the Indy Autonomous Challenge, an opening event for the Grand Prix of Monterey. The team hopes the technology they develop on the track could eventually make its way into everyday life, using AI to make regular cars smarter and safer. Correspondent Dylan Rome speaks with crewmembers Hassan Jardali and Paul Quigley in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
IU AI Race Team – Arrows on Paul Quigley and Hassan JardaliUseful Links:
- Indy Autonomous Challenge heads to California https://www.therobotreport.com/indy-autonomous-challenge-coming-to-california/
- Indy Autonomous Challenge main site https://www.indyautonomouschallenge.com/
- News at IU story on Sept 6 event https://news.iu.edu/live/news/37910-luddy-school-race-car-debuts-with-strong-showing
Credit:
Today’s feature story on IU’s AI race car was produced by Dylan Rome in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Dale Botting, a renowned Canadian business leaderOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dale Botting, a renowned Canadian business leader and executive coach whose career spans several sectors, including economic development, international trade, biotechnology, and public policy. He is the founder of the Global Alliance for Professional Leadership Development and was inducted into the Canadian Business Coaches ‘ Hall of Fame. They discuss the current state of trade relations between Canada and the United States of America, with him contributing his Canadian business expertise to the conversation.
From The US-Canada Trade War Begins: What it Means for our Economy (Dawood Khan)For over 100 years, the United States and Canada have collaborated closely due to their shared border and robust connections in trade and security. But in recent years, their relationship has faced some challenges. Nevertheless, relations have been strained considerably since President Trump began his global Tariff war. At present, President Donald Trump states that the U.S. will immediately terminate trade talks with Canada and impose a new tariff rate on the neighboring country within the next week. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, cited a decision by Canada to leave in place its digital services tax on American companies, which he cast as “a direct and blatant attack” on the United States. This announcement comes in the wake of repeated suggestions that Canada become the “51st” state of the United States.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 7th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, you will hear Paul Quigley on using AI to pilot a race car. A team of Bloomington students is already doing it, and later this month they take their car to California to race against other prototypes. More later in the show in a feature report.
You’ll also hear Sharon Roualet, the fairy godmother of Crestmont Park. Sharon signed up for the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program – learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Equipment on Backorder for Broken Handrail on 3rd Street
Last week, the Bloomington Board of Public Works discussed a structural failure of a hand railing on the sidewalk located near West 3rd Street and College Avenue. During public comment, local resident Greg Alexander said he’s disappointed in the perceived lack of pedestrian concern.
Public Works Director Adam Wason responded saying the materials needed by the contractor are on backorder.
The board approved repairs for the hand railing at its April 22nd meeting, contracting with Specialties Company, LLC for 17,500.00 dollars.
Updates on New Covid-19 Variant, a Grant for Tornado Cleanup and a Contract for Meth Lab Decontamination at County Commissioners Meeting
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on July 3rd. Commissioners heard an update on a new Covid-19 variant, free testing and available vaccines from County Health Administrator Lori Kelley.
Then, Monroe County Stormwater Program Manager Erica Penna provided a rundown on their intention to apply for a grant for the emergency watershed protection program. Penna says the funds would be used for the cleanup effort following the May 16th tornado that swept through the Clear Creek area.
Commissioner Jody Madeira commented that the prevention aspect of the grant would be beneficial. Commissioners Lee Jones and Julie Thomas also expressed their support.
No public comment was given during the meeting. Next, the Commissioners heard a presentation of County Form Number 144, which is a statement of salaries and wages of county employees for 2026. County Auditor Brianne Gregory presented the agenda item.
Then, the commissioners heard an amendment to a contract with Mike Bolten Professional Services. That contract was for testing and decontamination of homes in the county where meth labs were seized by Indiana State Police. Health Administrator Kelley provided a rundown on the amendment, which would make the contract in line with new laws on government spending. Commissioner Thomas expressed frustration with the Statehouse rules but said the commissioners would comply.
The commissioners approved the amendment unanimously. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 10th.
Feature Reports:
Later this month a team of Indiana University students will pilot a race car at an official IndyCar event – but nobody will be actually driving the car. These students aren’t drivers – they’re computer programmers, and they’ve built Indiana’s first autonomous race car. On July 24 the IU Vehicle Autonomy and Intelligence Lab heads to California for the Indy Autonomous Challenge, an opening event for the Grand Prix of Monterey. Correspondent Dylan Rome has the story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
It really bothered Sharon Roualet that her neighborhood park had fallen into disrepair, so she did something about it. Sharon signed up for the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program, becoming a sort of “foster parent” for Crestmont Park on Bloomington’s northwest side. She really didn’t know anything about the invasive plant species that had taken over, but Sharon knew she wanted to be proud of the little park where she walks her dog every day. Learn how you can take care of your neighborhood green space on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on IU’s AI race car was produced by Dylan Rome in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers.
In this episode, Paul Helmke – former CEO of Brady Center to prevent gun violence and the last republican mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana – gives us insight into the push for loosening gun laws and the purpose of the 2nd amendment.
Credits:
Hosted and Produced by Shefar Rafiul for WFHB’s Youth Radio
It really bothered Sharon Roualet that her neighborhood park had fallen into disrepair, so she did something about it. Sharon signed up for the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program, becoming a sort of “foster parent” for Crestmont Park on Bloomington’s northwest side. She really didn’t know anything about the invasive plant species that had taken over, but Sharon knew she wanted to be proud of the little park where she walks her dog every day. YOU can take care of YOUR neighborhood green space too!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
Youth Radio Summer Camp is a partnership between WFHB, Banneker Community Center, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ellettsville. In five sessions Youth Radio Summer Camp gives youth a crash course in all things broadcast radio. For our third week, campers told stories about friendship, explain what makes a good friend, and give advice on how to make friends. This episode also includes a story from our Storytelling Workshop on June 21st.
Youth Radio Summer Camp was engineered and edited by Lena Swayze and Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr. Peter Hotez, Professor and Dean of Baylor College of Medicine’s National School of Tropical Medicine in Houston, Texas. He’s a pediatrician and public health advocate and on the forefront of vaccine development. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 for his “work to develop and distribute a low-cost COVID-19 vaccine to people of the world without patent limitation.” His books include Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad and, The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist’s Warning.
From the podcast:
Karen Green Stone – “Dr. Hotez, thank you for taking time away from your very important work to talk with us today. We’re so glad that we met you and when we asked you to talk with us for the interview, we thought it was a long shot, but you responded right away. It was incredible, and we appreciate your sincere kindness and willingness to talk with us and to our listeners about your academic research work and your healthcare advocacy work.”
Peter Hotez – “I’ll just say one thing. It’s an opportunity for me. Because I don’t often get to speak to people in our middle part of the country. I mean, I can go on CNN and MSNBC until I’m blue in the face or at PBS NewsHour, and I do it, and I love it, and it makes an impact, but it also doesn’t reach a whole segment of the US population.
So, a local radio station in Indiana asking me to talk, I’m all in! I mean, great, to me, that’s an opportunity.”
His upcoming book is Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World
Here is a longer podcast going into greater depth on many of the issues we discussed with him.
Here is the PLOS article for students going into scientific research careers mentioned in the show.
________________________________
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have two profiles of local people. First, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings profiles Barbara Restle, a 99-year-old woman who grew up in Nazi-occupied Austria. Restle draws parallels from the authoritarianism she witnessed as a child to U.S. politics today. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Music Director Abby Noroozi speaks with Bloomington-based designer Aaron Lowell Denton, who designed the artwork for our upcoming show, WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project, which takes place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird.
Feature Reports:
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings profiles Barbara Restle, a 99-year-old woman who grew up in Nazi-occupied Austria. Restle recounts her childhood experiences in Austria, where she witnessed the deterioration of democracy and the rise of totalitarianism. She describes her family’s escape to the U.S. in 1938 and her father’s role in aiding Jewish refugees. Restle draws parallels between the rise of the Nazi regime and the current U.S. political climate under President Trump. She expressed deep concern over the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution and the growing chaos in American politics. For more, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings.
Photo by Anna Powell Denton.Up next – we hear a segment produced by WFHB’s Music Department. Next Thursday, July 10th, the station will host WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project. The show will take place at the Bluebird, and it commemorates 50 years since the station held its first fundraiser in 1975. In this segment, Abby Noroozi, music director at WFHB, spoke with Aaron Lowell Denton who designed the artwork for our poster highlighting the event. For more, we turn to Abby Noroozi.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings.
The segment about the upcoming Bluebird event was produced by Abby Noroozi.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Busman’s Holiday boys, Lewis & Addison Rogers, have released a new album, Table Talk, this past June. Now in their 20th year performing together, the Busman’s boys will stage a gala album release show in September with special guest bestselling poet and author Ross Gay. The Rogers sibs’ music takes a bit of a turn this time around as they get a little more blues–y and rock-y.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
People who work in downtown Bloomington will soon get access to training on how to de-escalate tense situations involving the unhoused. You might be surprised to hear that such training didn’t already exist, and you might be even more surprised to hear where the idea came from. Crystal Ritter from City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Shelby VanDerMoere from the Bloomington Fire Department participated in a popular impact training called Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County. Their group wanted to do something to help the unhoused. They discovered that frontline workers in downtown Bloomington don’t really get any kind of training on managing conflict with the local unhoused population. They produced a factfinding report and a de-escalation pamphlet, and soon, a de-escalation training video. They hope mediation techniques will reduce unneeded calls to 9-1-1.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on de-escalation training around the unhoused was produced by Luke Janke in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University and featured Luke’s own original music.
Starting July 1st, Indiana public colleges eliminated, suspended or consolidated nearly 20 percent of degree programs. This follows legislation at the Indiana Statehouse that requires programs with small numbers of graduates be eliminated. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Jeff Isaac, political science professor at IU, about what impact the elimination of these degrees will have for the university and the city of Bloomington as a whole.
On July 10th, 2025 we’re celebrating WFHB Past and Present – a commemorative concert marking 50 years since the first benefit for the Bloomington Community Radio Project. So today, on WFHB Rewind, we’re taking you back – way back – to the very beginning. Before the transmitters, before the studios, before the call letters were even on paper, there was just an idea. An idea that started in a garage 50 years ago. In this episode of WFHB Youth Radio Director, Jessie Grubb, and WFHB Music Director, Abby Noroozi are joined by three voices central to the long journey of forming WFHB – Mark Hood, Jim Manion, and Jeffrey “Sundog” Morris.
“Mark Hood and I were living in a garage behind a house that a jazz drummer named Jack Gilfoy had turned into a cool 16 track recording studio, and in those days, was two inch tape and was the only really studio with that quality around and Mark hood had come down from Interlochen, Michigan, where he was kind of grew up and learned sound, and so Jack had hired him being an engineer.” said Morris.
Photo of Jeffrey “Sundog” Morris from the WFHB Archive“Sun dog and I were roommates. I had taken over a two car garage behind the recording studio where I worked that wasn’t being used. And I am not a carpenter, and don’t know about carpentry, but I made myself a room with no water, no plumbing, no running water, little bit of electricity, and then Sundog needed a place to live, so I ran into him, and he said, ‘Can I stay with you?’ And I said, ‘Sure’. So we wound up being roommates, and we had a lot in common that to do with radio. In our teenage years, we were both radio amateurs, so we actually had equipment and we could talk to other amateur radio operators all over the world and have conversations. And at some point, Sundog and I just said, you know, we should start a radio station. How hard can it be? That’s the famous last words.” said Hood.
Photo of Mark Hood courtesy of DiscogsThat spark didn’t come from nowhere. Across the country, Community Radio was beginning to take root in a handful of cities, and for young radio obsessives like Mark and Sundog, the dial was full of strange and compelling signals, proof that something different was possible.
“Another thing that formed it was we never had a TV that worked, but we did have an old console radio that we’d dug up somewhere, and we’d listened to AM radio at night, and there was a truck driver station, WWL in New Orleans that was one of those 50,000 watt clear channel stations, and at nighttime, it skips all over the country, so truck drivers could listen to it all the time. So they played lots of Old Country and Western truck driving classics, but they also played a lot of Carter Family and that kind of early leading into bluegrass music and some quasi folk. But, you know, who knows how to genre it. I had actually never heard the Carter Family stuff. A lot of those crazy truck driver songs are really funny, you know, like Phantom 409, and all of these heroic truck driver folk songs and things. So we listened to that a lot, and that somehow that stuck in our mind, too, is, oh, yeah, we should start a station that plays weird stuff, but we didn’t know how to do it. So that was the germ. And then we started trying to figure out how to do it.” said Hood.
“So we went ahead and incorporated that point. So we were, I think we were, Community Radio Project Inc, it changed its name a number of times over the years, while they were still trying to get it organized, led by Sundog, but other people were involved over the years, at different times,” said Hood.
Figuring it out would take years, but the community started forming around the project early on. In 1974, a young audio enthusiast named Jim Manion arrived in Bloomington.
“In the summer of ’74, which was my first summer in Bloomington and the summer I turned 20 years old, one of the things that Mark Hood did at the studio to generate some income is he had a multi-track recording workshop. It was a week long workshop, you know, maybe four or five days during the week, and cost $200 and I was just so hungry to learn that stuff, because I had grown up looking at albums with pictures of the studios. I remember once making a list of engineers and producers, you know, from different albums. I was trying to figure out what all that was about. So of course, I convinced my parents to give me $200 to do that. And so that put me at Gilfoy Sound Studios for a week that summer, and I quickly became fast friends with Mark Hood, and I quickly found out about the radio station and was involved in the conversation, so to speak, just because, you know, it was a real isolated idea in terms of what else was going on around the country, because we absolutely didn’t know. Yeah, we knew there was like WBAI in New York and a couple stations in California, but we knew nothing about the burgeoning grassroots community radio efforts that were already being made in the early 70s.” said Manion.
Photo of Jim Manion from the WFHB ArchiveThe next step was trying to make it real, but building a community station from scratch was no small feat.
“Up to this point, we were looking at the FCC papers and anything we could find in the library about low power FM stations and things like that. But there’s not a lot of published literature. And then somebody somewhere discovered this book called Sex and broadcasting, written by Lorenzo Milam, which was a radical right wing, or sorry left wing, some wing. He was a wing, wing person, some wing. He was out there, but very experienced in community radio out in California, and a very irreverent writer and advocate. So, the history the Communications Act of 1934 which sort of establishes broadcast license. So that was the operating law specifically states that the entire radio spectrum is the property of the people of the United States, and that the license grants stations like WFHB and WFIU and all it grants them the right to broadcast in the public interest. So you know, until recently, stations had to document how much PSA time they do, how much public service time they do, how much religious program, how much news programming, how much music program to prove. Every time they had to renew their license, they had to prove that they were operating in the public interest and that they deserved the use of that spectrum. So Lorenzo Milo, you know, was just over the top firebrand about, you know, this is the people’s property. These airways belong to the people. They don’t belong to the government. So, but that got everybody hyped up in addition to that, yeah, so he was a firebrand for all of that stuff. But it also was the first book that we’d ever read, or first anything we’d ever read that, like listed other radio stations and and sort of the his idea of the history of them and his history of them, and mentioned the NFCB, the National Federation of community broadcaster we didn’t know there was such a thing. So that was a big breakthrough, the real well, sort of the realization like, Oh, somebody’s done this before. Yeah, oh, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Maybe we could talk to somebody and get some help.” said Hood.
Inspiration alone wouldn’t be enough. They started connecting with others, and slowly, belief started turning into a plan.
“We also did things like, we visited the community station in Champaign, Illinois, community station in Columbia, Missouri, a number of times, and we had a weekend like workshop retreat to sort of get everybody together for a weekend and talk about community radio. And we brought two people, I can’t remember their names now, over from Columbia, Missouri, to Bloomington. And they were sort of, you know, back then, anybody that had a station on the air. We were like, oh, you’re so amazing. I can’t believe it, we’ll never do that. And and so we really looked up to these people but, that was a big thing that I organized. And basically I was, you know, sort of pushed into the position of being the president of the organization. And, you know, we were going to NonCom, like, I remember going to Jasper Indiana for a seminar on Indiana Arts Commission grants. And I’m like, we were just finding out about it, and then we did work on that application really seriously, and figured out ways to prove that we had the money, basically by getting all these people to sign pledges that if we got the license, they would donate.” said Manion.
“So starting in sort of 1974 ish, Sundog and I started thinking about it and investigating. So we did go to the library and get books, and Sundog called the FCC from our dial telephone. And they sent him this pile of Xeroxed information about what it’s like to start a nonprofit non commercial radio station, what it takes, what the rules are, and they’re enormous. It’s a huge amount of engineering and stuff that we didn’t realize, but that didn’t stop us. So we said, well, obviously this is going to take money. We need to, like, raise some money.” said Hood.
Poster design by Greg CoffeyAnd that brings us to the night it all started coming together. On July 9, 1975, the first benefit for what would become WFHB was held at the Bluebird Nightclub.
“The bluebird didn’t have a in house sound system, so we had to borrow speakers in an amp and a little mixer that was actually like a mix in the front. It wasn’t flat like this. I think it was called a suburban sound, and it was part of Gilfoys, and the speakers we borrowed from somewhere else. And so I remember just pulling all that together.” said Morris.
“The PA was donated by parts of it were donated by a friend of mine who actually ran a PA company. So the speakers were really good speakers and stuff. But for microphones, I actually borrowed, quote, unquote, all the good studio microphones from the studio where I worked with without neglecting to tell, without neglecting to tell anybody. Most of the acts were pretty they were the people that were already with us, right? Everybody that had anything to do with Bar-B-Q Records, our record label, was enlisted to play for the benefit.” said Hood.
“Mark Bingham, Caroline Peyton and Bob Lucas. They were all on Bar-B-Q Records and put out early on.” said Morris
“The last band on the bill was MX-80, and it was their first public performance. I’m pretty sure. Reports seem to imply that and I’ve talked to Dale the bass player about this, and he’s pretty sure that was it, too. And so there is actually a cut from MX-80 playing at the 1975 benefit that we put out on an LP on the Bloomington sampler, Bloomington one, which came out in ’76 the MX-80 playing spoon fight. So instead of sword fight, It’s a spoon fight.” said Hood.
On that night in 1975 it became clear Bloomington believed in community radio.
“We really had no idea how many people would come, or how much we would raise. We didn’t budget anything. We didn’t pay anybody. My favorite part, a weird one was that Jeffrey, Sundog, somehow went to the Peoples State Bank, and I still think it’s on the corner of college and 17th, and they were one of the few banks in town that had like the flashing light sign, where it had time and temperature and some sort of announcement, you know, CD rates or whatever. And somehow he convinced them that they should advertise for us. So there was, we had a flashing, you know, sign coming into town says, you know, community radio project benefit, Bluebird, July 9. And there were, there was an semi underground cultural publication, primo times in town. So we got lots of press coverage in that and we had a beautiful poster. There was a graphic artist named Greg Coffey in town that did a lot of our record covers and work and very intricate pen and ink drawings and stuff. Really a fabulous artist. So he made us the original poster, and we really deliberated, like, what could we possibly charge? We had no idea, we’re not good at this. And it was, you know, this is a 1975 so we didn’t know what people would pay. So we decided to charge $1 we took a big risk, and thought, okay, $1 this will work out and stuff. And by the end of the night, we had raised over $700 was like 710, or 15 from people that actually paid the $1 right? And Lord knows how many people snuck in. The bluebird was sort of a sieve at that point in terms of security.” said Hood.
That first benefit at the Bluebird drew a crowd of people who lined up around the block to get in. It also drew at least a few underage attendees, including a certain future WFHB music director.
“Back then, it was really easy, because if you had an older friend who got a new driver’s license, they would just give you their old one. I think it was this friend who actually moved out of state, so he gave me his Indiana license, and it said I was 27 and and so that’s what I used to get in the Bluebird. Actually, I started going to bluebird when they started having music in. It was January 74 when I was like 19, and I was there a lot, especially on weekends. And back then, on the weekends, they would book the same band for three nights in a row, and I would just go for all three. But back then, Indiana driver’s license were paper. There was no picture on it and you could even do things like if you were really crafty. So my friends, instead of high school, you could take a pencil eraser and just erase the date of your birth and put it in a typewriter and be real, real careful, and just like what kids used to do with report cards, yeah, yeah. So I was 10 days from being 21 because it was July 9, and then July 19 was my birthday, and I actually went in there, you know, on my birthday. And I remember going up to this old guy who was a longtime bartender at the Bluebird, and I was like, hey, Jerry, is it true, you get a free drink on your 21st birthday? And he was like, yeah. I was like, Well, it’s my 21st birthday. Son of a bitch, you’ve been coming here for a year and a half.” said Manion.
“But did he give you a free drink?” said Noorozi.
“No, absolutely not. He was mad at me.” said Manion.
It was a pivotal night, a night that showed there was a community ready to rally around the idea of a community radio station.
“That was the first event that brought together hundreds of people that we recognize would be our core audience and supporters. And I wasn’t the only one that came forward that night and said, I want to help out this way. I want to help out that way. We got a lot of volunteerism, and that’s the night that I sort of pledged my life to community radio.” said Manion.
As the years rolled on and the station remained a dream on the horizon, the group held other fundraisers to keep the momentum going.
“So we did have some other benefits. We had some pancake breakfast type things.” said Hood.
“The first one was at the Gables, actually Gables Restaurant, which is now Buffalouies and myself and Nick Brubaker, who was a QAX person that was involved and was one of my best friends at the time, we both worked there, so we convinced strats and Pete, the owners to do that. And it was, I think it was on a Sunday when they weren’t open, and we just kind of took over and we brought in, you know, we didn’t use their food supplies. We we, we bought those, got them donated, and we always had pancakes and fruit salad, and we make a big fruit salad with with yogurt and pancakes and boy arms would just be tired after making all those pancakes. But it was a great place to bring that core community of supporters together on a Sunday morning, a lot of pancakes and coffee and fruit, and then we talk about the radio station. There was always, like, 50-75 people. And we maybe did, maybe did six of those all together over the years, for a while there, you know, we did more pancake breakfast and we did music benefits.” said Manion
“But then there were music benefits. I remember doing other things at the Bluebird too. I remember doing maybe even a two night thing there, like in 78 or 79 and then, of course, when Second Story opened, we did a number of things there, and sometimes we did them as mutual benefits with WQAX where we would just split the money. And probably the most significant thing that we did in that regard, it was before Second Story was called Second Story, because, see, the history of the building that is now Serendipity goes back to there was a a gay disco called the Omni, where Crazy Horse is now. And when, when that was closed down in I remember going there a couple of times in ’78 and I was like, wow, this is just like New York City, you know, disco music and just a real diverse crowd and but some of that was being morphed into whatever became before there was a more of a regular bar before Crazy Horse. I can’t remember the name of it, but the gay community had to find another spot. And some of the people involved with the Omni realized that the the old Moose Lodge, that was what that was. It was a Moose Lodge, you know, the fraternal organization building was for sale, and they called it, they put in the disco club downstairs, and they called it Bullwinkles, because it was, you know, moose. And then they had the upstairs that they didn’t do much with very often, but I remember hearing about that, and maybe somebody, I think, like the gizmos played there once, there were a couple of one off independent things. But so it was 1980 and I was like, because I remember walking up to that room and going, Whoa, this is a spot. This would be the place, because it was when the whole 70s into early 80s music scene was developing. And, you know, I love the idea of having events. I was already, you know, plugged into reading magazines about what was happening in New York and whatever, and and so I was like, and none of the local, you know, weirder side of Bloomington bands could get a gig be on a street dance, you know, they couldn’t play at the Bluebird. And then so we had this event. And, you know, I was a, I was kind of a mystical hippie back then. And so it was called the full moon trance dance. And it was March. 1 of 1980 we had six bands, including the dancing cigarettes and other bands. And it was basically the same thing as the and it’s funny, because in 1980 1975 seemed so long ago in 1980 but it was only five years later, but we had the same experience that night. And that night wasn’t the summer, it was March 1, and by the end of the night, it was 20. It was 10 to 20 below zero. It was a really, really cold night, yet, you know, five or six hundred people showed up over the period of the night. The it was $1 at the door, the same kind of thing. We made a ton of money and, and, but I always look at that night is like, you know, just, setting the bomb off. The owners of the Bluebird came over that night, they were like, Whoa, this music draws a crowd all of a sudden. So they wouldn’t get weekend gigs at the Bluebird. But, you know, Tuesday nights at the Bluebird suddenly became like Dancing Cigarettes night. And then we continued to do events every month or two in the same way, kind of have theme nights and and, I mean, we had like, surf party. There was a weekend where it was little 500 weekends. So we did this music and performance art weekend, and we cut because it was, you know, they called Little 500 the world’s greatest college weekend. We called it the world’s greatest collage weekend. And they were always benefits for community radio, or community radio, and WQAX.” said Manion.
“And then we got got full of ourselves, and we booked Jethro Burns. So he was half of a bluegrass, sort of good music, but comedy team, sort of like the Smothers Brothers or kings or the limelighters or something. They were like folk singers, but fun, they had a shtick and but these guys were bluegrass. They were so and they were Jethro. Burns was actually really pretty renowned as a great bluegrass mandolin player, but he was a total nut ball at the same time. So he was on his own at that point. So we booked that. And we thought, this is totally unnatural. There’s Bill Monroe. This is bluegrass land. And we went across the street from the bluebird over to time out, was what it was called at that point, which is a bar. I think it’s a pizza place now, but it’s a couple blocks north, on the same street on the other side. And Jethro was expensive. You know, this was a big we are actually paying somebody this time to be the talent. And we advertised to the best of our ability. And he also, like, he had big needs. So he needed, like, sort of like a writer now on a contract where the artist. Needs Evian water and, like, scented soap in the dressing room and stuff. Jethro needed alcohol, basically, so, but still, it was expensive, yeah, to get him on stage. And, like, nobody came, so we lost all the money we had on that one. Yeah, that’s the first time the fates of the world turned against us. Yeah, maybe you don’t think this is going to be as easy as you think it is,” said Hood.
Little did they know, it would take another 18 years of meetings, forms, setbacks and triumphs before WFHB finally went on the air.
“We really had no idea how much trouble it would be, yeah, put a noncom channel on in the Grade B area of channel six TV, Channel six. Now all the channels are digital, and they’re not actually on the channels they are anyway. But then channel six TV, their audio, which was an FM signal too, was just a little bit below the non combat, which was 88 one to 91 nine on 20 channels was reserved for non commercial So, and channel six was right below it. So if you were in their fringe area, you could potentially interfere, and they could block your application. And channel sixes around the country did that. We were pretty naive about it. We thought, well, you know, one thought we had was, cable TV is coming on now, and it was, everybody’s starting to get cable. Yeah, and the FM channels were on cable, so we had this thought that maybe that would make a difference. You’d have to look up a frequency, you’d have to look up all the stations that broadcast on that frequency, and then you’d have to, like, prove to the FCC that this would work. And you so it took drawing on topographic maps and and sun dog was doing all this by hand. And there are some documents back in the back that is this fold out topographic map that’s huge, and it’s all pasted together Xeroxes and stuff. And it says, you know, number 13 of 28 so they’re like, 28 of those maps, one for like, each direction away from where the tower might be. And so he was doing all that work. But it turns out, you actually really have to just hire a consultant. Consulting engineer and a lawyer. Yeah, communications lawyer, yeah, so at some point far down that so he kept running into brick walls. Yeah, I’d hear about those.” said Hood.
“And then it all fell apart in early 81 and that’s when the first thing was rejected by the FCC for technical reasons that you know, we would have known about if it if there was an internet right? But we had to do all this stuff on paper, and you had to, you had to look up every station and see their power and you know, and you know, it was nobody’s fault. It was just a hard time to do that. But that happened in, I think, August of ’81.” said Manion.
“I got a letter that told me that a station in Louisville upped its power from 10,000 watts to 50,000 watts, and that wasn’t in my otter date. So that was rejected. Oh, without, of course, it wouldn’t have worked anyway, yeah, but at that point, Jim Manion gave up and left town. Everybody quit. So through the early 80s, I just kept, we had $300 in the savings account that I kept the post office box since 1973 and, you know, filed the corporate reports, and did all that. Then one day, I think it was maybe 82 I was sitting in front of the principal spoon. A few of us used to have kind of a happy hour in front of the spoon. They’re like four, between four and five o’clock we that’s get together there most almost Well, several days a week we’d show up. And I was talking to my friend, Don, and I was rattling on about what the radio station would be like. And he looked at me, and he said, you know, you may be the only one in LinkedIn who believes this is going to happen. Wow. And at that moment, he was probably right,” said Morris.
“I mean, we couldn’t help ourselves. We were of the counterculture, hippie generation. And there’s a lot of naiveté when you’re young. It’s like everything is possible. And of course, we thought it was going to happen faster. And of course we thought it was only going to cost $4,000 to put it on the air right?” said Manion.
“But if you had known, you may have not done it.” said Noroozi.
“No, we would have kept doing it. You know, I think that 17 years, 18 years it took to get on the air is testament to the commitment. And Herman B Wells, when he gave his little speech at our Firehouse opening, and he could, he was in a wheelchair and he could hardly speak, but he called us the most tenacious group of you know, community organizers ever. I mean, it was that word tenacious. I even had to go look it up. I was like, I like the sound of that word, but what does it mean? And then I looked it up, and I was like, hell Yeah, that would be us.” said Manion.
Today on WFHB Rewind, we’re joined by Mark Hood, Jim Manion and Jeffrey “Sundog” Morris to share the story of WFHB from the first wildly successful benefit in 1975 to going on air in 1993 but we aren’t there yet. In 1982 Brian Kearney moved to Bloomington and joined the effort.
“Brian Kearney was somebody who’s a fundraiser, and actually that’s what we ended up doing professionally, among other things. He first made appointments with people. I went to someone with them, including the one with Herman wells, and I were talking to Herman, right? And Herman looks this thing says, what about you know, FIU, and we pointed out to him that the radio TV school, I. At that time. I don’t know what the story is now, because now it’s a whole different game entirely. The only actual on air experience in four years of undergraduate work in Radio TV is you produced 110 minute newscast with a couple other people. You’ve seen you here. That was very much, yeah, so we put that to Herman, that you had his attention, and said, educational, yeah, thing that always been the heart Yeah, of it, and that’s why I really like Youth Radio. Yeah, Youth Radio was automatic. We were, yeah, you know, but there’s, I mean, we didn’t have it together right away, but you knew being an educational thing, yeah, Herman, wells, it connected us to Cecil Waldron, who is granddaughter, oh, okay, she was an older woman and retired at The time, but she had funds, and so we went to get her, and she gave us some initial money to start and and Herman wells gave us money right out of his funds, amazing. And then eventually, Cecil gave us $100,000 to get into this building. So that was the biggie. At that point, Brian Kearney was working. He knew he was working it. He’d go to Cecil, she was living in, you know, assisted living at the time, and he’d bring her treats. And, yeah, yeah, so that, that went on for a few years, yeah, and, you know, and I think her money, that was the initial money for the was then the Bloomington Area Arts Council, the AAC, who started the wallet.” said Morris.
“And right about that time, finally, the new NFCB and whatever, a couple organizations for non commercial radio had worked out a compromise within with the FCC and the channel six TV people that it was a formula that defined an area within which you would possibly interfere, and there had to be less than 2000 people that area. So now we had a way to do it, so then we can divine, and that’s why we’re 11 miles south of town, because we’re right at the very end of the protected con, the last protected contour of channel six TV, which, that’s not true anymore, right? But we were right there. And if you take our primary listening, half of it is outside of their area, and there’s nowhere near 2000 people in Yeah. So Ken Devine found that and got us our construction permit, which we got in December 91.” said Morris.
With the instruction permit in hand and funding from Herman B Wells and Cecil Waldron, WFHB was becoming a reality. But before hitting the airwaves, a group gathered on the summer solstice of 1992 to celebrate.
“On the summer solstice of ’92 before we went on air, or put the tower up or anything, a group of us went out there and right in the middle of the field, we built a little fire, and we had a bunch of some old radio junk, a cart machine, couple cart machines, where the old what we would play an announcement center That kind of looked like an eight track or something. We threw them in the fire and couple of old pieces of gear and read from sex and broadcasting Lorenzo Milan’s book.” said Morris.
And finally, 18 years after the benefit concert at the Bluebird, WFHB was on the air broadcasting from a small concrete building nicknamed the Blockhouse.
Brian Kearney and Jeffrey Morris outside of the transmitter building, photo from the WFHB Archive“And of course, we went on the air from the transmitter building. It’s just a concrete block building that’s like 1512 or something. We went on there from there, the first time we were on the first thing that was on there, from there was me, is, think, December 20, okay, I played some Gypsy Kings and Tuliman Zai. I don’t know if he’s still around, but family from Bloomington that was part of the university there, Afghani, and he’s a classical guitar player. I just happened to have a CD from him. Oh, wow. Had one of the Gypsy Kings that had we’d gotten out of the library. So that was, that was the first music on the stage played a little bit. And amazingly enough, Jim Manion heard it. A few people heard it. And that was like mid December, and we officially went on third of January.” said Morris.
“But, how long were you at the transmitter site before you got into the station?” said Noroozi.
“A year and a month, and we did periodic broadcasts through that December, I think Jim was on Christmas day or something. And somebody brought him out of pizza.” said Morris.
“There’s a country guy named Junior Brown who has a couple of CDs. Actually, there’s another one that I was looking for, and I couldn’t find it the other day. Was called Semi Crazy, but along Rockport road, right before we get to our house and then miles further, the transmitter is Kirksville. Junior Brown was a kid in Kirksville, and he was in town playing, and we had him on the air at the blockhouse.” said Morris.
“Oh, wow, that’s cool. So that was your first live session?” said Noroozi.
“I sure he may have been the first like outside of town person to come in. It was within the first few weeks. Nobody took any pictures there. There are a few pictures of our first going on the air. Oh, there are Herman’s gone because we rang Herman’s gong and played “Turn Your Radio On.” And there is a recording of that. But when we first went on the air from the Blockhouse in that first few months, we weren’t on the air all the time. So I walked up one day, I walked over to CD player at home when we weren’t on the air, and realized, I don’t want to play a CD. I want somebody to mix it up for me. There’s something to that,” said Morris.
And that’s the story of how an idea between friends 50 years ago in a small garage became what we know as WFHB. This year, we are celebrating the milestone with another event at the Bluebird: WFHB Past and Present. On Thursday, July 10, WFHB will be hosting a commemorative concert featuring interactive activities, archival material and footage and of course, great music performances by local Honky Tonk band Leroy McQueen and thee Vatos Supreme, Bloomington bedroom-pop project Amy O, and Indianapolis shoegaze indie-pop band Wishy. Doors open at six and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets are on sale on the Bluebird website.
Poster design by Aaron DentonThanks for listening to WFHB Rewind, produced by WFHB News, music and Youth Radio departments.
Interviews with Mark Hood, Jim Manion, and Jeffrey “Sundog” Morris were conducted by Abby Noroozi and Jessie Grubb.
This episode of Rewind was edited by Jessie Grubb.
Music in this episode is from the 1975 benefit at the Bluebird featuring performers MX-80, Mark Bingham, Peter Gold, Bob Lucas, Bill Schwartz, Kathy Canada, Hoosier Whole Tones, and Caroline Peyton.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Political Scientist Jeff Isaac about Indiana public colleges eliminating nearly 20 percent of their degree programs. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.
That’s Shelby VanDerMoere from the Bloomington Fire Department, on new training materials for downtown workers to mediate conflict with the unhoused. Do we really need 9-1-1 for this or could we just talk this out? That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Reports:
People who work in downtown Bloomington will soon get access to training on how to de-escalate tense situations involving the unhoused. You might be surprised to hear that such training didn’t already exist, and you might be even more surprised to hear where the idea came from. Correspondent Luke Janke has that story in a special report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Starting July 1st, Indiana public colleges eliminated, suspended or consolidated nearly 20 percent of degree programs. This follows legislation at the Indiana Statehouse that requires programs with small numbers of graduates be eliminated. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Jeff Isaac, political science professor at IU, about what impact the elimination of these degrees will have for the university and the city of Bloomington as a whole. We turn to Max Schneider for more.
Up next, Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Whitehead – associate professor of sociology at IUI, and author of “American Idolatry” gives us insight into how Christian Nationalism connects to free market capitalism and why it seems that more and more legislation is being influenced by this ideology. We now turn to Episode 2 of Government.exe on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, “Predicting the Future” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Max Schneider.
Today’s feature story on de-escalation training around the unhoused was produced by Luke Janke in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University and featured Luke’s own original music.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Back in 1776, John Adams predicted — correctly! — that July 4th would become a national holiday. Today, it’s easy to predict that scammers and swindlers will try to celebrate by scatttering traps for you, all wrapped in the good old red-white-and-blue, of course. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common con games that pop up along with firework stands, and the basic ways to keep your money safe. When it comes to setting off fireworks, though, staying safe is entirely up to you! So be careful, and have a happy Independence Day.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BB20250702-Predicting-The-Future.mp3
Featured Animal: Luna Bug
Tune in to learn about an adoptable cat named Luna Bug (currently residing at Bloomington Stitchery).
Featured Topic: Protecting pets during fireworks
Tune in to learn about how to help keep pets safe and comfortable during fireworks season.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.
In today’s newscast, you will hear Bloomington native Taylor Minnick, a star player on the Indiana University softball team. Minnick just graduated from IU as the softball program’s all-time homerun queen. More from Minnick and head coach Shonda Stanton later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Commissioners Address Public Health, Property Taxes and County Fair Programs
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on June 26, 2025. During department updates, Martha Miller from Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation shared details about the first annual “conservation day” at the upcoming Monroe County Fair.
Next, County Auditor Brianne Gregory made note of recent legislation which will impact property tax reductions.
The board also discussed a service agreement for the Health Department, which would allow them to test and decontaminate homes where meth labs have been seized by the Indiana state police. There are currently 11 homes waiting to receive this treatment. Commissioner Jody Madeira emphasized the importance of this service.
The board voted to pass the agreement unanimously.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on July 3rd, 2025.
Monroe County Library Board Approves New Bookmobile Vendor
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on Thursday, June 26th. The meeting was held because there was not a quorum of board members at the previous meeting on June 18th. Library Director Grier Carson began by sharing that the current bookmobile has reached the end of its lifespan.
Carson explained that the steps to begin the building of the new bookmobile are underway. A vendor needed to be approved to build the vehicle. Carson said that library staff was impressed by a vendor called TechOps. The board unanimously voted to approve the bid proposal and purchase agreement for the new bookmobile.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will take place on July 16th.
Feature Reports:
In recent weeks, a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have left Bloomington residents on edge. Community advocates say ICE’s presence has led to fear, confusion and the cancellation of public events. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with local organizers, legal experts and city officials about the impact and the community’s response to ICE activity in Bloomington. We now re-broadcast that feature report on the WFHB Local News.
The IU softball team made it to the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row this year, but were eliminated on May 17th in the regional finals. Still, it was a historic season for the seniors on the team – Brianna Copeland broke the program’s all-time homerun record, and then star senior and Bloomington native Taylor Minnick broke it again with 45 homeruns. Minnick spoke to correspondent Peter Miller, who also interviews head coach Shonda Stanton, in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings.
Today’s feature story on IU softball was produced by Peter Miller in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The IU softball team made it to the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row this year, but were eliminated on May 17th in the regional finals. Still, it was a historic season for the seniors on the team – Brianna Copeland broke the program’s all-time homerun record, and then star senior and Bloomington native Taylor Minnick broke it again with 45 homeruns. Minnick spoke to correspondent Peter Miller, who also interviews head coach Shonda Stanton, in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
CREDIT:
Today’s feature story on IU softball was produced by Peter Miller in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Featured Animals: Bodie and Brynn
Tune in to learn about dogs Bodie and Brynn (both available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter).
Featured Topic: Wildlife Care
Tune in to learn about how to help support and protect local wildlife.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
On Monday, April, 21st, 2025 we welcomed two time Grammy nominated artist and mandolin virtuoso, Sierra Hull. Sierra and Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi chatted about the new album, A Tip Toe High Wire and self releasing after being on Rounder Records since she was 13. They chatted about influences, evolving Bluegrass, touring, and more. Don’t miss this outstanding session!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet, Christy Crandal, and Jane Cadogan
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Video Production: No Guru Media
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Alwiya Saleh Omar and Dr. Ng’uono Okelo to discuss World Kiswahili Language Day. Both Dr. Omar and Dr. Ng’uono are affiliated with the African Studies Program and the National African Language Resource Center at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Dr. Omar is from Tanzania, and Dr. Okelo is from Kenya.
World Kiswahili Language Day is celebrated on July 7 each year. According to the United Nations, Kiswahili is “one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa and the world, with over 200 million speakers. It is a vital tool of communication and integration across East, Central, and Southern Africa, and serves as an official language of the African Union (AU), SADC, and the EAC. Kiswahili is more than a language—it is a vessel of African identity, unity, and culture. From its role in liberation movements, including those led by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, to its modern use in education, diplomacy, and media, Kiswahili continues to foster regional cohesion and global cultural understanding.”
Recognized by UNESCO as the first African language to be honored with its own international day, Kiswahili embodies the power of multilingualism to promote diversity, tolerance, and sustainable development. As a bridge between communities and civilizations, it plays a critical role in quality education, cultural preservation, and socio-economic progress. More than just a means of communication, Kiswahili is a carrier of identity, values, and a worldview, representing the rich cultural tapestry of the African continent.
In acknowledgment of its growing global significance, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/312, further affirming the importance of Kiswahili in fostering solidarity, peace, and pan-African unity.”
The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market will holding a World Kiswahili Language Day on Saturday, July 5 with Dr. Alwiya Saleh Omar and Dr. Ng’uono Okelo:
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 30th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Gerard Pannekoek walks through the mission of the recent Granfalloon Festival. You’ll get a deep dive into the “how and why” of Granfalloon later in the show in a feature report.
Also, you will hear Maggie Sullivan, watershed coordinator for Friends of Lake Monroe, a grassroots nonprofit watchdog for the lake and the streams feeding it. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Board of Health Considers New Public Comment Policy
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on June 26th. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing changes to the board’s policy on public comment. The proposed change would require the public to sign up for public comment in advance, and it would require that they state what their comment will be about ahead of time.
A long-winded discussion ensued, with board members arguing both for and against the changes. Some believed it provided protection against non-serious or non-compliant public comment requests, while others believed public comment should remain more easily accessible and that the change would make public comment more cumbersome. Board Chair Aurora DiOrio announced that they have a new online form for members of the public to sign to sign up for public comment.
DiOrio said her goal is to get a draft for the policy, and then host a public hearing on the draft in July.
Board Member Lisa Hanner-Robinson shared that she has three concerns with the proposed policy.
DiOrio responded, and Board Member Kay Leach chimed in as well.
Hanner-Robinson then made the argument that members of the public should not have to sign up for public comment in advance. Board Member Stephen Pritchard clarified the language used, as prior to the meeting, rather than in advance.
They discussed how they have members of the public sign in when they are attending virtually. DiOrio pointed to the online form as the solution. Hanner-Robinson asked what other boards and commissions do in this situation.
County Commissioner Jody Madeira was in attendance at the meeting, she was able to answer Hanner-Robinson’s question, along with County Administrative Attorney David Shilling.
To hear their full discussion you can find the meeting online.
In the end, a new draft was accepted that tightened the rules surrounding public comment whilst removing the prerequisite to sign-up ahead of time.
Moving onto new items, Health Department Director Lori Kelley requested the board’s approval to submit an application to the Opioid Settlement Application Review Board. Following large cuts
to federal funding, the Health Department has seen cuts to funding regarding their harm reduction specialist position.
Kelley explained that the Opioid Settlement Fund monies could be used to pay the full time harm reduction specialist and to hire part-time workers to support the program.
Board Member Lee McKinley asked if there was a backup option if the application is not approved. Kelley said there is not, and the position will end in November.
The request was passed unanimously. The Monroe County Board of Health will next meet on July 17th.
Monroe County Commissioners Tackle Funding Cuts, Storm Damage and Emergency Preparedness
The Monroe County Council met on June 24th and discussed reestablishing Minimum Cash Fund Balances. The county’s consulting firm, Financial Solutions Group, recommended the County lowers minimum balances for the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund from $1 million to $750,000 and the Health Fund and Election Fund each from $1 million to $500,000.
Council Member Marty Hawk reminded the council that budget discussions later will determine the amount actually allocated to the funds. She said that putting too much money in frozen levy funds could restrict the flexibility in the County General Fund.
County Auditor Brianne Gregory expressed concern about the election fund being cut down to half a million dollars. She said maintaining a higher minimum balance smooths out costs over multiple years.
The council approved reducing the minimum cash balances as recommended by FSG, but set the Election Fund’s minimum at $750,000 instead of the suggested half a million.
The council then discussed approving compliance findings, such as job creation and wage levels, for businesses receiving tax abatements. Approval is required within 45 days of the reports being filed, meaning by July 1st. Council members expressed frustration that the item appeared on the agenda so late in that timeframe.
Hawk voiced her concern that the short notice meant businesses were not invited to speak at the meeting.
All businesses were found to be compliant with the abatement requirements, so the council allowed the resolution to pass automatically with no formal action.
Building Commissioner Robert LaRue gave an update of the county’s response to recent storm damage. He explained that the county is prioritizing power restoration and expediting inspections.
LaRue said single-family homeowners repairing storm damage can get building permits for a reduced fee of $100, and the department is working to speed up processing times.
Council Member Trent Deckard asked if the county could subsidize the permit cost, saying the county wants to support people facing hard times. LaRue said he would get an estimate.
The council also discussed moving two health emergency preparedness positions to different funding sources because of recent state legislation passed restricting Health First Indiana funders to Indiana citizens. Health Administrator Lori Kelley said moving the positions to other funds would ensure services continue to reach all Monroe County residents.
Council Member Peter Iversen supported the resolution, saying it provides access to healthcare for all Indiana residents.
Council Member David Henry asked about future funding for preparedness supplies and training once they are removed from Health First Indiana. Kelley explained that grant funds, reserve funds and county funds can cover the costs, although funding would be reduced.
The council unanimously approved the funding shift. The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on July 2.
Feature Report:
The Granfalloon Festival is an annual tradition in Bloomington, bringing campus and townies together to celebrate arts, ideas, and community. It’s a loving tribute to Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut, who coined the term “granfalloon” in his novel “Cat’s Cradle.” Correspondent Brylee Stubbs speaks with a festival organizer for a deep dive into the philosophy and operating principles of Granfalloon in a special report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. This year’s festival culminated in a concert on June 7th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater headlined by R&B legend Mavis Staples. The opening act was Murder By Death, a band born in the basements of Bloomington 25 years ago. Granfalloon was the kickoff show on their farewell tour.
130,000 people depend on Lake Monroe for clean drinking water and none of them are in charge of protecting its water quality. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns the land, and the state manages the lake, and the city treats the water they pull from the lake…but no official entity safeguards the supply. Maggie Sullivan says this is why Friends of Lake Monroe is so important – a grassroots nonprofit watchdog for the lake and the streams feeding it. Sullivan is the Friends of Lake Monroe watershed coordinator, and she’s here to bring people together around protecting Lake Monroe, on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on the Granfalloon Festival was produced by Brylee Stubbs in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University and featured music by Murder By Death and Jaspertine.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anna Aleman, Nancy Dorantes y Mayra Sunción de SCCAP, nos hablan sobre Early Head Start, un programa de educación infantil temprana financiado por el gobierno federal de los Estados Unidos que promueve la preparación escolar de niños y niñas de familias de bajos ingresos, proporcionando servicios de educación, salud, nutrición y participación de los padres.
Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers.
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Whitehead – associate professor of sociology at IUI, and author of “American Idolatry” gives us insight into how Christian Nationalism connects to free market capitalism and why it seems that more and more legislation is being influenced by this ideology.
Credits:
Hosted and Produced by Shefar Rafiul for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The Granfalloon Festival is an annual tradition in Bloomington, bringing campus and townies together to celebrate arts, ideas, and community. It’s a loving tribute to Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut, who coined the term “granfalloon” in his novel “Cat’s Cradle.” Correspondent Brylee Stubbs speaks with a festival organizer for a deep dive into the philosophy and operating principles of Granfalloon in a special report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University. This year’s festival culminated in a concert on June 7th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater headlined by R&B legend Mavis Staples. The opening act was Murder By Death, a band born in the basements of Bloomington 25 years ago. Granfalloon was the kickoff show on their farewell tour.20250630 Murder By Death perform Everything Must Rest at Granfalloon, the first show on their farewell tourCREDIT:Today’s feature story on the Granfalloon Festival was produced by Brylee Stubbs in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University and featured music by Murder By Death and Jaspertine.
Youth Radio Summer Camp is a partnership between WFHB, Banneker Community Center, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ellettsville. In five sessions Youth Radio Summer Camp gives youth a crash course in all things broadcast radio. During week two, we focused on interview skills. Campers interviewed their peers, counselors, and members of the Bloomington Fire Department, Tania Daffron and Tom Figolah.
Youth Radio Summer Camp was engineered and edited by Lena Swayze and Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
130,000 people depend on Lake Monroe for clean drinking water and none of them are in charge of protecting its water quality. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns the land and the state manages the lake and the city treats the water they pull from the lake…but no official entity safeguards the supply. Maggie Sullivan says this is why Friends of Lake Monroe is so important – a grassroots nonprofit watchdog for the lake and the streams feeding it. Sullivan is the Friends of Lake Monroe watershed coordinator, and she’s here to bring people together around protecting Lake Monroe.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
Today on the program, we have award winning screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, whose film ‘Hoosiers’, about a small town basketball team winning the Indiana state championship, has been honored as the best sports film of all time. He speaks with us today about preserving our state’s natural heritage.
And now for your environmental reports:
- For decades, utilities disposed of coal ash — the hazardous substance left after burning coal for energy — by dumping it in unlined ponds and landfills. Kentucky has 68 coal ash dumpsites.
Kentucky is one of the nation’s top coal ash-generating states, ranking fourth in ash production in 2020. - In Illinois, the number of active and inactive coal ash ponds in 2025 is not explicitly stated in the provided search results, but the total is approximately 70. The state has regulations and ongoing efforts to address coal ash disposal and environmental impact.
- In 2025, Michigan is seeing both the continued environmental challenge of coal ash and innovative solutions for its remediation. While some coal plants are facing closure and coal ash is being removed and repurposed, others are being kept open by federal orders, leading to concerns about pollution and grid reliability.
- Ohio has a significant issue with coal ash disposal, ranking as one of the top coal ash-generating states and facing widespread groundwater contamination from its coal ash ponds and landfills.
- Heavy rains this April flooded parts of central and southern Indiana. Fortunately, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management said it didn’t receive any reports of damage to the state’s coal ash ponds.
- Indiana is home to more than 73 million cubic yards of coal ash stored on at least 16 sites that lack a liner. There are about 65 coal ash ponds with liners according to data compiled by Earthjustice in 2022 based on companies’ own reporting required under federal rules. For the ponds without liners, that’s the equivalent of more than 22,000 Olympic swimming pools.
- A recent pact between North Dakota and the Trump administration shows how coal-friendly states could enshrine lax standards and block future federal enforcement on toxic coal ash pollution.
North Dakota earned preliminary approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month to regulate coal ash — a byproduct of burning coal — at the state instead of federal level. Indiana environmentalists fear that their state will follow the same path. - Picking a state outside the Midwest reveals a different mentality. In New York, there are 12 known coal ash dumpsites, with at least 8 regulated coal ash disposal sites and 4 legacy ponds and inactive landfills. The exact number may be higher, as utilities were not required to report all such sites. The EPA issued a new rule in 2024 requiring power plants to clean up their toxic coal ash.
Feature Report:
And now, we have Correspondent Zero Roze and his interview with acclaimed screenwriter Angelo Pizzo about his efforts to aid forest protection and a benefit concert happening tomorrow in Paoli, over in Orange County Indiana.
Attention citizens! Did you know that you are part owner of thousands of acres of forest land in Indiana?The Hoosier National Forest belongs to all of us. And you can learn more about this public resource while participating in an auction, attending a benefit concert and while partaking of food from the Lost River Co-op and Cafe in Paoli on Saturday, June 28th. That’s tomorrow!For a chance to receive a complimentary ticket to the Tim Grimm concert in Paoli, just email us at: ecoreportextra@gmail.com. And now for some upcoming events:
- Plan to attend the Tim Grimm Protect Our Woods Concert at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 110 NE 1st Street in Paoli, Indiana, on Saturday, June 28th beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are available from WFHB radio and more information here.
- There will be a Night Sky Viewing at the Ferguson Dog Park on Saturday, June 28th, from 9 to 10:45 pm. Join members of the Indiana Astronomical Society to view the planets and stars through a variety of telescopes. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Step Into a Summer Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, June 28th, beginning at 11 am. This will be a multi-trail hike on Trails 1, 2 and 4. It is a moderate 1 hour hike.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.
Andrea Arends, Jacquie Roman y Taski Velasquez, nos visitan para compartir información sobre lo que es un Logopeda o Terapeuta Hispanohablante (Spanish speaking speech-language pathologist). El programa STEPS de la Universidad de Indiana capacita a estudiantes para convertirse en logopedas/terapeutas bilingües. Comparten también información sobre oportunidades profesionales, salario y requisitos educativos. Las estudiantes, Jacquie y Taski, que participan en el programa de IU STEPS nos comparten sus experiencias.
She realized how inadequate her formal sex education had been when she took a Biology & Culture of Women’s Bodies course at Indiana University. Indiana schools prioritize abstinence over information when it comes to school sex education classes. Christine Brackenhoff, a nurse formerly with the Monroe County Health Department’s now-closed Futures Family Planning Clinic, interviews people about their sex education experiences in a new podcast, Hoosier Sex Talks.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. The “No Kings” protest was held in Bloomington, one of many cities across the country. The Board of Trustees held their first meeting since the removal of the elected trustees, presiding over the controversial “Expressive Activity Policy” in the wake of Judge Richard Young’s decision. For all that and more, we turn to Correspondent Max Schneider.
On Monday, June 2nd, WFHB volunteers came together for a group photo in front of the station. The photo was taken by Roman Franc (Czech Republic) and Jon Tonks (United Kingdom), collaborators who have spent the past decade photographing a wide range of community groups for their project, “Groups Collective”.
Youth Radio volunteers Ollie Schnell and Nathan Lafferty spoke with the duo at the opening reception on June 6th at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts. They asked about the process of finding groups to photograph and their perception of Bloomington and it’s people.
Photo by Roman Franc and Jon TonksInterviews by Ollie Schnell and Nathan Lafferty
Edited by Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Indiana University operates about a half a dozen culture centers on the Bloomington campus, but a Muslim culture center is not one of them. Correspondent Alexis Carvajal talks with IU Muslim Student Association president Ahmed Al Baharna and Islamic Center of Bloomington imam Mohamed Sayed who have been trying to change that for years and are still holding out hope. This special report was produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credit:
Today’s feature story on efforts to launch a Muslim culture center at IU was produced by Alexis Carvajal in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week—and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On February 2nd, 2024, Nina Pitchkites and Kevin Krauter of the Indianapolis dream-pop band Wishy joined us for a Firehouse Session in-studio interview and performance. They talked about the evolution of the band, their mutual obsession with The Sundays and the excitement and buzz around their recent EP, Paradise. Wishy will headline WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project – which will take place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird. We turn now to that interview and a portion of that performance on WFHB Rewind.
Now we have an archived segment from September 2010. It features an interview with Mark Hood, one of the founders of WFHB, discussing the history and impact of the station. Founded in 1974, WFHB’s first significant event was a 1975 benefit concert that raised over $700. Despite initial challenges, including a 19-year licensing process, WFHB went on air in 1993. Hood highlighted the station’s role in supporting local music and its evolution into a news outlet. He emphasized WFHB’s importance in fostering community engagement and encouraged listeners to support the station during the fall fund drive. We turn now to that archived interview in celebration of our upcoming show WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project – which, again, will take place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird.
Headshot of Amanda Roach for IU Public Safety at IU Bloomington on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. (Photo by Alex Kumar/Indiana University)Up next – the first heat wave of the summer is here in Monroe County. Monday through Friday this week, temperatures are expected to reach at least 90 degrees. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Ella Cummings and Max Schneider speak with Amanda Roach from Indiana University. Amanda Roach is University Director for Emergency Management and Continuity, overseeing the statewide team leading IU’s emergency planning and continuity efforts. She discusses how to prepare for severe heat and stay safe during extreme weather events. We turn now to that interview on WFHB Rewind.
Now it’s time for Art Walk – where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.
WFHB Correspondent Harley Babbitt reports on the Granfalloon Festival, an annual celebration of art, ideas and community in Bloomington hosted by IU Arts and Humanities. The festival is inspired by Indiana author Kurt Vonnegut celebrating his life and works. This year’s focus is on “Cat’s Cradle,” a Cold War satire. Babbitt attended two Granfalloon events and spoke with festival organizers, highlighting Vonnegut’s Indiana roots and the timeless themes of community, religion, and existential angst. For more, we turn to Correspondent Harley Babbit.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 25th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news items over the summer.
Also, we hear from Mohamed Sayed from the Islamic Center of Bloomington, on the need for a Muslim culture center on the Indiana University campus. Hear more from local people fighting to make it happen later in the show in a feature report.
Feature Reports:
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Schneider covered the “No Kings” protest in Bloomington against the Trump administration’s controversial actions, including ICE raids and military parade spending. Also, the Indiana University Board of Trustees approved amendments to the expressive activity policy and debated a new trustee code of conduct. Lastly, the IU Provost rejected funding for the Indiana Daily Student, citing budget constraints. The student media emphasized their commitment to independent journalism and maintaining a constructive relationship with the university. Correspondent Max Schneider has more.
Indiana University operates about a half a dozen culture centers on the Bloomington campus, but a Muslim culture center is NOT one of them. Correspondent Alexis Carvajal talks with local Muslims who have been trying to change that for years and are still holding out hope. This special report was produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next – Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers. In the debut episode, Dr. Andrew Whitehead – associate professor of sociology at IUI, and author of “American Idolatry” gives us insight into Christian nationalism—how it brings together segments of Christianity, how it shapes views on the separation of church and state, its influence on legislation on reproductive health, and how its followers interpret the Constitution. We turn to Youth Radio Correspondent Shefar Rafiul for more.
Up next, “What Are the Facts?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Summer Campus News was produced by Max Schneider.
Today’s feature story on efforts to launch a Muslim culture center at IU was produced by Alexis Carvajal in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Government.exe was produced by Shefar Rafiul.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
“You pilot always into an unknown future — facts are your single clue.”
Today, too many people don’t make up their own minds. They just decide who they’re going to believe. This can be very dangerous! It opens you up to all kinds of scams and swindles, and can lead you to make bad decisions about anything you do in life. Let’s think about how to know what information you can trust…decide whose opinions you can believe…and how to make up your own mind, instead of letting someone else do it for you.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BB-Classic-5-What-Are-The-Facts.mp3
Welcome to Voices in the Street. Public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington. Voices in the Street provides an opportunity for residents to anonymously voice their opinions and perspectives on the issues and events that matter most to Bloomington citizens.
This year, WFHB’s Youth Radio tabled at Granfalloon and interviewed attendees of the 2025 Granfalloon Festival about Kurt Vonnegut, the performing artists, and the Handmade Market. They got responses from people in the street and Kurt Vonnegut experts.
Interviews conducted by Ollie Schnell, Nathan Lafferty, Lena Swayze, and John Uridel.
Produced and edited by Jessie Grubb and Lena Swayze.
The Monroe County Board of Health is slated to meet on Thursday, June 26th. The health board has been steeped in controversy following the closure of Futures Family Planning Clinic. During last month’s board meeting, the board of health suspended public comment, with board members saying they will develop a new public comment policy in their June meeting. This came after former Futures employees and local officials called for greater transparency and accountability as to why the clinic closed. In today’s feature report, WFHB News features voices from former Futures staff and current board member Dr. Stephen Pritchard about the board’s decision and what’s next.
For previous WFHB coverage on the closure of Futures, visit this link.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 24th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB speaks with former staff at Futures Family Planning Clinic and Board of Health Member Dr. Stephen Pritchard about the board’s decision to suspend public comment in order to develop a new policy. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Feature Report:
Photo by Lauren Atkinson.The Monroe County Board of Health is slated to meet on Thursday, June 26th. The health board has been steeped in controversy following the closure of Futures Family Planning Clinic. During last month’s board meeting, the board of health suspended public comment, with board members saying they will develop a new public comment policy in their June meeting. In today’s broadcast, WFHB News features voices from former Futures staff and current board member Dr. Stephen Pritchard about the decision to suspend public comments while the board works to amend the public comment policy. We turn now to that feature report on the WFHB Local News.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers. In episode 1 Boogie asked “do you have a favorite style of art?” and “what do you consider art?”.
This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the John Waldron Arts Center and Backspace Gallery on April 4th, 2025 during Gallery Walk in Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews by Dominic Robertson
Edited by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 23rd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, IU’s Emergency Management Director Amanda Roach discusses how to prepare for severe heat and stay safe during extreme weather events.
More in today’s feature report.
That’s Madison Stratton from Kesem, an organization supporting kids when a parent has cancer. Find out how you can help send those kids to Kesem’s local summer camp in Brown County later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Board of Works Approves Closures for Student Housing and Convention Center Projects
The City of Bloomington Board of Public Works met on June 18th. The board approved the street and lane closures needed to perform utility work for the Hub II student housing development. These closures will take place in July. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh walked through the closures.
In addition, more lane closures and sidewalk diversions are to follow, due to the upcoming renovation of the Bloomington Convention Center. These closures will last significantly longer, ranging from the end of June to January 2026. Baugh explained it will also be the first of several closures needed to complete the project.
A contract from the City of Bloomington Street Division with Wise Building Solutions has been cancelled. This contract was for the development of 27 accessible A-D-A ramps on the south and west sides of the city. It was determined that the work would not be able to be completed in the timeline outlined in the contract, leading to a mutually-agreed cancellation. The task of building the A-D-A ramps has now been given to Groomer Construction.
Lastly, the Public Works Director, Adam Wason, outlined the amount of residents without power following the storms in Monroe County on June 18th.
The City of Bloomington Board of Public Works will hold their next meeting July 1st.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board Approves $40 Million Bond Issue
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on Tuesday, June 17th. The board began with briefly reviewing the 2025 May Treasurer’s report. Then, Superintendent Jerry Sanders called on the Edgewood school principals to introduce some of the newly hired faculty. These new hires included an assistant principal at Edgewood primary school, a science teacher at Edgewood middle school, and a special education teacher at Edgewood high school.
Skilman Construction Project Manager Martin Truesdell gave an update of the Skilman construction report. He claimed that the Edgewood Early Childhood Center should be open to teachers by July 28th and the center’s playground should be installed by early July.
He then gave updates on the construction projects inside Edgewood High School’s activity center. This included progress and their estimated completion. He then presented updates on the Primary School bathroom construction, which will be fully completed by the first or second week of school. He concluded with updates on the construction projects in Edgewood Intermediate School, which he said are all on schedule.
Later, the Board discussed the 2025 bonds timeline. Financial Advisor Matt Shoemaker presented and outlined a potential $40 million bond issue for 2025.
The Board passed this $40 million bond issuance unanimously. The next board meeting is scheduled for July 15th.
Feature Reports:
Headshot of Amanda Roach for IU Public Safety at IU Bloomington on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. (Photo by Alex Kumar/Indiana University)The first heat wave of the summer is here in Monroe County. Monday through Friday this week, temperatures are expected to reach at least 90 degrees. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Ella Cummings and Max Schneider speak with Amanda Roach from Indiana University. Amanda Roach is University Director for Emergency Management and Continuity, overseeing the statewide team leading IU’s emergency planning and continuity efforts. She discusses how to prepare for severe heat and stay safe during extreme weather events. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
It’s that time of year when some kids go to summer camp, but Camp Kesem isn’t your typical summer camp. Kesem is for kids with parents who have cancer. They get to do all the fun stuff kids do at camp, but they also draw strength from being around other kids feeling the same feelings about the challenges facing their families. After camp week is over, the kids can continue supporting each other through online meet-ups and other year-round family support. Kesem is staffed by volunteers at major universities and Indiana University has a particularly active chapter, with more than 100 students working at the local Kesem camp in Brown County. Madison Stratton and Naomi Gebremedhin are here to ask your help sending more kids to the best week of their life, on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Max Schneider, Ella Cummings and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings and Max Schneider.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ryan LaPedis through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Youth Radio Summer Camp is a partnership between WFHB, Banneker Community Center, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ellettsville. In five sessions Youth Radio Summer Camp gives youth a crash course in all things broadcast radio. In the first session, we kick things off with music reviews. After listening to a randomly chosen song, campers share how the song made them feel, identify lyrics and instruments, and discuss the possible meaning behind the song.
Youth Radio Summer Camp was engineered and edited by Lena Swayze and Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
In this episode of ShowRats, Ollie interviews Sara Stafford, a Bloomington-based nurse and musician. Sara performs two songs from her upcoming album “Phoenix” and shares her musical journey, starting in a Pentecostal church choir and evolving into a multi-instrumental artist who plays guitar, bass, mandolin, and ukulele. Sara gives young musicians the advice to take risks and use music as a form of healing and connection. The upcoming album release party for “Phoenix” is on June 27th at the Orbit Room!
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Theme music is Trompe le Monde by Pixies
All music in this episode is by Sara Stafford – recorded live at WFHB
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
This month, Civic Conversations welcomes Erik Coyne, Chancellor of Ivy Tech of Bloomington, to discuss the value of community colleges. Erik oversees a campus of more than 11,000 students who are obtaining workforce training or preparing for a four-year college education. One of Ivy Tech’s biggest goals is workforce development. Their Next Level Job program offers forty different programs, and they work closely with the local industry to ensure job placement. One of their newer programs is semiconductor job training. According to Coyne, more than 90% of their students stay in Indiana and attend their local Ivy Tech campus. Ivy Tech in Bloomington provides support to eight counties, including Monroe County.
Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers.
In the debut episode, Dr. Andrew Whitehead – associate professor of sociology at IUI, and author of “American Idolatry” gives us insight into Christian nationalism—how it brings together segments of Christianity, how it shapes views on the separation of church and state, its influence on legislation on reproductive health, and how its followers interpret the Constitution.
Credits:
Hosted and Produced by Shefar Rafiul for WFHB’s Youth Radio
We pick up our conversation with Dave Askins, citizen-journalist and the outsider on the inside, who has resurrected his B Square Bulletin. He hopes to create a 21st century online daily local newspaper employing reporters and photographers covering a wide range of beats. He aims to establish a nonprofit corporation so he can solicit financial support for his operation.
This episode aired Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
It’s that time of year when some kids go to summer camp, but Camp Kesem isn’t your typical summer camp. Kesem is for kids with parents who have cancer. They get to do all the fun stuff kids do at camp, but they also draw strength from being around other kids feeling the same feelings about the challenges facing their families. After camp week is over, the kids can continue supporting each other through online meet-ups and other year-round family support. Kesem is staffed by volunteers at major universities and Indiana University has a particularly active chapter, with more than 100 students working at the local Kesem camp in Brown County. Madison Stratton and Naomi Gebremedhin are here to ask your help sending more kids to the best week of their lives.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
Madison Stratton (left) and Naomi Gebremedhin with Kesem campers
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ryan LaPedis
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s edition of Eco Report, we learn about a new documentary film being produced about environmental issues and forest protection in our neck of the woods. Producer Rachael Himsel speaks with Correspondent Zero Roze about her new film, ‘Saving the Hoosier’.
The cost of electricity is rising across the country, forcing Americans to pay more on their monthly bills and squeezing manufacturers and small businesses that rely on cheap power. And some of President Trump’s policies risk making things worse, despite his promises to slash energy prices, companies and researchers say.
This week, the Senate is taking up Mr. Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, which has already passed the House. In its current form, that bill would abruptly end most of the Biden-era federal tax credits for low-carbon sources of electricity like wind, solar, batteries and geothermal power. Repealing those credits could increase the average family’s energy bill by as much as $400 per year within a decade, according to several studies published this year.
Indiana wind projects can be a source of revenue through taxes, land leases, and economic development agreements. The latest figures reveal that in 2023, the industry generated $23 million in state and local tax payments. The revenue helps fund areas including schools, hospitals and local businesses, contributing to the overall economic health of the areas. Rural landowners are also benefitting from an additional stream of revenue, sharing in $22 million in annual land lease payments in 2023.
Clean energy manufacturers and advocates say they’re perplexed how the repeal of tax credits in President Donald Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” will keep their domestic production lines humming across the United States, particularly in states that elected him to the Oval Office.
While some Republicans have labeled the billions in tax credits a “green new scam,” statistics reviewed by States Newsroom show the jobs and benefits would boost predominantly GOP-leaning states and congressional districts. Now the industry is already slowing amid Trump’s back-and-forth tariff policy and mixed messaging on energy and manufacturing.
Two Northwest Indiana activism groups joined other environmental groups in sending a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in objection to an air monitoring permit recently approved for Cleveland-Cliffs’ Indiana Harbor facility.
The petition alleges that a permit recently issued to Cleveland-Cliffs from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management falls “significantly short of basic provisions, including failure to include monitoring, testing and recordkeeping” to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act.
“If this permit is approved as is, the Cleveland-Cliffs facilities (at Indiana Harbor in East Chicago) will likely release harmful emissions into the air…” Ellis Walton, associate attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said in a Monday news release. “The communities of East Chicago and Gary suffer many environmental injustices already and shouldn’t be forced to bear even more harms from local industry.”
In 2025, Michigan saw significant progress in solar power development, with new utility-scale projects being built and existing initiatives expanding. The state also saw increased focus on brownfield sites for solar energy.
Michigan is making strides in incorporating solar power into its energy mix, with goals to increase renewable energy sources and phase out coal-fired power plants. The state has seen significant growth in solar capacity, and incentives are available to help homeowners and businesses adopt solar technology.
Currently, Michigan’s electricity is made up of 1.25 percent solar energy, enough to power over 230,000 homes. Michigan’s solar industry employs 4,000 citizens through its 223 solar companies. The solar industry has invested $1.7 billion in the state.
In 2025, Iowa is expected to generate 65% of its electricity from renewable sources, placing it as the state with the highest percentage of renewable energy production in the US. Specifically, wind energy contributes 80.1% of Iowa’s electricity production
The Texas Legislature ended its biennial session without passing a slew of bills that could have killed the state’s booming solar and battery sector, and by extension, the ability to keep the Texas grid running amid extreme weather and surging demand for electricity.
It did pass a law that could strengthen the state’s electricity reliability by encouraging the construction of more microgrids — combinations of small-scale gas-fired power, solar, and batteries that can be built quickly. Last week, Texas lawmakers authorized a long-awaited $1.8 billion fund to support microgrid deployment at hospitals, nursing homes, water treatment plants, police and fire stations, and other critical facilities across the state.
In this week’s edition of Eco Report, we learn about a new documentary film being produced about environmental issues and forest protection in our neck of the woods. Producer Rachael Himsel speaks with Correspondent Zero Roze about her new film, ‘Saving the Hoosier’.
- Take an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip on Northfork Salt Creek at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, June 25th, beginning at 7 pm. Enjoy beautiful views, hidden wildlife, aquatic plants and much more. You need to be experienced at paddling. Sign up with jvance@dnr.in.gov.
- Learn about Wolf Cave Creatures at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, June 27th, from 10 to 10:45 am. Stop by the Wolf Cave to learn about the creatures that live with no sunlight.
- Do you like to Frog gig? The Annual Frog Gigging Night is on Saturday, June 21st, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area beginning at 8 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center for a safety briefing then you will car pool to the site. You must register for this event at eplumier@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-512-9159.
- Take a Strawberry Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, June 11th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Hike to the highest point in Owen County as you learn fact and fiction about the Strawberry Full Moon.
- Learn about Aquatic Wildlife of the Waterfall at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, June 23rd, from 3 to 4 pm. Drop by the waterfall to learn all about aquatic wildlife.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………… Zero Roze
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
On Thursday, May, 15th, 2025 we had our second in our series of Cosmic Songwriter Firehouse Sessions! We were thrilled to welcome Nashvile, TN native, singer songwriter, Tommy Prine into the studio. Host, Abby Noroozi and Tommy chatted about songwriting, his 2023 debut album “This Far South”, getting married + expecting his first baby, and what it was like growing up with a legendary musician as your dad. This was an unforgettable session! Don’t miss it. (video coming!)
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Christy Crandall
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Wednesday, May, 14th, 2025 we had our first in our series of Cosmic Songwriter Firehouse Sessions! We were excited to welcome singer songwriter from Virginia, Sam Moss into the studio. Host, Spence Taylor and Sam chatted about songwriting, performing, the new album “Swimming” and recording at Sylvan Esso’s band members, Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn’s studio, Betty in North Carolina. This was a lovely session! Don’t miss it.
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Spence Taylor
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet and Christy Crandall
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, April 28th, 2025, we had a great Local Live session, the Spring Fund Drive Edition, with West Fork Revival. Host Nicki Seven talked to the band about making music, songwriting, and the importance of Community Radio! We had a few technical difficulties with our host mic but the band sounded great. Don’t miss West Fork Revival!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Susan Snyder, owner of The Pottery House Studio, found ceramics in her junior year at Indiana University. She briefly traveled abroad to Italy to study ceramics, but she eventually landed back in Bloomington. For a while, she sold her art to galleries and private collectors, but after trading 40 of her handmade plates for a kiln, she decided to open a ceramics studio in her garage. After that became too cramped, she moved her studio out and bought space on Pete Ellis Drive for her new studio. Now, Snyder is molding more than just clay. Her studio is fostering connection, creativity, and a sense of belonging through the art of ceramics.
Listen to this month’s episode of Unbound to learn more about Snyder and The Pottery House Studio.
Snyder stands in front of a wall of pottery that is available to paint at her studio. Photo courtesy of Susan Snyder.For more information on Unbound, visit the show’s homepage on wfhb.org or follow us on Instagram @unbound.wfhb.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 19th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, local artist Susan Snyder, who runs the Pottery House Studio, joins us on the latest episode of Unbound. More from WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Youth Radio volunteers asked attendees of the Granfalloon Festival about Kurt Vonnegut and his novel Cat’s Cradle. More in the bottom half of tonight’s broadcast.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings us another installment of Unbound. This time, she talks with local artist Susan Snyder, who runs the Pottery House Studio. Susan shares how she made her way back to Bloomington after studying and living abroad and the role ceramics play in enriching the local community.
Up next, “Voices in the Street” – from WFHB’s Youth Radio. Today’s episode brings you voices from the Granfallon festival speaking about Kurt Vonnegut and this year’s featured novel Cats Cradle. We turn to Voices in the Street on the WFHB Local News.
Amid federal threats to public media funding, WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette spoke with several members of the Bloomington community about what stations like WFHB mean to them. From its educational roots to its role in building local connection, community radio continues to hold space for stories that might not be told elsewhere. We turn to Ouillette for more.
Now, Youth Radio Correspondents Ollie Schnell and Nathan Lafferty speak with photographers Roman Franc and Jon Tonks at the opening of their exhibit Groups Collective at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Brookelyn Lambright, Leo Paes, Audrey Ouillette, Ollie Schnell, Lena Swayze, John Uridel and Nathan Lafferty.
Clarence Boone and Chantalle LaFontant produced Bring It On!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week – and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On October 11th, 2021, local musicians Amy O and Erin Tobey joined us at the station for an in-studio interview and performance in the wake of our Fall Fund Drive. Amy O will perform at WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project – which will take place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird. We turn now to that interview a bit of that performance on WFHB Rewind.
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.Up next – from the WFHB Archive – we feature an episode of Voices in the Street from June 20th, 2018 on ICE family separation.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with several organizers and community members who spoke out against the current administration (Photo by Jessie Grubb).On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse Square for the “No Kings” protest. Organized in response to what participants describe as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, the rally drew hundreds of community members calling for democratic accountability and human rights protections. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with several organizers and community members who spoke out against the current administration – from immigration enforcement to foreign policy. We now turn to a collection of interviews from the protest on WFHB Rewind.
Up next – a Juneteenth special from the producers of Bring It On, Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community. Bring It On hosts speak with Andrew Shannon, City of Bloomington Director of Safe and Civil Cities and Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. They discuss Bloomington’s celebration of Juneteenth. We turn now to that excerpt on WFHB Rewind.
Now it’s time for Art Walk – where Youth Radio reporters visit local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers. That’s coming up next on WFHB Rewind.
Up next, “Audio Pen Pals” – a collaboration between WFHB’s Youth Radio and AZYEP Youth Radio in Carbondale, Colorado. We turn now to recent audio exchanges between teens from both radio stations. That’s next on WFHB Rewind.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 18th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we continue our series about teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Today, we speak with several teens about their experiences with social media and how that relates to mental health. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Crazy emails” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
Feature Reports:
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie. This is part three of our conversation with them. Last week you heard them talk about how academic pressure and racism impacts their mental health. This week they dive deeper into barriers they have faced accessing mental health care, what they would do if they notice a friend is struggling, and what being mentally well looks like to them.
Up next, “Crazy emails” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
I’ve been getting a whole bunch of phony emails lately, and maybe you have too. They mostly present a fake invoice for some service, claiming I’ve subscribed to it and they’re going to take money out of my bank account — unless I call a phone number and protest. Of course it’s urgent! I only get a very short window to object. If I were to fall for this, they’d want me to give them my bank account numbers and all kinds of personal information. Instead, I just had some fun telling you about these scams.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BB20250618-Crazy-Emails.mp3
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie. This is part three of our conversation with them. Last week you heard them talk about how academic pressure and racism impacts their mental health. This week they dive deeper into barriers they have faced accessing mental health care, what they would do if they notice a friend is struggling, and what being mentally well looks like to them.
Source: 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results, Indiana Department of Health***
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources:
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: you can call or text 988 anytime, 24/7.
- The Trevor Project offers support for LGBTQ+ youth. The number is 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678.
- Centerstone offers local counseling and crisis services. The number is 1-800-832-5442.
- YouthLine is a teen-to-teen help line. Text “teen2teen” to 839863.
- At Indiana 211, you can find more information about available local support services by dialing 211 and entering your zipcode.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
Christina Avery, Haley Miller, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, and Kade Young won 1st place for Non-Deadline Stories or Series in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for their WFHB Deep Dive report on food insecurity.
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
Anne Kibbler won 1st place for “Environmental Reporting” in the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Indiana” Journalism Contest for this article.
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by 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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina 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.
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work (Part 1), January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
WFHB reports:
- Teen Mental Health (Part 1), May 7, 2025
- Teen Mental Health (Part 2), May 14, 2025
- Teen Mental Health (Part 3), May 21, 2025
- Teen Mental Health (Part 4), June 4, 2025
- Teen Mental Health (Part 5), June 11, 2025
By Ella Cummings
Fear and confusion have gripped Bloomington as ICE law enforcement have made unexpected arrests in our community.
In recent weeks, the Bloomington community has faced an unprecedented presence of ICE law enforcement officers. With arrests made of Bloomington residents and frequent appearances of ICE agents, many members of the community are left feeling uncertain and scared.
On April 29th, President Donald Trump’s promises for mass deportations played out in Bloomington. ICE agents detained one man after a court hearing on charges of residing in the country illegally. He is currently residing in a federal detention center.
One day later, on April 30th, similar arrests were made of three men on the grounds of residing in the country illegally. ICE agents arrested these Bloomington residents following traffic stops. All three men are now detained in a minimum security prison in Kentucky awaiting immigration trials.
Christie Popp, an immigration attorney in Bloomington, helped explain the impact as a whole, that ICE presence has had on the immigrant community. She enumerated how ICE operations function and how it instills fear in immigrant communities.
“Among the immigrant community, there’s a lot of fear and concern,” said Popp, “and knowing that ice could come at any time is really disconcerting.”
Next, Popp expressed how the recent ICE activity has impacted her office. With immigration enforcement largely targeting individuals who have not committed crimes and who are of a legal status, she has experienced an influx of permanent residents concerned for their status and safety.
“They are scared that they are going to be picked up by ICE either accidentally,” she said, “or who knows at what point the Trump administration is going to expand their operations.”
Erin Aquino, resettlement director of Exodus Refugee, an organization that provides support to refugees in Bloomington and Indianapolis, outlined the impact of ICE’s recent presence. She stated that many members of the community have been left feeling terrified and that events have been cancelled in fear of being singled out by ICE.
Aquino said, “people call us, should their kids go to school? Should they go to work? Are they safe to go out?”
Tim Clark, an organizer of the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Indiana University, further affirmed the devastating impact that immigration authorities have had on the community.
“I think fear is one of the biggest problems that we’re dealing with,” said Clark.
Clark elaborated more on how ICE has targeted individuals. He explained that on the national level, many people who have spoken in support of the Palestinian movement have been targeted by ICE and deported due to their involvement with the movement.
“A lot of Palestine organizers have been targeted,” he said, “simply for speaking out in favor of Palestine.”
In a statement from the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Kerry Thomson explained the limitations of the city’s authority in regards to the actions of federal immigration authorities. She stated, “[f]ederal immigration enforcement falls outside the City’s legal authority. We cannot prevent federal officers from operating within their jurisdiction. Federal immigration authorities can enter our community without advance notice or informing us of their intended actions. While the City remains guided by principles of dignity and safety, we operate within legal frameworks established by the federal government.”
While the city has limited power, local organizations and non-profits have stepped up in response to the ICE presence. Aquino explained what Exodus has done as an organization in response to the situation unfolding in the community.
“We have case management services, employment services, mental health services and legal services,” she said, “and we’re just providing a lot of outreach and telling the truth about these communities.”
Popp outlined the rights that an undocumented individual possesses and the steps that they can take if approached by ICE officers.
“They have the right to stay silent,” she said, “they can stand there calmly and ask, Am I being detained? Am I being arrested or detained? Or am I free to go and just stand there patiently until they’re told that they’re free to go.”
For individuals who are merely bystanders, Popp then explains the procedure that they can follow in incidents with ICE. Although their ability to interfere is limited, bystanders can videotape interactions between an individual and ICE agents.
“A bystander must keep some distance away from any kind of enforcement operation,” she said, “and they can certainly videotape what’s going on.”
Aquino explained that the fear of persecution from ICE extends to those with those whose immigration status is protected or not. This point is highlighted by the recent deportations nationally of those who have protected statuses, such as Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador by ICE officials despite his protected status that determined he could legally live and work in the United States. With this uncertainty in mind, Aquino highlighted what a person who feels scared due to their immigration status can do.
“It’s important to have safety plans,” she said, “and if they’re a client of Exodus, they can call Exodus. There’s the National Lawyers Guild that has a toll free number that people can call if they’re detained. You know, if you have children and you’re detained, who can look after your kids?”
For those who are concerned about the situation unfolding and wondering how they can help, Aquino summarized the best steps to take when ICE is present. This includes knowing your rights as a bystander, knowing the rights of the targeted individual, getting involved with organizations such as Exodus, and letting your voice be heard.
“Know your rights and know the rights of our immigrant neighbors, and so if you see ICE in town, speak up,” she said.
The recent arrests have left many in Bloomington shaken, but not silent. Various organizations, such as the Palestinian Solidarity Committee and Exodus Refugee, and local immigration attorneys, including Christie Popp, offer valuable information and resources.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 17th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings reports on ICE activity in Bloomington in recent weeks. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, learn more about how to support and protect local wildlife on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council Hears Economic Development Update, Approves Parks Funding
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council held a meeting on June 10th. During public comment, Monroe County Resident Seth Muchler had a response to the Long-Term Finance Committee meeting on June 6th, explaining how the cap on debt allowance for local income-tax revenue will affect incarceration in the county.
During department updates, President of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation Jen Pearl, announced that a steel manufacturing company called Almvoy is going to open a manufacturing facility in the old Otis Elevator plant. Director of Marketing Monica Vink, said that Almvoy is a steel manufacturer in the telecom industry, helping to create the structures and mounts that help build the networks that run through our phones. She explained why they decided to choose Monroe County for their expansion.
The council praised the incoming business, praising its efforts in aiding the redevelopment of the county
whilst also providing jobs.
Later in the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Whitmer asked the council for their permission to allocate funds from the parks non-reverting budget, to construct water diverting measures around the Karst Farm Park soccer fields.
Council Member Kate Wiltz said she is happy to hear that the parks department worked with the other county departments to find a solution to their problems.
The council voted to approve the appropriation of funds unanimously.The Monroe County Council will next meet on June 24th.
Feature Report:
Photo by Alex Brandon/APIn recent weeks, a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have left Bloomington residents on edge. Community advocates say ICE’s presence has led to fear, confusion and the cancellation of public events. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with local organizers, legal experts and city officials about the impact and the community’s response to ICE activity in Bloomington.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. On this week’s episode, you can learn more about dogs Bodie and Brynn, who are available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Also, stay tuned for today’s featured topic, where the hosts let you know how to support and protect local wildlife. Lil Bub’s Lil Show, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Max Schneider and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Granfalloon, Bloomington’s annual arts and culture festival celebrating the works of author Kurt Vonnegut, returned this year with a focus on the novel “Cat’s Cradle.” WFHB correspondent Harley Babbitt spoke with local artists and organizers participating in the festival, in order to learn more about how the festival functions and how Vonnegut has remained relevant for all these years.
WFHB welcomes the long-awaited return of Bloomington singer-songwriter Timothy JW Baker to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, June 14, from 11am to noon. Join us as this prominent and talented veteran of the Bloomington folk scene combines soothing strumming and finger-picking styles with his witty lyrical talents. Listen on air, or in our audience in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on 6th and Washington streets, for this live performance, free of charge! It’s Timothy JW Baker on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, June 14, 11am, on WFHB.
Today’s program is a rebroadcast from June 9, 2025, in honor of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, June 19. We also invite you to celebrate the holiday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Courtyard. This year’s celebration will feature a self-guided Black cultural walking tour, a cakewalk, food, music, and fellowship. They are located at 275 North Eagleson Avenue, and the celebration starts from Noon to 3 PM on June 19.
On June 24, there will also be a celebration of Black Music at the Blockhouse Bar at 8 PM, located at 205 S Collge Ave.
On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse Square for the “No Kings” protest. Organized in response to what participants describe as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, the rally drew hundreds of community members calling for democratic accountability and human rights protections. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with several organizers and community members who spoke out against the current administration – from immigration enforcement to foreign policy.
Photos by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 16th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear a collection of interviews with demonstrators from the ‘No Kings’ protest which took place over the weekend. More from WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings in today’s feature report.
Also coming up, find out how people who cannot afford a bicycle get one for free from the Bike Project later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
County Commissioners Tackle Tornado Recovery and Infrastructure Updates
By Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
The Monroe County Commissioners met on June 12th. During public comment Executive Director of People and Animal Learning Services Christine Herring gave the commissioners an update on their recovery efforts, following the tornado damage on May 16th.
Commissioner Judy Madeira spoke in support of PALS, saying that it provides a unique resource to the community.
Also speaking on tornado damage, U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Natural Disaster Recovery and Resilience, Public Affairs Specialist, Steven Clark shared information opportunities for physical disaster loans for people affected by the tornado damage.
Later in the meeting, Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve two contracts with E and B paving for road repaving projects.
The commissioners approved the two contracts unanimously. She also asked them to approve a contract to replace a bridge located on Rhorer Road. Ridge explained that the project isn’t scheduled to begin construction until 2026.
The contract was approved unanimously. The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on June 26th.
Feature Reports:
Hundreds Attend ‘No Kings’ Protest in Downtown Bloomington
By Ella Cummings
On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse Square for the “No Kings” protest. Organized in response to what participants describe as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, the rally drew hundreds of community members calling for democratic accountability and human rights protections. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with several organizers and community members who spoke out against the current administration – from immigration enforcement to foreign policy. We now turn to a collection of interviews from the protest on the WFHB Local News.
Activate: Bloomington Community Bike Project Offers Free Bicycles for Volunteer Work
By Caleb Robbins
Having a form of transportation is essential to making your city a home, but affording a car or even a bicycle can be a challenge for under-resourced individuals. At the Bloomington Community Bike Project you can buy one with sweat equity – volunteering in the shop instead of paying money. Hugh Farrell is on the board at the Community Bike Project. Hugh wants everyone to have their own bike, and he sees the bike project as a way to build community. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ella Cummings.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Caleb Robbins through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Having a form of transportation is essential to making your city a home, but affording a car or even a bicycle can be a challenge for under-resourced individuals. At the Bloomington Community Bike Project you can buy one with sweat equity – volunteering in the shop instead of paying money. Hugh Farrell is on the board at the Community Bike Project. Hugh wants everyone to have their own bike, and he sees the bike project as a way to build community.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Caleb Robbins
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
En esta sesión, exploraremos de manera general cómo la neurociencia nos ayuda a entender el desarrollo infantil y el impacto de las experiencias en el crecimiento emocional, social y cognitivo del niño a lo largo de diferentes etapas clave. Este programa servirá como introducción a conceptos fundamentales como el apego seguro, la teoría polivagal y cómo el entorno afecta al cerebro en desarrollo. Manteniendo un enfoque sencillo y asequible para los padres y cuidadores de manera que a través de esta conversación puedan tener ideas concretas para fomentar resiliencia en los niños. Abordaremos de forma global las etapas más importantes, desde los primeros años hasta la adolescencia, con la idea de profundizar en cada una en sesiones futuras.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we’re looking at a growing threat to one of Monroe County’s most important natural resources. Invasive species are spreading through Monroe Lake, threatening native plants, animals, and the lake’s overall ecosystem. WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher has the story.
Up next – WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on WINGS – Women in Nature Gaining Skills – which aims to increase female participation in outdoor activities. We turn to Lionberger for more.
Credits:
Today’s show was produced by Amelia Bucher, Mackenzie Lionberger and Kade Young.
He thought he’d had enough back in December 2024, so Dave Askins quit publishing his daily B Square Bulletin. After two months, he was back on the beat with an idea for a bigger, better online local news publication. Now publishing two or three times a week, Askins aims to fashion a more comprehensive daily online “newspaper.” He’s hiring interns, putting out the call for other citizen journalists, and hopes to create a nonprofit corporation to help finance his proposed operation. This is part one of a two part interview. Tune in next week for part two.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 12th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Harley Babbitt reports on the annual Granfalloon Festival, attending events and speaking with organizers. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Wade Catt, an MD/PhD student at Indiana University School of Medicine, joins us on Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana.
Feature Reports:
Photo by Harley Babbitt.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Harley Babbitt reports on the Granfalloon Festival, an annual celebration of art, ideas and community in Bloomington hosted by IU Arts and Humanities. The festival is inspired by Indiana author Kurt Vonnegut celebrating his life and works. This year’s focus is on “Cat’s Cradle,” a Cold War satire. Babbitt attended two Granfalloon events and spoke with festival organizers, highlighting Vonnegut’s Indiana roots and the timeless themes of community, religion, and existential angst. For more, we turn to Correspondent Harley Babbit.
Up next – we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Wade Catt, an MD/PhD student at Indiana University School of Medicine. His PhD will be in Sociology and he has been looking at how the current threats to Medicaid could have disastrous consequences in Indiana. We turn now to the June edition of Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Art Walk – where Youth Radio reporters visit local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Harley Babbitt.
Prescription for Healthcare was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Art Walk was produced by WFHB Youth Radio.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Miscellaneous Legumes returns for a new episode about the paranormal, ghosts, spooky activities and such! After co-host Olive’s dramatic “death” in the last episode, the crew is on an impromptu ghost hunt around Harmony School in hopes of bringing them back. They search in the dirt and in the dark while discussing all things paranormal – with a healthy dose of humor of course. In the end, it’s all just Ghost Water Under the Ghost Bridge.
Credits:
Hosted by a crew of middle and high school students at Harmony School
Edited by Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The title of the podcast “Miscellaneous Legumes” is a nod to the former Youth Radio Podcast “Mixed Nuts” produced at Rhino’s Youth Center circa 2010
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week—and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
Featured Segments:
On Monday, April, 14th, 2025 we welcomed Sam Blasucci and his band to the Firehouse. Sam is best known as one half of Mapache, a Southern California roots-rock duo just as instantly recognizable for their elegant, intertwined guitar parts as they are for their devoted, Nudie-Suit wearing fanbase. Sam chatted with host, Adriane Pontecorvo about his 2024 album, Real Life Thing, life on the road, and more. We turn now to that interview and a portion of that performance on WFHB Rewind.
Up next – on May 17th, 2025 a parking lot in downtown Bloomington was transformed into a printmaking festival. Organized by Badknees and Hideout Press, The Mini Midwest Print Fest invited printmakers from all over the Midwest to share their work. Youth Radio News Correspondent Shefar Rafiul attended the event to talk with the artists and organizers about different printmaking techniques.
On October 20th, 2024, local country/honkey tonk band LeRoy McQueen and Thee Vatos Supreme joined us for a Local Live Session. Thee Vatos Supreme will open at WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project – which will take place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird. We turn now to that conversation with host, Steve Philbeck and hear a bit of their performance live in the studio.
And now – from the WFHB News Department – Annabelle Vosmeier, who is the guest curator for a new exhibit at the Monroe County History Center, joined our public affairs program BloomingOUT two weeks ago. The exhibit highlights the 50th anniversary of the passage of Ordinance 75-67, Bloomington’s first Gay Rights Amendment. According to the history center, Vosmeier takes a deep look at the debate around the ordinance and the legal ramifications for the Human Rights Commission in Bloomington. Vosmeier is also the Human Rights Administrative Assistant for the City of Bloomington.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we continue our series about teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Today, we speak with several teens about their experiences with academic pressure and racism and how that relates to mental health. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “A Very Stupid Scam” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie. This is part two of our conversation with them. Last week you heard them talk about how social media and academic stress impacts their mental health. This week they dive deeper into academic pressure and racism.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Tune in next week to hear the final part of this series, where Iraa, Victoria, Joseph and Winnie talk about barriers they have faced with accessing mental health resources.
Up next, “A Very Stupid Scam” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We love it when one of our listeners sends us a tip about a scam — our email address is beware@wfhb.org — and this one is a doozy. Our listener got a text that seemed frightening at first, and certainly tried to sound urgent, but on closer examination it just became ridiculous. Have a good laugh on the idiot who sent it, and we hope you’re not dumb enough to fall for it!
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BB20250611-A-Really-Stupid-Scam-1.mp3
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie. This is part two of our conversation with them. Last week you heard them talk about how social media and academic stress impacts their mental health. This week they dive deeper into academic pressure and racism.
Source: 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results, Indiana Department of Health***
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources:
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: you can call or text 988 anytime, 24/7.
- The Trevor Project offers support for LGBTQ+ youth. The number is 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678.
- Centerstone offers local counseling and crisis services. The number is 1-800-832-5442.
- YouthLine is a teen-to-teen help line. Text “teen2teen” to 839863.
- At Indiana 211, you can find more information about available local support services by dialing 211 and entering your zipcode.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
Lake Monroe SurvivalLimestone Post article by Michael 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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization, (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
Even though Summer is in full swing, the news surrounding IUB and the local Bloomington area has not slowed down. While you’re away during the summer, catch up on campus news with Summer Campus News on WFHB!
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Indiana Governor Mike Braun used his new authority to remove three elected trustees from Indiana University and appoint replacements. IU has dismantled its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office. The university also faced a lawsuit over its expressive activity policy, with a court temporarily blocking certain restrictions. For all that and more, we turn to Correspondent Max Schneider.
Featured Animals: Dolly Pawton and Ace
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about a cat named Dolly Pawton and a dog named Ace, both available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Summer Safety for Pets
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about how to help keep pets safe during hot summer days.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 10th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider reports on IU dismantling its DEI program, Indiana Governor Braun removing three members of the IU Board of Trustees and a lawsuit over the university’s expressive activity policy. All that and more in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we feature two animals available for adoption and summer safety tips for pets on Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
But first, your local headlines:
City Council Passes Affordable Housing Agreements, Highlights Pride Month, Juneteenth and Gun Violence Awareness
The Bloomington City Council met on June 4th.
During Council Reports, Council Members drew attention to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, and National Cancer Survivor Day.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith spoke on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, also called Wear Orange Day.
She also shared how residents can now recycle their wax bottles.
Council Member Sydney Zulich spoke on Pride Month and the history of why it came to be. She touched on the Stonewall uprising and the intersection between feminism, antiracism and Pride.
Later in the meeting during City Staff Reports, Planning and Transportation Director David Hittle gave an update on UDOs. He discussed the housing crisis and explained that since the council has control over the UDO, they can attempt to make changes to incentivise housing stock growth.
Hittle said he would try to get new U-D-O language to the Plan Commission by January.
The council heard Ordinance 2025-22 and Ordinance 2025-21, which would authorize and approve a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, also referred to as Pilot, with Henderson Court Housing and Cambridge Square Apartments. According to the council packet, “Both ordinances are intended to facilitate the rehabilitation of and ensure the long-term affordability of their respective housing developments.”
Director of Economic Sustainable Development Jane Coopersmith spoke to the council giving an overview of the ordinance. Payment in lieu of taxes allows the city to set a fixed rate for a property instead of collecting property taxes, often saving the property owner money that, in this case, will be set aside to renovate and improve the units. This approach is being used to incentivize developers to maintain their affordable housing units.
Coopersmith said the developers cannot increase the rent to pay for the renovations. The renovations have to be paid using the money saved from the taxes.
Coopersmith continued to describe the annual subsidy as $98,206 and the term of the proposed pilot as lasting 17 years.
Director of Tax Credit Operations for the Gene B. Glick company, which owns the Henderson Apartment Complex, Janine Betsy spoke to the council, and shared how they plan to use the money saved on improvements.
Council Member Isak Asare spoke in support of the Pilot agreement.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg spoke in support as well.
The council voted unanimously to approve the Payment in Lieu of Taxes at Henderson Court.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg abstained from voting on the Cambridge Square Apartment complex PILOT agreement due to a conflict of interest.
The council voted to approve the PILOT with a vote of eight yeses and one abstention.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on July 16th after a summer recess.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Indiana Governor Mike Braun used his new authority to remove three elected trustees from Indiana University and appoint replacements. IU has dismantled its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office. The university also faced a lawsuit over its expressive activity policy, with a court temporarily blocking certain restrictions. For all that and more, we turn to Correspondent Max Schneider.
Up next, learn more about a cat named Dolly Pawton and a dog named Ace, both available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. Also, stay tuned to today’s featured topic: Summer Safety for Pets. More coming up next on Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Max Schneider.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Andrew Shannon, City of Bloomington Director of Safe and Civil Cities, and Bring It On Contributor, Dr. Gloria Howell, director of the IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, to discuss Bloomingtons’s celebration of Juneteenth.
Andrew Shannon, City of Bloomington Director of Safe and Civil CitiesDr. Gloria Howell, Director of the IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterThe City of Bloomington invites the community to celebrate Juneteenth from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. The event is a free and family-friendly way to honor Black Americans’ history, resilience, and culture. The holiday marks the historic moment on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the freedom of enslaved Black Americans, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Long celebrated by Black communities, Juneteenth became the 11th official federal holiday in 2021, recognizing its enduring importance in American history.
This year’s celebration will feature live entertainment beginning at 6:10 p.m. with DJ Darran Mosley, followed by a performance by Troy Thomas and Trumusiq at 7:15 p.m. Guests are invited to explore a vibrant vendor market featuring Black-owned businesses, enjoy a variety of food options from food truck vendors, and take part in health and wellness services provided on-site by the Bloomington Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Health and Indiana University Hoosier Health Check teams. All activities will take place outdoors at Switchyard Park. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy a meaningful celebration of freedom, culture, and unity. For more information, visit the City of Bloomington Juneteenth webpage at bloomington.in.gov/Juneteenth.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 9th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have an excerpt from an interview – where Eco Report producer Julianna Dailey speaks with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington More in today’s feature report.
That’s Margie Hershey, founder of the Foster Closet of Monroe County, donating essential items to local foster families. Hear how Margie saw a need in our community and did something about it later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Election Board Appoints Temporary Member and Reviews Voting Site Plans
The Monroe County Election Board met on June 5th, 2025.
Democratic Board Member John Fernandez was not in attendance, in his place was Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, Samuel Ujdak, who explained that they temporarily appointed themself to the Monroe County Election Board following John Fernandez’s resignation. He read a statement briefly explaining the situation.
During the meeting the board discussed a contract with B and L who helps with Election Technical support.
Clerk Browne explained that Mr. White has worked with the county doing I-T work for the county elections for 11 years.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas came to the meeting to explain why the commissioners were looking for more information about the contract, saying that there wasn’t enough information for the commissioners to feel comfortable approving it.
County Clerk Nicole Browne asked if Thomas had seen the letter that White had sent filling in those gaps. Thomas said she had not received a letter. County Attorney Molly Turner-King said she had only received the letter yesterday and hadn’t had time to distribute it. Mr. White was asked to summarize the letter for Commissioner Thomas.
Clerk Browne said that they have had good service working with B and L, and explained that they are a cost effective choice as well.
Thomas also spoke during public comment, outlining the future plans for Election Central following the demolition of the current Election Central building due to the expansion of the Convention Center. Thomas invited Fleet and Facilities Manager Richard Crider to give more information on the future plans for Election Central.
Later in the meeting, Farris shared that the Ellettsville Library would be a good location for an early voting location.
The Monroe County Election Board will meet again on August 7th.
County Commissioners React to CDC Vaccine Change, Criticize Chamber of Commerce Op-ed
The Monroe County Commissioners met on Thursday June 5th. During health department updates, Health Administrator Lori Kelly provided an update on Covid-19 in the community saying that the CDC will no longer include the Covid vaccine in its recommended vaccination schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
Commissioner Jody Madeira described the news as heartbreaking, especially as new variants of the Covid-19 virus have sprouted. Madeira asked Kelley where people can receive better guidance.
During public comment, Senior Director of Government & Community Relations for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Chris Emge acknowledged the ceremonial groundbreaking of the convention center that took place on Tuesday calling it a “truly historic day for our community.” Also during his public comment, he referenced a contentious moment that happened during the Monroe County Plan Commission meeting saying that he believes disagreement is healthy in a democratic process.
Near the end of the meeting, Commissioner Julie Thomas criticized the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for putting out a statement denouncing county leadership and Plan Commission Member Margaret Clements.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, June 12th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from an interview – where Eco Report producer Julianna Dailey speaks with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington, a social impact organization aiming to grow and sustainably manage the urban forest. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News. To hear the full interview visit this link.
The Foster Closet of Monroe County is a non-profit collecting donations of clothing and toys and redistributing them to foster families. They also help families living in shelters and “kinship guardians” – those are people raising a child they are related to but not the parent of. Retired IU professor Margie Hershey is the founder of the Foster Closet. She saw a need in our community and did something about it, and now she’s asking for your help supporting local foster kids on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Julianna Dailey and Branden Blewett.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Luke Aardema through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Wade Catt, an MD/PhD student at Indiana University School of Medicine. His PhD will be in Sociology and he has been looking at how the current threats to Medicaid could have disastrous consequences in Indiana.
Wade Catt MD/PhD candidate
From the podcast: “ When we are looking at rural hospitals closing because Medicaid is being cut, when we’re looking at the congressional budget office’s, most conservative estimation is multiple millions of people are going be losing healthcare coverage if this budget bill passes, we’re looking at a pretty dire situation in terms of what the healthcare landscape is going to be in the next few years.”
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
The Foster Closet of Monroe County is a non-profit collecting donations of clothing and toys and redistributing them to foster families. They also help families living in shelters and “kinship guardians” – those are people raising a child they are related to but not the parent of. Retired IU professor Margie Hershey is the founder of the Foster Closet. She saw a need in our community and did something about it, and now she’s asking for YOUR help supporting local foster kids.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Luke Aardema
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s edition, an interview with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington, a social impact organization aiming to grow and sustainably manage the urban forest.
Climate change is significantly impacting Canadian wildfires, making them more frequent, intense, and prolonged. This is due to factors like increased temperatures, reduced precipitation, and earlier snowmelt, which dry out vegetation and create conditions more conducive to fire. As a result, Canada has experienced record-breaking wildfire seasons, with more than 200 uncontrolled fires currently. Every year the fire-line advances eastward and could reach Hudson Bay within a few years, Plus that, with higher temperatures, there is less likelihood of winters cold enough to kill the pine beetle.
Approximately eight million tons of cod were caught between 1647 and 1750, a period encompassing 25 to 40 cod generations. The factory trawlers took the same amount in 15 years. The industry collapsed entirely in the early 1990s owing to overfishing and debatably, greed, lack of foresight and poor local administration. The fishery was closed in 1992, but recovery looked doubtful for decades. Finally, the cod are coming back and this year there has been modest production. Needless to say, Newfoundlanders are overjoyed.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a controversial Utah railway project that critics say erodes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a bedrock of environmental law for the past half century. The case centered on a proposed 88-mile railway that would connect the oil fields of northeastern Utah to a national rail network that runs along the Colorado River and on to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
The waxy crude oil is currently transported by truck over narrow mountain passes. Project proponents said shipping the fossil fuel by rail—as many as 10 trains daily—would be quicker and revitalize the local economy by quadrupling the Uinta Basin’s oil production. ICN previously reported, Environmental groups and Eagle County, Colorado, opposed the railway project. They cited the potential for derailments and spills into the Colorado River, the drinking water supply for 40 million people.
Opponents were also concerned about increased air pollution in the Uinta Basin, where oil fields emit high levels of methane, a potent planet-warming greenhouse gas, as well as volatile organic compounds, some of which have been linked to increased risks of cancer. Gulf Coast communities would also be harmed by air pollution when the crude oil was refined, opponents argued. The increased oil production and associated emissions would also drive climate change and its disastrous global effects: hurricanes, floods, droughts and extreme heat.
I guess you have heard – Red Dye No. 3 is out! That bright red cherry on top of your ice cream sundae? The pink frosting on your kid’s birthday cake? For decades in the U.S., these have been made with a synthetic dye that is linked to thyroid cancer. But that’s about to change. In the past days of the Biden administration, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced a long-overdue ban on Red Dye No. 3.
The decision marks a major win for science-backed regulation and decades of advocacy. It comes after more than 30 years of pressure to eliminate the dye from food and drugs. Responsibility for enforcing the ban now falls to Trump administration Health and Human Services Secretary Rober F. Kennedy, Jr. The U.S. now joins other nations that have already restricted or banned Red Dye No. 3 in food.
A massive cloud of dust that has traveled thousands of miles from the Sahara Desert is expected to reach Florida as early as the afternoon of June 4 before spreading through the Gulf Coast and Southeast later in the week, forecasters said. Most of the dust, which is thought to be about 2,000 miles wide from west to east and 750 miles long from north to south, will remain high in the atmosphere and have little effect on air quality and health for most people, according to AccuWeather. Floridians could start to see hazy skies or colorful sunrises and sunsets midweek.
“This is the biggest Saharan dust plume that we’ve seen so far this year. It is very common to see large plumes of Saharan dust coming across the Atlantic toward the United States in June and July,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. “Many people will notice more colorful Saharan dust, while a natural phenomenon, can exacerbate algal blooms in Florida, impacting manatees and other marine life. The dust’s iron content can fertilize the water, leading to increased algal growth, including red tides, which are harmful to the environment and can cause respiratory issues in humans. This can also negatively impact manatees by reducing their primary food source, seagrass.
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher).
Here are other implications of this forecast. It implies ocean temperatures will be high. Indeed, some areas of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are already in the mid-80s. With ocean temperatures this high, it’s a virtual guarantee there will be a bleaching of the few remaining coral reefs this summer.
In 2025, Indiana is forecast to add over 1 gigawatt (GW) of utility-scale solar capacity, contributing to a national total of 32.5 GW. This growth is part of a broader trend of increased solar power adoption in the U.S., with utility-scale solar expected to be a major source of new electricity generation capacity.
In 2025, Indiana’s wind power industry is projected to experience growth, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicting potential wind capacity reaching nearly 40,000 MW by 2030. This growth is supported by a new pipeline of wind projects in development or construction. Indiana is expected to add more than 1 GW of new solar capacity in 2025.
In this week’s edition, an interview with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington, a social impact organization aiming to grow and sustainably manage the urban forest.
- Free Fishing is available at all state park public waters on Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, all day. Take this opportunity to learn how to fish.
- Learn about Extinct and Endangered Animals at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 8th from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet in the Nature Center to listen to a presentation about extinct, extirpated and endangered animals.
- Explore Monroe Lake during a Monroe Paddling Trip at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Area on Sunday, June 8th, beginning at 7 pm. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake as you journey through backwaters, wetlands and more. Register with Jvance@dnr.IN.gov.
- Take a Strawberry Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, June 11th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Hike to the highest point in Owen County as you learn fact and fiction about the Strawberry Full Moon.
- Take a 2-hour Pollinator Habitat Workshop at Rogers Family Park on Saturday, June 14th, from 9 to 11 am. Learn how to restore pollinator habitat. Please register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………Frank Marshalek
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Headlines…………………………….Julianna Dailey
Feature Report……………………….. Ava Hartman
Feature Report………………………Julianna Dailey
Feature Report………………………… Kade Young
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
For decades now, public libraries have been more — much more — than places where you can only borrow books. Libraries’ collections now include items from baking dishes to pickleball sets and even to seeds for your garden. The Monroe County Public Library’s Library of Things (its formal title) is the repository of the almost innumerable such stuff. Lisa Champelli is the Collections Manager for MCPL and must curate the library’s veritable warehouse of things.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 5th, 2025.
In today’s newscast – June is Black Music Month, a time to honor the legacy and global impact of Black musicians across all genres. This month, Bloomington also celebrates the annual Granfalloon festival, presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council and featuring legendary artist Mavis Staples this Saturday.
More from the Bring It On crew in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on South African labor industries, speaking with Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein. But first, your local headlines:
Queer Hoosier Art Exhibit Opens in Brown County
Photo courtesy of Second Story Studio.June is Pride Month and a local gallery is launching an exhibit of queer Hoosier art inspired by a visit to Bloomington’s world-famous Kinsey Institute.
Second Story Studio in Brown County is showcasing new work from 20 regional artists amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. Participating artists toured the Kinsey Institute and learned about Kinsey’s pivotal role in human sexuality research. Gallery owner Kurt Eagleman says the artists then created works inspired from their visit for this collaborative showcase.
“We actually wanted to bring these artists into the Special Collections Library so they could see some of these artifacts, documents, artwork, photography,” said Eagleman. “And then the idea was that they would leave inspired and then go create new artwork.”
Besides the new art, the exhibit also features priceless works on loan from the Kinsey Institute, by a queer Cuban-American artist from the 1930s. Emilio Sanchez lived at a time when he could not express his true identity in his public work.
“His outward facing artwork was one thing, and then behind closed doors, his artwork kind of revealed a little bit more about his personal life. These are personal drawings that he did, and it revealed nightlife, what he did with his friends. It was it’s very like free form, free love. They weren’t shown to anybody,” said Eagleman.
The exhibit is called “Brilliant Hues and Intimate Forms” and it opens to the public tomorrow with a kickoff reception at 6pm at Second Story Studio in downtown Nashville Indiana. It runs through July 7th. More information is online at secondstorystudio.art.
Feature Reports:
Mavis Staples of the famed singing group, The Staple SingersJune is Black Music Month, a time to honor the legacy and global impact of Black musicians across all genres. This month, Bloomington also celebrates the annual Granfalloon festival, presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council and featuring legendary artist Mavis Staples this Saturday. In today’s feature, we bring you an excerpt from WFHB’s Black public affairs program Bring It On, where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Natalia Almanza, Dr. Olivia Ekeh, and Dr. Gloria Howell about Black Music Month and the Granfalloon. To hear the full conversation, visit wfhb.org. The interview begins with host Clarence Boone asking Natalia Almanza of the Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council, about the history of Granfalloon.
Indiana University Professor Alex LichtensteinIn today’s feature report, WFHB News Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on South African labor industries. Hur speaks with Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein. For more, we turn to Jiin Hur.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Chad Carrothers.
Our feature was produced by Jiin Hur.
Clarence Boone and Chantalle LaFontant produced the excerpt from Bring It On.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we continue our series about teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Today, we speak with several teens about their experiences with social media and how that relates to mental health. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Money, Money, Money, Part 2” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Feature Report:
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. WFHB News is looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesThey were really insightful and able to share a lot about what stresses them out, some of the key things being academic pressure and social media.
We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “Money, Money, Money, Part II” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. This month we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie. They were very insightful and able to share a lot about what stresses them out, some of the key things being academic pressure and social media.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict Jones***
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources:
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: you can call or text 988 anytime, 24/7.
- The Trevor Project offers support for LGBTQ+ youth. The number is 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678.
- Centerstone offers local counseling and crisis services. The number is 1-800-832-5442.
- YouthLine is a teen-to-teen help line. Text “teen2teen” to 839863.
- At Indiana 211, you can find more information about available local support services by dialing 211 and entering your zipcode.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
Lake Monroe SurvivalLimestone Post article by Michael 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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization, (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
There are eight ways to move money — get it, spend it, buy things, and pay debts. This time we’ll take a look at the last four ways, and the various risks as well as the ways you can stay safe. All the many scams and swindles out there involve stealing your money, so if you know how to move it around safely, you’re far less likely to be a victim.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BB20250604-Money-Money-Money-Part-Two-1.mp3
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Justin Baker of Monroe County Emergency Management highlights disaster recovery efforts from the county following the tornado and storm that swept through the community on May 16th. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
Ellettsville Council Updates District Maps, Sets Heritage Center Fees
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 27th, agreeing to pass an ordinance recertifying the current legislative body districts of the town.
Council President Scott Oldham noted that the maps of the current districts were created using data during the census conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have interfered with true population growth.
Council Member Dan Swafford added that the district lines would likely have to be redrawn after the next census, when more accurate data is available.
The council also discussed an ordinance surrounding fees for the rental of the Ellettsville Heritage Center, a new gathering space designed for weddings, concerts, and other events. Planning Director Denise Line shared that the parks board had voted in a recent meeting to set the rental fee for the facility at $250, with a $500 safety deposit.
Oldham expressed concern with the pricing, arguing that a public asset such as the Heritage Center should be more affordable for the general public
Town Manager Mike Farmer stressed the importance of the deposit in ensuring that the building won’t be damaged. Clerk Treasurer Noelle Conyer shared the price points of other, cheaper pavilion options. Council Member William Ellis suggested two possibilities; one in which residents of the town are charged $125 and non-residents are charged the full $250, and one in which those who acquire event insurance can have the deposit waived. The council voted to pass the ordinance.
During public comment, Ellettsville Resident Dennis Pence addressed the council, expressing concern about the high speed of traffic on the streets by his home. He suggested the possibility of the installation of speed bumps in the area, as well as increased police presence to hand out tickets to speeders.
Public Works Department Street Commissioner Kip Headdy shared that speed strips could be placed in the area once the department receives updated ones.
The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on June 10th.
Redevelopment Commission Reviews TIF Parcel Boundaries
The Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission met on May 27th. The commissioners worked on clarifications of TIF Parcel numbers and descriptions.
Town Attorney Darla Brown explained that a few errors were found with the parcels, but noted that there were not that many.
Browne explained that Parcel C had not been included in the platt map, and would be left out of the TIF district for the time being.
Planning Director Denise Line asked for clarification, and said she thought that the parcel had been included. Browne said she would check to confirm.
Commissioner Member William Ellis asked if it was part of the tech park. Line responded the tech park was not a part of Parcel C.
They also discussed other areas that had not been annexed. The commission expressed that they would rather omit them from the TIF district to ensure they didn’t run into any legal trouble.
Town Attorney Darla Browne said she would find out more and get back to the commission.
The Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission will meet again on June 9th.
Feature Report:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: The Clear Creek post office lays in rubble after a tornado destroyed it on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. Several tornadoes hit Greene and Monroe Counties in South Central Indiana leaving a path of destruction. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Justin Baker of Monroe County Emergency Management, about recovery from the tornado that hit on May 16th. Baker offers information on financial assistance, debris cleanup and disposal, and how community members can help. We turn to WFHB Correspondent Kade Young for more.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Harley Babbitt and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB News. Up next, WFHB News Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on the South African labor industries. This is part 2 of her series, What’s Going On In The Labor Industries? The Evolution of Women’s Rights in South Africa Continued.
Just 4 days ago, BBC published an article titled “Suspect in South African student’s murder killed in police shootout” detailing a South African student’s death. Her name is Olorato Mongale. Furthermore, the article stated that “Ms Mongale’s death has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. The country has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world.” Femicide is quoted by the UN as “the most brutal and extreme manifestation of violence against women and girls”. In today’s modern world, South African women face this as a form of gender-based violence meant to degrade the country’s next generation of vital female workers in its labor industries.
To better put this into context, it’s best to look at this in numbers. According to an article published by South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council on November 18 of last year, they released
its first national study on gender-based violence (aka GBV) prevalence in the country. Its results were shocking to me. 31% of women with disabilities have experienced sexual or physical violence throughout the course of their life. Nearly 70 percent of men they surveyed felt a wife should obey her husband, and 15 percent felt a husband had the right to “punish” his wife for wrongdoings. However, a patriarchal structure emphasized throughout much of South Africa’s history can be seen as one possible factor of why gender-based violence is so prevalent in South Africa’s society today. According to an article published by the National Institute of Health in 2022, this African patriarchal system started out with the male child being prioritized heavily before the female child. In the modern world, females often work and earn significantly more than the males, which makes it harder for the males to dominate the familial structure unless they exercise any sort of violence (physical, emotional, sexual) to regain the patriarchal structure.
Up next, I spoke to Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein. This is part two of that interview. To listen to part 1 you can access that at: https://wfhb.org/whats-going-on-in-the-labor-industries-pt-3-the-evolution-of-womens-rights-in-south-africa/
Indiana University Professor Alex Lichtenstein
Featured Topic: Working Cats
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about the Working Cats program at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. We cover what a working cat is, the animal shelter’s screening considerations for placements, and how the program gives feral and semi-feral cats opportunities to thrive.
As of June 3, 2025, working cats available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter include Tasha, Fuchsia, and Strega Nona.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
By Jiin Hur
You’re listening to WFHB News. Up next, WFHB News Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on the South African labor industries.
Just 4 days ago, BBC published an article titled “Suspect in South African student’s murder killed in police shootout” detailing a South African student’s death. Her name is Olorato Mongale. Furthermore, the article stated that “Ms Mongale’s death has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. The country has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world.” Femicide is quoted by the UN as “the most brutal and extreme manifestation of violence against women and girls”. In today’s modern world, South African women face this as a form of gender-based violence meant to degrade the country’s next generation of vital female workers in its labor industries.
To better put this into context, it’s best to look at this in numbers. According to an article published by South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council on November 18 of last year, they released
Its first national study on gender-based violence (aka GBV) prevalence in the country. Its results were shocking to me. 31% of women with disabilities have experienced sexual or physical violence throughout the course of their life. Nearly 70 percent of men they surveyed felt a wife should obey her husband, and 15 percent felt a husband had the right to “punish” his wife for wrongdoings. However, a patriarchal structure emphasized throughout much of South Africa’s history can be seen as one possible factor of why gender-based violence is so prevalent in South Africa’s society today. According to an article published by the National Institute of Health in 2022, this African patriarchal system started out with the male child being prioritized heavily before the female child. In the modern world, females often work and earn significantly more than the males, which makes it harder for the males to dominate the familial structure unless they exercise any sort of violence (physical, emotional, sexual) to regain the patriarchal structure.
Up next, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur spoke to Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein.
Indiana University Professor Alex Lichtenstein
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 2nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, guest curator Annabelle Vosmeier speaks with WFHB’s LGBTQ+ public affairs program BloomingOUT about an exhibit at the Monroe County History Center looking at the passage of Bloomington’s first Gay Rights amendment. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Mary Beth O’Brien from Women Writing for a Change, hosting writing circles for incarcerated individuals at the Monroe County Correctional Center. They’ve got a writing circle for you too – find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners Approve Tornado Emergency Declaration and PUD Amendment
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on May 29th.
The first proposal on the agenda was for the ratification of a local disaster emergency declaration. This is the first meeting following the tornado that hit Bloomington two weeks ago, and put into place the declaration signed by Commissioner Julie Thomas.
The board also voted on the approval of an agreement between the Indiana Healthcare Information
Exchange and the Indiana Department of Health for free usage of their patient database for one
year.
Commissioner Jody Madeira described the agreement as “incredibly valuable”. It passed unanimously.
Later in the meeting, Planning Department Associate Planner Anne Crecelius presented an amendment to the North Park Planned Unit Development.
She shared that the petitioner is Logan Land Development LLC and outlined where the development is located.
Crecelius gave background information on the North Park PUD and why the petitioners are asking for the amendment.
She said that the amendment would take the 19 sub-zoning areas and instead consolidate them into 5 more general zoning areas.
Commissioner Judy Madeira asked if Crecelius could explain what a conservation development area is for the publics’ understanding. Crecelius explained that it is a zoning area that focuses on conserving sensitive environments on the property.
Commissioner Lee Jones expressed her support for the amendment, saying that the P-U-D had long been
in need of revisions.
During public comment on the amendment, County Resident Seth Muchler spoke on the new justice center that would be a part of the future development. Muchler expressed concern that the future jail would be too far away for citizens to walk in to town and would require walking on dangerous roads.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the amendment to the North Park P-U-D.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on June 5th.
Monroe County Council Pauses Hiring Incentive Program, Approves Cost-of-Living Increase
The Monroe County Council met on May 27th. At the meeting they reviewed funding requests from various departments, evaluated readopting procedures for awarding community service grants, discussed pausing the Knowledge Skills and Abilities hiring procedures, and discussed the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
The meeting began with public comment. Community business owners spoke about the May 16th tornado’s impact and the support they need.
Owner of Economy Inn Jay Patel shared the extent of the recent tornado’s damage on his family’s business. He asked for help from the council and community in their efforts to recover.
Next, due to a lack of a unanimous vote when presented in the May 13th Council meeting, the request for approval of readopting procedures for citizen appointments to the Sophia Travis Committee required a second vote.
In a roll call vote, the approval of Ordinance 2025-14 passed with a majority 5-2 vote.
Tabled from the May 13th, 2025, Council meeting, the Council discussed a possible pausing of Knowledge Skills and Abilities, or K-S-A, hiring procedures so that department heads may no longer submit for consideration a request to hire applicants at the three or eight year salary level. Instead, all new hires would have to start at the base salary listed in the salary ordinance.
Prosecuting Attorney Erica Elephant asked the County Council to reconsider pausing the K-S-A procedures option for hiring employees as it has allowed her to effectively hire deputy prosecutors with relevant local experience.
In a roll call vote, Resolution 2025-24 passed with a majority 5-2 vote, signifying an official K-S-A procedure pause due to fiscal limitations by the state legislature.
Additionally tabled from the May 13th meeting, Council Administrator Kim Shell presented the fiscal impact of the proposed 2026 cost of living adjustment, also referred to as COLA.
Shell explained it is necessary to increase Monroe County Government employees’ salaries due to the rising cost-of-living.
Shell explained that the 3 percent increase was based on the presentation and determination of the Midwest Consumer Price Index.
Shell explained that with adjustments the step increase fiscal impact was estimated to be $813,32214.
The council voted in favor of the proposed Cost of Living Adjustment, three percent increase. Council members officially adjourned the meeting.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is scheduled for June 10th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Annabelle Vosmeier, who is the guest curator for a new exhibit at the Monroe County History Center, joined our public affairs program BloomingOUT last Thursday. The exhibit highlights the 50th anniversary of the passage of Ordinance 75-67, Bloomington’s first Gay Rights Amendment. According to the history center, Vosmeier takes a deep look at the debate around the ordinance and the legal ramifications for the Human Rights Commission in Bloomington. Vosmeier is also the Human Rights Administrative Assistant for the City of Bloomington. We turn now to an excerpt from that conversation from BloomingOUT on the WFHB Local News.
Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington is a local non-profit hosting writing circles for people of all ages and genders. Their circles provide an opportunity for writers to share their work within a small group. Women Writing for (a) Change sees writing as a tool for personal growth and building community. That’s why some of their writing circles include local schools, and there’s even one for incarcerated individuals at the Monroe County Correctional Center. Creative Director Mary Beth O’Brien invites you to join a writing circle on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Max Schneider and Ella Cummings, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Melanie Davis.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Alexis Carvajal through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Natalia Almanza of the Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council; Dr. Olivia Ekeh, faculty member in the IU African American and African Diaspora Studies; and, our good friend and BIO contributor, Dr. Gloria Howell, director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, to talk about all the happenings surrounding Black Music Month, the Bloomington Granfalloon Festival, and the upcoming visit by Mavis Staples.
Natalia Almanza, Indiana University Arts and Humanities CouncilDr. Olivia Ekeh, faculty member in the IU African American and African Diaspora StudiesDr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterMavis Staples of the famed singing group, The Staple SingersBlack Music Month, traditionally celebrated each June, honors the profound contributions of Black artists to the development and evolution of music across genres. From jazz and blues to soul, R&B, hip-hop, and beyond, Black musicians have shaped the soundscape of the world and continue to influence global music culture today. This month will also host the Bloomington Granfalloon.
The Granfalloon is presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council and is inspired by legendary Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Granfalloon brings together musicians, artists, thinkers, and good people from all walks of life for a celebration of art, ideas, and community. The festival kicks off the Bloomington summer arts season.
The Staple Singers with Soul Train host Don Cornelius in 1974The Bloomington Granfalloon festival events occur in venues all around Bloomington and encompass a wide range of creative forms, including live music concerts, literary readings, art exhibits, film screenings, theatrical performances, panel discussions, craft workshops, and interactive demonstrations. This year’s special Granfalloon festival is legendary performing artists, activists, and the musician, Mavis Staples of the famed singing group, The Staples Singers.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
En este episodio nos acompaña en el estudio Emilia Martinez quien nos comparte sobre el auge de los corridos y de la música regional contemporánea de México en el mundo.
Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington is a local non-profit hosting writing circles for people of all ages and genders. Their circles provide an opportunity for writers to share their work within a small group. Women Writing for (a) Change sees writing as a tool for personal growth and building community. That’s why some of their writing circles include local schools, and there’s even one for incarcerated individuals at the Monroe County Correctional Center. Creative Director Mary Beth O’Brien invites you to join a writing circle.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Alexis Carvajal
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s edition, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that will launch on Monday, June 2nd. Also, we hear from Debbie Kelley, the “pollinator lady.” Hear about local efforts to restore pollinator habitats in south central Indiana.
Migrating birds are the ultimate endurance athletes. Some migratory songbirds weigh no more than a few ounces but fly nonstop across oceans to find food in the winter and nesting sites in the summer. There are more than 300 bird species – including birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds – that migrate through the Midwest.
They follow the Mississippi Flyway, a superhighway in the sky that broadly traces the Mississippi River, extending north to Canada and south to Central and South America. The flyway encompasses many important Midwest habitats, including the restored bottomland forests along the lower Wabash River in southwestern Indiana and the prairies of Kankakee Sands.
During migration, birds depend on suitable habitats to rest and refuel, just as we need to rest and fill up on long hikes or road trips. North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, much of that due to habitat loss. By helping to protect and restore vital pit stops along the flyway – in the Midwest and throughout the Americas – we are providing birds and other wildlife with a needed lifeline.
The southwest corner *of Indiana,* where the Wabash and Ohio rivers flow together, contains perhaps the widest array of habitats in the entire state. Here you will find cypress swamps, oak barrens and oxbow lakes in the big river floodplains, creating a home for many rare plants and animals, as well as providing critical stopover sites for migratory birds.
From a few critically endangered whooping cranes to hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese, the increasing numbers of birds delight birdwatchers, hunters and those of us who just enjoy hearing a warbler’s song outside our window. These birds, and hundreds of other species, are responding to the many conservation efforts to protect and restore area habitat. They also represent the quality of habitat that remains to be protected in southwest Indiana.
Using cutting edge mapping tools to prioritize potential restoration sites, The Nature Conservancy is transforming altered landscapes back to functioning floodplain habitat. Ultimately, greater numbers of migratory birds will utilize the area during their long journeys.
As a part of the larger Mississippi River basin, the Wabash River and its tributaries are a top conservation priority. The Nature Conservancy is focusing on water quality and quantity concerns and are working to reduce the impacts of intensive land use and address habitat loss.
Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, now powers its more than 400 city-owned buildings – including firehouses, libraries and two major airports – using renewable energy. The shift is expected to slash the Windy City’s carbon emissions by 290,000 metric tons annually, the equivalent of the pollution from 62,000 cars. “Chicago’s efforst are a model for other state and city officials,” says EDF energy policy specialist Curt Stokes. Most of Chicago’s power comes from a massive solar array in central Illinois. Built over the last two years, the solar project created hundreds of new jobs in the state.
Part of the city’s successful transition to clean energy is owed to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021, an Illinois law. The act aims to reduce climate pollution while creatinf a clean-energy workforce. Chicago got serious about transitioning to 100% renewable energy during the first Trump administration, when advocates began calling for local climate action in the absence of federal leadership.
“We have a responsibility to lead through climate action that benefits the people and the planer,” says Angela Tovar, Chicago’s chief sustainability officer. “By moving to renewable energy for city operations, we’re moving closer to our goal of making all energy consumed in Chicago renewable by 2035, and ultimately to a more sustainable future for all.”
A group of young people are suing the Trump Administration for prioritizing the use of fossil fuels — and driving up planet-warming emissions. The suit was filed Thursday morning in a Montana federal court. The plaintiffs are twenty-two young people from across the country – including ten of the youth plaintiffs in Montana’s climate case. The state supreme court ruled in their favor last year.
They are now suing over a suite of President Trump’s policies. That includes directives to promote fossil fuel development, exempt coal plants from having to filter toxic air pollution, stop all wind energy development, and defund scientific research on climate change. Trump says the U.S. needs to boost domestic energy production and limit regulations on the industry.
Livingston student Eva Lighthiser is the lead plaintiff- and one of the sixteen young people that sued the state of Montana. “We as young people are inheriting this future that is very uncertain and it is quite scary for us, and we are doing the best that we can to protect and preserve a safe future for ourselves. And I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” Lighthiser said.
She says the Trump administration’s actions will worsen climate change and the harms her generation faces as a result. She says these changes violate her, and the other plaintiff’s rights to life and liberty under the US Constitution. Julia Olson is one of the lawyers on the case, and the head of the nonprofit law firm Our Children’s Trust that’s brought these youth-led climate cases.
“The pollution from fossil fuels, in and of itself, is a danger, but it is truly threatening the life support system that these plaintiffs need to live and grow healthy,” Olson said. They are asking the court to block the Trump policies, and reinstate climate change information and monitoring across government sites. The case was filed Thursday morning at federal court in Butte.
In this week’s edition, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that will launch on Monday, June 2nd. Also, we hear from Debbie Kelley, the “pollinator lady.” Hear about local efforts to restore pollinator habitats in south central Indiana.
- Take the Fire Tower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Meet DNR Intern Marshall in front of the Canyon Inn to begin your summit to the top of the historical CCC built fire tower. The hike is 1.4 miles long.
- Learn all about the Timber Rattlesnake during the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 3 to 4 pm. Get up close to look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. Learn its history and how venom works.
- Join the naturalist for a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 1st, from 9 to 10:30 am. Hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle and hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make it their home.
- Learn all about Feathers at the Naturalist Station in the Nature Center at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, June 2nd, from 2 to 4 pm. You will learn that birds have 6 different types of feathers and how they are designed.
- The popular Flora Field Day at Salt Creek State Recreation Area on Monroe Lake is planned for Wednesday, June 4th, from 9 to 11 am. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist using an ID key. Bring water, bug spray and a wildflower guide. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafielddays.
Credits:
On Air……………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………..Frank Marshalek
Headlines……..The Environmental Defense Fund
Headlines………The Nature Conservancy-Indiana
Headlines……………………………Julianna Dailey
Feature Report…………………….. Ella Cummings
Feature Report……………………Chad Carruthers
Feature Report………………………… Kade Young
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
On Sunday, April, 13th, 2025 we had a very special 2 for 1 session with Pittsburgh singer songwriter, Merce Lemon and North Carolina alt country band, Fust. We packed so many people into our production room and we had great conversations about songwriting, touring, influences, SXSW, Merce growing up in the DIY scene, and the music scene that’s bubbling over in North Carolina. This was a fun and beautiful session with incredible musicians who also happened to be really nice and fun people. Don’t miss this one! It’s a stand out!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray, Marcus Drolet, Silver Coulter
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, April 14th, 2025, we welcomed local band, Splattertones who sounded amazing on Local Live, playing songs from their new album, “Vol 1, Music of Jon Scott”. It’s an amazing project full of heart and it truly comes through each one of these accomplished musicians! We’re glad to know they are continuing their work and a second album is on the horizon. Additional thanks to engineers Alex Hamel, Marcus Drolet, and Richard Jermain as well as host Cynthia Brubaker and Local Live coordinator Nicki Seven.
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Cynthia Brubaker
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel, Marcus Drolet, Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, April, 14th, 2025 we welcomed Sam Blasucci and his band to the Firehouse. Sam is best known as one half of Mapache, a Southern California roots-rock duo just as instantly recognizable for their elegant, intertwined guitar parts as they are for their devoted, Nudie-Suit wearing fanbase. Sam chatted with host, Adriane Pontecorvo about his 2024 album, Real Life Thing, life on the road, and more. We loved having a saxophone in the studio – don’t sleep on this session!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray & Christy Crandall
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday April 21st we welcomed Ray Major to perform on Local Live. This lifelong musician had the music and the storytelling to keep us entertained! It was fun when he caught up with Silver Coulter, a former student, and engineer on this session. Additional thanks to engineer Richard Jermain and host/coordinator Nicki Seven.
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Silver Coulter and Richard Jermain
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 29th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with Christine Herring, executive director of PALS, about the recent tornado which took out their horse barn. More today’s feature report.
Also in the newscast, the Monroe County Election Board struck down vote centers in their latest meeting. That’s coming up next in your local headlines.
Monroe County Election Board Strikes Down Vote Centers in Split Vote
The Monroe County Election Board held a public hearing at their meeting on May 19th. The public hearing was the final opportunity for community members to give their input on the Vote Center Study Commission’s report.
Vote Center Study Committee Member Ami Gandhi started the public hearing by sharing that the committee believes that vote centers would help ensure fair and equal access to voting in the county.
Gandhi explained that the main purpose behind switching to a vote center model is to eliminate the confusion of having to find the right polling location.
Gandhi added that Monroe County’s current system of assigned polling locations can be confusing for residents who have moved here from other parts of the state since most counties in Indiana have moved to a Vote Center Model.
Gandhi said that the committee worked to ensure that all members of the community would have access to vote centers, for example Indiana University Students and citizens who live farther out in the county so they wouldn’t have to travel as far.
First to the podium to give public comment on Vote Centers was County Resident, Laramie Wilson, saying she is in support of vote centers. She shared that she has worked as a poll worker and has seen many voters get turned away because they were at the wrong poll site.
She also expressed concern about the staffing at the 29 proposed locations of the vote centers. She said that the poll sites need to be better staffed moving forward due to the increased amount of voters showing up.
County Commissioner Penny Githens gave public comment expressing her support for vote centers. Githens highlighted the fact that the majority of Indiana Counties have adopted Vote Centers.
Githens also addressed concerns about the costs associated with moving to vote centers saying that in the long term vote centers could save money.
Many other County Residents spoke in support of Vote Centers. To hear more, you can find the full meeting on CATS.
Also during public comment, County Resident Jack Schmidtt shared that they think the current model is working very well. He said he has worked as a poll worker and has seen many people not being able to find their polling location, however, he believes that it should not be made simpler for them.
Democratic Chair John Fernandez shared why he is in support of moving to a vote center model.
Republican Chair Danny Shields shared why he is not in support of vote centers.
For the Vote Center Report to be adopted it needed a unanimous vote from the Election Board. The vote did not pass, with County Clerk Nicole Browne and Democratic Chair John Fernandez voting yes, and Republican Chair Danny Shields voting no.
The Monroe County Election Board will meet again on June 5th.
MCPL Board Discusses ICE Procedures, Library Fees and Storage Space Concerns
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on May 22nd. The meeting involved adjustments to the fee for non-resident subscription cards and dealing with a surplus of furniture.
During the Director’s Monthly Report, Library Director Grier Carson was asked by Board Member Kathy Loser if the library had procedures in place in the event that ICE agents entered the
building. Carson confirmed that procedures were indeed in place.
When asked if the library would take an active stance in providing information regarding “Know Your Rights”, Carson explained that information would be provided upon request but would not be encouraged.
Continuing to the action items, Carson explained that an error had been made regarding calculations to the pricing of non-resident subscription cards and requested an updated fee. It was unanimously approved.
Director of Finance Gary Lettelleir laid out the issue of storage space, describing many items of surplus as “obsolete”. He asked the board to declare the list of items as surplus in order to be able to get rid of it.
The motion was passed with unanimous approval. The next meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on June 18th.
Feature Report:
Photo by: WRTVOn May 16th, an E-2 level tornado struck Bloomington causing significant damage, injuries and power outages. The storm impacted one place in particular – the People and Animals Learning Services, also known as PALS. PALS is a non-profit, equine assisted learning facility. The storm destroyed their horse barn and caused their services to be temporarily halted. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with Executive Director Christine Herring about the damage to the property, the condition of the horses and how the community can help following the storm. We turn to Babbitt for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Harley Babbitt.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It was a silly film but Ian Mair was inspired by it. The Linton, Indian native saw “Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein” when he was a third grader. He’s been making movies ever since. Mair and his school chum James Stevenson went on to found Moonlight Films, a cinema factory that’s put out more than 20 movies so far. Armed with a new national distribution deal, Mair and company aim to be recognized, “The Kings of Micro-Budget Horror.”
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week—and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed. Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
On Saturday, March, 8th, 2025 we welcomed Isabel Olive and her Chicago based project, Half Gringa. Half Gringa creates music informed by contemporary indie-rock + Latin American and Midwestern folk. In this session, Izzy and host/Music Director, Abby Noroozi, chatted about the concept and the making of the new album, Cosmovisión – released on March 28th. They also chatted about heading to SXSW, touring with folk artist Lizzie No, growing up & influences, the Chicago music scene, and the show that night at The Blockhouse. We turn to an excerpt from that Firehouse Session on WFHB Rewind.
Up next – Youth Radio brings us the Miscellaneous Legumes podcast in collaboration with Harmony School. Episode 4 of Miscellaneous Legumes is all about the paranormal. The crew tells ghost stories and go on a paranormal investigation of their own at Harmony School. We turn now to Miscellaneous Legumes on WFHB Rewind.
That was episode 4 of the Youth Radio podcast Miscellaneous Legumes in collaboration between WFHB and Harmony School. Up next – from the news department – WFHB Correspondent Tom Muckerheide covers the long-awaited expansion of the Monroe Convention Center. The story looks at the project’s timeline, the people involved and what the redesign could mean for downtown Bloomington including new jobs, community space and future events. We turn to Tom Muckerheide for more.
Credits:
Thanks for listening to WFHB Rewind.
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
Today, there are eight ways to send, spend, use or lose your money, and the Better Business Bureau advises that you are less likely to be scammed if you understand the risks inherent in each one. This time, we’ll look at four of them, and summarize the risks you take and the protections you have when you use them. Stay tuned for part two, next time!
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BB20250528-Money-Money-Money-Part-One.mp3
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that launches on Monday. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Money, Money, Money Part I” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
MCCSC Staffing Cuts Prompt Community Pushback
Monroe County Education Association Board Member-elect Erich Nolan giving public testimony at the latest meeting of the MCCSC School Board (Photo courtesy of CATS).The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on May 20th. This followed the announcement that the school corporation would eliminate 61 non-classroom jobs partially resulting from budget cuts after the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 1 at the Statehouse. During public comment, Monroe County Education Association Board Member-elect Erich Nolan expressed concerns about the budget cuts and the announcement that the school corporation would eliminate non-classroom jobs.
Then, MCEA President Jenny Noble Kuchera brought up a petition urging the school corporation to adopt a policy clarifying which positions would be eliminated.
MCEA Board Member Angie Shelton also commented on the non-classroom layoffs saying these are important positions for the school system. She said she disagrees with the school corporation’s determination to layoff employees who don’t make as much money as classroom employees.
Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston said in her 2-year strategy update that the school system hopes to save around 7 million dollars per year through staff reductions and leaving vacant positions open.
To watch the full presentation, you can visit this link. The next M-C-C-S-C board meeting will take place on June 24th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that will launch on Monday, June 2nd. For more, we turn to WFHB News Correspondents Ella Cummings and Kade Young.
Up next – “Money, Money, Money Part I” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Ella Cummings.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 27th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB’s Youth Radio covered The Mini Midwest Print Fest which took place on May 17th.
Also coming up in the next half hour, an interview with Alex Valdez of the Goat Conspiracy on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Votes Down $10 Million Convention Center Allocation Amid Confusion Over Project Finances
The Bloomington City Council met on May 21st. The city council heard an ordinance to appropriate 10 million dollars worth of Food and Beverage Tax Funds to the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board. Controller Jessica McClellan asked that the council not pass the appropriation ordinance saying the money isn’t actually needed for now.
Council Member Isak Asare asked for clarification on the money the city owes to architect Schmidt Associates on a purchase order for work on the Convention Center. According to the city council packet, the money owed for the purchase order was 9.8 million dollars. McClellan said this was an error and that the amount was less than the 9.8 million presented.
During public comment on the appropriations ordinance, local resident Kevin Keough pointed out that the original purchase order was 4.1 million dollars. He said the city owes Schmidt Associates a little over 2 million dollars. Keough expressed concerns over this discrepancy.
Council Member Dave Rollo asked if Controller McClellan would respond to Mr. Keough’s comment clarifying the numbers of the open purchase order. McClellan said that she doesn’t have a comment and would need to check the numbers.
Council Member Asare responded to Mr. Keough’s comment saying that he wished the council and staff noticed the discrepancy earlier.
Council President Hopi Stosberg urged members of the public to attend the meetings of the Capital Improvement Board for more information on the Convention Center happenings in the future.
Council Member Piedmont Smith said she’s glad the controller asked to vote this initiative down.
The council voted 0-7 on the appropriations ordinance striking it down unanimously.
The next regular session of the Bloomington City Council will take place on June 5th.
Feature Reports:
On May 17th, 2025 a parking lot in downtown Bloomington was transformed into a printmaking festival. Organized by Badknees and Hideout Press, The Mini Midwest Print Fest invited printmakers from all over the Midwest to share their work. Youth Radio News Correspondent Shefar Rafiul attended the event to talk with the artists and organizers about different printmaking techniques.
Up next, an interview with Alex Valdez of the Goat Conspiracy on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Shefar Rafiul and Jessie Grubb from WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We visited The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary, located near the border of Brown and Monroe counties, to learn more about their animals and mission. Here is the third part of our interview with Alex Valdez, the executive director of The Goat Conspiracy.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
On May 17th, 2025 a parking lot in downtown Bloomington was transformed into a printmaking festival. Organized by Badknees and Hideout Press, The Mini Midwest Print Fest invited printmakers from all over the Midwest to share their work. Youth Radio News Correspondent Shefar Rafiul attended the event to talk with the artists and organizers about different printmaking techniques.
Credits:
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews conducted by Shefar Rafiul and Jessie Grubb
Audio editing and narration by Shefar Rafiul
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone spends the hour with Jim Sims, Dr. Charlie Nelms, and Dr. Gloria Howell to shed light on the continuing controversy surrounding Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and offer their perspectives on what the political and educational horizon looks like in Indiana.
On Monday, May 19, Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith faced tough questions on race and education during an Ellettsville town hall. According to Ethan Sandweiss of Indiana Public Media, Beckwith met with some of his most dissatisfied constituents. An hour before the meeting, opponents had already showed up in force. Clergy, activists, and elected officials arranged a ‘Rally against Racism’ protest against Beckwith’s controversial defense of the three-fifths compromise.
Indiana Lt. Governor Micah BeckwithBeckwith had contradicted mainstream historians, arguing that the 18th-century agreement to count enslaved Black people as three-fifths of a person when determining the number of seats in Congress was intended to limit the power of slaveholding states. Bring it On! had addressed this erroneous view during our May 5th broadcast.
President of the Monroe County NAACP, Jim Sims, was not buying Beckwith’s explanation but said it’s not from the lieutenant governor that he’s asking for accountability. “I think Beckwith has shown his true character. Now, just as importantly, I wonder as I’m sure you do too, why hasn’t Governor Braun denounced his lieutenant governor’s attempt to distort this historical narrative?” Braun appeared to rebuke Beckwith for his comments in April, but Sims believes his response was insufficient.
Also, it should be noted that on May 22, Indiana University announced that:
“To further ensure compliance with state and federal guidance, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will sunset, effective today. The university is also directing campuses, schools and units to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with state and federal policies and guidance. Finally, the Office of Institutional Equity has transitioned to become the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, which more accurately reflects its work and mission to oversee the university’s compliance with federal civil rights laws.”
Because “Silence is not an Option!” on tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, we are here for a discussion on the DEI dismantling efforts in Indiana and the Nation.
Credits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is Eco Report for May 23rd, 2025.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator, about how getting out in nature can have benefits on one’s mental well being.
And now for your environmental reports:
- The New York Times reports when the Trump administration declared two weeks ago that it would largely disregard the economic cost of climate change as it sets policies and regulations, it was just the latest step in a multipronged effort to erase global warming from the American agenda.
- ENSO stands for “El Niño/Southern Oscillation,” a pattern of changes in the temperature of the ocean surface and atmospheric circulation of the tropical Pacific region. La Niña means the surface water is warmer than usual along coastal Central and South America.
- Bobcats, Indiana’s only remaining native wild cat, were nearly wiped out in the mid-1900s due to unregulated hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. They were added to the state’s endangered species list in 1969 and remained there until 2005. Since then, bobcats have been recovering and are now commonly found in southern and west-central Indiana, with sightings recorded in nearly every county.
- Facing the continued collapse of Chinook salmon, officials today shut down California’s commercial salmon fishing season for an unprecedented third year in a row.
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to WFHB Correspondents Benedict Jones and Elyse Perry to learn how nature helps with mental health.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesAnd now for some upcoming events:
- A Hop to the Quarry event will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 24th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join Jessica at the Trailside Shelter to learn about frogs in the quarry. The hike is about 1-mile long.
- Enjoy a Fossil Discovery and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, May 26th, from 2 to 4 pm. Join Naturalist Jessica on a rugged hike on Trail 3 as you scramble over rocks and through the creek learning about fossils older then dinosaurs.
- Participate in a Snake Chat at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, May 30th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. You will get to see live snakes up close and touch, as you learn about snakes. Meet in the Activity Center.
- Take the Fire Tower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Meet DNR Intern Marshall in front of the Canyon Inn to begin your summit to the top of the historical CCC built fire tower. The hike is 1.4 miles long.
- Learn all about the Timber Rattlesnake during the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 3 to 4 pm. Get up close to look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. Learn its history and how venom works.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.
When Anna Stamm was a little girl, she watched B-movies on TV with her father. She wondered how and why TV stations picked movies to air. Her curiosity has led her to pursue her doctorate in local broadcast history. Bloomington was home to one of the key figures in television and radio, Sarkes Tarzian. Stamm talks about his role in media history.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
En este episodio vuelve al estudio Lillian Casillas, Directora de IU La Casa Latino Cultural Center, para platicarnos sobre las actividades, funciones y eventos del Centro Cultual Latino de IU La Casa. También nos comparte información valiosa sobre el camino del High School a la Universidad, así como becas, oportunidades, opciones, consejos y deadlines.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 21st, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News continues its series on teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Top Five on the Bottom” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
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. The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
One resource in Bloomington we don’t often associate with mental health is the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. The department is making an effort during Mental Awareness Month to inform residents about their programming and the benefits it can provide them with.
We spoke with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator. Drake’s background is in nutrition and dietetics, but she gained experience working with mental illnesses at Riley’s Children Hospital in Indianapolis.nDrake said that while getting out in nature won’t solve mental health issues – there are benefits to the outdoors on one’s mental well being.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “The Top Five on the Bottom” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Monday, April, 21st, 2025 WFHB’s music department welcomed two time Grammy nominated artist and Mandolin virtuoso, Sierra Hull. Sierra and Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi chatted about the new album, A Tip Toe High Wire and self releasing after being on Rounder Records since she was 13. They chatted about influences, evolving Bluegrass, touring, and more. We turn now to that interview and a little bit of that performance on WFHB Rewind.
In this episode of ShowRats from WFHB’s Youth Radio, host Ollie spoke with Andrew Sellers of Louisville based post-punk band Charm School about his musical journey and early influences like Sonic Youth and Nirvana. Andrew points out challenges of being a musician in the modern music industry, particularly the low pay from streaming platforms, and offers advice for young musicians to develop additional skills in recording, graphic design, or DJing to support their musical careers.
Monroe County’s thriving coffee scene includes over 15 local shops and roasters, such as Brown County Coffee Company and Hopscotch Coffee. Brown County Coffee, founded in 2006 by Nick Schultz, has roasted over a million pounds of coffee, emphasizing freshness and affordability. Hopscotch Coffee, established in 2013 by Jeff Grant, focuses on local roasting and community engagement. Both businesses face challenges from rising coffee prices, driven by supply issues in major growing regions and tariffs. Despite these challenges, they remain committed to providing high-quality, fresh coffee and supporting their communities. WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson has more.
Credits:
Thanks for listening to WFHB Rewind.
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
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. The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
The American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both report nationwide rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Indiana teens are facing a record number of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Systems that are meant to support them – schools, families and healthcare providers – are struggling to keep up.
One resource in Bloomington we don’t often associate with mental health is the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. The department is making an effort during Mental Awareness Month to inform residents about their programming and the benefits it can provide them with.
We spoke with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator. Drake’s background is in nutrition and dietetics, but she gained experience working with mental illnesses at Riley’s Children Hospital in Indianapolis.
Drake said that while getting out in nature won’t solve mental health issues – there are benefits to the outdoors on one’s mental well being.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.ResourcesIf you or someone you know is thinking about suicide and seeking emotional support, crisis lines are available via phone, chat, or text. If a suicide attempt has occurred, call 911 immediately or go to a nearby hospital emergency room.
From the Indiana Suicide Prevention website:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Online Chat Services
- Crisis Text line: Text IN to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling. We’re here for you.
- Trevor Project Lifeline (confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth): 866-488-7386
- TrevorChat
- TrevorText: Text START to 678-678.
- Veterans Crisis Line (for military service members, veterans, and family): Call 800-273-8255 and press 1
- Text 838255
- Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889
- Homeless Veterans Chat
- Youthline
Other resources
IU Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 600 N. Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 812-855-5711
Catholic Relief Services offers services for young children dealing with mental health issues, including a 10-year-old program at Fairview Elementary: (812) 332-1262.
Centerstone of Bloomington offers counseling and psychiatric services, 812-269-5092.
Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization, (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BB20250521-The-Top-Five-On-The-Bottom.mp3Here are the top five most prevalent and dangerous scams being reported today — how to recognize them and how to protect yourself. These days, you really need to keep aware of what’s going around, so you — or your friends or family members — don’t get ripped off.
Featured Animals: Ace and Bev
Ace is a 4-year-old Bully Breed Mix dog currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
According to the shelter: “Ace is such a sweet fella, and once he warms up to you, he becomes the most fun-loving guy! He’s spent his time at the shelter recovering from some serious injuries, but he has been a real trooper the entire time. Ace figured, since he’s feeling a lot better, it’s about time to settle down with a family and move on from this tough time in his life.”
Bev is a 6-year-old Domestic Short Hair cat, also available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Shelter staff describe Bev as laidback, independent, and perfectly content doing her own thing. She is not one for wild play sessions or constant attention. She prefers cozying up on her favorite blankets, where she spends most of her day lounging and relaxing. If you’re lucky, with time, she’ll cozy up to you too. Though she enjoys her alone time, Bev has her sweet moments. She always greets you when you come home. Bev does fine around other animals, but she plays very lightly. She’ll bat around a toy mouse now and then, but doesn’t seek out the company of other cats. She’s more of a chill, independent companion who will be happy to share a quiet home with you. The more time her foster got to spend with her, the sweeter she got!
To learn more about Ace and Bev, including adoption details, you may reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492.
Featured Topic: Exotic Pets
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about concerns with keeping exotic animals as pets.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 20th, 2025.
That’s Debbie Kelley – in Brown County they call her the “pollinator lady.” Hear about local efforts to restore pollinator habitat in south central Indiana later in the show.
More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Stormwater Board Raises Concerns Over New State Law, Septic Maintenance Efforts Continue
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Storm Water Management Board met on May 7th. Friends of Lake Monroe, Watershed Coordinator, Maggie Sullivan, gave an update on the Septic Program.
Board Member Trohn Enright-Randolph asked how often septic tanks should be checked. Sullivan responded.
Board Member Jody Madeira talked on the importance of educating citizens about how septic systems work.
Later during staff reports, Stormwater Program Manager Erica Penna shared that Indiana House Bill 10-37 passed. Penna shared that they are working on updating county ordinances to bring them into compliance with the bill. Penna said the bill will go into effect on July 1st.
Madeira asked if they were able to understand what compliance would look like. Penna responded.
Board Member Julie Thomas added that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has been instructed to update their stormwater rules, so the county stormwater ordinance will have to be updated again after IDEM does so.
Madeira touched on how the bill is incompatible with the county’s current standards.
Enright Randolph asked if the Indiana Department of Environmental Management would be involved in helping the county comply with the bill.
Thomas responded that she would not expect IDEM to provide any guidance. Also saying that although Indiana wants to make things easier for businesses, this legislation will deteriorate Indiana’s water quality, thus making Indiana less habitable.
Enright-Randolph commented that the denser areas will be the most affected .
Madeira also said that the new legislation would have harmful effects on Indiana residents.
The Monroe County Storm Water Management Board will meet again on June 4th.
Zoning Appeals Board Grants Variance for Property in Flood Hazard Area
At the Monroe County Board of Zoning appeals meeting on May 7th, the board discussed a building area variance request for a property with structure and gravel in a special flood hazard area. Planning Department Director Jackie Nester Jelen presented background information to the board.
Nester Jelen shared a letter from the current resident of the property.
Nester Jelen talked more about the gravel on the lot, and explained why the gravel on the property needs to be removed.
Nester Jelen said that they recommend approval of the variance due to the work that has been done to bring the property into compliance with the Stormwater Program Ordinance and the Monroe County Zoning Ordinance.
The current resident, Sam Yeary, spoke to the board and expressed that they are thankful to the staff that has been working with them to bring the property into compliance.
Board Member Skip Daley thanked Yeary for their efforts to comply with the flood zone.
The board approved the Buildable Area Variance unanimously.
The next Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held on June 4th.
Feature Reports:
The WFHB listening area is seeing drastic drops in the numbers of insects that pollinate our food crops. Loss of habitat is one reason, so the local group Brown County Pollinators is trying to restore 100 acres of pollinator habitat per year. Debbie Kelley is known as the “pollinator lady,” giving away plants that provide food and shelter for south central Indiana pollinators. She’s Johnny Appleseed for our birds and our bees…and especially for her favorite pollinator: the monarch butterfly. WFHB host Pam Raider has Debbie Kelley in our Nashville Indiana studio.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by the Brown County Hour crew.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 19th, 2025.
In today’s report, WFHB News reports on the impact of the tornadoes and storms that swept through Bloomington on Friday. More in today’s broadcast.
You’ll also hear from Christian Freitag from Conservation Law Center, currently suing the state to stop the dumping of untreated waste into the White River near Martinsville. Learn more about Indiana’s only pro bono environmental law firm later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: A woman looks up at the sky as severe weather crosses into downtown on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. Several tornadoes hit Greene and Monroe Counties in South Central Indiana leaving a path of destruction. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)A tornado touched down in Bloomington on Friday night. One person died and at least 5 people were injured. The Clear Creek post office was destroyed, approximately 75 homes were damaged and major power outages were reported. WFHB News interviewed community members in the streets of downtown Bloomington about their reactions to the tornado. We turn to WFHB News Correspondents Max Schneider, Ella Cummings and Kade Young for more.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: The Clear Creek post office lays in rubble after a tornado destroyed it on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. Several tornadoes hit Greene and Monroe Counties in South Central Indiana leaving a path of destruction. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)That was a segment where WFHB news reporters asked community members in downtown Bloomington about their reaction to the tornado that swept through Monroe County on Friday. The storm caused one death, several injuries, property damage and significant power outages. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Harley Babbitt spoke with Justin Baker, the deputy director at Monroe County Emergency Management, about their department’s response to damages resulting from the storm.
Photo by Jessie Grubb.Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt spoke with Tim Street, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bloomington, about the effects of the storm on the city’s parks department. We turn to Babbitt for more.
Sometimes Mother Nature needs a good lawyer. Conservation Law Center here in Bloomington is a non-profit law firm protecting Indiana’s natural resources. CLC lawyers work on land conservation, water quality, and biodiversity. Right now, the Conservation Law Center is suing the state of Indiana for allowing AES to release untreated wastewater into the West Fork of the White River. This section of the river is upstream of the City of Martinsville’s municipal wells, which provides the city’s drinking water. CLC executive director Christian Freitag is here to ask you to support Indiana’s ONLY pro bono environmental law center on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ella Cummings, Max Schneider and Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Harley Babbitt and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Trevor Donley
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month, Civic Conversations welcomed Indiana University Professor Jeffrey Isaac. Isaac is the James H. Rudy Professor of Political Science and served as editor in chief for Perspectives on Politics, a flagship journal of the American Political Science Association, from 2009 to 2017. In 2017, he was awarded the APSA’s Frank J. Goodnow Award for Distinguished Public Service.
In the podcast, Isaac defines extremism and how it works within government. Extremism, Isaac says, is used to quiet political debates, and it is much more than a Democratic versus Republican divide; it is really an anti-system party divide that is hostile to liberal Democracy.
According to Isaac, changing demographics and technological change have contributed to the increase in insecurity and suspicion of our government.
The second part of our conversation with minister, activist, antiwar protester, and advocate for death row inmates, the Rev. Bill Breeden. He earned national notoriety when he swiped an Odon, Indiana street sign honoring President Ronald Reagan’s national security advisor and Odon native, John Poindexter. Breeden began evangelical preaching at the age of 15 and eventually became a pastor in Bloomington’s Unitarian Universalist Church. Retired now, he’s working on his memoir titled “Billy Pilgrim and the Black Female Jesus.”
This episode originally aired May 15, 2025.
Breeden in 1986.Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Sometimes Mother Nature needs a good lawyer. Conservation Law Center here in Bloomington is a non-profit law firm protecting Indiana’s natural resources. CLC lawyers work on land conservation, water quality, and biodiversity. Right now Conservation Law Center is suing the state of Indiana for allowing AES to release untreated wastewater into the West Fork of the White River upstream of the City of Martinsville’s municipal wells, which provides the city’s drinking water. CLC executive director Christian Freitag is here to ask you to support Indiana’s ONLY pro bono environmental law center.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Trevor Donley
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall attended and captured audio from the Save Our Forest rally on May 15th. The rally protested against the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that could lead to logging in the Hoosier National Forest. Crandall featured speakers and music performances from the event.
In Indiana, ash trees are facing a serious threat from the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that has decimated many ash trees in the state. While the EAB has significantly reduced ash tree populations, some ash trees have shown resistance and are able to survive or even kill the EAB larvae. Additionally, researchers are studying ash trees that have survived EAB infestations to understand their resilience and potential for future survival.
Factors Affecting Ash Tree Survival are: EAB is the primary threat to ash trees in Indiana, as it can kill mature trees within 6-10 years of an infestation.
Resistance: Some ash trees, particularly blue ash and white ash, are more resistant to EAB than others, and some have even been found to actively kill EAB larvae.
Canopy Thinning: Infested ash trees with over 30% canopy thinning are unlikely to survive even with treatment.
Treatment: Insecticide treatments can be effective in saving EAB-infested ash trees, especially when the infestation is detected early and the tree has less than 50% canopy thinning.
Firewood Management: It’s crucial to avoid moving firewood from EAB-infested areas to protect ash trees in other locations.
The ash tree may be genetically diverse enough to survive.
Did you know that manatees are related to elephants? Manatees are large aquatic mammals, and sometimes they’re referred to as “sea cows.” They’re very large averaging 10 feet long and 1,200 pounds! But don’t let their size fool you: manatees are actually incredibly graceful creatures. They also play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Manatees eat a LOT of sea grass.
By doing so, they keep the grass short, which helps maintain the health of the sea grass beds. While manatees don’t have any true natural predators, they have still become endangered. There are three manatee species worldwide – West Indian, West African, and Amazonian. All three are listed as vulnerable to extinction. So what has caused manatees to become endangered? There are two major threats: loss of habitat and collisions with boats and ships.
As new developments are built along waterways, natural nesting areas are destroyed. Sewage, manure, and fertilizer run-off enters the water and causes algal blooms. Some of this algae is toxic and can kill manatees if they eat it. Because manatees feed on sea grass, and sea grass needs sunlight and shallow water to grow, manatees spend most of their time in shallow water. This often leaves them with little room to dive away from oncoming boats, which can lead to deadly collisions.
What can be done to help protect endangered species like the manatees? The first step is always an informed public. In some areas, local governments have adopted slow-speed zones in known manatee habitat areas. In the state of Florida a free Manatee Alert mobile app is available. Looking long-term, the future is uncertain. As the oceans rise and cover the Everglades, more area of sea grass may develop. As the oceans warm, we should expect manatees may move north to Georgia. It’s even conceivable manatees will eventually appear in Chesapeake Bay.
Gov. Mike Braun warned that Indiana needs swift solutions for its bevy of water and energy “challenges” to support the state’s expanding manufacturing sector. The Republican governor gave candid remarks at a fireside chat at the 2025 Indianapolis Investment Forum held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He touted Indiana as “the biggest manufacturing state in the country” and hoped for the Hoosier State “to be on the leading edge of the new base load.” Currently, though, “we clearly don’t have enough electricity.”
“Right now, Indiana has all kinds of opportunities that straddle AI and technology. We’ve got the biggest two issues, probably in the state, that have come out of nowhere — the availability of water and electricity,” Braun said. “Neither one of those was on the horizon. But if you’re going to tap into that new technology, you’ve got to have it.” Utilities based in Indiana currently produce just 20 gigawatts of electricity, Braun emphasized. A single data center could consume 5% of that total capacity.
Indiana is already home to more than four dozen data centers — powerhouses for the AI boom. Citizens Action Coalition, a utility-focused customer advocacy group, has tracked nearly 30 more energy-demanding facilities that have been proposed across the state. What the governor did not address includes the time required to build a nuclear facility. Since there are no existing commercial plants, the time for construction could be several years. If new power is needed, nuclear seems high risk.
The time to install is short for installation of both wind and solar capacity. Also, these two approaches are the least expensive to build. Indiana has a bias against wind and solar, which seems partially based on various conspiracies. Also, people cite bird-kill against wind, which is not anywhere near the problem they portray. Wind ranks number ten in killing birds. The governor should have mentioned that tariffs on Chinese wind and solar are likely to revitalize domestic production.
Indiana does not have a water problem – Lake Michigan and the Ohio River can readily fulfill the need.
In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall captured audio from the Save Our Forest rally on May 15th. The rally protested against the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that could lead to logging in the Hoosier National Forest. Crandall featured speakers and music performances from the event.
- There will be a Bluebird Box Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 17th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will join the Brown County Bluebird Club to build a bluebird box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. You must pre-register at b4bluebird@gmail.com.
- Learn about Slithering Snakes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 18th, from 3:30 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn about snakes and even touch one – if you dare!
- Enjoy a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 23rd, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join the naturalist to walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to feel and smell the wildflowers.
- Celebrate World Turtle Day on Friday, May 23rd, from 3:30 to 5 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Learn how to identify some of Indiana’s common and not-so-common turtles. Six species of Indiana turtles are on the state endangered species list. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Hop to the Quarry event will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 24th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join Jessica at the Trailside Shelter to learn about frogs in the quarry. The hike is about 1-mile long.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………….. Christy Crandall
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Feature by Tom Muckerheide
In February of this year, the members of the Capital Improvement Board, in a meeting with community stakeholders, unanimously approved to change the name of the Monroe Convention Center to the Bloomington Convention Center. While it may seem small, this change of name is an important step in the grander transformation of the convention center, representing the exciting new opportunity for downtown vitalization that residents of Bloomington and Monroe County are beginning to see.
The Convention Center has for decades served as a cornerstone for the local community. Located on 302 South College Avenue, the convention center allows a dedicated space to showcase Bloomington’s local art and to help a variety of local and regional organizations host events. With in-house catering and its location nearby hotels and the city’s vibrant restaurant scene, it is little wonder that Talisha Coppock, executive director of the center, speaks so proudly of its role in the community.
“We opened the building in 1991. And at that time, our community really needed a place to hold events, and we wanted to capture the tourism market, and that was part of a whole revitalization of downtown Bloomington, and restoring an old historic building into an event venue made a lot of sense,” said Coppock.
However, important changes are coming to the convention center. The Capital Improvement Board leads the charge, endowed with the funding structure and political authority to facilitate an ambitious expansion project aimed at addressing the most pressing needs of the center. It will also oversee the new center’s operations following its completion.
Such a project wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of the City of Bloomington and Monroe County. In 2023, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners passed county ordinance 2023-24, creating the Capital Improvement Board, a group of volunteers and community leaders appointed jointly by the City of Bloomington and Monroe County. Throughout 2024, discussions took place over the design goals for the renovated center, involving participation by Schmidt Associates architecture and the Boards of Zoning Appeals and Public Works. Schmidt Associates has previously worked on important community projects, such as the expansion of the local Ivy Tech building. For the actual construction work the CIB will rely on Weddle Bros. in addition to the owner’s representatives J.S. Held who work to coordinate all parties and ensure the project remains within the budget and design outlines.
In February, the final design was approved by the CIB, representing a monumental step in turning long held hopes for a new and improved center into a reality. John Whikehart, President of the Capital Improvement Board, is excited about all the work that has been done in the past year to integrate Bloomington’s character into the architecture of the expanded complex.
John Whikehart, President of the Capital Improvement Board“I think the community is going to be very happy about the design. One of the things, not one, several of the things we wanted to make sure we were emphasizing, was the uniqueness of Bloomington and this building will both complement the current building, but it also has its own new architectural features. There’s a butterfly sloped roof on the building, which everybody was pretty excited about. There’s an open garden roof area on the building, so conventioneers can come from the inside to the outside into an open garden space,” said Whikehart.
This March, the City Council approved the bonds for construction, allowing the CIB to move forward with actual building, which is expected to begin in June of this year.
What excites most business and community leaders of Bloomington is the addition of Convention Center space of approximately 60,000 square feet. This space comes from the parcel of land east of the existing center, between Walnut street and College avenue.
“We’re able to go from 250 attendees now to 500 to 600 when this expansion is completed, and we’ve had to turn away conventions because we just weren’t big enough to host them,” said Whikehart.
For Board President Whikehart, recent developments on the project have demonstrated an impressive drive by local officials to support the expansion project, even if it has been a long time coming.
“So we’ve been meeting for 22 months, and we’ll break ground in June. So I like to say that for government work, it’s been at warp speed, considering that the six years prior to that, lots of nothing happened. So, it’s been an eight year project in progress, if you will, and certainly over the last 22 months, it’s moved from an idea, to design, to we will begin to let bids here very soon, and we will break ground in early June of this year,” said Whikehart.
The CIB was founded in 2023, but Whikehart has been involved with previous efforts to expand the center. In 2019, the City and County established an expansion advisory board. However, the ensuing pandemic put plans to an abrupt halt, and the board was dissolved shortly after.
While Whikehart has been involved with the project for 8 years, Talisha Coppock, executive director of the Convention Center, said that desires for an expansion of the building have existed for decades, ever since it was transformed from the Ford Model T assembly plant in 1991. In her view, the diversity of Bloomington events and attractions has made the need for an expanded center a clear one for her and her team.
“It was very obvious that we needed to go to that next step, just because Bloomington is, like, almost the number one destination in Indiana, because of all the amenities. It’s why we all live there, right? Like all the different things that you can do here. And different topics, you know, we’re very strong with environmental topics. The Kelly School of Business is very strong, so there’s a lot of variety here,” said Coppock.
WFHB spoke with Mike McAfee, executive director of Visit Bloomington, who also volunteers at WFHB as a DJ. He said that over the past decades, a number of issues have arisen which kept plans for the convention center from materializing.
“We’ve basically pushed it back or held off on doing this or that, just when, whether it was COVID or 9/11 or, you know, whatever it might have been. So [there’s] normal, I mean, not normal, but impacts on the economy, or things like that, for just trying to find the most favorable time to do it,” said McAfee.
In a column featured in the Herald Times, Coppock summarized the main problems with the current center, highlighting the disparity between the center’s size and the experienced demand for major events, conferences, and other conventions. She wrote, “planners and organizers tell us the biggest gap in our current offerings is the addition of a large, flexible space for multi-day conventions, exhibits, performances, non-traditional sporting events and public consumer shows such as art markets. A host hotel is needed to provide overnight room blocks and parking to accommodate attendees to provide a reliable experience. We owe it to our community to be a leader in a venue where we are proud to host events.”
Community leaders envision a wholesale reimagining of the Convention Center. Coppock is excited for the unique Bloomington atmosphere that the center will contribute to the entire area.
Talisha Coppock, Executive Director of Downtown Bloomington Inc.“I think that whole bigger picture of redeveloping the south side of downtown is very important. And I think encouraging the small business atmosphere around that for support services of a convention center expansion is important as well. And I think the design of the building very much fits within the Bloomington character. I love that, you know, it’s picking up on the red brick, the limestone, that it’s a warm feeling, but a professional atmosphere. And I’m super excited that we’ll have art be a big part of continuing in the existing building and in the new building,” said Coppock.
Visit Bloomington leads the city’s marketing by cultivating a tourist oriented experience for those outside of Bloomington, acting as a key repository for information on local shops, museums, restaurants, and more. According to them, medium and large sized groups suffer greatly from restrictions in room space and capacity, with Monroe County placing last in civic space per capita.
While space might be a primary concern for convention attendees and community members, director McAfee shared that from Visit Bloomington’s perspective, this expansion project represents more than just added rooms and amenities to the convention center. To him, this is about the service the city can provide to enhance Bloomington’s reputation. This includes expanding additional parking space and building a new hotel in cooperation with developer Dora Hospitality.
“We’re gonna, we’re gonna take this incredible community asset, the Monroe Convention Center, and we’re going to finally increase it to a better size that’s going to allow us to service groups that want to come here. And we’re going to expand across the street and build a new hotel, all in an area that really is kind of an eyesore in the heart of Bloomington, and we’re going to improve everything about everything about that block and that area where it’s happening quite a bit. And just again, we’re looking forward to growing that market, and seeing the building be a success,” said McAfee.
But what does this mean for the Bloomington community on the practical level? During our interview, Whikehart pointed to steps the board has taken to ensure the Convention Center remains open throughout the process. The construction is slated to be finished and ready for use by January of 2027, but that does not mean the original site will be left in the dust.
“January of 2027 the new expansion will be ready to open according to schedule. Once that happens, there will be another six months while we do some renovation of the current building. So that will follow about six months later. Obviously, you can’t do renovation and construction at the same time, or else we’d have to close the current Convention Center, and we don’t want to do that. So expansion will open January 2027, renovation completed within six months of that time, and no interruption of the ability of conventioneers to come here and enjoy conventions,” said Whikehart.
Hotel construction plans have slowed in recent months, however, with Dora Hospitality failing to have purchased the property north of the center by March according to the IDS. Whikehart was troubled by the delays, stressing the need for hotel construction and center expansion to align into the expected 2027 finish date.
“My concern, and I’m sure the concern of others, is that our goal is to have an expansion open in January of 2027, and the longer it takes for this process with the hotel to play out, the further it is out from that date before the hotel is open,” Whikehart said.
This transformation of the downtown space would not be possible without the input raised by different sectors of the community. Whikehart said that the design phase underwent multiple shifts after balancing the opinions of stakeholders and boards.
“We went from July of 2024 when we had two days worth of input from various stakeholders into the design of the building. And from that came five different designs, if you will. Those five designs were narrowed down to three. In September of 2024 we had a public meeting and received public input on design. And in October of 2024 we had a meeting of all the elected officials so that they would have input into design. Each month, as the board is method, the design has evolved, because new things come up, new opinions come in, new suggestions are made.” […] “The design of the building has completely changed from what we first envisioned it in July of 2024, to what we have designed now, after public input,” said Whikehart.
Concerns from different stakeholders sometimes chafed with existing Board plans. In March the IDS reported that the Democratic Party Deputy Chair for Labor opposed the City Council’s vote to approve revenue bonds. They cited the CIB’s treatment of organized labor, despite Whikehart’s subsequent statements to the council that the CIB sought to establish pre-qualification exemptions to make it easier for organized labor to be involved with expansion plans.
Deliberations in the past months have also centered heavily around the monetary costs of the project. Whikehart insisted that funding for land acquisition, construction, and design costs would not come from raised taxes on the community beyond the tax structure that’s existed since 2017 through the food and beverage tax. Rather, they will utilize the revenue bond approved by the Bloomington City Council.
“And so the project will be a $52 million hard construction cost project. That $52 million will come out of the revenue bond. There’s an additional $20 million that’s for architectural and engineering work, utility relocation, soil samples, all the things that you have to do in construction, a construction manager, the professional services we need both legal and controller, and that’s another $20 million, so the total cost is about 70 million, of which we have that $70 million now. So that’s a fixed budget. There won’t be any taxes raised in addition to that. And that’s the budget that we work with, and we have to stick within it,” said Whikehart.
While the present budget is locked through the allocation of these funds, previous discussions existed surrounding the implementation of the food and beverage tax, a county ordinance that placed 1% tax on all purchases of foodstuffs from places like restaurants and grocery stores. Whikehart emphasized that this revenue was split between Bloomington and Monroe County based on where it is generated.
“The county council had to pass the food and beverage tax. So it’s a county ordinance that created the food and beverage tax back in late 2017, and the way the revenue is split is it goes according to from where it’s generated. So 90% of the generation–the money generated, the revenue stream generated by the food and beverage tax–comes from within the Bloomington city limits. All the restaurants and bars, delis, every place where you might be ordering food and paying a food and beverage tax. The balance actually comes from outside the Monroe County limits. So it’s in the Monroe County, Ellettsville, etc. So the agreement between the city and the county is that the city’s 90% of the revenue generated by the food and beverage tax is dedicated to the convention center project,” said Whikehart.
Despite the concerns raised about the funding model and how the CIB will integrate contract services, the city and county have pointed to the economic strain resulting from limited center capacity. Restaurants in particular feel the ebb and flow of Bloomington demand, which Whikehart says the convention center could greatly influence.
“One of the things I’ve learned recently is that restaurateurs know that their economy goes up and down. So when IU’s in session, the restaurants do very well. When the summer comes, they don’t do so well. They do well on weekends, they don’t do so well Monday through Thursday. All that can change by bringing conventions here and kind of flatten all that and make their lives more stable,” said Whikehart.
Mike McAfee, Executive Director of Visit BloomingtonDirector McAfee shared his experience of how the hospitality industry stands to benefit from an expansion of available space.
“Our role is to promote Monroe County to all kinds of visitors. And so there’s leisure visitors that are coming here all the time on weekends for Indiana University events, or whatever the events might be, and through the week and things like that. But business travel, people traveling Monday through Friday, is really an opportunity for growth for Bloomington and Monroe County, and so the convention center being able to host groups of three, four, five hundred people during the week is great. It’s just when we need the business,” said McAfee.
As the Sales and Marketing organization for the Convention Center, Visit Bloomington has played a large role in supporting expansion plans. According to John Whikehart, one of the goals that has persisted in the 8 years since he’s been involved with the project has been to co-locate Visit Bloomington with the expanded center. Discussions of this are presently underway, with Whikehart expressing his enthusiasm for the concept in a board meeting on March 26th.
“One of the goals has been how we can co-locate Visit Bloomington in our convention center. And if we think about that, what better way to market to conventioneers what’s happening in Bloomington than to have Visit Bloomington be co-located in the facility where our convention goers are?” said Whikehart.
Talisha Coppock highlighted the economic impact for Bloomington workers, bringing light to the contractors whose assistance in the day to day operations of the Bloomington Convention Center will only continue to grow with the building, meaning new jobs for a number of industries. The CIB stated that an expanded center could bring in an additional 500 hospitality jobs and $9 million annually into the community.
“I’m pretty excited because we use a lot of small business contractors. I mean, right now we use 42 small business contractors to keep the convention center running. And so I’m pretty excited about continuing a lot of those relationships. We’ll rely heavier on them, that as we double the space, we’re going to need to double the jobs and the support, so just all the way around. So from DJs, to bands, to the cleaners, to people who help fix the drywall. You know mechanical types of operations and security operations and marketing… There’s just a lot that goes into it,” said Coppock.
For many among Bloomington and Monroe county, this expansion project represents years of persistence and slow, unsteady work on the part of stakeholders and government officials. But in the meantime countless ordinary Hoosiers are eager to see a cornerstone of the downtown area reflect the uniqueness and pride of the community. Coppock made the case for the value of the local focus that the Convention Center has, offering a social benefit to Bloomington in addition to the economic benefit. She’s excited to see how members of the community will come to shape the new center with their own vision, emphasizing the space as one welcome to everyone.
“I think it’s hard to share all that we do, but we do 450 events a year, and the majority of our customers are locally based right now. We’ve got an interesting, educated community that likes to come out and celebrate and be together. So there’s a huge cultural and social part of this as well.” […] “We’re looking forward to it and being able to share it with the community and excited to see creative events and ideas that people have that they could use in the new space. We really want to be a community partner and support our local businesses, not for profits, and them reaching their goals. And also have the doors open for the Midwest, that they can bring their meetings and events here and help support local restaurants and local shops, local services that keep and maintain that character of Bloomington. I think we can really help support that,” said Coppock.
For more information on the convention center, you can visit bloomingtonconvention.com. More details on the Capital Improvement Board can be found by visiting monroecib.com or by attending their public meetings, the next of which is on May 21st. You can learn more about Bloomington’s various amenities through visitbloomington.com.
For WFHB Local News, I’m Tom Muckerheide.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we bring you highlights from the week—and sometimes hidden gems you might have missed.
Stay with us for a blend of thoughtful storytelling, vibrant interviews, and the unexpected moments that bring our airwaves to life. This is WFHB Rewind.
On Monday, April, 21st, 2025, WFHB welcomed Fort Wayne, IN indie rock trio, The Namby Pamby, back to the Firehouse.
In March, students from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship participated in the MOTH Project, an event in which they tell personal, true stories under the guidance of English teacher Rachel Bahr.
Last week marks one year since students and community members first established encampments in Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University’s ties to Israel during its war on Gaza.
In response to the protests, IU administrators altered long-standing policies governing public expression, bringing in state police, banning tents, and arresting demonstrators — including students and faculty.
This special report, originally broadcast in August 2024, examines the university’s crackdown on protest, the backlash from campus groups, and the eventual adoption of a new expressive activity policy by IU’s Board of Trustees. That policy went into effect on July 31, 2024, and remains in place today.
Here’s that archived story from the WFHB News team.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB News, Music and Youth Radio departments.
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.ResourcesIf you or someone you know is thinking about suicide and seeking emotional support, crisis lines are available via phone, chat, or text. If a suicide attempt has occurred, call 911 immediately or go to a nearby hospital emergency room.
From the Indiana Suicide Prevention website:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Online Chat Services
- Crisis Text line: Text IN to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling. We’re here for you.
- Trevor Project Lifeline (confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth): 866-488-7386
- TrevorChat
- TrevorText: Text START to 678-678.
- Veterans Crisis Line (for military service members, veterans, and family): Call 800-273-8255 and press 1
- Text 838255
- Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889
- Homeless Veterans Chat
- Youthline
Other resources
IU Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 600 N. Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 812-855-5711
Catholic Relief Services offers services for young children dealing with mental health issues, including a 10-year-old program at Fairview Elementary: (812) 332-1262.
Centerstone of Bloomington offers counseling and psychiatric services, 812-269-5092.
Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization, (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 14th, 2025.
Later in the program, 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Bottom Five” on Better Beware – our weekly consumer-watchdog segment. More following today’s feature.
But first, Deep Dive:
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. The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
The American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both report nationwide rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Indiana teens are facing a record number of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Systems that are meant to support them – schools, families and healthcare providers – are struggling to keep up.
From the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the widespread use of social media and a lack of adequate support, young people live in unprecedented times. To find out more on the mental health crisis many young people face, WFHB News spoke with counselors, concerned parents, and others working to combat mental health challenges among the youth today.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “Bottom Five” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BB20250507-The-Bottom-Five.mp3We haven’t done a Top Ten list in awhile, and they’re always fun. Here are the bottom five of the Top Ten Scams and Swindles going around today; next time, we’ll give you the top five ways the crooks can be winners and you can be a loser — if you don’t Beware.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger speaks with Alyssa Gallarneau, the lead singer of the Bloomington based Backyard Function. The conversation ranges to how the singer started performing music, her experience in Backyard Function, the process behind her songwriting and her plans for the future following college graduation.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 13th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger speaks with Alyssa Gallarneau, the lead singer of the Bloomington based Backyard Function. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council approved the vacating of an alley in the Trades District to make room for the development of a 150-bed boutique hotel.
More in your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Approves Vacating of Alley in Trades District for New Hotel
Photo courtesy of Trades District.On May 7th, Bloomington City Council Members heard a second reading of a proposal to vacate an alley in Bloomington’s Trades District. The petitioner included the Mill and the city’s redevelopment commission. The purpose would be to make room to develop a new 150-bed boutique hotel. The alley is located between West 10th Street and West Maker Way. CEO of the Mill and former mayor of Bloomington John Fernandez presented the ordinance.
Council President Hopi Stosberg asked about the process of right-of-way vacations. Fernandez says it would be spelled out in the site planning process.
During public comment on the agenda item, Senior Government Community Relations Director Christopher Emge of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce expressed his support for the ordinance. Emge outlined his vision for the future hotel and the Trades District in general.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith said she’s supportive of the ordinance.
Council Member Dave Rollo said he’s normally hesitant to support the vacation of alleyways; however, in this case he appreciates Fernandez’ work on the Trades District and said he would support the initiative.
Council Member Isak Asare congratulated Fernandez on being named CEO of the Mill. He also said that he’s excited about the development of a 150-bed boutique hotel in the Trades District.
Council Member Andy Ruff asked for clarification on the right-of-way regarding the alley. Director of Planning and Transportation for the city David Hittle responded.
The ordinance passed with a vote of 7-1. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on May 14th.
Feature Report:
Alyssa Gallarneau pictured here in the music library at WFHB (Photo by Garrick Ton).In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger speaks with Alyssa Gallarneau, the lead singer of the Bloomington based Backyard Function. The conversation ranges to how the singer started performing music, her experience in Backyard Function, the process behind her songwriting and her plans for the future following college graduation. We turn to Mackenzie Lionberger for more.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. Today, we re-broadcast the episode “Beavers as land stewards.”
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Tom Muckerheide OR our feature was produced by Mackenzie Lionberger.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On March 29th, Akeem and Dominic of WFHB’s Youth Radio attended the final day of Rhett Skateboarding, Bloomington’s local skate shop since 2011. Youth Radio reporters were there to speak with skaters about what the space meant to them and explore how its absence will impact the local scene. We also sat down with owner Jonathan Prather to talk about the history of the shop and what’s next for him after closing day.
Credits:
Produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio
Interviews conducted by Akeem and Dominic
Audio editing and narration by Akeem
En este episodio platicamos con Rena Cohen, actualmente freshman en Washington State University y Estela Urbina, senior en Bloomington High School North, sobre sus experiencias como interns en Latino Programs, sus planes para el futuro y algunas oportunidades para otros adolescentes que quieren asistir la universidad. Por ejemplo, Project Stepping Stone es un programa de verano diseñado para estudiantes latinos en Indiana. Durante una semana, los participantes visitan universidades, asisten a talleres sobre liderazgo y preparación universitaria, y se conectan con profesionales latinos. El programa ayuda a los estudiantes a prepararse para la universidad y alcanzar sus metas académicas y profesionales.
WFHB welcomes Kerrville New Folk award winning songwriter C. Daniel Boling to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, May 10, from 11am to noon. Join us for this rare Saturday’s Child performance, as Boling combines a charismatic stage style with his extraordinarily compelling array of original songs, including those co-written and performed with Tom Paxton on their brand-new release. Listen on air or in our audience in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on 6th and Washington streets, for this live performance free of charge! It’s C. Daniel Boling on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, May 10, 11am, on WFHB.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 12th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson reports on the local coffee shop scene in Bloomington and beyond. More in today’s feature report.
We also hear from Naman Satsangi from A Kid Again, an IU student group hosting adventures for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Find out how you can help these families get a break from being a patient and just be a kid again later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works Approves Summer Events, ADA and Infrastructure Repairs
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on May 6th, the board approved the request for the Granfalloon Mainstage Concert and the Handmade market. These events will take place on Kirkwood and on the square, closing the street from Walnut to Lincoln from June 6th to June 8th.
They also approved the 4th and Rodgers Block Party. This event will take place on West 4th Street on June 6th.
Although these events were quickly approved on the consent agenda, the amount of work that the city staff and board members put in to ensure all the proper permitting has been completed, and safety concerns have been addressed, is extensive.
Later in the meeting, Director of Public Works Adam Wason asked the board to approve a service agreement with Wise Building Solutions, to repair 27 ADA ramps.
The board approved the agreement unanimously.
They also approved a service agreement with Jon Richardson Excavating to repair a wooden pedestrian bridge on 2nd street. Wason explained that the bridge being fixed is the current solution, however, in the future staff recommend more sidewalk installations in the area.
The board voted to approve the agreement unanimously.
During staff reports, Wason gave an update on how the Public Works Department handled the Indiana University Little 500 festivities.
Wason also updated the board on upcoming paving and construction projects, noting that the public can keep up to date on road closures for paving projects on the Street Division Website.
Lastly, Wason thanked volunteers that helped clean up the city in preparation for the upcoming commencement ceremony taking place at Indiana University.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on May 20th.
Feature Reports:
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.Monroe County’s thriving coffee scene includes over 15 local shops and roasters, such as Brown County Coffee Company and Hopscotch Coffee. Both businesses face challenges from rising coffee prices, driven by supply issues in major growing regions and tariffs. Despite these challenges, they remain committed to providing high-quality, fresh coffee and supporting their communities. WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson has more.
Having a life-threatening medical condition is tough at any age, but it’s especially rough for children. A national organization called A Kid Again tries to lift some weight off the shoulders of these children and their families with adventures designed to just let them be kids. Yesterday in Indianapolis the Indiana chapter hosted a Mother’s Day event with fire trucks and a petting zoo! Here in Bloomington there’s an Indiana University student chapter of A Kid Again, and Naman Satsangi is the president. Naman says being part of A Kid Again is just as rewarding for the volunteers as it is for the kids. He’s calling on you to spread that joy on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Laurie Frederickson.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Peter Miller through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Having a life-threatening medical condition is tough at any age, but it’s especially rough for children. A national organization called A Kid Again tries to lift some weight off the shoulders of these children and their families with adventures designed to just let them be kids. Yesterday in Indianapolis the Indiana chapter hosted a Mother’s Day event with fire trucks and a petting zoo! Here in Bloomington there’s an Indiana University student chapter of A Kid Again, and Naman Satsangi is the president. Naman says being part of A Kid Again is just as rewarding for the volunteers as it is for the kids. He’s calling on you to spread that joy.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Peter Miller
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall traveled to the “Save Our Forests” rally in Bedford, where she recorded speakers at the rally.
Both President Trump and Gov. Mike Braun signed executive orders aimed at reviving the U.S. coal industry; it’s a move that will hurt the environment and health of Hoosiers. Braun directed state agencies to roll back climate change policies and consider extending the use of burning coal for power generation. Another order prevents state agencies from factoring the “social cost” of greenhouse gas emissions into what they do. Those costs put dollar amounts to the damages caused by climate change — like hospitalizations from asthma or property damage from flooding. Trump’s executive orders allow coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates.
He also placed aggressive tariffs on renewable energy. Trump’s policies will raise monthly energy bills for Hoosiers. On average, renewable energy costs 20 percent less than coal for the same energy output. The least expensive way to generate power is by wind turbines. Coal use has been linked to decreased life expectancy. In ranking by states, Indiana is 40 (75 years), Hawaii is best (80.7 years). Utah is the only red state in the top ten. Hoosiers pay high rates for power from coal, and their reward is a lower life expectancy.
Indiana Public Radio reports that Gov. Mike Braun signed two executive orders that focus on the state’s natural resources. One aims to develop a new market for Indiana’s toxic coal ash waste, while the other would further research of water resources in the state. Some of the very metals that make coal ash toxic also make it valuable. Things like lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel can be used to make batteries, smart phones and wind turbines. Braun’s executive order would create a council to lead efforts to mine the state’s coal ash waste.In a statement, the governor said the U.S. can’t depend on China for rare earth elements and that Indiana has an opportunity to “power the modern economy.”
Indra Frank serves as the Hoosier Environmental Council’s coal ash advisor. She said it would be good to see Indiana’s millions of tons of coal ash put to good use. But Frank had concerns about what would happen after those metals are extracted. “The rare earth minerals Governor Braun is proposing to recover out of coal ash are a minor fraction of the ash, so once those minerals are recovered, most of the coal ash will be leftover and will need to be disposed of responsibly,” Frank said. “Currently, the majority of Indiana’s coal ash is contaminating groundwater and it is stored in the floodplain, where it poses a spill risk,” Frank said.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule last fall that stands to have a chilling effect on the emissions of a class of climate-warming super-pollutants. The rule sets new leak prevention requirements for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and will require the use of reclaimed HFC’s for servicing several major categories of existing equipment, such as supermarket refrigeration systems. The action builds on petitions to the EPA filed by NRDC and their allies, and will provide nearly $7 billion in net climate benefits to society cumulatively through 2050.
A report from the EPA released before Trump took office finds that fuel efficiency for cars and pickup trucks has reached an all-time high, while carbon emissions are at a record low. Kathy Harris, director of clean vehicles at NRDC said, “With record sales of cleaner vehicles, drivers saving money on fuel costs, and dramatic reductions in the air pollution harming our lungs, it is clear that we should be fighting any attempt by the oil industry and its allies to derail this hard-won progress.”
Do you have food items on your shelves that have the words, “Sell By?” Those words really confuse grocery shoppers and a lot of food is thrown out because it is so confusing. These “sell by” dates are used by stores for stock rotation for when a product is no longer safe to eat. California just became the first state to ban the use of consumer-facing “sell by” dates. Soon California will use a “use by” label to communicate product safety and “best if used by”.
It is shocking to learn that approximately 40 percent of the food grown and produced in the United States is never eaten. One way to lessen the impact is to change the wording on the packaging. Food waste is a complicated issue but hopefully, this small change will have an impact. Each year the average American spends $788 on food that is never eaten. By diverting this good food from landfills, we can help feed 13.5 percent of households in the US that lack access to nutritious food and by also tackling the climate crises because decaying food in landfills produces significant amounts of methane, a climate super pollutant.
In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall traveled to the “Save Our Forests” rally in Bedford, where she recorded speakers at the rally.
- A Full Flower Moon Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 10th, beginning at 9 pm. Experience the natural world come to life as you hike under May’s Full Flower Moon. This is a 2-mile hike on Trail 4.
- Take a Morel Mushroom Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, May 11th, from 9 to 10 am. You will enjoy a guided hike at Strahl Lake as you learn how to spot morel mushrooms.
- Enjoy a Full Moon Night Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, May 12th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Experience an evening of peace and serenity on Griffy Lake during the Full Flower Moon. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- There will be a Bluebird Box Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 17th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will join the Brown County Bluebird Club to build a bluebird box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. You must pre-register at b4bluebird@gmail.com.
- Learn about Slithering Snakes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 18th, from 3:30 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn about snakes and even touch one – if you dare!
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Herb Caldwell
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………. Christy Crandall
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
He went from being a teenaged country preacher to protesting war and ministering to death row prisoners. Now retired, the Rev. Bill Breeden has lived a wild, loving, socially conscious life. He’s spent time in American jails and a foreign dungeon. He’s stolen street signs and lived in a tepee. None other than Kurt Vonnegut dubbed him a “holy clown.” Part 2 will air next week.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 8th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly segment in collaboration between Medicare for All Indiana and WFHB. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on Spencer Pride’s Banned Book Club, a monthly gathering that explores challenged literature.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council Considers Loosening Firearm Restrictions, Delays Water Rate Discussion Due to Technical Issues
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Town Council discussed amending the Ellettsville Town Code to allow the use of firearms within corporate city limits at their meeting on April 28th.
The amendment would allow people to shoot and hunt on agricultural zoned land that is at least 20 acres and 2000 feet away from the nearest structure. The ordinance would apply to target shooting and hunting, but would not impact self defense, police officers or authorized emergency agencies.
Town Manager Mike Farmer says the amendment would benefit people affected by annexation.
Council Member Scott Oldham says the code may be too restrictive. He said that different types of shooting and hunting might require different restrictions.
Council Member Trevor Sager agreed with Oldham, saying the council needs to think about how the restrictions will impact hunters.
The council agreed to have the ordinance adjusted before hearing it on second reading.
The council also discussed creating a cash fund for the Planning Department. Planning Director Denise Line said the department has never had its own fund, but it will need one soon.
Council Member William Ellis said he didn’t think it was necessary to establish a separate cash fund for the department.
The ordinance died on the floor without a motion.
The Ellettsville Town Council planned to discuss an ordinance establishing rates and charges relating to the Water Works System, but decided to table it two weeks because of issues with the meeting’s virtual Zoom platform. The council didn’t think it was fair to the public to not have an opportunity to give their input.
The council passed three amendments to the Employee Handbook: adding a policy prohibiting ghost employment, adding a grievance policy for complaints, and clarifying the retirement benefits policy. The Ellettsville Town Council will meet next on May 12th.
Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission Clarifies TIF Parcels, Begins Early Funding Discussions
The Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission met on Monday April 28th.
The Commission discussed some clarification coming to TIF parcel number descriptions. The Town Attorney Darla Brown gave background information on the TIF, which stands for Tax Increment Financing.
The Commision also began to discuss funding for each TIF, and how the funding would be broken down. At this point the TIFF funds are in early stages.
The next Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on May 12th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly segment in collaboration between Medicare for All Indiana and WFHB. This month we interviewed Dr Diljeet Singh, the President of Physicians for a National Health Program, to talk about the recent reintroduction in Congress of the Medicare for All Bill in the House and the Senate. There are reasons for hope! Dr Singh was our guest previously in January 2024. We turn now to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
The Community Center in downtown Spencer houses local LGBTQ advocacy group, Spencer Pride (Young).A local group in Spencer is pushing back against nationwide book bans — by reading the very titles under fire. WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on Spencer Pride’s Banned Book Club, a monthly gathering that explores challenged literature and celebrates diverse voices.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone, Karen Green Stone and Mackenzie Lionberger.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesThis 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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
Indiana teens are facing a record number of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Systems that are meant to support them – schools, families and healthcare providers – are struggling to keep up. From the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the widespread use of social media and a lack of adequate support, young people live in unprecedented times. To find out more on the mental health crisis many young people face, WFHB News spoke with counselors, concerned parents, and others working to combat mental health challenges among the youth today.
In today’s episode we feature:
- Ryan Preci, Board Chair for the Indiana School Counselor Association.
- Molly Daywalt, licensed mental health counselor and outreach coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services at Indiana University.
- WFHB’s very own BloomingOUT Producer, Melanie Davis, who shared that her daughter has struggled with mental health in the past.
- Centerstone Care Specialist, Keelin Walser, who works with adolescents and their families, and also goes into the high school to meet with her clients.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.ResourcesIf you or someone you know is thinking about suicide and seeking emotional support, crisis lines are available via phone, chat, or text. If a suicide attempt has occurred, call 911 immediately or go to a nearby hospital emergency room.
From the Indiana Suicide Prevention website:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Online Chat Services
- Crisis Text line: Text IN to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling. We’re here for you.
- Trevor Project Lifeline (confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth): 866-488-7386
- TrevorChat
- TrevorText: Text START to 678-678.
- Veterans Crisis Line (for military service members, veterans, and family): Call 800-273-8255 and press 1
- Text 838255
- Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889
- Homeless Veterans Chat
- Youthline
Other resources
IU Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 600 N. Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405, Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 812-855-5711
Catholic Relief Services offers services for young children dealing with mental health issues, including a 10-year-old program at Fairview Elementary: (812) 332-1262.
Centerstone of Bloomington offers counseling and psychiatric services, 812-269-5092.
Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
WFHB reports:
- Political Polarization, (Part 1), March 19, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 2), March 27, 2025
- Political Polarization, (Part 3), April 2, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier YouthLimestone Post article by Rebecca Hill, photography by Benedict Jones, published April 3, 2025
Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Dramatically Among Hoosier Youth
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 7th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News looks into increased mental health issues among young people today in Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Bottom Five” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, today’s edition of Deep Dive:
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. This month, we’re looking into the rising concern of teen mental health.
Content warning: this story mentions mental health struggles and suicide.
Indiana teens are facing a record number of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Systems that are meant to support them – schools, families and healthcare providers – are struggling to keep up. From the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the widespread use of social media and a lack of adequate support, young people live in unprecedented times. To find out more on the mental health crisis many young people face, WFHB News spoke with counselors, concerned parents, and others working to combat mental health challenges among the youth today.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesTo read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “The Bottom Five” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 6th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we revisit our reporting one year ago when Palestine solidarity protests broke out in Dunn Meadow at Indiana University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Water Safety for Pets” on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Prepares for 2026 Budget Amid State Tax Reforms
Last Wednesday, April 30th, the City Council held a special session to discuss budget priorities for the year 2026, particularly as state and federal austerity measures and tax cuts threaten local funding for critical government services and infrastructure.
City Controller Jessica McClellan spoke on the influence that Senate Bill 1 would have on local revenue sources and assessed value.
Parcel by parcel analyses of the total impact are underway by the city, but McClellan assured the council that such an analysis will be complete before the beginning of budget season. She also explained the impact of Senate Bill 1 on local income tax, or LIT, revenues. The structure of income tax revenue will change in 2027, where government agencies will discuss a new tax rate for municipalities.
According to McClellan, the city will likely not receive the same LIT revenue as they have previously with their rate of 1.2%. In response to the potential for these state changes to affect Bloomington revenue, the council conducted an internal survey concerning major priorities outlined during an April 9th deliberative session. These results were shared in this meeting, with the most urgent priorities including: an increase in government transparency, the maintenance of government infrastructure, and supporting food security efforts throughout the city.
Council President Hopi Stosberg outlined the introduction of the letter to the Mayor of Bloomington drafted by council Vice President Isabel Piedmont-Smith that would serve as the council’s definitive statement on budget priorities for 2026.
Discussion of budget priorities began with questions of government transparency and overall performance, with Council Member Sydney Zulich calling attention to the problem of city information that is difficult to access.
Council Member Isak Asare extended the discussion of government infrastructure to city asset management, suggesting investments into software that would help track expenditure outcomes of maintenance of buses and sidewalks.
On this subject, Council Member Matt Flaherty suggested a $200,000 ballpark investment for supporting council operations, such as training and consulting. President Stosberg expressed concern over the figure, emphasizing the need for determining specific outcomes of the investment.
During public comment, Director at the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emge stated his support for the outcome-based budgeting, especially in view of Senate Bill One and where the revenue for the city government may stand in the future.
Also during public comment, Former Council Member, Steve Volan stressed the need for more research staff in allowing the council to exercise specific and effective legislation for the community.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on May 7th.
Monroe County Approves Appraisal Contract, Hears Bird Flu Update
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 1st, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 and Flu cases in the county. Of note, are rising cases of bird flu activity.
The first item on the agenda was a contract with Integra Realty Resources Valuations Services for the re-evaluation of the Dillon Apartment Complex’s tax appraisal.
County Assessor Judith Sharp spoke to the commissioners on the reason for the re-assessment, explaining that the Dillon Apartments have requested that a new appraisal method be used.
Sharp said she expects this issue to go all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Commissioner Lee Jones asked if it will become necessary to have another appraisal done if an appeal is filed. Sharp said she thinks that will be the case. She added that the County is a test case for this new legislation.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the contract with Integra Realty Resources Valuation Services for the appraisal.
The commissioners heard the ratification of a 75,000 dollar state-funded grant that would support efforts to reduce youth incarceration through the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator Christine McAfee walked through the proposal before the commissioners.
Commissioner Jody Madeira commended the initiative saying “it takes a village.”
Commissioner Lee Jones asked about how sustainable the funding looks like in the future. McAfee said it’s uncertain but she believes in the program and says the data reflects positively on the program.
The commissioners approved the ratification by a unanimous vote. The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will happen on May 8th.
Feature Reports:
It’s been one year since Indiana University students and community members set up a pro-Palestine encampment in Dunn Meadow, protesting IU’s ties to the war in Gaza. A sudden change in university policy led to more than 50 arrests over several days. We’re revisiting our original coverage from April 2024, reported by Annika Harshbarger.
That was Annika Harshbarger reporting in April 2024. The Dunn Meadow encampments have since been cleared, and Indiana University enacted new policies restricting protests on campus. One year later, the space remains quiet, but the impact of those protests still lingers.
Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. Hear today’s featured animal, a 6-year-old cat named Bev and the featured topic, “Water Safety for Pets.” All that and more on Lil Bub’s Lil Show on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animal: Bev
Bev is a laid-back, independent 6-year-old cat, with brown patterned fur, who’s perfectly content doing her own thing!
Bev is not one for wild play sessions or constant attention. She prefers cozying up on her favorite blankets, where she spends most of her day lounging and relaxing. If you’re lucky, with time, she’ll cozy up to you too. Though she enjoys her alone time, Bev has her sweet moments. She always greets you when you come home, letting out her adorable, scruffy little grunts as if she’s catching you up on her day. Bev does fine around other animals, but she plays very lightly. She’ll bat around a toy mouse now and then, but doesn’t seek out the company of other cats. She’s more of a chill, independent companion who will be happy to share a quiet home with you. The more time her foster got to spend with her, the sweeter she got!
To learn more about Bev, including adoption details, you may reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492.
Featured Topic: Water Safety for Pets
Tune in to this week’s episode for tips on how to keep your pets safe around pools, lakes, and other bodies of water.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Ultimate Frisbee has become one of the top growing sports in the world. Over the past 2 decades, it has gained millions of participants and is currently played in 80 countries around the world.
Indiana University like many other Big 10 Colleges participates in inter collegiate ultimate frisbee. While it is not sanctioned by the NCAA it is still nationwide in terms of colleges participating in Ultimate Frisbee as a club sport.
WFHB Correspondent Jake Bedway spoke with Andrew Vetne, Captain of IU Ultimate Frisbee Team, about the culture surrounding Frisbee at the University and little known details about the sport.
In this episode of ShowRats, host Ollie interviews Andrew Sellers, lead singer and songwriter of the Louisville-based post-punk band Charm School. Andrew shares his musical journey, starting with learning guitar at age 9 and playing in bands throughout his teenage years. He discusses his early influences like Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and the vibrant local music scene in Louisville. The conversation delves into the challenges of being a musician in the modern music industry, particularly the low pay from streaming platforms. Andrew offers candid advice for young musicians, emphasizing the importance of developing additional skills like recording, graphic design, or DJing to support their musical careers. Despite the industry challenges, Andrew remains passionate about music, viewing it as a creative and potentially political act.
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Theme music is Trompe le Monde by Pixies
All music in this episode is by Charm School
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr Diljeet Singh, the President of Physicians for a National Health Program, to talk about the recent reintroduction in Congress of the Medicare for All Bill in the House and the Senate. There are reasons for hope! Dr Singh was our guest previously in January 2024.
Diljeet Singh MD
From the podcast:
Karen Green Stone: The Medicare for All bill was reintroduced this week in both houses of Congress, The House of Representatives, HR 3069 and the Senate S 1506. Why is Medicare for all a symbol of hope?
Dr. Singh: The American people clearly, clearly, clearly are not happy with healthcare in in this country. It is not often that we have a clean, clear bill that will address so many of the shortcomings of our healthcare system in one bill, and the idea is that we can have universal coverage: Everybody gets all the healthcare they need without copays, without deductibles, without wasting money on bureaucracy and profit and shareholder dividends, without worrying about conflicts of interest. This bill offers Americans all of those things. It does so without costing more than our current healthcare system. As a matter of fact, the plan is to add in dental, vision, hearing coverage because we can afford it if we’re not wasting money on bureaucracy and profit.
So to me, there’s nothing more hopeful than that.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana @medicareforallindiana on Substack. You can make comments and ask questions on Substack, as well as look at all our posts in one place.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
IBLC Protest RallyOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour discussing recent Indiana Senate Bill 289, which aims to repeal provisions concerning university diversity committees and prohibit unlawful discrimination in education, public employment, and licensure.
Sen. La Keisha Jackson, D-Indianapolis, called the bill a “fight against racial equality.” Meanwhile, Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith has erroneously claimed that the Three-Fifths Compromise was a decisive step towards ending slavery. The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) has condemned Beckwith’s statement as inaccurate.
In summary, State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the IBLC, condemns the Three-Fifths Compromise as a strategy rooted in Southern Slave owners’ efforts to institutionalize the idea that African-Americans are less than a person while also ensuring Southern states a greater share of political power, thereby, strenthening the institution of slavery, within the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Although nullified by the 14th and 15th Amendments, ratified in 1868 and 1870, which granted equal Constitutional rights to all, the corrosive effects of systemic racism still adversely affected the civil rights of the formerly disenfranchised and their descendants.
Here to shed more light upon this controversy and to delve into the history of the Three-Fifths Compromise is Robin Winston, a political strategist and former State Democratic Party Chair. In 1999, he made history when he became the first African American to chair a major political party in Indiana. We are also joined by State Rep Cherrish Pryor, who has served as a legislator in the Indiana House of Representatives since November 4, 2008. She is currently the Indiana House Democratic Caucus Floor Leader and is a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. And finally, Leon Bates, a local Indianapolis historian who focuses on areas of Urban History, including Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence, and the Intersection of Race.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 5th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News covers ICE’s presence in Bloomington last week – a protest that happened on Friday and an in-studio interview with an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Jack Hammersley from the local performance group Radiant Ensembles, a collective of student musicians bringing the joy of live music to seniors and schools. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
ICE Activity in Bloomington Sparks Protest, Raises Concerns Over Immigrant Rights
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA: Protesters demonstrate against ICE sweeps on May 2, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. At least 4 people were arrested but the true numbers aren’t known as the United States Government hasn’t released any official information. Arrest records indicate at least three were being held in a Kentucky jail after undercover federal agents swept the city knocking on doors in working class areas while hunting undocumented immigrants. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)Hundreds of protesters gathered on the courthouse lawn on Friday to rally against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Bloomington last week.
ICE arrested three people in Bloomington last week and transported them to the Hopkins County Jail in Kentucky. A fourth person was apprehended at the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center on a federal warrant. As of May 4th, it’s been 24 hours since federal agents were spotted in Bloomington, according to the Palestinian Solidarity Committee.
Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian captured audio and video from the protest on Friday. Malak Samara, a member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, spoke over a megaphone in support of the immigrant population in Bloomington.
“Our immigrant brothers and sisters – they are just like us, and they need our help right now,” said Samara. “We will not conform to their this regime’s oppressive policies.”
One demonstrator said undocumented immigrants make up a large part of the American workforce without the same rights and protections as American citizens.
“Our federal government likes to act like immigrants are criminals that weigh down our societies; when in fact, this country runs on undocumented immigrants – where the only jobs available to them are cheap labor so that large corporations can make more profit off of their backs. All the while, our government collects their tax money and provides zero social services in return,” said the speaker.
Another protester suggested that ICE’s presence in Bloomington is a moral issue and has spread fear in the community. In their view, college campuses should be a safe haven for undocumented immigrants.
“Let us be clear, this is not just about immigration status,” said the protester. “It thrives on the logic that some lives are disposable, some lives are just not worth enough or not worth as much, and that is sincerely disgusting.”
IU Student Adri Cruz said she grew up in fear that her family members would be arrested. She delivered her remarks at the protest fighting back tears.
“These past few days, I should have been studying for my exams, but instead, I’ve been glued to my phone, caring for my people,” said Cruz. “It’s no secret that federal agents are here in Bloomington and targeting members of our community.”
For those seeking information or support related to immigration enforcement:
- Popp & Bullman is a Bloomington-based immigration law firm with experience in deportation defense.
- The Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance shares know-your-rights resources and offers community support across the state.
- A searchable directory of nonprofit immigration legal services is available at immigrationadvocates.org.
- Lastly, the National Lawyers Guild operates an immigration defense hotline at 212-679-2811.
Feature Report:
Tim Clark is an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee, which has spoken out against ICE activity in Bloomington.In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Tim Clark, an organizer with the Palestine Solidarity Committee, who helped coordinate Friday’s rally and has been vocal about the recent ICE operations in Bloomington. We turn now to that conversation.
Radiant Ensembles is a local performance group of student musicians who give back to their community. They perform in schools, nursing homes and anyplace else that needs good vibes. Founder Jack Hammersley says the joy they take is equal to the joy they make. Jack worries that current threats to education at the state and national level will make music education more difficult, so he’s asking you to support Radiant Ensembles on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headline was produced by Kade Young with audio provided by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.
Today’s feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Luke Janke through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Monday, April, 21st, 2025 we welcomed Fort Wayne, IN indie rock trio, The Namby Pamby back to the Firehouse. This is their second Firehouse Session at WFHB, the first one being in December of 2023! We chatted about their new self-released sophomore album, The Birds Aren’t Migrating Like They’re Supposed To which charted at WFHB in the top 10 for 4 weeks! Music Director and Host, Abby Noroozi asked them about recording, songwriting, their biggest tour ever and being from Fort Wayne. Don’t miss this gorgeous session with this Indiana band on the rise. We can’t wait to see what The Namby Pamby does next!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet & Alyssa Gray
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
https://youtu.be/fdnZkKm-uSU?si=2wePs0g_rcI7SzMh
Video Production: No Guru Media
Radiant Ensembles is a local performance group of student musicians who give back to their community. They perform in schools, nursing homes and anyplace else that needs good vibes. Founder Jack Hammersley says the joy they take is equal to the joy they make. Jack worries that current threats to education at the state and national level will make music education more difficult, so he’s asking you to support Radiant Ensembles.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Luke Janke
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
We began to explore the iconic musician, producer, engineer, and anti-star’s Bloomington roots and his sojourns to Los Angeles, New York City, and New Orleans last week. Bingham’s back in town now, having served in a “musical boot camp” while performing at the Orbit Room this spring. This edition of Big Talk originally aired Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
We’ve got another special episode today in support of WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. Donate Here.
Today’s episode is Part 2 of of our special highlights show, “The Past of US.” Again, we’ll hear from three of our local authors who have read their own work for us: Gladys DeVane, Angela Jackson Brown, and Essence London.
Gladys DeVaneThe progression of our stories today represents something of an historical arc – all taking place in the South – from a slave plantation in the mid-19th century – to rural Alabama in the mid-20th century – and finally we approach the 21st century in Arkansas.
First up – Gladys DeVane opens our show with the short story that appeared in Episode 4 – “What Little Missy Didn’t Know” – a piece told in the voice of an enslaved woman reflecting on her rebellion against the Southern slave owners prohibition of reading and even learning to read by their “property.”
Episode 4 – Gladys DeVane
Angela Jackson BrownOur next segment is from Episode 22 – we’ll hear a selection from the novel Untethered by Angela Jackson Brown, which she describes as “a love letter to women of a particular age and size, paying tribute to a woman who was the boss at the time when being black and female and in charge was not the norm – late 1960s in rural Alabama.”
Episode 22 – Angela Jackson Brown
For our final segment we’ll travel to Arkansas as the millennium closes and two young cousins try to celebrate their own resilience in the face of an adult world that either dismisses them or sees them as burdens. Essence London reads her story, “Topsy Turvy.”
Episode 40 – Essence London
Essence LondonMUSIC
“Hound Dog” and “My Heavy Burden” by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton
“Cousin Flo” by Archie Shepp and Horace Parlan
CREDITS
Producer & Host: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 30th, 2025.
Later in the program, we revisit a report by the news department from Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News Anchors will be live in the studio pitching to you during our Spring Fund Drive.
Feature Report:
WFHB correspondents Elyse Perry and Mackenzie Lionberger are live in the studio to ask for your donations during WFHB’s spring fund drive.Up next, we look back at Part II of a Deep Dive episode from last year reporting on food insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties. This story was nominated for an award in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Best in Indiana competition. We turn to Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 29th, 2025.
Later in the program, we will hear two features produced by WFHB Correspondents Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson who will be live in the studio asking for your support during our Spring Fund Drive.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we will hear a condensed version of a feature produced by WFHB Correspondent Tom Muckerheide. Today, WFHB News takes a closer look at the impact of the cold on those without shelter and the community organizations working to provide help. We hear from individuals like Tammy and “Momma,” who share their experiences of living on the edge, and from local leaders fighting for lasting solutions to homelessness. WFHB News Correspondent Tom Muckerheide has more.
Exodus Refugee Immigration is one of several organizations in Bloomington that provide refugee families with assistance. | Photo by Olivia BiancoNow – we take a look at a feature produced by WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson. Immigrant and refugee communities across Indiana are facing heightened uncertainty as new state and national policies take effect. In Bloomington, organizations like the Refugee Support Network and Exodus Refugee are witnessing firsthand the devastating impact these changes are having on families. With more than 400,000 immigrants and refugees in the state, many are now grappling with fear over the future. Laurie Frederickson has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BB20250430-Sponsored-By-Crooks.mp3Fake websites are popping up everywhere on the internet these days, now that AI technology has made it extremely easy to clone or copy a real website. Even the sponsored links which come up first on search engines are now sometimes phony. Here’s a look at how to spot a bogus website before you give it your personal information, or send some money to a swindler.
On Monday, March 31st, 2025, Local Live welcomed mourning star! The whole studio was buzzing with their energetic sound. They chatted with host, Nicki Seven about their regional tour, Culture Shock, and more! We are excited to see what this young band does next!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, April, 7th, 2025 we started the day with Mexico City based indie rock band, Diles Que No Me Maten! Due to travel, they were unable to make it to the studio the day before for their scheduled session. Instead, they woke up early after their fantastic show at The Bishop and came in for a Monday morning session – now that’s dedication! Host, Adriane Pontecorvo chats with the band about their show the night before at The Bishop, songwriting, touring, and so much more. Enjoy this thoughtful interview and beautiful performance!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 28th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we will be live in the studio asking for your donations during our Spring Fund Drive. More following today’s feature report.
That’s Evan Anderson from University Players, a student-run production company operating outside of the IU Theatre Department. Learn how University Players lets students from any major be the star of the show, coming up later on a new episode of Activate!
Feature Reports:
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondents Amelia Bucher and Kelsey Pease are live in the studio asking for your donations during our Spring Fund Drive.In today’s feature report, we’re looking at a growing threat to one of Monroe County’s most important natural resources. Invasive species are spreading through Monroe Lake, threatening native plants, animals, and the lake’s overall ecosystem. WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher has the story.
Indiana University has a well-known theatre program, but it’s tough to get involved if you’re not a theatre major. Operating independently of that school is University Players, run entirely by undergraduate students from all career paths. Every year these students stage an entire season of productions, all free and open to everyone. The organization most recently put on “Ride the Cyclone,” a musical following six students as they navigate an unusual situation. Evan Anderson is Managing Director of University Players. He wants the Bloomington community to get involved on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Morgan Rusk through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Monday, March 24th, 2025, Local Live welcomed the Sleeping Trees! They played a selection of songs from their premier album “All in Motion”, the number one album at WFHB the week of the session. Don’t sleep on this session!! (see what we did there?)
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Silver Coulter
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, March 17th, 2025, Local Live welcomed the The U-Station Agents! The U-Station Agents chatted with host, Stee Philbeck and shared music from their new album, “Its All Good”, an apropos title indeed!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Steve Philbeck
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This program originally aired on March 25, 2024:
Sandra Chapman, investigative reporterIn this edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell, spend the hour with investigative reporter and documentarian, Sandra Chapman.
In 2001, Chapman aired on WISH-TV in Indianapolis a series of reports on the murder of Carol Jenkins. Jenkins was murdered on September 16, 1968, after a day of selling encyclopedias in Martinsville; thus, becoming known as a ‘sundown town’. After the airing of these reports, Chapman would later receive a phone call from a woman who claims to have seen her murder.
Eventually, this phone call led to discovering who Carol Jenkins’ murderer was. In 2011, Chapman published The Girl in the Yellow Scarf, a book about the murder of Carol Jenkins and the work of the efforts of Martinsville’s cold case unit to solve this case. She would later make a documentary with the same name. Tonight Sandra Chapman is here to discuss the murder and what led her to investigate this cold case.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Indiana University has a well-known theatre program, but it’s tough to get involved if you’re not a theatre major. Operating independently of that school is University Players, run entirely by undergraduate students from all career paths. Every year these students stage an entire season of productions, all free and open to everyone. The organization most recently put on “Ride the Cyclone,” a musical following six students as they navigate an unusual situation. Evan Anderson is Managing Director of University Players and he wants the Bloomington community to get involved.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Morgan Rusk
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
He’s back in Bloomington, for the nonce, after sojourns through Los Angeles, New York City, and New Orleans, among other ports of call. The one-time member of the storied Bloomington prog-rock band, Screaming Gypsy Bandits, former principal of the innovative, experimental Bar-B-Q Records label, and a key figure in the origin story of WFHB, Bingham has spent a lifetime tilting against the celebrity-driven music industry even as he made a living recording — and playing with — some of its biggest stars. Part 2 of our conversation will air next week.
This edition of Big Talk aired Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
We’ve got a special episode today in support of WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. We need you to donate money to support programming that is community-oriented and produced by volunteers who are members of the community. Speaking of Stories is about as local as it gets. I’ll tell you more at the breaks but if you’re itching to put your money down – go to WFHB.org and click on the red donate button…quick and easy. Make sure to give Speaking of Stories a shout out.
Joan HawkinsToday’s episode might be called “The Past of Us,” or, to quote the great novelist William Faulkner from his novel Requiem for a Nun – the past is never dead, it’s not even past. We’ll hear from three of our local authors who have read their own work for us: Joan Hawkins, Darrell Ann Stone, and Amy Cornell.
Segment One
Joan Hawkins – from “God and Joe DiMaggio”
(Speaking of Stories – Episode 35)
Darrell Ann StoneSegment Two
Darrell Ann Stone – “Whittling Time”
(Speaking of Stories – Episode 37)
Segment Three
Amy Cornell – “Wishbone”
(Speaking of Stories – Episode 23)
Amy CornellMUSIC
“Over the Rainbow” performed by Bud Powell
“Whittlin'” by Joshua Redman
“Lonely Woman” performed by Ran Blake
CREDITS
Producer & Host: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this edition of Eco Report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher discusses coal in Indiana with Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club in Indiana.
The nay-sayers often chide those who believe in climate change that cows are the big contributor to warming. Indeed, methane from all sources causes about 30 percent of the global warming. The skeptics imply that the only (unacceptable) solution is to eliminate cattle, which, of course, will never happen. WTIU, on Aptil 14, reported a very simple solution: feed seaweed to cattle and most of the methane from cows goes away. The seaweed contains an enzyme that inhibits methane format. It takes very little seaweed to effectuate the change. The cattle are fed hay and only 0.5 percent seaweed. The beef has been on the market for two years, with no side effects.
The New York Times reports the Trump administration is set to cancel tens of millions of dollars in grants to scientists studying environmental hazards faced by children in rural America, among other health issues, according to internal emails written by senior officials at the Environmental Protection Agency. The planned cancellation of the research grants, which were awarded to scientists outside the agency, comes as President Trump continues to dismantle some of the E.P.A.’s core functions. The grants are designed to address a range of issues, including improving the health of children in rural America who have been exposed to pesticides from agriculture and other pollution; reducing exposure to wildfire smoke; and preventing “forever chemicals” from contaminating the food supply.
In this edition of Eco Report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher discusses coal in Indiana with Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club in Indiana.
- Take a Growing Plants from Seed class at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 26th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the Nature Center program room. Learn how to propagate native plant seeds.
- A Friendship Bracelet Making class is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, from 1 to 3 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Meet in the Nature Center to learn how to make friendship bracelets.
There will be a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 2nd, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to enjoy all the wildflowers in bloom.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
En esta episodio recibimos a Constellation Stage & Screen para hablarnos del show Polkadots! The Cool Kids Musical ó Polkadots! El Musical Infantil.Katy Ramsey nos comparte más información sobre esta obra.Lily Polkadot, de 8 años, acaba de mudarse al pequeño pueblo de Rockaway, “Solo Cuadrados”. Como la primera Polkadot en una escuela exclusivamente Cuadrada, Lily se enfrenta a la difícil tarea de ganarse la aceptación de sus compañeros. Su búsqueda parece imposible hasta que conoce a Sky, un niño Cuadrado tímido cuya curiosidad por su piel de lunares se convierte en una inesperada amistad. Inspirada en los sucesos de Los 9 de Little Rock, Polkadots sirve como una lección de historia que nos recuerda que nuestras diferencias individuales son lo que nos hace geniales.Para mayor información y / o compra de boletos:p. 812-336-7110 | box office 812-336-9300SeeConstellation.org | @SeeConstellationFechas Abril 25 – Mayo 11, 2025
Duración 60 minutesLugar del show Waldron AuditoriumEdad recomendada ¡Todas las edades!Guión Melvin Tunstall III | Música Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons | Letras by Douglas Lyons
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 24th, 2025.
In today’s newcast, we present the latest edition of Unbound – featuring perspectives from the Kinsey Institute. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondents Brookelyn Lambright and Leo Paes will be live in the studio to ask for your support during WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive.
But first, this Fund Drive announcement:
Brookelyn Lambright and Leo Paes are live in the studio asking for your donations during WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive.In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another episode of Unbound. Today’s report features Rebecca Fasman, a curator for the Kinsey Institute. She shares insights into the rare and fascinating materials on display at their latest exhibit, revealing how these artifacts highlight the deep-rooted and universal nature of diverse expressions of identity across time. We turn to Part 1 of that feature on the WFHB Local News.
We turn back now to Part II of this episode of Unbound on the WFHB Local News. You will hear Rebecca Fasman, a curator for the Kinsey Institute. Stay tuned for Brookelyn and Leo who will be back in the studio for another pitch.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright and Leo Paes.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Kinsey Institute, housed on Indiana University’s campus, is home to the world’s largest public research collection dedicated to human sexuality. Its vast archives span more than 2,000 years of history. The Institute’s latest exhibition, Universal Language: The Legacy of Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Kinsey Institute Collections, offers a powerful look at the enduring presence of sexual and gender diversity throughout human culture. Exhibition curator Rebecca Fasman shares insights into the rare and fascinating materials on display, revealing how these artifacts highlight the deep-rooted and universal nature of diverse expressions of identity across time.
Below are images of the exhibition, courtesy of the Kinsey Institute:
Universal Language will be available to view by appointment in Lindley Hall until June 30, 2025. It’s open every week, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Appointments to visit the exhibition can be made by contacting kinsey@iu.edu.
For more information on Unbound, follow the show on Instagram @unbound.wfhb or visit the show’s homepage on wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025.
Later in the program, we revisit a report by the news department from Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News Anchors will be live in the studio pitching to you during our Spring Fund Drive.
Spring Fund Drive:
WFHB Anchors Benedict Jones and Jim Odom are live in the studio asking for your donations during the station’s Spring Fund Drive.Welcome to the beginning of WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive! Our daily, award-winning news program, WFHB Local News, is your source for staying informed about our community. Each day, our committed volunteers, who are also local residents and students, work tirelessly to cover local government, explore in-depth news features on community issues, and provide you with the latest updates.
Community radio is a rare treasure, and stations with news departments like ours are even rarer. We take immense pride in preserving WFHB’s long-established tradition of a vibrant news and public affairs department. However, to sustain WFHB’s numerous vital local news and public affairs programs, we need your help.
You are the heartbeat of the community radio movement, and your pledge today can help us keep it thriving. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to secure $200 in support of our Spring Fund Drive. Your contribution can make a significant impact. Simply dial 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as possible. Once again, that’s 812-323-1200. Alternatively, you can visit our website at wfhb.org and click on the big red donate button to pledge your invaluable support.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and for generously supporting WFHB, your community radio station. Together, we can ensure our community stays connected and well-informed.
Feature Report:
Up next, we look back at a Deep Dive episode from last year reporting on food insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties. This story was nominated for an award in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Best in Indiana competition. We turn to Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for more.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month, the Civic Conversations Podcast welcomes Kathleen Johnston, the director of the center and a 30-year veteran of investigative journalism, as well as a Media School professor of practice, who is the center’s founding director. Johnston, an IU alumna, has worked at numerous national and local news organizations, including The Indianapolis News, CBS, the Birmingham Post-Herald, and CNN. She has won countless regional and national honors, including Emmys, Peabodys, and Murrow awards. In 2017, she received The Media School’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
In the podcast, Johnston discussed the mission of the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and broke down the role of investigative journalists in today’s media world. In the podcast, we discuss changes in today’s media world and how disinformation and the loss of local news have impacted the ability to get fair and accurate news. “We need more journalists to counter these issues,” said Johnston.” The press is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is more important now than ever.”
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Politics-and-Press-Kathleen-Johnston-04142025.mp3
Swindlers can take you when something bad happens — or when something good happens. Bad weather can cause damage and there are scammers who rip off people who need repairs — here’s what to watch out for. And there’s recently been reports of phony Wedding Photographers who can ruin a happy event if you’re not careful!
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BB20250423-The-Good-The-Bad-and-The-Scammers.mp3
In this episode of ShowRats, Ollie spoke with Whitney Johnson and Lia Kohl, sound artists living in Chicago, Illinois. Whitney and Lia recently released their album “For Translucence” on Drag City records. In this episode they discuss their musical journeys, influences, experiences. They give advice for aspiring musicians to not put too much pressure on themselves and to build meaningful connections through music.
The duo will be performing an all-ages show at the Orbit Room on April 26th. The show is part of the concert series, Sounds from the Blackhole.
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
All music by Whitney Johnson and Lia Kohl
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
In this episode of ShowRats, Ollie from Youth Radio interviews Michael Cormier-O’Leary, a multi-instrumentalist and composer from the band Hour, based in Philadelphia. Michael discusses his musical journey, starting with drum lessons in middle school and forming his first band in sixth grade. He highlights his influences, including his parents and artists like Tom Waits and Sufjan Stevens. Michael describes his songwriting process, which involves starting with a melody and developing lyrics. He shares his excitement about an upcoming live album release and his aspirations to score for movies. Michael emphasizes the importance of improvisation and collaboration in music, advising aspiring musicians to be open to new ideas and not to overcomplicate their first attempts.
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Edited by Jessie Grubb
All music by Hour
Produced for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The conversation in this episode of Miscellaneous Legumes revolves around personal music preferences and experiences. Students at Harmony School share their first memorable songs, with influences ranging from Duran Duran to Imagine Dragons. They discuss favorite and least favorite genres and methods for creating playlists. As the episode progresses, the group dives into the topic of musicals and wraps up with a musical number of their own with a twist ending!
Credits:
Hosted by a crew of middle and high school students at Harmony School
Edited by Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
The title of the podcast “Miscellaneous Legumes” is a nod to the former Youth Radio Podcast “Mixed Nuts” produced at Rhino’s Youth Center circa 2010
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher covers invasive species in Monroe Lake speaking with several experts on the subject. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Feature Report:
It’s Earth Day, and today we’re looking at a growing threat to one of Monroe County’s most important natural resources. Invasive species are spreading through Monroe Lake, threatening native plants, animals, and the lake’s overall ecosystem. WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher has the story.
Today is Earth Day. WFHB Correspondent Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with Evan Raskin, the national campaign manager for EarthDay.org. In this segment, we will learn more about the history of Earth Day. More information can be found at earthday dot org.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s Earth Day interview was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Monroe Lake is home to a wide array of beautiful native plants and animals that make the reserve a popular place to visit for hikers, fishers, naturalists, researchers, and anyone just looking for a place to cool off on a hot summer day. However, like most large bodies of water, the Lake and its surrounding lands have begun to be negatively impacted by the spread of invasive species. These species pose a threat to the native ecosystems and waterways that play a key part in the lives of Monroe County citizens.
Many obstacles stand in the way of clean and clear waterways, biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and more. However, one threat stands among the rest as one of the greatest potential threats to our waterways – invasive species. These invasive species can dominate ecosystems, harm native species, forestry, and fisheries, and their presence is rapidly growing in Monroe Lake.
Monroe Lake Until the early 1700s, the land of Lake Monroe was actually occupied by the Miami and Delaware tribes. The land that’s under the water was predominantly agriculture until the late 1950s. On March 24, 1954, the first announcement came out about the plans to make a 5600 acre lake. At the time, the major purpose of the creation of the lake was flood control. Approval was granted for the project by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1958, and then ground was broken on October 25 1960. The lake was actually fully functional by 1965. Today Monroe Lake serves as the primary water source for the City of Bloomington.
The Lake is home to many native plant species such as yellow lady slippers and puttyroot orchids, an array of wildflowers, and trees such as yellowwood. Within the water, bluegill, walleye, yellow perch, and large and smallmouth bass, call the Lake their home.
Terrestrial InvasivesHowever, their homes are becoming threatened. On land, a variety of invasive species are beginning to take over. Martha Miller, the district manager at the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District talks about some of the invasive species near the Lake.
Mutliflora RoseMiller commented, “The most prominent species near the lake are the standard ones that we find throughout most of Monroe County and predominantly Indiana- the autumn olive, the bush honeysuckle, the garlic mustard, the multiflora rose – those are all ones that are pretty common and grapevines inside the wooded areas, those kinds of things.”
These species all negatively impact the native biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems, altering habitats, and outcompeting native species for resources, all of which lead to the decline of native species in the area.
But how exactly do these species harm ecosystems?
Autumn Olive“Again, that question sort of answers itself. It’s not natural. It’s not native. It doesn’t belong. When a germ or a virus enters a human cell, what happens? We get sick. We need medicines to help us take care of the problem. Same is true here as for the long term effect. We don’t really know what the long term effect will be. We only know what damage and concern has been done up to this point in time, and how these non native plants are working so hard to destroy and take over our native lands,” says Miller.
WFHB News spoke with Jill Vance, a Monroe Lake Interpretive Naturalist, who spoke more on their threat.
Vance states, “One really easy to see is that they just out-compete native plants, and then we end up with a monoculture of just that plant. And you know, particularly for some of the shrub or herbaceous layer stuff, that’s going to be really evident when you look around. This is nothing but this, and if you have nothing but that, you are limiting food options for our native wildlife, because they’re not adapted to eat that stuff. And lot of these invasives are things that become able to out compete our natives because the animals aren’t interested in them. And then also you have effects that are even more pernicious, that may not be immediately obvious. There are some, some of these non native plants can actually change to soil chemistry itself, to actually block native species from growing and make it even easier for them to out compete. And so then the net effect that you end up here is just an overall decline in diversity and support for our native animals, and, you know, a reduction of available space that our native flora species can thrive in.”
Garlic MustardVance also commented on how these species spread, even when it may appear like they are not.
“They keep growing back, and people keep planting them. So, we keep seeing them escaping. A lot of invasives that enter natural areas were not planted there deliberately, but they have escaped from landscaping, and people may think their invasives, like burning bush and such are not escaping. I guarantee they are. You’re just not seeing that escape happening right in front of you. You know that with berries, that berry is getting carried several yards over, or even a county over, and being dropped there and spreading it, and so that’s that’s a big problem that we get with invasives,” remarks Vance.
The easy spread of these invasives is part of the reason why they are extremely hard to control. Currently at Monroe Lake, there is no formal program for the removal of these species. However, Vance still has hopes.
Bush Honeysuckle“We do what we can. We do have some volunteers working who’ve worked in the past on autumn olive in particular, and trying to tamp it down. I would love to have people who really want to go after bush honeysuckle. I got plenty for them to work on, certainly people. So you know, please contact me if that’s something you’re passionate about, because it is a matter, really, of just hours and hours, and you gotta keep going back and keep tackling it. And you know, unfortunately, we don’t have any staff who are dedicated just to that effort. And so we really have to rely on volunteers who are passionate about doing something in that area. And I’m always happy to find volunteers who would love to help kill an invasive species and get rid of the honeysuckle and the autumn olive and other stuff.”
More information on volunteering can be found at IN.gov/DNR under volunteer and internship opportunities.
Aquatic InvasivesThe Lake itself is not immune to its own set of invasive species.
Dave Kittaka, the District 5 fish management biologist for the DNR, said, “The predominant invasive fish species in Monroe Lake are Gizzard Shad and Common Carp. Both of these species have established fish populations since the mid-1980s.”
Invasive Asian carp, more specifically silver carp, have been found in Salt Creek, directly downstream of Monroe Lake’s dam. Craig Jansen, the invasive carp biologist for the Indiana DNR, spoke more on the carp.
“There’s four invasive carp species: silver carp, black carp, bighead carp and grass carp. Of those four, basically all of them got brought into the US in the 60s and 70s, and they primarily got brought here for aquaculture purposes, so like fish farms down south. They brought them in to help clean up water quality and various issues in those fish farm ponds. And then, you know, over the years, floods happen and levees can break, and fish got out, started making their way up the Mississippi River. Today, silver carp are definitely the biggest issue. They’re the ones that jump. They’re in super high numbers.”
Kittaka also spoke on the carp stating, “To date, we have only documented 3 Grass Carp and have not documented other invasive carp species like the Silver and Bighead Carp. Silver and Bighead carp can be found below the dam in Salt Creek, which is too close for comfort.”
And too close for comfort is correct. Jansen states this concern clearly: “Whenever they can swim there, they can eventually get there.”
Similar to the terrestrial invasives, these carp were introduced into the ecosystem by humans, and humans still play a key role in their spread.
“Initially they were just brought here, so it was kind of a man made introduction, not intentional, obviously, but they did get out. One of the big ways that they can be spread is through what we call bait bucket introductions, so anglers could be cast netting. They’ll use just a net. They’ll throw it out to catch bait fish, so that they can take those bait fish, put them on a hook and then go fish for whatever else they’re fishing for, catfish or bass or crappie. Well, at the end of the day, if they still have minnows in their bucket, they may just dump them out wherever they’re at, and if they caught something like silver carp, and then they transported it to a different water body, and then at the end of the day, they dumped it out – that could be a potential pathway to spread these things,” says Jansen.
Kittaka also commented, “Small Invasive Carp look just like small Gizzard Shad, and it would be easy for anglers to mistakenly use them for bait and release them into the lake.”
The Indiana DNR also has some regulations in place that are specifically aimed at limiting the spread of these invasive carp. Jansen talks:
“So Indiana addressed that fairly early on. You’re not supposed to use a cast net within 500 yards of a dam, because a lot of bait fish congregate right below dams. And in the case of like Lake Monroe, a lot of folks maybe would go down there throw a cast net to catch a bunch of what they thought were shad or or other minnow species and and they would catch them, put them in their bucket, and haul them up to the lake to go fish for bass or crappie or whatever. And then, you know, that would obviously be a potential way that carp could get into the lake, if somebody dumped some live minnows out that weren’t from the lake itself.”
Kittaka also states, “Prior to this it was common for anglers to net bait below the Monroe Lake Dam and use them for bait in the lake.”
In addition to this regulation, carp cannot be hauled alive. Jansen summarizes:
“Another thing that we’ve done years ago was basically say you cannot haul carp alive. So that kind of regulations to make sure that, or to try to stop people from spreading these fish. So, you know, there are certain cultures that want to see live fish in a fish market, to take it home to eat it. They want to see that fish live first. And if you do that, if you’re allowed to do that, and have live fish that would be in a fish market, and those be invasive carp, obviously that’s not an ideal situation, because if, if one would get out or or be intentionally released, or whatever that could cause issues.”
In other states, where the issue of invasive carp has increased rapidly, other carp management tactics have been employed. Jansen talks about some management initiatives being done in surrounding states.
“Aside from those regulations we’re doing, there’s other states that have been doing a lot of stuff to lower and limit the spread of carp. So for example, like Illinois, there’s that electric barrier that you may or may not have heard of. It’s been in the news over the years, and they’re trying to get a new project off the ground. It’s called The Brandon Road Project, to put more of a permanent type barrier between Lake Michigan and then the Illinois River and using different technologies to keep fish from moving up through that stretch of the river. And they’ve done a similar one of that down in Kentucky, at Barkley Lake. Kentucky and Barkley Lakes are like multi billion dollar recreational fisheries, and there’s a lot of concern down there about carp getting in there. So they put up an experimental fish fence that puts out CO2 bubbles like it basically makes a bubble curtain, and then it also emits some sound and light. And since silver carp are very sensitive to those things, it has been having an impact on limiting the number of silver carp to come up in there.”
These initiatives are expensive and were not guaranteed to work during their installation. So, are they working?
“So Kentucky hit it really hard in the Kentucky and Barkley lakes, because there’s a lot of bass angling and crappie it’s a really popular fishery, and I’ve heard a lot of reports from fishermen down there that are saying that, yeah, they don’t see nearly the amount of carp that they that they used to. The data from the commercial fishery itself, the fishermen are having to put a lot more effort in to find and remove carp. So we are starting to see those impacts. Obviously, it takes several years to to start whittling away that population, but if you get a barrier in like that, that fish fence that I was talking about, and then you add harvest above that fish fence, you keep the majority of fish out. Then with harvesting the fish that are in the system, you can have an impact. And we’re starting to see that the Illinois River as well, Illinois has put a lot of fishing pressure in, like downstream of that barrier. So that way you just kind of keep that source population knocked back. So obviously, the less fish you have knocking at the gate of that electric barrier, the less likely they are to pass through the electric barrier. So and their data is looking pretty good, they’re starting to have a their harvest is fairly steady, but they’re fishermen are having a little harder time finding fish and starting to notice some changes there in the population,” responds Jansen.
This indicates that these initiatives are working, but it also highlights how these invasive species have the potential to reshape an entire ecosystem.
Why do We Care?Monroe Lake is a beautiful body of water that has something for everyone, even where you least expect it.
“You know, Monroe is the third property that I have worked at in the Indiana State Parks. I was at Spring Mill. I spent a little bit of time at McCormick’s Creek as well. Monroe is the first reservoir property that I’ve worked at, and the reservoirs are unique in our state park system, because we do try to take a little bit more of a hands on wildlife management approach. The areas of our property that I particularly like are our wildlife management areas. They’re just, I really love field habitats. I really do, particularly when they’re not filled with autumn olive and those areas, I think, you know, in the fall to go out and they’re just covered with Goldenrod and asters and some of the sunflowers. And you know, you’ve got that that fall, the fall sunlight coming across, and it’s just, it’s beautiful out there. And I like those areas. I think those are under-appreciated areas of our property and but for me there, that’s my favorite spots,” shares Vance.
Kittaka spoke on his experience saying “I have worked on Monroe Lake since 2004. I live in Bedford and raised 3 kids fishing and swimming at Monroe Lake. Managing the fish population on this lake for all these years I have seen the highs and lows that come with these programs and also seen the things mother nature can do and how the lake reacts to those events.”
However, not all thoughts on the Lake hold the same sentiment. Miller shares some of her personal thoughts on Monroe Lake:
“Honestly, Lake Monroe is a beautiful body of water that provides one of the opportunities to enjoy water recreations of various kinds, but it’s not that special to me. In fact, the development of this body of water is really no different than the invasive plants that you asked about earlier. While it is a wonderful natural attraction for hundreds of thousands of people to our area, offering an incredible boost to our local economy, the lake itself is not native. It is man made and was placed into a location that was never really intended for it to be as with invasive species. We have yet to see the outcome of the lake, cost to maintain loss of native wetlands, possible flooding in the future. All we can do is enjoy its beauty and nature at the moment and do what we can to protect it from where it’s actually at today.”
Here is just another example of humans drastically altering their environment.
The spread of invasive species is just one reason that conservation is desperately needed. Individuals like Vance, Kittaka, Jansen, and Miller focus on these efforts to study and ensure that our ecosystems are protected.
Miller describes her own connection with conservation as “instilled in her by her parents from a young age. They told her, taught her and showed her how to be a good steward of the land through gardening, food preservation, walks in the woods, health management of the herd, and protection of the grazing and forested lands. These life lessons laid the foundation, proving to be a valuable segway into her position at soil and water.”
As for Jansen’s passion for tackling carp, he speaks on his own personal path:
“Well, I guess I didn’t really get into the job initially for carp. It just sort of happened. I guess I started here at Indiana DNR about 12 and a half years ago, and I was a big rivers assistant biologist at the time. Within a year or two, I got promoted to the big rivers biologist. And basically since that time, I was the big rivers biologist for like, six or seven years. And during that time, we just kept getting more and more involved in all this carp work, because all the states were also concerned. We actually, in the Ohio River Basin, started getting a lot more federal funding for tackling this problem. So we kept getting more and more funding, and I kept getting more and more involved in carp. And then in 2020 we got a big pot of money, and it was enough to justify, like us [the Indiana DNR], starting our own work unit. So we hired dedicated staff, so I kind of just sort of transitioned into that carp role, and now I’ve got two assistant biologists, and we just hired a program director that is overseeing some of our carp harvest initiatives. We’re really trying to ramp up and promote the carp harvest in Indiana. There’s a few barriers that we’re trying to get past to get more people in here and let more carp harvest occur. So yeah, it was kind of just this natural progression of getting more involved.”
Jansen also states:
“I mean, personally, it’s, it’s nice to finally, like, whenever you tell people that you’re dealing with invasive carp, they’re just like, yeah, go get them. Like, it’s always a positive reception. You don’t get that sometimes. In the other biologist roles, there’s a lot of anglers that are never happy with the fishery, and they’re always complaining. And with carp, there’s not a whole lot of people complaining about things other than wanting to get more of them out of the rivers.”
And after all the work these individuals have put in to tackle the problem of invasive species, they deserve some praise. Their efforts have begun to address the dangers of invasive species in our waterways, protect our ecosystems, and share their knowledge with their community.
More information on the invasive species in Monroe Lake and surrounding areas is available at IN.gov/DNR.
For WFHB News, I’m Amelia Bucher.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 21st, 2025.
In today’s newscast, State Lawmakers Matt Pierce and Shelli Yoder sounded the alarm about the state’s 2.4 billion dollar budget shortfall during a legislative update with the local chapter of the League of Women Voters. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Aakash Parekh from Gift of Life IU, finding stem cell donors on campus to give cancer patients a second chance. Find out how to sign up for the Gift of Life donor registry later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Former Futures Clinic Staff Call for Transparency at Monroe County Board of Health Meeting
Photo by Lauren Atkinson.At the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on April 17th, past employees of the Futures Family Clinic spoke during public comment asking for increased transparency about the closure of the clinic.
Previous Futures employee Christine Brackenhoff, who also worked at WFHB, spoke to the board. Brackenhoff shared that she has been requesting more information as to what happened to lead to the closure of the clinic.
“The demise of Futures is a recent reflection of the Monroe County Health Department’s oversight,” said Brackenhoff. “Since the clinic’s last three staff members and representatives from Indiana Family Health Council were not involved [in the private after-action review], I am here to share more insight regarding futures, because it is also a cautionary tale.”
Previous Board Member Ashley Cranor also spoke on the matter.
“We are nearing 35-40 employees that have either resigned or been terminated in the last couple years. This is a serious loss, especially in this particular field, where training, relationships and institutional knowledge are critical,” said Cranor.
Previous employee Debbie Deckard expressed concern that she was marked as not eligible for rehire, even though she had no markups. She also criticized the manner with which the clinic was closed.
“Yes, Futures closed. We all try to go on, but we need accountability,” said Deckard. “People have not left because it’s time to walk out the door – they have left because of things going on in this health office.”
Jane Walter, who was formerly contracted to provide interpretation services, also spoke on the issue.
“I want to thank those who have made comments today about transparency and accountability in our local health department. I do not want our community to lose other local public health treasures,” said Walter.
Also during public comment another previous Futures staff member Chris Husted spoke on its closure.
“One of the major reasons that I left is, frankly, due to Lori’s leadership or lack thereof,” said Husted.
County Council Member David Henry also spoke, suggesting that they should release any notes they have on the closure of the clinic to allow the public to move forward from this issue.
“I think it’s probably time for the board to consider releasing all the notes it has regarding the Futures clinic closure to the public. There are documents that have been redacted that should perhaps shed more light on what we’re hearing here and move on,” said Henry.
The Monroe County Board of Health will meet again on May 15th.
Pierce and Yoder Sound Alarm Over $2.4 Billion Budget Shortfall and Controversial Property Tax Cuts
On Saturday, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County invited local lawmakers in the Indiana statehouse to provide updates on the 2025 legislative session.
This session marks a budget year. According to the state’s budget forecast, Indiana lawmakers have a 2.4 billion dollar budget shortfall with only two weeks left in the session.
State Representative Matt Pierce, who represents District 61, touched on the budget shortfall and critiqued the rushed passage of Senate Bill 1.
“So for the past decade, the Republican super majorities have been relentlessly cutting taxes for corporations, financial institutions, utilities,” said Pierce. “They’re going to turn the local officials into the villains who will probably have no choice at some point but to raise taxes to keep the services provided that people need.”
State Senator Shelli Yoder, representing District 40, also criticized the passage of the controversial Senate Bill 1, which Governor Mike Braun signed last week. SB 1 cuts property taxes by 1.2 billion dollars over three years.
However, critics suggest it will cause schools to lose revenue and force local communities to raise taxes. Yoder says the bill was rushed overnight.
“At 12:30 in the morning, that’s when we heard the most controversial bill this session, was in the middle of the night, technically the morning. And it went directly over to the governor and was signed, not because it had to, not because we were on a deadline, but because of timing,” said Yoder.
Furthermore, Yoder expressed frustration over the Statehouse’s proposed education policies, criticizing the push for universal voucher expansion.
“Universal vouchers have a very crucial impact on school funding,” she said. “Scholarships are right now going to families who are earning more than $250,000 a year – it directly impacts what we’re able to do with our public school education system in the state.”
The Statehouse session is slated to come to a close by the end of April. You can find the entire legislative update here.
Feature Report:
Every three minutes in the United States, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. With over 50,000 blood cancer related deaths annually, such a diagnosis can feel like a death sentence. Gift of Life is a national registry for donors of stem cells and bone marrow. If you match with a patient in need you can quite literally save their life. Aakash Parekh is president of the IU branch and he wants to sign you up on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Harley Babbitt through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Every three minutes in the United States, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. With over 50,000 blood cancer related deaths annually, such a diagnosis can feel like a death sentence. Gift of Life is a national registry for donors of stem cells and bone marrow. If you match with a patient in need you can quite literally save their life. Aakash Parekh is president of the IU branch and he wants to sign you up.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Harley Babbitt
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
For today’s show, episode 50 if you’re keeping track, we return to a Bloomington treasure, author Scott Russell Sanders. We’ll feature two essays from Sanders’ 2012 collection, Earth Works: the first is “The Men We Carry in Our Minds” and that will be followed by “Buckeye.” In this we move from the didactic to the deeply personal.
About the Author
Scott Russel Sanders, long time Bloomington resident is professor emeritus and an award-winning writer of over twenty books stories, novels, children’s books and works of personal nonfiction, including Staying Put, Writing from the Center, Hunting for Hope, and A Private History of Awe.
RELATED
Speaking of Stories – Episode 29 – Scott Russell Sanders
Interchange – On Just Being with Scott Russell Sanders
MUSIC – John Fahey
“Poor boy long ways from home”
“We Would Be Building”
“Let Go”
“Tulip”
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
En este epidosio nos visita Javier F. León, Director del Centro de Música Latinoamericana de IU Jacobs School of Music de Indiana University para hablarnos sobre sus proyectos en música latinoamericana como el Mariachi de IU.
In today’s edition, we hear Part 2 from Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters on legislative developments and our state ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.
And now for your environmental reports:
- What are options for farmers if tariffs limit sales abroad? One option is to burn fuels containing greater amounts of ethanol. We should expect the beating of that drum soon. But there is a problem. The engine has to be designed to burn ethanol. Brazil is the only country routinely using pure ethanol as fuel.
- New York Times reports how tariffs could upend the transition to cleaner energy. The levies are expected to drive up costs for U.S. companies that rely on renewable energy technology from abroad and scramble supply chains worldwide.
- Donald Trump’s executive orders aim to force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates by invoking an outdated wartime law that allows the Department of Energy to compel power plants to temporarily remain operational. Donald Trump attempted a similar strategy during his first administration, but failed. Nearly 100 coal plants retired or announced retirements during Trump’s first term.
- An endangered Galápagos Tortoise is a first-time mother at 100 years of age. Mommy, a Western Santa Cruz tortoise, recently welcomed four hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she has lived since 1932.
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Correspondent Zero Roze for his interview in Part 2 with Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters.
And now for some upcoming events:
- A Woodcock Walk is scheduled at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, April 19th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. This evening excursion will, hopefully, allow you to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the sky dance. Register with Ethan Plumier at 812-512-9159 or go to GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov to register.
- Take an Earth Week Wildflower Walk at Winslow Woods Park on Saturday, April 19th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Discover the beauty of this urban forest in springtime. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, April 20th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn about plants that grow in acidic and rocky soil.
- A Growing Plants from Seed class will take place at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 26th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Nature Center program room. Learn how to propagate native plant seeds.
- A Friendship Bracelet Making class is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, from 1 to 3 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Meet in the Nature Center to learn how to make friendship bracelets.
Play credits music. Countdown and cue anchor.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Rose
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 17th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, local journalist Anne Kibbler joins Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters – about Indiana’s rollback of protections for wetlands. Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Jake Bedway reports on the IU Ultimate Frisbee Team.
Feature Report:
Up next, the 2025 Burning Couch Festival – an all day music and arts festival in Bloomington – has been cancelled due to anticipated rain on Saturday. Prior to the cancellation, organizers of the Burning Couch Festival joined WFHB’s Youth Radio for an in-studio interview talking about the event. We turn now to that interview.
Up next – two hundred years ago, Indiana had 5.5 million acres of wetlands, but now it has only 800,000 acres. Until 2021, Indiana had stronger wetlands protections than many other states. Since that period, however, the Indiana legislature has significantly loosened regulations, allowing people to build more in areas once designated as wetlands. We turn now to Part II of an interview with local journalist Anne Kibbler on Civic Conversations.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Jake Bedway reports on the IU Ultimate Frisbee Team. Bedway speaks with team captain, Andrew Vetne, who walks through the basics of the sport, how the team prepares throughout the season, and how the team hopes to develop a winning strategy for the upcoming tournament season. We turn to Sports Correspondent Jake Bedway for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Youth Radio, Becky Hill and Jake Bedway.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The co-founder of Ledgemule Press, Dave Torneo, has published Cincinnati poet Matt Hart’s latest volume of verse, Falling Fine, under the Pickpocket Books imprint. The book’s release party will feature an imaginative overhead-projector puppet show by artist and educator Johanna Winters, as well as music performed by several local players. Winters’ puppetry will explore the feelings of embarrassment and pleasure in women who enter middle age.
Torneo (L) & WintersHost Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 16th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on Spencer Pride’s Health and Wellness Fair, which took place on Saturday, April 12th. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Big Sister is Listening” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Bloomington Utilities Board Approves Over $62K in Spending, Discusses Lagoon Sediment Sampling and Sewer Lining Project
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on April 7th. The Board discussed the approval of the consent agenda which totaled to $62,831.68. Matt Havey, the Assistant Director of Finance presented the agenda.
Board Member Jeff Ehman brought up some questions related to the Enviro-Dynamics, LLC, Dillman North lagoon sediment sampling request, specifically regarding the purpose of the sampling at the location.
Assistant Director for Environmental Programs Kelsey Thetonia, responded to his question.
Ehman then asked if the pond in question had once been contaminated with PCBs. Thetonia responded.
What is found in the pond will dictate the cost of removal.
The consent agenda was approved.
During the next portion of the meeting, the Hazardous Materials Coordinator, Isabel Quiroz, requested approval for an agreement for services with S-E-T Environmental, Inc. for Sodium Hydroxide cleanup and Hydrofluorosilicic Acid tank and room cleanout at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant. Both requests were approved.
Also, Utilities Engineer Caden Swanson requested approval for bid acceptance and a contract award for the Pigeon Hill Neighborhood Sewer Lining Project. Board member Kirk White inquired about how long the linings were predicted to hold up. Swanson responded.
The Board approved the request unanimously. The next Utilities Service Board Meeting will be held on April 21st.
Feature Report:
The Community Center in downtown Spencer houses local LGBTQ advocacy group, Spencer Pride (Young).Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on Spencer Pride’s Health and Wellness Fair, which took place on Saturday, April 12th. Spencer Pride is a not-for-profit organization working to improve the quality of life for rural LGBTQ+ people in South Central Indiana. For more, we turn to Mackenzie Lionberger.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze speaks with Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters on legislative developments and our state ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. Today’s episode is titled “Big Sister is Listening.” Host and producer Richard Fish has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Mackenzie Lionberger and Zero Roze.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger speaks with Heath Byers, co-owner of Landlocked Music, and several customers – about Record Store Day, which took place on April 12th. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on April 8th. During public comment, Monroe County Vote Center Study Committee Member Alana Stonebreaker spoke to the council about the public hearing they held on vote centers, and urged the council to continue to be involved in the process.
Also during public comment, Indiana University Economic Professor Gerard Glomm informed the public about an opportunity to learn more about tariffs. Glomm said the purpose of the presentation is to educate members of the community on how tariffs could impact residents in Indiana.
During department updates, the Sheriff’s Department gave an update on a new staff member. Sheriff Ruben Marté introduced the new Jail Transition Director Major Todd Smith.
Smith spoke to the council expressing their interest in the position.
Also during department updates, the Soil and Water Conservation District, shared a video with the council on the importance of conservation in the community. District Manager Martha Miller shared that members of the public can access the video at the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District website.
After watching the video council members expressed their interest and support for the work Miller has been doing. Council Member Kate Wiltz asked Miller to explain for the public listening, how the staffing for her position works. Miller responded.
Wiltz also asked about no-till and low-till farming practices.
The Monroe County Council will meet again on April 22nd.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger speaks with Heath Byers, co-owner of Landlocked Music, and several customers – about Record Store Day, which took place on April 12th. For more, we turn to Mackenzie Lionberger.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Mackenzie Lionberger and Zero Roze.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced today’s edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animals: Apollo and Ace
Tune in to the episode to learn about Apollo and Ace, two dogs that are currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Featured Topic: Positive Reinforcement Training
Tune in to the episode to learn about why positive reinforcement is an effective and kind option for training dogs.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order as school children display their copies at a White House education event (AP).On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone spends the hour with April Hennessey, the board president of the Monroe County Community School Corporation, and Dountonia S. Batts, a community advocate and board member of the Indiana Coalition of Public Education (ICPE). They discuss the impact of Trump’s most recent executive order, which directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start dismantling the Department of Education.
Congressional approval, however, would be needed to fully abolish the department. Trump said that he hoped Democrats would vote in favor of legislation to do that. Seated at the signing was Indiana Governor Mike Braun, whom the President warmly acknowledged. Trump’s agenda seems to be matched also Indiana. Not only is Governor Braun a supporter of Trump’s agenda, but, on January 8, 2025, Indiana Representative Jake Teshka, Jeffrey Thompson, and Timothy O’Brien introduced Indiana House Bill 1136 for consideration. HB 1136 provides that:
“…if more than 50% of students who have legal settlement in a school corporation were enrolled in a school that is not operated by the school corporation on the 2024 fall average daily membership count date, the school corporation must be dissolved and all public schools of the school corporation must be transitioned to operating as charter schools. Establishes a new governing board, requirements, and procedures regarding the dissolution and reorganization of the applicable school corporations.”
To date, this legislation appears to be dead in the legislature.
Here to shed light upon this Executive Order by Donald Trump, proposed educational bills in the Indiana legislature, and their views on charter and public schools are April Hennessey, board president of the Monroe County Community School Corporation, and Dountonia S. Batts, community advocate and board member of the Indiana Coalition of Public Education (ICPE).
April Hennessey, board president of the Monroe County Community School CorporationDountonia S. Batts, community advocate and board member of the Indiana Coalition of Public Education (ICPE)Credits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 14th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Mayor Kerry Thomson delivered a town hall at the Banneker Center last week – answering questions about accessibility and green space along with Parks Director Tim Street. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, you will hear Shayna Grossman, student president of IU Hillel. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County Board of Commissioners Discusses Measles Cases in Indiana, Discounted Bus Services for County Employees
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Commissioners met on April 10 and discussed the ongoing measles outbreak. There are 6 reported cases of measles in Allen County. Health Administrator Lori Kelley highlighted that measles has a highly successful vaccine.
Measles is highly contagious, especially for those who are unvaccinated. Even vaccinated individuals should remain cautious.
Commissioner Jody Madeira says measles has become a cause for concern.
The health department is hosting an MMR vaccine mobile clinic at noon through 6 pm on April 23 at the Ellettsville branch of the Monroe County Library.
The commissioners approved a Bloomington Transfer Agreement, ensuring that county employees continue to have access to discounted bus services. Commissioner Thomas says she appreciates the program.
Additionally, the commissioners approved agreements with three on-call services including seal coating and paving, land surveying and civil engineering, and HVAC and plumbing.
Madeira says approval of on-call services is a straightforward decision, highlighting that on-call services are needed to run the county.
The commissioner also approved accepting the completion of a project extending N Lintel Dr as part of the North Park PUD.
The next Monroe County Commissioner meeting will be on April 17th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works Approves Trash Abatement at South Walnut McDonald’s, Lane Closures, and Night Construction Projects
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on April 8th. The first item on the agenda was a request by the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department to approve a continuous abatement on the McDonald’s property on South Walnut Street. The property was notified of having repeatedly violated Bloomington Municipal Code against the littering of trash on any public or private premises.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard clarified the purpose of establishing a continuous abatement to the public.
The board passed a motion of approval unanimously.
The Board also approved a request for lane closure of Pete Ellis Drive by The Peterson Company. The company has been working on the construction of a Crew Car Wash location, with an estimated day needed for the paintwork of bike lanes.
Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh specified that they have asked the Peterson Company to not work on the project during peak traffic hours. President Cox Deckard reviewed the time frame of the project.
Finally, the board heard and approved a request by Blackwell Contractors to conduct night work for water installation for 361 and 371 West Country Club Drive.
Engineering Field Specialist Alex Gray explained the reason for this request, citing concerns over congestion.
Gray also clarified that Blackwell Contractors would be working on the project in early May rather than the early April timeframe that was previously established. Both lanes will be open during the day, and only one will be closed during the nighttime, allowing for traffic flagging.
Public comment was heard from former Traffic Commissioner Greg Alexander, who brought attention to the railing surrounding the sidewalk that cuts west of the Monroe County Convention Center on West 3rd Street. According to Alexander, the railing had been failing progressively for a decade, with the city recently putting precautions around the sidewalk. He was concerned that this would be the extent of Bloomington’s management of the sidewalk.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on April 22nd.
Mayor Thomson Talks Parks, Policing, and Accessibility at Banneker Center Town Hall
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.Last Monday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson hosted a Traveling Town Hall at the Banneker Center.
Tim Street, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city, joined Thomson at the Town Hall, helping to answer questions about green space and recreation.
Thomson opened the town hall by providing updates on various city projects. She highlighted a reduction in violent crime based on a recently released report on crime data from last year.
Also related to policing, Thomson reiterated her intention of relocating police department headquarters to 714 South Rogers Street near the Hopewell neighborhood site.
Then, Parks Director Tim Street rattled off a list of current city projects related to accessibility – namely improvements to Building Trades Park and Switchyard Park.
Street said the parks department is currently working on its 5-year master plan.
Next, the mayor answered questions from the public. One resident commented about accessibility concerns as a bicyclist.
Local resident Corey Hawkins took to the public mic to point out failing infrastructure in the city, including the condition of the Banneker Center where the town hall was held. Street responded that the parks department faces challenges with the historic nature of the building.
Another resident asked what the city plans to do with properties it purchased near Lower Cascades Park. Street said the city doesn’t have any formal plans – it aims to preserve the natural landscape of the area.
The mayor also answered questions about vote centers, daycare services and the Hopewell neighborhood. To watch the full town hall, visit this link.
Feature Report:
It’s been a tough school year for some students at IU Hillel, the Jewish culture center on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. In September Hillel hosted a memorial service mourning the deaths of six Israeli hostages in Gaza. Then last month the U.S. Department of Education included IU in its callout of sixty universities under investigation for antisemitism. Shayna Grossman is president of IU Hillel’s Student Executive Board. She wants Hillel to be a safe place for students missing the support of their Jewish community back home. Shayna says you don’t have to be Jewish to support Hillel and its mission on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ian Plaskoff through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It’s been a tough school year for some students at IU Hillel, the Jewish culture center on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. In September Hillel hosted a memorial service mourning the deaths of six Israeli hostages in Gaza. Then last month the U.S. Department of Education included IU in its callout of sixty universities under investigation for antisemitism. Shayna Grossman is president of IU Hillel’s Student Executive Board. She wants Hillel to be a safe place for students missing the support of their Jewish community back home. Shayna says you don’t have to be Jewish to support Hillel and its mission.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ian Plaskoff
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Today’s episode features two stories By Carolyn Geduld, “The Protestor” and “Rabbit.”
Carolyn Geduld writes what she terms psychological fiction: fiction which forefronts the protagonist’s motivation, especially unconscious motivation, stemming from childhood trauma or influences. The impetus for “The Protestor” was the Black Lives Matter protests. Her interest is in entering the heads of clueless people who are often amusing in a grim way. “Rabbit” is an early chapter of the first draft of an unfinished novel about a teen girl seduced by her high school teacher. The locale was inspired by the neighborhood where Carolyn grew up in Queens, New York.
Carolyn began writing in a mad streak that has lasted about five years, winding up with thirty-five published stories and four published novels. The impetus for that “streak” seems to have come from so many “life events” happening in the same period: she retired, was widowed, moved, bought an RV, and was given a puppy, and then there was the pandemic. Perhaps one of these or all of these triggered what felt like creative madness. “Who knows?,” she says.
ABOUT the author
Carolyn Geduld is a mental health professional in Bloomington, Indiana. She is originally from New York City. She has degrees from The City College of New York and Indiana University.
MUSIC
“In the Moment” by Makaya McCraven
“Pithecanthropus Erectus” by Charles Mingus
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Host: Robert Shull
Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this edition of Eco Report, Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters discusses legislative developments and Indiana ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.
Scented products like wax melts and flame-free candles may seem harmless, but research shows they can release air pollutants into homes, offices and schools. Nusrat Jung is an assistant professor at the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Purdue University.
She and her team conduct emission tests to understand the impact of fragrance products on indoor environments. Jung says that while people may enjoy the scent of fragrances such as wax melts, they could be putting themselves at-risk of air pollutants.
Jung explained that through extensive testing, her team found that flame-free candles are not pollutant free. Jung says that she wants to better understand the negative impacts of inhaling these types of aerosols.
Jung and her colleagues conducted an air pollution experiment at Purdue’s test house. If you have concerns about air quality – alternatives are available, such as unscented products or natural, plant-based alternatives.
Furthermore, good ventilation or using an air purifier can help remove pollutants. All in all, Jung says that more research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of exposure to flame-free candles.
WTIU NEWS reports President Trump told American farmers to “bear with me” regarding new tariffs, but Indiana’s Corn Growers Association and Soybean Alliance are asking the state’s congressional delegation to intervene.
During his address to Congress, Trump said new tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China will “be great for the American farmer.” He also said America’s ag products are superior to imported ones, and that farmers are going to have a “field day” selling in their home market.
On Wednesday, the Indiana’s Corn Growers Association and Soybean Alliance released a statement asking for a “swift resolution” to the issue.
“As Indiana’s soybean and corn farmers begin to prepare for the spring planting season, they are closely watching lower bushel prices and higher input costs,” Brian Warpup, chair of the ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee, said in a statement. “This year’s crop was already shaping up to be a challenge, but with the added complication of increased tariffs, farmers fear that fewer exports will lead to higher stocks and even lower bushel prices.”
In this edition of Eco Report, Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters discusses legislative developments and Indiana ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.
- Take an Earth Week Wildflower Walk at Winslow Woods Park on Saturday, April 19th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Discover the beauty of this urban forest in springtime. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Experience the magic of nature on a Full Pink Moon Night Hike on Saturday, April 12th, from 8:30 to 10 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Walk through tranquil woods to listen to the beauty of the night by moonlight. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- A Salt Creek Wildflowers Hike beginning at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office at Monroe Lake will take place on Wednesday, April 16th, beginning at 1 pm. You will get to see the unusual white-blooming form of Virginia Bluebells. The hike is 2 hours long. Sign up at tinyurl.com/scwildflowers2025.
- A Woodcock Walk is scheduled at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, April 19th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. This evening excursion will, hopefully, allow you to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the sky dance. Register with Ethan Plumier at 812-512-9159 or go to GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov to register.
- Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, April 20th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn about plants that grow in acidic and rocky soil.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
En este episodio nos acompaña Abby García, estudiante de Maestría de Ciencias Ambientales en la escuela de IU Paul O’Neill y becaria en el Departamento de Parks and Recreation de la Ciudad de Bloomington para hablarnos de su carrera y proyectos en medio ambiento y sustentabilidad. También fue la fundadora del evento “Jaripeo, a piece of Latin America”, producido por la Ciudad de Bloomington y el grupo de danza latino Paso a Paso para ofrecer un espacio informativo y de entretenimiento a la comunidad latina de Bloomington y a los estudiantes latinos de IU.
On Monday, March 10th, 2025, Local Live welcomed the multi-talented and versatile, Silver Coulter! Silver is a dedicated WFHB volunteer and he had to take the night off of engineering and hosting to perform! Check out his great session.
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Steve Philbeck
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Friday, March, 14th, 2025 we welcomed country rock band, Oldstar in for a Firehouse Session! Oldstar is a dynamic bootgaze band hailing originally from the Florida Panhandle and driven by the creative energy of Zane McLaughlin. In this session, Zane and Music Director/Host, Abby Noroozi, chatted about the new fantastic self released album, “Of The Highway.” They also chatted about being from Florida, moving to New York, touring with Tombstone Poetry, recording, and so much more. Keep your eye on this band!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Video Production: No Guru Media
WFHB welcomes Sumatics to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, April 12, from 11am to noon. Join us for an incredible journey into the land of R&B-influenced sound from an extraordinarily talented and renowned electronic duo. You can listen on air or in our audience. We’ll be in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, for this live performance free of charge! It’s Sumatics on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, April 12, 11am, on WFHB.
She’s Bloomington’s Trans-dimensional Diva. She lives in the vestibule of a North Walnut Street portal to other realities. And she’ll be hosting the Alternate Dimension Mill, Saturday, April 19, at the Monroe County Public Library auditorium. McGee, a veteran of stage and small screen, has immersed herself in the imaginary Bloomingtons created by MDWST Fable, producer of the event that will feature performers and speakers representing a myriad of possible Bloomingtons. They’ll riff on how creatives and imagineers can work together to create a hopeful, more productive town.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 10th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of Unbound. Today, she features the life and legacy of the Lawrence Family Glassblowers from Nashville, Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Anne Kibbler speaks to the importance of wetlands on Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
IU Grad Workers Protest Visa Revocations, Demand University Action to Protect International Students
Photos by Jessie Grubb
On Thursday, demonstrators gathered for a protest at the Sample Gates. This comes after the Department of Homeland Security revoked visas for several graduate students at Indiana University.
The Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, who organized the protest, demanded that the university ensure the safety of students impacted by providing emergency academic leave. Furthermore, the grad workers union are demanding the university to publicly communicate how these students can complete their degrees.
Elijah Beaton, a graduate student in the history department at IU, said that members of the grad workers union had their visas revoked.
“It’s a direct attack, not only on the IGWC as a union, but on IU as a whole,” said Beaton.
Beaton says he wants people to understand the severity of the situation. He said this has serious consequences for the students whose visas were revoked.
“Frankly, if IU doesn’t step in and make sure the students complete their degrees, this is a career-ruining thing to happen,” said Beaton. “As graduate students, we spend 5 to 10 years of our lives working towards this and to have that interrupted – it’s just a waste of the previous years.”
He described his concerns for the implications this has on international students’ rights at IU. In his opinion, international students are essential to the grad school programs at the university.
“The university doesn’t function without international students. And I think IU knows that,” he said. “As graduate students and as friends with all these people, we know that for sure.”
Beaton said the graduate workers coalition wants to to support the students impacted in the best way they can – using both protests and working with university officials.
“I think one of the most important things we can do is make a big deal on their behalf,” said Beaton. “We’ve seen across the country, the universities that have been unprepared or didn’t respond quickly have had the most sort of intense repression.”
He said that it brings him no joy to be at the Sample Gates protesting. In his view, an injury to one is an injury to all.
“I am sad to be out here,” he said. “An injury to one is an injury to all. I think that’s the one thing I’m trying to tell everyone I interact with.”
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of Unbound. Today, she features the life and legacy of the Lawrence Family Glassblowers from Nashville, Indiana. Listen along to hear how twin brothers Jim and John Lawrence got their start and their reflections on the craft after 57 years of glassblowing. Plus, Jim walks listeners through the process of making a glass horse.
Two hundred years ago, Indiana had 5.5 million acres of wetlands, but now it has only 800,000 acres. Until 2021, Indiana had stronger wetlands protections than many other states. Since that period, however, the Indiana legislature has significantly loosened regulations, allowing people to build more in areas once designated as wetlands.
We turn now to Part 1 of an interview with local journalist Anne Kibbler on Civic Conversations. Stay with us next Thursday to hear Part II.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Brookelyn Lambright, Leo Paes and Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
How do you turn glass into art? The Lawrence Family Glassblowers have been answering that question for the last 57 years. Jim Lawrence and his twin brother John have been glassblowing since the age of eight and have been located in Nashville, Indiana for nearly 50 years. But glassblowing isn’t as easy as Jim makes it look. It’s a tedious craft that took the Lawrence brothers nearly two decades to perfect. Since opening their store in 1976, the Lawrence family has found joy in inspiring others and providing their customers with one-of-a-kind art.
Listen along to hear how Jim and John got started glassblowing and their reflections on the craft 57 years later. Plus, Jim walks listeners through the process of making a glass horse.
Jim Lawrence crafts a horse out of glass.You can find more information about the Lawrence Family Glassblowers at lawrencefamilyglassblowers.com. To stay updated on Unbound follow the show on Instagram @unbound.wfhb.
We visited The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary, located near the border of Brown and Monroe counties, to learn more about their animals and mission. Here is the second part of our interview with Alex Valdez, the executive director of The Goat Conspiracy.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
In today’s program, WFHB News speaks with Desiree DeMolina, Communications Director for the Mayor’s Office, about the State of the City Address last week. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “QR Codes Quick Ripoffs” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
County Commissioners Approve Surplus Items, Paving Contracts, and Discuss Fire District Merger
Photo by Benedict Jones.At their meeting on April 3rd, the Monroe County Commissioners approved declaring surplus items, including 10 file cabinets from the Sheriff’s Department, 3 dump trucks from the Highway Department and a patrol truck from the Commissioner’s Office. The cabinets will be scrapped, and the vehicles will be auctioned.
Commissioner Jody Madeira highlighted the county’s effective use of resources.
The Clerk’s Office also declared a scanner for surplus. They will recycle it.
The commissioners discussed financial options for the Bean Blossom fire district to merge with Ellettsville or Monroe County. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill noted that Bean Blossom residents want to know more about the problems with their fire department and the impacts of merging.
Madeira said that the county should be praised for their efforts.
The commissioners also awarded two contracts — one to Milestone and one to E&B Paving — for Community Crossings Matching Grant paving projects. The grants, awarded by INDOT, provide funds for local road and bridge improvements.
Jones applauded Highway Director Lisa Ridge for securing the grant, but expressed concern about the future of the program.
Several roads around the county will be resurfaced as part of those paving projects over the next few months.
The Health Department requested approval for an agreement with Limelight Recovery to provide mental health and substance use treatment. Health Administrator Lori Kelley highlighted the program’s growth.
Between May 2024 and January 2025, the program served 39 clients with a total of 336 sessions for $5,000. The commissioners approved the agreement.
Kelley also reported a decline in flu cases and emergency visits for COVID-like illness in Monroe County.
The commissioners ratified an ordinance to create a Monroe County Council Donations fund, which will receive donations in the memory of late Monroe County Councilmember Cheryl Munson.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will be held on April 10th.
Feature Reports:
The Monroe County Storm Water Management Board met last week, approving funding for a stream flow gauge at Lake Monroe and hearing updates on local projects and water quality monitoring. WFHB Correspondent Amelia Bucher has more.
Photo by Laurie Frederickson.Last week, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson delivered the State of the City Address at the Waldron Arts Center. Mayor Thomson focused on transparency, community engagement and housing during her speech.
Following the address, WFHB News spoke with Desiree DeMolina, Communications Director for the Office of the Mayor, about the state of the city and what the future holds. To watch the full State of the City Address, visit wfhb dot org following this broadcast.
A local group in Spencer is pushing back against nationwide book bans — by reading the very titles under fire. WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on Spencer Pride’s Banned Book Club, a monthly gathering that explores challenged literature and celebrates diverse voices.
Up next, “QR Codes Quick Ripoffs” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish. (4 mins)
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Tom Muckerheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Laurie Frederickson, Kade Young and Mackenzie Lionberger.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 8th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson reports on Mayor Kerry Thomson’s State of the City Address last Thursday. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Lil Bub’s Lil Show” – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Mayor Thomson Delivers State of the City Address
Photo by Laurie Frederickson.Mayor Thompson hosted the State of the City address on Thursday. The Thomson administration touted staffing boosts, new housing initiatives and drops in violent crime.City leaders highlighted progress in mobile health, economic development, and efforts to increase transparency, accessibility, and community engagement. WFHB Correspondent Laurie Frederickson has more.
Feature Report:
The Bloomington City Council met on April 2nd, passing ordinances to streamline funding for 911 services and transfer debt service funds to the General Fund. The council also heard public comments on issues ranging from public safety to immigration. For more on the meeting, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease.
Up next, “Lil Bub’s Lil Show” – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Laurie Frederickson, Tom Muckerheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This program originally aired on February 17, 2025:
On this President’s Day, not even a month into the second term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America, uncertainty and chaos have escalated to unprecedented levels through the use of seemingly haphazard presidential executive orders and decrees from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) that face little to no oversight from an apparently impotent Republican Congress.
We are currently witnessing a dismantling of established federal agencies by an unelected billionaire with no resistance from a muted Republican-led Congress. Closer to home in Indiana, within hours of being inaugurated as Governor Mike Braun, signed a flurry of detrimental Executive Orders, such as Executive Order #25-14 which states executive branch state agencies may not use state funds or resources to “support diversity, equity or inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs if they grant preferential treatment based upon one person’s particular race, color, ethnicity, or national origin, over that of another person.”
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, tackle this issue with former University Chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms, and Director of Undergraduate Studies in African American and African Diaspora Studies, Dr. Valerie Grim.
Dr. Charlie Nelms, former University ChancellorDr. Valerie Grim, Director of Undergraduate Studies in African American and African Diaspora StudiesCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David B.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 7th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on the “Hands Off” protests on the Monroe County Courthouse square on Saturday.
More in today’s feature report. That’s Mark Marc Tschida, Managing Director of Stages Bloomington, currently prepping a run of “Alice in Wonderland” produced entirely by local kids in grades 3 through 8. Learn more about this theater education non-profit later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Up next – WFHB Environmental Correspondent Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with Cody Kirkpatrick, Senior Lecturer in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Indiana University. Kirkpatrick discusses recent storms that hit Bloomington and surrounding areas. For more, we turn to Herhusky-Schneider.
Nationwide, protests erupted over the weekend over how President Donald Trump is handling the country. Bloomington had its own Hands Off protest on Saturday on the Courthouse Square. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the rain to voice their opposition to the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk in their role in cutting funding for federal agencies, economic backlash from tariffs and rollbacks on LGBTQ+ rights. For more, we turn to WFHB News Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger.
Stages Bloomington is the only local theater company that fills all acting roles with youth. From building sets to the final performance, kids are in charge of every aspect of each production. Right now a troupe of local kids in grades 3 through 8 are hard at work prepping for a run of “Alice in Wonderland” with public performances April 17th through April 19th at The Warehouse at 1525 South Rogers Street. Managing Director Marc Tschida says the Stages Bloomington educational mission means that instead of actors serving the show, the show serves them. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Mackenzie Lionberger.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the Spaces for All Ages series on WFHB, highlighting opportunities for teens in our community. Spaces for All-Ages is brought to you by WFHB’s Youth Radio!
This week, Youth Radio’s Lena Swayze talked to Chance Allen of RTR Tapes. They discuss the label, all-ages shows, and how RTR creates a safe and accepting space for youth within the hardcore scene.
Credits:
Hosted by Lena Swayze
Edited by Jessie Grubb and Lena Swayze
Intro music for this feature is “‘Bout it Bout it” by What Counts
Outro music for this feature is “Live or Die” by What Counts
Stages Bloomington is the only local theater company that fills all acting roles with youth. From building sets to the final performance, kids are in charge of every aspect of each production. Right now a troupe of local kids in grades 3 through 8 are hard at work prepping for a run of “Alice in Wonderland” with public performances April 17th through April 19th at The Warehouse at 1525 South Rogers Street. Managing Director Marc Tschida says the Stages Bloomington educational mission means that instead of actors serving the show, the show serves them.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
We are listening to two pieces: “The Witness” and “Regulations,” written and read by Glenda Breeden.
“The Witness” is based on a story that Glenda heard directly from a mother who witnessed the execution of her child. She was never able to unhear it.
“Regulations” gives voice to the visitors at prisons and jails, family and friends who are also impacted by the system.
Breeden’s stories come directly from her experiences, using spoken nuance and detail, her writing creates a “specifics of compassion.” She wants to capture the people she meets, just ordinary people dealing with a system that deliberately makes it so hard.
“Once I walk through the gates, I’m made to feel like I’m doing time too. I try hard to speak the truth. I want the people I write about to be seen as having dignity, the way I see them.”
ABOUT the author
Originally from rural southern Indiana, Glenda Breeden is an activist and writer. She’s long been a part of Women Writing for (a) Change.
MUSIC
John Fahey – America
“America”
“Jesus Is a Dying Bedmaker”
“Finale”
“Amazing Grace”
CREDITS
Narrator: Glenda Breeden
Host: Robert Shull
Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.
Later in the program, we welcome back Dr. Ed Weisbart, a St. Louis-based physician and board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, on Prescription for Healthcare. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB’s Youth Radio has a feature on the record label, RTR Tapes.
But first, Prescription for Healthcare:
In today’s edition of Prescription for Healthcare, a monthly collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, we welcome back Dr. Ed Weisbart, a St. Louis-based physician and board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, or PNHP. As Chair of the Missouri Chapter of PNHP, Dr. Weisbart has long been a vocal advocate for Medicare for All. In this episode, he discusses the growing threats to Medicare and why defending it is a fight for democracy itself. Stay with us as we dive into the conversation.
This is Spaces for All Ages, a WFHB Youth Radio series highlighting opportunities for teens in Bloomington. Today’s guest is Chance Allen from RTR Tapes, a local record label and booking group dedicated to all-ages hardcore shows. He shares how RTR Tapes supports bands, builds community and keeps Bloomington’s music scene thriving. For more, we turn to Lena Swayze of Youth Radio.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Dr. Rob Stone, Karen Green Stone and WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The former guest host of Big Talk is wearing a new hat these days. Tying together his love for comedy, sports, and Bloomington, Alex Ashkin has organized a fundraising event to benefit both Middle Way House and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington. He has reeled in Jared Thompson of the Comedy Attic, New York and LA comedian Tom Thakkar, and the people who run the new Dave & Buster’s on the east side for the event April 22nd. Participants pay an entry fee to compete in a basketball free throw shooting contest. All proceeds will be split evenly between the two long-standing local social service organizations.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we continue our series on political polarization for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Smarter Than You Think” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Severe Storms and Flood Watch Impact Monroe County TonightWFHB Correspondents Amelia Bucher and Noelle Herhusky Schneider report on severe storms and a flood watch impacting Monroe County tonight, with heavy rainfall, high winds, and a tornado threat expected. Meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick advises residents to take shelter by 7 p.m. and stay informed about flood risks in local areas.Monroe County Council Reviews Software Funding and Budget Issues at March 25th Meeting
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council discussed a $200,000 software funding request, tabling the decision to explore payment options. Council Member Marty Hawk raised concerns about spending, while the board approved a new public defender hire. The council also addressed funding for Adult Protective Services and considered a fire district merger.
Deep Dive – Political Polarization (Part 3)
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.
As political discourse in the U.S. continues to feel increasingly polarized, some historians and analysts suggest that taking a step back—and looking at historical patterns—can provide much-needed perspective. Indiana University political scientist Marjorie Hershey discusses how historical trends often repeat themselves and why looking at past presidencies can offer insight into current political shifts. To read the full article, written by Majorie Hershey; and photographed by Jeremy Hogan, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “Smarter Than You Think” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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.
Indiana University Professor of Political Science, Marjorie Hershey.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 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, talks on political polarization and how it impacts us.
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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
General Motors cars have a system called On-Star, which monitors your driving and offers some convenient services — but it turns out the system has been collecting detailed information about your driving, and GM has been selling that data to insurance companies…who can use it to raise your rates. Here’s an overview of the problem and what you can do about it.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BB20250402-Smarter-Than-You-Think.mp3
Raquel Anderson, locutora de Hola Bloomington, recibe a Carol Meza, para hablar sobre el desarrollo temprano de destrezas del lenguage oral y de lectura en niños latinos que viven en los Estados Unidos.
On March 26, The Runcible Spoon hosted the Bloomington Stands with Ukraine Fundraiser. This non-Indiana University fundraiser was led by different professors, such as Sofiya Asher from the Slavic East Eastern Languages and Cultures from Indiana University. The event served dinner and had a choir sing traditional Ukrainian songs. Many people with Ukrainian relations attended the event to show solidarity for their loved ones over seas, while other came to learn and become immersed in the culture.
We visited The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary, located near the border of Brown and Monroe counties, to learn more about their animals and mission. Here is the first part of our interview with Alex Valdez, the executive director of The Goat Conspiracy.
On April 6th, 2025, The Goat Conspiracy is throwing a celebration to mark one year since their transformation from dairy farm to sanctuary. They will be offering free 45-minute tours of their sanctuary property, providing a chance to see how much they’ve grown and hear about new projects in-the-works. Details on making reservations can be found here.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 1st, 2025.
Later in the program, the Runcible Spoon hosted a fundraiser with Bloomington Stands with Ukraine, featuring a dinner and a choir performance. Mackenzie Lionberger has more in today’s newscast.
Local voices share their heaviest worries from the doomscrolling churn of the 24-hour news cycle. WFHB reporters hit the streets to find out what’s on your mind later in the show in a feature report.
Feature Reports:
Photo courtesy of AP News.On March 26, the Runcible Spoon hosted a fundraiser with Bloomington Stands with Ukraine, featuring a dinner and a choir performance. The event, supported by Indiana University’s Eastern European and Slavic department, aimed to unite attendees and raise awareness about Ukraine’s struggle. WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger has more.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.People worry. What are they worrying about today? The churn of the 24-hour news cycle and our constant exposure to social media prompted Merriam-Webster to add a new word to the dictionary about a year and a half ago: Doomscrolling. Compulsively consuming negative news. Excessive and prolonged exposure to distressing content despite feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. WFHB dispatched more than a dozen reporters to canvass downtown Bloomington and the IU campus to find out what is weighing most heavily on the minds of local residents.
The U.S. Department of Education has threatened to pull federal funding from Indiana University over allegations of antisemitism. In response, 38 current and former Jewish faculty sent a letter to IU leadership urging them to defend free speech on campus. In today’s feature report, we speak with Benjamin Robinson, Associate Professor in Germanic Studies at IU, about the letter’s message and the broader fight for academic freedom. WFHB Correspondent Kade Young has Part II of that interview.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s opinion feature was produced by students in the Audio Storytelling class in The Media School at Indiana University.
Our features were produced by Mackenzie Lionberger and Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr. Ed Weisbart, a physician in St Louis who is the board Secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, PNHP, and Chair of the Missouri Chapter of PNHP. He has been our guest several times before.
”When you ask me what we can do, we need to become aware of these attacks to Medicare, we need to fight them, we need to speak out, we need to organize around that. We need to be right there shoulder to shoulder with the people who are focused on the climate or focused on social security or focused on any of these other horrible crises. They’re all the same. They all have the root cause of democracy collapsing before us. If you wanted to pick one Uber issue, that’s not a heavy lift (Don’t mind my puns). If you wanted to pick something like that, it’s rescue democracy. Fight to save democracy.”
The article cited early in the podcast: Dr. Oz and the Plot Against Medicare: Medicare Advantage plans are killing seniors and bankrupting hospitals. Now the Trump administration is preparing to make them mandatory, ending Medicare as we know it.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page and on Substack Medicare for All Indiana
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone spends the hour with Indiana University doctoral student, Latonya Wilson, and fellow MLK Commission member and Bring It On contributor, Dr. Gloria Howell, the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, to discuss the 57th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968. Further, as representatives of the City of Bloomington’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission, Latonya Wilson and Dr. Gloria Howell explore the historical significance of his life and death and his legacy of social justice.
Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission MemberLatonya Wilson, Indiana University Doctoral Student and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission MemberCredits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 31st, 2025.
In today’s feature report, we speak with Benjamin Robinson, Associate Professor in Germanic Studies at IU, one of 38 current and former Jewish faculty who sent a letter to IU leadership urging them to defend free speech on campus. More in today’s newscast.
Also in today’s newscast, we have Steve Volan, host of The 812 – a podcast exploring how local government works…and why sometimes it doesn’t. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
MCCSC Board Discusses Teacher Turnover, Legislative Updates and Brandon Shurr’s Departure
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees also met on March 25th.
During public comment, former MCCSC Teacher Ellen Chaliff said that the high rates of teacher turnover in the district is hard on students.
Parent and Community member, Megan Nolan, expressed concern about the district’s plan to achieve financial balance over the next two years.
The Board did not respond to either of these comments.
Assistant Superintendent Alexis Harmon gave a presentation covering the district’s progress towards their goal to, “empower staff and school board through relevant learning experiences utilizing these stakeholders around MCCSC vision and shared work.” This was one of the goals listed in MCCSC’s strategic plan.
She said MCCSC offered additional professional learning opportunities throughout the year, covering topics such as restorative practices and systematic alignment of mathematics instructions to research-based practices. The district will continue to emphasize professional learning in coming years.
Later in the meeting, Board Member Ashley Piriani gave her monthly update on Indiana’s 2025 legislative session. She covered House Bill 1001, which advocates for a 2.5% annual increase in tuition support. She also noted that House Bill 1681 would limit public comment and referenda to general elections, and that the Indiana School Boards Association is urging the senate to amend this to allow for primary elections. Piriani notes that previous calls to senators seem to be impacting legislation, and encourages concerned constituents to continue contacting their representatives.
Lastly, Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston shared a thank you to Brandon Shurr, the former District 7 Board representative who resigned from his position earlier this month.
Applications to fill the vacant seat closed on Thursday, March 27th.
The MCCSC School Board of Trustees will meet next on April 22nd.
Feature Report:
The U.S. Department of Education has threatened to pull federal funding from Indiana University over allegations of antisemitism. In response, 38 current and former Jewish faculty sent a letter to IU leadership urging them to defend free speech on campus. In today’s feature report, we speak with Benjamin Robinson, Associate Professor in Germanic Studies at IU, about the letter’s message and the broader fight for academic freedom. WFHB Correspondent Kade Young has Part I of that interview.
Stay tuned for Part II of that interview with Professor Robinson on tomorrow’s edition of the local news. Up next, Steve Volan knows firsthand how complicated and convoluted government can be. Volan spent decades serving on the Bloomington City Council trying to figure out how things work and how they can work better. He’s still asking those questions as host and producer of The 812, a podcast about local government. Steve calls it “explainer journalism,” and his ultimate goal is a more informed and engaged public. He wants you to be a true citizen of Bloomington on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Laurie Frederickson and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Madden Wells, Noah Rosado, Peyton Cripe and Brooke Daugherty through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Monday, March 3rd, 2025, Local Live had a great time hosting the prolific and talented singer-songwriter Mia Fisher!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Monday, February 24th, 2025, The Blankenship Band joined us on Local Live! What a talented and fun group of musicians!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Silver Coulter
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Saturday, March, 8th, 2025 we welcomed Isabel Olive and her Chicago based project, Half Gringa. Half Gringa creates music informed by contemporary indie-rock + Latin American and Midwestern folk. In this session, Izzy and host/Music Director, Abby Noroozi, chatted about the concept and the making of the new album, Cosmovisión – released on March 28th. They also chatted about heading to SXSW, touring with folk artist Lizzie No, growing up & influences, the Chicago music scene, and the show that night at The Blockhouse. We hope Half Gringa won’t wait another 6 years to come back! Don’t miss this beautiful session!
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Marcus Drolet and Alyssa Gray
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This month, we welcome Anne Kibbler to discuss the importance of Indiana’s wetlands. Kibbler wrote about environmental issues for the Down to Earth page for The Herald-Times. She later worked for five years as the editor of Indiana Environmental Reporter at Indiana University’s Media School until the publication lost its funding in 2023.
In the podcast, Kibbler shared that wetlands are important because they serve as a haven for endangered plants and animals, absorb excess water, which helps prevent flooding, and filter out pollution. “Wetlands,” said Kibbler, “are like a person’s kidneys.”
Two hundred years ago, Indiana had 5.5 million acres of wetlands, but now it has only 800,000 acres. Until 2021, Indiana had stronger wetlands protections than many other states. Since that period, however, the Indiana legislature has significantly loosened regulations, allowing people to build more in areas once designated as wetlands.
Youth Radio is proud to present the 9th annual Moth Project! The Moth Project is an event where American Studies students at The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship tell personal, true stories under the guidance of English teacher Rachel Bahr. Students started this project in February by studying stories of those who participated in the civil rights movement. Through that exploration they not only learned about the civil rights events, but also how to set up a story arc, construct their own stories, and tell them live (without notes) in front of parents, peers, and teachers. The theme for the stories this year was “hope and humor.”
This year’s Moth Stories were edited by WFHB’s Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb
Steve Volan knows firsthand how complicated government can be. Volan spent decades serving on the Bloomington City Council trying to figure out how things work – and how they can work better. He’s still asking those questions as host and producer of The 812, a podcast about local government. Steve calls it “explainer journalism,” and his ultimate goal is a more informed and engaged public. He wants you to be a true citizen of Bloomington.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Madden Wells, Noah Rosado, Peyton Cripe and Brooke Daughertythrough WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Dr. Norma Kreilein, a long-time, multi-published advocate for stricter environmental policies and enforcement that protect children’s health in Part 4, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” Learn what that means.
According to the New York Times, as President Trump works to blunt the growth of wind and solar power and expand fossil fuel production in the United States, the renewable energy industry is making a new pitch: You need us. Wind and solar developers are increasingly pointing out that America’s demand for electricity is soaring, driven by a boom in data centers, and it’s proving difficult to build enough new gas plants to supply all the extra power that the nation needs.
Wind, solar and battery storage are relatively quick and cheap to construct. That could help avert energy shortages and keep prices low, an argument that renewable energy firms are making to policymakers. These are tough times, politically, for the renewable energy industry. Mr. Trump has been a blistering critic of wind turbines for years and openly promotes fossil fuels like oil and gas, riding into office on a promise to “drill, baby, drill.” He has halted federal approvals for wind farms, placed a moratorium on large solar arrays on public lands and frozen billions of dollars in spending for battery factories and electric grid upgrades.
The New York Times reports that the Environmental Protection Agency said that it was canceling $20 billion in grants for climate and clean energy programs that have been frozen for weeks, a move that was labeled illegal by nonprofit groups that were supposed to receive the funds. The money has been caught in an escalating controversy involving the E.P.A., the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Citibank, where the funds are being held and are now frozen, prompting lawsuits from three nonprofit groups.
The grants were issued to a total of eight nonprofit organizations through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which received $27 billion in funding from Congress through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. But since taking office, Lee Zeldin, the E.P.A.’s administrator, has tried to claw back the money, saying they were part of a “scheme” and citing as evidence a hidden-camera video from Project Veritas, a conservative group known for using covert recordings to embarrass its political opponents.
For most U.S. homes, heat pumps are a no-brainer: They can lower energy bills and eventually pay for themselves all while slashing carbon emissions. But the economics don’t work in favor of heat pumps for every home — and particularly not for those in states that have high electricity prices relative to those of fossil gas. Adjusting the structure of customer electricity rates could turn the tables, according to a report out recently from the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
The ratio of average electricity prices to gas prices (both measured in dollars per kilowatt-hour) is known as the “spark gap” — and it’s one of the biggest hurdles to nationwide electrification. A heat pump that is two to three times as efficient as a gas furnace can cancel out a spark gap of two to three, ensuring energy bills don’t rise with the switch to electric heat. But in some states, the gulf is so big that heat pumps can’t close it under the existing rate structures.
According to modeling, the winter discount alone can save Minnesota customers in single-family homes on average more than $350 annually once they swap a gas furnace for a heat pump. Combining the winter discount with existing time-of-use rates or simulated demand-charge rates (given in the study) can further reduce annual bills by another $70.
Several companies in the heating/cooling business in Bloomington offer heat pumps. There are various ways they may be set up. Getting the right plan willl save you several hundred dollars each year. A rate design that bases charges on when electricity is used. Known as “time-of-use,” this structure charges more for power consumed during periods of peak demand and less for power consumed at other times, or “off-peak,” coinciding with heat pumps’ prime time. Another plan is called “demand-base rate”.
Stronger rules to protect families from toxic air pollution are “firmly rooted in law,” making them harder to unravel, according to the Environmental Defense Fund lawyers who worked on the standards. In September, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that will provide families with much-needed health protections from some of the most toxic air pollution emitted by industrial facilities, including petro-chemical plants — pollution that causes cancer, brain damage in children and early deaths.
The rule helps close a loophole from rollbacks created during the first Trump administration that allowed large facilities to be reclassified as smaller pollution sources and legally increase the amount they polluted. “The first Trump administration was marked by unprecedented threats to bedrock clean air protections,” said EDF senior attorney Noha Haggag. “This was a loophole that worked against the spirit of the law. EPA’s action helps restore vital protections that limit toxic air pollution,” says Haggag.
“It helps people across the country breathe easier, and helps address a reckless loophole that enabled increases in industrial air toxic pollution.”EDF was actively involved in challenging that rollback during the first Trump administration and in urging the EPA to close the loophole and protect the people and communities at risk. It remains to be seen as to what will happen with the new Trump administration.
A new Hat Trick! The Supreme Court has rejected three separate attempts by the fossil fuel industry and its allies to block federal rules to rein in the industry’s dangerous air pollution. The Natural Resources Defense Council intervened in each of the lawsuits. The rules aim to cut leaks of the climate super-pollutant methane from the oil and gas sector, reduce carbon pollution from power plants, and curb the toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants linked to asthma, heart attacks, and other serious health harms.
In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Dr. Norma Kreilein, a long-time, multi-published advocate for stricter environmental policies and enforcement that protect children’s health in Part 4, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” Learn what that means.
- Learn about the Silly Spotted Salamander at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 30th, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Salamanders are on their way to pools this time of year to breed. Learn how the weather causes their movement. The program takes place in the Nature Center.
- A Step Into Spring Hike is planned for Saturday, March 29th, at 10 am at Spring Mill State Park. As you hike, search for signs of spring along Trail 4. This is a 2-mile, rugged hike.
- Take an Animal Foolery class at Leonard Spring Nature Park on Saturday, April 5th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Discover the clever tricks animals use to outsmart predators and even us. Sign up at Bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- There will be an Astronomy thru the Scope event at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, April 5th, from 9 to 9:45 pm. Drop by to look thru the telescope to see the moon and two planets – Mars and Jupiter. Meet at the Fairfax State Recreation Area.
- Take a 90-minute mini-workshop on how to use a map and compass at the Paynetown Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, April 6th, beginning at 2 pm. You will cover basic techniques and then test your skills. Contact jvance at dnr.in.gov to register.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Today we present two pieces written and read by Jane Goodman: “Apple, Table, Penny” and “Telling.”
Early in the illness, sometimes it was just a matter of him using an odd word, but you could still make out his meaning. In the car, going to pick up my nephew from football practice. Dad was at the wheel, still driving then. “The picture is golden” he said. Hmm. It was a beautiful day. That must be what he meant. “Yes,” I replied. “It is.” I didn’t point out the mistake. “The picture is golden” has stayed with me, a small sign of what was beginning to happen in his brain. Poetic in its own way.
ABOUT the author
Jane Goodman is on the faculty of the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University, where she teaches courses on performance, intertextuality, power and violence, and identity and difference, with particular focus on North Africa and the Middle East. She is a singer of world music, having performed for more than two decades with Libana and Kaia.
MUSIC
“Arise,” (Mother’s Day Proclamation), performed by Kaia (Freedom Land)
“Bre Petrounko,” performed by Libana (Sojourns)
“Deep Peace”, performed by Libana (Night Passage)
CREDITS
Narrator: Jane Goodman
Host: Robert Shull
Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Lori Tussey stops by to talk about the importance of Medicaid in our lives and community, what losing it would mean, and shares ideas on how to fight for it to continue helping all who need it to lead longer with dignity and enriched lives.
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Robb Stone, artist/historian/philosopher, joins Justin and Mel. The discussion carried on an hour after the show ended, too!
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Justin, Special Guest Host Alex G, and Melanie discuss being part of the process of change in the state along with covering news of the day.
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis with guest host Alex G!
Justin and Melanie go over news and give an update on the Indiana anti-LGBTIQ+ legislative push. There is good news too, and a report on Spencer Pride’s Banned Book Club!
BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
Featured Animal: Ace
Tune in to the episode to learn about Ace, a Bully Breed Mix dog currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
According to the shelter: “Ace is such a sweet fella, and once he warms up to you, he becomes the most fun-loving guy! He’s spent his time at the shelter recovering from some serious injuries, but he has been a real trooper the entire time. Ace figured, since he’s feeling a lot better, it’s about time to settle down with a family and move on from this tough time in his life.”
For more information, including adoption details, the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter can be reached at 812-349-3492.
Featured Topic: The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary
Tune in to the episode to learn about The Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary, which began as a goat farm and creamery in 2016, but in the winter of 2024 transitioned into a sanctuary and retirement home for goats and chickens.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
A Bloomington tradition now in its fourth year, the Bloomington Indiana International Film Festival will draw cinephiles to Redbud Books and The Bishop Bar Thursday through Saturday, April 3-5. Matt Rice, who wrangles the filmmakers and emcees panel discussions between showings, joins Big Talk this week. Founded by local hero Byron Jordan Wolter, the BIIFF this year attracted some 200 entries from around the world.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 27th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger spoke with policy experts at Indiana University and a student with family in Ukraine. More in the top half of our program.
That’s IU student Bryce Greene, who was banned from the IU campus for his occupation of Dunn Meadow with the Palestine Solidarity Committee. Greene and professor Ben Robinson tell their story later in the show in a feature report.
Feature Reports:
As the Russia-Ukraine War continues to unfold, the impacts are felt far beyond the borders of Eastern Europe. WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger spoke with policy experts at Indiana University and a student with family in Ukraine to explore the personal and geopolitical dimensions of this ongoing crisis. Thirty-eight present and former Jewish faculty at Indiana University signed a letter to IU administrators urging them to maintain freedom of speech policies. This follows threats of funding cuts from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights if it fails to stop antisemitism on campus. In today’s newscast, we look back at a feature report produced by Samuel Dexter and Chad Carrothers.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 27: Police arrest activists on the third day of a pro-Palestinian protest camp in Dunn Meadow at Indiana University on April 27, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana. At least twelve people were arrested after police told them thier tents were illegal, and had to be taken down. The protester refused to take down the tents, so the Indiana State Police swat team forced the protesters from the camp, and arrested several in the process. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)IU student and Palestine Solidarity Committee organizer Bryce Greene and Protect IU organizer and IU professor Ben Robinson were banned from campus even before IU implemented its so-called “Expressive Activity” policy cracking down on protest speech. That policy is now the target of a lawsuit by The American Civil Liberties Union as a violation of first amendment rights. Greene and Robinson tell their story in today’s feature report.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Mackenzie Lionberger.
Our feature on the Dunn Meadow protests were produced by Samuel Dexter and Chad Carrothers in partnership with the IU Media School.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB Correspondents Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson
Dallas Evans headshotDallas Evans, the new director of WonderLab, brings over 20 years of experience in museum exhibits and programs. He previously served as the Lead Curator of Nature & Science at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis before working as a Community Development Educator in Purdue University’s extension department. Evans highlights that WonderLab’s mission is to make science accessible to all and will continue its efforts to be inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, and sustainable. He also emphasizes the crucial role the community plays in WonderLab’s success—from donations and memberships to volunteers and interns—and appreciates the welcoming, fun environment created by all those involved with WonderLab.
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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 26th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we take a look at increased political polarization with political scientist Marjorie Hershey on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Feature Report:
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. To read the full article, written by Majorie Hershey; and photographed by Jeremy Hogan, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, bringing you highlights from the week and hidden gems you might have missed. Today, we feature an excerpt from Local Live with Pangaea Sky, a Bloomington jazz quartet. Next, WFHB News Correspondent Zero Roze speaks with Nathan Ferreira about the impact of federal job cuts and funding freezes on local housing. We also bring you a live session from Youth Radio with Kirsten Peckham, a Louisville-based singer-songwriter. Finally, Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher explores the challenges and politics surrounding Indiana’s transition to renewable energy.
On March 22nd Youth Radio welcomed Kirsten Peckham, a singer-songwriter from Louisville, for a live session and interview ahead of their show at the Blockhouse. Kirsten was accompanied by Greg Moore on acoustic guitar.
Credits:
Session Engineer: Jared Coyle
Host: Ollie Schnell
Post-Production: Jessie Grubb
As the Russia-Ukraine War continues to unfold, the impacts are felt far beyond the borders of Eastern Europe. WFHB correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger spoke with policy experts at Indiana University and a student with family in Ukraine to explore the personal and geopolitical dimensions of this ongoing crisis.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 25th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondents Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson speak with Dallas Evans, the new executive director of WonderLab, about his vision for the future of the science museum. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Plan Commission Approves Southern Meadows Subdivision Amendment
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Plan Commission met on March 18th. The commission held the final hearing for the Southern Meadows Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Amendment 2.
Senior Planner Drew Meyers presented a summary of the request.
During public comment on the development, County Residents Randy Cassisy and Tamby Wikle Cassidy said that they want the improvements that were promised to be followed through, and asked the commission to help facilitate that.
Commissioners Trohn Enright-Randolph said that the petition has had issues, but that he thinks that the amendment with changes is the best solution.
Commissioner David Henry thanked everyone for the work they have done.
Commission President Margaret Clements also spoke on the work they have done to collaborate with the developers and current residents in the area.
Commissioner Geoff Morris motioned to approve the preliminary plat amendment 2.
The commission voted 7-0 to approve it.
The Monroe County Plan Commission will meet again on April 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson speak with Dallas Evans, the new executive director of WonderLab. Evans discussed his background and his vision for the future of the science museum. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Tom Muckerheide and Laurie Frederickson.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the evening speaking with, first, with Jael Davise, the recipient of the City of Bloomington’s Commission on the Status of Women’s 2025 “Young Woman of the Year”. Next, we then talk with Danielle Bruce, the Director of Resilience Productions. She is here to discuss the Remarkable Women’s Series, which features an evening retrospect on the inspiring life of Judge Viola Taliaferro.
Jael Davis, recipient of the City of Bloomington’s Commission on the Status of Women’s 2025 “Young Woman of the Year”Danielle Bruce, the Director of Resilience ProductionCredits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 24th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, physician and anti-nuclear activist Dr. Ira Helfand warns that the world is closer to nuclear war than ever before. More in today’s feature report.
You will also hear from Sue McCracken, the founder of Art Remains -Bloomington’s new nonprofit salvage shop for art supplies and materials. It’s kind of like the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store concept, but for art! Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Board of Health Clarifies Local and State Roles in Gender Marker Changes
The Monroe County Board of Health met on Thursday, March 20th. During public comment, County Resident Melanie Davis, spoke to the board about a name and gender change that was denied. Davis expressed concern that there has not been enough clarity to help people impacted to navigate the executive order instated by Governor Mike Braun.
Chair of the Board Aurora DiOrio asked Davis to stay for the rest of the meeting where they would be addressing some of the issues she mentioned.
During the agenda item on the Vital Records Department, Health Department Director Lori Kelley explained that the local county Vital Records Department is able to make name changes; however, they can only request a gender change, and then the Indiana Department of Health is in charge of making the gender change.
DiOrio followed up asking for clarification. County Registrar Kathy Hertz responded.
The State Registrar and Division Director at the Indiana Department of Health reached out to county health departments with guidance on the new executive order. County Attorney Dave Shilling explained what the guidance entails.
The Board of Health voted to submit a legal report, which documents the Monroe County Health Department’s compliance with the court order to change a petitioner’s name and gender marker on local birth records, despite Governor Braun’s executive order prohibiting state agencies from processing gender marker changes. County health board members discussed what the report entails.
The board voted unanimously to file the legal report in the Monroe Circuit Court. The Monroe County Board of Health will meet again on April 17th.
Women’s Commission Prepares Gender Equity Presentation for Monroe County Jail Discussions
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Women’s Commission met on March 20th.
During commissioner updates Commissioner Juliet Hardesty shared what her goals are as Vice Chair of the commission.
Hardesty continued to explain her goal to provide an update at each meeting about what information is available to the community, and what is not available, on the status of women in Monroe County.
Chair of the Commission Susan Hingle responded that she thinks it is a good idea, but said that it can be an overwhelming challenge to tackle.
Hingle suggested that they take measures to ensure that the student population is included in their data due to the fact that students are often considered temporary residents and are not guaranteed to be included in the county’s census numbers.
Commissioner Tiana Iruoje recommended that they reach the Office of Institutional Data.
Commissioner Maria Douglas applauded Hardesty’s goals.
Later in the meeting, Hardesty shared a presentation that she has been working on with Commissioner Maria Douglas, to present to the Monroe County Commissioners to contribute to the conversation of the new jail.
She went over the next steps and recommendations for implementing the gender equity rubric.
Commission members recommend that they reach out to a subject matter expert like a Gender Equity Professor at Indiana University before they present to the commissioners.
The Monroe County Women’s Commission will meet again on April 17th.
Feature Report:
Ira Helfand pictured above. Photo provided by Ira Helfand.Physician and anti-nuclear activist Dr. Ira Helfand warns that the world is closer to nuclear war than ever before. Speaking ahead of his event at First United Church, Helfand describes the catastrophic consequences of a modern nuclear attack—even beyond the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He urges immediate action to dismantle nuclear arsenals, calling it a matter of human survival. WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger has more.
Art Remains is Bloomington’s new “creative reuse center” – a nonprofit salvage shop for art supplies and materials. It’s kind of like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore concept, but for artists. Founder Sue McCracken started Art Remains when she retired as a way to make art projects more affordable and keep usable supplies out of the landfill. She’s looking for donors and volunteers on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By: Annika Harshbarger
Dr. Ira Helfand, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient is set to speak at First United Church at 7 p.m. on March 26th about “The Prevention of Nuclear War”.
Ira Helfand pictured above. Photo provided by Ira Helfand.The speech is sponsored by the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition and a variety of others. Music by Carrie Newcomer and Robert Meitus will open the speech.
In today’s feature report Helfand gives a sneak peak to one issue that will be discussed. What would happen if a nuclear weapon was used on a major city today.
Press the play button above to hear more.
[TRANSCRIPT]
Helfand: “We don’t have an adequate popular understanding of the need to address this issue. The experts tell us we are closer to nuclear war than we have ever been, closer than we were during the Cold War, we’re not acting that way, and we need to start acting that way.”
Helfand: “My name is Ira Helfand I’m a retired emergency room doctor, and I was a co founder and past president of the organization Physicians for Social Responsibility, I’ve also served as the president of our global Federation, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, and serve on the steering group of the International Campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons and most importantly, I think I’m a member of the steering committee of the back from the brink campaign here in the United States, which we’ve launched to bring about change in US Nuclear Policy.”
Harshbarger: “On March 26th at 7 pm Dr. Ira Helfand will be speaking at First United Church about how to prevent nuclear war. His explanation of what would happen if a nuclear weapon was used I think best illustrates the power these weapons hold.”
Helfand: “A lot of people have seen pictures of Hiroshima, and that’s kind of the standard we have in our minds. And Hiroshima is and Nagasaki are they’re very powerful demonstrations of how destructive these weapons can be. But again, we have to understand how small they are compared to current weapons. The most important thing to know about both Hiroshima and Nagasaki is they do not begin to prepare us for how much damage a modern weapon can do if there’s a war between the United States and Russia, a major target city like Chicago or New York is going to get hit, not with one Hiroshima sized bomb, but with anywhere from five to 10 to 15, maybe 20 weapons, each of which will be six to 50 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
I use a model of a single, very large explosion, 20 megatons, 20 million tons. The damage I will describe to you in a second is actually an underestimate, because you cause more damage by using 15 small bombs spread out over the area trying to destroy than one great big explosion.
But within a 1,000th of a second of the detonation of this bomb, a fireball forms, reaching out for two miles in every direction, four miles across within this area, everything is vaporized, the buildings, the trees, the people, the upper level of the earth disappears to a distance of four miles in every direction, the explosion generates winds greater than 600 miles per hour. That’s stronger than a strong tornado. Mechanical forces of that magnitude destroy anything that human beings can build to a distance of six miles in every direction. The heat is so intense that automobiles melt. And to a distance of 16 miles in every direction, the heat is still so intense that everything flammable burns, plastic, wood, gasoline, heating oil, paper, it all ignites, and you get hundreds of thousands of fires, which over the following 30 minutes or so, coalesce into a giant Firestorm, like a sea of fire, 32 miles across, covering over 800 square miles. Within that entire area, the temperature rises to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the oxygen is consumed and every living thing dies.
This kind of destruction will take place in every major city in both the United States and Russia. If there’s a nuclear war between us and if NATO gets involved, most of the great cities in Canada and Europe will be destroyed in the same way. The people who survive these explosions and fires will live in a world that is absolutely unimaginable to us. None of the things that we depend on to survive will be available. And in months following this war, the vast majority of people who survive this initial attack in the United States and Russia and Europe and Canada will also die from radiation poisoning, from starvation, from epidemic disease, from exposure and to just carry down a little bit further. This is only what happens in the countries that fight the war. But this is a global catastrophe. These firestorms would lift in the case of a war between the United States and Russia, 150 million tons of soot into the upper atmosphere, blocking out the sun, dropping temperatures across the entire Earth, an average of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. In the interior regions of North America, like Indiana the temperatures will drop 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions will persist for the best part of the decade, and under these conditions, which we have not seen anything this cold on Earth since the last ice age. All of the ecosystems that have evolved since that ice age will collapse. Food production will stop. And according to that same study that I mentioned before from the journal Nature, in 2022 in the first two years, 6 billion people, three quarters of the human race will starve to death. But we are not talking about, you know, a horrible disaster that kills a quarter of a million people in one city. We’re talking about the complete obliteration of human civilization and the possible extinction of our species. And we have to understand, I didn’t make this stuff up to scare you. This is this is the danger we live with every day that we allow these weapons to continue to exist. And that’s what we’re talking about.
The good news, the flip side of all this is that none of this has to happen. Nuclear weapons aren’t a force of nature. It’s not as though an asteroids coming at us. There’s nothing we can do. They are little machines that we’ve built with our with ourselves, with our own hands. We know how to take them apart. We are simply lacking the political will to disband the 12,000 that remain. And that’s really the purpose of this educational campaign that we’re engaged in, to alert people to the danger, the fact that really can happen, the fact that it doesn’t have to happen, and the fact that it’s up to us to make sure that it doesn’t happen, because if we don’t take action, it is going to happen.”
Harshbarger: “For WFHB this has been Annika Harshbarger.”
Art Remains is Bloomington’s new “creative reuse center” – a nonprofit salvage shop for art supplies and materials. It’s kind of like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore concept, but for artists. Founder Sue McCracken started Art Remains when she retired as a way to make art projects more affordable and keep usable supplies out of the landfill.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
It’s time for the next installment of Miscellaneous Legumes – a Youth Radio podcast made by middle and high school students at Harmony School.
Unfortunately, the creation of our very first episode came with an unexpected consequence — an internal virus ravaging the podcast! Yes, thats’ right — bots have taken control from within, and trust us, we are not happy about it. In this episode, we dive into the rise of artificial intelligence, exploring its rapid growth, its growing presence in our lives, and the legitimacy of its use. We also have a little fun — concocting a recipe to take down A.I. once and for all!
Credits:
Hosted by a crew of middle and high school students at Harmony School
Edited by Jessie Grubb for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Select music from this episode was made using SunoAI
Bot interviews are with ChatGPT’s voice feature
The title of the podcast “Miscellaneous Legumes” is a nod to the former Youth Radio Podcast “Mixed Nuts” produced at Rhino’s Youth Center circa 2010
This week’s Big Talk is a sheer gabfest with retired Indiana University professor and internationally recognized expert on movies, James Naremore. He’s written countless books on cinema and has appeared on numerous Criterion Collection editions, analyzing and commenting on such classics as “Citizen Kane” and “The Magnificent Ambersons.” Naremore has written and lectured extensively on film noir even as he admits he cannot really define the genre. He also admits he was afraid to take a shower for a long time after seeing “Psycho” on the big screen.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 20th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB News welcomes prosecutor Erika Oliphant on Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Council heard calls for ICE protection, advanced justice center plans and expanded financial transparency during their meeting last week. More coming up next in your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council Hears Calls for ICE Protections, Advances Justice Center Plans, and Expands Financial Transparency
Photo by Benedict Jones.During public comment at the Monroe County Council meeting on March 11th, County Resident Seth Mutchler, urged the county council to protect its residents from ICE officers, in response to the detainment of Mahmoud Khalil.
Monroe County Auditor Brianne Gregory announced a new database that will help with the city’s financial transparency.
Council member Trent Deckard applauded that the database would update nightly and show a greater level of transparency than the county’s current system, gateway, is currently able to offer.
Lori Kelley of the Health Department talked about expanding the department’s STI prevention program.
The council heard a resolution to pause all non-essential activity of the personnel administration committee. County attorney Molly Turner-King presented the resolution.
Counselor Peter Iversen endorsed this resolution, stating that in light of state legislation, budget cuts may be necessary.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The Council later discussed the status of the pre-design phase of the Justice Center. On this, Council Member David Henry talked on a need to address the scale of the jail while understanding that time is not on their side.
On the corrections tax that is funding this project, Council Member Trent Deckard said that he believes the council has maximized the project budget.
Council Member Iverson mentioned that the budget could be maximized by cutting in-facility treatment programs.
Council Member Marty Hawk expressed frustration about not knowing exactly what this would cost taxpayers.
Deckard pointed out that declining Monroe County population predictions might mean that the facility doesn’t have to accommodate as many people, allowing them to scale down the size of the facility.
Council President Jennifer Crossley advocated for including a greenspace at the new facility,
Iverson mentioned that Monroe County is leading the way with a new climate-focused committee.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on March 25th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. Today, we look back at an archived episode where the host Jim Allison welcomed Erika Oliphant of the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the podcast, Prosecutor Oliphant shared how her office determines what cases to prosecute, the role of the prosecutor, and how plea bargains impact what cases are brought to court. She also talked about the current research study on how racial and ethnic biases impact the cases brought to court. Her office works with the NAACP Monroe County Branch on this critical study. Civic Conversations, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Laurie Frederickson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 98th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Britney and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by Ivy Tran, a sophomore Nursing student at Indiana University who is the performance chair for VCN this year. We talked about Ivy’s role and responsibilities within VCN, the activities that were held, and other fun topics!
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Britney, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Ivy Tran
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
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.
Indiana University Professor of Political Science, Marjorie Hershey.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 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.
Gerrymandering has allowed Indiana Republican candidates to win about 80 percent of the state’s Senate seats by getting only about 58 percent of the state’s votes. Above, the Indiana Senate District map for south-central Indiana. | Source: Indiana General Assembly website***
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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
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:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 4), August 28, 2024
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:
- Apprenticeships (Part 1), October 9, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 2), October 16, 2024
- Apprenticeships (Part 3), October 30, 2024
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:
- Police and Social Work, January 29, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 2), February 5, 2025
- Police and Social Work (Part 3), February 26, 2025
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?
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we take a look at increased political polarization with political scientist Marjorie Hershey on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Hush Money Scam” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
Feature Reports:
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 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, explained what political polarization means.
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, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “Hush Money Scam” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we revisit the voices and stories that shape WFHB. Today, we feature a Local Live session with the Blankenship Band, an excerpt from Miscellaneous Legumes, a Youth Radio podcast in collaboration with Harmony School, and a look back at Quarantine Buddies, a social initiative launched by an IU student during the pandemic. We also bring you a WFHB News feature on the impact of new state and national policies on immigrant and refugee communities in Indiana.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 18th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, WFHB correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger recently spoke with policy experts at Indiana University and a student with family in Ukraine about the Russia-Ukraine War. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners Call Out State-Local Government Disconnect, Flu Still High in Indiana as COVID-like Emergency Visits Decline
Photo by Benedict Jones.At their meeting on March 13, the Monroe County Commissioners highlighted the significant disconnect between state and local governments.
Following a request from Monroe County Treasurer Cathy Smith for funding to buy a scanner and scanning software for her office, Commissioner Jody Madeira emphasized how the state government overlooks the small, cumulative costs local governments face.
Commissioner Julie Thomas added that these small costs accumulate quickly, placing an unforeseen weight on taxpayers.
Health Administrator Lori Kelley provided an update on the state of illnesses, noting a decrease in emergency visits for COVID-like illnesses. However, she reported flu activity remains high across the state and there are currently 222 measles cases in the United States.
Measles is a virus, meaning antibiotics aren’t effective for treating it, and there is no specific medication used to treat the virus. The best way to protect against measles is to get the vaccination.
While there haven’t been any cases reported in Indiana, Madeira expressed that there is reason for concern and caution.
Kelley said that the public health clinic offers measles vaccinations.
The commissioners also approved an agreement with Republic Services for dumpster services at several government buildings. They proposed possibly changing the dumper service approach once the new justice center is complete.
Area 10 and Rural Transit Administrator Chris Myers updated the commissioners on ridership for the rural transit program, highlighting an increase in demand. Commissioner Lee Jones said she hopes the rising ridership will help make rural transit more accessible.
The commissioners also approved a speed limit change from 30 mph to 25 mph for Duxbury Drive, Thames Drive, Wexford Court and Kylie Court, and putting in stop signs on Kylie Court.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be March 27.
Bloomington Sustainability Commission Prioritizes Filling Vacant Positions
The City of Bloomington Commission on Sustainability met on Tuesday, March 11th.
Chair of the Commission Justin Vasel, discussed some priorities he had for himself when he was first elected as chair.
Vasel said that the Commission still has three vacant commission positions.
Next, Commission Member Matt Austin, with the waste management working group, shared some information about a nonprofit in Bloomington.
In regards to the waste reduction district, Austin commented on how waste costs could decrease.
The commission also brainstormed some new areas for the commission to focus on in the future. Some of these include agriculture, food supply, housing, zoning, educational outreach, and policy changes. These ideas are proposed as being part of the sustainability report that the commission had been working on during previous meetings.
The next meeting for the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability will occur on April 8th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of AP News.As the Russia-Ukraine War continues to unfold, the impacts are felt far beyond the borders of Eastern Europe. WFHB correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger recently spoke with policy experts at Indiana University and a student with family in Ukraine to explore the personal and geopolitical dimensions of this ongoing crisis. Here’s her report.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Amelia Bucher and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Mackenzie Lionberger.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 17th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News has a St. Patrick’s Day special interviewing one of the owners of the Runcible Spoon. More in today’s feature report.
That’s the voice of Shanker Krishnan. He’s a Court Appointed Special Advocate – a CASA for short. When a child is removed from a home due to abuse or neglect, grown-ups decide what happens next. But who speaks for the child? Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Reviews Greenhouse Gas Report, Fails to Advance Housing and Sustainability Resolutions
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.The Bloomington City Council met for a special legislative session on March 12, 2025. This session heard a report on the 2023 Community-wide and Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The City’s Economic and Sustainable Development Department partners with ClimateNav to aid in compiling annual reports of Bloomington’s greenhouse gas emissions. ClimateNav’s CEO, Wes De Silvestro, shared a breakdown of the city’s primary sources of emissions, highlighting Bloomington’s downward trend in emissions since 2008.
Beyond the stationary energy sector, Silvestro also noted that emissions from vehicles have stayed relatively consistent since 2018.
Finally, the third most significant source of emissions, waste disposal, has seen an increase since 2011, according to Silvestro.
Overall, in accordance with the Bloomington Climate Action Plan, the city is projected to be on track for their 2030 target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. But complete carbon neutrality by 2050 will require further reductions by 30%. Council member Dave Rollo brought attention to the imported materials that weigh on the carbon budget, asking about other methods of carbon absorption such as the planting of more trees to account for overlooked aspects of emission reduction.
Assistant Director of Sustainability Shawn Miya explained that further reports on that matter are needed.
Council President Hopi Stosberg asked the Economic and Sustainable Development Department, to what extent was the reduction of carbon output from the stationary energy sector a result of community-wide efforts and how much was led by municipal reductions. Silvestro said that while Duke energy’s policy direction has made the biggest impact, all efforts have made a difference.
Director Miya followed by sharing two of their grant programs that have seen large revisions.
In other news, the council moved to address two resolutions, 2025-05 and 2025-06 that would amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. The former focused on sustainability and incentives for development by stipulating requirements for onsite renewable energy for PUD’s, among other amendments. The latter addresses zoning and development standards that would remove limitations on “middle housing” such as single family attached dwelling and cottage developments.
Council President Hopi Stosberg clarified that these resolutions are for the requesting that the Plan Commission take these amendments under review.
However, motions for both resolutions to be read by clerk by title and synopsis both failed in a 4-4 vote, with council member Zulich not present to break the tie. As a result, neither resolution was heard in this legislative session.
During public comment, Director at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emge reaffirmed his excitement for the Monroe County Convention Center expansion and revitalization project.
Emge also expressed optimism over the meeting of the fiscal committee of the council and the Friday meeting of the Budget Task Force amidst economic uncertainties looming over Bloomington and Indiana.
Also during public comment, Chris Sturbaum, a previous council member representing District 1, spoke on the state of Cascades Park.
He went on to discuss the history of the park.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on March 26th.
Live Music, Lamb Stew, and Guinness: Runcible Spoon’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Every year, March 17th marks St. Patrick’s Day, commemorating the death date of the patron saint of Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national holiday. Festivities often include wearing the color green, dancing to Irish music or indulging in Celtic cuisine. One local restaurant celebrates the holiday by offering a meal and live music in the evening.
Earlier today, WFHB News spoke with Matt O’Neill, one of the co-owners of the Runcible Spoon, who was born in Ireland or as he puts it:
“Irish as Paddy’s pig, born and raised.”
Every March, the Runcible Spoon has live music and a St. Patrick’s Day meal.
“There are a lot of local musicians who are very well-versed in Irish culture and Irish music, so we have a lot of local Irish musicians get together. We have lamb stew, and we just celebrate the coming of spring, St. Patrick’s Day. Not everybody loves Valentine’s Day, but everybody loves St. Patrick’s Day because it’s more inclusive, right? Anybody can have a few Guinness and have a good time,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill described what St. Patty’s Day means to him, saying he loves to see Irish culture spread far and wide.
“Doesn’t matter what corner of the world they’re from—it’s a good time. It’s the coming of spring, and it’s a hope for the new year,” he said.
Tonight, the Spoon will host a Celtic music jam session starting at 7 p.m. O’Neill says that the spontaneous nature of a live jam session adds to the festivities of the holiday.
“Well, it’s very spontaneous. It’s not forced. It’s not something we’ve spent all year preparing for because it’s so simple. You have people getting together just to have a good time. The great thing about St. Patrick’s Day is the spontaneity,” he said.
On the menu, O’Neill said he’s preparing a lamb stew and Irish soda bread. There’s also a few Irish beers available.
“I’m working on the stew right now—lamb stew as made in Ireland. I’m cutting the meat from scratch, making the stock, peeling the potatoes, peeling the carrots, and putting it all in a big pot. The result is greater than the simple ingredients that go in there. It’s all fresh and ready to go,” said O’Neill.
Almost one year ago, a local staple of Celtic cuisine, the Irish Lion, closed its doors. O’Neill said this year’s St. Patty’s Day celebration feels a little melancholy without the Irish Lion – which in his view was the best Irish restaurant in Indiana.
“I was a good customer of the Irish Lion myself, and I got to know the bartenders and the managers over there. There’s a little bit of sadness. We’re not going to try to jump into the Irish Lion’s shoes, you know. We’re just a small little bungalow on Sixth Street,” said O’Neill.
However, he said even in the wake of the Irish Lion’s closure – at least he can offer some Irish food in the community. In his eyes, every restaurant should celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
“Color your rice green today,” he said. “They can dye the river green in Chicago, they can dye the rice green here.”
O’Neill says that for the remainder of the day – he will be hard at work preparing the St. Patty’s Day meals at the Spoon and a busy day lies ahead. Despite the hustle and bustle of the work day, he said he hopes to maintain a celebratory feel at the spoon, even in the kitchen.
“Nobody should stress out St Patrick’s Day, even the host, even the person doing the cooking,” he said.
All in all, O’Neill hopes people celebrate the Irish holiday saying he appreciates the inclusive nature of St. Patrick’s Day.
“I just want to wish everybody a Happy St Patrick’s Day. Whether it’s part of your culture or not, I think it’s the whole thing – it’s so inclusive and so flexible. Try to stay vertical at the same time,” said O’Neill.
Feature Report:
When a child is removed from a home due to abuse or neglect, grown-ups decide what happens next – usually judges, lawyers and caseworkers. But who speaks for the child? A local non-profit called Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA uses volunteers to help kids who are going through the justice system. Shanker Krishnan is a CASA and he says it can be tough but also quite rewarding making sure a kid’s best interests are looked after. Applications are due in May for the next round of CASA training and Shanker is hoping you’ll sign up on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Bloomington has a rich roller derby history, with the B-Town Banshees being the latest addition. The B-Town Banshees are a junior roller derby team in Bloomington, Indiana, for those between the ages of 7 and 17. WFHB’s Youth Radio attended the team’s spring bootcamp to learn more about roller derby and the members of the B-Town Banshees.
When a child is removed from a home due to abuse or neglect, grown-ups decide what happens next – usually judges, lawyers and caseworkers. But who speaks for the child? A local non-profit called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) uses volunteers to help kids who are going through the justice system. Shanker Krishnan is a CASA and he says it can be tough but also quite rewarding making sure a child’s best interests are looked after.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
Gladys DeVane uses dialogue, colloquialisms, setting and a well-researched contextual understanding of place and time to bring the past alive. And, when history can be made to come alive, it can shed some light on the present.
“A Strange Day” is based on stories about what it was like for enslaved people in the US. These stories were part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Project. “”A Strange Day represents a composite of incidents and commentary across several stories.
DeVane told SoS that writing “The Least Among Them” allowed her to share a journey that, in so many ways, has made her a stronger, more resilient, and more determined person who pushes the system to do the right thing. Glenn, her son, is now a middle-aged man living in this community. People often tell her they learned so much by watching the way she interacted with him and advocated for him.
RELATED
SoS Episode 4 – Gladys DeVane
ABOUT
Dr. Gladys DeVane is a storyteller, writer, actor and educator as well as an IU professor emeritus. She is one of the founders of Resilience Productions, a theater company that brings little-known Black history to the stage She grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. Her book, Come Sit with Me – Life in Poetry Prose and Plays, was published in 2021 and contains many untold stories of African American history.
Special thanks to Danielle Bruce for providing music and sound cues.
CREDITS
Narrator: Gladys DeVane
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Assistant Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Cindy Beaulé
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ZERO-HOUR-Local-Affordable-Housing-in-Peril-with-Nate-Ferreira-of-BHA.mp3Host Zero Roze spoke with Nathan Ferreira, local housing agency administrator, about impacts of federal job cuts, funding freezes and restructuring now being implemented by the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Nathan is both Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA) and the Executive Director of the Summit Hill Community Development Corporation (SHCDC), a nonprofit entity created by the Housing Authority to implement Summit Hill Community Land Trust, a planned neighborhood of homes being built on land that is retained by SHCDC as a means to lower the price of homes built upon the land trust property on Bloomington’s Northwest side.
Roze and Ferreira discuss how local childcare facilities, paired with low-income housing units could be affected by cuts to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and other regional entities involved in providing logistical and financial support for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and housing created under RAD Project Based Vouchers, a new form of private-public partnership that BHA turned to some years ago in lieu of adequate funding for upkeep of their public housing.
They touch upon how units and facilities in the Crestmont Community neighborhood and the new Hopewell development look to be in jeopardy, and the public statement put out by BHA to inform the public about their present circumstance and discuss planned efforts to convey their concerns and needs to elected representatives in a trip to Washington, D.C.
To learn more about these organizations, click here.
In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization in Part 2, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?
This story is based on a commentary by John Ketsenberger, Director of Government Relations at The Nature Conservancy. Hoosiers overwhelmingly support protecting Indiana’s water supply and ensuring it’s available to everyone well into the future, according to a recent survey commissioned by The Nature Conservancy. A full 95% of Hoosiers agree that water is a public resource that should be protected.
Around 80% believe Indiana should have a comprehensive policy to manage its water resources, and 81% said protecting Indiana’s water and other natural resources is “important to (their) voting decisions in state elections.” Bellwether Research surveyed 800 registered voters in Indiana in mid-November. Forty percent said they were Republican and 22% Democrat, while the rest said they were independent. The survey has a 3% margin of error.
This is important because it represents voters across the spectrum and provides a clear window into Hoosiers’ thinking about water and natural resources. This is especially significant as the General Assembly convenes, and water is an issue on the minds of legislators. Several water-related bills have been filed and more are expected. They run the gamut from protecting withdrawals to establishing new regulations.
It’s the ideal time for the Braun administration and legislators to appoint a wide-ranging commission — representing all the diverse needs of Hoosiers — to spend the next two years understanding our water resources and how best to protect them for the future. The charge should include a comprehensive agenda of policies and legislation to ensure our future is rich with abundant clean water for everyone.
This is a reasonable approach, like what Ohio has done in recent years. The H2Ohio program was enacted after a study and has since spent billions of dollars on the state’s water future. Texas likewise just approved more than $2 billion for new water projects in water districts across that state. Texas first enacted its comprehensive water program in 1957.
Indiana would be wise to take the time to learn from Texas and others how to manage our most precious resource, but we still need more information. The Indiana Finance Authority recently released its latest regional water study, this one for north-central Indiana, which found there’s plenty of water, but it’s not distributed evenly across the area.
Hoosiers also recognize wetlands play an important role in our water system. Seventy-three percent said they support restoring protections for wetlands that were repealed by the General Assembly in 2021, including 48% who strongly support it. And 83% support incentives for residential and commercial developers who protect wetlands as part of their planned developments. This is good news, but there are large portions of the state that still need similar study, and this proposal would allow time for that to happen.
WFYI reports that Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) has been tapped to head up Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources. He said he intends to help carry out Gov. Mike Braun’s agenda to “look for efficiencies” in rulemaking. For more than a decade, Morrison has served House District 42 — which represents Parke and Vermillion counties as well as parts of Vigo, Fountain and Clay counties. He also served as a member of the House environmental affairs and natural resources committees.
Morrison said he plans to use his position to make regulations more efficient at the DNR, along with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Utility Regulatory Commission. “Working as a team to help move forward that economic development and make it easier for businesses to grow, move in — that’s what our goal is,” he said.
Morrison has sponsored bills in the past to significantly reduce protections for the state’s wetlands — which benefitted home developers. He also supported bills to allow industries to capture their carbon emissions and store them underground. He’s also co-authored other environment-related bills — including some that support mine reclamation in the state and a bill that requires utilities to note coal plant closures in their long-term plans. That bill originally would have prevented utilities from closing coal plants until the state comes up with a statewide energy plan.
Congress is set to vote on a repeal of Biden administration climate regulations. Two bills scheduled this week would roll back rules to limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations and efficiency standards for water heaters. They would also bar similar rules in the future.
Congress is scheduled to vote on two bills this week that would roll back climate regulations issued in the final months of the Biden administration. The agencies that implemented the rules, which limit methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and set efficiency standards for water heaters, expected them to prevent tens of millions of tons of climate pollution in coming decades if left in place.
Indiana has been experiencing La Niña conditions, which are expected to continue from February–into April 2025. La Niña is a phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation La Niña typically brings more precipitation to the Midwest. In Indiana, NOAA predicts above-average precipitation from February to April. The models predict that La Niña conditions will transition to neutral in byApril 2025.
In this week’s feature report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization in Part 2, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?
- A Nature Break will take place at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, March 15th, from 10 to 11:30 am. There will be stories about wetlands and exploration of what is happening in the wetlands. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- A Bird Beak Lab is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 15th, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Since birds do not have hands or teeth, we will find out how they eat. Their beaks have adapted to allow them to be specialists in their fields.
- A Music Program on Frog Calls will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, March 21st, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Different frog calls will be played in this fun musical program. Celebrate National Frog Day!
- On Saturday, March 22nd, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will host a free community reading of ‘A Sand County Almanac,’ by the famed conservationist Aldo Leopold. The event takes place in the Visitors Center from 9 to 10 am.
- Participate in a Wildflower Seed Bombs activity on Saturday, March 22nd, from 1 to 2 pm at Winslow Woods Park. You will sow wildflower seeds to enrich the local landscapes and foster biodiversity. Sign up at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
On February 17th, 2025, Bloomington jazz quartet, Pangaea Sky joined us for Local Live! Listen to embark on a musical journey through space and time. Check out the conversation with host, Nicki Seven and hear them perform live in the studio!
WFHB Production Team:
Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
Host: Nicki Seven
Session Engineers: Alex Hammel and Marcus Drolet
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Spring is here, after a long, hard winter. More trees will be will be growing leaves in Bloomington this year, thanks to Canopy Bloomington’s regular schedule of planting as well as its new Cool Corridors program. Staffers, board members, and community volunteers for the nonprofit were out in force in the Crestmont neighborhood this past weekend, digging holes, putting in trees, and educating neighbors on care and maintenance for the new plantings. Canopy faces reduced federal funding this year but Hartman and Vickers remain optimistic that its goals can be reached.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 13th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we welcome back Dr. Joey Ballard, a longtime advocate for healthcare reform, on Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly podcast in collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB’s Youth Radio Correspondents take a look at Bloomington’s junior roller derby team, the B-Town Banshees.
Feature Reports:
Now, it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare, a monthly collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. Tonight, we welcome back Dr. Joey Ballard, a 2024 IU School of Medicine graduate now in residency at the University of Illinois Chicago. A longtime advocate for healthcare reform, he led Students for a National Health Program in Indianapolis and recently appeared on the national podcast An Arm and a Leg to discuss his work within the American Medical Association. Stay tuned for that conversation—coming up next.
Photos by Lena SwayzeUp next, we take a look at Bloomington’s junior roller derby team, the B-Town Banshees. Youth Radio reporters Ollie Schnell and Bree Callahan visited their skills camp at Western Skateland to learn how the team is building a new generation of skaters. That story, coming up next.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Today’s feature on the B Town Banshees was produced by Ollie Schnell and Bree Callahan.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 99th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Aung Han
In this episode, we are joined by Celine, an IU alumni, as she shared her journey from studying human biology to becoming a civic engagement intern for Hoosier Asian Americans for Power. We discuss the importance of political engagement within the Asian American community and the challenges of reach out to the community through different initiatives.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Aung Han, and Joanna Kung
Our guests are Celine
Our sound engineer is Aung Han
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 12th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News looks back at a report regarding refugees in Indiana on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment.
Feature Report:
Exodus Refugee Immigration is one of several organizations in Bloomington that provide refugee families with assistance. | Photo by Olivia BiancoIn today’s feature report, Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this series, we explore how the global refugee crisis is playing out right here in Indiana. We’ll break down what it means to be a refugee, how people become refugees, and look at the local challenges and opportunities faced by those resettling in Bloomington. Through interviews with local organizations, we’ll uncover the impact on our community. Stay with us for this investigation.
Up next, a classic edition of Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. Host and producer Richard Fish has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes The Helber Sisters to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, March 8th from 11am to noon for their roots-folk harmonies – a fantastic, pleasantly melodic groove to set the tone for the new year. Listen on air or join our audience free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, as Janet and Vickie, along with some very special musical guests, perform live! It’s The Helber Sisters on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, March 8th at 11am, on WFHB.”
Featured Animal: Daisy and Darla
Tune in to the episode to learn about Daisy and Darla, a pair of bonded Beagle dogs currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Featured Topic: Puppy Mills
Tune in to the episode to learn about puppy mills, the problems associated with them, and why it’s important to “adopt not shop” for companion animals.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 11th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we hear from Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority about impacts to local housing projects from federal job cuts and funding freezes. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Election Board Moves Forward with Vote Center Study, Welcomes New Republican Member
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).The Monroe County Election board met on March 6th. Notably absent from the meeting was Republican Board Member, John Arnold, who at the last meeting, said they are opposed to vote centers. In their place, was the newly nominated Republican Board Member, Danny Shields. Democratic Board Member John Fernandez welcomed him to the board.
County Clerk Nicole Browne also welcomed Shields.
Shields explained that the new Republican Chair, Corey Grass, appointed him to the Election Board in the place of Arnold.
Starting off the meeting, Clerk Nicole Browne reported on recent legislation that could impact Indiana elections.
Clerk Browne also provided a quick update on the new Monroe County Democratic and Republican Party Elected Positions.
Next, the Vote Center Study Committee presented a final update on their report.
Vote Center Study Committee Member Illana Stonebraker gave the update on the behalf of the committee.
She walked through the steps necessary to establish vote centers in the committee, sharing what they have done, and what will be necessary to do moving forward.
Stonebraker said that the committee found vote centers could be beneficial for Monroe County voters, and recommended their approval. They also offered recommendations on early voting.
Stonebraker urged the Election Board to move forward with the next steps in a timely manner saying this is a golden time period since there is not a major election being held this year.
Democratic Board Member John Fernandez remarked that this could be a good way to not only increase public participation in elections, but also improve the financial cost effectiveness.
His microphone was experiencing technical difficulties, but he went on to say, “Probably not with option one, but there may be some other options, that thread the needle of improving access to democracy in a fair way with minimizing any costs.”
Election Supervisor Kylie Farris said that any equipment that is not used, can be used as backup equipment for the time when something inevitably stops working.
Republican Board Member Danny Shields asked about how much the county pays per vote.
Election Supervisor Kylie Faris responded.
The board approved moving forward with a public hearing on the Vote Center Committee’s report. The next meeting of the Monroe County Election Board will be held on April 3rd.
Feature Report:
Federal budget cuts and hiring freezes are making waves across the country, and here in Bloomington, the impact on affordable housing is already being felt. With funding delays and proposed staffing cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, local housing authorities are bracing for serious challenges. In this segment, reporter Zero Roze speaks with Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, to talk about what these changes mean for housing programs in Monroe County—how they could affect rental assistance, new development projects, and the thousands of residents who rely on affordable housing to stay in their homes. Zero Roze has Part II of that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide, Laurie Frederickson and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zero Roze.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Feature by Laurie Frederickson
The American Immigration Council estimates that more than 400,000 immigrants and refugees reside in Indiana. But recent state and national-level policy changes have left immigrants and refugees feeling uncertain and concerned for their futures. The 2025 Indiana State Legislative Session has seen a record-breaking 15 immigration-focused proposals, in addition to the 10 executive orders already signed into action by the Trump Administration. The effects of these policy changes have already been felt by a number of families and individuals, leaving many uncertain and afraid.
Sylvia McNair, Bloomington Refugee Support Network Board MemberSylvia McNair is on the Board of the Refugee Support Network, a Bloomington-based organization that is dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in adjusting to life in our community. She explained these policy changes came with almost immediate effects.
“[T]here’s a story about a family who was waiting in a refugee camp to come to America, and the grandmother, who’s in her middle 70s, late 70s, somehow, because of the way the wheels turn, was told she could come first. And then she came, and of course, assumed the rest of her family, her children and grandchildren, would be following right behind, and that they would be able to all live together. Well, when Donald Trump put the brakes on the refugee resettlement program, the rest of the family was told they could not come. So here is a senior citizen woman, by herself, in a brand-new country and a culture that she knows nothing about,” said McNair.
Exodus Refugee, a Bloomington based Asylum-Seeker and Refugee support organization, featured a number of similar stories on their Instagram account. Omar, whose family was set to arrive on February 3rd, said “I don’t know how I’m going to tell them. I don’t know how I’m going to share this with them.” Pearl, another refugee receiving assistance from Exodus, pleaded, “But there’s still hope, right? We have been in the dark for so long. I want to know that there is still hope.”
Cassandra Sanborn, Director of Development at Exodus, explained how devastating it was to make calls to clients whose families would no longer be able to enter the US.
“I know we had called and told you that your family members were scheduled to come in February, but now they’re not going to make it anymore, because they’re not allowed to come to the country anymore,” said Sanborn.
Christie Popp, co-owner of Popp & Bullman Attorneys at LawIt’s challenging to anticipate exactly what the results of so many simultaneous policy changes will be. Bloomington-based Immigration Attorney Christie Popp shares what she sees as the greatest implications of Trump’s executive orders.
“[O]ne sets forth new enforcement priorities. So, it rescinds the enforcement priorities of the Biden administration and sets forth new enforcement priorities. It expands what’s called expedited removal. It calls for the detention of basically everybody who is in removal proceedings, which is what we call deportation proceedings. It reviews funding to non-governmental organizations that work with immigrants and limits the use of humanitarian categories like Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian Parole,” said Popp.
“The people who will really be affected are people who have no legal status whatsoever, no immigration status, or maybe they have immigration status, but it is in a category of temporary status that has been ended by the Trump administration, or they recently came into the United States,” she said.
Many have expressed concerns that these executive orders are overreaching and infringing upon basic rights. For Popp, the expansion of expedited removal is one such area of concern.
“Expedited removal is the removal of immigrants from the United States without due process. . .Previously, expedited removal was limited to within 100 miles of the border and two weeks or 14 days of entry. . .Now, expedited removal has been expanded to include everyone, everywhere in the United States who has been here for two years or less. . .so basically, the ICE officer is the prosecutor, the judge, and the jury in that sense,” she said
Popp also noted that the new executive orders overturned what the Biden Administration had labeled Humanitarian Parole. Under Humanitarian Parole, the United States welcomed people from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
“[M]illions of people have been allowed in on these parole statuses. The Trump administration has rescinded the memos that allowed and the processes that allowed for parole. And parole is not very old. It’s less than two years. So, most of those people will be subjected to expedited removal. So, these are people who were welcomed here by our government, who have lawful status, who have now had that status rescinded, and are now going to be subjected, possibly to expedited removal if they have not filed for asylum already,” she said.
Refugee Support Network’s McNair highlights that it is not just national policies that are having an impact, but that state policies can also carry serious implications.
“Oh, it’s just terrifying. . .there are 15 bills in front of the legislature in the state of Indiana, which are anti-immigrant and anti-immigration. This is an unprecedented number of anti-immigration bills in a legislative session. It’s so overwhelming. House Bill 1399, for example, makes it a crime, a crime, to live in Indiana as an undocumented person. . .Governor Braun and Attorney General Rokita have just passed this law that says police officers must always report everything to ICE, to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. So, these are the kinds of things that are happening in the Indiana State Legislature that are so anti-immigrant,” said McNair.
Popp echoes these concerns, adding that Governor Mike Braun has issued an executive order that “seems like he’s seeking to order the Indiana State Investigation and Law Enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE.” She adds that Trump’s view of immigration as a “military invasion” could lead to an unprecedented expansion of government powers.
“[T]here’s a little-known provision in the Immigration Act that has literally never been. Enforced that would allow the federal government to basically deputize state officials to become immigration officials. Now this is super problematic, because I can tell you, just from talking to ICE agents, from talking to immigration agents, that their knowledge of immigration is pretty limited. They go through some training, but they don’t know the full scope of immigration. Now that these are people who have received training in immigration to deputize and allow local law enforcement to do immigration enforcement is pretty dangerous. I think there’s going to be quite a bit of racial profiling,” Popp said.
Given this push for deportation, it is important for folks to take extra precautions to protect themselves. Exodus has been recommending that clients carry a copy of their work permit or green card wherever they go. McNair urged impacted people, such as IU students on green cards, to be hypervigilant and minimize risks.
“[T]o IU students and to all, all of our immigrant friends in Bloomington, live very carefully. Be very careful, and don’t take unnecessary risks. Don’t draw attention to yourself. . .unless it’s something you feel passionately about. But be very careful with how you live, and don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Popp wanted to remind people of their rights in the event that they come into contact with ICE officers. Popp shared some practical advice on interacting with ICE officers.
“If ICE shows up people, they are law enforcement. So, you people should not run, they should not resist. They shouldn’t do anything like that. But they do have the legal right to not speak to ICE. So, if an ICE officer questions, then they have the right to remain silent. Now they may have to say their name under Indiana law, but they don’t have to say where they’re from or offer any papers to show that they have lawful status. They have the right to remain silent, and they have the right to ask the officer if they’re free to go, if ICE shows up at someone’s house again, unless they have a search warrant or an arrest warrant signed by a judge, they do not have to be let into the house, so people do not have to open their doors to ICE. They can ask for the ICE officer to slide the warrant under the door, but they do not have to let ICE in. They do not have to go with ICE if it’s just an administrative warrant. Finally, if ICE shows up at someone’s workplace, it’s the same rules. You shouldn’t run, you shouldn’t resist, but you don’t have to speak to them, you don’t have to offer anything other than your name,” said Popp.
Cassandra Sanborn Exodus Refugee Director of DevelopmentEven in light of the uncertainty, Exodus has been encouraging their clients to try and maintain a sense of normalcy by continuing to go to work, school, and doctor’s appointments. Cassandra Sanborn, Director of Development said
“We’ve had clients call and say, ‘should I be going to work? Is it safe to go to the doctor? Should I send my kids to school?’ And our answer to those things is yes. We want you to go to work, we want you to go to the doctor, we want you to send your kids to school. You should still be doing those things, but it’s absolutely understandable that folks are wondering about that and that they are experiencing that fear in their daily life,” said Sanborn.
Though it is easy to feel powerless among all this policy change, Popp, McNair, and Sanborn all emphasized the importance of contacting your representatives.
Popp said to “[W]ork with your local governments. Work with the state, so go and talk to your legislators at the General Assembly and talk about how these measures are harmful to your neighbors, to your employees, etc.,”
McNair acknowledges that while it may feel at times like no one is listening, speaking out is the most powerful tool we have.
“[C]ontinue speaking out and standing up for this issue. Write, call your representative. I know I don’t do that enough. I’m the first to confess that I don’t do that enough, because it feels like nobody’s listening in Indianapolis, in our legislature, it feels like no one’s listening. But I have to believe that some of the aides for the elected officials might be paying a little bit of attention to emails and phone messages about supporting supporting immigrants in Indiana”
Bloomington City Council President Hopi Stosberg | Rich Janzaruk/Herald TimesSanborn recommended talking to local officials, emphasizing to “say thank you when they say that they still want our community to be welcoming for refugees”
A number of local officials, including Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson and City Council President Hopi Stosberg, have all affirmed their commitment to supporting refugees. Stosberg opened the January 22nd City Council meeting by saying:
“Members of our community have all been incredibly welcoming, and I just want to highlight this piece that is Bloomington and I for one hope that we can continue to be that welcoming vision to people who come into our community, regardless of where it is that they’re coming from,” said Stosberg.
Stosberg, who has previously volunteered with Exodus Refugee, spoke to the importance of empathy.
“[O]ne thing that’s important to remember is that immigrant refugees are like, they’re all just people too, right? And they’re all just trying, at the base to, like, establish a life for themselves, and that makes them no different than anybody else, and so just kind of keeping that in mind, and a lot of the national rhetoric like It, you know, it centers around, say, criminality or highlights, cultural differences that are either completely untrue or blown out of proportion. And it can, you know, it’s like breeding in this culture of fear of the other, and so people just kind of recognizing that that’s not accurate necessarily, and that it takes getting to know somebody and just giving people equal chance and not buying into stereotypes that they might get exposed to on the media,” said Stosberg.
Sanborn notes her gratitude for officials like Stosberg who have spoken up in support of refugees and immigrants.
“We are so thrilled whenever we hear officials saying that they still want to continue to support immigrants and refugees in particular. I think continuing to say that publicly is really important so that people continue to hear messages that this is a safe community. This is a place where we want people to know that they are welcome and that they are safe. . .I think it’s great when local officials stand up and say, hey, is this the role of local police, or even saying, like IUPD did that up in Indianapolis, that they’re not going to participate in immigration enforcement because, quite frankly, they have a lot of other things on their plate that they need to be doing. So, I think continuing to make statements that they are supportive of this population, continuing to take positions on things is really helpful in order to make people in our community feel safe,” said Sanborn.
These kinds of comments, Sanborn believes, are powerful because they humanize and shed light on the refugee experience. The most crucial thing at times like this is to approach issues with understanding, and as she says, to “arm ourselves with facts.”
“I’ve had so many clients tell me over the years that they don’t want people to look at them with fear. And when misinformation gets out of hand, it’s really easy for people to be afraid of immigrants and of refugees. And so, when we refuse to be afraid, and when we say kind things, when we smile at people, when we see them in line at the store with us, or when we are welcoming to the people that we may be in class with or that we may be working with. That really goes a long way to letting people know that we want them here and we do welcome them,” said Sanborn
McNair echoes this, highlighting that refugees do not take refuge by choice.
“No one chooses to leave everything behind—everyone, their families, their homes, their careers—they leave because they aren’t safe. So I will just tell you. I would love to share with you that the people I have met through the Refugee Support Network in Bloomington are some of the bravest and strongest people I’ve ever met. They are grateful. They are kind. They want to work and pay tax. They want to be part of our community and volunteer at their children’s schools and take food to the mosque on Friday evenings or whatever their faith tradition is, they want to be part of our community, and they are so grateful for even the smallest things,” said McNair.
Council member Stosberg continuously emphasized how important kindness and empathy are, explaining that while policies might change, the character of our community members will not.
“I think overall, for the most part, it’s down to individuals being nice, being moral, being good humans. And I don’t think that national legislation suddenly makes somebody who’s generally a good, decent person who is kind to their neighbors suddenly not be good, decent, and kind anymore,” said McNair
She encourages us to come together as a community and support each other.
“[R]emembering to lean on people who you know you can trust and who you know love you and who you know will support you. It takes a community. And I think that there are a lot of really, really strong components in Bloomington of communities of support.” said McNair
Our community has multiple resources for support. The Refugee Support Network aids refugees and asylum seekers, and information can be found at bloomingtonrefugees.com. Information regarding Exodus Refugee, including how to sign up to volunteer, may be found at exodusrefugee.org. Indiana Legal Services has a toll-free hotline providing free assistance to folks with limited English proficiency and may be reached at (866) 964-2138. A number of organizations may be able to provide free legal assistance, Indiana Legal Services and the Human Rights Commission who can be reached at Monroe County Human Rights Commission.
Feature by Tom Muckerheide
These introductory months of 2025 have been a chaotic time for many within the state of Indiana. The newly assembled State Senate has put forward a slew of bills, numbering in the 500s at the time of writing. But while the committees of Monroe County and the City of Bloomington escape the frigid air to discuss the taxes and infrastructure, voices from the least acknowledged of our community fall by the wayside. For the unhoused and unprotected, this cold weather has made it harder to stay safe and seek refuge in the rapidly filling shelters. Tammy, a 51 year old woman without a permanent shelter, relies on her dog Sophie to get through the cold nights.
“The whole time I get up, I walk around so I can keep some body heat. Plus I have Sophie and me. We sleep together. So we stay close together for body heat, like we put off body heat together, and then I put blankets under us and cardboard under us, and then blankets over us, of course, and just try to stand in the blankets and on top of cardboard. In a dry area–try to find somewhere with less wind, like on a building that’s either abandoned or closed for the night, like on the side of it, maybe where it’s not as high, because sometimes that wind is terrifying,” Tammy said.
WFHB News spoke with Tammy at the Shalom Homeless Center of Bloomington following the string of snowstorms and low temperatures that hit Bloomington in January of this year. With freezing temperatures dangerously low, Tammy and others like her are reeling from the effects. Leaders of nonprofit shelters say that city and state policies have the power to make things even harder, or even easier, depending on the voices they listen to.
Rev. Forrest Gilmore, Executive Director of Beacon Inc.Among the voices advocating for solutions to these problems is Reverend Forrest Gilmore, the executive director at Beacon inc. He’s observed the influx of admission into shelters around Bloomington as a result of the cold.
“Our facilities are packed to the gills, so to speak. Much more people seeking shelter than they normally would in warmer times, and both at the day center and the overnight shelter, we’re seeing so much more need and demand for that,” said Gilmore.
Beacon is a 501(c)3 organization committed to offering on demand and lasting help for those suffering from homelessness. Their primary base of operations, the Shalom Homeless Center, operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Beyond Shalom, Beacon offers a number of services such as the Friend’s Place Overnight Shelter and Phil’s Kitchen. Despite the strain, these services have been of tremendous help to the guests at the Shalom Center in light of recent weather. WFHB spoke with a 66 year old woman other guests affectionately called “Momma.” She said she was grateful for the services of Beacon.
“You just bundle up. That’s all you can do. You want to live? I mean, I’ve got pneumonia now, but I’m living. I mean, I’m 66 years, I’ll be 67 this month, and I’m still living. So if I can do it, anybody can do it. I don’t live in a tent, though. Thank God. I stay at Friends [Friend’s Place Overnight Shelter]. And if it wasn’t for this place and for Friends, or I should say, Beacon, I wouldn’t be around,” said Momma.
While Beacon has seen the increase in demand driven by snow and dangerous temperatures, other shelters have identified different ways the cold can exacerbate homelessness in our community. Emily Pike is the executive director of New Hope for Families, a partner of Beacon and other homeless initiatives in Bloomington focused on housing for families with children. She said that it was more common that summers present an increase in unhoused families.
Emily Pike, Executive Director of New Hope for Families“The weather doesn’t have as strong an impact on family homelessness as it does on [other] folks because at New Hope, we are committed to making sure that no one sleeps outside as a family. So there are no families that we are aware of sleeping outside tonight […] Really, all year round, we see a lot of calls and the summer tends to be the busiest time for us,” Pike said.
Pike highlights the effects of winter in worsening the situation for low income tenants. Expensive utility bills and Bloomington’s lease cycle are among the primary causes of subsequent summer evictions and housing displacement.
“A leading cause of, well, one leading cause of people unable to afford to continue in their current living situation is high utility costs in the winter. And so if you couldn’t afford your heating bill in February, probably by May is when you are in a situation where it’s untenable and you’re going to need to find something else” Pike said.
Cinda O’Connor is the longest-running volunteer at the Shalom Center. While she has helped the shelter in a variety of ways, her favorite has been right at the hospitality desk. She had this to say about her experience on the ground during these freezing months.
“We have big bins–socks, gloves, hats. The glove box has been empty–even with all of our wonderful donations that come in–the gloves, scarves, hats have just been flying out here because everybody needs that, but we’ve had a good supply of hand warmers and the various things that they need. But it’s amazing how quickly they come in and out,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor feels that the cold is a trying time for the shelter and the guests. While she is excited about the work Beacon is doing, she told us that this will continue to be an important time of the year for shelters for as long as there are people in need.
“I have noticed that, you know, those really cold days, that it’s just a mood that you see there on those days. People, ordinarily, people are so grateful and very nice about coming in and accepting our services, but the mood gets a little testier during those cold, cold days, because there’s just not much we can do to help them on their end.” said O’Connor.
The cold streak is not the only thing impacting the people of Bloomington without housing. Executive Director Gilmore has spoke on the broader upward trend of homelessness.
“We’ve seen something that we haven’t seen in a long time or ever. I’ve been with Beacon for 15 years now, and we’re seeing a level of street homelessness that we haven’t ever seen. This is happening in cities across the country and even in more rural areas as well, and it’s kind of baffling. I don’t know if anyone fully understands why, but we’re seeing a significant uptick in street homelessness, and so this is presenting a huge challenge in terms of taxing already highly taxed services. Services that were already at their edge are suddenly seeing demand that’s even more. We want homelessness to be going down, not up, and we’re not seeing that right now. So I would say we’re not prepared. As we do and many others are doing, we’re doing our absolute best to deal with this change and need, but we’re already at the edge, so trying to continue to further push that edge is a great challenge.” Gilmore said.
The question asked by advocates has been how this increase has come about. While nothing concrete has passed the Indiana state senate, both the statehouse and the city of Bloomington’s initiatives on homelessness will have a crucial impact on the community.
The action items outlined in mayor Kerry Thomson’s 2024 housing plan include implementing recommendations from the 2020 Bloomington housing study, increasing transparency and public input in the creation of housing projects, and forging stronger partnerships with the county and state.
Both Forrest Gilmore and Emily Pike, among other issue leaders in the community, are a part of a team that outlined a housing action plan for 2024. This plan addresses what they see as the primary causes of homelessness and identifies immediate and long-term priorities for housing action. Their stated goal is to reduce unsheltered homelessness by 50% by 2027 and 70% by 2030.
Despite Bloomington’s efforts at alleviating housing issues for the south central Indiana community, national and state legislation has been met with controversy by advocates for more available and affordable housing.
Reverend Gilmore said he and his team at Beacon are keeping a close eye on government policy on the national level. He’s been concerned about statewide bans on homelessness and actions necessitated by surviving without a home, such as street camping.
“There also is some talk about banning housing first programs and moving away from housing in general as a response to homelessness, and those are deeply concerning potential shifts in law. And so we’re watching that closely. And Kentucky, just recently, did pass both of those things in their crime bill,” Gilmore said.
Indiana legislators have also faced criticism over their homelessness initiatives, often charged with combating and eliminating the problem rather than helping it. The IndyStar reported that Democrats took firm opposition to House Bill 1662, which would have criminalized camping on public property had it not died due to controversy.
Senate Bill 157 is among the top pieces of legislation that concerns advocates. The bill, which on February 4th was referred to the House of Representatives, allows property owners greater power in managing and evicting squatters, which the bill defines as quote “an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property.” Critics have warned that this bill will worsen housing instability for those with low income and informal agreements with their landlord.
According to Reverend Gilmore, squatting as it pertains to seeking shelter in abandoned buildings is not the most common experience for people without permanent housing. More common is the occupation of woods or public property in Bloomington. Director Emily Pike was critical of the potential for this bill to put pressure on those in tenuous relationships with their landlord.
“Anytime someone is not protected by a lease, they are more vulnerable to homelessness. And so we see, already, a relatively large percentage of folks, I wouldn’t be able to ballpark it, but folks who don’t come from a formal lease, right? So they are staying with someone else and paying half the rent, but they’re not on the lease, or the other person owns the living situation, the trailer, or the house, or whatever, and that is a factor in episodes of homelessness already, and so I would imagine that making that easier… I can’t imagine that it would be great news,” said Pike.
Pike pointed to other ways government operations have created complex issues surrounding low income families and their ability to do what’s best for their child.
“Something that not everyone knows is that it is illegal to be homeless with your children. It’s considered child abuse or child neglect, right? Which makes sense, right? We don’t want children sleeping outdoors. On the other hand, the unintended consequence of that can be that families don’t ask for help when they need it, because they’re afraid that their children will be removed from their care,” Pike said.
Around a quarter of all people without housing on any given night are children. In her view, children are an underrepresented portion of those affected by homelessness, with governing bodies focusing on what we see on the streets rather than the reality for hundreds of thousands of people.
“And a huge percentage of people, something like 40% are adults not attached to families, but who are relatively stable and can be quickly helped back into housing. And then, there’s that small segment of folks who have sort of what we think of as the trifecta, which is a mental health problem and an addiction plus a physical health problem, and that’s what we call chronic homelessness. So they’ve been homeless for a long time. And so I think oftentimes when people think about what would be a solution, they are thinking about that person, and the intensive support that that person is likely to need. Most people who experience homelessness are not that person. Most people need some help to pay a deposit on a new place, and they need some help to find a place that they can afford in an ongoing way, and so I think that is always going to be the struggle when we talk about our elected officials,” Pike said.
Director Pike says that the cost of housing is a primary driver of homelessness in both the community and the country at large. Progress on that, she says, will be what allows us to reach a solution.
“A lot of times we think that homelessness is a problem that’s about mental health, or it’s a problem that’s about substance use, or it’s a problem about the job market, and certainly, all of those things are factors. But at its root, homelessness is a housing problem. When we look at places in the United States where we have a tremendous homelessness problem, we also have a tremendous housing affordability crisis, and so anytime that we are making it harder for people to be housed, we will be increasing the likelihood of a homeless problem,” Pike said.
One of the guests who agreed to speak with us at the Shalom Center, Tammy, experienced firsthand the difficulties of getting housing. She has no record of drug abuse or other medical problems, and she told us how she picks up litter she sees in public spaces around town. Despite this, she has been unable to hold an apartment.
“I’ve never been evicted from an apartment. I can’t get one. I’ve seen people come here and get three or four apartments while I’ve not had one […] Don’t make sense though, why would I not qualify? A 51 year old woman who’s been homeless for 13 years hasn’t had a place that’s not been evicted,” Tammy said.
The City of Bloomington reports that studies have found rental vacancy rates to be at around 3%, locking people like Tammy out of the opportunity to find permanent housing. Beyond quantity, the affordability of housing has also plagued city and county policy-makers. According to the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, as of 2022, 51.9% of renters in Monroe County spend more than a third of their household income on the cost of housing, the 7th highest rate of cost burdened citizens in the nation.
Reverend Gilmore shares Pike’s commitment to tackling housing affordability as the root cause of homelessness for many.
“Homelessness is caused by housing challenges. So we know that if you look at the amount of substance use in a community, if substance use causes homelessness, we should see in communities with more substance use more severe substance addiction and things like that. We should see higher levels of homelessness, but we don’t actually see that. That doesn’t occur in our country, where we see the same thing with mental illness. If there was more mental illness and mental illness caused homelessness, we should be able to look in communities with higher levels of mental illness and go ‘there should be more homelessness here,’ and we don’t. We don’t see that, but we do see something across the country that’s really challenging. When communities have a low vacancy rate or a high median rent, we see really high homelessness in those areas. So that’s the underlying condition. It’s just that with homelessness, the housing market is terrible. Really, really difficult. And particularly difficult for people who are living in extreme poverty,” Gilmore said.
It is easy to see the esoteric language of our legislative bodies and the uncontrollable forces of winter as things which we must endure. But for the most vulnerable people in our community, enduring can be a matter of life or death. The Shalom Center and New Hope for Families are committed to providing effective solutions to housing problems beyond providing shelter. They provide meals, showers, laundry, mail processing, and other services designed to remove as many barriers to getting back into housing as possible. They also work closely with Indiana Legal Services and the HealthNet Bloomington Center to assist people in managing rental conflicts and costly bills.
“Really good homeless services, which are so important to our community, are far more sophisticated, in that they’re dealing with really professionalized approaches to helping people move out of homelessness and into homes, and that’s exceedingly important in our community. We need to be not just providing a meal or a bed but really working to get people into a stable, long term home,” Gilmore said.
Beacon Inc plans on constructing a new, 45,000 square foot facility that will combine permanent housing, temporary shelter, and food kitchen all into one.
“Some of the things I’m most excited about is that we’ll be bringing multiple partners together to co-locate their services in this building where we’ll be working together. Centerstone, Health Net, even the Bloomington Police Department and their downtown resource officers program and social workers program will be working out of the facility. All in common cause to help solve this problem and support people,” Gilmore said.
New Hope for Families is committed to making sure no families sleep outside. They have recently introduced a program that continues assistance to families after they have secured stable housing, following up on keeping their situations manageable and ensuring they don’t fall back into being unhoused. Ultimately, despite our current climate, Emily Pike has faith in the Bloomington community to help uplift our children and vulnerable families.
“The reason our community has New Hope is because our community has the values that made New Hope happen, right? New Hope is not a national brand. It rose out of five dedicated community leaders, none of whom had any expertise in homelessness, all of whom saw that there was a problem and said we would like to help. And that has been, and continues to be what makes New Hope possible,” Pike said.
Tammy and Momma are not holding out hope that the world will be easier for them, but as they struggle to help themselves and their friends under the burden of homelessness, they too are determined to improve their lives.
“I think things will be better as long as I stay positive and I push more forward, I don’t know if they’re gonna be better as far as the things provided. I hope so,” said Tammy.
“I’m still gonna live. It may not be easier, but I’ll still be living,” said Momma.
More about these nonprofits’ missions as well as how to volunteer and donate can be found at beaconinc.org, and NewHope4Families.org. You can learn more about other homeless shelters in Bloomington by visiting the homeless resources page at Bloomington.in.gov/homeless-resources.
Sources:
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/20/indiana-homeless-criminal-misdemeanor-bill-house-republican-cicero-institute/79207490007/
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/157/details
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills
https://www.newhope4families.org/
https://kerryforbloomington.com/platform
https://bloomington.in.gov/housing/affordable
https://beaconinc.org/
https://headinghomeindiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Housing-Action-Plan-Bloomington-Monroe-Co-August-2024.pdf
https://bloomington.in.gov/homeless-resources
https://overflowdata.com/demographic-data/national-data/county-level-analysis/housing-cost-county-22/
https://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/statehouse-squatter-bill-could-exacerbate-housing-instability-homelessness/article_d0d5c2b6-d81b-11ef-a22f-0f02235f10fa.html
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 10th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News hears from Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority about impacts to local housing projects from federal job cuts and funding freezes. More in today’s feature report.
WFHB speaks with Courtney Payne-Taylor from the Boys & Girls Club. She helps Bloomington kids learn just about anything. You can learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
City Council Green Lights Funds For Convention Center Expansion
The Bloomington City Council met on March 5th. The council approved Resolution 2025-03, which authorizes the city to issue 46.8 million dollars in lease rental revenue bonds to help finance the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. The project would also be funded by an additional 3.6 million dollar premium from the bond sale and 20 million dollars already available from the city’s food and beverage tax fund. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided an overview of the ordinance.
According to the resolution, if the annual lease payments and food and beverage tax revenue isn’t enough to fund the project, the city will use economic development local income tax funds as a backup. Controller Jessica McClellan said she believes the city is taking a conservative approach in estimating revenue sources for the project.
An attorney from Krohn and Associates, the city’s financial advisor for the project, also explained how the financing structure would function during the construction phase.
Council President Hopi Stosberg asked for clarification on the lease rental structure and the projected food and beverage tax revenue supporting the debt service. The attorney from Krohn and Associated responded.
Council Members Isabel Piedmont-Smith and Stosberg asked about the backup options beyond food and beverage tax revenue.
Stosberg questioned whether the lease agreement was in its final form or if it was more of a draft. Legal and financial advisors said that the lease agreement included in the resolution was in near-final form.
During public comment, President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Eric Spoonmore said he supports the initiative saying he believes it will help bolster the local economy.
The council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025-03. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on March 12th.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners Tackles Public Health and Potholes
Photo by Benedict Jones.On March 6th, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners met for their regular session. Monroe County Health Department Health Administrator Lori Kelley shared an update about a recent increase in Measles cases.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge announced that the governor awarded 1.5 million in grants for various paving projects. Ridge also shared an update that Bloomington’s asphalt supplier will reopen for the season on April 12th.
Once the asphalt supplier is reopened, the city will tackle the potholes that were created by the recent inclement weather.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on March 13th.
Feature Report:
Federal budget cuts and hiring freezes are making waves across the country, and here in Bloomington, the impact on affordable housing is already being felt. With funding delays and proposed staffing cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, local housing authorities are bracing for serious challenges.
In this segment, reporter Zero Roze speaks with Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, to talk about what these changes mean for housing programs in Monroe County—how they could affect rental assistance, new development projects, and the thousands of residents who rely on affordable housing to stay in their homes. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Correspondent Zero Roze’s conversation with Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, later this week on the WFHB Local News.
Courtney Payne-Taylor got her start at the Boys & Girls Club teaching kids how to skateboard. Today Courtney helps club members learn just about anything, and along the way they develop life skills and build confidence. Find out how she connects with the youth of Bloomington on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zero Roze.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Brandon Lee through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Danielle Willis, owner of Dynasty Haven Caregiving ServicesOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell continue to salute black women during Women’s History Month by speaking with Danielle Willis, the operator and proprietor of Dynasty Haven Caregiving Services. Women have historically taken on the burden of looking after our elders when living independently becomes infeasible. Unfortunately, the number of women who are available to offer such care is declining. At the same time, America is facing a shortage of in-home caregiving aides to make up for this shortfall. Further, as a result of more people forgoing having children or living far away from their children in recent generations, more and more people are aging alone.
Danielle Willis is here tonight to discuss this problem and how her business, Dynasty Haven, aims to provide care to our elders. Dynasty Haven vows to provide affordable and quality services essential for clients and families to effectively live the life that they want, despite physical, mental, or emotional ailments that may make that difficult. Dynasty Haven does more than provide homemakers, attendant care, and companion services. They also have special programming provided to strengthen or maintain memory and cognition. Ask about our Sovereign Knowledge education program.
Rueben Mayes speaks during Dogs Breakfast 13 at Prarie Land in Saskatoon, SK, Thursday, May 2, 2013.Dark Past, Bright Future (DPBF) – C: Liz Micthell concludes tonight’s program by putting the spotlight on a notable figure in Black History. Tonight DPBF focuses on Rueben A. Mayes (born June 6, 1963), a Canadian former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1993. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, becoming an All-American football player.
Mayes is a direct descendant of a group of African Americans who fled racial persecution in Oklahoma in 1910 and traveled north to Saskatchewan, Canada, after reading flyers that promised 160 acres (0.65 km2) of free land to anyone willing to move there. This group of pioneers was known as the “Shiloh People”, named after the “Shiloh Baptist Church”, a small log cabin church they built after they arrived.
He first gained acclaim as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980, Mayes led the NBCHS Vikings to an undefeated season and the SHSAA 3A provincial football championship. In 1981, he set a provincial record in the 100 meters at the SHSAA provincial track and field championship that still stands. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
While it may seem a little outdated, the primary source of energy in Indiana is coal. As the state faces pressure to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy, it is important to consider the economic and social impact the transition will cause. What exactly will it take? And why has this transition taken so long?
“We are at a pivotal moment in time, if you will, with energy, and we are at, even though we’ve been at this fork in the road, we are really at the fork in the road right now, because we are at the point in time where we are deciding which path we are going to take. Are we going to embrace the clean energy revolution? Are we going to embrace lower cost, affordable energy and sustainable local jobs that can’t be outsourced by increasing investments in distributed generation, energy efficiency, those sorts of things, and renewable energy? Or are we going to continue down the same old, same old business path as usual, of investing in highly capital intensive thermoelectric plants that create wealth at the expense of the working class,” said Olson.
That was Kerwin Olson, the Executive Director of the Citizens Action Coalition, Indiana’s oldest and largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization.
When you think of coal, many images may come to mind, including power plants and plumes of thick, black smoke. Some think of greedy corporations or even corrupt politicians. You may even envision images of a Christmas with coal stuffed stockings. Regardless of what you think, coal is the main source of electrical energy in Indiana, and it is having detrimental consequences on our environment.
Coal power plants generate electricity by burning coal to create steam, which spins a turbine that creates electricity. In 2023, coal’s share of Indiana’s net generation ranked the 7th highest out of all US states. By capacity, 8 of Indiana’s 10 largest power plants are majority coal powered. By annual generation, 7 of its 10 are majority coal powered. In 2013, 84% of all power generation in the state was coal. By 2023, this number had reduced down to 45%.
Bituminous coal was first discovered in Indiana along the Wabash River in 1736. Coal mining began in Indiana in the middle 1800s using underground mining, a method of extracting minerals from beneath the Earth’s surface by creating tunnels or shafts. Steam-powered equipment began being used in the early 1900s to remove coal. Today, surface mining is the primary method of coal removal in Indiana which removes soil and rock to expose and extract minerals from the Earth’s surface.
Coal is used in a series of ways including manufacturing such as the creation of cement, carbon fibers, medicines, and tars, while also serving as a huge contributor to the state’s steel industry. All are valuable materials that account for peoples’ jobs, local economies, and most prominently energy production.
Coal power plants are considered baseload generation, meaning that they operate all day and all night, constantly supplying power to run Indiana’s homes and businesses. Coal is abundant, reliable, and affordable, which makes it a great energy for Hoosiers. So why is it such a huge problem? WFHB News spoke with Robyn Skuya-Boss, a Chapter Director in Indiana for the Sierra Club, to discuss some of coal’s impacts.
Robyn Skuya-Boss (he/they), Sierra Club’s Hoosier Chapter Director“And what we discovered when we were looking at how do we really take on climate change and the urgency of our climate crisis in order to really identify where we could best focusing our efforts and really making an impact in our overall greenhouse gas emissions. What we found is that our energy sector, when you really break it down, coal fired power plants, are one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. And of course, that corresponds with a lot of pollution that impacts public health, whether you’re looking at sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, things that contribute to smog and soot,” said Skuya-Boss.
The Sierra Club is an environmental organization that advocates for the protection of the planet, people, and places. They are one of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the United States. As for the urgency of these environment issues, Professor David Konisky, a professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Co-Direct of the Energy Justice Lab, discusses some concerns surrounding carbon emissions,
“Emissions are well documented that the emissions coming from the combustion of those sources produces greenhouse gases, the gases that are contributing to climate change. So to the degree that we are not moving quicker, more quickly away from these sources, we are just exacerbating the climate problem. And that not only has long-term implications, but we’ve begun to see that climate change is no longer just a future issue. It’s here with us and we’re seeing everything from extreme weather events to more severe storms, and that affects all of us.”
There are many misconceptions surrounding renewable energy, including it being too expensive, not able to meet energy demands, and that it is impractical on a large scale. So how can we answer some of the claims?
“I think maybe there’s a conventional wisdom that renewable sources of energy cannot supply a good amount of the electricity that we need, particularly as we try to electrify our economy to reduce our use of fossil fuels. But the reality is that in most parts of the United States, renewable energies are just as cost effective, if not less expensive than more traditional fossil fuels. And there are ways to solve the intermittency problem that people often will point to, that the sun isn’t always shining and the wind isn’t always blowing. Those technologies now are really efficient. They work well with batteries and other types of technologies that make them potentially a really big part of the solution. And it’s really more a matter of political will, and it is technological complications,” said Konisky.
Associate Dean for Research; Lynton K. Caldwell Professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental AffairsSo if it is a matter of political will, what is currently being done? Skuya-Boss, talks about some current legislation attempting to be passed in Indiana.
“In Indiana, since 2005 we’ve reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and that is progress that’s worth protecting. And right now what we are faced with particularly in House Bill 1007, which is a bill that puts in place some barriers to retiring coal plants, particularly by adding additional layers of regulatory steps that utility companies will have to jump through in order to follow through on their commitments to retire coal plants by 2030, and that is a bill that could potentially roll back some of that progress.”
Indiana House Bill 1007 deals with energy generation resources, something that has direct ties within the fight to stop the use of coal power. The bill proposes a 20% tax credit for any expenses created in the building of a small modular nuclear reactor or SMR in Indiana.
From the Citizens’ Action Coalition “House Bill 1007 provides the monopoly utilities with a massive tracker that forces customers to assume the financial risk and foot the bill for the SMR development costs before the utility has even sought approval from the IURC to construct an SMR, and even if the utility never seeks approval to construct an SMR and cancels the project.”
The bill, if passed, will reduce the regulatory oversight of utility companies when they file for approval of new generation resources – resources that support Big Tech companies and their initiatives. More specifically, the bill will make it more difficult for the utilities to retire coal power plants, which would significantly slow the clean energy transition in Indiana. Skuya-Boss discusses some of the motivation behind the bill.
“In part, the motivation for House Bill 1007 does appear to be really making Indiana an attractive state for new data centers, which are very, very energy intensive, and there is just a large amount of energy that is needed to meet the demand of these new this potential new economic development and ultimately what we don’t want to see is that progress we’ve made rolled back because we end up having to build out a lot more fossil fuel infrastructure in order to meet that demand. And so we do need a more measured approach and not sort of effort by state leaders and lawmakers to put the costs and the risks of building out things like small modular nuclear reactors, which have a huge price tag, and also potentially fast tracking things like developing new gas plants or rolling back coal plants that have already been committed to retire.”
It is also important to note that while the fight for SMRs is strong and they are being proposed as a solution to the energy crisis, zero are operating in the US. Olson comments,
“And they do that in Indiana by spending money. The more money they spend, the more money they make. And so they will always choose the most expensive option, because that delivers the highest returns to the company. And you don’t have to think too hard about it. The reason utility companies do not invest in renewable energy is because it delivers far less earnings, far less profit, far less capital. And so to make money, you gotta spend the money, and so they want to feed the coffers of Wall Street and choose capital intensive projects that, you know, the old, you know, Reagan line of trickle down. It’s all about wealth creation, period. Hard stop.”
The 2025 Indiana General Assembly is considered a “long” session due the creation of the biennial budget. While many different types of bills are being heard, this session is especially important for the environment. Olson talks about this importance and how it will affect consumers:
“This is a fairly brutal session if you’re a consumer and environmental advocate, but that’s largely been the case since super majority took over in 2012 and that’s largely been at the case at the Indiana State House, irrespective of which party is in charge, our environment, our natural resources, our democracy and our utility bills have always been under attack and under assault,” summarizes Olson.
Wealth and the environment have been intertwined from the very beginning. Olson said the people currently in-charge of our energy supply want to make money for the amount of work they are providing and power they are generating. It gets even messier when you involve the amount of political investors that enter the picture and begin to affect legislation. Olson remarks,
“It is about wealth creation and creating wealth in the marketplace. And you do that through building really expensive stuff, which is coal plants, gas plants, pipelines and nuclear reactors, those windmills, those solars, those new light bulbs, insulating homes, heat pumps, that stuff doesn’t deliver earnings to their shareholders, but boy, gas plants, new plants, coal plants, pipelines, sure do so.”
Olson puts it more simply,
“The more they spend, the more they make.”
Kerwin Olson, Executive Director of the Citizens Action CoalitionSo if this is the case, what can change? One way that is being proposed is to transition to a cleaner industrial process and transportation. Olson speaks more on this transition process:
“And the need to transition to clean energy for heating and cooling our homes and for our industrial processes is is critical, but as well as for transportation, as well. We certainly, we sometimes pigeon hole the climate conversation into only electricity and our light switch, but the impact climate because of transportation policies and other things is extraordinary, as well as industrial processes as well. So we have to not only decarbonize the grid, we have to do everything in our power to decarbonize industrial processes, heavy manufacturing, aviation, heavy transportation and everything else. It’s a heavy lift. But, you know, we can get it done,” added Olson.
The biggest roadblock we face today is not technology or resources—it’s political will. We have the science, the technology, and the economic data to prove that cleaner energy and greater efficiency save us all money, but politicians are still saying ‘no.’ And this problem isn’t just limited to energy—it stretches into healthcare, education, and every corner of our lives.
While it is easy to get discouraged in the face of the environmental crisis, it is important to
remember that there are people fighting on behalf of our environment.
For the Sierra Club, Skuya-Boss comments,
“The easiest thing folks can do is just go to sierraclub.org/indiana. We have an upcoming events web page, so if you want to get outdoors with us, we have our upcoming outings on there. We also have our seeds of Democracy Program, which is really focusing on engaging around the state legislative session. And yeah, that’s going to be a really excellent way for people to kind of get involved with Sierra Club is just come, come hang out in the woods with us.”
More information on the Citizens Action Coalition can be found on their website, www.citact.org.
Courtney Payne-Taylor got her start at the Boys & Girls Club teaching kids how to skateboard. Today Courtney helps club members learn just about anything, and along the way they develop life skills and build confidence.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Brandon Lee
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
1971: How We Won is part memoir, part history, part instructional manual: how one person, or a small group of people make a difference.
We must keep going. We must continue to fight for change right here at home; this is the best chance we have to contribute to a democratic world community.
1971:How We Won, Charlotte Zietlow’s second book, was published in 2022.
ABOUT
Charlotte Zietlow has been active in community leadership for more than six decades. She served as the Bloomington City Council’s first female president,as well as becoming the first female president of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. She has started and run her own business, and worked with the regional Planned Parenthood office, the United Way of Monroe County, and Middle Way House.
MUSIC
George Russell Septet, with David Baker on trombone
compositions by David Baker
“Honesty” (Ezz-thetics)
“Kentucky Oysters” (Stratusphunk)
“Stereophrenic” (The Stratus Seekers)
CREDITS
Narrator: Shana Ritter
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Assistant Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Cindy Beaulé
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate, and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?
As reported by NPR, national parks across the U.S. are bearing down on an uncertain season, as federal layoffs and staffing shortages threaten many of the services they provide for their millions of annual visitors, from reservations to cleanup to education. The National Park Service laid off some 1,000 employees on Feb. 14, just weeks before the start of the busy season in many of the country’s 63 national parks.
The layoffs, which targeted probationary workers, are part of a broader effort by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk to downsize the federal workforce. NPS officials have testified that the agency was already understaffed — the number of full-time employees dropped by about 15% between 2011 and 2022, forcing some visitor facilities to close or limit their hours.
A bit of welcome news came later that week when the Trump administration gave the NPS permission to fill temporary seasonal positions that had been paused due to the federal hiring freeze. The agency is allowed to fill a total of 7,700 positions — higher than the three-year average of 6,350 — according to a memo obtained by NPR. “Now that’s really good news,” said Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers and a retired superintendent of Shenandoah National Park.
“However, it’s not without problems, because at this sort of late date and the hiring timetable, I think there’s going to be some difficulty getting some of those positions on board in the parks before the summer season hits.” Between the paperwork, background checks, training regimens and housing searches, experts worry many seasonal positions won’t get filled — in general, let alone by summertime. Busy season varies between parks, though generally runs May through September in colder areas and can start as soon as March in warmer parts of the country.
The influx of seasonal workers can more than double the number of park staff in a typical year, Wade said. And their absence will surely be felt by visitors, since they perform such critical functions. The South Bend Times says the only national park in Indiana, the Indiana Dunes National Park, is at risk of being tarnished this year. Here’s what we know about the local impact of President Donald Trump’s aim to slash 5% to 10% of the federal workforce nationwide, including at national parks across the U.S.
Work to restore natural habitats in the Indiana Dunes could seize up or diminish this year. Visitor areas could look shabby or unkempt, Betsy Maher, executive director of the advocacy group Save the Dunes, says. And, ironically, the cost-saving layoffs by Trump and Elon Musk could reduce the number of employees who collect entrance fees. Those fees were enough to support $1.86 million in park projects last year, Maher says.
A story by WFIU concerns a bill before the legislature about invasive plants. An Indiana fund to help landowners reduce water pollution could also be used to get rid of invasive plants. A Senate bill to allow this, SB 211, was passed by a committee last week. The Clean Water Indiana Program usually provides matching dollars to help farmers and landowners implement practices like cover cropping and no-till agriculture — to keep the soil from eroding and getting into local waterways.
But those who support the bill say more funding is desperately needed to tackle the problem of invasive plants on private land. Among other things, they can crowd out native plants and reduce species diversity. Ray Chattin is with the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management or SICIM. “It’s not whether we’re going to see a dramatic increase in the number of plant and animal species that will become threatened, endangered, or face extinction — but how many,” he said.
Advocates say invasive plants also threaten Indiana’s hardwood lumber, agriculture and tourism industries. Ray Moistner is the executive director of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association. He said invasive plants like tree of heaven, garlic mustard and multiflora rose can cover the ground and block sunlight from reaching other plants.
“The survival of tree seedlings is a necessary component because today’s seedlings mature to become tomorrow’s viable timber,” Moistner said. The bill doesn’t give additional money to Clean Water Indiana to tackle invasive species — only the authority to use the program’s funds.
It hasn’t taken long for Trump to circumvent laws and log national forests. According to the New York Times, Trump moves to increase logging in National Forests. The president wants to circumvent environmental regulations to expand timber production, something sought by homebuilders and the construction industry. On Saturday, Mr. Trump directed federal agencies to examine ways to bypass endangered species protections and other environmental regulations to ramp up timber production across 280 million acres of national forests and other public lands.
The move appears aimed at increasing domestic supply as the president considers tariffs on timber imports from Canada, Germany, Brazil and elsewhere. Environmental groups say increased logging would decimate American forests, pollute air and water and devastate wildlife habitats. And because trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, cutting them down releases it back into the atmosphere, adding to global warming.
“Trump’s order will unleash the chain saws and bulldozers on our federal forests,” said Randi Spivak, the public lands policy director for the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. “Clearcutting these beautiful places will increase fire risk, drive species to extinction, pollute our rivers and streams, and destroy world-class recreation sites,” she said.
Mr. Trump called for the convening of a committee of high-level officials nicknamed the God Squad because it can override the landmark Endangered Species Act so that development or other projects can proceed even if they might result in an extinction. The committee has rarely been convened since it was created, in 1978, through an amendment to the endangered species law to allow for action during emergencies like hurricanes and wildfires.
Mr. Trump also directed the agriculture and interior secretaries, as well as other officials, to look for ways to streamline regulations and reduce costs for timber production and forest management.
In this week’s feature report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate, and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?
- A Fire Building class at the Lower Cascades Park will take place on Saturday, March 8th from 2:30 to 1 pm. Learn the skills needed to build and maintain a roaring campfire. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Spring Exploration Hike is planned for Wednesday, March 12th, beginning at 2 pm at Miller Ridge at Monroe Lake. This is an off-trail hike through lesser-known, backcountry areas around the lake. There will be no restroom facilities. Register at tinyurl.com/exp-03-12-2025.
- A Full Worm Moon Hike is scheduled for Friday, March 14th, beginning at 8:30 pm at Spring Mill State Park. The natural world will come to life as you hike under the Full Moon. Information will be shared about the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon.
- A Nature Break will take place at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, March 15th, from 10 to 11:30 am. There will be stories about wetlands and exploration of what is happening in the wetlands. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
- A Bird Beak Lab is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 15th, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Since birds do not have hands or teeth, we will find out how they eat. Their beaks have adapted to allow them to be specialists in their fields.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cybthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr. Joey Ballard, a 2024 graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine, now doing an internal medicine residency at the University of Illinois Chicago. During medical school he was the president of Students for a National Health Program, SNaHP, Indianapolis, the student affiliate of Physicians for a National Health program, PNHP. He was recently featured on the national podcast sponsored by Kaiser Family Foundation An Arm and a Leg on December 30th, 2024, where he talked about his ongoing advocacy, taking many resolutions to protect patients to the American Medical Association, the AMA, the largest physician association in the U S. Dr Ballard was previously featured on Prescription for Healthcare while he was still in medical school discussing Students for a National Health Plan in May, 2022
Joey Ballard MD
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Prescription for Healthcare-WFHB
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 6th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher reports on Indiana’s reliance on coal as an energy source. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a roundup of some recent government meetings in Bloomington and Monroe County.
That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works Postpones Vote on Buskirk Chumley Theater Lane Closure
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on February 25th.
The Parks and Recreation Department requested temporary lane and alley closure approval to accommodate roof repairs at Bloomington’s historic Buskirk Chumley Theater. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh presented the request.
The project involves partial alley closure behind the theater and a flagging system in place for lane closures. Lane closures would occur when materials are being loaded and unloaded into the building, which should last 2 to 4 hours at a time. While Kirkwood will have an existing lane closure, Walnut Street will remain open during the repair.
These closures would occur from March 1st to March 31st, before the upcoming dining closures on Kirkwood. Outdoor dining on Kirkwood is expected to begin April 4th, 2025.
Before the board had the opportunity to vote on the request, the meeting was unexpectedly recessed for unrelated reasons.
The vote to approve the lane closure was postponed.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works is scheduled for March 11th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board Approves Stormwater Surcharge Design, Updates Purchasing Procedures
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The City of Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on February 24th.
After an approval of minutes, claims, and the consent agenda, the Board heard a request for professional services with Crow, LLP for the Design of Surcharge at the city of Bloomington Building and Trades District Tech Park.
Utilities Director, Katherine Zager, presented the request on behalf of Matt Havey, the Assistant Director-Finance.
Zager explained that Crow, LLP would find out how much the city utilities should charge for the maintenance of the stormwater infrastructure in the Trades District. Assistant City Attorney, Chris Wheeler, explained why this is necessary.
This surcharge would be paid on top of normal stormwater fees.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
Finally the board heard once again from Chris Wheeler, with a request for a proposed update to C-B-U Purchasing Procedures. The board had previously reviewed C-B-U purchasing procedures back in 2000.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
During the Old Business portion of the meeting, Board Member Jim Sherman made a comment on the State Utility Regulatory Board.
As Sherman said, this decision from the Regulatory Board was against public opinion.
The Board also heard from the M-S-4 program coordinator, Liz Carter, who gave a report on construction project close-out.
Carter shared that in 2024, the program closed out Tri-North Middle School, Creeks Edge, New Hope for Families, the Standard, and more.
The next Utilities Board Meeting will be held on March 10th.
Ellettsville Town Council Approves New Fire Inspector Position, Reviews Plow Truck Loan Terms
The Ellettsville Town Council discussed creating and filling a position for a new deputy fire marshal at their meeting on February 24th. Fire Chief Kevin Patton said that the position is more accurately a fire inspector.
Patton explained that with only one full-time building inspector, the town lacks coverage when he is sick or on vacation. The new hire will help fill this gap.
The position was approved unanimously along with additional funding for the personnel services general fund.
The council also discussed an amortization schedule for a bank loan on a new plow truck. The council president signed a document approving a 4.75% interest rate and payment schedule.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be on March 10th.
Feature Report:
Coal has long powered the homes and industries of Indiana, but the future of the state’s energy landscape is at a crossroads. As the push for renewable energy grows stronger, the state faces tough questions about how to transition away from its reliance on coal—an energy source deeply embedded in both the economy and culture. What will it take to make that shift, and why has it taken so long? WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher explores the challenges, the stakes, and the politics of Indiana’s energy future in her feature on the path to cleaner, more sustainable power.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Artists need help — and who better to help them than other artists? That’s one of the goals of the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Charles Pearce was named the organization’s first executive director in December and it holds its annual meeting tomorrow at Fountain Square. The public is invited and will get the chance to see what the AAGB is up to and to meet and network with artists from many disciplines.
Host Michael Glab Chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Laurie Frederickson reports on how federal immigration policy impacts us here in Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Invest and Regret” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Reports:
Exodus Refugee Immigration is one of several organizations in Bloomington that provide refugee families with assistance. | Photo by Olivia BiancoImmigrant and refugee communities across Indiana are facing heightened uncertainty as new state and national policies take effect. In Bloomington, organizations like the Refugee Support Network and Exodus Refugee are witnessing firsthand the devastating impact these changes are having on families. With more than 400,000 immigrants and refugees in the state, many are now grappling with fear over the future. In Part 1 of this story, we explore the immediate effects of new legislation and executive orders, and how local leaders are responding to help those most vulnerable. WFHB News Correspondent Laurie Frederickson has more.
In Bloomington, one resident is making a name for himself—by dressing as Batman. While he’s not actually patrolling the streets of Bloomington, he is volunteering in the community. Known only as the “Batman of Bloomington,” he works at local shelters and events, all while staying true to his superhero persona. Though he keeps his identity a secret, he shares his mission of kindness and inspiration through social media. Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger has the story.
Up next, “Invest and Regret” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Laurie Frederickson and Mackenzie Lionberger.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to WFHB Rewind, where we revisit the voices and stories that shape WFHB. Today, we feature a Firehouse Session with Cincinnati-based alt-country artist Billy Fortune, who discusses his new album Be Sincere and the country music that shaped his sound. We also bring you the debut episode of Miscellaneous Legumes, a new Youth Radio podcast with students from Harmony School, and a feature from WFHB News on how Bloomington’s unhoused population is coping with winter’s harsh conditions.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 4th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Tom Muckerheide reports on how the winter weather impacts people experiencing homelessness. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Feature Reports:
As winter’s chill continues to grip Bloomington, Indiana, the city’s unhoused population faces its toughest days yet. Amid heated debates over state legislation and tax policies, many of the most vulnerable are left to navigate a daily struggle for survival. Today, WFHB News takes a closer look at the impact of the cold on those without shelter and the community organizations working to provide help. We hear from individuals like Tammy and “Momma,” who share their experiences of living on the edge, and from local leaders fighting for lasting solutions to homelessness. WFHB News Correspondent Tom Muckerheide has more.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Tom Muckerheide, Laurie Frederickson and Mackenzie Lionberger.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animal: Tiffany
Tiffany is a cat with gray patterned fur, and she’s about one year old. She came to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter in pretty terrible condition. She had a serious uterine infection called pyometra and an eye in desperate need of removal.
One emergency surgery later, and this little gal was on the road to recovery. Tiffany’s remaining eye appears healthy, however she does have limited vision out of it. She is currently living in a foster home where she is slowly learning to navigate with her impaired vision.
Tiffany would love an adopter who is down with taking things slowly while she gets acclimated to the way of the world. To learn more about Tiffany, including adoption details, you may reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492.
Featured Topic: Crisis Housing Program
Tune in to the episode to learn about the E. Susan Bartlett Crisis Housing Program through the Monroe County Humane Association, which provides assistance for cats and dogs whose owner is experiencing a crisis.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
On Tuesday, February, 19th, 2025 we welcomed Cincinnati, OH based alt country artist, Billy Fortune! We chatted about his new album “Be Sincere” out on Hum Drum Press, the show at The Buskirk Chumley, growing up listening to country music, songwriting, and shooting your shot. This was such a great session!
Video Production: No Guru Media
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Mike Chrastil
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On Tuesday, February, 4th, 2025 we welcomed New York City based roots duo, Grace Leckey and Jessie Bitner! We chatted about their Bloomington connection, working on new music, living in NYC, their childhood influences and more! This was our very first session of 2025 and it was a gorgeous one!
Video Production: No Guru Media
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Christy Crandal
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
This program originally aired on August 20, 2018:
Cornelius Wright and William Hosea welcome Benedicte Joan and Dr. Karen Renner.
PART ONE:
On tonight’s show, Cornelius and William are joined by Benedicte Joan, founder of Train & Travel. She talks about this charity that seeks to foster solidarity and economic development through tourism. Their mission is to promote local tourism, empower women through professional development, and empower women through personal development.
Benedicte Joan, founder of Train & TravelPART TWO:
Dr. Karen Renner stops by to share medical advice and tips on keeping your children healthy as they start a new school year.
Dr. Karen L. Reid-Renner MDCREDITS
Hosts: Cornelius Wright and William Hosea.
Bring It On! is produced by Clarence Boone.
With help from WFHB News Director Wes Martin.
Our Board Engineer is Chris Martin.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 3rd, 2025.
Later in the program, a look into how the Spencer Pride Banned Book Club finds strength in discussing perspectives that some would rather keep off the shelves. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Ava Hartman from CanopyBloomington, a local nonprofit throwing shade on our town – the good kind of shade! Stay tuned to hear about spring tree plantings later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County School Board Sounds Alarm on Statehouse Bills Impacting School Funding
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.At the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting on February 25th, MCCSC Board member, Ashley Pirani, provided an update on weeks 4-7 of the statehouse legislative session, starting with comments regarding Senate Bill 1.
Piriani also shared information in regards to House Bill 101, which relates to school budgets.
Furthermore, she condemned a bill requiring public schools to share their funds with charter schools.
Pirani drew attention to one more bill that might be problematic for the district, Senate Bill 287.
Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston concluded the meeting by sharing an update about the financial situation of MCCSC in light of declining enrollment and state and national policy changes.
Winston went on to reassure the Board that wage increases would continue to match cost of living and inflation.
Winston also pointed out that state and federal changes could similarly impact the district’s budget. In light of these impending financial changes, Dr. Winston revealed a new plan for maintaining financial stability for MCCSC schools.
She shared that the district would be carefully and efficiently managing its budget going forward.
She reaffirmed that the district could focus on what she calls “sustained excellence”.
The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th.
Monroe County Council Sets Timeline for New Jail Construction
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council discussed the timeline of the new jail construction at their meeting on February 25th. According to Project Manager Scott Carnegie, construction should start in July of 2026 and be substantially completed in 2029.
Carnegie highlighted steps already taken on the jail, including a completed pre-design package to be shared with the council. The meeting to discuss this was held on the the 27th.
During public comment, community member Seth Mutchler urged the council to reconsider the jail construction before it begins. He noted that Bloomington does not share the same ideals as Washington, D.C., and this could be an opportunity to fight for local values.
Mutchler emphasized that he believes the funds for the jail could be better used in Monroe County.
Next, Financial Solutions Group Municipal Advisor Greg Guerrettaz provided a deep dive into the county’s financial status. He highlighted the strong general fund balance, but cautioned the council not to expect the same returns in the future.
Guerrettaz explained that high interest rates have contributed to the strong fund balance, but the Federal Reserve is discussing lowering rates. With a 2.5-year jail construction project ahead and construction costs rising 7-12% annually, Guerrettaz recommended the county find areas to reduce the budget.
Councilman Trent Deckard referenced a recent Herald Times article about ambulance services, emphasizing that the council’s actions directly impact local services.
He emphasized that legislators need to consider the impact of their actions on communities and their needs before making cuts. Guerrettaz urged the county to plan ahead with its budgets, not just focus on the current year, noting that considering only one year is how counties “miss the boat.”
The council approved requesting a donation fund for contributions made in memory of Council Member Cheryl Munson, which will be used for funding applications from the Sophia Travis Community Service Grants.
The council also approved a resolution opposing Indiana Senate Bill 1, arguing it would have a negative impact on local municipalities, exceeding $2 billion. Senate Bill 1 aims to reduce property taxes.
The Monroe County Council will meet next on March 11th.
Feature Reports:
Book bans are on the rise across the country, with many targeted titles telling the stories of marginalized communities. But in Spencer, Indiana, one group is pushing back—by reading. The Spencer Pride Banned Book Club was founded over three years ago by Julie Parmenter, and each month, members gather to explore books that have been banned or challenged, particularly in conservative-led states. From The Diary of Anne Frank to 1984, the club finds strength in discussing perspectives that some would rather keep off the shelves. Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger has more on how this group is reclaiming the power of literature.
CanopyBloomington provides Bloomington residents with access to green spaces. They host volunteer-led tree planting events that help expand the urban forest while offering people a chance to give back to the community. Ava Hartman is the executive director of CanopyBloomington. She emphasizes the importance of engaging in conversations about trees and their role in our environment. She’s here to encourage everyone to get involved on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Laurie Frederickson, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Mackenzie Lionberger.
Morgan Reynolds produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Over three years ago, Spencer Pride began it’s Banned Book Club, which was founded by member, Julie Parmenter. The group meets the fourth Thursday of every month to discuss books that have been banned or discussed of getting banned in red states. These books entail of historic biographies like The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank or 1984 by George Orwell. The group finds power within reading about different perspectives. Many of the books being targeted by book ban policies tell the stories of minorities and the LGBTQ+.
CanopyBloomington hosts volunteer-led tree planting events that help expand our urban forest. Executive Director Ava Hartman loves going to those events and seeing neighbors building community as they plant and care for the donated trees. She’s hoping you might want to volunteer to green up YOUR neighborhood!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org
This episode of Activate! was produced by Morgan Reynolds
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
In this edition of Eco Report, part four of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, about legislation being proposed in the State Capitol.
IDS reports Bloomington may dissolve its Climate Action and Resilience committee, committee members and City Council members Matt Flaherty and Hopi Stosberg said. Flaherty, the committee chair, said the council will take up a single resolution regarding changes related to committees in the coming weeks. “That resolution will include the proposed sunsetting of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee in favor of directing climate-related policy work into other channels and activity streams (both existing and new)” he said in an email to the Indiana Daily Student.
In a time when lawmakers are walking back climate action initiatives on a national scale, the city of Bloomington is planning to potentially “sunset” its climate action committee, which the city founded in 2020. Stosberg said the proposal to sunset the program is not motivated by the changed political climate. “It might be strange, the city council (getting) rid of their climate action committee,” she said. “What’s going on with that? But the real reason is really that it’s not needed.”
Artist and climate awareness activist Carol Rhodes takes the proposed plans as “cautionary.” Rhodes is the founder of Bloomington based nonprofit Artists for Climate Awareness. “Re-delegating the responsibilities of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee to other departments who will operate under the directive of the existing Climate Action Plan can be fiscally and operationally sensible,” Rhodes said.
The committee was formed in 2020 to focus on the city’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community resilience. Connecting dots between the city’s climate action to economic, so, or just not necessary anymore.” In April 2021, the city adopted its climate action plan with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, which is below 2018 emissions levels, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Formaldehyde, the chemical of choice for undertakers and embalmers, is also used in products like furniture and clothes. But it can also cause cancer and severe respiratory problems. So, in 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency began a new effort to regulate it. The chemicals industry fought back with an intensity that astonished even seasoned agency officials. Its campaign was led by Lynn Dekleva, then a lobbyist at the American Chemistry Council, an industry group that spends millions of dollars on government lobbying.
According to the New York Times, Dr. Dekleva is now at the E.P.A. in a crucial job: She runs an office that has the authority to approve new chemicals for use. Earlier she spent 32 years at Dupont, the chemical maker, before joining the E.P.A. in the first Trump administration.
Her most recent employer, the chemicals lobbying group, has made reversing the Environmental Protection Agency’s course on formaldehyde a priority and is pushing to abolish a program under which the agency assess the risks of chemicals to human health. In recent weeks it has urged the agency to discard its work on formaldehyde entirely and start from scratch in assessing the risks.
The American Chemistry Council is also seeking to change the agency’s approval process for new chemicals and speed up E.P.A.’s safety reviews. That review process is a key part of Dr. Dekelva’s purview at the agency.
The New York Times reports the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are preparing an unusual legislative maneuver in an effort to eliminate one of the country’s most ambitious climate policies, an order that was designed to shift the auto industry toward electric cars. They plan to vote to overturn a California ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in that state by 2035. To do it, they intend to use the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that permits lawmakers to reverse recently-adopted regulations with a simple majority vote.
But the California ban is not a federal regulation, it’s a different animal. It’s the result of a waiver that was granted by the Biden administration under the 1970 Clean Air Act, something that has been done more than a hundred times over the years by administrations of both parties. And it is not subject to congressional review, according to a 2023 decision by the Government Accountability Office. Environmental groups and California officials say the Republican plan to try to kill the waiver with a congressional vote would be illegal.
Inside Climate Change reports federal funding to Pennsylvania for climate-related and other programs will be restored, Gov. Josh Shapiro said, reversing a Trump administration freeze after lawsuits by Pennsylvania and almost two dozen other states. Shapiro sued the Trump administration Feb. 13 in federal court over the funding freeze, arguing that it had illegally halted or subjected to an unspecified review $2.1 billion in federal funds that had been committed to Pennsylvania after being approved by Congress.
The frozen funds included money for remediating Pennsylvania’s many abandoned mines, for helping the state reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and for reducing energy costs for homeowners. The freeze also prompted separate legal action by 22 other states and the District of Columbia, leading a federal judge in Rhode Island to order the administration to lift its spending ban.
Indiana is one of the states funded for cleanup of a Superfund site. The Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination site is in Indianapolis, Indiana. The groundwater has been affected by an approximately 4,500 foot long by 1,500-foot wide plume contaminated with chlorinated solvents. The location is near the intersection of East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive and Keystone Avenue.
In this week’s feature report, Zero Roze in part four of his interview with David Van Gilder on bills being considered by the state legislature in the 2025 legislative session. The full interview is available online as an Eco Report EXTRA at wfhb.org.
- Unleash your creativity by crafting your own miniature terrarium in the Do It Yourself Ecosystems workshop on Saturday, March 1st, at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center from 5 to 7 pm. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A class on Mammal Furs is being offered at Brown County State Park at the Nature Center on Saturday, March 1st, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Different animals use their fur for camouflage, protection and keeping warm. You can touch real animal furs!
- The next Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series is scheduled for Saturday, March 1st, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. This is the Brown County Dog Hike that is a social walk with your dog. The hike takes place on Trail 7 around Ogle Lake and is about 1 1/2 miles long. Your dog must be on a leash.
- An Echo Canyon Geology Hike is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, March 7th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Hike the newly built Echo Canyon Trail to learn the geological process that created McCormick’s Creek. Begin at the Nature Center.
- Take a Fire Building class at the Lower Cascades Park on Saturday, March 8th from 2:30 to 1 pm. Learn the skills needed to build and maintain a roaring campfire. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………..Kade Young
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Episode 44 of SoS is an excerpt from The Last Round Up, book four in The Lee Kosak Mystery Series, by Ray Zdonek.
Lee Kosak saved the homeless man’s life once, but now his body has been found in the Beachcomber’s parking lot, the victim of an apparent drug overdose. But Lee doesn’t believe it for a minute. When a missed voicemail message brings back a voice from the dead, his worst suspicions are confirmed. But what was the conspiracy exploiting the deaths of the homeless as well as the victims of street crime? And how would he and Terry Jamison stop the supreme rip-off?
A long time Bloomington resident, Zdonek grew up in Gary and spent a lot of time in the Dunes. In a recent conversation with SoS, Zdonek noted that the protagonists of his work are not based on real people, but part of the fun of writing these mysteries is being able to insert real pieces of his life into the plot. One of his goals with the Lee Kosak series is for each book to address a progressive issue.
ABOUT
Ray Zdonek is a novelist poet, and a jazz DJ on WFHB.
MUSIC
Sex Mob
“Act II: Oddjob’s Pressing Engagement”
“Zamparo (La Strada)”
“Act II: Bond Back in Action Again”
“Act I: Teasing the Korean”
“Il Teatrino Delle Suore (Juliet of the Spirits)”
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Assistant Producer: Doug Storm
Recording Engineer: Cindy Beaulé
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Singer/songwriter Krista Detor so enjoyed her experience at Hedgebrook, the women artists’ retreat on Whidbey Island, that she was inspired to create something like it when she got back home to Bloomington. She and musician/sound engineer David Weber set about the task of creating a small complex of rooms and studios for creative types of all genders and identities on their 50-acre tract of wooded land north of the city. The Hundredth Hill will host a wide variety of residencies including writers, musicians, actors and many more this year.
Detor (L) & Weber.Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Savannah Price started her crochet journey during the 2020 pandemic. With plenty of downtime, Savannah picked up a crochet hook, some yarn, and a Harry Styles cardigan pattern. Since then, she hasn’t stopped crocheting, and she’s even published a book with 15 of her own original designs. Now, that she’s recently graduated from Indiana University, she’s considering what the future of her crochet business looks like. Listen to our conversation about what it’s like to be a young artist, the pressures of having a large social media following, and the burnout that often comes with creating a small business.
Savannah Price posing with her book Retro Crochet Style. Photo courtesy of Savannah.You can learn more about Savannah’s business on Instagram at savannah.stitches. For more episodes like this, visit Unbound on Instagram at unbound.wfhb or check out our show’s homepage at wfhb.org.
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. For this series, WFHB and the Limestone Post look into how social workers are being integrated into police departments, and how effective this solution is at addressing the issues embedded in policing.
Bloomington Chief of Police Michael Diekhoff | Limestone PostIn the past episodes we spoke with professionals to learn more about what it could look like and what it should look like. This week we spoke with Bloomington Chief of Police Mike Diekhoff to learn how the program is actually going now that they have had a social work staff for five years.
Source: Bloomington Police Department State of Public Safety 2024 Annual Report***You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article written by Haley Miller, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 26th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council heard several appropriation ordinances on the 2025 city budget during last night’s meeting.
More coming up in your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole
The Bloomington City Council met on September 25th. Council members heard an ordinance regarding appropriations and tax rates for the Bloomington Transportation Corporation for 2025. General Manager for Bloomington Transit John Connell urged the council to pass the ordinance.
Council Member Matt Flaherty questioned how Bloomington Transit plans on improving bus stops in the city. Connell discussed B-T’s strategies for more accessible bus stops over the next several years.
Then, Council Member Dave Rollo inquired whether Bloomington Transit would expand bus services to a new potential county jail site. Connell says that they’ve been in touch with Monroe County officials regarding transportation for the possible new location for the jail.
Local resident Joe Davis offered public comment advocating for a more centralized jail location which he believes would mitigate transportation issues for the new jail initiative.
Council Member Rollo echoed the concerns Davis brought up and encouraged the council to work with the county to advocate for a more central location for the jail. The council recommended the adoption of the ordinance by a 9-0 vote.
Next, the council heard an ordinance for appropriations and tax rates establishing the 2025 civil city budget for the City of Bloomington. City Controller Jessica McClellan walked through amendments made to the budget.
The council voted 8-0-1 to recommend approval of the appropriations ordinance with Council Member Dave Rollo abstaining from the vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on October 1st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Danielle Bargo, native Hoosier, health economist, and a doctoral student in health policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Bargo published an article last year in the Indianapolis Capital Chronicle, “Why do Indiana hospitals charge more in poorer communities?” Using Indiana University Health as an example she discusses the issues around how hospitals set their prices in Indiana, and we discuss the example of Maryland where a commission sets hospital prices uniformly throughout the state.
We turn now to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She withdraws from the world — both in her mind and, occasionally, physically — to write. Arbogast’s first book, Leave the Dogs at Home, was a heart-wrenching, unvarnished glimpse into a woman’s life of love, choices, grief, and rebirth. She has released her second book, a novel of a young woman struggling to find meaning and identity in the counterculture late-1960s., called If Not the Whole Truth.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 25th, 2024.
Later in the program, Big Talk host Michael Glab speaks with political scientist Jeff Isaac who works as a professor at Indiana University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Cryptocurrency Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
During the September 20th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Council Member Kate Rosenbarger started the meeting by reporting for “Safe Streets for All.” She reported most crashes occurring on Bloomington streets are at speeds of 30 miles per hour or higher.
She said that “Safe Streets for All” encourages a 20-mile-per-hour speed limit, but Indiana makes this difficult due to their speed limit minimum being set to 25 miles per hour except for school zones and related zones.
Post-crash care and the structure of the second highest priority intersection, 3rd and College are being looked into.
During his council report, Council Member Isak Asare reminded the public that we are in the midst of National Hispanic Heritage Month running from September 15th to October 15th. For more information, visit Bloomington.in.gov/latino/nhhm.
Next, the council heard a report from the Bloomington Housing Authority Director of Real Estate Development, Nathan Ferreira, who spoke on the development of the Summit Hill Works.
Ferreira said that because incomes don’t keep pace with rising housing costs, more and more subsidies are required to develop affordable housing. He explained that the primary purpose of the Community Land Trust is to acquire and hold land and perpetuity for the benefit of the community.
While the Community Land Trust retains ownership of the land, it is used to develop or renovate housing to be sold affordably to income-qualifying households.
He shared that with Clear Creek modular homes, they have been able to build four homes, and two are under construction. One two-bedroom home is currently available for purchase. With land excluded from the equation, Ferreira said homes range from $205,000 to $226,500.
Ferreira shared a story of a homeowner who was able to buy a home through their program.
He said that she is a single mother of four and works at a local bank, and could not afford a home in Bloomington. She is a graduate of the Bloomington Housing Authorities Family Self-Sufficiency Program, so she was able to convert her Section 8 voucher into a mortgage payment. The opportunities Summer Hill Works has provided her have been able to create some stability.
Ferriera spoke on another housing situation.
Ferriera explained that projects have an affordability period, and when they expire, they often go to the market rate. With their model, this won’t happen, because it will still be part of Summit Hill, which has an affordability mission.
They are planning to complete a Learning Center and Core Community flats in 2026. They are also aiming to build out current Community Land Trust homes by early 2027.
You can apply for one of these homes by completing their information session found on info@hsc.org, and completing the city’s Home Buyers Club which also creates access to $10,000 in down payment assistance. The Federal Home Loan bank of Indianapolis has an additional Down Payment Assistance Program for minority home buyers of up to $25,000 that can be paired with the cities.
Next, during public comment, Bloomington Resident Greg Alexander called the skywalk a show of “segregation” between those experiencing the Convention Center and the general public. He explained that once the budget was passed for the Capital Improvement Board during the last city council meeting, the decisions for where that money now goes are out of the public’s hands.
Another Bloomington resident, Joe Davis, spoke on the new Convention Center expansion. He said there are millions of dollars being spent without hardly any public input and called the expansion a “glorified YMCA”.
Then, legislation for ordinance hearings was read.
An ordinance that updated the grading permit and other erosion control regulations and amendments related to steep slopes was passed 8-0.
Appropriation Ordinance 2024-03 was read and explained by the Corporation Council, Margie Rice. She said that Bright and Bloomington asked for $72,000 to backfill the Temporary Employee Budget and pay the salary of the facility’s Asset and Operations Coordinator.
The Council asked why Bright and Bloomington was asking for so much so late into the year.
Rice explained they did not realize it was a two-step process that required more money. She said that the Coordinator was originally hired as a temporary employee, but is now a full-time employee that is still being paid out of the Temporary Employee Budget. Rice said $32,000 of the total would be going to the Coordinator’s salary and the rest to backfill the Budget.
Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith reacted to the ordinance proposal.
Rice said she disagreed that the original synopsis was not true, but agreed that it is not as detailed and specific. All of the $72,000 would be going to payroll, but the details that it would be going to a full time position and then back-filling temporary positions was not stated in the synopsis because she did not know this information on July 26th, when she filed the ordinance.
The Council decided to continue the public hearing for the appropriation ordinance at their next meeting on October 1st. The motion was passed 7-1.
Lastly, the council went over the council schedule. They highlighted a special session being held Wednesday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on the fire and police personnel salary ordinances, and a joint meeting between the city council, the mayor, the county commissioners, and members of the Capital Improvement Board at the Monroe Convention Center in the Duke meeting room at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the Convention Center Project.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk host Michael Glab speaks with political scientist Jeff Isaac who works as a professor at Indiana University. Isaac breaks down the 2024 presidential election. This interview comes from our public affairs program, Big Talk, a one-on-one conversation with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. To hear the full interview, click here.
Up next, “Cryptocurrency Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to our 93rd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio! Hearabouts is produced by WFHB and Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
Today’s episode is an interview with Shruti Rana and Seri Lee, members of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. Shruti Rana joined the Hamilton Lugar School faculty in 2017, focusing on international law practice and human rights law, and is now the Assistant Dean for Curricular and Undergraduate Affairs. Seri Lee currently serves as the National Organizing Manager at NAPAWF, building capacity to advance reproductive justice in our local chapters. Together with Kulsoom Tapal, they have a conversation about advocacy in the AAPI community, and what that means for public policy initiatives moving forward.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather.
Our discussion is with Kulsoom Tapal, Shruti Rana, and Seri Lee
Our Engineers are Hibah Butt, Elise Lee, and Kulsoom Tapal.
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 24th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on September 18th, the board held a public hearing on the 2025 budget. Financial Officer Gary Lettelleir outlined the library’s proposed budget.
The board will hold the final vote to adopt the 2025 budget at their next meeting.
Next, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly director’s report.
Later in the meeting, the Vega Discover Implementation Team presented on the new catalog software, Polaris Vega Discover.
I-L-S Coordinator, Christine Sneed, started off by sharing what the current catalog offers, and what the new catalog would improve upon.
Sneed shared how the new catalog will include all of the e-content that they offer like Libby and Hoopla.
Carson shared his appreciation for the implementation team, and said that they did fantastic work.
Board Member Nichelle Wash said she was glad the website was still familiar.
Wash also suggested that the three women be nominated for an award for their work.
The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will meet again on October 16th.
Feature Report:
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. In today’s feature, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on the effort to allow for residential development without eroding Indiana’s farms (Photo courtesy of Flickr).The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. In today’s feature, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on the effort to allow for residential development without eroding Indiana’s farms.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Janek Schaller.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By Janek Schaller
A recent piece of legislation seeks to evaluate the economic consequences of the loss of farmland throughout Indiana. House Bill 1417 calls upon the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to publish a report on the matter by next summer, with agricultural landholdings under pressure from commercial and residential development.
With nearly 18 million acres of farmland, and more than 53,000 farms, Indiana is the ninth-largest farming state in the nation.
State Representative Beau Baird: Agriculture has been the backbone of Hoosier livelihood since we became a state.
That’s State Representative Beau Baird of Putnam County, just west of Indianapolis. Baird is the Vice Chair of the House Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, and sees himself as a voice for the farming community within the Republican caucus. Representative Baird owns and operates a family farm, and still wakes up before dawn to make time for chores at the ranch in Greencastle before driving to the Statehouse.
Baird is the author of House Bill 1417, which was signed into law this past March. The bill calls for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to investigate the economic impact of agricultural land loss on neighboring communities. ISDA’s findings are due on July 1st, 2025.
Baird says the results of the ISDA report will help inform decisions about development proposals in rural communities, but also will promote greater understanding of the “ripple effect” incurred by the loss of farmland.
HB 1417 builds off the work of a previous report called for by the state legislature in 2023, which inventoried the amount of farmland that was lost between 2010 and 2022, and assessed the primary causes of those changes in land use. The state saw a net loss of over 121 thousand acres of farmland in those twelve years. Over 30 thousand acres were lost in Monroe County alone, the second largest total throughout the entire state.
ISDA found that nearly 73% of all lost farmland was repurposed for residential use – as great as the demand for homegrown food is, the demand for homes to cook and eat that food in is evidently greater, still. The report also identified that most of the land loss was concentrated in densely populated areas like Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Bloomington, where the demand for new housing is most pronounced.
Baird emphasized the importance of a“need-based approach” in future housing development.
Baird: Every community is different. Some communities are growing, some communities are contracting. I think it’s important that we realize that we can’t have one blanket policy across the entire state of Indiana that fits all of those parameters.
Representative Kendell Culp, a co-author on HB 1417, believes the bill has the potential to encourage what he labeled“smart growth” in the housing sector.
State Representative Kendell Culp: While we have to have housing, we have to have smart growth, and we have to have housing be developed on on more condensed areas, so subdivisions with smaller lots, instead of having large, sprawling lots for taking, you know, 20 acres and then putting a house on it and then basically taking the whole 20 acres out of production, we have to be smart about our growth.
Representative Culp is a farmer himself. He says it’s crucial that people understand that the true economic value of Indiana’s agricultural sector extends far beyond the crops that are harvested each year. Farms also generate a market for products like fertilizers and pesticides, provide feed for livestock, and create secondary job opportunities in rural communities. Culp also highlighted the positive environmental impact of the agricultural sector – croplands play an important role in carbon sequestration, and certain farming practices can cultivate healthier soils that are more resistant to erosion.
Culp: There’s a lot more than just what you see when you see bare farmland, more than just ‘there’s a ripe and ready for development,’ because I think in agriculture, part of our message, is it’s already highly developed for its best and most productive use, and we need to make sure we’re sharing that story.
Representatives Baird and Culp believe that the data provided in ISDA’s upcoming report will help convey that story to their fellow lawmakers and initiate important conversations about the future of the agricultural sector with local elected officials.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 23rd, 2024.
Later in the program, Megan Gushwa from the Brown County Humane Society, on the help they provide to the community that bigger shelters do not, like free pet food for local pet owners struggling with poverty. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the regular newsletter, the Almost Daily Bulletin. Today’s entry tackles a postponed vote by the Bloomington City Council.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on September 17th. County Commissioner Julie Thomas presented during department updates to comment on Monday’s public discussion on the jail. She also stated that the commissioners will be moving forward with the North Park site.
Next, the council continued their discussion on increasing the county jail tax to help fund the construction of a new jail facility.
Jail Transition Director, Corey Grass, started the discussion. He and Councilmember Kate Wiltz discussed the timeline leading up to this vote.
Councilmember Geoff McKim asked Grass about what he thinks about the saying, “If you build it, they’ll fill it,” asking for those concerned about building a larger jail than necessary. Grass responded.
Council Member McKim said he is in support of approving the maximum tax increase of 0.2%.
As did Council Member Cheryl Munson, who said that she has been involved in approving a tax increase for Monroe County in the past, and takes that responsibility very seriously.
Council Member Jennifer Crossley shared that she cares about all of Monroe County citizens, those that are incarcerated, and those that are on fixed income who will be impacted by a tax increase, but that she thinks they need to make a new jail.
Councilmember Wiltz shared her concern about the size of the jail facility, and explained why she is not in support of voting to approve the maximum tax increase rate of 0.2%.
Councilmember Peter Iverson said that he is in support of increasing the tax rate. He said that the expansion of the jail facility will allow for more community groups to visit the jail and provide more opportunities for the inmates.
The council members passed an amendment of the ordinance, for a 0.175% tax rate. A public hearing of that rate will be held on October 7th.
Feature Report:
The Brown County Humane Society calls itself the little shelter with big results. Despite having resources that are more limited than nearby cities like Bloomington and Columbus, this shelter headquartered in Nashville, Indiana is able to offer help to the community that bigger shelters do not, like free pet food for local pet owners struggling with poverty. Community Relations Manager Megan Gushwa says volunteers are what makes it all possible, and she’s here to ask for YOUR help on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the regular newsletter, the Almost Daily Bulletin. Today’s entry tackles a postponed vote by the Bloomington City Council. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kate C and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Brown County Humane Society calls itself the little shelter with big results. Despite having resources that are more limited than nearby cities like Bloomington and Columbus, this shelter headquartered in Nashville, Indiana is able to offer help to the community that bigger shelters do not, like free pet food for local petowners struggling with poverty. Community Relations Manager Megan Gushwa says volunteers are what makes it all possible.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Amy Cornell’s stories are quiet in tone and pacing, but leave the reader questioning. One mode of composition she works in is “flash fiction,” about which Cornell says,
I guess for me flash fiction is not just short word-count-wise, but it is a flash of insight or emotion. Just a brief glimmer of what swims in our complicated worlds. Kind of a gasp before we shut off the light for the night.
The four pieces that Cornell reads for us are:
“Little Cat Feet”
“Quality Control”
“Wishbone”
“Tulip Trestle”
Amy is currently working on an MFA and has long been very active with Women Writing for (a) Change where she holds safe writing spaces and retreats for people who are wanting to tell their true stories. She is also planning for A Harvest of Voices on October 20th, which will also feature another SoS writer, Angela Jackson-Brown.
MUSIC
“Porch Light” by Chico Hamilton Trio
“Backup” by Oliver Lake Organ Quartet
“Lonely Woman” performed by Ran Blake
Different Trains by Steve Reich, performed by Kronos Quartet:
“After the War”
“America, Before the War”
CREDITS
Narrator: Amy Cornell
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
Coming up later in this Fall Fund Drive episode, Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update on forest protection efforts from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
And now for your environmental reports:
Fracking is an issue in the national election. Trump is all in; Harris has not been clear where she stands. Let us briefly review pros and cons of fracking.
Fracking (also known as hydraulic fracturing) is a well stimulation technique involving the fracturing of formations in bedrock by a pressurized liquid. The process involves the high-pressure injection of “fracking fluid” (primarily water, containing sand suspended with the aid of thickening agents) into a wellbore to create cracks in the deep-rock formations through which natural gas, petroleum, and brine will flow more freely. Hydraulic fracturing produces fractures in the rock formation that stimulate the flow of natural gas or oil, increasing the volumes that can be recovered.
Hydraulic fracturing began as an experiment in 1947, and the first commercially successful application followed in 1949. As of 2012, 2.5 million “frac jobs” had been performed worldwide on oil and gas wells, over one million of those within the U.S. A 2015 Harvard Business School/Boston Consulting Group analysis estimates that shale development created roughly 2.7 million U.S. jobs in the first decade of the shale revolution.
A 2013 study, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, projected fracking will create a total of 3.5 million U.S. jobs by 2035. Drilling and hydraulic fracturing have made the United States a major crude oil exporter but leakage of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has dramatically increased. Methane is the second-most contributor to global warming. Increased oil and gas production from the decade-long fracking boom has led to lower prices for consumers, with near-record lows of the share of household income going to energy expenditures.
Hydraulic fracturing is highly controversial. Its proponents advocate the economic benefits of more extensively accessible hydrocarbons, as well as replacing coal with natural gas, which burns more cleanly and emits less carbon dioxide (CO2), and energy independence. Opponents of fracking argue that these
are outweighed by the environmental impacts, which include groundwater and surface water contamination, noise and air pollution, and the triggering of earthquakes, along with the resulting hazards to public health and the environment. Adherence to regulation and safety procedures are required to avoid further negative impacts.
The scale of methane leakage associated with hydraulic fracturing is uncertain, and there is some evidence that leakage may cancel out any greenhouse gas emissions benefit of natural gas relative to other fossil fuels.
Indiana has a history of oil and gas production, particularly in the southwestern part of the state, where hydraulic fracturing is used to enhance production from older wells and access tight formations. While the scale of fracking in Indiana is relatively small, it plays a role in the state’s energy industry.
—Norm Holy
According to CNBC, artificial intelligence (AI) could drive a natural gas boom as power companies face surging electricity demand.
Natural gas producers are planning for a significant spike in demand over the next decade, as artificial intelligence drives a surge in electricity consumption that renewables may struggle to meet alone.
After a decade of flat power growth in the U.S., electricity demand is forecast to grow as much as 20% by 2030, according to a Wells Fargo analysis published in April. Power companies are moving to quickly secure energy as the rise of AI coincides with the expansion of domestic semiconductor and battery manufacturing as well as the electrification of the nation’s vehicle fleet.
AI data centers alone are expected to add about 323 terawatt hours of electricity demand in the U.S. by 2030, according to Wells Fargo. The forecast power demand from AI alone is seven times greater than New York City’s current annual electricity onsumption of 48 terawatt hours. Goldman Sachs projects that data centers will represent 8% of total U.S. electricity consumption by the end of the decade.
Surging electricity loads will require an energy source that can jump into the breach and meet spiking demand during conditions when renewables are not generating enough power. The natural gas industry is betting gas will serve as the preferred choice.
In Indiana, renewables account for just ten percent of our power generation, putting our state in the lowest third of all states. In the legislature, there remains substantial opposition to anything but coal. However, one major project has snuck through.
According to Inside Indiana Business, Mammoth Solar is involved in a project in Northwest Indiana which is expected to be the largest solar project in the United States. Over 2.8 million panels will generate more than 1 gigawatt of power. The first 400 MW phase was completed in July 2024.
The country’s largest solar farm is being built on 13,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties. It is largely rural farmland with a total combined population of about 35,000. A new initiative with landowners will make those fields look more like what locals are
accustomed to: full of crops and animals.
Doral Renewables, the Pennsylvania-based company behind the Mammoth Solar project, has plans to expand the use of the solar farm to benefit locals and support their environmentally motivated values. Through the dual-land-use project, the company is partnering with local landowners to tend to livestock and cultivate crops on the same acres as the solar panels. Called agrivoltaics, the company wants to act as innovators in the country’s growing solar market, doubling the use of the land and inviting researchers to study its impact.
“We consider the sun as another harvest, another crop,” said Ed Baptista, director of development of agrivoltaics & green hydrogen for Doral. “When you analyze the economics of what we are getting or the farmers are getting with our solar project, it’s far
more of than that they are having right now with a standard crops production.”
As solar energy gains momentum in Indiana and across the country, the $1.5 billion Mammoth Solar project is one of the most ambitious: generating 1.6 gigawatts of power, which is enough to power 275,000 homes. Mammoth Solar is being completed in three phases broken down into north, south and central plots of land. The second phase kicked off in November 2022. Throughout the project, about 800 people were hired and about 250 remain operating the panels. About 70% of employment was locally sourced.
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Zero Roze and Steven Stewart for the latest on IFA’s forest protection initiatives.
- An Identitree experience will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 21st, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn how to identify trees.
- There will be a World Rivers Day Cleanup at Switchyard Park on Sunday, September 22nd from 10 am to Noon. You can help clear debris and invasive species along Clear Creek. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Sense the Night Hike is planned for Friday, September 27th, beginning at 8 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. You will step into the “shoes” of a nocturnal animal and learn how they fully experience and thrive in the dark! Hike is limited to 25 people so sign-up IN PERSON at the Campground Gatehouse between 3 and 7:30 pm on September 27th.
Play credits music. Countdown and cue anchor.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Rose.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.
The City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department is hosting La Fiesta del Otoño 2024 at Switchyard Park Pavilion on Saturday, September 21st, from 12pm to 4pm. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Your Contributions Matter: Shaping the Future Together.”
La Fiesta del Otoño aims to educate and provide enjoyable activities for everyone while fostering connections within the local community, particularly among Latino families and agencies. This family-friendly event has been successful in attracting a large and diverse audience, including residents, students, and visitors. This year, we are excited to have more than 30 community partners participating. Additionally, we will have live performances by Vick Luna Quartet, Sofía Crespo, NoMás, and the Mariachi International of Bloomington. We will have a Latino dance contest with many prices!
We are grateful for the support from our sponsors who helped make this event possible, including Boston Scientific Corporation, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department CFRD, Iglesia Hispana Sherwood Oaks, IU Cinema, IU Credit Union, IU Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, Lotus Education and Arts Foundation, Old National Bank, Riviera Maya, Social Cantina, and South Central Community Action Program – SCCAP.
Please use the hashtag #FiestaDelOtoño2024 and visit the City of Bloomington Latino Programs and Outreach at https://bloomington.in.gov/latino/nhhm for more information. You can also follow the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/7926348614089735/.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 19th, 2024.
Later in the program, former WFHB News Interns Brookelyn Lambright and Leo Paes will be live in the studio pitching during our Fall Fund Drive. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of History Unbound. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. Lambright visits the nearby town of French Lick to document its two centuries of rich history and culture. From mineral water with special healing powers to double decker bike and pony tracks, the small town of French Lick has seen it all. Lambright along with two local historians, Kenton Allbright and Jeff Lane bring you the latest.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
I first visited French Lick, Indiana when I was fifteen. Since then, I have gone back multiple times finding something new and exciting everytime I am there. I knew vaguely about the rich history of the area, but I had never sat down to read about it. I decided that the best way to quench my curiosity about the area and its hotels, especially the West Baden, with its awe-inspring atrium, was to turn it into an episdoe.
Episode six of History Unbound documents nearly two centuries of rich history and culture. From mineral water with special healing powers to double decker bike and pony tracks, the small town of French Lick has seen it all. Myself along with two local historians, Kenton Allbright and Jeff Lane bring you the latest.
For a short video tour of French Lick click here.
Pluto Water’s slogan for their mineral water.The golden statue of Pluto at the French Lick West Baden Museum.A train car at the French Lick Scenic Railway with a Pluto Water advertisement on the side.The double decked section of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus diorama at the French Lick West Baden Museum. It is the largest circus diorama in the world and has been expanding for nearly 60 years, and it isn’t done yet.The Big Top of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus represented in the diorama.The exterior of the French Lick Springs Hotel. Photo source: Historic Hotels of AmericaThe exterior of the West Baden Springs Hotel. Photo source: USA TodayThe atrium of the West Baden Springs Hotel. Photo source: French Lick Resort
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 18th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Volunteer Richard Fish and Publisher of the Limestone Post Magazine Ron Eid will be live in the studio to pitch for the local news during our Fall Fund Drive.
More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Cryptocurrency Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
WFHB Fall Fund Drive
You’re listening to the local news during our Fall Fund Drive. Our daily, award-winning news program, WFHB Local News, is your source for staying informed about our community. Each day, our committed volunteers, who are also local residents and students, work tirelessly to cover local government, explore in-depth news features on community issues, and provide you with the latest updates.
Community radio is a rare treasure, and stations with news departments like ours are even rarer. We take immense pride in preserving WFHB’s long-established tradition of a vibrant news and public affairs department. However, to sustain WFHB’s numerous vital local news and public affairs programs, we need your help.
You are the heartbeat of the community radio movement, and your pledge today can help us keep it thriving. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to secure $100 in support of our Fall Fund Drive. Your contribution can make a significant impact. Simply dial 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as possible. Once again, that’s 812-323-1200. Alternatively, you can visit our website at wfhb.org and click on the prominent red donate button to pledge your invaluable support.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and for generously supporting WFHB, your beloved community radio station. Together, we can ensure our community stays connected and well-informed.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we revisit Part II of our series investigating the erosion of protection for Indiana’s wetlands. We turn now to that edition of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
Photo by Lauren Atkinson.Then, Publisher of the Limestone Post Ron Eid joins the broadcast to discuss the importance of local news, collaborations between the magazine and the station, and similarities between the two non-profit, independent sources of news in Bloomington. Tune in to hear that interview in light of WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive.
Up next, “Cryptocurrency Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 92nd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Anastasia Ilagan, and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are sharing fun summer experience, personal involvement at IU as an Asian American, as well as upcoming ACC events everyone can look forward to. We talked about our involvement with the student organizations and how self-identity plays a crucial role in their position. We shared, thoughts, experience, and engaging ways to explore and learn different culture.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Anastasia Ilagan, and Joanna Kung
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondents Elyse Perry and Madison Stratton will be live in the studio in light of our Fall Fund Drive. More in the bottom half of our program.
Feature Report:
WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. (Photo courtesy of Bloomingfoods).Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community.
Fans wait outside Assembly Hall to watch the much anticipated matchup of Iowa and Indiana. WFHB correspondent Elyse Perry interviewed experts and fans to learn about the increased interest in NCAA women’s basketball. Photo by Benedict Jones.Now we have an archived feature from WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry who reported on a feature in March titled “Interest in NCAA women’s basketball jumps to new heights.” We turn to Elyse Perry for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
WFHB Correspondents Madison Stratton and Elyse Perry are pitching live in the studio during WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive (Photo by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider).Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s features were produced by Madison Stratton and Elyse Perry.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Episode 16 – “Erased from Spacetime”
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where the hosts, DJ Bast and DJ Firebrand, each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them.
The songs from this episode are “Bluebird” by Citycop and “Motorhead” by Hawkwind
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Bast and DJ Firebrand
Produced and Engineered by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 16th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the media outlet’s newsletter, “The Almost Daily Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report.
That’s Elizabeth Capetillo, program coordinator at Girls Inc. Find out how she helps Bloomington girls be strong, smart and bold later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
WFHB Fall Fund Drive
It’s that time of year again – WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive is here! Our daily, award-winning news program, WFHB Local News, serves as your essential source for community updates. Every day, our passionate volunteers, who are also members of the community, work tirelessly to cover local government, explore in-depth news features on community issues, and keep you informed.
Community radio is a rare treasure, and stations like WFHB with news departments are even rarer. We take immense pride in carrying forward WFHB’s rich tradition of a dynamic news and public affairs department. However, to sustain WFHB’s many crucial local news and public affairs programs, we need your support.
You are the heartbeat of community radio, and your pledge today can help us thrive. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to raise $100 in support of our Fall Fund Drive. Your contribution can make a significant impact. Simply dial 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as possible. Once again, that’s 812-323-1200. Alternatively, visit our website at wfhb.org and click on the red donate button to pledge your invaluable support.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and for generously supporting WFHB, your beloved community radio station. Together, we can ensure our community stays connected and well-informed.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Commissioners met on September 11th. They began the meeting with a moment of silence for 9/11 victims, and read a proclamation declaring September 15, 2024, as Lake Monroe Day.
Next, County Health administrator, Lori Kelley, updated the commissioners on wastewater concentrations of COVID-19 having increased as of September 3rd. There has been a small increase in emergency room visits with COVID-related symptoms, as well. The Health Department still has COVID tests available. The public can walk in Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. to pick them up.
Planning Director Jacki Jelen, shared that they will be holding a public hearing on the County Development Ordinance to receive public feedback. She said the public hearing will be on September 24th at 5:30 P.M. in the Monroe County Courthouse in the Judge Nat U Hill Room.
Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider, requested $47,850 be approved for a replacement compressor in the chiller at the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center. Commissioner Jones said, “Considering that the jail is a part of that facility I think it’s extremely important that they not be allowed to become overheated.”
The jail was a recurring topic of conversation. The commissioner also approved another request from Crider for $11,124 toward the purchase of polycarbonate lenses to replace light fixture lenses that are becoming brittle and breakable in the jail.
Later in the meeting the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill, who asked the commissioners to approve the issuance of General Obligation bonds. Cockerill explained the bonds would be used to fund county equipment and facilities maintenance such as projects including airport improvements, park improvements, jail repairs, and more. The GO Bond is not expected to exceed $3.1 million.
The commissioners approved the G – O bond issuance 3-0. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on September 25th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the media outlet’s newsletter, “The Almost Daily Bulletin.” Today’s topic – “Photo Finish: Where do people go to get smarter?” For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
Every day Elizabeth Capetillo helps Bloomington girls become strong, smart and bold. That’s the mantra over at Girls Inc., a local mentorship and learning program cultivating safe spaces for girls to take risks, learn from experiences, and grow. Elizabeth started off as a student volunteer and now she’s the program coordinator. She’s here to ask for your help building up the leaders of tomorrow in a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone pitching during WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive during the local news (Photo by Noelle Herhusky Schneider).In today’s show, Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone, who host the podcast Prescription for Healthcare in collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana, discuss how to support WFHB during our Fall Fund Drive.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast of a program that aired on September 14, 2020:
Tonight’s show focuses on the upcoming Indiana State elections. Hosts Clarence Boone and William Hosea speak with Tonda Pauley and Dana Black to address the many concerns of this election season, such as increasing voter registration and turnout, mail-in voting concerns, and what the key races are to watch in Indiana. Both women have served in public service roles within the Indiana Democratic Party.
Tonda Pauley is running for election to the Indiana House of Representatives to represent District 78 in Vanderburgh County, IN. She’s served as the State President of the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus (IDAAC) for the past seven years and is a member of the Indiana Democratic Central Committee. She has previously held the position of Vice-President and Secretary of IDAAC.
Dana Black is the Indiana Democrat Party Deputy Chair of Engagement, the Indiana Stonewall Democrats President, and a Lawrence Township Democrat Club Member. She is also a Lawrence Township Precinct Committeeman and an NAACP Member. She also hosts the radio show Turn Left and is the co-host of the podcast Policy with a Purpose. Dana works to bring the legislative information Hoosiers need to make sound decisions about those who should represent us.
CREDITS: The hosts of today’s show are Clarence Boone and William Hosea.
The Executive Producer is Clarence Boone with help from WFHB News Department Director Kade Young.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The promotional graphic is provided by William Hosea.
Online writing help and program engineering are provided by Chantalle LaFontant.
Every day Elizabeth Capetillo helps Bloomington girls become strong, smart and bold. That’s the mantra over at Girls Inc., a local mentorship and learning program cultivating safe spaces for girls to take risks, learn from experiences, and grow. Elizabeth started off as a student volunteer and now she’s the program coordinator.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
WFHB welcomes Tom Roznowski to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, September 14th, from 11am to noon. Join us as we welcome the return of this iconic and multi-faceted performer known widely as a talented singer, songwriter, and radio series creator. Listen on air, or as part of our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. Tom Roznowski – live on Saturday’s Child, September 14, at 11am on WFHB.
“Untethered is a love letter to women of a particular age and size, paying tribute to a woman who was the boss at the time when being black and female and in charge was not the norm – late 1960s in rural Alabama.” – Angela Jackson-Brown
Katia Daniels lives a life steeped in responsibility. At the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, she pours her heart into nurturing the young lives under her care, harboring a longing for children of her own. Katia’s romantic entanglement with an older man brings comfort but also stirs questions about the path she’s chosen. The weight of her family’s history bears down on her; a twin brother is missing in action in the heart of the Vietnam War. Having lost her father to cancer, Katia took up the mantle of caretaker, ensuring her mother and brothers were looked after. Her sense of duty extends to the boys at the group home, creating a web of obligations that stretches her emotional bandwidth thin.
When it becomes time for me to exit stage left, I want to be able to whisper to the ancestors, “I did what you wanted me to do. I told your stories and I didn’t leave anything out.”
ABOUT the Author
Poet, novelist, playwright, and professor, Angela Jackson-Brown is the daughter of sharecroppers on her father’s side and her great-grandparents were enslaved. An Associate Professor in the creative writing program at Indiana University in Bloomington, she also teaches in the graduate program at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville, KY.
CHAPTER ONE
MUSIC
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton
“Hound Dog”
“My Heavy Burden”
CREDITS
Narrator: Angela Jackson-Brown
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
The New York Times reports solar farms have a superpower beyond clean energy. The sites fight climate change and can help with another global crisis: the collapse of nature. But so far, efforts to nurture wildlife habitat have been spotty. The sun’s clean energy is a powerful weapon in the battle against climate change. But the sites that capture that energy take up land that wildlife needs to survive and thrive. Solar farms could blanket millions of acres in the United States over the coming decades.
So developers, operators, biologists and environmentalists are teaming up with an innovative strategy. “We have to address both challenges at the same exact time,” said Rebecca Hernandez, a professor of ecology at the University of California, Davis, whose research focuses on how to do just that. Insects, those small animals that play a mighty role in supporting life on Earth, are facing alarming declines. Solar farms can offer them food and shelter by providing a diverse mix of native plants.
Such plants can also decrease erosion, nourish the soil and store planet-warming carbon. They can also attract insects that improve pollination of nearby crops. The question is, if you build it, will they come? So far the answer is a resounding yes, if you grow the right plants. In a study published late last year, researchers found that insect abundance had tripled over five years on test plots at two Minnesota solar sites.
The abundance of native bees grew twentyfold. The results come amid a global decline of wildlife that leaders are struggling to address. Some of the most well-known insect species are in trouble: Later this year, the federal government is expected to rule on whether to place monarch butterflies on the Endangered Species List. North American birds, for their part, are down almost 30 percent since 1970.
But at the site in Minnesota, called Anoka County Solar, acoustic monitoring has documented 73 species of birds, presumably attracted by the buffet of seeds and insects. Some even built nests in the structures supporting the panels. In Indiana one of the chief complaints about solar is that good farmland for corn is being wasted on solar. They see the open spaces as wasted. Yet, there is no complaint about homeowners mowing 3 acres of lawn which supports zero wildlife.
According to two new reports from Bloomberg, the global clean energy transition has reached significant milestones and is poised to continue at its current pace. Last year for the first time more than 40 percent of the planet’s electricity was generated by zero-carbon sources, of which 14 percent were from solar and wind. Hydroelectric and nuclear are very important means of zero-carbon energy production.
In 2023, nearly 91 percent of net power capacity additions worldwide were from solar and wind, compared with six percent from fossil fuels, the lowest level ever. “We have seen a step-change in renewable energy compared to a few years before. There’s now no question this is the largest source of new power generation, wherever you go.” said Sofia Maia, lead author of Power Transition Trends 2024.
The first half of this year brought $313 billion in new renewable energy investment, which was comparable to the same period in 2023. Renewables made up almost a third of power generation worldwide in 2023, up five percent year-on-year. According to the reports, hydropower made up 14.7 percent, solar and wind a record 13.9 percent and nuclear 9.4 percent. Findings from the reports, both published by BNEF — the 2H 2024 Renewable Energy Investment Tracker and Power Transition Trends 2024 — indicated that momentum toward green energy has accelerated.
China continued to dominate new renewables investments. In the first six months of 2024, the United States was the world’s second largest market and has seen a 63 percent increase in half-annual investment levels since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. During the same period, Pakistan jumped from being the 14th-largest new solar investment market last year to the fifth-largest in 2024. Indiana gets 10 percent of its power from wind and solar.
In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
- Take a Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 14th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Meet at the Canyon inn to hike to the highest point in Owen County to learn fact and fiction as you enjoy the Full Harvest Moon.
- Take a Night Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Tuesday, September 17th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Enjoy the peace and serenity during the Full Moon. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- There will be a World Rivers Day Cleanup at Switchyard Park on Sunday, September 22nd from 10 am to Noon. You can help clear debris and invasive species along Clear Creek. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Thanks to Cale Ulery and. Zachary Taylor of Bloomington Pride and a million other projects for coming on to tell us about this Saturday’s Pridefest on Kirkwood!
It is also Fund Drive Time!!!! Yes! BECOME A SUPPORTER OF WFHB! Invest in the Community Radio Station that is Of, By, and For the community! It’s an investment in yourself!
Check us out onApple Podcasts and Spotify
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
By Jasmine Wright
On September 8th, at exactly 11 p.m, 126 people of all ages and backgrounds gather in front of Indiana Universities Sample Gates eager to start the Sunday Vigil, but a new expressive activity policy has Superintendent for Public Safety Benjamin Hunter surveying the scene and arguing with an anonymous protester.
“Policies are not laws,“ said the protester. “A policy that is unjust should be violated.”
The Associate Vice Provost for Involvement and Belonging, Vicka Bell-Robinson, outlines the policy itself to protestors.
“University policy is that we’re only allowed to publicly demonstrate between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. It is now after 11 p.m.,” said Bell-Robinson.
Although it meant possible arrests, protesters stepped onto IU campus and continued their Sunday Vigil. Many protesters took turns speaking out about the policy, especially Guy Loftman, who served as IU student body president and organized IU’s Students for Democracy Society Chapter. Loftman hosted the Vigil and was a main speaker. He wore a hat with the word “woke” in all caps across it.
“I’m woke, or at least I’m as woke as I know how to be,” said Loftman. “I believe in equal rights for everybody. I believe that nobody should be discriminated against because of their race or their gender or the way they like to present themselves. I believe that America should not be an imperialist power that suppresses other nations. I believe that this is something that’s on all of us.”
Loftman wanted to start the Vigil by reading the names of those who have been reported to Indiana University for their involvement with protesting and assembling on campus.
“My second ceremonial act will be reading of the names of those who have been reported or self reported to the university for exercising their constitutional rights of free speech and freedom to assemble,” said Loftman. “As I read each name and their association with the University, please join me in saying, we stand with you.”
Former attorney and social justice advocate Guy Loftman sports a hat with the word “woke” in all capital letters printed on it (Photo by Jasmine Wright).Many more students and faculty were arrested earlier this summer at the encampment located on Dunn Meadow. Jesse, an IU Divestment Coalition member, has been protesting for Palestine since the encampment was built, and now stands alongside the green feather movement too.
“I was really shocked by the police presence in response to peaceful protesters who are out there to support the civilians in danger in Gaza who are being killed,” said Jesse.
Jesse says the IU Divestment Coalition is now working on a petition aiming for 5,000 signatures by the next Board of Trustees meeting. One of the points on the petition is calling for the resignation of Pamela Whitten, Carrie Docherty and Rahul Shrivastav. Many protesters took turns speaking out about both Palestine and the policy during the vigil. One protester invited others to write the names of children who have died in Gaza on the sidewalk.
“This university is not only invested in genocide, it will not even let us mourn the martyrs of that genocide, a genocide not just in Gaza, but all of Palestine,” said the protester.
Another protester started taking his students on a four hour bus trip to Michigan to see and learn about Samia Halaby, a world-renowned Palestinian artist and Indiana University alum. IU had canceled Halaby’s exhibition earlier this year. The exhibition had been planned for 3 years and over 9,000 signatures were taken to reinstate it but IU did not budge. Loftman speaks on professors protesting against the university.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful. I think finding hacks around the university’s refusal to allow people to think and obstructing people’s thinking, then let’s find a way around it, even if it means driving hours up to Michigan, where that hasn’t happened,” said Loftman.
The vigil ended with a sing-a-long. Leading the sing-a-long, William Morris, explains what the song symbolizes.
“There was a gentleman from on campus, a professor, who gave us the words to sing. So we just took a traditional sort of song, We Shall Overcome. And then sort of tried to create a more inclusive sort of thing,” said Morris.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 12th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin and Mike Conway, journalism professor at the IU Media School, will be live in the studio to help pitch during WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Jasmine Wright who covers the weekly free speech vigil taking place at Indiana University, in response to the university’s new “expressive activity” policy which bans such civil demonstrations after 11 p.m.
WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive
Today marks the beginning of WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive! Our daily, award-winning news program, WFHB Local News, is your source for staying informed about our community. Each day, our committed volunteers, who are also local residents and students, work tirelessly to cover local government, explore in-depth news features on community issues, and provide you with the latest updates.
Community radio is a rare treasure, and stations with news departments like ours are even rarer. We take immense pride in preserving WFHB’s long-established tradition of a vibrant news and public affairs department. However, to sustain WFHB’s numerous vital local news and public affairs programs, we need your help.
You are the heartbeat of community radio, and your pledge today can help us keep it thriving. Our goal for today’s broadcast is to secure $200 in support of our Fall Fund Drive. Your contribution can make a significant impact. Simply dial 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as possible. Once again, that’s 812-323-1200. Alternatively, you can visit our website and click on the prominent red donate button to pledge your invaluable support.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and for generously supporting WFHB, your beloved community radio station. Together, we can ensure our community stays connected and well-informed.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met for their regular session on September 4th. The commissioners heard a presentation from the consulting firm DLZ regarding a site analysis for a potential location for the new jail. DLZ Project Manager Scott Carnegie gave the presentation on the North Park Property.
President and CEO of VET Environmental Engineering Sara Hamidovic provided a rundown on the Phase II environmental study on the North Park property.
Hamidovic walked through the environmental consultant’s wetland assessment for the property on West Hunter Valley Road.
Next, the Commissioners heard a service agreement with TK Elevator Corp. for elevator door maintenance and repairs at the current county jail. County Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider presented the agreement.
Commissioners Penny Githens and Julie Thomas emphasized that this agenda item means more costs for upkeep at the current jail.
The commissioners approved the agreement by a 2-0 vote. The commissioners then heard a change order for Phase II of an environmental study for the potential jail site. The total amount of the agreement would cost $7,753.50. The commissioners approved the change order by a unanimous vote. The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on September 11th.
Feature Report:
Photo by WFHB News Correspondent Jasmine Wright.And now, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Jasmine Wright who covers the weekly free speech vigil taking place at Indiana University. The vigil is in response to the university’s new “expressive activity” policy which bans such civil demonstrations after 11 p.m. The vigil takes place after 11 p.m. violating the policy. For more, we turn to Jasmine Wright.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/fund-drive-pitch-one-dave-mike.mp3Photo by WFHB Development Director Brooke Turpin.Then, we heard from local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin and Mike Conway, journalism professor at the IU Media School, about the importance of local news and how to support WFHB during our Fall Fund Drive.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/fund-drive-pitch-two-dave-mike.mp3Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jasmine Wright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Facing an uphill battle in a predominantly red state, veteran community organizer Michelle Higgs is squaring off against incumbent Peggy Mayfield in the November election. Higgs realized she and other Hoosier Democrats would need a lot of help so she put together the Indiana Rural Summit 2024. It’s a series of local gatherings featuring a dozen Democratic candidates for House district seats. Higgs et al hope to persuade rural and small town voters the Democrats are on their side. Republican candidate Mayfield has been invited to appear on the program before the election.
[NOTE: This recording features two four-minute silence gaps to allow for live pitching during our Fall 2024 Fund Drive.]
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 91st episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Hannah Lorenzo and is hosted by Andrew Pace. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
In this episode we have a conversation with Indiana University students Darren and Olivia on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the music industry. We discuss AAPI representation and influence in music, the impact of music amidst Stop Asian Hate rallies and how cultural diversity is reflected in the music that we listen to.
Credits:
This episode of Hearabouts is produced by Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Andrew Pace and Hannah Lorenzo.
Our discussion is with Andrew Pace, Darren Shih and Olivia Sim.
Our sound engineers are Andrew Pace and Michael Sears.
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude.
With Indiana University back in session campus organizations are recruiting students to join their ranks. On Thursday of the first week of classes we embedded reporters at two campus engagement events – the Media School Student Activities Fair and the larger more general IU Student Involvement Fair. Their report begins with Bryce Greene, one of the leaders of the IU Palestine Solidarity Committee. IU may be pursuing a misconduct case against Greene for violating IU’s new expressive activity policy. That policy prohibits protests after 11pm. Greene organized a candlelight vigil on August 25th. It started at 11:30pm.
Credits:
Today’s feature report on IU student involvement fairs was produced by Samuel Dexter, Luke Vogel, Sarah Colvin, Thomas Crow, Joe Ringer, and Ben Burns.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.
That’s Bryce Greene, one of the leaders of the Palestine Solidarity Committee on the Indiana University campus. Hear more from Greene later in the show as part of a feature report highlighting six organizations reaching out to students at engagement events the first week of class.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Definite Do’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
Feature Reports:
With Indiana University back in session campus organizations are recruiting students to join their ranks. On Thursday of the first week of classes we embedded reporters at two campus engagement events – the Media School Student Activities Fair and the larger more general IU Student Involvement Fair.
Their report begins with Bryce Greene, one of the leaders of the IU Palestine Solidarity Committee. IU may be pursuing a misconduct case against Greene for violating IU’s new expressive activity policy. That policy prohibits protests after 11pm. Greene organized a candlelight vigil on August 25th. It started at 11:30pm.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller speaks with Lindsey Levine who is with Sycamore Land Trust, and David VanGilden with the Hoosier Environmental Council about the Kirtland’s snake. For more, we turn to Janek Schaller.
Up next, “The Definite Do’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature report on IU student involvement fairs was produced by Samuel Dexter, Luke Vogel, Sarah Colvin, Thomas Crow, Joe Ringer, and Ben Burns.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On this week’s episode of Lil BUB’s Lil Show, we’re featuring three animals that are currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter: Constance, Frankie, and Mya!
Constance is a Husky between 6-7 years old. This sweet and silly girl would love to be adopted into a home with another dog. She is fairly shy on her own and may take a little time to warm up, so a canine pal could help her do that! Constance is currently living it up in a foster home with a canine foster brother and some kitty foster siblings. She loves being outdoors and going for walks, but also has a great time snuggling up and begging for pets when it’s time to settle down. She is super easy to get along with!
Frankie is a domestic shorthair kitten with orange and white fur. Frankie’s Foster states: “Sometimes kittens need a little extra time to fully appreciate the involvement of people in their life. It took Frankie some time, but he now fully loves people. He begins purring immediately upon being picked up. He loves his little neck rubbed. Frankie really likes to chase things, especially feathers on a string. Frankie has done really well with adult cats, and doesn’t seem to hassle them, like so many kittens can. He has been very patient waiting for the right family to come along, but he is ready.”
Mya is a sweet, loving little cat with gray and tan fur, between 6-7 years old. She is easy going and likes to stay snuggled up in her bed and lounge around. The shelter is just a little bit too loud and busy for her taste, so if you see her hiding, don’t be fooled! She is a sweetheart and once she settles into her new home you’ll have a perfect new friend. She enjoys the company of mature cats like her. She found younger, energetic pets too stressful to live with, but has happily cohabitated with older cats in the past.
To learn more about Constance, Frankie, or Mya, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 10th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its series on the construction of the new jail. Stay tuned to hear Part II of our interview with Care Not Cages, a group of concerned community members, who oppose building a new jail. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Mayor Thomson Hosts Traveling Town Hall at Binford Elementary
On Monday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson heard from city residents at Binford Elementary. Mayor Thomson gave an update on recent city projects and initiatives. Then, Thomson and District 4 City Council representative Dave Rollo answered questions from local residents. The appearance was a part of the mayor’s “Traveling Town Hall” series, which takes place every other month. According to the office of the mayor, the traveling town halls are meant to provide residents with the opportunity to engage with their local government officials and learn more about city services.
The first question she responded to was about annexation, asking if she has heard from anyone who does want to be annexed into the city, and if they have had any conversations with the county about the jail being connected to the city’s sewer system.
Council Member Dave Rollo remarked after Thomson’s response that he disagrees with the mayor’s ideas for growth and said he was skeptical about the need for annexation.
During the question-and-answer portion of the town hall, one local resident asked about city and county relations when it comes to initiatives such as the new jail or housing. Thomson responded that even though priorities may look different from the perspectives of the county and the city, they share some common goals.
The mayor’s traveling town hall series will continue in November. For that listening session, Mayor Thomson will field questions from residents in City Council District 5.
Feature Report:
The complex issues with Monroe County’s current jail, and the task of building a new jail has been looming over county officials’ heads for several years.
Right now, the county commissioners have their sights set on a property located at North Park on West Hunter Valley Road. Last Tuesday, the county council voted 6-1 to support advertising a local income tax increase by 0.2 percent for a new jail.
Earlier this year, WFHB News spoke with Care Not Cages, a group of concerned community members, who oppose the construction of a new jail. In their view, local officials should pause the process of building a new jail and consider alternatives to expanding incarceration.
Over the next several weeks, we are revisiting our interviews with Care Not Cages and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. We now turn to Part II of our interview with Care Not Cages on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kate C. and Kade Young.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
For September, we welcome Ralf Shaw of the League of Women Voters Bloomington-Monroe County to discuss voting in the November general election. During the podcast, Ms. Shaw shares the basics of Indiana voting, including absentee and early voting requirements. She also talks about LWV US Vote411. Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October 2006, VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:
- Absentee ballot information
- Ballot measure information (where applicable)
- Early voting options (where applicable)
- Election dates
- Factual data on candidates in various federal, state and local races
- General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
- ID requirements
- Polling place locations
- Registration deadlines
- Voter qualifications
- Voter registration forms
- Voting machines
It can be found at https://www.vote411.org/.
As a member of the Monroe County Vote Center Study Committee, Ms. Shaw shared information on vote centers and how they worked, saying that the idea of vote centers has been well received in the Bloomington community.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Danielle Bargo, native Hoosier, health economist, and a doctoral student in health policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She published an article last year in the Indianapolis Capital Chronicle, “Why do Indiana hospitals charge more in poorer communities?” Using Indiana University Health as an example she discusses the issues around how hospitals set their prices in Indiana, and we discuss the example of Maryland where a commission sets hospital prices uniformly throughout the state.Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with President James Sims and Executive Committee member Justin Crossley of the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP about the 43rd Freedom Fund Awards Dinner. The awards dinner will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The funds raised from the dinner financially support the branch’s activities such as the Scholarship Program for local high school seniors, public forums on significant civil rights issues, and community programs that advance the mission of the NAACP. This year’s theme is ALL IN.
Elizabeth Mitchell – Historian, Bring It On! Contributor and Winner of the 2024 Monroe NAACP President AwardThe officers of the NAACP Monroe County Branch (#3062) are President Jim Sims, 1st Vice President Beverly Calender-Anderson, Secretary Gloria Howell, and Treasurer Dave Jones. As is customary, the NAACP president selects winners to recognize special achievements and distinguished public service. It is with great honor that this year’s recipient of the President Award is Bloomington’s Historian Elizabeth Mitchell.
In addition, the hosts and guests discuss branch activities and make a few observations on this fall’s pivotal General Election.
Justin Crossley, NAACP Executive Committee MemberJames Sims, NAACP Monroe Chapter PresidentCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 9th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Ximena Martinez, the City of Bloomington Latino Outreach Coordinator. She’s organizing a pair of diversity festivals happening this weekend and next. Get all the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the September 5th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council discussed the Convention Center project.
A representative from the Capital Improvement Board for the Convention Center Project, Doug Bruce, showed the council the project goals, including building out east and creating a space not only for concerts and exhibitions, but sports events, too.
Council Member Dave Rollo asked the Board to make the convention center civic-centric, to utilize local builders and materials as much as possible, and to consider the wages and benefits for employees to be bumped up.
Council Member Matt Flaherty noted that the council had previously provided feedback that they were not in support of there being a skywalk placed above the street connecting the old and new convention center. Bruce responded as to why they are still considering the skywalk after receiving the council’s guidance.
Council Member Kate Rosenbarger added to Flaherty’s opinion, stating that if the reason for a skywalk is because crossing the street is unsafe then we need to consider changing the structure of the street.
Bruce shared that there will be a community input meeting on September 16th at 6 p.m. at the Convention Center regarding all questions and concerns. Council Member Sydney Zulich also stated that she will be holding a Zoom constituent meeting on September 12th over the new Center and all of the information surrounding it.
Next, Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith proposed a grant that has been applied for by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to the Lily Foundation. The grant is meant to help fight homelessness in Monroe County and Bloomington. A letter of support was read aloud and was approved by the council.
During the public comment period, a camp leader for the homeless community, James Bernard, was the first to bring up the issue. Specifically, how the homeless and nomadic people have been forced to move from one location to another three times this past month.
Seven other community members also spoke out against the relocation of the camps, and asked for more support for the people experiencing homelessness.
Later in the meeting, the Mayor’s 2025 Budget Proposal was considered.
Many council members expressed that they are unsatisfied with the current plan. They were most concerned about budgets being cut for projects such as public safety, transportation, and infrastructure initiatives.
Council President Isabel Piedmont Smith said that she thinks the budget is in dire need of additions for these initiatives in order to win her vote.
Mayor Kerry Thomson responded that all the councils’ initiatives are important, but she mentioned that the budget is finite and the proposed plan already has the City operating at a deficit. She emphasized the importance of looking into a variety of funding methods for the Council’s priorities.
Thomson explained that the proposed plan, as is, would not affect tax rates on Bloomington residents. Instead, the plan would rely on Bloomington’s debt capacity by using bonds.
She said that the safety and infrastructure initiatives can all be covered with these bonds and grants. Government salaries have to be covered through the operating budget, so the proposal allocates more to personnel than to the council’s initiatives.
Thomson said that the budget cannot fully pay for everything the Council is proposing without raising Bloomington taxes more.
The council members and the mayor agreed to schedule a meeting to further discuss the budget plan.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on September 11.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
This Saturday is the Black y Brown Arts Festival in Switchyard Park, showcasing arts and culture of Bloomington’s Black Hispanic, and Asian communities. Next Saturday is Fiesta del Otoño, our local celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The brains behind both events is Ximena Martinez, Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington. She’s here with all the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Jasmine Wright and Dave Askins.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
En este episodio recibimos a los virtuosos músicos chilenos, Kike Galdames y Claudio González, que visitan Indiana con una serie internacional de conciertos a través de Bridging World. Estarán ofreciendo conciertos gratuitos en Bloomington, North Manchester y Fort Wayne. Mas información en:
Sitio web: www.bridgingworldsinc.comFacebook: Bridging Worlds | FacebookInstagram: Bridging Worlds (@bridgingworldsinc) Kike Galdames:
| www.youtube.com/@kikegaldames4958 |
Facebook: facebook.com/Canturía-de-mí-Sangre-Mistral-Galdames-107344447307021
The Black y Brown Arts Festival is happening Saturday September 14 in Switchyard Park, showcasing arts and culture of Bloomington’s Black Hispanic, and Asian communities. Fiesta del Otoño, our local celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, is the following Saturday (September 21) in the same park, The brains behind both events is Ximena Martinez, Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington. Get all the details on this new episode of Activate!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Smothermoss has been described as a haunting, imaginative, and twisting tale of two sisters and the menacing, unexplained forces that threaten them and their rural mountain community. Alering has said, “that sense of threat may well come from being an outsider in a place where you are supposed to belong. It makes you an observer, always watching closely, always questioning.” The novel has three points of view: sisters Sheila and Angie, and the mountain. “I needed a witness, and the mountain was there.”
It is happening again. Snow melts, the crust of frost cracks and heaves. Water sinks below ground, swelling channels. Sap rises. Wild garlic sprouts, arbutus creeps, and bloodroot quickens. Curved shoots of spotted skunk cabbage thrust toward the light.
Beetle larvae wake and gorge. Red-tailed hawks wheel and shriek. Gusts sweep a fledgling from the nest, hard smack on the ground. The countless populations that call this mountain home are waking, but the seeds of decline are already sown. Eggshells thin, limbs fail to form, leaves wither and curdle, water roils brackish and sour.
Overhead, the stars, distant cold brothers who knew the world before the mountain was formed, revolve unmoved. Redness flares. Scabs multiply, membranes stretch thin.
That’s the moment when unpredictable things seep in.
ABOUT
Alisa Alering grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania and now lives in Arizona. After attending Clarion West, their short fiction has been published in Fireside, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Podcastle, and Cast of Wonders, among others, and been recognized by the Calvino Prize. A former librarian and science/technology reporter, they teach fiction workshops at the Highlights Foundation.
New York Times Book Review, 7/14/24
MUSIC
John Fahey – America
“Voice of the Turtle”
“Mark 1:15”
CREDITS
Narrator: Alisa Alering
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, we hear an interview by Janek Schaller with Lindsey Levine, who is with Sycamore Land Trust, and David VanGilden, with the Hoosier Environmental Council, about the Kirtland’s snake.
The New York Times reports a feel-good story about a very old whale. How the world’s oldest humpback whale has survived is a mystery. Old Timer, a male first photographed in 1972, was spotted last month near Alaska, enduring in the Pacific Ocean while some other humpbacks have struggled in a changing environment. A humpback whale’s tail is as unique as a fingerprint.
The lobes, or flukes, at the end of the tail have scalloped edges that vary from whale to whale; the undersides feature distinct black-and-white patterns that mark a whale for life. When Adam A. Pack, a marine mammal researcher at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, was photographing whales in Alaska’s Frederick Sound in July, he instantly recognized the flukes of an old friend.
Emphasis on old. The tail — mostly black, with a wash of white speckles near the edge — belongs to a whale named Old Timer. First spotted in 1972, Old Timer is now a male of at least 53 years, making him “the oldest known humpback whale in the world,” said Dr. Pack, who is also the co-founder and president of The Dolphin Institute. Humpback whale populations, once severely depleted by commercial whaling, have rebounded in recent decades. But the animals are threatened by ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear and climate change.
And Dr. Pack had worried about Old Timer: The last time he had seen the whale, in 2015, was in the middle of a record-breaking, years-long heat wave. Scores of seabirds and marine mammals, including humpback whales, died. But after nine years, he saw with his own eyes that Old Timer had survived. “It was heartwarming, because I realized it wasn’t just the old whales who were perishing,” Dr. Pack said. “Some of them were resilient.”
Historically, tracking the whereabouts of the whales has been done the hard way: by scientists using their own eyes to compare new fluke photos with old ones. But future studies of Old Timer and other humpbacks of all ages are set to be accelerated with artificial intelligence. And Dr. Pack hopes it will help him learn how, and why, some whales can withstand tough conditions.
The New York Times reports on the continuing story of the ‘demise’ of the Great Barrier Reef within a generation. A new study found that temperatures in the Coral Sea have reached their highest levels in at least four centuries. This generation will probably see the demise of the Great Barrier Reef unless humanity acts with far more urgency to rein in climate change, according to scientists in Australia who released new research on heat in the surrounding ocean.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is often called the largest living structure on Earth. The study, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, found that recent extreme temperatures in the Coral Sea are at their highest in at least 400 years, as far back as their analysis could reach. It included modeling that showed what has been driving those extremes: Greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans burning fossil fuels and destroying natural places that store carbon, like forests. We’ve known this for decades, but we never take actions to halt the trend.
“The heat extremes are occurring too often for those corals to effectively adapt and evolve,” said Ben Henley, a paleoclimatologist at the University of Melbourne and an author of the new study. “If we don’t divert from our current course, our generation will likely witness the demise of one of Earth’s great natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef.” The study’s scientific prose put it this way: “The existential threat to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem from anthropogenic climate change is now realized.”
Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s environment minister, said in a statement that the government understood its responsibility to act on climate change and safeguard the reef. She pointed to a recent law that calls for a 43 percent reduction of emissions by 2030 and to $1.2 billion in measures to protect the reef. All coral reefs are in danger from global warming, scientists say. Too much heat causes coral to bleach, meaning they lose the symbiotic algae they need to survive. If conditions don’t improve quickly enough, the coral die.
The new research comes as the world’s reefs are in the grips of the most widespread bleaching event on record. From January 2023 to this August, 74 percent of the ocean’s reef area has experienced bleaching-level heat stress, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch. The previous record, which occurred between 2014 and 2017, was 65.7 percent.
Coral reefs support an estimated quarter of marine species, protect coasts from storms and underpin activities like fishing and tourism. Their economic value has been estimated at $2.7 trillion a year. What is not part of the study is the effect of rising oceans. Ocean levels could be up to 10 feet higher by 2100. This rise could be achieved even if only the Thwaites glacier on Antarctica breaks loose.
That release will raise ocean levels by 2 feet. Then other glaciers in the area are likely to drop into the ocean, bringing the potential of a 10 foot rise. The point is that coral reefs around the globe may die from receiving too little sunshine. The rising water temperatures and sea levels appears to doom essentially all corals throughout the world.
Do you recycle plastic? Do you feel like you are wasting your time recycling plastic? Actually, you probably are. Less that 9% of plastics produced have ever been recycled, and less than 1% has been recycled more than once. Most plastic are burned, dumped in landfills, or littering our neighborhoods and waterways. Here are the five reasons plastic recycling fails:
Reason 1: Plastic waste is too widespread to collect. Single-use plastics can be thought of as trillions of pieces of plastic confetti spewed from retail and fast-food stores. It’s impossible to collect all the small pieces.
Reason 2: Mixed plastic waste cannot be recycled together. It would be functionally impossible to sort the trillions of pieces of consumer plastic waste produced each year.
Reason 3: Plastic recycling is wasteful, polluting, and a fire hazard. The reprocessing of plastic makes toxic waste, and it’s been shown to be hazardous to workers. Plastic is highly flammable, which can cause fires at the recycling facilities, which release toxins into the air.
Reason 4: Recycled plastic has huge toxicity risks. Plastics are not inert like metal and glass. The may contain toxic additives or absorb contaminants like pesticides or motor oil.
Reason 5: Plastic recycling is not economical. It is expensive to collect, sort, truck, and safely reprocess. New plastic competes with recycled plastc, and it’s far cheaper to produce.
We are now at a decision point on single-use plastics and packaging. You, personally, can cut down on the use of plastic. We have a planet to save!
Microplastics are widespread in the environment, and it’s difficult to avoid exposure. We are just beginning to understand how microplastics can affect our health. Until we have more scientific evidence, the best thing we can do is reduce our exposure to plastics, especially heated plastics. The advice for us is do not reheat food in plastic containers; reheat instead on a regular plate or bowl.
Reheating in a styrofoam container risks a melting/volitalization of polystrene. Particles we cannot see are emitted and likely to mix with the food. We don’t yet know the effects of microplastics in the human brain. Some laboratory experiments suggest microplastics increase brain inflammation and cell damage, alter gene expression and change brain structure.
Various plastic chemicals could also leach out of the microplastics into the body. These include the famous hormone-disrupting chemicals known as BPAs, which are plasticizers used to make the plastics more moldable.
In this week’s feature report, we hear an interview by Janek Schaller with Lindsey Levine, who is with Sycamore Land Trust, and David VanGilden, with the Hoosier Environmental Council, about the Kirtland’s snake.
- A program about deer, called Oh Deer! will take place at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 7th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Examine real bones and teeth from a White-Tailed Deer and learn about the appearance of their tracks.
- The Friends of Lake Monroe are having a Pontoon Tour to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Monroe Lake on Tuesday, September 10th, from 5 to 7 pm. Join Jill Vance, Interpretive Naturalist for Monroe Lake to learn about the lake. Register at https://www.friendsoflakemonroe.org/events-page.
- Enjoy a Wolf Cave Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, September 13th, from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Learn how the tornado impacted Wolf Cave. The hike is 2.8 miles long. Bring a flashlight.
- Take a Full Harvest Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 14th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Experience the park at night while you learn the history and folk lore of the Full Harvest Moon.
- Enjoy a Monroe Water Treatment Plant Tour to help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Monroe Lake on Sunday, September 8th, from 10 to 11:45 am. Learn where your water comes from and the treatment process that turns water from Monroe Lake into our drinking water. Sign up at friendsofmonroe.org/events-page.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Janek Schaller
Headlines………………..Norm Holy & Julianna Dailey
Feature Report…………………………..Janek Schaller
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
En este episodio nos acompaña Lillian Casillas para compartir los servicios que se brindan a los estudiantes a través de IU LA CASA Cultural Center. Adicionalmente, proporciona información y recomendaciones sobre los pasos a seguir y fechas para aquellos estudiantes que buscan aplicar a la universidad.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 5th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides a rundown on the awarding of $16 million dollars from the Lilly Endowment to help develop the Trades District. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Nathan Rushemeza has your Sports News Briefing.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the August 26th meeting of the Utilities Service Board, the board voted to approve the appointment of Katherine Zaiger as the Utilities Director.
Zaiger had been working as the Interim Utilities Director after Vic Kelson was let go during the new mayoral administration appointment changes.
The appointment of Zaiger comes after the Utility Department had to issue a water boil advisory.
Board Member Kirk White asked for an update on the boil water advisory, and what they can do moving forward to ensure utility customers are properly informed. He asked Zaiger to update them about “the good, the bad, and what we can do better.”
Zaiger responded, and explained how the error occurred, and what they are doing to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Board President Megan Parmenter shared that she got her information from the Monroe County alert system and encouraged members of the public to sign up for it.
The Utilities Service Board will meet again on September 9th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides a rundown on the awarding of $16 million from the Lilly Endowment to help develop the Trades District. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
In today’s feature report, we have an archived edition of Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between Medicare for All Indiana and WFHB. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone welcome back Dr. Ed Weisbart from St Louis, the national Board Secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, and a leading researcher and expert on the problems of Medicare Advantage health plans for Seniors, as opposed to traditional Medicare. We now turn to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for your Sports News Briefing – a brief rundown on sports news here locally, across the state and around the world. For more, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Nathan Rushemeza.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Dave Askins produced the B Square Bulletin segment.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
The Sports News Briefing was produced by Nathan Rushemeza.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Writing can empower people. Poetry, essays, memoirs, fiction — all demand the writer reach down into her soul for honest, unvarnished feelings. Sometimes writing can help people find out who they really are. Rebekah Spivey helps writers — professional and non — open up their hearts, and learn to ignore that pesky nay-saying voice in their heads, as a certified Facilitator for Women Writing for (a) Change. Spivey’s new book will be released this fall by Holon Publishing.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
The Indiana Family Health Council will open up a new Title X clinic in Monroe County.
This comes after Monroe County officials closed Futures Family Planning Clinic citing issues with staff turnover. Futures Family Planning Clinic provided services such as pregnancy and birth control counseling, STD testing and treatment and a variety of family planning services.
According to the Indiana Family Planning Health Council, or IFHC, the new clinic will be called the Bloomington Family Planning Center, and it will begin operating as soon as possible. Kristin Adams, president and CEO of the IFHC, said that she wanted to make sure patients had access to a Title X clinic in Monroe County.
“Every time we have staff changeover, we know patients can fall through the cracks. We didn’t want that to happen,” said Adams. “I am bringing my infrastructure in to make sure that we can let as few people as possible lose their services.”
WFHB News also spoke with several former employees at Futures Family Planning Clinic. All the employees we interviewed said they enjoyed their work with patients and were passionate about the mission at Futures. However, the former staff expressed concern about the county health department’s role in maintaining the clinic.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, The Indiana Family Health Council will open up a new Title X clinic in Monroe County following the closure of Futures Family Planning Clinic. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Big Dont’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 27th. The board first heard an appeal from Roto Rooter for a sidewalk closure violation.
Roto Rooter Staff Member John Fender explained that they contracted with the Hillel Center for plumbing and were the ones to file the permit with the city for the sidewalk closure, however, the Hillel Center decided to hire another contractor to do the final sidewalk cement job which left the sidewalk unfinished.
Public Works Director Adam Wason explained that they have to hold contractors responsible for incorrect sidewalk closures.
Wason asked if the City Staff had been in contact with the Hillel Center.
Engineering Field Specialist Alex Gray said that staff has communicated with the Hillel Center, and has had to monitor the progress.
The board voted to table the appeal to allow more time to speak with the Hillel Center about the issue.
The board will hear the appeal again at their next meeting on September 10th.
IFHC to Open A New Clinic Following Closure of Futures
Photo by Lauren AtkinsonThe Indiana Family Health Council will open up a new Title X clinic in Monroe County.
This comes after Monroe County officials closed Futures Family Planning Clinic citing issues with staff turnover. Futures Family Planning Clinic provided services such as pregnancy and birth control counseling, STD testing and treatment and a variety of family planning services.
According to the Indiana Family Planning Health Council, or IFHC, the new clinic will be called the Bloomington family Planning Center, and it will begin operating as soon as possible. Kristin Adams, president and CEO of the IFHC, said that she wanted to make sure patients had access to a Title X clinic in Monroe County.
“Every time we have staff changeover, we know patients can fall through the cracks. We didn’t want that to happen,” said Adams. “I am bringing my infrastructure in to make sure that we can let as few people as possible lose their services.”
WFHB News also spoke with several former employees at Futures Family Planning Clinic. All the employees we interviewed said they enjoyed their work with patients and were passionate about the mission at Futures. However, the former staff expressed concern about the county health department’s role in maintaining the clinic.
Up next, “The Big Dont’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 90th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we asked Rebecca Valeriano-Flores who works in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, to share her thoughts on the importance of uplifting students of color’s voices through programs like Activate O’Neill, which she created and piloted in the 2023 school year.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Rebecca Valeriano-Flores
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Care Not Cages, a group of concerned community members, who believe that local government should consider other alternatives to building a new jail. More in today’s feature report.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.During the August 28th meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update regarding Futures Family Planning Clinic. Recently, the county health department announced it would close Futures after saying it had problems with staff turnover. Then, the announcement came later in the week that a new clinic would open under the Indiana Family Health Council.
Next, the Commissioners provided a rundown on their site selection for a new jail. Right now, the Commissioners have their sights set on the North Park property. Commissioner Julie Thomas said nothing is official at this point.
Commissioner Penny Githens urged the county council to pass an increase in local income tax for the purpose of constructing a new jail.
Then, the Commissioners heard an agreement with the consulting firm D-L-Z to survey the North Park property as a potential jail site. The amount for the contract would be $74,000. Commissioners’ Administrator Angela Purdie said the county would need the property surveyed before pursuing North Park as a location for the new jail.
The Commissioners approved the agreement with D-L-Z by a 3-0 vote. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again for its next regular session on August 4th.
Monroe County Council
The Monroe County Council met on August 27th. Council Member Trent Deckard said the item on the agenda with the most public interest is the tax increase for the new jail. Deckard explained to the public that the item on the agenda at this meeting was not to approve the tax increase, but rather, the decision to advertise the public hearing about the tax increase.
The council discussed advertising the proposed tax rate to raise revenue for the new jail. Legal Advisor Molly Turner King explained that if they don’t approve the advertised rate, they will have to hold another public hearing on any new rates, regardless of if they are lower or higher.
Council Member Marty Hawke said that although she will vote in favor of advertising the rate she is not in support of the rate itself.
Council Member Kate Wiltz said that she is cautious to impose more taxes on citizens who are not above the median income, and said she would feel more comfortable with a lower rate.
Wiltz said she wasn’t convinced that the jail would need to be as large as the consultant was proposing.
Council Member Jennifer Crossley said she will vote in support of the advertisement because she wants to hear from the public during public comment.
The council voted 6-1 to approve the advertisement of reducing the Special Local Income Tax Rate to 0.03% and increasing the Correctional Rate to .2%. The Monroe County Council will meet again on September 10th.
Feature Report:
The complex issues with Monroe County’s current jail, and the task of building a new jail has been looming over county officials’ heads for several years.
Right now, the county commissioners have their sights set on a property located at North Park on West Hunter Valley Road. Last Tuesday, the county council voted 6-1 to support advertising a local income tax increase by 0.2 percent for a new jail.
Earlier this year, WFHB News spoke with Care Not Cages, a group of concerned community members, about the construction of a new jail. In their view, local officials should pause the process of building a new jail and consider alternatives to expanding incarceration.
Over the next several weeks, we are revisiting our interviews with Care Not Cages and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. We now turn to Part I of our interview with Care Not Cages on the WFHB Local News.
A public hearing of the local income tax increase proposal will take place on September 16th.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kate C. and Kade Young.
Dave Askins produced the B Square Bulletin segment.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is program originally aired on August 21, 2023:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Dr. Marvin Dunn. Dr. Dunn is fighting against the potential miseducation of countless children and young adults in Florida. He is here to discuss his efforts to combat this miseducation and the current state of racial politics in Florida.
Demonstrators gather in February in Tallahassee, Florida, during a protest over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ rejection of a high school African American history course that included lessons about reparations.Last Wednesday, August 16, 2023, before the first day of school for the Miami-Dade County school system, he led a march to protest the new education curriculum standards instituted by the Republican Governor Ron DeSantis that affect the teaching of Black history. This is part of a larger effort by DeSantis to purge what he calls “woke” idealogy in Florida.
Earlier this year, DeSantis had rejected the College Board’s AP African American Studies course for high school students because it included lessons on diaspora reparations, Black LGBTQIA+ studies, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He has also barred instruction in schools that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color, according to a CNN report. The new curriculum teaches that some Black people benefited from being enslaved because they learned useful skills.
Dr. Dunn was joined by some members of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, who then were holding a conference in Miami. Tennessee state Representative Justin Pearson also joined the protest. Rep. Pearson, along with fellow representative Justin James, had recently been voted back into office, after being expelled for calling out state Republicans for failing to pass gun control laws after the Covenant School mass shooting in Nashville.
Marvin Dunn/Twitter (X)The union representing around 150,000 Florida teachers, the Florida Education Association, called these new curriculum changes “a disservice to Florida students and are a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994.” One of the most controversial aspects of these new standards includes teaching that some Blacks benefited from chattel slavery by learning useful skills. Further, these new curriculum changes include teaching that the Rosewood massacre was instigated by when a black man shot two white men who came onto his porch, rather than that a white woman falsely accused a Black man of assault.
Dr. Dunn has been leading “Teach No Lies” tours that take teachers and young people to places like Rosewood, Florida. Officially, it is recorded that the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 led to the killing of six Black residents and the fleeing of the rest of its black residents. Many say, however, that the death toll was much higher. By the massacre’s end, all but one of Rosewood’s buildings had been burned down. No law enforcement agency ever did an investigation, nor were there any criminal charges.
Dr. Dunn is a professor emeritus at Florida International University, and the author of many books, including A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes, where he writes:
Almost all of Florida’s painful racial past has been whitewashed, marginalized, or buried intentionally. But I was born here. I know Florida’s flowers and her warts.
He is also a co-founder of the Miami Center for Racial Justice. He began giving his Tell No Lies Tours in response to the state’s escalating efforts to further whitewash Florida’s Black History.
Dr. Dunn stands before a flag combining the American Stars and Stripes and the Confederate Stars and Bars in the driveway of his neighbor, David Emmanuel. (Marvin Dunn/ Twitter (X))On a personal front, Dr. Dunn recently saw his neighbor, David Emanuel, convicted on July 26 on six counts of federal hate crime charges for screaming the N-word and attempting to run him and five companions over in September 2022. Dr. Dunn, 83, acquired his five-acre property across from Emanuel’s home back in 2008 and turned it into a park to “celebrate Rosewood heritage.” He is the only black homeowner currently in Rosewood.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Antonia Matthew, originally from Bristol, England, has lived in Bloomington for over fifty years. She writes in many genres, including poetry and plays. Today’s pieces are memoir and use a conversational tone, one that lets the listener get to know the subjects as well as the narrator.
In “Mr. Digges,” our first story, Matthew uses present tense, as if we were right there making the same discoveries about Mr. Digges and sharing the build-up of anger toward the mother in the story.
In “Traveling with Stanley” inference is the key to understanding. The memory of the trip remains soft against the stark landscape of Greece and we share time with a young woman who screens herself from her mother but is seen and recognized by Stanley. The listener is included as the narrator discovers not only geography and history, but her own sense of who she is.
Antonia Matthew is a very active member of the Writers Guild at Bloomington.
MUSIC
“Grotesque,” composed by Rebecca Clarke (1916). Performed by Anna Göbel (violin) and Anna Catharina Nimczik (cello).
“The Waltz of the Eyes” by Stavros Lantsias
CREDITS
Narrator: Shana Ritter
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
En este episodio, Daniela y Silvia Paniagua de FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, nos comparten información sobre los programas artísticos, obras y exhibiciones de la galería, talleres para niños, y de las colaboraciones que tienen, además de los eventos considerados en el Mes Nacional de Herencia Hispana.
Later in the program we will listen to an interview by Robert Shull with Nancy White, who is the Master Gardener and is the coordinator of volunteer gardeners who tend the Wonder Garden located next to Wonder Lab.
- Feeling the humidity? A culprit may include the corn plant. Each corn plant sucks 2.5 cups of water from the ground per day. Almost all this water evaporates. Overall, the Weather Channel said that 32 trillion gallons evaporate from the Corn Belt each year. This brings us our very high dew points and high humidity. At least the evaporation keeps the temperature under 100 F. Now that the corn crop is mature and beginning to turn brown, our days should begin to be less humid.
- Where are all the hurricanes? The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expected at least 17 and up to 25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes this season. These were the highest numbers forecast by NOAA for any May outlook. Now it appears there will be far fewer storms. What happened?
- As reported by the New York Times, a judge blocked the E.P.A. from using Civil Rights Law in a pollution case. The decision is a setback for a Biden administration strategy for protecting minority communities with numerous polluting industries nearby.
- Inside Climate Change reports that thousands of disaster survivors are urging the Department of Justice to investigate fossil fuel companies for climate crimes. The action follows a growing trend of lawsuits and legislation aimed at making oil, gas, coal and petrochemical companies pay for their damage to the atmosphere.
Next, Nancy White will talk about how she and about 20 volunteers descend upon the garden at Wonder Lab and care for the enormous variety of plants and the quaint pathways. The interview promotes the garden and the Master Gardeners program.
And now, some upcoming events:
- There will be an Owl Prowl at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 31st, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center for an easy 1-mile hike on Trail 5 to look for some resident barred owls. It is a black-out hike, so bring a red flashlight only.
- Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1st, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Meet the naturalist at the Centennial Shelter for a short hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail. Discover how acidic soil makes this area home to rare plants.
- The popular Flora Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Cutright State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray and water. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafield-sep2024.
- Do you like to Journal? Then plan to join the Naturalist Jess at the Trailside Shelter for Nature Journaling at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, September 6th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Hike to the quarry where you can sketch and learn about the animals and plants you observe.
- A program about deer, called Oh Deer! will take place at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 7th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Examine real bones and teeth from a White-Tailed Deer and learn about the appearance of their tracks.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Robert Shull.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Molly Gleeson had written for her high school newspaper but when she reached adulthood, she believed she didn’t have anything to write about anymore. By the time she reached middle age, she realized she had a whole life’s worth of subject matter to write about. She has published short stories and has written novels and novellas. She’s the organizer for Writers Guild at Bloomington’s Local Authors Book Fair scheduled for November 2nd at the Monroe County History Center. The event is free and open to the public to meet and greet published Bloomington authors.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
ShowRats Episode 3 – MC Billa Camp
Welcome to ShowRats! A podcast where Ollie reviews concerts, talks to musicians, special guests, and documents their journey learning how to play the drums.
In this episode, Ollie is joined by MC Billa Camp of Lowdown Brass Band. They spoke over the phone a few days before Lowdown Brass Band performed at the WFHB Block Rocker. Billa shares what life is like on the road, advice for people wanting to play shows, and the process of creating their new album $itivens of the World.
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Engineered and Edited by Jessie Grubb
The intro song is Trompe le Monde The Pixies
All other music by Lowdown Brass Band
Produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio
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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We continue our coverage, looking into the refugee crisis, how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana, and how individuals are able to find refuge in Bloomington.
WFHB News spoke with Lubna Qazi, the resettlement director for the Bloomington Office of Exodus Refugee Immigration. Qazi shared the challenges refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking refuge in Indiana, such as language, housing and healthcare.
Resettlement Director for the Bloomington Office of Exodus Refugee Immigration, Lubna Qazi. Photo Courtesy of the Exodus Facebook Page.You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Refugees in Indiana, and some of the issues they face trying to start their lives in this community. To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post InvestigateThe 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina, among others, from the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, published August 1, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington
WFHB reports:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 3), August 21, 2024
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have the fourth and final edition of our series regarding Indiana refugees on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Big Don’ts” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We continue our coverage, looking into the refugee crisis, how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana, and how individuals are able to find refuge in Bloomington.
WFHB News spoke with Lubna Qazi, the resettlement director for the Bloomington Office of Exodus Refugee Immigration. Qazi shared the challenges refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking refuge in Indiana, such as language, housing and healthcare. Qazi stressed the need for more resources, especially in healthcare and mental health, to better assist refugees.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Refugees in Indiana, and some of the issues they face trying to start their lives in this community. To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Up next, “The Big Don’ts” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 27th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on a protest in support of academic freedom that took place at Indiana University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Plan Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Plan Commission meeting on August 20th the commission heard a rezone request for a historic preservation overlay on a property located at 6056 East State Road 46.
Senior Planner Drew Meyers presented on the request.
Meyers gave the commission some history of the property, saying that it was a Bed and breakfast back in 2000.
Meyers said that the home meets architectural criteria and historical connection criteria.
The petitioners Craton and Shannon Thomas were in attendance online. Craton shared how they came to recognize the house has historic value.
Commission Member Julie Thomas said she appreciates the petitioner’s attention to detail.
Commissioner Cheryl Munson thanked the petitioners for taking the initiative to preserve their historic property.
The board voted to approve the historic preservation overlay unanimously
The second request they heard was for a Boat Storage Planned Unit Development at 8370 South State Road 46.
Meyers shared that the parcel of land is currently zoned forest reserve. He also shared background information on the petitioner’s goal that the P-U-D allow them to build boat storage, residential homes, and an office.
Meyers shared that the Drainage Board was concerned about the potential for erosion, and that Staff Members do not recommend the approval of the P-U-D request.
Commissioner Member Margret Clements said she was in support of the request and that she thought the P-U-D was an intelligent approach to a complex property.
The commission voted to deny the request for a waiver for a final hearing. They will hear the request again at the next Plan Commission meeting on September 26th.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on August 19th, the board held a public hearing on the 2024 General Obligation Bond project. This was the second hearing on the project. Bond Counsel Jacob Macullen explained that the bond would be set not to exceed $3,500,000. Superintendent Jerry Sanders explained what the G-O bond funds would be used for.
Next, Financial Advisor Matt Shoemaker spoke on the bond, and what that would look like for the taxpayer.
Later in the meeting, Sanders asked the board to approve an Regional Opportunity Initiatives grant agreement for a career coach. Sanders said he was excited about their model to help students grow from learners to earners.
Board Member Brad Tucker expressed concern that the grant would only fund the staff position for a year and a half, and asked if there were any plans to fund the position after the grant money has been used. Sanders said that regardless of if they receive funding for another year and a half, the timing of the grant is helpful to better implement the new diploma program.
The board voted unanimously to approve the grant for a career coach.
The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held on September 16th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on a protest that took place at Indiana University. Demonstrators were protesting the university’s new free speech policies and the implementation of a state law which protesters believe infringe on academic freedom. For more, we turn to Janek Schaller.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Janek Schaller with audio from the Bloomingtonian.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Historic McCalla School ImageOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone and guest co-host Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Raymond Wise and Gloria Howell. On the Indiana University Bloomington Campus the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and African American Arts Institute have a joint exhibit opening on campus at one of the university collections sites in honor of their respective milestone anniversaries (55th and 50th). They are joining us this evening to discuss the joint exhibit and upcoming events of interest during this new academic year.
Once called “The House,” the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC) has a long-standing history of supporting the Indiana University’s efforts to challenge, support, and contribute to the continued development and success of the Black students, faculty, and staff. The director of this iconic center is Bring It Contributor Dr. Gloria Howell. On July 1st, Professor Raymond Wise became the new executive director of the African American Arts Institute (AAAI) starting July 1. Professor Wise, a renowned singer, dancer, pianist, composer, and choral director, has an extensive background in music education, performance, and composition,
Dr. Gloria HowellDr. Raymond WiseLiz MitchellCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 26th, 2024.
Later in the program, Monroe County has issued an excessive heat watch for Tuesday. Cooling stations will be available throughout the county over the next few days. More in today’s headlines.
Eric Weigold, a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Monroe County Habitat is working to build sixty-nine new homes on the south side of town, one of our community’s largest affordable housing projects. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County has issued an excessive heat watch for Tuesday.
This week, residents will experience hot weather conditions, with temperatures in the low to mid 90s. According to the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency, temperatures and humidity will increase on Tuesday. The heat index could rise above 100 and possibly even 110 in some areas.
Then, thunderstorm chances are expected to increase on Tuesday and continue through the week. Monroe County Emergency Management says that “Thursday and Friday have the highest chance of thunderstorms as of this time.”
Over the next 30 years, average temperatures are projected to rise about 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute.
Shawn Miya, assistant director of sustainability for the city of Bloomington, emphasized that the rise in heat waves we’re seeing is a result of climate change.
Due to the excessive heat watch, Monroe County will offer eight locations as cooling stations. Cooling stations will be open August 27th and 28th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A list of cooling stations are available below:
Last week, the City of Bloomington cleared out an encampment along the Rail Trail.
This marks the fourth eviction of encampments under the leadership of Mayor Kerry Thomson.
In a news conference earlier this month, Thomson said the rail trail encampment closure was delayed due to service providers saying they were understaffed with case workers.
The news conference coincided with a 21-page report detailing a new housing action plan. This comes after an increase of street homelessness in recent years.
The action plan took place based on a survey conducted by the South Central Housing Network. The survey found at least 117 people in Monroe County are sleeping outside.
It should be noted, however, that this is likely an undercount since the survey didn’t include people who wouldn’t participate in the survey or could not be found. According to Monroe County’s point-in-time, or PIT, count, 29 people were reported unsheltered in 2019.
Mayor Thomson said the action plan was organized after the eviction of an encampment in May of this year.
The recent closure of the encampment at the Rail Trail happened on the same day the city released a draft of its 2025 budget. Included in the budget is a job position for a homelessness coordinator who would be working under the mayor’s office.
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday, August 21st. Council Members deliberated on a resolution that would approve “the insurance of refunding bonds” in an amount up to 30 million dollars to refinance 2015 tax increment financing revenue bonds.
Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Crossley walked through the resolution.
City Attorney Larry Allen expanded on the legislation, saying that the issuance of bonds could save the redevelopment commission a significant amount of money.
He said the savings could add up to more than a million dollars in interest.
City Controller Jessica McClellan said that the 2015 tax increment revenue bonds helped pay for the construction of Switchyard Park and the development of the Trades District, among other city projects.
Council Member Matt Flaherty added a final comment before voting on the resolution saying that he’s looking for more clarity on the policy.
Council Member Dave Rollo said he wants to make sure the city’s capital investments are equally distributed.
The council voted 7-0 in support of the resolution. The Bloomington City Council will hold Departmental Budget hearings through the upcoming week, and will resume its regular session on September 4th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin has his weekly editorial on the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Working from home can get a little lonely. Eric Weigold has found a way to connect with others and make a difference in our community. His employer, Bloom Insurance, has a volunteer engagement program that helps their staff do good things in service to others. One of their biggest partnerships is with Habitat for Humanity. Monroe County Habitat is currently working on building an entire neighborhood of affordable homes – the Osage Place project on the southwest side of Bloomington. Eric is hoping you’ll want to pick up a hammer after you hear his episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
En este epidosio, Martín Ramírez Jr. nos comparte de su participación en el musical Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty. Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty es una comedia musical premiada sobre inmigrantes indocumentados y lo que significa ser estadounidense. Esta estridente comedia musical salta de los ritmos latinos al rap y al hip-hop, al glam rock y a las baladas de Broadway.
Episode 15 – “Is This the Beatles?”
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where the hosts each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them. This episode was recorded live during the Spring 2024 Fund Drive.
The songs from this episode are Sweet Pea by Seam and Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft by Klaatu.
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Bast and DJ Firebrand
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Noni Ford
Working from home can get a little lonely. Eric Weigold has found a way to connect with others and make a difference in our community. His employer, Bloom Insurance, has a volunteer engagement program that helps their staff do good things in service to others. One of their biggest partnerships is with Habitat for Humanity. Monroe County Habitat is currently working on building an entire neighborhood of affordable homes – the Osage Place project on the southwest side of Bloomington.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
We are listening to the first chapters from the novel Hungarian Rhapsody by Wendy Teller. The Hungarian Women’s Rights movement of the early 1900s is the backdrop for this story of two young radicals. Teller’s straight forward narrative style pulls the reader into the story and highlights the setting of the novel and the personalities of the characters.
Hungarian Rhapsody, the first book in a trilogy, is heavily researched and based on the story of Teller’s family. The novel’s protagonist, Ella, is modeled on her grandmother. She decided to turn it into fiction so she would have the leeway to explore the emotions of the characters. She hopes listeners get a flavor for that slice of time and society that Ella grew up in, and an understanding that even with all their privileges, the women were still considered chattel.
Wendy Teller is a member of the Bloomington Writers Guild.
Author Website
MUSIC
Four Valses Oubliées, composed by Franz Liszt and performed by Edith Farnadi
CREDITS
Narrator: Shana Ritter
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part IV of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
Inside Climate News reports Harris stirs hope for a new chapter in climate action. Although expected to follow in Biden’s pragmatic footsteps, her record as a prosecutor and voice for justice has environmentalists looking to the future. Although President Joe Biden already has cemented an unmatched legacy of climate change action, Vice President Kamala Harris raised the bar the moment that she entered the presidential race on July 21st.
Those who care about the climate are now considering new possibilities based on Harris’ past actions: What would she do to hold Big Oil accountable? How could she push climate policy further, especially to address historic injustice? Would she be able to advance international cooperation, building on the progress made in her travels to Africa and Asia as vice president?
A new candidate has invigorated the climate movement—with some groups that have never before endorsed presidential candidates declaring support for Harris soon after Biden passed her the torch. They point to her history as a former California attorney general who took on oil companies, the environmental justice work she has focused on in the Biden administration and the historic nature of her candidacy as a woman of color. Her appeal only increased when she selected her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who implemented a $2 billion climate spending program in the state and signed a law to make the state carbon-free by 2040.
How close are the planet’s climate tipping points? Earth’s warming could trigger sweeping changes in the natural world that would be hard, if not impossible, to reverse. Right now, every moment of every day, we humans are reconfiguring Earth’s climate bit by bit. Hotter summers and wetter storms. Higher seas and fiercer wildfires. The steady, upward turn of the dial on a host of threats to our homes, our societies and the environment around us.
According to the New York Times, we might also be changing the climate in an even bigger way. For the past two decades, scientists have been raising alarms about great systems in the natural world that warming, caused by carbon emissions, might be pushing toward collapse. These systems are so vast that they can stay somewhat in balance even as temperatures rise. But only to a point. Once we warm the planet beyond certain levels, this balance might be lost, scientists say. The effects would be sweeping and hard to reverse. Not like the turning of a dial, but the flipping of a switch. One that wouldn’t be easily flipped back.
The most significant way we could cross a tipping point would be for the ice on Antarctica to melt. The Antarctic Ice Sheet has around 60% of the world’s total fresh water, equivalent to a 240 foot rise in global sea level. Many West Antarctic glaciers flow out to sea, which means their undersides are exposed to constant bathing by ocean currents. As the water warms, these floating ice shelves melt and weaken from below, particularly where they sit on the seafloor. Like a dancer holding a difficult pose, the shelf starts to lose its footing.
With less floating ice to hold it back, more ice from the continent’s interior would slide into the ocean. Eventually, the ice at the water’s edge might fail to support its own weight and crack into pieces. Antarctica was ice free around 34 million years ago. How close today’s ice is to suffering the same fate is something scientists are still trying to figure out. One thing that would cause a total melt would be a rise in CO2 in the atmosphere to 700 ppm. We are at 428 this year.
“If you think about the future of the world’s coastlines, 50 percent of the story is going to be the melt of Antarctica,” said David Holland, a New York University scientist who studies polar regions. And yet, he said, when it comes to understanding how the continent’s ice might break apart, “we are at Day Zero.” The release of Thwaites Glacier is something that is expected this century, leading to a rapid rise of oceans by two feet.
A common criticism from fossil fuel interests is that wind turbines kill eagles and other birds. Indeed, they do kill birds, but wind turbines rank #10 in bird kill. The number one killer is easily cats. Cats kill 10,000 times more birds than wind turbines. Yet, those who oppose wind turbines keep pounding out the theme that wind turbines are an issue.
Wind turbines do kill an eagle occasionally. One golden eagle was killed near Montpellier, France in 2023. The exact location of the turbine is unclear from the report, but there is a river that passes through the city. Wind turbines should not be located near water, because of the danger to eagles. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the country’s efforts in developing renewable energy sources, like wind turbines. “We need a massive acceleration…I want us to go at least twice as fast for renewable energy projects,” Macron said, during a speech in September, 2023.
“Our neighbors often managed to do more, better and, above all, faster.” According to the Associated Press, Macron previously called for France to increase its renewable energy sources to 23 percent by 2020, but it failed. The French president also previously called for the country to create 50 new wind farms by 2050. There are no reported deaths via wind turbines of eagles in Indiana.
The New York Times reports that parts of Canada’s Boreal Forest are burning faster than they can regrow. The delicate balance of one of the planet’s largest natural systems for storing carbon depends on the humble black spruce tree. The dead black spruce looked like a collection of giant burned matchsticks standing tall above the gray landscape as far as Jennifer Baltzer could see. But here, at the edge of one of the largest areas of scorched forest that scientists have ever documented in Canada, what caught Dr. Baltzer’s attention was closer to the ground. The spruce seedlings were gone.
Dr. Baltzer, a professor of forest ecology, was a few hundred miles below the Arctic Circle, where for over a decade she has studied the health of the black spruce and the boreal forests. It was a scorching late spring morning, and she and three of her students from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, were in the Northwest Territories to document what could grow from the ashes of the record-breaking fire season that had ravaged the forest almost a year earlier. “Wow, it’s kind of crazy in here,” Dr. Baltzer said as she inspected the blackened landscape. She had never seen trees burn this soon after a previous fire.
More frequent, bigger wildfires, fueled by climate change, are a formidable challenge to the black spruce, a species that has dominated these landscapes for thousands of years. Their gradual decline, now accelerated by last year’s fire season, is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that the new age of wildfires aren’t just overwhelming people with the smoke and destructive blazes now raging across North America — they are overwhelming nature, too.
The dwindling number of black spruce trees, scientists say, is deeply transforming an ecosystem that is one of Earth’s biggest storage systems for planet-warming carbon dioxide, a crucial tool to keep the atmosphere from warming even more than it already has. Concerning climate change, there are associated effects that exacerbate the carbon dioxide issue. The warmer temperatures open new forest regions to the pine beetle. The warmer temperatures also melt permafrost, which releases CO2. Thus the forests we count on to absorb CO2 are disappearing.
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part IV of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
- Did you know that not all fur is the same? Learn about Mammal Furs at Brown County State Park on Saturday, August 24th, from 11 am to Noon. The fur can be used for camouflage, protection and keeping warm. Meet at the Nature Center and get to touch real animal furs.
- A Feelin’ Foxy program is planned for Saturday, August 24th, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the Campground Playgroud to learn about Fox Squirrels, what they look like and their unique lifestyles.
- Learn about Butterfly Feeders at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, August 26th, from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn how to attract butterflies to your yard – plus, you will make a Butterfly Feeder to take home.
- Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 28th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
- Take a Fungi Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, August 30th, beginning at 7 pm. Join a guided hike to learn all about fungi. You will learn about the common mushrooms in the area, how to identify them and their role in our environment.
Credits:
On Air……………………………………Janek Schaller
On Air…………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
This Monday, thousands gathered in Chicago’s Union Park to voice their opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza. The protest was the first event in a week of planned demonstrations coinciding with the Democratic National Convention, being held at the nearby United Center on the western side of the city.
Music poured from speakers attached to a temporary stage erected on one side of the park as demonstrators arrived, many holding signs that expressed outrage at the United States’ continued military support for Israel. The diverse crowd included protesters of all ages – younger children wore earplugs, and a few elderly attendees adorned their walkers and scooters with Palestinian flags. Many demonstrators wore black and white keffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress that has become synonymous with the resistance effort against the Israeli occupation.
Monday’s demonstration was organized by a broad coalition of over 200 social justice organizations, including advocates for immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and L.G.B.T.Q. rights. Over the course of several hours, dozens of representatives from the coalition took to the stage to address the crowd, linking their organization’s missions to the conflict in Gaza. Singer and poet Jamila Woods, who is based in Chicago, performed a brief set, and independent presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West delivered a rousing speech drawing a connection between the Black Power movement and Palestinian liberation.
Several speakers tied the protests this week to those that rocked the Democratic National Convention in 1968. Student activists were integral to the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in Chicago’s Grant Park that year, and students are once again some of the most vocal critics of the Biden administration’s involvement in the conflict in Gaza.
Rama delivered a short speech in which she explained the motivations for the protests this week:
Rama: We all stand here today to march on the DNC in Chicago, remembering the DNC back in 1968 also in Chicago back then, people were protesting the same thing we’re protesting today, which is US imperialism.
Rama decried Vice President Kamala Harris for “fueling this genocide,” and criticized her refusal to support an arms embargo to Israel.
Khalid Hamu, a student at the University of Denver and a member of the campus’ chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, rallied the crowd with a fiery condemnation of the convention.
Khalid Hamu: These corporate Democrats are unwilling to enact the change that people have so sharply struggled for, helping approve 20 billion worth of weapons to the occupation – shame! We need money for education, not for genocide and occupation.
Hamu, who was one of the leaders of a 22-day encampment at the University of Denver this spring, also underscored the connection between the student protests that erupted across the country during the semester and the resistance efforts in Gaza.
Hamu: Our detriment as students leads to the detriment of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian struggle is the student’s struggle. The Palestinian struggle is your struggle. The Palestinian struggle is our struggle.
According to Rama, campus protests will continue this fall as students place further pressure on their universities to publicly call for a ceasefire and divest their endowments from companies that are supporting Israel’s war effort.
Rama: Until we achieve an arms embargo, an end to the unconditional aid to the Zionist entity, a permanent ceasefire and a liberated Palestine. We will remain in revolt, both on our campuses and in the streets.
Following the rally, the demonstrators marched westward to Park #578, just a few blocks north of the site of the convention itself. Officers from the Chicago Police Department lined the pre-approved route, but rarely intervened against protesters. There was a brief skirmish with agitators unaffiliated with the march who sought to redirect the protest through a restricted area. Dozens of police officers converged on the group, and at least six people were detained.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage of the Democratic National Convention which wraps up today in Chicago.
The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.A former aide to previous Vice President Mike Pence endorsed Kamala Harris for president last night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Troye served as Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor under Pence. Troye outlined why she’s supporting Harris over Trump.
She elaborated on her experience for the last administration saying that working under Trump’s White House was “terrifying.”
Also speaking at the DNC yesterday was Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He currently serves in the Biden Administration as transportation secretary.
In his speech, Buttigieg discussed his roots growing up in Indiana and how he’s seen a cultural transformation as a result of politics during his lifetime.
Buttigieg ran for president in 2020. His name was brought up as a potential vice presidential pick before Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Today marks the final day of the DNC. Vice President Kamala Harris will accept the Democratic Party’s nomination tonight in Chicago.
Sources: Indy Star, ABC News, PBS Newshour
Feature Reports:
WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on a march against the Democratic National Convention. The message of the march: fighting for the rights and liberation of oppressed people and against the exploitation of workers (Photo by Janek Schaller).Up next, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on a march against the Democratic National Convention. The message of the march: fighting for the rights and liberation of oppressed people and against the exploitation of workers. For more, we turn to Janek Schaller.
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, Civic Conversations is talking to Mark Fraley, the associate director of PACE, the Political and Civic Engagement Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University, and Pearl Vinnard, an IU PACE student, to speak on the Big Ten Voting Challenge.
Because young people vote in smaller numbers than typical voters, the Big Ten Voting Challenge was created to help foster increased participation by young adults in democratic engagement throughout the Big Ten. This is done by promoting voter registration, turnout, and nonpartisan education while assisting students in finding and using their voices as active, engaged citizens. According to Fraley, BTVC has helped increase voter turnout through nonpartisan voter education and registering students to vote. We turn now to the latest edition of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Janek Schaller, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Last week, Indiana University professor of political science Jeffrey C. Isaac talked about free speech, political activism, and academic freedom on the Bloomington campus. This week, we turn our attention to the 2024 United States presidential election. Isaac doesn’t hold back with his opinions on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. He reminds us there are several third party candidates as well. The November election may well go down as one of the most important in the country’s history; Isaac provides a passionate polemic on the race.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
ShowRats Episode 2 – John Buffalo
Welcome to ShowRats! A podcast where Ollie reviews concerts, talks to musicians, special guests, and documents their journey learning how to play the drums.
In this episode, Ollie is joined by John Dufilho, who goes by the artist name John Buffalo. John is a Texas musician, songwriter, engineer, and producer best known from his work with The Deathray Davies, CLIFFFS, I Love Math, John Singer Seargent, and The Apples In Stereo. Tune in to hear about his electronic solo album, recent show in Indianapolis, advice for drummers and much more!
Credits:
Hosted by Ollie Schnell
Engineered by Jessie Grubb
Edited by Ollie Schnell
The intro song is Trompe le Monde The Pixies
All other music by John Buffalo
Produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio
Photo by Paul Cooper, CC BY-NC 2.0This 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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We continue our coverage, looking into the refugee crisis, how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana, and how individuals are able to find refuge in Bloomington.
In August of 2022, the IU Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, also referred as CRISP, produced a report on Refugee Resettlement in Indiana. They conducted in depth interviews with service providers to learn about barriers refugees face and strategies to address these issues.
WFHB News spoke with two of the Policy Analysts, Nidhi Arun and Kristi Schultz, who highlighted issues that refugees face including language barriers, affordable housing, transportation and employment. Shultz explained that the report was conducted in 2022 when there was an influx in refugees arriving from Afghanistan.
Policy Analyst, Kristi Schultz. Photo courtesy of the IU Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy website.Program Analyst, Nidhi Arun. Photo courtesy of the IU Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy website.***
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Refugees in Indiana, and some of the issues they face trying to start their lives in this community. To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina, among others, from the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, published August 1, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington
WFHB reports:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 2), August 14, 2024
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 21st, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its series on refugee resettlement in Indiana on Deep Dive: WFHB And Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Money Mules” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We continue our coverage, looking into the refugee crisis, how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana, and how individuals are able to find refuge in Bloomington.
In August of 2022, the IU Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, also referred as CRISP, produced a report on Refugee Resettlement in Indiana. They conducted in depth interviews with service providers to learn about barriers refugees face and strategies to address these issues.
Photo by Paul Cooper, CC BY-NC 2.0WFHB News spoke with two of the Policy Analysts, Nidhi Arun and Kristi Schultz, who highlighted issues that refugees face including language barriers, affordable housing, transportation and employment. Shultz explained that the report was conducted in 2022 when there was an influx in refugees arriving from Afghanistan.
Up next, “Money Mules” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animals: Bella and Harper
This week, we’re featuring two Bully Breed Mix senior dogs currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter: Bella and Harper.
Bella has one eye and a sweet, gentle, mature personality! She likes to lounge in the sun and walk slowly through the grass. She is good with children and easy to handle, plus she really loves a snuggly bed!
Harper is a sweet, older gentleman and the champion of all tennis balls. He has been politely hanging out in the shelter manager’s office: playing, eating snacks, and being an all-around nice dude!
For more info about Bella and Harper, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Puppy Mills
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about what puppy mills are, why they’re a problem, and how to make a difference.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 20th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the Brown County Hour – a monthly, community-generated radio program originating in beautiful Nashville, Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
WFHB Local News Brief:
A federal judge has granted a motion from the state’s attorney general’s office to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.
Earlier this year, the ACLU of Indiana sued the state in an effort to block Senate Enrolled Act 202. This higher-education law increases oversight of secondary education and requires tenured professors to be reviewed every five years. Furthermore, it requires that professors provide “free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity” and would not allow them to receive tenure or promotions if they teach political views unrelated to their discipline.
Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled in favor of Attorney General Todd Rokita’s motion for dismissal. Barker wrote that the lawsuit lacked “subject matter jurisdiction” that showed real harm to the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.
The ACLU of Indiana commented on the judge’s dismissal of the trial saying, “Today, a U.S. District Court Judge granted the state’s motion to dismiss an ACLU of Indiana lawsuit challenging Senate Enrolled Act 202. The suit was filed to protect the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of faculty at Indiana public colleges and universities. Plaintiffs in the suit, filed earlier this year, teach at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University Indianapolis, and Indiana University Bloomington. The ACLU of Indiana is disappointed and is currently considering options for next steps to protect academic freedom at our state’s public colleges and universities.”
Senate Enrolled Act 202 has faced criticism from major public universities and drew controversy for its oversight over secondary education. The Purdue-West Lafayette and Indiana University-Bloomington chapters of the American Association of University Professors, or AAUP, released a statement opposing the legislation in February .
The statement said, “Adoption of SB 202 would severely damage the ability of Indiana’s two public Research-1 universities—Purdue-West Lafayette and IU-Bloomington—to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, erasing the State of Indiana’s uniquely prominent national profile in higher education.”
On August 9th, Attorney General Rokita wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “To protect Hoosier students in the classroom, we will continue defending this new Indiana law, which ensures that state universities foster diversity of thought — not indoctrination.”
Indiana is set to resume the death penalty after a 15-year hiatus.
In June 2024, Governor Eric Holcomb said that Indiana is seeking an execution by lethal injection for Joseph Corcoran, a man convicted of killing four people in 1997.
The state said it’s seeking execution for the inmate after acquiring a drug used for lethal injections. It would be the first time Indiana has used capital punishment since 2009.
Indiana has a long history of false convictions for death penalty cases. According to the Indiana Public Defender Council, of the 97 people sentenced to death in the state, 60 of these sentences have been “commuted, reversed or dismissed.”
Moreover, the ACLU of Indiana states that people of color are more likely to be prosecuted for capital murder, sentenced to death and executed.
The ACLU said in a statement, “the death penalty is a barbaric, error-prone practice that holds our state and country in the past while perpetuating racial disparities. It is a broken system from start to finish. The time has come for Indiana and America at-large, to end the failed experiment of state-sanctioned executions.”
All federal executions since 1995 have taken place at the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute making Indiana the epicenter of the federal death penalty in America.
The Democratic National Convention kicked off on Monday in Chicago.
Indiana sent 88 Democratic delegates to the convention. Among these delegates include three familiar names from Bloomington.
Mayor Kerry Thomson, City Clerk Nicole Bolden and City Council Member Sydney Zulich are attending the convention as delegates.
At the end of the four-day convention, delegates will nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic nominees for the 2024 presidential election.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting on August 14th, the commissioners updated the community on projects they have been working on.
First, Commissioner Julie Thomas spoke on the environmental report on the North Park Project where the commissioners are looking into putting the new jail facility, and she spoke on the annexation trial results.
Commissioner Penny Githens continued the update and shared information on the proposed Cost of Living increase they proposed to the council.
During public comment, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President Eric Spoonmore about a potential new location for the new jail.
A local Ellettsville Resident, Craig Cowden, also spoke on the jail location, saying that he didn’t like the current proposed location, and is interested in selling his property for the new jail site.
Another Ellettsville Resident, Dee Buress, also gave public comment, saying they are Cowden’s neighbor and are interested in selling their property adjacent to Cowden’s for the new jail facility as well.
The commissioners then moved onto new businesses and heard from Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge about a contract for the design of a bridge called Business 37 North Bridge #913.
Ridge explained that they received a grant from INDOT for the reconstruction of a bridge. Ridge asked the commissioners to approve the contract for the design of the bridge, and said that the construction of the bridge won’t take place until the fiscal year of 2029.
The commissioners approved the design agreement with INDOT for the bridge replacement design unanimously.
The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for August 21st was canceled. They will meet again in two weeks on August 28th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have an excerpt from the Brown County Hour – a monthly, community-generated radio program originating in beautiful Nashville, Indiana. We will hear Brown County Hour Volunteer Lucy Schultz speak with Patricia Rhoden Bartels about her art. Lucy Schultz has more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Lucy Schultz, Chad Carrothers and Chuck Wills.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast of a show that originally aired on September 25, 2023:
Liz Mitchell hosts today’s broadcast of “Bring It On!”. As a producer of “Dark Past, Bright Future”, Liz Mitchell has had the pleasure of researching and interviewing a wide array of fascinating topics and guests. Tonight, it is her honor to air a documentary on the phenomenal life of Bloomington legend, Reverend Marvin Chandler, who transitioned from this world on Saturday, September 23.
Chandler never stopped sharing his love of music, commitment to justice, and passion for ministry with others. Learn about the fascinating story of native Hoosier Reverend Marvin Chandler, whose life not only made a significant impact on Indiana but on our nation as well. I hope you enjoy this tribute to his memory.
CREDITS:
Today’s host is Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 19th, 2024.
Later in the program, the city of Bloomington lifted a precautionary boil advisory for all of Monroe County. This comes after the city’s utilities department violated a drinking water standard. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Michelle Moss from the Bloomington Volunteer Network. The annual Volunteer Fair is this Saturday, and Michelle has all the details. Learn how you can connect to a nonprofit that needs your help later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
On Saturday, all of Monroe County was under a precautionary boil water advisory.
Late last week, the city of Bloomington Utilities violated a drinking water standard. C-B-U has stated that the turbidity levels were above the maximum level of 1 unit permitted by federal health regulations.
The city’s utilities department said in a news release that, “because of these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.”
On Monday, the city lifted the precautionary boil advisory with the exception of 207 homes in the Gentry East neighborhood.
Communications Manager for City Utilities Holly McLauchlin said that sand for a new filter, “accidentally spilled out of its tank” at the water treatment plant. This increased the turbidity of the water. McLauchlin said that utilities staff contained the spill and monitored the water every 15 minutes.
According to utilities, the turbidity of the water has returned to normal and no contaminants were detected.
For more information, including specific addresses, you can visit bloomington.in.gov/utilities or call 812-339-1444.
The city of Bloomington will appeal the recent ruling of the annexation trial.
Earlier this month, Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Kirk ruled that the city could not annex Area 1A and Area 1B into Bloomington.
On Thursday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson released a statement on the annexation ruling, saying, “while we are disappointed, we believe strongly in the merits of our case and remain hopeful about the outcome, though we understand it may take approximately a year to receive a decision on the appeal.”
In a phone call with WFHB News, Margaret Clements, President of the County Residents Against Annexation, said, “I’m a little disappointed in Mayor Thomson, especially because of the amount of taxpayer money spent on this wayward effort.”
Craig Cowden, a local resident who has a property on Vernal Pike, wants to sell about 53 acres of his land to the county for the purpose of a new jail site.
Cowen spoke to both the county council and the county commissioners this week offering his proposal.
During Wednesday’s meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, Cowden said he didn’t want the jail constructed at the proposed North Park site.
The commissioners signaled that they have their eyes set on the North Park property for the new jail site but they may consider Cowden’s property as a “backup” if plans fall through.
Cowden has gained support from the Greater Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for his property. In a joint letter, the two organizations cited fiscal responsibility, proximity of services and economic development as reasons to support Cowden’s property as a potential site.
During last Tuesday’s meeting of the Monroe County council, Cowden and real estate agent Tom Orman made their plea to council members.
Right now, the commissioners are waiting on an environmental study for the property at North Park on the city’s northwest side as the site for the new jail.
Commissioners Lee Jones and Julie Thomas reiterated that message during their regular session last week.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on August 12th, the council discussed Resolution 28 dash 2024 for the Annexation of 5517 North Union Valley Road.
Town Attorney Darla Brown gave some background information on the resolution, and said that the Ellettsville Plan Commission recommended the approval of the annexation.
The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Next, the council discussed Ordinance 2024-17, to repeal the current Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Control Ordinance and Maps, and instead adopt the new Unified Development Ordinance and Maps.
The Design Consultant the town contracted with to create the new U-D-O was Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group. Their Senior Planner, Shawn Dade (Pron. Dayed like Kade or made but Dade), presented on the U-D-O draft.
Dade walked through the different chapters of the U-D-O, and changes to the proposed zoning map.
Council Member Pamela Samples expressed concern over changing the rules, saying it might be confusing for residents.
Council Member Dan Swafford is a member of the Plan Commission as well, and suggested that the council should send the U-D-O back to the Plan Commission with any proposed changes, and wait 5 weeks until they vote on it again.
Council Member Scott Oldham said that he would like a way to approve the 90 percent of the U-D-O that is ready to go into effect, while still working on the 10 percent to fine tune any issues.
The council then heard from the public. The public spoke for approximately two hours.
Ellettsville Resident Camren Gentry said they were in support of having a new ordinance, however, there were portions he found to be poorly written and vague.
Ellettsville Resident Dan Rarey was in support of the U-D-O and warned that if they wait until the U-D-O is perfect he is worried it won’t ever pass.
The council voted 3 – 2 to send the U-D-O back to the plan commission with proposed changes.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on August 26th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers his thoughts on the Capital Improvement Board meetings for the Monroe Convention Center. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
This Saturday the plaza at City Hall will host more than just our bustling farmers’ market. The annual City of Bloomington Volunteer Fair is back this weekend, featuring more than 40 local nonprofits that need your help. Bloomington Volunteer Network coordinator Michelle Moss is here with the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month, LWV-BMC’s Civic Conversation is talking to Mark Fraley, the associate director of PACE, the Political and Civic Engagement Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University, and Pearl Vinard, an IU PACE student, to speak on the Big Ten Voting Challenge.
Because young people vote in smaller numbers than typical voters, the Big Ten Voting Challenge was created to help foster increased participation by young adults in democratic engagement throughout the Big Ten. This is done by promoting voter registration, turnout, and nonpartisan education while assisting students in finding and using their voices as active, engaged citizens. According to Fraley, BTVC has helped increase voter turnout through nonpartisan voter education and registering students to vote.
One reason that younger people do not vote, says Vinard, is that they often feel their voices do not matter. With the Big Ten Voting Challenge, students can help their universities increase their voting numbers through this unique competition.
En este episodio recibimos a Diego Achio y Cynthia Herrera de Traduality, empresa que ofrece servicios de traducción profesional y certificada en Bloomington, Indiana. Además, cuenta con una plataforma que permite a las empresas reguladas aumentar su satisfacción, retención, y adquisición de clientes latinos equipándolas con traducción e interpretación por inteligencia artificial en sus sucursales y centros de llamadas para que sus empleados americanos puedan hablar cualquier idioma.
https://traduality.com+1 (302) 250-0981
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achiodiego@traduality.com
The annual City of Bloomington Volunteer Fair on August 24, 2024 features more than 40 local nonprofits that need your help! Bloomington Volunteer Network coordinator Michelle Moss is here with the details.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Featured Animals: Athena and Venus
Athena and Venus are playful, loving kittens! They both have cerebellar hypoplasia, which can make them shaky and wobbly, but they are not in pain and can live a great life with a few minor accommodations in their forever home. For more info about Venus and Athena, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Municipal Animal Shelters
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about municipal animal shelters, the challenges they face, and the ways in which they rely on community support.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
James Dorr came to Bloomington as a student in the 60s and never left. He is a short story writer in the genres of dark fantasy/horror with forays into mystery and sci fi, and sometimes poetry. He’s most interested in exploring character, saying, “I like what horror does to character. By creating a stressful situation it compresses character so that traits and aspects emerge more clearly.” Our story for this episode,”Paperboxing Art,” has a very poetic tone and uses a sustained metaphor to enhance our understanding of the first-person narrator, artist Anton Wyckoff.
Dorr is an active member of the Bloomington Writers Guild often reading in the prose series and open mics. His most recent book, AVOID SEEING A MOUSE AND OTHER TALES OF THE REAL AND SURREAL, was published by Alien Buddha Press (2023).
James Dorr’s Blog
MUSIC
Thom Yorke and Radiohead
“The Hooks”
“Hunting Bears”
“The Universe is Indifferent”
“Suspirium Finale”
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music Director: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part III of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
The New York Times reports where and how Americans are taking advantage of Clean Energy Tax Credits. Americans claimed more than $8 billion in climate-friendly tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act last year, according to new data released by the Treasury Department, a “significant” number that is higher than initially expected, officials said.
The bulk of the money, more than $6 billion, helped households install rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines and other renewable energy systems. These credits were most popular in sunny states, including much of the Southwest and Florida, the data shows. Indiana did not take advantage of this program. A related program helped Americans improve the energy efficiency of their homes .
They installed electric heat pumps or boilers, added insulation, replacing windowed and other upgrades. These were most popular in the Northeast and Midwest. Indiana did use a very small part of this program.More than 3.4 million households claimed at least one of the subsidies last year, adding up to more than $8 billion in total savings, according to the Treasury analysis. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation initially suggested the credits would cost $2.4 billion in their first year and around $4 billion in subsequent years.
The credit for solar panels was especially popular, the Treasury data shows, with more than 750,000 American households claiming it last year. A credit for heat pumps, meanwhile, was claimed on more than 260,000 tax returns. Some households may have claimed both.There was no effort by Indiana’s government to promote these programs. Since the term “climate change” is not allowed by our Legislature in any discussion or report, it comes as no surprise.
Atmospheric methane is the second leading contributor to global warming. It is responsible for about 30 percent of global warming. The concentration of atmospheric methane is increasing due to methane emissions. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Methane’s radioative forcing of climate is direct, and it is the second largest contributor to human-caused climate forcing. The global warming potential for methane is about 84 times the impact of carbon dioxide.
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (around 1750) the methane concentration in the atmosphere has increased by about 160%, and this increase is almost entirely caused by human activities. By 2019, global methane concentrations had risen from 722 parts per billion in pre-industrial times to 1866 ppb. This is the highest value in at least 800,000 years.
Any process that results in the production of methane and its release into the atmosphere can be considered a “source”. The known sources of methane are predominantly located near the Earth’s surface.
Two main processes that are responsible for methane production include microorganisms anaerobically converting organic compounds into methane, which are widespread in aquatic ecosystems, and ruminant animals. Other natural sources include melting permafrost, wetlands, plants, and methane clathrates (methane trapped in ice at the bottom of the ocean).
Most of the low-cost opportunities for cutting methane emissions are found in the extractive industries, for example fixing leaks in gas pipes, curbing flares from oil wells and coal mines, or installing technologies to capture methane for sale or later use. Other sources of methane have no possibility of control: the melting of permafrost is an example. Since 60 percent of Russia is on permafrost, when this melts it will release methane for centuries.
The New York Times reports how a crisis for vultures led to a human disaster: half a million deaths. The birds were accidentally poisoned in India. New research on what happened next shows how wildlife collapse can be deadly for people.
To say that vultures are underappreciated would be putting it mildly. With their diet of carrion and their featherless heads, the birds are often viewed with disgust. But they have long provided a critical cleaning service by devouring the dead. Now, economists have put an excruciating figure on just how vital they can be: The sudden near-disappearance of vultures in India about two decades ago led to more than half a million excess human deaths over five years, according to a forthcoming study in the American Economic Review.
Rotting livestock carcasses, no longer picked to the bones by vultures, polluted waterways and fed an increase in feral dogs, which can carry rabies. It was “a really huge negative sanitation shock,” said Anant Sudarshan, one of the study’s authors and an economics professor at the University of Warwick in England.
The findings reveal the unintended consequences that can occur from the collapse of wildlife, especially animals known as keystone species for the outsize roles they play in their ecosystems. This is a recent area of study by economists. Another connection was found in Wisconsin, where researchers found that the presence of wolves reduced vehicle collisions with deer by about a 25 percent, creating an economic benefit that was 63 times greater than the cost of wolves killing livestock.
The Olympic Games held in Paris had temperatures much higher than historic levels. Over the last 100 years, the average temperatures are 5.5 degrees F higher. It was a concern for several contests held outdoors. Many viewers were celebrating the beauty of the venues for many activities. To have contests in view of the Eiffel Tower and many other historic locations was a special treat. There are many who would vote to have Paris do the summer games all the time.
The 2028 Games will be in Los Angeles during July. What happens if temperatures are like they were this year, many days over 100 degrees F? Perhaps they will shift the dates to cooler portions of the year. The other potential problem is smoke from fires in the surrounding mountains. There may come a time when both summer and winter games will be held in Norway or Sweden. The Alps are likely to be snow-free by 2050.
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part III of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
- Have fun at a Bug Catching Contest at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 12 to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 30-minute contest. Nets and cans are available. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded.
- Take a Full Sturgeon Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 8:30 to 9:45 pm. Experience the natural world coming to life as you hike under August’s Full Sturgeon Moon. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7.
- Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 21st, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
- Enjoy a Fossil and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, August 23rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Take this rugged hike on the newly reopened Trail 3. You will scramble through rocks in the creek to learn about fossils. Meet at the Canyon Inn.
- Learn all about Virgin Timber at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, August 23rd, from 3 to 4 pm. Hike through Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve and experience the hush and calm of an old growth forest and learn the history of forestry in Indiana.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
WFHB’s Youth Radio has partnered with Girls Rock Bloomington to present the 2024 Girls Rock Bloomington Camp Showcase. During the week-long Girls Rock summer camp, campers between the ages of 8 and 14 take music lessons, learn from experienced musicians and professionals, attend workshops, write their own original music with a band, and perform in a final concert showcase. This recording features a total of 8 original songs from the showcase and interviews with each band!
Introduction by Girls Rock Bloomington Camp Director/Founder Amy Oelsner
Interviews and editing by Youth Radio Director Jessie Grubb
Engineered by Nick Romy
Additional audio by Justin Vollmar
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 15th, 2024.
Later in the program, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita dropped a lawsuit over the privacy of a 10-year-old girl who traveled from Ohio to Indiana for an abortion.
More in today’s Statehouse Roundup.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council met last night for a special session addressing street homelessness in the city. More in today’s headlines.
The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita dropped a lawsuit over the privacy of a 10-year-old girl who traveled from Ohio to Indiana for an abortion.
Rokita accused Indiana University Health Hospital, the state’s largest hospital system, of violating the patient’s privacy rights after the doctor told a newspaper about the procedure.
The state’s attorney general filed a lawsuit alleging Dr. Caitlin Bernard violated the HIPAA law. However, Dr. Bernard’s attorneys argued that she did not share any personal information about the 10-year-old rape victim.
A federal judge approved Rokita’s dismissal of the case last week. The attorney general’s office stated that the state’s initial complaints have been satisfied by IU Health.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb called the completion of a major interstate highway a “historic milestone.”
The Martinsville-to-Indianapolis stretch of Interstate 69 was completed last week. This marked the end of a 26-mile segment of the I-69 extension from Evansville to Indianapolis which began in 2008.
Holcomb was joined last week by two former Indiana governors, Mike Pence and Mitch Daniels, for a ribbon cutting ceremony in Indianapolis.
According to a report from the Associated Press, before work began, I-69 ran from Port Huron, Michigan to Indianapolis. The completion of this final stretch means the interstate now runs from Port Huron to Evansville.
On Tuesday, candidates for Indiana Lieutenant Governor participated in a debate at the state fairgrounds.
The three candidates sparred over Indiana’s agricultural policies and property taxes during the debate.
Candidates for Lieutenant Governor include Republican Micah Beckwith, Democrat Terry Goodin and Libertarian Tonya Hudson.
The debate was hosted by AgrIInstitue, a Danville-based non profit organization advocating for the state’s agricultural industry.
Republican candidate Micah Beckwith argued for more limited government when it comes to the state’s farming policies.
Democratic candidate Terry Goodin focused on an economic revival of rural Indiana by investing in infrastructure and developing a new property tax plan.
Lastly, Libertarian candidate Tonya Hudson advocated to abolish property taxes and emphasized smaller government in Indiana.
To watch the full lieutenant governor’s debate, visit this link.
Sources: Associated Press, Indy Star
Bloomington City Council Convenes Special Session on Street Homelessness
The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday to tackle the question: “what actions should the council take to address street homelessness and support the work of others addressing street homelessness?” The special session was labeled as a common “consensus building activity.” It consisted of an overview on the issue of street homelessness and two breakout groups where members of the public engaged with the city council. Council Member Isak Asare started the session off with an overview of the issue.
Then, Council-at-large Member Matt Flaherty outlined what policies the city council could enact to address street homelessness in the city.
Members of the public then went into breakout groups with council members for “facilitated discussion” of the issue. After the breakout session, Flaherty touched on some of the common themes he heard in the discussion group.
Asare outlined what he heard in his breakout group, saying that local residents focused on the humanity of those experiencing homelessness.
Each city council member shared their thoughts on what they heard in their breakout groups. You can visit cats tv dot not to watch the full meeting to hear what council members had to say. According to the agenda packet, the common council will hold another meeting to continue the process, “toward building consensus and taking action on this topic.” The next regular session of the Bloomington City Council will take place on August 21st.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have an archived edition of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with Professor Ranjan Rohatgi who was a member of All IN for Democracy’s Citizens Redistricting Commission. Rohatgi is an Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Computer Science at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The conversation spans redistricting and representative democracy as a whole. It begins with host Jim Allison asking our guest about the redistricting of the U.S. Congress. Rohatgi explains how the process consists of a partisan remapping of congressional districts.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Longtime political science professor Jeffrey C. Isaac joins us at Big Talk once again. Outspoken during the spring pro-Palestinian protests on campus, Isaac defended the rights of students to publicly criticize the waging of the Israel-Hamas War and he stood behind a faculty member who was suspended as well as an artist whose exhibition at the Eskanazi Museum of Art was cancelled. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation; Part 2 next week will cover the 2024 US presidential election.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Photo by Paul Cooper, CC BY-NC 2.0This 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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We continue our coverage, looking into the refugee crisis, how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana, and how individuals are able to find refuge in Bloomington.
In 2023, Indiana welcomed 1,266 refugees, according to the U.S. Department of State. The city of Bloomington has served refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria, among others.
According to data provided by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, refugee case management system, so far in the 2024 fiscal year there have been 1,380 refugees that have arrived in Indiana from October 2023 to July 2024.
According to the U-N-H-C-R, also known as the the UN Refugee Agency, these individuals and their families have often been forced to flee from their homes, and spend an average of 17 years as refugees, waiting for their application to be processed, living in refugee camps and temporary living situations, before they are resettled into their new homes. But what does it look like for them once they move into a completely new community?
In August of 2022, the IU Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy produced a report on Refugee Resettlement in Indiana. They conducted in depth interviews with service providers to learn about barriers refugees face and strategies to address these issues.
One of the barriers they learned about from the service providers was a lack of adequate transportation. Here in Bloomington and in Indianapolis the bus system is a valuable public resource, especially to individuals who have just moved here and don’t have a car. However, the report found that there are gaps in the service, like many routes don’t run on the weekends, and some don’t start early enough or run late enough for individuals who work odd hours.
In an interview with the Limestone Post, Anna Maidi, refugee point person for the Islamic Center of Bloomington, also highlighted transportation as a barrier, and shared some examples of opportunities that refugees struggle to access without adequate transportation. She pointed out that to make it to events, to socialize and connect with people, refugees often need a car to get there.
Anna Maidi, refugee point person for the Islamic Center of Bloomington | Courtesy photoAnother issue the report mentions is that it can be challenging to obtain a drivers license due to language barriers. We will continue to dive deeper into challenges with transportation and driver’s licenses in the upcoming weeks.
In the report from the Center for Research on Inclusion and Public Policy, researchers outlined barriers to refugee resettlement in Indiana. Among these barriers, researchers pointed out language as a challenge to integration.
The report said, “language skills impact all areas of resettlement. Although agencies commonly provide language classes, many people are unable to attend due to work and other responsibilities.”
It also states that refugee agencies flagged a lack of interpretation facilities and awareness surrounding language options as barriers to resettlement, “individuals with low English literacy often fail their citizenship test because they are not aware they can petition to have an interpreter at the interview.”
Language barriers often present issues with finding a job when refugees arrive here. Brad Pontius, a pastor at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, elaborated on how language skills impact the experience of refugees in Bloomington.
Brad Pontius, community and global engagement pastor at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. | Photo by Olivia BiancoIn an interview with the Limestone Post, Lily Albright, an English teacher at Broadview Learning Center, shared that they have served around 400 students who are learning English as a second language.
Albright shared that they are working to make English courses more accessible by offering classes in the evenings, and by offering online classes.
Broadview Learning Center on Bloomington’s southwest side offers adult education programs, including high school equivalency diploma classes, English-language learning classes (ESL), and career training. | Limestone PostReporting from the IU Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and the Limestone Post shows that refugees in Bloomington rely on a “patchwork of nonprofits and religious organizations” that step in to aid with “housing, transportation, basic needs and legal services.”
That includes Exodus Refugee Immigration, a non-profit organization federally funded by the state department, who we heard from last week.
While advocates at Exodus say that Bloomington has been a welcoming environment for those seeking refuge, finding affordable housing has remained an obstacle.
Erin Aquino, resettlement director for Exodus, says that the organization receives $1,325 for one person for three months.
According to data from the Monroe County Apartment Association, the average rent in Bloomington is $1,206 per month.
Rendy Schrader is the senior director for international student and scholar program initiatives at Indiana University’s Office of International Services. Schrader echoed Aquino’s observations regarding affordable housing in Bloomington.
Religious organizations in town have also been vital to providing refugees with necessary household items and supporting people on a spiritual level.
Anna Maidi, refugee point person for the Islamic Center, touched on how they have helped with refugees coming from countries like Afghanistan.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Refugees in Indiana, and some of the issues they face trying to start their lives in this community. To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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:
- April 3, 2024
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:
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina, among others, from the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, published August 1, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington
WFHB reports:
- Refuge in Indiana (Part 1), August 7, 2024
Episode 14 – “How to Pronounce Depeche Mode” (with special guests DJ Socks and DJ Grog)
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where the hosts each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them. Enjoy this fun live episode from the Spring 2024 Fund Drive.
The songs from this episode are Fundamental by Puya, Professional Griefers by deadmau5 ft Gerald Way, and Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode.
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Bast
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Noni Ford
WFHB welcomes Oso Blues to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, August 10th, from 11am to noon. Join us as we go deep into the groove of this multi-talented, Austin-bred bluesman and cofounder of the Cosmic Songwriter. Listen on air, or as part of our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. Oso Blues – live on Saturday’s Child, August 10, at 11am on WFHB.
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
Episode 5 covers all things Magic from the year 2007 to 2011.
Join us to hear about recent additions to the classic game and all of the associated lore!
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Tyler Gentry
This program originally aired on February 12, 2024:
Laurisa LeSure, the Director of “Better Homes: The Play”On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Laurisa LeSure, the director of Better Homes: The Play. In the 1950s African American Studebaker workers from the South won out over Jim Crow in the North to build 22 homes in a white neighborhood and create a legacy. Their success demonstrates the decisive importance of fair housing for generations to come. It is a victory in a battle that has not been won yet since housing discrimination and redlining persist today.
Historical Marker for Better Homes of South BendThis collective group was known as the Better Homes of South Bend, and they built 22 homes on 1700-1800 blocks of North Elmer Street, creating a vibrant and peaceful community here in a formerly all-white neighborhood. And now, history is being transformed into a play based on the book by Gabrielle Robinson, Ph.D.
Gabrielle Robinson, Ph.D., Professor EmeritusIn honor of Black History Month, we felt it was important to shed light on this Indiana story of resilience. There is a historical marker on South Bend’s far northwest side where 22 Black families began a housing co-op in the 50s known as the “Better Homes of South Bend.” WNIT of South Bend will show the entire play along with talk-back segments from the cast & crew of “Better Homes: The Play” on Friday, February 23, at 9 PM and on Sunday, February 25, at 8 PM.
Residents of North Elmer St.Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 12th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on a recent appropriation ordinance from the city council. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
That’s Katie Hopkins from Thriving Connections, a program helping local people build bridges out of poverty. She’s looking for some supportive allies for the latest crew of program participants. Find out how to sign up later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met for its regular session on August 7th. During the meeting, Mayor Kerry Thomson touched on encampments and service provider recommendations for unhoused individuals. The mayor’s report comes after the city released a new housing action plan conducted by Heading Home of South Central Indiana. The action plan is a 20-page report providing a strategy for addressing street homelessness in the community. Mayor Thomson began by explaining the city’s defense of recent closures of encampments in Bloomington.
Then, Mayor Thomson provided background on the new housing action plan addressing the increase of street homelessness in the community.
The housing action plan has ten recommendations in an effort to combat the prevalence of street homeless in Bloomington. Mayor Thomson walked through these recommendations.
The mayor says the plan was conducted by local organizations and services providers using the “housing first” approach, which prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, this approach says that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical like getting a job, budgeting properly or attending to substance abuse issues.
Council Member Isak Asare asked whether steps from the housing action plan would be included in the city’s budget for next year.
During public comment, a local resident pushed back against the city’s planned evictions of homeless encampments using “public safety concerns” as justification for the removal of those encampments.
The city council is slated to meet for its next regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21st.
Monroe County Election Board
The Election Board held a special session on August 8th to take action on the candidate Randy Cassidy’s letter of resignation from the County Commissioner District 2 campaign. On July 30th, 2024 Democratic Chair David Henry submitted a challenge to their candidacy on the grounds that Cassidy did not meet the residency requirements.
County Attorney Molly-Turner King explained that following the Election Board meeting on August 1st, they received a stipulation of facts that was submitted by Democratic Party Chair David Henry, Candidate in question Randy Cassidy, and Cassidy’s Legal Counsel, Allison Weber.
The board voted unanimously to accept the stipulation of facts, uphold the Democratic Chair David Henry’s challenge of candidacy, and remove Randy Cassidy from the ballot.
The Election Board will meet for its next regular meeting on Thursday, September 5th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on a recent appropriation ordinance from the city council that dealt with three topics. For more on the “all or nothing” ordinance, we turn to Dave Askins.
Katie Hopkins knows firsthand the power of allyship in building bridges out of poverty. Back when it was called “Circles,” Katie was a participant in a local program that puts people struggling with poverty into supportive relationships. Now it is called “Thriving Connections,” and Katie is a coordinating volunteer paying it forward by helping others going through the program find THEIR allies. She’s here to ask YOU to join their crew on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Katie Hopkins knows firsthand the power of allyship in building bridges out of poverty. Back when it was called “Circles,” Katie was a participant in a local program that puts people struggling with poverty into supportive relationships. Now it is called “Thriving Connections,” and Katie is a coordinating volunteer paying it forward by helping others going through the program find their allies. Will you join the crew?
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
End-of-the-world themes run through Molly Gleeson’s work. We can hear that in both the short story “Rubble to Water,” where the setting is post-apocalyptic, and in the apocalyptic excerpt from the novel Due North. Due North is not autobiographical, but it draws form the author’s own experience. Rather than being about a lesbian world, it is about lesbians in the world. Another common theme running through her fiction is the natural world, which while it may present challenges, offers safety and refuge.
“Tell me again about coffee,” I said.
“Oh, coffee!” Nee-Nee said, her eyes lighting up. “So bitter, but I always added plenty of sugar and cream. It made me happy, coffee did.”
She looked wistful.
I couldn’t imagine a bitter drink the color of tar, made sweet and creamy with other things I had never tasted. But I liked her stories. I think it made Nee-Nee happy remembering them. Maybe not as happy as her strange coffee concoction had made her, but happy enough for Plainsmede.
Thinking about happiness and unhappiness made me remember Garrett’s story about the old people.
“Nee-Nee,” I said, serious now. “What is happening to the old people?”
(from “Rubble to Water”)
Gleeson is an ESL teacher and a very active member of the Bloomington Writers Guild, coordinating the first Sunday prose series and creating and organizing Bloomington’s very first local authors book fair which will be held on November 2. Molly Gleeson grew up right here in Bloomington.
MUSIC
Paul Ben-Haim – Three Songs without Words (1952)
CREDITS
Narrators:
Due North excerpt – Doug Storm
“Rubble to Water” – Elia Defore
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part II of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
The following was a Letter to the Editor in the Herald-Times on Sunday, August 3rd. We are sharing it with you with permission from the author.
Are we leaving the cost of climate change to our great-great-grandchildren? We homo sapiens, throughout our 300,000 years of existence, have never experienced carbon dioxide levels as high as they are today. Until 1840, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere varied between 180-280 parts per million (PPM). In 1860, it was about 288 ppm.
Since then, the concentration has increased every year to today, where it is now about 428 ppm. Humans have never experienced a climate as warm as it is today. And it is going to get much hotter. Every year, at least 200 billion tons of ice on Antarctica and Greenland melt. We do not fear this warming, or the rising ocean levels. We continue on the same course set during the last century.
We love our fossil fuels and are willing to live with relocating cities such as Miami; Fort Myers, Florida; Tampa; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; Washington, DC; New York City; and Boston to higher ground. All, so we can mine and burn more coal, because the good news is we will leave the cost to our great-great grandchildren.
According to the New York Times, Tim Walz has championed climate as governor. Kamala Harris’s V.P. pick, known for his folksy persona and rural Midwestern roots, has elevated the issue of climate change in his state. Over the course of his two terms in office, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota has quietly emerged as one of the nation’s most forceful advocates for tackling climate change.
Governor Walz, who has been tapped by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate, most recently made national headlines for labeling the Republican ticket “weird.” But back in St. Paul, Mr. Walz has been increasingly focused on the threats posed by climate change to his state and has been enacting ambitious policies designed to slash the use of the fossil fuels that are dangerously heating the planet.
Most notably, in 2023, Mr. Walz signed a law requiring Minnesota to generate all of its electricity from wind, solar and other carbon-free sources by 2040, eliminating the climate-warming pollution generated by coal and gas-fired power plants. That law came in the midst of a legislative session in which Minnesota Democrats, working with Governor Walz, pushed through nearly 40 other climate initiatives. In June, he signed a law designed to speed up the implementation of the 2040 clean power mandate, by streamlining the permitting of renewable electricity projects.
Inside Climate News reports electric vehicles strain the automaker-big oil alliance. In the clean car battle, the oil industry leans on friends—including Donald Trump—to keep gasoline transport alive, while carmakers steer toward an EV future.
Since the dawn of U.S. environmental law more than half a century ago, America has tried to reconcile its love of the automobile with its hope for a liveable future. And whether the battle was over the smog that choked cities, the toxic lead that poisoned millions or the carbon dioxide that is heating the planet, two of the nation’s most powerful industries were at the forefront of the effort to shape U.S. auto policy: the companies that made the vehicles and the businesses that fueled them.
Now, the electric car has touched off what might be the ultimate lobbying battle for both the auto and oil industries. Carmakers are seeking to slow the pace of the Biden administration’s drive for cleaner vehicles. Oil companies are seeking to bring it to a halt.
No voice has amplified the Big Oil message more loudly than former President Donald Trump, who at a fundraiser in April explicitly pledged to help the industry in exchange for its members sending $1 billion to his campaign, The Washington Post first reported. Trump blasts President Joe Biden’s EV-friendly policy at nearly every public appearance, including after his conviction in New York on charges of falsifying business records, when amid grievances about the judicial system, he stated: “They want to stop you from having cars.”
In this seeming non sequitur, Trump was merely reiterating one of the major themes of his bid to regain the presidency. Echoing the oil industry’s own language, he has framed his candidacy as its best hope for undoing U.S. policy to spur adoption of EVs.
To cut greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. passenger vehicles in half by 2032—as Biden’s rules call for—automakers are expected to rely on the electric drive technology into which they’ve already poured billions of dollars, spurred by subsidies at home and competition abroad. “The future is electric,” said John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, appearing at the rollout of the regulations in March.
But the American Petroleum Institute and its sister group, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association, have declared battle against that EV future. Although the oil industry still rakes in huge profits and global fuel demand keeps rising, that’s not a guarantee the status quo will continue.
EVs have opened a divide between the auto industry and the oil industry, in the view of David Kieve, a former adviser to Biden who now heads EDF Action, the political advocacy partner of the Environmental Defense Fund. Kieve was in the audience when the Environmental Protection Agency announced the new vehicle pollution standards in Washington.
To those who understand the threat from climate change, this debate is akin to arguing over the deck chairs on the Titanic. If the US were serious about halting climate change, we would be buying 10 million EVs this year, shuttering coal-fired plants, installing wind and solar for a million Hoosiers every year, and strengthening the power grid. Indiana is doing none of this.
In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part II of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.
- Do you want to learn more about the Perseids Meteor Shower? Plan to attend Predicting the Perseids at Brown County State Park on Saturday, August 10th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Learn what the Perseids are, where they come from, when to see them and much more!
- Have fun at a Bug Catching Contest at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 12 to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 30-minute contest. Nets and cans are available. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded.
- A Wild Wednesday will take place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, August 14th, from 10 to 11 am. Take a short hike to learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and much more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray!
- Take a Quarry Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, August 16th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Trailside Shelter to begin Trail 2 to the Quarry. Learn about how the stone was used to create some of Indiana’s buildings and how it was transported.
- An Ants On The March presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about ant anatomy, search for live ants in the ground and make an ant craft. Meet at the Campground Playground.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
El día de hoy, Rodolfo Leiva recibe a Romeri Rubio, el enlace latino de MCCSC, para hablarnos de los servicios de la Corporación y de la atención que brinda a los padres de habla hispana con hijos en edad escolar que viven en Bloomington, IN.
In this episode we air a recording from the final talk of the Pittsburgh Anti-Repression Convergence, which served as a space for activists, political prisoner supporters, and former political prisoners to strategize against repression in the context of social movements, with an eye towards total liberation for the earth and all of it’s inhabitants. We’ll hear from Sheila, who defines and discusses anti-repression, counter-repression, and movement defense.
They began their presentation with Diane’ Di Prima’s REVOLUTIONARY LETTER #8:
Everytime you pick the spot for a be-in
a demonstration, a march, a rally, you are choosing the ground
for a potential battle.
You are still calling these shots.
Pick your terrain with that in mind.
Remember the old gang rules:
stick to your neighborhood,
don’t let them lure you
to Central Park everytime, I would hate
to stumble bloody out of that park to find help:
Central Park West, or Fifth Avenue, which would you choose?
go to love-ins
with incense, flowers, food, and a plastic bag
with a damp cloth in it, for tear gas, wear no jewelry
wear clothes you can move in easily, wear no glasses
contact lenses
earrings for pierced ears are especially hazardous
try to be clear
in front, what you will do if it comes
to trouble
if you’re going to try to split stay out of the center
don’t stampede or panic others
don’t waver between active and passive resistance
know your limitations, bear contempt
neither for yourself, nor any of your brothers
NO ONE WAY WORKS, it will take all of us
shoving at the thing from all sides
to bring it down.
The education director for Constellation Stage & Screen has designed a wide-ranging fall program of acting, musical theater, improv, and filmmaking classes for kindergarteners through adults. Eric Shelley has led the teaching arm of Constellation since it was formed by the merger of the Bloomington Playwrights Project, Cardinal Stage Company, and Pigasus Pictures in 2022. Constellation has renovated and now occupies the Waldron Center and it has studio space for classes on East 7th St. The arts consortium offers classes year-round and has full slates of stage productions in the fall, winter, and spring.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 8th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with members of Off Night Productions – a women-led nonprofit producing contemporary theatre & music on off nights of the traditional performance week.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on July 29th, a Bloomington Resident and Utility Customer asked the board to appeal a utility bill. The customer shared that their water bill was high due to a leak that occurred after they moved out of their apartment.
Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler said that according to Indiana Law, they are only able to adjust the bill if the meter had been read incorrectly or if there was a meter error. Wheeler said that they tested the meter, and did not find any issues. Wheeler said that from a legal standpoint, the utility department couldn’t do anything, however the dispute could be brought up between the landlord and the renter.
The board unanimously voted to deny the request to appeal the utility bill, however, they did vote to waive the delinquent fees on the bill.
Board Member Megan Parmenter explained the result of the vote, and said she hopes they will be able to work out the issue with their landlord.
The next Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting will be held on August 12th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
This month Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Carrie Rouse MD. Dr. Rouse is an OBGYN in Indianapolis who specializes in maternal fetal care, especially high risk pregnancy care. Dr. Rouse is an abortion provider. She is also a member of the Good Trouble Coalition, a physician group that focuses on issues of social justice, advocates for patients, public health, and evidence based medicine. She brings us up to date on the state of reproductive healthcare in Indiana. We turn now to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with members of Off Night Productions – a women-led 501(c)3 nonprofit producing contemporary theatre & music on off nights of the traditional performance week. Off Night Productions will premiere the play, “Steel Magnolias” starting this Sunday at the John Waldron Arts Center’s Whikehart Auditorium. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Dr. Rob Stone, Karen Green Stone and Cindy Beaulé.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Photo by Paul Cooper, CC BY-NC 2.0This 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. For this series WFHB and the Limestone Post collaborated with the Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting. We are looking into the refugee crisis, and how this global emergency is playing out here in Indiana.
To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.Before diving deeper, we wanted to cover some of the basics, like what is the definition of a refugee and how does someone become one?
The formal definition of a refugee comes from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also known as the U-N Refugee Agency, which the United Nations established following World War II to help the millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. The agency is mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, “refugees are people who have fled their countries to escape conflict, violence or persecution and have sought safety in another country.” They expand upon that definition to share that many refugees have “been forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind their homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones. They may have suffered human rights violations, been injured in their flight, or seen family members or friends killed or attacked.”
First, an individual might be recognized as an asylum seeker. Someone who has or intends to apply to be recognized as a refugee, but their application has yet to be processed.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, “Seeking asylum is a human right and every person in the world has the right to apply for asylum if they are fleeing conflict or persecution. They must not be expelled or returned to situations where their lives or freedoms would be in danger. This is the principle of non-refoulement which is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention. It is also part of human rights law and customary international law and must be guaranteed by all countries.”
Currently, the United States allows the admission of up to 125,000 refugees to the United States, this is from the Memorandum on Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2024.
Exodus Refugee Immigration is a non-profit organization which serves the resettlement needs of refugees and other displaced people fleeing persecution, injustice and war, welcoming them to Indiana. Exodus is a federally funded program implemented by the state department, which began in Indiana in 1981.
Exodus Refugee Immigration is one of several organizations in Bloomington that provide refugee families with assistance. | Photo by Olivia BiancoErin Aquino is the Resettlement Director at Exodus Refugee in Bloomington. Aquino said the Bloomington office of Exodus has been open for two years. So far, the organization has welcomed refugees from over 17 countries – the majority of whom come from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria.
Right now, Aquino said that Exodus currently serves about 150 refugees every year. She said that the Biden Administration’s state department has requested that they attempt to increase their capacity. However, she said due to high housing costs and limited employment opportunities, the Bloomington office has struggled to expand the number of refugees they can serve. She touched on the difficulties that come along with serving refugees in Bloomington and surrounding areas.
Aquino said that regardless of the difficulties, Bloomington has been a welcoming place for refugees.
Aquino reiterated that refugees coming to Bloomington have to start their lives over and find community. She described the adjustments refugees have to make after coming to Indiana.
The Bloomington Refugee Support Network was founded in 2016. The organization supports asylum seekers, refugees and other displaced migrants in the community. Peter Lenzen, director of the Bloomington Refugee Support Network, provided an overview on the work the organization does.
Pete Lenzen, the director of the Bloomington Refugee Support Network. | Photo by Olivia BiancoLenzen said that the organization has helped those fleeing their home countries from all around the world – including Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine, among others.
While Lenzen maintains that refugees encounter a fair share of challenges and hurdles, Bloomington can be a fitting place for refugees to settle.
Anifa is a woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Exodus website, her family fled to a refugee camp in Zambia when she was just 12 years old. She lived there for 15 years before she was resettled in the United States in 2022. She said, “Nobody wants to be a refugee – it’s not a choice, just circumstances. Nobody wants to leave their life behind and leave where they come from. There is a good and bad side to everything.”
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Refugees in Indiana, and some of the issues they face trying to start their lives in this community. To read the full article, Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington, written by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina; and photographed by Olivia Bianco, 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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 reports:
- Feature report with Limestone Post reporters Christina Avery and Haley Miller, April 3, 2024
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?
- Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 2), May 29, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 3), June 7, 2024
- Wetlands (Part 4), June 12, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in BloomingtonLimestone Post article by by Brookelyn Lambright, Karl Templeton, and Brenna Polovina, among others, from the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, published August 1, 2024
Resilience Amid Hardship: Refugees Find Challenges, Opportunities in Bloomington
Featured animal: Elf
Elf is a domestic short hair calico kitten, about 14 weeks old. Everyone’s first reaction when they meet Elf is to pity her semi-functional leg situation, but she takes offense to that! Although she uses her fourth leg differently than the rest of her legs, it doesn’t slow her down in the slightest. She’s the fastest of her litter and speeds around corners using that 4th leg for drifting. She can get a little freaked out when being picked up or held, because she doesn’t feel as stable as her siblings, but otherwise her leg is a non-issue! She has lived in a foster home with many other cats (of varying ages and tolerances for young kittens) and with large, loud dogs. Elf would make a great companion in a household that has older children who can be sensitive to how she needs handled, and with dogs/cats that will respect her boundaries since it’s a bit harder for her to get away from stimulus.
To learn more about Elf, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: The importance of socializing young kittens
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about the prime socialization period for cats, and what caretakers can do to help them accept various social situations.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 6th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with folk trio Mad Agnes who is playing a show in Bloomington on Friday. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on July 31st. Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on the health department, saying that Covid-19 related emergency visits have increased slightly.
Then, the commissioners heard a resolution outlining remonstration for the expansion of the Monroe Fire Protection District. This resolution would add Bean Blossom Township to the county’s fire protection district. According to the agenda, the inclusion of the township into the county’s fire protection district requires a public meeting and a demonstration that Bean Blossom Township residents are supportive. Town Attorney Jeff Cockerill outlined the resolution.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas asked Cockerill whether the resolution applies to all of Bean Blossom Township. Cockerill responded.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked what the timeline looks like for the project. Bean Blossom Township Representative Ron Hudson responded that it’s unclear at the moment.
Commissioner Githens commented on the expansion of the Monroe Fire Protection District citing previous examples of townships speaking positively of joining.
The commissioners voted unanimously in supporting the resolution. The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting will happen on August 7th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with folk trio Mad Agnes. Mad Agnes is slated to play a show at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 9th at the Blue Room in Bloomington. For more, we turn to Cindy Beaulé.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Sam Hall and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cindy Beaulé.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 5th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council appointed deputy attorney Ash Kulak to serve as interim council administrator during the council’s most recent meeting. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Chris Herring from Pals – that’s People and Animal Learning Services. They use “equine therapy” to help people in our community overcome their challenges. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on July 31st after a summer recess. During the council reports section of the meeting, the council deliberated on filling the vacancy of the council attorney position. The vote concerned whether to allow the deputy attorney Ash Kulak to serve as interim council attorney. Parliamentarian Hopi Stosberg walked through the proposal.
Council Member Isak Asare asked about the process behind the job posting. Stosberg explained the rationale of the hiring committee.
Asare followed up requesting that the committee should include a lawyer in the hiring process of the new council administrator.
Council Member Matt Flaherty asked whether the hiring committee has checked with the city’s human resources office on the salary for the position. Stosberg clarified that the hiring committee had coordinated with human resources.
The council voted 8-0 to appoint Ash Kulak as interim council administrator. Then, the council heard a first reading of an appropriations ordinance. The ordinance would allocate additional money from the food and beverage, general and American Rescue Plan Act funds and would approve of a revised 2024 budget for the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board or C-I-B. The C-I-B oversees the affairs of the Monroe Convention Center and its expansion. City Clerk Nicole Bolden read the ordinance by title and synopsis only.
The city council will vote on the ordinance at a future meeting. The Bloomington City Council will convene for its next regular session on August 7th.
Monroe County Election Board
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Election Board met on August 1st. Starting things off, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave a summary of the primary election’s attendance.
Next, the board heard an update from the Vote Center Study Committee. Representing the committee was Committee Member Ami (Ah-me) Gandhi to share what the committee has been working on.
Board Member Judith Benckart said that the recent meeting of the Vote Center Study Committee helped give the public a better understanding of what vote centers would look like.
Gandi shared that they have more meetings planned around the county to reach more members of the community.
Board Member John Fernandez suggested that they could present at the city council meetings to raise awareness as well.
Fernandez also suggested reaching out to the IU Student Government to better reach the student population.
Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland shared that the Voter Registration Office was planning on going to the IU Student Government, and that the Vote Center Committee could go with them.
They also discussed filling two positions on the Vote Center Study Committee. Moreland said that Committee Member Hal Turner had to step down due to health complications and Taylor Bryant also stepped down. Benckart shared that Bryant asked William Ellis to take their place on the committee.
Clerk Browne shared that if members of the public are interested in filling Turner’s position, they should reach out to her. She also thanked Turner for his work on the committee.
Next, the board discussed the letter they received from District 2 Monroe County Commissioner Candidate Randy Cassady detailing his resignation from the campaign. Clerk Browne urged the board to act on the matter quickly due to the time crunch of the upcoming election.
Cassady was in attendance at the meeting and spoke on the decision to suspend their campaign.
The board also discussed the Early Voting Schedule, and the location of polling sites. Clerk Browne shared the early voting hours.
The next meeting of the Election Board will be held on September 5th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads a recent item from the news outlet’s Almost Daily Morning Bulletin. We turn to Askins for more.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. In July the Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people working for positive change in our community.
This week’s episode was produced by Trent Josleyn , a high school student in Crown Point Indiana. Trent won our Audioslinger Award for best technical production skills and was the only student to knock out more than one episode. This final installment features Chris Herring from Pals. That’s People and Animal Learning Services. It’s an innovative “equine therapy” program – using the connection between people and horses to help individuals overcome their challenges. It started out focused on people with disabilities, but now People and Animal Learning Services helps a much wider spectrum. Hear more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate was produced by Trent Josleyn with support from Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
Episode 4 kicks off with the release of 8th Edition in 2003. This episode spans to 2007, leaving us with the release of Future Sight.
Join us as we enter the modern era of Magic!
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Carrie Rouse MD. Dr. Rouse is an OBGYN in Indianapolis who specializes in maternal fetal care, especially high risk pregnancy care. Dr. Rouse is an abortion provider. She is also a member of the Good Trouble Coalition, a physician group that focuses on issues of social justice, advocates for patients, public health, and evidence based medicine. She brings us up to date on the state of reproductive healthcare in Indiana.
Read the OpEd by Drs. Rouse and Caitlin Bernard in the Indy Star, September 2023, “Indiana’s abortion ban strips doctors of ‘ability to provide evidence-based care”
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
On Bring It On! this week, hosts, Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell, take on the issue of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with guests, Artina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Southeast Michigan, and Monica Fleetwood Black, the Clinical Coordinator at the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County.
Kamala Harris Has Earned Her Success, The Seattle Times (7/26/24)This hour focuses on establishing a rational, working definition for DEI amidst the radical right’s decision to use D.E.I. as a politically divisive or wedge issue now that Vice President Kamala Harris is leading or tied in the polls with Donald Trump in the current election of the next President of the United States.
The basic consensus among political analysts is that the radical right is attempting to diminish Harris’s popularity by trying to reframe her as an unqualified DEI hire throughout her public service career. In other words, the radical right is saying that she is in her position as Vice President and candidate for the President of the United States because of who she is, rather than because of her acumen and accomplishments.
Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterArtina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton MetroparksMonica Fleetwood Black, the Clinical Coordinator at the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe CountyCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
En este episodio Angela Castañeda y Enabah Seda de TANDEM, nos acompañan para compartirnos información sobre los servicios que TANDEM ofrece a la comunidad, principalmente a mujeres embarazadas y en postparto, así como de su programa de Doulas.
Chris Herring has been around horses her whole life. She understands the special bond that can happen between a horse and a person, and now she puts that bond to therapeutic use through People and Animal Learning Services (PALS). This innovative “equine-assisted learning center” harnesses the connection between people and horses to help individuals overcome their challenges. It started out focused on people with disabilities, but now People and Animal Learning Services helps a much wider spectrum.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
The PALS Community Barn Sale is happening on August 24 from 7am to 2pm!
This episode of Activate! was produced by Trent Josleynas part of the High School Journalism Institute at The Media School at Indiana University.
Originally from Indianapolis, Ian Woollen has lived in Bloomington for nearly 40 years. He, and his wife Sue Sweeny, are the proverbial graduate students who never left town. Ian is also a psychotherapist. In both his writing and therapy practice Ian says he is looking for the narrative, the story line. Ian carries a small notebook to jot ideas and then goes back over his notes, using that as a starting point for his writing. He writes, rewrites, rewrites again and revises. He loves writing dialogue, and says a novel is a big story moving from exposition to dialogue, a short story does the same but in less space. “Emergency Alert” employs that technique, just enough explanation with the dialogue widening our view of the characters and situation.
STORIES
Emergency Alert
No Expiration Date
Author Page
MUSIC
Joe Chambers, Mirrors
“Circles”
“Ruth”
“Tu-Way-Pock-E-Way”
“Ruthless”
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer and Music: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, part one of a four part series about trees in Monroe County from Deep Dive, WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate. This week’s episode covers what trees we have in Monroe County, what benefits they provide, which trees to root for, and which to root out!
Indiana University reports the important job of monitoring the health of Indiana’s public lakes has been entrusted by a state agency to Indiana University’s Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs for 35 years. In the process, many student interns have participated in this task, collected vital data and subsequently applied the knowledge and skills they gained to professional roles across the country. The Indiana Clean Lakes Program, a water monitoring and education program, started in 1989 in partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Quality. The program is administered through a grant to the O’Neill School, and the school’s Limnology Lab, which studies bodies of fresh water, leads the monitoring efforts.
“Our resources are invaluable. We all need water; it’s essential. If we don’t monitor the lakes then we don’t know the impact we’re having,” said Sarah Powers, the Limnology Lab director since 2022. “Not only is there a public health benefit, but also it’s an opportunity to educate about water ecosystems.” IU is one of just a handful of universities to perform lake water testing for a statewide monitoring program, Powers said. Each summer the lab typically has six interns that collect and analyze samples from 80 lakes statewide. The lab also uses citizen volunteers that it trains to collect multiple samples from an additional 50 or more lakes to provide a broader data profile of lake status across the state. “It’s amazing and fantastic that the state has entrusted such an important goal to us, and that we can utilize this program as a way to train the next generation to understand how the monitoring process works,” said Powers, a former summer intern herself.
The federal Clean Water Act requires states to report on the trophic status — or biological productivity — and trends of all public lakes in Indiana, and requires states to report on the status of how lakes and reservoirs are meeting designated uses, said Barry Sneed, Indiana Department of Environmental Management public information officer. Because of the equipment and staffing required for the monitoring, it wouldn’t be feasible for IDEM alone to monitor the same number of lakes. IU’s efforts supplement the department’s river and stream monitoring and help spread communication and awareness through their education and outreach efforts and volunteer monitoring.
Inside Climate Change reports that for Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley, studies show an even graver risk from toxic gases. Levels of ethylene oxide more than 1,000 times higher than what’s considered safe—and far greater than previous estimates—were identified by researchers at John Hopkins. According to the researchers, those chemicals are present in Cancer Alley at rates that are far higher than previously believed. Using state-of-the-art mobile air monitors, environmental engineers identified plumes of the toxic gas ethylene oxide at the fence line of facilities that in some cases were more than 1,000 times higher than what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers an “acceptable risk.”
The research team’s findings, published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, noted that the EPA’s acceptable threshold for long-term exposure to ethylene oxide is 10.9 parts per trillion. But researchers found an average exposure level nearly three times that amount, 31.4 parts per trillion, when they tested the air across Cancer Alley. The bleak nickname refers to the 85-mile stretch of land from New Orleans to Baton Rouge that is home to roughly 200 petrochemical plants and some of the highest rates of cancer in the nation. Cook uses ethylene oxide to sterilize its products. The sterilization facility is in Ellettsville near the recycling center. WFIU reported that in 2016, according to the EPA National Air Toxics Assessment, the likelihood of getting cancer in Ellettsville over the course of a lifetime — from air pollution alone — was about 50 in 1 million in 2014. That’s higher than the national average and was higher than any other area of the state that year except perhaps Cleveland Cliffs steel mill in Portage.
WFHB has contacted Cook about their recent experience. Their response is quoted. “We take our ethylene oxide emissions and controls seriously. We have rigorous standards to ensure our emissions are well below any regulatory requirements and are regularly recognized as industry-leading in our emissions control and worker safety protocols. Our current usage of ethylene oxide is safe and we have remained well below our permit allowances dating back to when they were implemented. Our permit allotment is 18,000 pounds per year. Our emissions for 2022 were 6.94 pounds for the entire year. We’ve worked diligently to lead the industry with our state-of-the-art system. We’re proud to say that many of the EPA’s most recent changes to ethylene oxide capture and reporting have already been implemented at Cook, including updated scrubbing technology. We’re currently undertaking a significant investment to ensure we meet and exceed all of EPA’s newest ruling. The biggest area of change in EPA’s new ruling is to implement continuous monitoring of certain metrics. To comply with continuous monitoring, we have invested in additional technology and are developing additional processes. Once these changes are fully implemented, we will continuously reevaluate and improve as technology for ethylene oxide capture and control evolves.”
Apparently no study of cancer rates in Ellettsville has been performed. The cancer rate in Monroe County is among the lowest in the state. The most common types of cancer caused by ethylene oxide are lymphoma and leukemia.
The Center for Biological Diversity reports that in Florida, more than 100 manatees under a year old have already died this year, on pace to nearly double the annual average. And because not all manatees who perish are discovered, the real number is probably even higher. The Center for Biological Diversity is pushing to restore full protection to manatees under the Endangered Species Act. The past few years have been catastrophic for these gentle animals. Nearly 20% of the population has been lost. Sadly, while the total deaths per year have gone down, nearly 1 in 3 manatees who have died this year were less than a year old. Scientists aren’t yet sure what is driving the die-off of these calves.
It’s possible that the increase is attributable to a reproductive rebound following the years-long mortality event. It’s also possible that years of malnutrition are exacting their price. In many waters pollution-fueled algae severely choked the seagrass that manatees depend on for food. Biologists have warned about the long-lasting effects of starvation across generations of manatees: Malnourished mothers may be giving birth to weaker calves, whose fates could be sealed at a very early age. What’s clear is that manatees’ future isn’t secure — and that they urgently need greater protection. This news comes on the heels of a mass die-off that began in 2021, when more than 1,000 manatees perished, making it the deadliest year on record.
In this week’s feature report, part one of a four part series about trees in Monroe County from Deep Dive, WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate. This week’s episode covers what trees we have in Monroe County, what benefits they provide, which trees to root for, and which to root out!
- Learn all about insects during a Garden Insects: Friends or Foe presentation on Saturday, August 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Butler Park Community Garden. Learn how to attract beneficial insects and reduce the harmful ones. Sign up at Bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A Flora Field Day at the North Fork Check Station at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your flora identification skill with a naturalist. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray, hat and water. Sign up at tineurl.com/florafield-aug2024.
- Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 7th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
- Take a Woodpecker ID Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, August 8th, from 8 to 9:30 am. Meet at the Trailside Shelter to hike Trail 2. See how the fallen trees have led to an increase in woodpeckers in the tornado impact area.
- An Ants On The March presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about ant anatomy, search for live ants in the ground and make an ant craft. Meet at the Campground Playground.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………….Jack Lewis
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
With rage emerging as a driving force behind political, social, and cultural discourse in the United States, Indiana University associate professor Wright has been attempting to plumb the public’s psyche to find out why. He has concluded anger is now the “central emotion governing contemporary US politics.” He has found many people vote to hurt others rather than help themselves. He discusses how politicians stoke and use rage to their benefit in elections.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 1st, 2024.
Later in the program, the Indiana University Board of Trustees voted 6-3 in support of a new expressive activity policy which goes into effect today. Today, WFHB brings you a news special looking into the impact of the new policy which opponents say limit free speech. That’s coming up in today’s edition of the WFHB Local News.
Feature Report:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JULY 31: Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside the Indiana University Alumni Association to demonstrate after the Indiana University board of trustees passed a policy regulating free speech on campus on July 31, 2024 in Bloomington, Ind. The free speech policy labeled, “Expressive Activity Policy” activists say is aimed at Pro-Palestine protests and Grad Student Union strikes, was passed during a meeting at the same location Monday. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)The Indiana University Board of Trustees voted 6-3 in support of a new expressive activity policy which goes into effect today. The policy bans camping, limits hours of expressive activity from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and requires that structures be approved by the university at least 10 days in advance. Violation of the policy could result in the removal of tents or even suspension from campus. Today, you will hear a WFHB News special on the Dunn Meadow encampment protests and the university’s response to those protests.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s local news was produced by Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky Schneider and Jessie Grubb, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Indiana University Board of Trustees voted 6-3 in support of a new expressive activity policy which goes into effect today. The policy bans camping, limits hours of expressive activity from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and requires that structures be approved by the university at least 10 days in advance. Violation of the policy could result in the removal of tents or even suspension from campus. Today, you will hear a WFHB News special on the Dunn Meadow encampment protests and the university’s response to those protests.
On Wednesday, dozens of protesters gathered outside the Showalter House, which is off the bypass by the IU Golf Course. This was the location where IU President Pamela Whitten met with community leaders for a social event.
The protest took place in direct opposition to the new expressive policy and Whitten’s handling of the Palestine solidarity protests and the encampments established in Dunn Meadow – an area historically dedicated to student demonstrations. The new policy reverses decades of precedent for civil protest at the university.
On Wednesday, WFHB News spoke with IU Divestment Coalition Coordinator Bryce Greene outside the Showalter House. Greene commented on the university’s new expressive activity policy saying that he believes the new policy shows the university is attempting to justify its actions against protesters back in April.
“The new policy is explicitly designed to justify their past violence and also justify future violence against students all because they don’t want students protesting,” said Greene.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JULY 31: Pro-Palestine protesters gather outside the Indiana University Alumni Association to demonstrate after the Indiana University board of trustees passed a policy regulating free speech on campus on July 31, 2024 in Bloomington, Ind. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)Greene then outlined his efforts organizing these protests over the past three months saying the encampments have lasted for almost 100 days.
“Our university continues to be invested in and continues to have partnerships with organizations that explicitly support genocide. And we are mobilizing and organizing around it,” he said. “We’re going to keep organizing and keep struggling until our demands are met.”
WFHB News asked what comes next for the Dunn Meadow protests after the new policy essentially bans the encampments. While the demonstrators have yet to release an official statement, Greene hinted that protests will continue within the constraints of the new policy.
“I mean it’s really the same answer that it’s always been. You have to find creative ways based on the constraints of the system that you’re trying to change. That was the case in the 60s, that’s the case now and that’ll be the case 100 years in the future. And so, we continue in that tradition,” said Greene.
In April 2024, IU formed an ad-hoc committee after hearing about a planned encampment in Dunn Meadow protesting the university’s relationship with Israel’s war on Gaza. Overnight, the committee changed the long-standing Dunn Meadow policy, prohibiting the installation of structures, including tents, without advanced approval.
According to a third-party review of the Dunn Meadow encampment protests done by Cooley LLP, a law firm based out of Chicago, the IU Police Department, “lacked adequate staffing or the specialized training necessary to respond to a significant protest event.” That’s when the university brought in the Indiana State Police to enforce its policy.
The day following the policy change, snipers were spotted on the roof of the student union, a state police helicopter surveilled the demonstration, and both students and faculty received bans from campus. State police arrested 57 people in Dunn Meadow in late April.
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – APRIL 27: Police arrest activists on the third day of a pro-Palestinian protest camp in Dunn Meadow at Indiana University on April 27, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana. At least twelve people were arrested after police told them thier tents were illegal, and had to be taken down. The protester refused to take down the tents, so the Indiana State Police swat team forced the protesters from the camp, and arrested several in the process. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)The state police specifically targeted IU student and organizer Bryce Greene. Police body cam footage was released by Indiana Public Media in July. In the footage, you can overhear officers target Greene among the crowd of protesters.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snip-snip.mp3Greene said that IU attempted to “make an example” out of him by having state police target him. In his mind, however, the movement would not be deterred.
“They’re trying to demoralize us, and they’re trying to put a chilling effect on all this stuff going on on campus. But as long as there are people who have good conscience and good faith and who are committed to a better world, then we have nothing to worry about. You just have to find your voice and act on it,” said Greene.
At the end of the day, Greene says that the ultimate goal of the protests is divestment from Israel’s war on Gaza. This includes ending the university’s partnership with the Crane naval base and its affiliation with corporations that support the war.
“All of these points are deeply important to people who do not want to live in a world where our institutions are supporting genocide. It’s deeply important for people to stand up and fight back,” he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against Indiana University, saying it violated the first amendment rights of three plaintiffs facing a one-year ban from campus for their participation in political protests on the IU-Bloomington campus.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office dropped chargers for those arrested at Dunn Meadow. According to a statement from the prosecutor’s office from May 31st, “Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding these arrests, including, among other things, the constitutionally dubious process by which the University passed and enforced its new policy regarding structures in Dunn Meadow, the State is unlikely to be able to convict these individuals at trials on the merits.”
IU has maintained that it’s within its first amendment rights. The university put out a news release earlier this week stating “Indiana University has a longstanding commitment to free speech for all. In order for free speech to flourish, we need to clarify our policies so people clearly understand the allowable time, manner and place for free expression. We can’t let one person or group’s expression infringe on the rights of others, disrupt learning experiences for our students or interrupt regular business.”
J. Alexander Tanford is a professor at the IU Maurer School of Law and the President of the IU American Association of University Professors or AAUP. In early July, the AAUP released a statement criticizing the university for its limit of three weeks for public feedback on the policy governing “expressive activity.”
J. Alexander Tanford is a Professor Emeritus of Law at the IU Maurer School of Law and the President of the IU American Association of University ProfessorsThe statement said, “This is an unreasonably brief amount of time to carefully deliberate and design a new policy, particularly during the summer when students are dispersed and faculty are devoting time to their research.” The statement acknowledged that expressive activity lies at the core of academic freedom traditionally associated with IU. The organization said that while the policy ostensibly claims to defend free speech rights, it does quite the opposite.
Professor Tanford reiterated the IU American Association of University Professors’ statement calling on the IU Board of Trustees to allow more time to hear from students and faculty before coming up with a new policy.
“You can’t possibly have a discussion involving the people who are going to be affected by this – faculty and students – giving them time to digest and make comments when you do it in the summer, when they’re not there,” said Tanford.
Tanford then shifted his focus to the first amendment. In his view, the new policy goes against students’ free speech rights and silences basic forms of protest.
“It misunderstands the fundamental aspect of symbolic speech and its protection under the First Amendment. Expressive activities occurring after 11 o’clock are absolutely classic forms of protest,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to the university’s statement, “the expressive activity policy continues to encourage freedom of expression for all while also setting clear expectations for how members of the IU community and visitors to IU campuses must behave.”
In May, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition voted in favor of a “no confidence” vote in IU President Pamela Whitten followed by a three-day strike.
Overall, the graduate workers have been critical of how the university president dealt with the Dunn Meadow encampments. On the day of the arrests, the grad workers denounced the “brutality exercised upon peaceful demonstrators” and expressed disappointment in IU administrators “who failed to prevent this police violence and brutality upon students they are charged with mentoring and protecting.” Members of the IGWC were among those arrested on April 25th and 27th for criminal trespass in Dunn Meadow.
WFHB News spoke with Michael McCarthy, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about what the new policy means for the upcoming school year. McCarthy said the new policy would impact the graduate workers strike and is an attempt to shut down free speech for students and faculty.
“This is really just an attempt to destroy some of the last rights that we have remaining to us, as organizers of a labor union. And when they take that away, it’s an attempt to shut us down. And it’s one that we resist very strongly,” said McCarthy.
Michael McCarthy, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (Courtesy photo).He said it uses the first amendment as its rationale; however, he believes the university is suppressing freedom of speech.
“It uses free speech as a cudgel to actually repress free speech. So it says that by speaking out on campus, by being visible, by being heard, by protesting, we are effectively shutting down other speech. That’s not true,” he said.
As for next steps, McCarthy postulates that students will react against the recent move by IU. While he’s unsure how that opposition will play out, he expects students to “fight back.”
“There’s going to be a movement against it. I can already see the early rumblings of that. I don’t think that this is going to be something that people on campus are going to put aside lightly,” said McCarthy.
A sign outlining IU’s new expressive activity policy sits in front of the remaining encampment at Dunn Meadow (Photo by Jessie Grubb).At around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, WFHB News traveled to Dunn Meadow to hear from demonstrators about what the future holds for the encampment.
One protester who uses the alias, Fox, said the new policy silences dissenting voices and limits students’ freedom of expression.
“It will be significantly harder for students to have their voices heard. And not only students but the faculty that have also been expressing since April,” they said.
Moving forward, there’s a level of uncertainty on what happens next for the Dunn Meadow demonstrations. Fox said that protests and demands for divestment will continue.
“At the moment, a little bit undecided. We will still protest. We will still encourage divestment. However I do not think that there is an active plan to maintain the encampments. If we are told to disperse, however, that is subject to change.”
Other protesters say a more cohesive plan for the future will be announced in the coming days. Fox speculated on how the policy will play out in the upcoming school year.
“That’s really up in the air,” they said. “The student body and faculty are dissenting openly, no matter how or what form it takes.”
Again, the university has maintained that the new policy focuses on free speech, stating in a news release, “The new policy supports protests and demonstrations that don’t materially and substantially disrupt university operations or hinder the expressive activity of another individual or group.”
However, Fox said they don’t think the policy protects free speech.
“It doesn’t. It’s designed to protect the private interests of the people who are making money off of IU; it does not protect free speech,” they said.
WFHB News spoke to another protestor who reiterated the main goal of the demonstrations: the liberation of Palestine.
“At the end of the day the goal is the liberation of Palestine through the divestment of trained naval infrastructure from IU,” said the demonstrator. “Students’ rights is an important issue. Free speech is an important issue. But we are here for Palestine, Palestine alone.”
UnCovered Episode 4 : “Girl U Want”
Uncovered is a Youth Radio podcast where two friends compare cover songs to the original. In this episode, it’s Devo versus Soundgarden.
Credits:
Hosted by Youth Radio DJs Lee and Chloe
Produced and Engineered by Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 31st, 2024.
Later in the program, Indiana University’s new expressive activity policy goes into effect on Thursday. WFHB News spoke with Dunn Meadow protesters earlier this afternoon. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Weed of Crime Bears Bitter Fruit” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
EPA Identifies Ethylene Oxide Exposure at Beyond Safe Levels
Inside Climate Change reports that for Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley,’ studies show an even graver risk from toxic gasses. Levels of ethylene oxide more than 1,000 times higher than what’s considered safe—and far greater than previous estimates—were identified by researchers at John Hopkins.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, those chemicals are present in Cancer Alley at rates that are far higher than previously believed. Using state-of-the-art mobile air monitors, environmental engineers identified plumes of the toxic gas ethylene oxide at the fenceline of facilities that in some cases were more than 1,000 times higher than what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers an “acceptable risk.”
The research team’s findings, published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, noted that the EPA’s acceptable threshold for long-term exposure to ethylene
oxide is 10.9 parts per trillion.
But researchers found an average exposure level nearly three times that amount, 31.4 parts per trillion, when they tested the air across Cancer Alley. The bleak nickname refers to the 85-mile stretch of land from New Orleans to Baton Rouge that is home to roughly 200 petrochemical plants and some of the highest rates of cancer in the nation.
Cook uses ethylene oxide to sterilize its products. The sterilization facility is in Ellettsville near the recycling center. WFIU reported that in 2016, according to the EPA National Air Toxics Assessment, the likelihood of getting cancer in Ellettsville over the course of a lifetime — from air pollution alone — was about 50 in 1 million in 2014. That’s higher than the national average and was higher than any other area of the state that year except perhaps Cleveland Cliffs steel mill in Portage.
WFHB has contacted Cook about their recent experience. Their response is quoted. “We take our ethylene oxide emissions and controls seriously. We have rigorous standards to ensure our emissions are well below any regulatory requirements and are regularly recognized as industry-leading in our emissions control and worker safety protocols. Our current usage of ethylene oxide is safe and we have remained well below our permit allowances dating back to when they were implemented. Our permit allotment is 18,000 pounds per year. Our emissions for 2022 were 6.94 pounds for the entire year. We’ve worked diligently to lead the industry with our state-of-the-art system. We’re proud to say that many of the EPA’s most recent changes to ethylene oxide capture and reporting have already been implemented at Cook, including updated scrubbing technology. We’re currently undertaking a significant investment to ensure we meet and exceed all of EPA’s newest ruling. The biggest area of change in EPA’s new ruling is to implement continuous monitoring of certain metrics. To comply with continuous monitoring, we have invested in additional technology and are developing additional processes. Once these changes are fully implemented, we will continuously reevaluate and improve as technology for ethylene oxide capture and control evolves.”
Apparently no study of cancer rates in Ellettsville has been performed. The cancer rate in Monroe County is among the lowest in the state. The most common types of cancer caused by ethylene oxide are lymphoma and leukemia.
IU’s New Expressive Activity Policy Goes Into Effect Tomorrow
A sign outlining IU’s new expressive activity policy sits in front of the remaining encampment at Dunn Meadow (Photo by Jessie Grubb).Indiana University’s new expressive activity policy goes into effect on Thursday.
Correction: The new policy bans camping, limits hours of expressive activity from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The new policy bans camping, limits hours of expressive activity from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and requires that structures be approved by the university at least 10 days in advance, among a variety of other new procedures.
To learn more, WFHB News traveled to Dunn Meadow earlier today to hear from demonstrators about what the future holds for the encampment. One protester who uses the alias, Fox, gave their reaction to the events that unfolded in April which led to the state police arresting 57 people who were protesting Israel’s war on Gaza.
“Infuriated was the easiest descriptor. My friends and the hard work that we’d done the night before, it was stripped up in front of our eyes. It was absolutely disgusting,” said Fox.
Fox said the new policy silences dissenting voices and limits students’ freedom of expression.
“It will be significantly harder for students to have their voices heard. And not only students but the faculty that have also been expressing since April,” they said.
Moving forward, there’s a level of uncertainty on what happens next for the Dunn Meadow demonstrations. As of around 2:20 p.m., Fox said that protests and demands for divestment will continue.
“At the moment, a little bit undecided. We will still protest. We will still encourage divestment. However I do not think that there is an active plan to maintain the encampments. If we are told to disperse, however, that is subject to change.”
Other protesters say a more cohesive plan for the future will be announced in the coming days. Fox speculated on how the policy will play out in the upcoming school year.
“That’s really up in the air,” they said. “The student body and faculty are dissenting openly, no matter how or what form it takes.”
The university has maintained that the new policy focuses on free speech, stating in a news release, “The new policy supports protests and demonstrations that don’t materially and substantially disrupt university operations or hinder the expressive activity of another individual or group.”
However, Fox described how they think the new policy relates to free speech.
“It doesn’t. It’s designed to protect the private interests of the people who are making money off of IU; it does not protect free speech,” they said.
WFHB News spoke to another protestor who reiterated the main goal of the demonstrations: the liberation of Palestine.
“At the end of the day the goal is the Liberation of Palestine through the divestment of trained naval infrastructure from IU,” said the demonstrator. “Students’ rights is an important issue. Free speech is an important issue. But we are here for Palestine, Palestine alone.”
To view the new expressive activity policy and Indiana University’s statement regarding that policy, click the aforementioned links.
Feature Report:
In light of the new policy change from IU, we revisit a report from WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger titled “Banned from IU: Part 2.” This is the second part of a three-part series chronicling the experience of IU student Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting at Dunn Meadow in April and subsequently banned from campus. This week, we will revisit all three parts of that series of reports on the WFHB Local News. Annika Harshbarger has more.
Up next, “The Weed of Crime Bears Bitter Fruit” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Jessie Grubb, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 30th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with Michael McCarthy, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about what the new policy means for the upcoming school year. More in today’s feature report.
IU to Implement New Expressive Activity Policy
The Indiana University Board of Trustees voted 6-3 in support of a new expressive activity policy across all campuses.
The policy bans camping, limits hours of expressive activity from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and requires that structures be approved by the university at least 10 days in advance, among a variety of other new procedures. Violation of the policy could result in the removal of tents or even suspension from campus. The policy goes into effect on Thursday, August 1st.
This comes after Indiana University recently released its findings of a third-party review of the arrests made of Palestine solidarity protesters in Dunn Meadow earlier this year. The review came from the law firm Cooley, LLP located in Chicago. It included eight recommendations for the university moving forward and advised that IU should approve a new expressive activity policy.
In late April, Indiana State Police and the IU Police Department arrested 57 people at Dunn Meadow who were protesting Israel’s war on Hamas. The arrests were a result of an overnight policy change stating that university approval must be given for signs, tents, and other temporary structures on campus.
The day following the policy change, snipers were spotted on the roof of the student union, a state police helicopter surveilled the demonstration, and both students and faculty received bans from campus.
Since 1969, Dunn Meadow has been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects. The university drew backlash from organizations and schools within the university, such as the directors of the Indiana Memorial Union Board and the Media School who showed concerns about free speech.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed suit against Indiana University, saying the university violated the First Amendment rights of three plaintiffs facing a one-year ban from campus for their participation in political protests on the IU-Bloomington campus. The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office dropped chargers for those arrested at Dunn Meadow calling the process, “constitutionally dubious.”
The university has maintained that the new policy focuses on free speech, stating in a news release, “The new policy supports protests and demonstrations that don’t materially and substantially disrupt university operations or hinder the expressive activity of another individual or group.”
Michael McCarthy. Courtesy photo.WFHB News spoke with Michael McCarthy, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about what the new policy means for the upcoming school year. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Report:
And now, in light of the new policy change from IU, we revisit a report from WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger titled “Banned from IU: Part 1.” This is the first part of a three-part series chronicling the experience of IU student Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting at Dunn Meadow in April and subsequently banned from campus. This week, we will revisit all three parts of that series of reports on the WFHB Local News. Annika Harshbarger has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
Episode 3 spans from 1998 to 2003, discussing the game from Urza’s Saga to 8th edition.
Join us as we uncover the lore of the vintage era of Magic.
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Jessie Grubb
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, presumptive Democratic U.S. Presidential CandidateBring It On! hosts, Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell, spend the hour with Dr. Charlie Nelms, veteran higher education administrator and chancellor emeritus of North Carolina Central University, and Beverly Calender-Andersen, former anchor of Bring it On! and former director of the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department. Dr. Gloria Howell is the Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and tonight’s co-anchor. Centered on its impact on the Black Community, in the continuation of last week’s discussion, our guests talk about the state of the presidential election one week later and Kamala Harris’s spectacular rise since then.
Proof of this was immediately demonstrated by the Democratic presidential campaign raising $81 Million in 24 hours and Vice President Kamala Harris dramatically surpassing the threshold for needed electoral delegates in 48 hours. Per a Morning Consult poll, this positive reaction from democratic supporters has Harris now leading former President Trump 46 percent to 45 percent—the highest level of support recorded for Democrats since tracking began in 2022. She also leads Trump 40 percent to 38 percent among independent voters.
One pollster notes that her level of support at the start of her campaign exceeds the highest level of support ever gauged for Biden. In recent days, we have witnessed rousing and heart-warming speeches from both Vice President Harris and President Biden. Pundits attribute her entry into this race as the lone reason for the party becoming electrified and optimistic.
Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterDr. Charlie Nelms, veteran higher education administrator and chancellor emeritus of North Carolina Central UniversityBeverly Calender-Andersen, former anchor of Bring it On! and former director of the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources DepartmentCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, Indiana University recently released third-party findings from its review on the arrests made of Dunn Meadow protesters in April. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Maria Douglas from Hoosier Asian American Power, encouraging civic engagement among Indiana’s Asian-American community. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Extreme Hot Temperatures This Week, Monroe County Offering Cooling Stations
Temperatures are expected to reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit this week.
Extreme hot temperatures pose a serious threat to health and safety. Monroe County is offering temporary cooling stations at 8 locations throughout the community.
According to a press release put out by Justin Baker, Deputy Director of the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency, cooling stations are facilities where individuals who do not have air can cool down and continue on their way.
Baker says that food, showers and areas to sleep are not available. Pets must also be in a carrier. Cooling stations will be available Tuesday through Thursday this week at locations around the county.
Hours of operation will be from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The county will monitor the weather to determine if they need an extension.
IU Releases Findings from Third-Party Review of Dunn Meadow Protests
Indiana University recently released its findings of a third-party review of the arrests made of Palestine solidarity protesters in Dunn Meadow earlier this year.
The review came from the law firm Cooley, LLP located in Chicago. It includes eight recommendations for the university moving forward, advising that IU should approve a new expressive activity policy.
IU President Pamela Whitten said in a statement, “I am grateful for this independent and thorough third-party perspective. We sincerely appreciate the depth and detail of Cooley’s independent review and will leverage their insights to move forward with purpose, guided by our core values and tirelessly pursuing our top priority: a safe campus with freedom of speech for all.”
In late April, Indiana State Police and the IU Police Department arrested 57 people at Dunn Meadow who were protesting Israel’s war on Palestine. This came after an overnight policy change stating that university approval must be given for signs, tents, and other temporary structures on campus.
The day following the policy change, snipers were spotted on the roof of the student union, a state police helicopter surveilled the demonstration, and both students and faculty received bans from campus.
Since 1969, Dunn Meadow has been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects. The university drew backlash from organizations and schools within the university, such as the directors of the Indiana Memorial Union Board and the Media School who showed concerns about free speech.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed suit against Indiana University, saying the university violated the First Amendment rights of three plaintiffs facing a one-year ban from campus for their participation in political protests on the IU-Bloomington campus. The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office dropped chargers for those arrested at Dunn Meadow calling the process, “constitutionally dubious.”
In May, WFHB News spoke with two organizers, Soha and Elena, both students at the university, who chose to only divulge their first names. Soha described how protesters view the overnight policy change by the university, which she says contradicts historical precedent.
Elena denounced the university’s response to what she says are peaceful protests. She described the “brute force” used by police, saying she was injured during the demonstrations.
The report released by IU last week partly justified the actions of the university saying “IU leadership’s decision to change the Dunn Meadow policy was permissible under university policies and applicable legal standards, including the First Amendment; however, doing so the night before the planned encampment caused a number of unintended negative consequences.”
The IU Board of Trustees plans to implement a new expressive activity plan by August 1st.
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on July 23rd, 2024. The council first heard from Planning and Transportation Director Jacki Jelen, who asked for an additional appropriation of funds to pay for the required notice mailings they will send to county residents to inform them about the Unified Development Ordinance public hearing.
Council Member Pete Iverson asked for updates on the C-D-O and where the public can access information about the changes. Jelen responded.
Council Member Trent Deckard said he was in support of the appropriation, saying he appreciates physical postcards.
During public comment on the request, President of the Monroe County Planning and Transportation Commission Member Jeff Morris asked the council to approve the request.
County Commissioner and Planning and Transportation Commission Member Julie Thomas also spoke in support of the request.
The council approved the appropriation request unanimously.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on August 13th.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.At the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting on July 23rd, the board heard from Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Alexis Harmona introduced the first reading of an Equity-Centered Sexual Identity and Gender Inclusive policy, and shared background information on how the policy came about.
Board members expressed their support of the policy. Next the board heard from Interim Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston gave an update on the Childs – Templeton Merger.
Winston shared that they will host a variety of community engagement meetings in August.
The next MCCSC School Board meeting will be held on August 27th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have an editorial produced by local journalist Dave Askins for the B Square Bulletin. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Earlier this month, the Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people working for positive change in our community.
This week’s episode was produced by Kingsley Southard and Carys Gill. These were two of our most engaged student producers, and Kingsley won our “Editor’s Ear” Award for her sound judgment. Their episode features Maria Douglas from Hoosier Asian American Power, an organization recently reinvented to focus on civic engagement among Indiana’s Asian-American community. When Maria heard about an Asian IU student being stabbed while riding the bus in Bloomington in January 2023, she got mad. Really mad. This hate crime ignited a drive in Douglas to fight racism in Indiana. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kate C, Sam Hall, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate was produced by Kingsley Southard and Carys Gill with support from Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Rena Cohen, es intern en City of Bloomington Latino Outreach and Programs, quien nos habla sobre la ‘Guía para Graduarse de High School y aplicar a la Universidad” que desarrolló como uno de sus proyectos en Latino Programs. Esta guía contiene información sobre los créditos necesarios y tipos de diploma, recomendaciones en tiempos de aplicación, y recursos adicionales como becas. Puede consultar esta guía en el sitio web de Latino Programs. ¡También hay un video con tutorial disponible! https://bloomington.in.gov/latino
When Maria Douglas heard about an Asian IU student being stabbed while riding the bus in Bloomington in January 2023, she got mad. Really mad. This hate crime ignited a drive in her to fight racism in Indiana through Hoosier Asian American Power, an organization recently reinvented to focus on civic engagement among Indiana’s Asian-American community.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Kingsley Southard and Carys Gillas part of the High School Journalism Institute at The Media School at Indiana University.
Wendy Cartwright is a lifelong Hoosier from small town Indiana. Her column Midwest Wonders, is a series of vignettes about words and life and more. Today we hear selections that all revolve around food. “Food is adventure and comfort, common ground, and a way for family and friends to bond.”
Granny preferred Navy beans. My favorite is Pinto. My husband likes Great Northern. This strikes me funny. I, personally, don’t think there’s much difference in the taste of the three, they’re simply different sizes. You may disagree.
The real difference is in what you put in your bowl. According to me, the best bowl of beans starts with a big piece of sweet cornbread. I then put pinto beans on top and add a generous splash of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar or balsamic is best, but I’ll use white vinegar if that’s all you’ve got. The sweetness of the cornbread, sour vinegar, salty ham, and creamy beans are the perfect combination….
You can cook beans in a crock pot, pressure cooker, or simply boil them for hours on the stove. I boil mine. That way is easiest for me. I’ve never used a crock pot much (I don’t know why) and I tend to not put enough water in a pressure cooker causing me to find a hard “bean-cake” burnt to the bottom when I remove the lid. Boiling them also allows my husband to dip himself a bowl before they’re done. He likes them chewy. That’s just gross! (from “Bean Soup”)
Wendy Cartwright is a columnist, writer, avid picture-taker, thinker, weirdo, and one funny woman! She lives in a small town with an old man and a little dog.
MUSIC
“Beans, Bacon and Gravy” – Pete Seeger
“Peanut Butter” – The Marathons
“Sing for Your Supper” – Mamas & Papas
“Soda Pop Pop” – Tommy Sands
“Beans and Cornbread” – Louis Jordan
“Everybody Eats When They Come To My House” – Cab Calloway
“Church (Beans and Cornbread)” – Lyle Lovett
“Corn” – Blake Shelton
“Keep on Eating” – Memphis Minnie
CREDITS
Narrator: Wendy Cartwright
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Featured Animal: Lemmy
Lemmy is a 7-month-old Bully Breed Mix puppy, with beautiful brindle coloring and soft fur. He has a very joyful personality and loves life, every person, and every dog. Although Lemmy is still a puppy and has some puppy goofiness, he also has an “old man” side. He is pretty calm and likes to play, but when he is done playing, he will plop down in some of the most uncomfortable-looking positions to nap. Lemmy loves to go for walks and does not pull. He knows some basic commands and loves to perform, especially for food. House training is still a work-in-progress, but he is making terrific progress. Lemmy is currently living with several cats and has been very good with them. Lemmy is a sweet boy who you will not regret taking a chance on. He will brighten your days and bring a smile to your face.
To learn more about Lemmy, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Encouragement for Pet GuardiansEarlier this month, The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter shared that pet owners often give up their pets to shelters due to feelings of inadequacy. Reasons such as working full-time, limited living space, and lifestyle guilt are often cited as reasons for surrendering their cherished companions. However, the shelter encourages pet guardians to keep their pets: your home, family, and the time you share with your pets truly matter.
While various circumstances can unfortunately lead to pet surrender, animal shelters across the country are in crisis, as there are more adoptable pets than there are people able to adopt. Pet guardians who may be experiencing lifestyle guilt are encouraged to reach out to the shelter to discuss possible solutions to keep their pets happy and at home.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. Also, The City of Bloomington launched a community heat survey to address extreme heat challenges in the community caused by climate change. The survey will close on August 1st. Up next, WFHB News spoke with Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City Shawn Miya.
And now for your environmental reports:
In a company announcement, Doral Renewables, a clean energy project developer, is anticipating commercial operation of its 400-MW Mammoth North Solar project, the first phase of the 1.3-GW Mammoth Solar complex in Indiana. Mammoth North is estimated to generate 400 MW of energy and spreads over 4,500 acres in Starke County in northwest Indiana. The Mammoth North Solar project will soon be the largest operating solar installation in Indiana and can provide sustainable energy to 75,000 households annually.
What’s really interesting is that more than 1,500 sheep serve as the project’s vegetation management in the complex, an operation run by a local farmer.
—-Norm Holy
Solar Power World reports that an Ohio solar company is replenishing Northern Bobwhite quail habitat by planting native grass. Indiana should take note because there are few areas with quail remaining in our state.
The business case for pollinator-friendly solar projects is solid, but to a conservationists, the environmental benefits are even more important. Ross County, where the Paint Valley solar project is located, is one of a few small pockets in Ohio where Northern Bobwhite quail still live. The species has experienced an 81% population decline over the past 50 years as grasslands vanish due to issues like climate change and heavy farming.
Even though the solar array is new, a few quail are already appearing.
—Norm Holy
As reported by the New York Times, the E.P.A. announced $4.3 Billion in funding for 25 climate projects. States, tribes, local governments and territories sent in proposals aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.3 billion in funding on July 22 for 25 new projects proposed by states, tribes, local governments and territories to tackle climate change. The funding could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 971 million metric tons by 2050, or roughly the emissions of five million homes over 25 years, according to the agency.
Among the jurisdictions that will get funding, Nebraska will receive $307 million to reduce agricultural waste and enhance energy efficiency in homes and buildings.
Pennsylvania will get $396 million to reduce industrial pollution and create about 6,000 jobs.
“This is a truly exciting day for Lincoln and for Nebraska and for other cities and states all across the country who are working so hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leave a better, brighter future for our children,” said Leirion Gaylor Baird, the mayor of Lincoln, Neb., in a call on Friday. Ms. Baird said the funds could reduce Lincoln’s greenhouse gas emissions by 77 percent by 2050.
Other regions that received money included Southern California to decarbonize freight vehicles; Michigan and tribal partners to adopt new renewable energy projects; Atlantic coastal states to sequester carbon through wetland preservation; Alaska to replace residential oil-burning systems with heat pumps; and the Nez Percé Tribe to retrofit homes.
Indiana did not receive any funding from this program.
—Norm Holy
The AP reports that on a tiny Caribbean island, hundreds of people are preparing to pack up and move to escape the rising waters threatening to engulf their already precarious homes.
Surrounded by idyllic clear waters formed by coral reefs, the densely populated island of Carti Sugtupu off Panama’s north coast has barely an inch to spare with houses crammed together. The 2,000 residents live off fishing, the harvesting of starchy crops like cassava and plantain, traditional textile production and a bit of tourism.
It is not an easy life, with intense heat and a lack of public services adding to the discomfort of overcrowded conditions on an island the size of five football fields.
And now, climate change-induced sea level rise is threatening to make life even more difficult. With homes already flooded on a regular basis, experts say the sea will engulf Carti Sugtupu and dozens of neighboring islands in the Guna Yala region by the end of the century. They are moving to a new housing development on the Panamanian mainland.
Forty-nine of the isles are populated, and rest just a few feet (less than one meter) above sea level. The Caribbean Sea has risen about a foot over the last 100 years. It is expected to rise an additional 2-10 feet by 2100. The big number depends on the Thwaites glacier dropping into to the ocean, which is highly probable.
More than 400 islands in Maryland and Virginia have disappeared from modern navigational maps of the Chesapeake Bay due to erosion, a process accelerated by storms and sea level rise. The Tangier Islands, the last inhabited Chesapeake islands off the Virginia coast, have lost two-thirds of their land mass since 1850 and are expected to be uninhabitable within 50 years. The islands are disappearing due to the combined forces of geology and climate change, with the crust under the Chesapeake Bay sinking and sea levels rising.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. (Photo courtesy of Bloomingfoods).And now, we will listen to Madison Stratton as she shares with us on how to lower food insecurity in Bloomington.
Plus, you will hear Assistant Director of Sustainability for the city, Shawn Miya, talk about the survey to address extreme heat in the city.
And now, some upcoming events:
Learn about insects during an Insect Black Lighting experience on Saturday, July 27th, from 6 to 8 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. You will learn the science of black lighting and how insects are drawn to the illuminated canvas.
Come to the Nature Center at Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 27th, from 3 to 4 pm for an up close and personal look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake at the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation. Learn about venom, and how it works. The presentation includes feeding the snake a live mouse.
A Wild Wednesday will take place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, July 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Take a short hike to learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and much more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray!
Enjoy a Salt Creek Covered Bridges: Self-Guided Boat Tour on Thursday, August 1st. You can celebrate Monroe Lake’s 60th Anniversary using an online guide that will include the history, photos and navigational assistance. Go to https://tinyurl.com/btown-fb to register and get the online guide.
Learn all about insects during a Garden Insects: Friends or Foe presentation on Saturday, August 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Butler Park Community Garden. Learn how to attract beneficial insects and reduce the harmful ones. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature on food insecurity was produced by Madison Stratton. The feature on extreme heat was produced by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Voices of the Youth Revolution is a collective of teenagers who write, arrange, and perform their own original music in Bloomington, Indiana. On February 28th, 2024 Joe Donnelly’s Rock & Rhythm class from Jackson Creek Middle School and Matt Lindquist’s band, Youth Revolution from the Project School, took the stage at the Orbit Room. Throughout the evening DJ Iris from Youth Radio conducted interviews with the musicians.
Credits
Music by ORION, DAYDREAM, TESLA, THE MIDDLE DOOR, AURORA & SOPHIA, KAYLI, AND THE YOUTH REVOLUTION HOUSE BAND
Mixed by Audrey Ouillette
Interviews by DJ Iris
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
She came aboard to a state park wrecked by flooding in 2011. After building Paynetown’s Activity Center back up from ground, interpretive naturalist Jill Vance oversees a dynamic program of tours, hikes, lectures, classes, and interactive activities showcasing Monroe Lake State Park’s dizzying variety of wildlife and plant species. Now, she’s spearheading a months’-long series of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the opening of Monroe Reservoir.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
The latest figures on scams and swindles are terrifying. The Scammers Are Winning is the headline in a recent AP article, and the con artists are sucking many billions of dollars out of America annually — more every year. This quick overview of the present situation will give you some idea of how bad things are getting, and why police and government authorities are losing the fight. It’s up to us to keep ourselves safe!
On June 21st, 2024, Nashville (TN)-based band Laney Jones and the Spirits joined us for a live interview and performance before their show at the Orbit Room. It was incredible session! They rocked the Firehouse in a big way and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this band.
WFHB Production Team:
Host: Abby Noroozi
Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineers: Deke Hager, Silver Coulter, Audrey Ouillette, and Jar Turner
Post-Production Engineer: Audrey Ouillette
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Vice President Kamala Harris to Speak in Indianapolis on Wednesday
Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to speak in Indianapolis on Wednesday in one of the first stops for her presidential campaign. Vice President Harris will speak at an annual convention for the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta. This follows President Joe Biden’s decision over the weekend ending his bid for a second term.
Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl said he’s looking forward to Harris’ speech in Indianapolis this week.
Schmuhl gave his reaction to President Biden’s announcement to end his campaign. He thanked the president for his term and praised Biden’s move to step down.
On Monday, all 88 of Indiana’s delegates to the national convention endorsed Harris for president in addition to the state’s central committee. Schmuhl commented on the endorsement.
Lastly, Schmuhl said that he’s excited to see a growing younger population in the state’s delegates to the national convention. He said over 30 of the 88 delegates are under the age of 36.
On Tuesday, the Monroe County Democratic Party also endorsed Harris for President. Party Chair David Henry said in a statement, “Where President Biden healed our country after the disastrous pandemic and his predecessor’s best efforts to divide our country, President Kamala Harris will build on the Biden-Harris accomplishments for unity, growth, equality, justice, and opportunity for all in the next term.”
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024. Starting things off, Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave a series of updates from the Health Department.
Next, County Commissioner Penny Githens introduced a motion to approve the addendum to the Bluestone Storm Debris removal fund. She stated that the addendum requires an additional eighty thousand dollars, increasing the total amount but staying below one hundred thirty thousand dollars. Commissioners’ Administrator Angela Purdie spoke on this matter more, however, it is muted due to an apparent technical error. The addendum was approved unanimously by the Commissioners.
Lastly, the Commissioners talked about a change in personnel policy pertaining to parental and family leave for county employees. Speaking on this was County Attorney Molly Turner-King.
Commissioner Githens commented on the positive impact that the change will have on both employees and themselves, the employers.
Commissioner Lee Jones added to Githens’ sentiment, saying, “I agree with all of that. This is certainly a wonderful thing to be able to do for our employees and I just wish we had done it a little sooner. ” The ordinance was unanimously approved.
The Monroe County Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting on July 24th was canceled. They will meet again on July 31st.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
The Richland-Bean Blossom School Board met on Monday, July 15th. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders discussed a new form of communication for emergency situations to Richland-Bean Blossom School families.
He also said it would be helpful for non-emergency situations like alerting specific bus routes that are running late, and for translating the announcements into different languages.
The motion to approve the contract with Final Site Communications Program passed unanimously.
Superintendent Dr. Sanders went on to speak about school supply giveaways.
The next Richland-Bean Blossom School Board meeting will take place on Monday, August 19th.
Feature Report:
WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. (Photo courtesy of Bloomingfoods).In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. For more, we turn to Madison Stratton.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Sam Hall, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Madison Stratton.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
Episode 2 covers 1995 to 1998, a period where Magic: The Gathering was gaining exponential success. This episode ends with the release of Unglued, a fun, full-art, standalone set that wasn’t allowed in tournaments.
Join us as we unravel the story behind Magic: The Gathering.
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Bring It On! hosts, Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell, spend the hour with current and former Bring It On! contributors: Eric Love, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant with Love Force Consulting; and Roberta Radovich, newly appointed associate director for corporate and foundation relations with the IU School of Philanthropy. Dr. Gloria Howell is the Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and tonight’s co-anchor. Centered on its impact on the Black Community, they disuss the possible ramafications of Jospeh Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race and his endorsement of his current Vice-President, Kamala Harris, to replace him in the U.S. presidential race.
Some may say that it was pressure from critics, including some from his own party, who said, due to his age, declining poll numbers, and poor debate performance against his Presidential rival, it was time to step down. Leading up to this past weekend, the political pundits and those in the know in D.C. were strongly suggesting that an announcement was imminent. If successful, Kamala Harris would become the first woman and first woman of color to become the President and Commander-In-Chief of the United States.
Roberta Radovich, Associate Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations with the IU School of PhilanthropyEric Love, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant with Love Force ConsultingDr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterCREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides his weekly editorial on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Lesley Davis from the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, on a mission to make our town user-friendly for all. Find out what they’re working on later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on July 17th, Director of Public Services Josh Wolf shared the Director’s Monthly Report on the state of the library and its programming.
Next, the board discussed the conclusion of the Covid Leave Policy. Human Resources Director Becky Throckmorton spoke on the decision to end the policy.
Board Member Chris Hull asked about the numbers of Covid-19 in the community, and how staff decided it was a good time to terminate the policy. Throckmorton responded.
Throckmorton then proceeded to explain the Pilot Policy Proposal for Contagious Illness Leave for 15 to 18 hour employees.
Board President Christine Harrison asked if doctor’s appointments would count toward the policy, Throckmorton said that it wouldn’t but they could take unpaid leave for that without penalty.
The board approved the pilot policy.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on August 21st.
Feature Reports:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides his weekly editorial on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
The City of Bloomington launched a community heat survey to address extreme heat challenges in the community caused by climate change. The survey will close on August 1st. In today’s feature report, WFHB News spoke with Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City Shawn Miya. We turn now to that segment.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Earlier this month The Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people working for positive change in our community. This week’s episode was produced by Maggie Russell and Trent Josleyn.
Trent earned our “Audioslinger Award” for best technical production skills and Maggie was our HSJI “Producer of the Year.” Their episode features Lesley Davis from Bloomington’s Council for Community Accessibility, a volunteer group that advocates for the interests of people with disabilities. For Lesley the Council for Community Accessibility is more than volunteer work – it also ties into her own lived experience. As a wheelchair user she sees every day where Bloomington is accessible and where it is not, and she’s on a mission to make our town user-friendly for all. The CCA’s latest project is a new ordinance requiring TVs in local businesses to have the closed captioning turned on. Find out more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Sam Hall and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Dave Askins and Kade Young.
Activate was produced by Maggie Russell and Trent Josleyn with support from Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the fourth week of a partnership between WFHB’s Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington and Ellettsville called “Youth Radio Summer Camp”. The idea behind this camp was to encourage youth to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could do in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday evening during Youth Radio’s programming block.
For this week, campers shared personal narratives. Tune in to hear stories of all kinds plus a special audio play by the teens from Ferguson Crestmont Boys and Girls Club called “Zombie Land”.
For Lesley Davis the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility is more than volunteer work – it also ties into her own lived experience. As a wheelchair user she sees every day where Bloomington is accessible and where it is not, and she’s on a mission to make our town user-friendly for all. The CCA’s latest project is a new ordinance requiring TVs in local businesses to have the closed captioning turned on.
The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility will commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on Saturday, August 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will take place on the Fernandez Plaza by City Hall (401 N. Morton Street).
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Maggie Russell and Trent Josleynas part of the High School Journalism Institute at The Media School at Indiana University.
Featured Animals: Athena and Venus
Athena and Venus are adorable kittens that have cerebellar hypoplasia: a condition that affects their coordination, but doesn’t stop them from being playful and loving. They’re now ready to be fostered-to-adopt. Despite their wobbles, Athena and Venus are full of life and joy, looking for a patient and loving home where they can thrive. If you’re ready to welcome some extra special love into your life, consider fostering or adopting these sweet kittens. If you’re interested in meeting Venus and Athena, or another animal looking for their forever home, you can visit our local Bloomington, Indiana shelter or give them a call at 812-349-3492.
Featured Topic: Fostering Animals
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about the importance and benefits of fostering animals – as well as considerations for tentative foster caregivers.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Busted in Bloomington is a collective memoir, a narrative created of interviews with over 120 people whose lives intersected during that time. It captures many voices, but at its center is a young, charismatic English teacher, Chuck Walls. “The story takes place in Bloomington, Indiana, but it could have happened, and with slight variations surely did, anyplace in America where the baby boom generation was finding its way.”
This is not the story of those in the spotlit vanguard who tripped out on acid in Haight-Ashbury, marched on the Pentagon, occupied university buildings, sat in the path of Dow Chemical recruiters, were bloodied in the streets of Chicago and the jungles of Vietnam—the iconic images that came to define “The Sixties” as we know it.
This is about the rest of us who never went to the barricades, who watched from the sidelines. We were no less transformed than our brothers and sisters in the arena, but we were disguised to our elders, and perhaps to ourselves, as agents of the status quo.
Yearbook photo 1966Yearbook photo 1968Candy and Greg Dawson – Author Bios
MUSIC
“We Love You” – The Rolling Stones (Instrumental)
“Paint it Black” interpreted by Remi Panossian
“Bookends” by Simon and Garfunkel
“Come Together” interpreted by George Colligan
CREDITS
Narrator: Doug Storm
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species.
The New York Times reports at the Republican National Convention, climate change isn’t a problem. As the event opens with a focus on energy, former President Trump and other leaders are calling for more oil, gas and coal development. The United States is experiencing scorching new levels of heat fueled by climate change this summer, with dozens of people dying in the West, millions sweating under heat advisories and nearly three-quarters of Americans saying the government must prioritize global warming.
But as the Republican Party opens its national convention in Milwaukee with a prime-time focus on energy on Monday night, the party has no plan to address climate change. While some Republicans no longer deny the overwhelming scientific consensus that the planet is warming because of human activity, party leaders do not see it as a problem that needs to be addressed.
“I don’t know that there is a Republican approach to climate change as an organizing issue,” said Thomas J. Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative research group focused on energy. “I don’t think President Trump sees reducing greenhouse gases, using the government to do so, as an imperative.”
When former President Donald J. Trump mentions climate change at all, it is mockingly. “Can you imagine, this guy says global warming is the greatest threat to our country?” Mr. Trump said, referring to President Biden as he addressed a rally in Chesapeake, Va., last month, the hottest June in recorded history across the globe. “Global warming is fine. In fact, I heard it was going to be very warm today. It’s fine.” He went on to dismiss the scientific evidence that melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are causing seas to rise, threatening coastal communities around the world.
“The ocean will rise, maybe, and it may go down, also,” Mr. Trump said. “But it may rise one eighth of an inch in the next 497 years, they say, one eighth, which gives you a little bit more waterfront property if you’re lucky enough to own.” In fact, sea levels are estimated to rise as much as 33 inches by the end of the century, according to top scientists. And if the Antarctic ice sheet collapses, experts said global sea levels could rise by more than 10 feet.
The situation in Indiana is all in on neglecting climate change. The Legislature refuses to discuss it or allow “climate change” to appear in any report. IndyStar says Indiana is the worst state for rooftop solar because Duke has worked vigorously to make it unattractive from a financial point of view.
The New York Times reports a study finds small streams, recently stripped of protections, are a big deal. Half of the water flowing through regional river basins starts in so-called ephemeral streams. Last year, the Supreme Court curtailed federal protections for these waterways. Last year, the Supreme Court sharply restricted the federal government’s ability to limit pollution in small streams that sit dry for much of the year and fill up only after rainfall or snowmelt.
Now, a new study finds that those bodies, so-called ephemeral streams, are significantly more important to the nation’s waterways than often appreciated. The research, published last Thursday in the journal Science, says Environmentalists favor broad protections, arguing that these other bodies of water are important; homebuilders, some industry groups and conservatives oppose what they see as regulatory overreach.
In May 2023, the Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to restrict the scope of the Clean Water Act, with the majority ruling that the law should apply only to “relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water,” as well as to wetlands that have “a continuous surface connection” to those waters. That ruling effectively ended federal protections for up to 4.9 million miles of streams that flow only when it rains, according to officials at the E.P.A., which announced in August that it would follow the court’s guidance.
These temporary streams are often overlooked since they may look like unremarkable dry ditches for much of the year, said Jud Harvey, a senior research hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey, who wrote a separate commentary on the Science study. “But when it rains,” he said, “these streams convey a substantial amount of water” that ends up in rivers and lakes. Because so much water passes through these streams, the study notes, it matters greatly whether or not they are polluted.
Sediments or excess phosphorus from fertilizer run off on farms could accumulate in dry channels until a heavy rainstorm picks up the pollutants and washes them into larger waterways. The study did not try to quantify how much pollution was actually passing through those streams. That is a subject for future research. But it’s clear these streams have a large influence on water quality. These ephemeral streams were removed from protection in Indiana by the Legislature in bills sponsored by contractors among the legislators.
In this week’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze and Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance.
- An Earth Connection Film Festival will take place tomorrow, Saturday, July 20th, from 9 am to 7 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. There are four program films scheduled for the day. These short films blend science and the arts to address the climate crises through storytelling.
- Enjoy a weekend at Spring Mill State Park during the Virgil “Gus” Grissom Days on Saturday, July 20th, and Sunday, July 21st from 9 am to 10 pm. The weekend will have great astronomy programming, building rockets, games and looking at artifacts not from this world.
- Take a look at the Full Buck Moon during a Full Moon Hike at Ogle Lake in Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 20th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. You will hike Trail 7 around Lake Ogle which is about 1.2 miles long.
- Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, July 24th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
- Learn about insects during an Insect Black Lighting experience on Saturday, July 27th, from 6 to 8 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. You will learn the science of black lighting and how insects are drawn to the illuminated canvas.
Credits:
On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………….Zero Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
En este episodio nos acompaña Marco Lema, quien es originario de Bolivia, y quien tiene una formación académica militar. Sin embargo, nos comparte cómo la vida le llevó por los caminos de la literatura y la poesía.
After the past couple of weeks, it might be difficult to know how to handle information in this atmosphere and what to do in a world of propaganda to spread knowledge in service of mitigating groupthink.
Check us out onApple Podcasts and Spotify
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games kick off later this month in Paris. One hundred years ago, Paris hosted the Games as well. One of the stars of that Olympiad was Harold M. Osborn, whose performance in France earned him the informal title, world’s greatest athlete. Osborn’s youngest daughter, Susan Jones, has collected and curated a history of the man and his time. Jones is a dedicated Bloomington volunteer, helping both Constellation Stage & Screen and the Monroe County History Center run smoothly.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 18th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.On July 8th, the Ellettsville Town Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance that would establish a Redevelopment Commission. Council Members came to a consensus to table the agenda items due to the fact that only 3 out of the 5 council members were present at the meeting. Town Attorney Darla Brown asked for clarification on an amendment to the policy. Council Member William Ellis responded.
President of the Council Scott Oldham inquired about an appointment to the redevelopment commission which requires approval from the Richland Bean Blossom School Board. Brown outlined the rules around the appointment.
The council will revisit the second reading of the ordinance to establish a redevelopment commission at their next meeting.
Then, during the new business section of the meeting, the council deliberated on whether or not to allow use of the Town Hall for the Republican Party Caucus on July 25th. Council Member Ellis introduced the agenda item.
Brown noted that if there’s a Democratic Party Caucus, they would also be permitted to use the town hall. The council voted unanimously to approve the initiative. Next, council members heard a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ellettsville and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. Town Manager Mike Farmer walked through the M-O-U.
Farmer then highlighted his recommendation to the council. Brown provided clarification on the M-O-U.
The council voted 3-0 to support the M-O-U. The Ellettsville Town Council met earlier this week on July 15th. Stay tuned for more coverage during WFHB Local News next week.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species. We turn now to an interview with Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance.
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.Up next, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by our very own, Youth Radio. On today’s voices in the street, Youth Radio correspondents conducted interviews with Bloomington residents willing to provide their opinions on concurrences surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, Indiana University pro divestment and Palestine solidarity protests, and IU President Pamela Witten. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zero Roze.
Voices in the Street is produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We spoke with Dr Alex Geiger who is talking with us about transgender healthcare and his experience with providing gender-affirming healthcare in Bloomington and Indy. It was taped in June, but I had some issues with the audio. It sounds better, now.
Check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson and Melanie Davis
When you travel, you can be a target. If you fly, your frequent flyer miles can be stolen – here’s how to stay safe. And if you drive a newer car — or use travel-assistance apps on your phone — your driving habits can be tracked, and the information can be sold to your insurance company! Here’s a headsup. If you’re worried, do some more research to find out what may apply to you and your car.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News reports on Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and how the state can shift to more renewable forms of energy for its power. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the July 16th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, board members heard a resolution that would give the board authority to make special purchases under emergency conditions. The public works board would need prior written approval of payments from the city’s controller before authorizing payments. City Attorney Alex Pratt and Public Works Director Adam Wason gave an overview of the resolution.
The board approved the resolution unanimously. Next, the city approved funding for emergency storm debris cleanup. This comes after a supercell storm hit Bloomington and surrounding areas causing power outages and damage. The city’s public works board approved two contracts with Williams Tree Company in Martinsville – one for 150,000 dollars and another for 350,000 dollars – for cleanup efforts of debris. Public Works Director Adam Wason introduced the resolution.
The board approved the resolution 2-0. The Board of Public Works will meet again on July 30th.
Monroe County Storm Water Management Board
At the Monroe County Storm Water Management Board meeting on July 10th, the board heard from Friends of Lake Monroe Founder and Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker asking for the county’s support of the non-profits lake conservation efforts with a three year matching grant.
Friends of Lake Monroe Founder and Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker spoke to the board and shared what they hope to accomplish in the next few years.
Board Member Trohn Enright-Randolph asked if the City of Bloomington had committed to funding the matching grant as well. Mitchell-Bruker said that they have been in communication with the city, and she thinks it is almost guaranteed, however she said that it hasn’t been formalized yet.
The board motioned to approve the support of the 319 Implementation Grant.
Later in the meeting, M-S-4 Coordinator Kelsey Thetonia shared the preliminary budget for the Stormwater Department for 2025. One of the subjects discussed was the creation of a new staff position, for a Stormwater Technician.
The board was in support of creating the new position. Board Member Julie Thomas suggested that even though the position will need to be approved by the Personnel Administration Committee, they still include the position in the 2025 budget in expectation of its approval.
The next Monroe County Storm Water Management Board meeting will be held on August 14th.
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, July 9th. During their meeting, the council members tabled a de-appropriation of funds in local income tax bonds for the new county jail. Along with noting recent county-wide issues and duress, council members spoke to the contentious jail site decision and continuing disagreements with the county commissioners.
Council President Trent Deckard explained that the resolution is the result of council discussion they had about four weeks ago. Deckard then suggested they table the resolution indefinitely saying that in those four weeks they have struggled with a storm and a cyber attack, and have not had time to properly contemplate the resolution.
Council Member Kate Wiltz commented on the decision to table the resolution.
Council member Marty Hawk also spoke on the resolution.
Council Member Geoff McKim weighed in, drawing attention to their role in the process of choosing a jail site.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is Tuesday, July 23rd.
Feature Report:
On June 26th, a supercell storm hit Bloomington leaving thousands of residents without power. In today’s feature report, we revisit Part II of our series on Indiana’s Power Grid. This previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Kate C. and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News hears from Brown County Pickleball Club Members Danny Key and Josie Grey a push for outdoor pickleball courts which are currently lacking in Brown County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners set out to discuss a contract with Proactive M-D for Clinic Services. County Personnel Administrator Elizabeth Sensenstein presented information regarding the monthly and yearly cost.
Sensenstein then proceeded to talk about what services will stay the same, what services will change, and new and improved services regarding this contract.
Commissioners’ Administrator Angelie Purdie and Commissioner President Julie Thomas then chimed in, asking for clarification on what Sensenstein was saying.
Sensenstein wrapped up by commenting on the improvements that will be made in regards to communications, saying that “The technology is above and beyond what we are currently experiencing… the website, the app, and even just communications when people are calling in are going to be much better.”
The Monroe County Commissioners approved of the contract unanimously.
In addition to this, Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider, made some requests in relation to improving the Community Convention Center. He began by discussing a proposal submission by H-F-I.
This motion was approved unanimously.
Next, he brought forth a proposal submitted for the Community Center by King Contracting L-L-C.
The commissioners approved this request unanimously as well.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on July 17th.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On Monday, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission gave the green light for several projects in the Hopewell neighborhood. The redevelopment commission allocated over 300,000 dollars during Monday’s meeting for demolition, design work, power relocation and lighting.
According to the city’s webpage, the Hopewell project will be the result of the new neighborhood to be created following the demolition of the former IU Health hospital on Second Street. The city’s redevelopment commission first heard a change order with Renascent Inc. for demolition. Senior Vice President for J.S. Held Deb Kunce walked through the resolution.
Board Member Randy Cassady asked whether there were any change orders left on the demolition. Kunce replied that this would be the last change order.
Then, the Commission heard a resolution for approval of a grant for the Hopewell project. Project Engineer for the City Kendall Knocke introduced the resolution.
Next, Knocke delivered a resolution of an amended preliminary design contract for Hopewell West.
Senior Project Manager for the City’s Engineering Department Roy Aten provided background on power relocation with Duke Energy for Hopewell West.
Another Commission Member inquired whether Duke Energy’s estimate is a final number. Aten responded.
The city’s redevelopment commission approved all four Hopewell contracts, which also included an agreement with Duke Energy for lighting on First Street. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will have its next meeting on August 5th.
Feature Report:
Up next, WFHB News hears from Brown County Pickleball Club Members Danny Key and Josie Grey about the basics of the sport, the growing pickleball scene in the community, and a push for outdoor courts which are currently lacking in Brown County. This feature comes from the Brown County Hour – a monthly, community-generated radio program originating in beautiful Nashville, Indiana. For more, we turn to Brown County Hour Contributors Chad Carrothers and Pam Raider.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Sam Hall, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Chad Carrothers and Pam Raider.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the third week of a partnership between WFHB’s Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington and Ellettsville called “Youth Radio Summer Camp”. The idea behind this camp was to encourage youth to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could do in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday evening during Youth Radio’s programming block.
For this week, campers turned into budding journalists and critics, sharing pop culture updates, reviewing TV shows, artists, books, and more!
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
Episode 1 covers 1993 to 1995, from the release of Alpha to the release of Ice Age. In these formative years, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, Richard Garfield, relies on the input of playtesters to shape the game into what it is today.
Join us as we unravel the story behind Magic: The Gathering.
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Jessie Grubb
Welcome to Voices in the Street. Public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington. Voices in the Street provides an opportunity for residents to anonymously voice their opinions and perspectives on the issues and events that matter most to Bloomington citizens.
Disclaimer: the opinions voiced in this production do not necessarily reflect those of WFHB staff and volunteers.
We conducted interviews with Bloomington residents willing to provide their opinions on concurrences surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, Indiana University pro divestment and pro Palestine protests and controversial IU President Pamela Witten.
This segment of Voices in the Street was produced by Siddhu McLeod and Clara Graham for WFHB News and Youth Radio.
The Bloomington City Council passed a resolution pressing for a ceasefire of hostilities within the Gaza Strip. The motion was initially vetoed by the mayor, though was unanimously overridden by the nine members of the council. What are your opinions on Bloomington ceasefire proposal? And, how do you feel about our city’s willingness to be involved in and express opinions revolving around national and international affairs?
“I am from outside of Chicago near very near Skokie, Illinois, which had the largest number of Holocaust survivors in the United States post World War Two. Very pro Israel. I don’t think we’re talking enough about how Israel protects our interests in the United States. I also am Catholic. Jesus was a Jew. We are the Old Testament in the New Testament- all of our holiest places as the oldest Christian church in the country emanate from Israel. So, once the protection is gone, it’s all over. Those are not places that are holy to Muslims. Palestinians don’t care about those places. Israel, which the British government gave to- we’re not talking about the history of this country, how was founded and how they have supported our country, and we have supported them. And we are betraying them. And, we are not talking about October 7. How interesting is that, that Israel is attacking, they are they want their people back, and they don’t negotiate with terrorists, and we are making them negotiate with terrorists. The people in the Gaza Strip are women and children who are innocent. They are the wives and the children of the people who carried out October 7, and we can’t forget that as well. If their people really loved them, they could get them out of there. There are a lot of very wealthy Muslim countries surrounding Palestine that could help them out as brothers of, you know, Muslim brothers, and they’re not doing so. They are making those people martyrs after they attacked and murdered and decapitated and raped women and children. And we’re not talking about that. So I feel very strongly that no history has been discussed- that Israel is being attacked for protecting our interests and protecting themselves. Palestinians do not want them to exist. There cannot be peace when they don’t want peace.”
“I support the resolution. Yes.”
“Yeah, I’m for that ceasefire, as much good as it did, yes.”
“Well, I think because Bloomington is college town, and colleges are generally where most protests will take place other than like the capital or whatnot, it’s very important that the city be involved with political things that are against genocide and things like that. I, for one, personally, am against majority of the things that the mayor has done. I know some people are in support of it. And I know she said some stuff. There were some proud boy issues that happened and she got the incorrect I understand that. I’m getting a little worked up because I have very strong feelings on all of this as well, of course. But anyhow, I think Bloomington should have a say in it. And I don’t agree with it being against Gaza.”
“Absolutely, there should be a ceasefire.”
How do you feel about Indiana University pro-Palestine and pro-divestment protests occurring at Dunn meadow?
“Dunn Meadow was created, and I know, at least since 1969, it was used as a place of protest. And what was it the night before something that changed the law on it or something to try it? Yeah, it was it was. It was BS.”
“Setting up encampments? Not a huge fan of that. I think protesting is one thing, but I think that anytime you impede a student’s right to get to class, I don’t like that- Christian or Jewish. I don’t like that. But I do think that they have a right to protest. You know, both sides do, but they protest peacefully, hopefully, and don’t set up encampments because you have no right to live there. That’s, you know, if these were homeless people, no one would even be talking about if the police broke up a homeless encampment. So you know, that’s that’s a whole other thing.”
“Well, I read an article in Harper’s most recent addition that talked about what academic freedom is, which is based upon free speech, including the right to protest. I didn’t see anything violent going on there, and I saw violent protests in UCLA during the 60s when I was there. So I didn’t see anything going on that would justify announcing that you had to clear out the night before you had to clear out and moving in. And I also don’t think it is a wise move to invite the outside police into the campus, because I think that does begin to encroach on the academic freedom, which is so key to our democracy.”
“I feel like the law enforcement response was not justified, but I also feel like the politics of some of the people there are somewhat complicated and are driving some people away.”
What are your opinions of the current IU President Pamela Whitten?
“I don’t think that she’s a good leader for any of the students or the faculty. I just don’t think that she really thinks very much about her staff or her students and doesn’t give them the right to be able to express their opinions.”
“I applaud her. I applaud what she did. And I think that the I’m very shocked at the staff, and I’m in town for a polite 40th pledge class reunion. I’ve lived all over the country. But so I’m not here, but I was I was proud of what she did. There are a lot of Jewish fraternities, sororities, kids on campus, and I just think the encampments are wrong. So, I think she did what she felt would make the most students safe. And we don’t know if these people are students at the university. I do think that if you’re going to have open discussion, students should they should be students- they shouldn’t be paid agitators with agendas that are going across the country nationally. And if they are students, that’s another thing. I still think encampments are wrong.”
“After all this, it’s probably a good time to consider resignation, or some kind of an apology that actually means something. So as you know, maybe listening to other constituents and people of this town because I mean, they are a part of Bloomington, and we’re not part of IU. So I think honestly, there’s not really a solution that’ll satisfy me other than like a resignation, but I mean, I’m not anybody big so it’s not like I’m going to change that.”
For WFHB news and Youth Radio, I’m Siddhu McLeod, and I’m Clara Graham.
This has been voices in the street, WFHB’s public opinion segment featuring candid commentary from your friends and neighbors on issues and events that matter most to Bloomington residents. Voices in the street is a volunteer powered production of our Youth Radio and News Departments here on WFHB Community Radio for South Central Indiana.
WFHB welcomes The Living Rumours to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, July 13, from 11am to noon. Join for this fantastically fun music trio of Grouser, Johnson, and Helber, as we welcome the return of Saturday’s Child performers from our inaugural year of 1994! Listen on air, or as part of our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. The Living Rumours – live on Saturday’s Child, July 13, at 11am on WFHB.
Dr. Richard Durisen is professor of astronomy emeritus who returned to his early love of science fiction when he left his full time faculty position at Indiana University. His stories truly are science and fiction, pairing his expertise in astronomy with his curiosity about other worlds and life forms.
I like to get the physics right, but also let my imagination soar, such as with crystal technology which is not at all scientific!
Richard Durisen is currently at work on a novel.
MUSIC
Technicolor Band Opens the Green Door – Technicolor Band
– “Green #9”
– “Green #1”
– “Green #8”
– “Green #10”
CREDITS
Narrator: Richard Durisen
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Francisco Martinez, originally born and raised in Puerto Rico, shares with us his experience moving to the US. He first lived in Indianapolis, and then moved to Bloomington to study in IU O’Neill the Master in Public Affairs. While being a full time student he worked for New Hope For Families and had the opportunity to serve many families in need. Now he is starting a new career in the Energy Sector in North Carolina.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton take a look at Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Four for a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
EcoWatch reports the Olympics in Paris this summer could be the hottest on record, according to a new report: Rings of Fire: Heat Risks at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Leading athletes warn the heat could result in athletes collapsing or even dying while participating in events.
Mike Tipton, a human and applied physiology professor at the United Kingdom’s University of Portsmouth, and Dr. Jo Corbett, deputy associate dean for research and innovation in the university’s science and health department, worked with former Olympians and climate scientists to put together the report.
“A warming planet will present an additional challenge to athletes, which can adversely impact on their performance and diminish the sporting spectacle of the Olympic Games. Hotter conditions also increase the potential for heat illness amongst all individuals exposed to high thermal stress, including officials and spectators, as well as athletes,” Corbett said in a press release from University of Portsmouth.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the past 12 months were the hottest on record. As human-driven climate change has led to an entire year of record-breaking monthly temperatures across the globe, athletes in the Games could face serious health risks.
—-Norm Holy
Lake Mead is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States. It is located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, 24 miles east of Las Vegas. It is the largest reservoir in the US in terms of water capacity. Lake Mead provides water to the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada as well as some of Mexico, providing sustenance to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland.
At maximum capacity, Lake Mead has a surface elevation of 1,229 feet above sea level. The lake has remained below full capacity since 1983 owing to drought and increased water demand.
As reported by Newsweek, Lake Mead’s projections are improving following two consecutive wet winters, with zero risk of falling below 1,000 feet before 2028, new Bureau of Reclamation figures show.
The figures, released on May 29, show the Nevada-Arizona reservoir’s five-year outlook much improved. The projections are updated three times a year and show a range of scenarios that influence potential water use cuts based on varying reservoir levels.
The five-year projections are even more important as the 2007 Colorado River interim guidelines are set to expire in 2026. Alongside this, two groups of Colorado River states continue to debate how to manage the ongoing water scarcity crisis, including the operational strategies for reservoir releases.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to release a two-year projection in mid-June that will determine whether Nevada needs to implement further water usage cuts. Last year, Nevada had to reduce its Colorado River allotment by an additional 4,000 acre-feet based on June’s projection.
While the latest projections offer some hope for improved conditions at Lake Mead, the broader context of climate variability and interstate water politics suggests that significant challenges remain. The upcoming two-year projection will be a critical indicator for southern Nevada, potentially influencing water management decisions for the near future.
—Norm Holy
Indiana Forest Alliance needs your help to convince the Indiana Division of Forestry (DoF) and Governor Eric Holcomb to designate the Backcountry Area of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests as a High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF), safe from logging where old growth conditions can return.
An HCVF designation is the only way to ensure this section of forest will ever return to the old growth condition.
The Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests Backcountry Area is one of the last areas over 2,000 acres in the state forests that can be set aside to return to the old growth condition. This is due to the excessive logging that DoF has undertaken in our state forests over the last two decades.
On top of this, the DoF recently lifted the moratorium on logging in Yellowwood and Morgan Monroe State Forests which was implemented in 2018. Most of Yellowwood and Morgan Monroe State Forests were logged before this moratorium – except for the Backcountry Area . This means the area is in imminent danger of being logged next, and never returning to old growth condition.
Under the HCVF review process, the State Forester has up to 60 days from the date of the Committee recommendation to make a final decision. No decision has been made to date. We need a massive outpouring of support from the broader conservation community to persuade John Seifert and Governor Eric Holcomb to accept the HCVF2 proposal and set aside this 2,380 acre area as the only large refuge of rich, diverse, older forest habitat in our state forest system.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
And now, let’s listen to Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton take a look at Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org.
And now, some upcoming events:
- There will be a Kayak Outing at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, July 13th, from 9 am to Noon. Goose Pond staff will lead a guided kayak tour of the wetland, pointing out various species of plants and animals. Meet at the Thousand Islands Boat Ramp. Please register to attend and bring your own kayak, lifejacket and paddles.
- Learn the differences between amphibians at the Frog vs. Toad presentation on Sunday, July 14th, from 1 to 3 pm at Springmill State Park. Meet at the back patio of the Lake View Activity Center. You will get to meet one of the animals!
- Paint A Turtle at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, July 17th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. NO, you will not actually paint a turtle, but you will join Naturalist Jess at the Nature Center to paint a still life of Indiana’s native Painted Turtle. You will be watching a turtle as you paint.
- Enjoy a Mindfullness Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, July 19th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join the naturalist in the Village Parking Lot for a mindful hike to the mouth of Donaldson Cave.
- An Earth Connection Film Festival will take place on Saturday, July 20th, from 9 am to 7 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. There are four program films scheduled for the day. These short films blend science and the arts to address the climate crises through storytelling.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Noelle Herbusky-Schneider, Kade Young, Madison Stratton and Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.
The drummer for the fabled Bloomington post-punk band, Sally’s Dream, and a veteran of cable-radio WQAX (AKA Kwacks), Jackson was a music programmer for WFHB for 17 years. She’s now serving her second stint on the board and steers a ship that’s sailing smoothly. WFHB is healthier and stronger than ever in its 31st year on the air. Jackson tells her personal story and explains how WFHB got to this good point in its history.
Jackson (far left) was the drummer for Sally’s Dream.Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most facsinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 11th, 2024.
Later in the program, Mayor Kerry Thomson answered questions from community residents at a town hall on Tuesday at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
But first, your local headlines:
Mayor Thomson Hosted Traveling Town Hall on Tuesday
On July 10th, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson spoke with city residents at St. Thomas Lutheran Church as part of the mayor’s traveling town hall series.
City Council Members Hopi Stosberg and Andy Ruff also joined the mayor for the town hall. The three city officials fielded questions from residents on housing affordability, transportation issues and storm recovery.
One local resident brought up concerns regarding affordable housing and homelessness in the community. Thomson touched on how these two are related problems, and she described how the city aims to tackle it.
Thomson continued to elaborate on housing affordability issues within the City of Bloomington saying the city is losing talent and young professionals due to its high housing costs.
The mayor said her primary concern is an increase in street homelessness. She said solutions for homelessness need to come from a place of dignity and compassion.
According to the Bloomington Housing Study conducted in 2020, over 60 percent of rental households and 30 percent of owner-occupied households are cost burdened. This means at least one third of their income goes toward rent or mortgage payments.
The housing study estimates that the city would need to build an additional 2,592 units over the next decade to support its population growth. That’s 236 units per year.
District 3 Representative for the City Council Hopi Stosberg expanded on housing affordability highlighting the unified development ordinance, or U-D-O.
Council At-Large Member Andy Ruff said Bloomington is not alone in its housing problems. He said the city needs to act fast to address the housing crisis.
The elected officials for the city also answered residents’ questions on transportation concerns, storm recovery and more. To listen to the full town hall, visit this link.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Dr. Claudia Fegan, the Chief Medical Officer of Cook County Health in Chicago and the National Coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program.
In her current and past leadership roles in PNHP, she has appeared on national television and radio programs on behalf of the organization and has testified before congressional committees on a wide range of health care issues. In this episode we discuss the 1986 Federal “Anti-Dumping” Law and how it is in the news today because of the restrictions some states are putting on abortion care. For more, we turn to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 10th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with Richard Dixon, program director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI Indiana, about an upcoming event in Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Password Games” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.On July 8th, the Ellettsville Town Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance that would establish a Redevelopment Commission. Council Members came to a consensus to table the agenda items due to the fact that only 3 out of the 5 council members were present at the meeting. Town Attorney Darla Brown asked for clarification on an amendment to the policy. Council Member William Ellis responded.
President of the Council Scott Oldham inquired about an appointment to the redevelopment commission which requires approval from the Richland Bean Blossom School Board. Brown outlined the rules around the appointment.
The council will revisit the second reading of the ordinance to establish a redevelopment commission at their next meeting. Then, during the new business section of the meeting, the council deliberated on whether or not to allow use of the Town Hall for the Republican Party Caucus on July 25th. Council Member Ellis introduced the agenda item.
Brown noted that if there’s a Democratic Party Caucus, they would also be permitted to use the town hall. The council voted unanimously to approve the initiative. Next, council members heard a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ellettsville and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. Town Manager Mike Farmer walked through the MOU.
Farmer then highlighted his recommendation to the council. Brown provided clarification on the MOU.
The council voted 3-0 to support the MOU. The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on July 15th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Sam Hall reports on the latest meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission. We turn to Sam Hall for more.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI will host an event from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Far Center for Contemporary Arts on July 18th. NAMI Indiana is a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Richard Dixon. Courtesy photo.To learn more, WFHB News spoke with Richard Dixon, program director for NAMI Indiana. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, “Password Games” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Sam Hall, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On March 20th, 2024 The Ben Cartha Fowler Project joined us for a Local Live Remote broadcast performance at the Switchyard House Show venue.
Production Team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- Broadcast Engineer/Host: Jar Turner
- Post-Production by Audrey Ouillette
When Amalia Shifriss was a kid, Boy Scouts of America was “no girls allowed.” Today Amalia is a staff member of the local Hoosier Trails Council of BSA, and she’s on a mission to bring females and nonbinary youth into the organization. Soon Boy Scouts of America will officially change its name to Scouting America, so Amalia is here to do a little “scoutreach.”
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr. Claudia Fegan, the Chief Medical Officer of Cook County Health in Chicago and the National Coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program. In her current and past leadership roles in PNHP, she has appeared on national television and radio programs on behalf of the organization and has testified before congressional committees on a wide range of health care issues. In this episode we discuss EMTALA, the 1986 Federal “Anti-Dumping” Law and how it is in the news today because of the restrictions some states are putting on abortion care.
Dr. Fegan
In the interview Dr Fegan mentions the movie “I Call It Murder” about the story behind the passage of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act EMTALA in 1986.
Previous Prescription for Healthcare episodes on related issues:
Prescription for Healthcare – Senator Shelli Yoder, “Legislative Update and Reproductive Rights” April, 2024Prescription for Healthcare – Dr Gabe Bosslet, “The Good Trouble Coalition” March, 2024Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 9th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette speaks with Peter Oren, a local musician who released an EP titled Cloud Song last month. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Government Reopens After “Intrusion” Into Computer Network
Photo by Benedict Jones.Monroe County government offices reopened on Monday after being closed all last week.
County officials put out a press release Monday disclosing the cause of the closure – an “intrusion” into its computer network from an outside source named BlackSuit.
According to Reuters’ reporting, BlackSuit is a cybercriminal group responsible for data leaks across at least 95 organizations globally.
The County Commissioners wrote in a news release, “While we are actively looking into this matter with the help of third-party specialists, we do not yet know the extent of data that may have been affected. If you are concerned, it is always best practice to lock your credit down.”
Commissioners say that while the county is still looking into this, evidence suggests that no employee sensitive information has been misused in any way.
WFHB News contacted Commissioners’ Administrator Angela Purdie who declined to be interviewed. However, Purdie said the investigation is ongoing and the county will release updates as they become available.
The Commissioners said in the release, “As this is still early in the investigation, we yet do not know if vendor or public users personally identifiable information (PII) has been subject to unauthorized access. If PII has been subject to unauthorized access, we will provide the necessary notice required to protect those affected.”
For more information on reaching the credit bureaus Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to lock your credit, telephone numbers, addresses and website links are available below.
Brown County to Hear Ordinance on Allowing ATVs and UTVs
Photo courtesy of Polaris.The Brown County Commissioners are expected to vote on an ordinance which would allow ATVs and UTVs to be driven on county roads only.
According to a report by Dakota Bruton of the Brown County Democrat, the ordinance would exclude the town of Nashville and state roads.
Brown County hosted two public meetings late last month in an effort to gauge public interest in such an ordinance.
During the public hearings, Brown County resident Greg DeLong said he’s opposed to the proposed policy.
Another local resident Michael Fulton said he believes the ordinance would disturb the peace and tranquility of the community.
Brown County resident Paul Hazelwood said he supports the ordinance, saying he believes ATVs and UTVs are safer and quieter than motorcycles.
Another supporter of the ordinance pushed back against the points made by those in opposition.
The Brown County Commissioners are expected to vote on the ordinance at 6 p.m. on July 17th at the Brown County Office Building located at 201 Locust Lane in Nashville.
City of Bloomington Launches Community Heat Survey
The City of Bloomington has launched a community heat survey in an effort to address extreme heat challenges caused by climate change.
From July 1st to August 1st, the city encourages residents to take a 10-minute survey which will be used to develop a comprehensive Extreme Heat Action Plan.
According to a press release, the survey is, “designed to gather valuable insights into how heat waves impact different neighborhoods and residents across Bloomington. This information will be instrumental in identifying areas most in need of cooling strategies and resources and will help guide the implementation of effective solutions such as tree plantings and green infrastructure.”
The city’s Economic and Sustainable Development department partnered with the IU Luddy School’s Healthy Cities Lab and the IU Environmental Resilience Institute for the survey as part of the “Beat the Heat” program. The community heat survey is also part of the ESD’s heat mitigation campaign called “Stay Cool Bloomington!”
The survey is available online for free. All responses are confidential and anonymous. Residents can access the survey by visiting bton.in/qsvVS.
Feature Report:
Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Sam Hall reports on the latest meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission. We turn to Sam Hall for more.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette speaks with Peter Oren, a local musician who released an EP titled Cloud Song last month. Oren touches on the inspiration behind the EP, the socially, politically, and environmentally-conscious themes in the project and more. We now turn to Part Two of that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Sam Hall and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our feature was produced by Audrey Ouillette.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Last week almost TEN BILLION stolen passwords were posted on the dark web, and it’s almost certain that some of your passwords are among them. Here’s how to find out if you’re at risk on haveibeenpwned.com — and what to do about it if you are. And here’s some ways to remember them all — safely.
Welcome to The Saga of Magic: The Gathering, a podcast that delves into the history of the iconic card game. This podcast is the brainchild of Tyler Gentry, an intern at WFHB and avid Magic player.
In episode 0, we follow the creator of Magic: The Gathering, Richard Garfield, as he finds the inspiration, funding, and friends to bring the game to life. This episode leaves us at the release of Alpha —the first card set that marked the beginning of a new era.
Join us as we unravel the story behind Magic: The Gathering.
The Saga of Magic: The Gathering is a WFHB Youth Radio Production
Hosted, written and narrated by Tyler Gentry
Produced by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Edited by Jessie Grubb
This is a rebroadcast of a program that aired on June 24, 2024:
On this edition of Bring It On!, host, Clarence Boone, and, guest co-host, Aniya Boone, spend the hour with Marissa Baker, a graduating senior from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and 2024 participating filmmaker in the Indiana Youth Film Festival. She discusses her film, “Beautiful Roots,” which you can watch on YouTube here. They also talk about her experiences as a participant in the Indian Youth Film Festival.
Marissa BakerOn Saturday, June 22, the Indiana Youth Film Festival hosted a state-wide film festival for the young filmmakers of Indiana. Throughout the festival, they held filmmaker talkbacks, workshops, and question-and-answer sessions. It was run just like a typical film festival; there were film submissions that went through a screening process. Select filmmakers were able to showcase their films, have Q&A sessions, and potentially win awards for Best Comedy, Best Drama, or Audience Choice. In addition, the filmmakers could connect with other local creatives at a meet-and-greet, seeking advice, guidance, or potential collaboration.
Credits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone, and the guest co-host is Aniya Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 8th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial about paper procedures being resilient during times of a computer outage.
More in today’s feature report. That’s Amalia Shifriss from the local branch of Boy Scouts of America. BSA will soon be changing its name to Scouting America, so she’s here to do a little “scoutreach” later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met this Tuesday, June 2nd. During the new business section, a noise permit application for night-time construction work was requested from the Bloomington Board of Public Works director Adam Wason on behalf of James Hall with Bloomington City Utilities.
The board passed the motion.
During the staff report, Bloomington Board of Public Works Director Adam Wason talked about the supercell storm two weeks ago.
Wason then went on to discuss the brush clean-up.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 16th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.During the July 1st meeting of the Bloomington Utilities Services Board, Capital Projects Coordinator Kevin White introduced a change order with Crider and Crider, Inc. to place 24 inches of shot rock in the existing basin at the Winston Thomas Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Board Member Molly Stewart asked about the remainder of the sewage basin allowance at the end of the project. White responded that if there were no future change orders, the sewage basin allowance would sit around 762,000 dollars.
Another board member inquired about the intended use of the area. White clarified the future use of the location.
The board approved the change order by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Utilities Service Board will meet again on July 15th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we hear from John Aumage of Brown County St. Vincent De Paul who tells us about their summer services to help the community. This comes from the Brown County Hour – WFHB’s arts and culture show produced out of Nashville, Indiana. We now to Brown County Hour Contributor Sarah Lyttle for that interview.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial about paper procedures being resilient during times of a computer outage. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
When Amalia Shifriss was a kid, Boy Scouts of America was “no girls allowed.” Today, Amalia is a staff member of the local Hoosier Trails Council of BSA, and she’s on a mission to bring females and nonbinary youth into the organization. Soon Boy Scouts of America will officially change its name to Scouting America. Amalia is here to do a little “scoutreach” on a new edition of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Madison Stratton, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins. Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
The Brown County Hour segment was produced by Sarah Lyttle and Chuck Wills.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Nos acompaña la Cónsul Titular de México en Indianápolis, Leticia Maki Teramoto, y la Cónsul en Protección Consular, Karla Munive Lima, para informarnos sobre los servicios, actividades y números de atención que brinda el Consulado de México en Indianápolis. ¡No se lo pueden perder, mucha información de utilidad sobre citas para pasaportes!Consulado de en Indianápolis:331 S East St, Indianapolis, IN, 46204 consulmex.sre.gob.mx/indianapolis indianapolis@sre.gob.mx(317) 761 -7600Emergencias de protección (no citas) (317) 623-7874Centro de Información y Asistencia a Mexicanos (CIAM) (520) 623-7874facebook: ConsulmexIndianapolis/X (twitter): @Consulmex
This is the second week of partnership between WFHB’s Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington and Ellettsville called “Youth Radio Summer Camp”. The idea behind the camp was to encourage youth to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could do in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday evening during Youth Radio’s programming block.
For this week, we brought back an old Youth Radio mainstay: Mixed Nuts! In this edition the focus is on movies. Campers discuss their favorite movies, movie snacks, songs from movies and have a heated debate over TV shows VS movies. Take a listen to hear their thoughts and opinions on everything related to movies!
We’re going over recent rulings and movements that threaten our nation and the LGBTIQ+ Community in particular. Project 2025, SCotUS, Agenda47, Christian Nationalism
Check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, and Melanie Davis
Today we present two chapters from Maggie Nye’s new novel The Curators. The setting is 1915 Atlanta. A group of fictional teenage Jewish girls living in Atlanta, whose voices we hear in collective conversation, become obsessed with the real case of Leo Frank a local Jewish businessman convicted in 1913 of murdering 13-year-old factory worker, Mary Phagan. He was sentenced to death following the guilty verdict. In 1915 the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life. This outraged many in the community prompting Antisemitic editorials clamoring for Frank’s death. Consequently Frank was kidnapped from prison and lynched, being hanged to death, on August 17, 1915.
AUTHOR
Maggie Nye is a writer, teacher, and PhD candidate at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she lives with her rabbit, Grimoire. A graduate of Indiana University, her work has been supported by MacDowell, Tin House, and the Bloomington Writers Guild Ryser Scholarship. She is presently hard at work on a strange, radical retelling of the Medusa myth. The Curators has just been released by Northwestern University Press and is now widely available.
RELATED
Leo Frank Case
MUSIC
Borscht Belt Studies by Jamie Saft
– “Darash”
– “The Pines”
– “Darkest Arts”
– “Issachar”
CREDITS
Narrator: Shana Ritter
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Musical Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
This week, we are sharing a piece created for Montreal community radio station CKUT, on the show Other Worlds on Earth. The piece provides an excellent analysis of the case against Krystal and Peppy, two organizers in Pittsburgh targeted by the FBI and who are alleged to have acted in solidarity with trans people. After their analysis and introduction, Other Worlds on Earth interview one of Krystal and Peppy’s supporters. This support work has been both vital and difficult, since Peppy has now been held in jail for more than a year, due entirely to alleged conduct at a demonstration.
The escalated repression aimed at Krystal and Peppy is part of a society-wide crackdown that affects far more than just political activists. The shredding of environmental regulation due to the Supreme Court’s Chevron reversal goes hand-in-hand with the brutal shutdown of refugee claims at the US-Mexico border, throwing the balance of state action decisively away from any claim that it is protecting us, by reducing toxicity or slowing the climate crisis, and orienting it towards police violence. The massive police funding increase since 2020 leads not only towards the construction of big, useless megaprojects like Cop City, but also to the escalation of racial violence as emboldened police attack Black children. On the 4th of July, Pittsburgh police attacked a 14-year old child. Tanisha Long described the incident this way:
“Tonight the Pittsburgh police handcuffed and detained a 14 year old child claiming that he was a missing child. They picked a Black child off the street, decided he was the missing child, handcuffed him, and ignored the fact that his mom was on the phone telling them it wasn’t him. They put their hands on advocates, an attorney, and other minors.They pulled a taser on me for asking questions and recording. They told the crowd they weren’t allowed to be near.”
This experience presents disturbing echoes of the police attack on three Black children in Bloomington earlier this week. Police are emboldened but also understand that significant portions of the population have grown to distrust and hate them, leading them to take aggressive measures to stop bystanders from filming them and to prevent crowds from gathering in response to their violence. Before the feature on Krystal and Peppy, we will share a press release from Bloomington abolitionist group Care Not Cages regarding the police violence here earlier this week.
When WFHB’s signal finally was beefed up to extend into Brown County, Pam Raider got the idea that the place should have a show dedicated to it. The Brown County Radio Hour came into being in 2010 after several years of planning and organizing. It’s a variety show featuring the artists, the performers, the essayists, the wits, and the captivating characters of that most quirky of Indiana counties. And perhaps the quirkiest, most captivating character of all is Pam Raider.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Dani Ansaldo calls the Bloomington Community Orchard “a public edible park.” It’s a place where you can walk, eat, and learn to grow fruits and veggies and herbs. But it’s also about building community, by sharing space, sharing food, and sharing resources. As chair of orchard operations Dani is always looking for more volunteers.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024.
Later in the program, Monroe County Government offices will be closed until Monday, July 8th due to a server error. Also, the City of Bloomington has issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for 72 addresses. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Police Arrested Three Teenagers on Tuesday, Care Not Cages Releases Statement
Bloomington police arrested three Black teenagers on Tuesday near West 13th Street and North Illinois Street.
According to an email from Bloomington Police Department Captain Ryan Pedigo, officers responded to the area after reports of a fight in progress. Police ended up arresting one 13-year-old and two 14-year-olds who were referred to juvenile probation.
Pedigo said that a security guard patrolling the area pointed out two males claiming they had been involved in a fight and one of the teenagers had displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Officers later discovered it was an Orbeez toy replica of a Glock handgun.
WFHB News obtained a video of the arrest being made from a source who wishes to remain anonymous. In the clip, you can hear an officer accuse one of the teenagers’ family members of being “too angry.” The family member responds, “I’m not angry. I’m scared.” We will now play an audio clip from that video.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/isolated-clip.mp3Police reported that one of the teenagers complained of shortness of breath while driving to the police department. An ambulance was called. While being assessed by the ambulance crew, a car with members of the detained teenager’s family arrived on the scene. This led to the arrest of a 14-year old female.
Local activist group Care Not Cages released a statement on Wednesday denouncing the incident calling police violence inflicted on a child. The statement said, “We call out the racism that makes so many Americans, especially police, unable to see Black children as children.”
A copy of local group Care Not Cages’ statement on the incident.The statement went on to say, “This event’s ugly reminder of local racism and police violence is a particularly bitter irony given the proximity to the day the nation celebrates its supposed independence and liberty. Happy July 4th, indeed.”
All in all, the teenagers were referred to juvenile probation on the following charges:
- 13-year-old male: Two counts of Intimidation, level 6 felony; Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Injury, level 6 felony.
- 14-year-old male: Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Injury, level 6 felony.
- 14-year-old female: Intimidation, level 6 felony; Unlawful Encroachment, class C misdemeanor; Resisting Law Enforcement, class A misdemeanor.
This story is still developing. Stay tuned next week for more coverage on the WFHB Local News.
Monroe County Government Offices Closed Until Next Monday
Photo by Benedict Jones.Monroe County Government offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday.
According to county officials, a “technological event” caused its servers to be inaccessible. The county says it has affected most but not all of its departments.
A county press release notes that the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has not faced a disruption of law enforcement services.
The press release, put out on July 2nd, said “We have elicited outside professional help, and we hope to be in better standing later this week. At this time, we are not commenting any further until a full analysis of our network and servers is complete. We apologize for this inconvenience to our community, our departments, our employees, and our vendors. When we have something available for sharing, we will provide that as soon as possible.”
Monroe County offices will reopen on Monday, July 8th.
CBU Issues Precautionary Boil Advisory for 74 Addresses
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The City of Bloomington Utilities department has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for 74 addresses.
On Wednesday, CBU crews were dispatched to repair a broken drinking water main at the intersection of North Maple Street and West 15th Street, according to a city news release.
74 addresses are now under a precautionary Boil Water Advisory until noon tomorrow.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires all public water systems to initiate the boil water advisory if pressure drops below 20 psi in the water main. If you’re impacted, you should follow these steps recommended by IDEM.
- Immediately after your normal water pressure is restored, run COLD water from a sink or tub until clear water flows from the faucet.
- Boil all water used for drinking, cooking, and oral hygiene for at least 5 minutes prior to consumption.
- It is not necessary to boil water for other uses.
To find out if your address was affected, you can visit bloomington.in.gov/utilities. For more information, you can contact Bloomington Utilities at 812-339-1444.
Feature Report:
Last Tuesday, a supercell storm hit South Central Indiana leaving thousands without power in Bloomington and Monroe County. In today’s feature report, we revisit a report from Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy. We turn now to that report on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Benedict Jones, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We had a real disaster last week, with a huge supercell storm, and such things always bring scammers and swindlers sniffing around, trying to rip off the victims. Here’s a headsup on that, and a warning about phony emails that want you to set up electronic bill payments — to the crooks.
Featured animal: Ziona
Ziona is a dignified older lady who knows about the finer things in life, like cozy beds and sampling all the snacks. She is an American Staffordshire Terrier Mix, a little over 7 years old. Ziona is starting to show off her spunky side, with zips and zooms in the yard and leaning in for snuggles! Ziona met an older puppy and thought he was fine, but wasn’t all that interested in engaging with all that wiggly energy. According to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, she is house-trained and good with children.
To learn more about Ziona, including adoption details, please reach out to the Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Pet safety with car travel
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about safety tips for traveling with pets by vehicle.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024.
Later in the program, bills passed from the Indiana Statehouse’s 2024 session went into effect on Monday. WFHB News takes a look at several of these laws, including new voter ID rules, a higher-education oversight policy and a rollback of protections for the state’s wetlands. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Dozens of Laws Go Into Effect in Indiana on Monday
During this past legislative session, the Indiana Statehouse passed a total of 172 bills. Many of these laws went into effect on Monday.
House Enrolled Act 1264 requires voters to include credentials provided by the BMV or from a credit agency when registering to vote. Anyone who is flagged will have 30 days to prove citizenship. If a resident fails to do this, their registration would be canceled.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana denounced the law saying it will prevent eligible voters from exercising their rights.
In a statement, the ACLU wrote, “We also know that this law will disproportionately affect communities of color. Rates of identification-ownership are highest among white individuals, while other racial and ethnic groups disproportionately lack necessary photo ID.”
The Heritage Group, a conservative think-tank, tracks cases of voter fraud across the United States. Over the past two decades, the organization has counted only 47 cases of voter fraud in Indiana.
According to the ACLU statement, “Indiana’s new election law is a step backwards in the effort to protect voting rights and work towards solutions that foster inclusivity, rather than exclusion, in our democratic process.”
Also going into effect this week – Senate Enrolled Act 202. This law increases oversight of secondary education and requires tenured professors to be reviewed every five years. Furthermore, it requires that professors provide “free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity” and would not allow them to receive tenure or promotions if they teach political views unrelated to their discipline.
It faced criticism from major public universities and drew controversy for its oversight over higher education. The Purdue-West Lafayette and Indiana University-Bloomington chapters of the American Association of University Professors, or A-A-U-P, released a statement opposing the policy in February .
The statement said, “Adoption of SB 202 would severely damage the ability of Indiana’s two public Research-1 universities—Purdue-West Lafayette and IU-Bloomington—to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, erasing the State of Indiana’s uniquely prominent national profile in higher education.”
State Senator Spencer Deery, a Republican representing West Lafayette, drafted the original bill. After Governor Eric Holcomb signed the bill into law in March, Deery said in a news release, “Indiana just sent a strong signal that our state is committed to academic freedom, free expression and intellectual diversity for all students and faculty…Universities that fail to foster intellectually diverse communities that challenge both teachers and learners fail to reach their potential. This measured bill makes it significantly less likely that any university will shortchange our students in that way.”
Lastly, House Enrolled Act 1383 went into effect on Monday. This law narrows the definition of what is considered to be a wetland and limits wetland protections.
WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze discussed the legislation with Sam Carpenter, the executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council. The interview took place on February 1st of this year – while lawmakers were deliberating on the bill.
Carpenter explained how House Bill 1383 would impact Indiana’s wetlands protections. He said the bill shifted some of the state’s Class III wetlands down to Class II, which took away safeguards in place to protect those wetlands.
State Senator Shelli Yoder, a representative for District 40 which encompasses a majority of Monroe County, drafted two failed amendments to House Bill 1383. In an interview with WFHB News, Yoder touched on the amendments, which she said drummed up some support but not enough to pass through the state senate.
Yoder offered a glimmer of hope amidst a bleak outlook for the state’s wetlands. Yoder touched on the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 246, which she authored. That law allows property owners with parcels of land with wetlands as small as half an acre to be classified as wildlands, which would allow them to apply for a tax break.
For more coverage on the state’s rollback of protections for wetlands, visit wfhb.org/deepdive.
City of Bloomington and Monroe County Offering Debris Pickup After Supercell Storm
Both the City of Bloomington and Monroe County are providing debris cleanup efforts in response to the supercell storm that hit the area last Tuesday.
The city partnered with Williams Tree Company in Martinsville to assist residents with tree debris removal. For the next two weeks, crews will collect tree and vegetation debris for residents who live within city limits.
According to a news release, residents are encouraged to place debris in piles near the road but ensure they are out of the rights-of-ways to “maintain safety and accessibility.” City-wide residents who need collections services can submit a request through the city’s U-Report system at bton.in/storm.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will also provide a public drop-off site for vegetation debris. This will take place at Lower Cascades Park at 3601 North Old State Road 37 starting Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. IDs are required. For more information, you can contact the City of Bloomington at 812-349-3400.
If you live outside of city limits, Monroe County government hired a private contractor to help with tree debris pickup. If you live within county jurisdiction, crews will pick up debris by township. The schedule for pickup dates are available below.
Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board met this Tuesday, June 25th. During the New Business section, Chief Financial Officer John Kenny spoke about meal prices for this coming school year.
The board passed and approved this motion.
During Resolution 2023-12, former MCCSC Superintendent Jeff Hauswald spoke on the need to vote in favor of allowing free early childhood programs through local property tax levies.
MCCSC board President April Hennessey went on to speak in favor of this resolution.
The board adopted and approved the motion. The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 25th.
Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 25. Through money provided by the Commission in October 2018, a new art installation is being constructed at Miller Showers Park. Known as the Bicentennial Gateway, the sculpture seeks to welcome visitors entering from the city’s north side. Addressing the commission, Director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Tim Street recapped the developmental history of the project.
Parks Director Street then described the financial and environmental challenges concerning public feedback on the gateway’s design.
Street summarized how the proposed amendments would meet the challenges encountered by the Department during the construction phase.
Street then told the Department about how a recently formed collaboration with the city’s Public Arts Commission would prevent the Parks and Recreation Department from exceeding its initial 1.25 million dollar approved budget:
Commissioner Jim Whitlach asked Street to clarify if the funds to the Public Arts Commission would impact the Parks Department’s overall budget. Street responded.
The Commission approved all three contract amendments unanimously. Next, the commission discussed a motion to install a new screen at Switchyard Park’s multi-purpose Pavilion. Switchyard Park’s General Manager of Recreational Facilities Hsiung Marler outlined issues with the current screen and how an upgrade would improve the event space:
Marler responded to Commissioner Whitlach’s question regarding alternate uses of the old projector should the new screen be approved.
The commission approved the motion unanimously. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on July 23rd.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Madison Stratton, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast that originally aired on February 1, 2021:
ABC NewsToday’s edition of Bring It On! is a broadcast of a show recorded immediately after the siege of the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, which led to the deaths of five people, including the murder of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick. Hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea spend the hour with long-time Bring It On! contributor Eric Love, the Director of Staff Diversity and Inclusion for the University of Notre Dame, and Elizabeth (Liz) Watson, a labor attorney and the current executive director of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, to examine the impact of the Capitol Hill siege on society, and its effects on the African-American community, in particular.
Eric LoveLiz WatsonCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is William Hosea.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle Lafontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 1st, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides his weekly column on the WFHB Local News. Today’s entry is titled Red-tail hawk rehab: “She’s a fighter.” More in today’s feature report.
That’s Dani Ansaldo, chair of operations at Bloomington Community Orchard. She is here to share the orchard’s summer bounty with you later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Dr. Markay Winston Begins As New Interim Superintendent for MCCSC
Photo courtesy of MCCSC.The Monroe County Community School Corporation has announced that Dr. Markay Winston will serve as its new interim superintendent.
This comes after the school corporation bought out the remainder of former Superintendent Jeff Hauswald’s contract. MCCSC did not leave an explanation for the move. However, several initiatives under Hauswald’s leadership drew controversy, such as proposed scheduling changes and a widely opposed merger of Childs and Templeton schools.
Hauswald served as Superintendent of MCCSC schools since July of 2021. Meanwhile, Dr. Winston has been with the school system since 2017, working in a variety of positions including as Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. In a press release, Communications Director Kelby Turmail said that Winston brings a wealth of experience and a history of educational excellence to her new role.
Dr. Winston said in a statement, “I am honored to serve as Superintendent of MCCSC and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our talented trustees, students, staff, and community to build upon our exceptional achievements and addressing the challenges ahead. Strong schools build strong communities and I pledge to do my part for our great schools within MCCSC so we can continue to fulfill our role in our community’s success. I look forward to having opportunities to listen, to learn, and to lead as we work together on behalf of every student, in every school, in every classroom, and in every seat throughout our corporation.”
School Board of Trustees President April Hennessey stated, in a statement, “We’ve been so lucky to have Dr. Winston leading the way in our district in so many capacities for nearly eight years. Her transition to Interim Superintendent feels like a natural progression of her work with us, and we are so energized by the skills, deep integrity, and compassionate leadership that she brings to this role. We wholeheartedly support the work she’s already begun and look forward to what she and her team will accomplish in the year ahead.”
Dr. Winston will start in her new position on July 1st. To view Winston’s welcome letter and entry plan, you can visit this link.
Monroe County and Bloomington Begin Debris Pickup After Last Week’s Storm
Agencies and contractors from Monroe County and the City of Bloomington will be picking up debris caused by last week’s supercell storm.
According to a news release on the county’s website, if you have tree debris in your yard, move it to the curbside or near the end of your property for pickup. Local officials say to avoid placing the debris in the roadway or ditches. Only tree and vegetation debris is being picked up.
If you are in need of assistance for collecting debris in your yard or if you live in the county and have debris ready for pick-up, there are two forms available on the county’s website.
https://forms.office.com/g/fmQiv8M3Yf
https://forms.office.com/g/QeHLgSWmFD
Monroe County Emergency Management says that debris removal begins today and will last for several weeks.
Monroe County Chairwoman Steps Down, Cites High Housing Costs
Monroe County Republican Chair Taylor Bryant announced her resignation on Friday.
Bryant cited lack of options and affordability in the rental and housing market in Monroe County as the reason for her stepping down.
In a written statement, Bryant said, “This is not a decision I came to lightly, especially in the middle of an election cycle… Monroe County has become too unaffordable for the people who have lived here their entire lives, like myself, and we must elect leaders who can change that.”
Bryant has been involved with local politics since she was 13 years old. She was a founding member of the Bloomington High School Republicans, and several years ago she became the youngest county chair in Indiana state history.
Bryant was interviewed by host Michael Glab on WFHB’s Public Affairs Program Big Talk in 2022. To listen to that interview, visit this link.
Vice Chair William Ellis will now assume the role of the Monroe County Republican Chair. Ellis currently serves on the Ellettsville Town Council and has lived in Monroe County since 1999.
Monroe County Council
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, June 25th. During their meeting, the council members heard an update from DLZ’s Scott Carnegie on estimated costs during the pre-design phase of the project. Costs and square footage estimates were separated between the sheriff’s office & jail and the justice center, using both a $180 million and a $200 million budget. The meeting also began with many public comments concerning the jail.
DLZ presented their estimated costs.
Council Member Kate Wiltz spoke to the contentious project and the decision to be made.
As did Council Member Peter Iverson…
Councilmember Wiltz and Carnegie discussed the timeline and details to be determined.
Council member Cheryl Munson asked DLZ to provide a timeline.
Council President Trent Deckard concluded DLZ’s portion of the meeting.
Council President Trent Deckard concluded the meeting with a final word on the project.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is Tuesday, July 9th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides his weekly column on the WFHB Local News. Today’s entry is titled Red-tail hawk rehab: “She’s a fighter.” For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
Dani Ansaldo calls the Bloomington Community Orchard “a public edible park.” It’s a place where you can walk, eat, and learn to grow fruits and veggies and herbs. But it’s also about building community, by sharing space, sharing food, and sharing resources. As chair of orchard operations Danny is always looking for more volunteers, and she is here to share the orchard’s summer bounty with you on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Kate Chmielewski, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
If you’ve been to an event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in the last year, chances are you’ve been warmly greeted by Laurie Sachtleben. Laurie is one of about 80 volunteers who serve as ushers at this historic nonprofit venue. She thinks it’s a great gig, and Laurie’s hoping to convince YOU to sign up too. Free popcorn!!!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Pre-first Presidential debate show. We talk about the recent awareness of Project 2025, the plan for the next conservative Presidential administration, Just look it up, it’s 920 pages of authoritarian Christian fascisim.
Check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, and Melanie Davis
“Danielle and I’s conversation starts out as normal. She asks me how I have been, and I usually tell her the latest news: a won basketball game, a new play audition, and other exciting news. And then we talk about Marvin. Marvin. My worst enemy since about the beginning of last school year. Maybe even before then.”
So begins, Elia Defore’s short story, “Fighting Marvin.” Having the narrator in first person brings the reader directly into the story. We enter without introduction, into the narrator’s world, grasping the feeling of being in middle school and dealing with being different. The immediacy of the language, the details and the consistency of the narrator’s voice gives us a real sense of what it feels like to be her.
MUSIC
Today’s music is from multi-instrumentalist songwriter and composer David Brown.
– printing the euro
– slow storm over red sand
– Gamelan Synths
– a changing skyline
– birds singing in english, mysteriously
– handjob to a bank man
– ascending through snow
– cats walking single file
Show Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
CREDITS
Narrator: Elia Defore
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Two of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
The New York Times reports new ‘detective work’ on butterfly declines reveals a prime suspect. Agricultural insecticides were a key factor, according to a study focused on the Midwest, though researchers emphasized the importance of climate change and habitat loss. What’s driving ominous declines in insects? Primary concerns are butterflies and bees. While a growing body of research shows decreases in many insect populations, it has been hard for scientists to disentangle the possible causes. Are insects suffering from habitat loss as natural areas are plowed and paved? Is climate change doing them in? What about pesticides?
The latest insight comes from a study on butterflies in the Midwest, published on Thursday in the journal PLOS ONE. Its results don’t discount the serious effects of climate change and habitat loss on butterflies and other insects, but they indicate that agricultural insecticides exerted the biggest impact on the size and diversity of butterfly populations in the Midwest during the study period, 1998 to 2014. Especially detrimental, the researchers found, was a class of widely used insecticides called neonicotinoids that are absorbed into the tissues of plants.
“It’s a story about unintended consequences,” said Scott Swinton, a professor of agricultural economics at Michigan State University and one of the study’s authors. “In developing technologies that were very effective at controlling soybean aphid and certain other agricultural pests, non-target species that we care about, butterflies in particular, have been harmed.”
Farmers in Indiana widely use neonicotinoids on corn and soybeans. This type of pesticide is banned in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. In the EU, neonicotinoids have had restrictions placed on their use, which are as follows: the use in bee-attractive crops (including corn, oilseed rape and sunflower) is prohibited, with the exception of uses in greenhouses.
The attack by the emerald ash borer on ash trees has been underway for more than a decade. Now a question is whether any ash trees will survive. A report from Penn State University has the answer: barely. “Lingering ash.” That’s what the U.S. Forest Service calls the relatively few green and white ash trees that survive the emerald ash borer onslaught. Those trees do not survive by accident, and that may save the species, according to Penn State researchers, who conducted a six-year study of ash decline and mortality.
The research shows some ash trees have varying degrees of resistance to the strangely beautiful, invasive beetle from Asia. The study is unique because it took place at a plantation of ash trees planted on Penn State’s University Park campus in the mid-1970s. “We found that genetic variation exists in trees from around the country, and through time — especially as the emerald ash borer population collapses because host trees are rapidly disappearing — the resistance that we observed will likely ensure the survival of the species,” said Kim Steiner, professor of forest biology, College of Agricultural Sciences.
This little-known ash plantation off Porter Road near Penn State’s Swine Research Facility — the largest collection of green ash germplasm in one location in the world — may play a role in saving the species. “We began measuring the decline in 2012, shortly after emerald ash borers arrived in the plantation, and we measured it every year through 2017,” said Steiner. “The effect of the insect was devastating. As of August of this year, only 13 trees remained of the 1,762 that were alive when the emerald ash borer arrived.”
The fact that some trees survived longer means there are heritable genetic differences among trees from different populations and seed parents, Steiner added. “For the first time, this study demonstrated that there is genetic variation that could be captured in a breeding program to improve resistance to emerald ash borer in both white ash and green ash species,” he said.
According to the Sierra Club, Duke Energy, the largest electric utility in the state, filed a case with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s (IURC) requesting to raise residential customers’ bills an additional 19% by 2026. If approved, Duke would use its customers’ money to keep its massively polluting Gibson and Edwardsport coal-burning power plants open.
Extensive evidence in Duke’s previous rate hike case, filed in 2019, showed the Edwardsport coal gasification plant loses money the majority of the time it operates. EcoReport concludes basically this plant has been a boondoggle since inception because Duke could not master the design and operation of the plant. They were amateurs trying to use a process that required experts. EcoReport aired stories years ago, calling for Duke to bring in experts from South Africa.
That nation used the very process as part of the way they made gasoline while there was an embargo on importing gasoline during apartheid. Based on public data, Duke’s Gibson plant lost an estimated $55.6 million in energy market revenues last year, making Gibson the “losingest” coal-burning power plant in an electric wholesale market anywhere in the country in 2023. “For over a decade, Duke has unfairly put the burden on customers’ pocketbooks to prop up its money-losing Edwardsport and Gibson plants.
Instead of investing in clean and affordable renewable energy, Duke energy chose to waste billions of our hard earned dollars,” said Robyn Skuya-Boss, Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club Director. “Regulators at the IURC can’t keep allowing Duke to put our money into polluting resources; we need to see investments in clean energy that benefit our communities.”
Across the state, Duke is the largest utility polluter, and furthest behind in building clean energy. The monopoly utility’s Gibson plant in Southwest Indiana was identified by the Center for Public Integrity as a Super Polluter, one of the worst toxic and greenhouse gas emitters in the nation. Burning coal at this plant alone contributes to 78 premature deaths annually.
Duke’s Gibson plant has become an even worse investment for ratepayers since the company’s last rate case filing because its electric generation is uncompetitive in today’s grid. In 2023, Gibson had its lowest output ever. Nonetheless, due to low market prices and rocketing coal costs, Duke operated Gibson far more often than warranted, at a steep cost to consumers.
Sierra Club will further scrutinize the filing, which contains thousands of pages, and will be encouraging community members to speak out against the rate hike by submitting public comments to regulators over the coming months. There was a public meeting recently on Duke’s proposal. Our reporting on this meeting is separate from this review. In the information note sent to community activists, there was important information which is repeated here. EcoReport has not independently evaluated the recommendations.
RCU has been running a Follow the Money Campaign on three state house seats with voters partly in Monroe County. Not one of them is voting for consumers or the environment. Citizens Action Coalition indicates Rep. Peggy Mayfield in H60 and Rep. Bob Heaton H46 and Rep. Dave Hall H62 are the legislators of relevance. It’s become clear we will never get voters back into the driver’s seat until we re-balance our General Assembly.
EcoReport will add that Rep. Heaton was involved in making Indiana the worst state for rooftop solar, according to IndyStar. RCU says you have a choice this fall. These are the candidates who deserve your time and your treasure: Michelle Higgs for H60; Kurtis Cummings, H46; and Thomas Horrocks, H62.
In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Two of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
- A program on boater safety, Canoe Find It? is scheduled for Saturday, June 29th, at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve from 4 to 6 pm. After discussing boater safety, you will head to the water to practice paddling techniques. A scavenger hunt will allow you to practice as well as have fun. There is a prize! Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- A presentation on Feathered Fledglings is taking place on Tuesday, July 2nd, from 2 to 2:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Learn about a bird’s life cycle and when it is okay to help a fledgling. Meet at the Nature Center.
- Wild Wednesday’s at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will continue on Wednesday, July 3rd, from 10 to 11 am. Take short hikes outside the Visitor Center and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more.
- Learn about American’s Bird – the Bald Eagle at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 4th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Find out why they are extra-special and get tips on where to find them. Meet at the Activity Center Patio.
- Learn about Nature’s Fireworks – the Firefly at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 4th, beginning at 8 pm. Discover how these light shows are used by fireflies to attract a mate or a meal. Meet at the Activity Center.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Feature Report……………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
She dreamed of being on the radio when she was eight years old. It wasn’t until she reached her 40s that Abby Noroozi finally got the chance when she volunteered at WFHB. She’d met and befriended former Music Director Christine Brackenhoff at Rock Paper Scissors, the noted Bloomington music tech PR firm. Noroozi watched Brackenhoff run the WFHB music department and learned from her. When Brackenhoff decided to leave, Noroozi was the obvious choice to replace her.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 27th, 2024.
Later in the program, thousands have seen their power restored in the past day after a supercell storm hit large portions of the state on Tuesday. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette speaks with Peter Oren, a local musician who released an EP titled Cloud Song earlier this month.
But first, your local headlines:
Power Restored to Thousands of Residents After Supercell Caused Outages
Photo courtesy of Josh Brewer.Thousands have seen their power restored in the past day, according to Duke Energy. This comes after a supercell storm hit large portions of Indiana on Tuesday leaving more than 100,000 people without power across the state.
Monroe County was considered “ground zero” for the storm which led to downed power lines and trees, wind damage, public structure damage as well as life safety issues. Wind gusts were reported to range from 65 to 75 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Duke Energy put out a press release earlier this afternoon estimating the majority of power would be restored in Bloomington by midnight.
Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, said in a statement, “We’ve made a lot of progress, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us and appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to safely restore power as quickly as possible. We have a workforce of 1,170 in the field responding today, including assistance from Ohio and Kentucky. Support from our city and county officials and local emergency responders has been critical in this storm response.”
Local residents expressed frustration in the delays for power restoration. One Reddit user in Bloomington posted that in their view Duke Energy needs to be better regulated. The post said, “I realize that weather like yesterday is beyond the control of anyone, but how is this utility company never prepared to address outages quickly? They want to dramatically raise rates in the area but they can’t even be bothered to manage their grid.”
In an interview with WFHB News, Angela Protogere, spokesperson for Duke Energy Indiana, thanked customers for their patience and assured work is underway and progress is being made.
Meanwhile, Monroe County Emergency Management advised residents that local landfills are not accepting deliveries of any trash currently due to lack of power. They stated residents should avoid traveling on High Street until Friday.
The county’s emergency management agency provided a list of cooling stations to temporarily support those impacted by the storm. A full list of cooling stations can be found below.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank will also provide free emergency food distribution from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday at 2333 West Industrial Park Drive.
Ellettsville Town Council Hears Ordinance To Establish Redevelopment Commission
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.During its June 24th meeting, the Ellettsville Town Council heard a first reading of an ordinance to establish a redevelopment commission. Town Attorney Darla Brown commented on the policy.
Councilwoman Pamela Samples asked about the logistics of the commission. Brown responded that the legislation would establish a redevelopment department with a 5-member commission overseeing it.
Then, Councilman Trevor Sager questioned whether the legislation would need language regarding the makeup of the board. Brown said that similar boards and commissions in other communities were not that detailed.
Councilman William Ellis inquired whether the passage of the ordinance would prevent the council from passing another ordinance establishing the makeup of the commission. Brown responded.
Council Vice President Dan Swafford asked about the nature of the separate legislation the council would need to pass in order to determine how appointments to the redevelopment commission would be made. Brown said it could be a separate ordinance or in the “rules and procedures” section of this ordinance.
The council will determine its best course of action at a future meeting when it conducts a second reading of the ordinance. The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on July 8th.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board Looks Ahead to Next School Year
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on June 17th. During the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin delivered his regular report.
Irwin then elaborated on the school corporation’s operating fund and other happenings in the school district before the start of next school year.
The next meeting of the Richland Bean Blossom School Board will take place at 6 p.m. on July 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette speaks with Peter Oren, a local musician who released an EP titled Cloud Song earlier this month. Oren touches on the inspiration behind the EP, the socially, politically, and environmentally-conscious themes in the project and more. We now turn to Part One of that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Audrey Ouillette.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.
Later in the program, a supercell storm hit Monroe County yesterday leaving thousands without power. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More in the bottom half of the program.
But first, your local headlines:
Supercell Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power
Photo courtesy of Josh Brewer.A supercell storm with winds ranging from 55 to 70 miles per hour hit South Central Indiana on Tuesday leaving over 100,000 residents without power across the state.
Monroe County was among the most impacted. Monroe County Emergency Management issued a local disaster declaration saying the county was impacted by “wind damage, downed power lines and trees, public structure damage as well as life safety issues.”
According to Duke Energy, rough terrain is making assessment and power restoration challenging. As of 2:20 p.m., the estimated time of restoration is June 27th at 11:59 p.m. Duke Energy’s power outage map claims that crews are on the scene and out working to make repairs.
Angela Protogere, spokesperson for Duke Energy Indiana, said that Monroe County was “ground zero” in terms of damage.
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor at Indiana University Cody Kirkpatrick made a public social media comment last night stating “After six hours of power being out in Bloomington, the temperature in my freezer is a blurry 41 F. If you are out of town during this, consider that everything in your freezer will have thawed and should be tossed.”
Protogere walked through challenges crews are facing in restoring power in Monroe County, including rough terrain and fallen power lines.
She said that crews of all forms including linemen, damage assessors and tree trimming crews are tirelessly working as power restoration efforts begin to rise.
Protogere provided safety tips for residents navigating the struggles of the power outage – specifically advising residents to avoid downed power lines.
Local residents expressed frustration in the delays for power restoration. One Reddit user in Bloomington posted that in their view Duke Energy needs to be better regulated. The post said, “I realize that weather like yesterday is beyond the control of anyone, but how is this utility company never prepared to address outages quickly? They want to dramatically raise rates in the area but they can’t even be bothered to manage their grid.”
Protogere thanked customers for their patience and assured work is underway and progress is being made.
Monroe County Emergency Management says that if you were impacted by the storm and are in need of sheltering assistance due to your residence being damaged, please reach out to them at Justinbaker@co.monroe.dot.in.us or 812-349-2546.
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met this Tuesday, June 18th. During their meeting, the council members approved a new salary grade system for the city’s non-union employees. The council ordinance will affect approximately 430 positions, and will result in pay increases potentially totaling $10 million dollars. Director of Human Resources Sharr Pechac presented the ordinance.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg questioned the potential fiscal impact of the ordinance.
Pechac responded.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for more details on the $10 million price tag.
Pechac elaborated on the number of employees whose position and pay grade will need to be reviewed.
Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp also responded to Piedmont-Smith’s question, saying that they have options on how they implement the pay grade increase.
The ordinance was unanimously approved. The next Bloomington City Council meeting is Wednesday, July 31st.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works took place on June 18th. During the New Business section, Bloomington Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh shared a request from Strauser Construction for a sidewalk, bike lane, and alley closure on Grant Street.
The two board members present, Kyla Cox Deckard and James Roach unanimously approved the closure request.
Baugh also shared a request for a planned closure on North Walnut Street near Miller Showers Park. He said it will be maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Cox-Deckard asked when the closure would take place. Baugh responded.
The board passed and approved this motion.
Next, Engineering Field Specialist Alex Grey spoke about the city-wide fiber project, and shared a lane and sidewalk closure request.
The board approved the sidewalk closure request.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on June 17th, the board heard from Champlin Architecture about their designs for the proposed Utilities Service Center and Maintenance Facility. Champlin Architecture contracted with Weddle Brothers Construction Manager Chris Ciolli on the project. He shared background information on the work that had been done up until this point.
Ciolli noted that the cost has increased over time, and said that it is up to the board to decide how to proceed.
Champlin Principal Architect Sean Bright shared details about the building design, and pointed out special features they designed in line with the city’s values and priorities.
Ciolli shared costs for the two proposed buildings, and highlighted that costs are variable and could increase by as much as 6 percent every year.
Ciolli emphasized that the timeline is contingent upon whether or not they conduct another rate case study.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on July 1st.
Better Beware:
Up next, “Pig Butchering” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Madison Stratton, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Madison Stratton and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tonight on Disabulletin, updates on a Massachusetts case regarding whether parents can record their child’s Special Education Plan Meetings and congress discusses if a Massachusetts residential school may continue to provide a treatment widely condemned. Finally, an interview with Tim Crichon of Disability Rights Indiana on new changes impacting Indiana Medicaid.
Good evening, tonight we review our previous story on the case of Pitta V Medeiros and the Supreme Court’s decision to either take or leave the case. To recap, the case involved the Pittas, a family in Bridgewater Massachusetts. The school District’s policy, though unwritten in its manual, does not permit recording IEP meetings, as such meetings are confidential. According to court records from the January 2024 United States First Circuit Court of Appeals decision, district officials had previously allowed the Pittas to record via audio devices. Mr.Pitta declined the option, citing a concern that he wouldn’t be able to determine who was speaking during the meeting. Thus, this would prevent him from obtaining an accurate record. The Pittas also argued that under the first amendment, the family could record public officials in performing their duties. The district responded that to record the meeting would intimidate and prevent members of the staff from conducting the meeting, which qualified as a public duty. The district added that as the meeting discussed confidential material, it could not be recorded. Last week, the Supreme Court decided that it would not take the case, thereby leaving the final ruling of the first circuit intact. That ruling denied Mr.Pitta from recording the IEP meeting, thereby closing the case.
Since its founding in 1971 by Dr.Matthew Israel, the Canton, Massachusetts-based Behavioral Research Institute (renamed the Judge Rotenberg Center in 1994) has served as an institution for individuals with developmental disabilities such as Autism. At the center, patients have been taught to stop what staff deems dangerous behaviors that are self-injurious to them or the staff by way of aversive therapy. This therapy consists of a patient experiencing a form of discomfort given by a therapist if the patient engages in perceived inappropriate behaviors. The goal is for the patient to recognize that continued occurrences of such behaviors will result in further exposure to the discomfort given by the therapist, leading them to stop the behavior. The aversives might include telling a student no with a firm voice or using physical restraint if the student engages in self-injurious behaviors such as scratching themselves or physical violence with a staff member.
But the Judge Rotenberg Center is the only institution in the country performing aversive therapy with a device known as the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED). The device is usually worn by a patient on their bodies and, if the patient exhibits behaviors the staff deems inappropriate, an electric shock is given to the patient via remote control. According to the most recent information from a Boston media outlet dating back to September 2023 the device is permitted for an estimated 53 patients at the center, all approved by court order.
Previous legislative and federal attempts to ban the center from continuing the treatment have been unsuccessful, with a Food and Drug Administration ban of the device in March 2020 being overturned by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals one year later, on the grounds that the ban went beyond the FDA’s authority. Two years later, Congress passed the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act in December 2022, expanding the FDA’s authority to “ban devices used in situations proven to cause substantial and risk of illness or injury.” And on May 28, the FDA closed public commenting on a rule that would officially ban the Rotenberg Center from further usage.
Recently on June 7, a new stipulation was added to the bill attempting to ban the device’s usage, that bill being the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. According to the Autistic Self-Advocacy network, one of the groups pushing for the banning of the shock device at Judge Rotenberg Section 722 would exempt any devices from being banned if authorized for usage under court order. The bill, with section 722 intact, has now passed the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee and is slated for consideration by the House Appropriations Committee on July 10.
We reached out to JRC Executive Director Glenda Crookes and members of the JRC’s board of directors. All of them requested that we reach out once more once the FDA decides whether or not to pursue the ban on the GED.
But on Friday, June 7, Executive Director Crookes released the following statement to Disabulletin:
“The Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) will continue to advocate for and, if necessary, litigate to preserve the court-approved, life-saving treatment. FDA has once again made a decision to move forward with a ban of this treatment based on politics, not facts. JRC has provided countless hours of testimony, and volumes of information and made clinicians, other staff and family members of our clients, or clients themselves, available to the FDA over the past 13 years. In 2023, The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the trial court’s findings that the treatment is safe and for some patients the only effective treatment for their life-threatening self-abuse and aggression. JRC has exceeded all reporting requirements, and the school opted many years ago to install a 24 hour per day video monitoring system – offering unprecedented oversight of the students and staff.”
Changes are coming for Indiana’s Medicaid program on July 1. To make up for financial mistakes in Medicaid spending discovered by the State’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) in January, the government department will no longer provide parents or spouses with Medicaid funds to take care of their significant other or child with a disability. These caregivers are known as the disabled beneficiary’s Legally Responsible Individual or LRI.
In a statement to Disabulletin, Department spokesperson Michele Holtcamp explained that, “FSSA diligently reviewed data, policies, and federally approved program authorities to identify the key causes of the unexpected anticipated increase in expenses. The agency sought to understand the issues so solutions can be as tailored as possible and maintain focus on the people served and supported by FSSA.”
This May, the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in concert with the ARC of Indiana, one of the state’s primary disability advocacy organizations, filed a lawsuit against the FSSA on behalf of those impacted by the change.
(Interview With Indiana Disability Rights Legal Director Tom Crichon)
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 25th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60 in the upcoming election in November. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
Photo courtesy of CATS.The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on June 18th. During the New Business section, Bloomington Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh shared a request from Strauser Construction for a sidewalk, bike lane, and alley closure on Grant Street.
The two board members present, Kyla Cox Deckard and James Roach unanimously approved the closure request.
Baugh also shared a request for a planned closure on North Walnut Street near Miller Showers Park. He said it will be maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Cox-Deckard asked when the closure would take place. Baugh responded.
The board passed and approved this motion.
Next, Engineering Field Specialist Alex Grey spoke about the city-wide fiber project, and shared a lane and sidewalk closure request.
The board approved the sidewalk closure request. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
Photo courtesy of CATS.During the June 17th meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren introduced a resolution pertaining to access to the Fourth Street Parking Garage for a public art installation. She explained that the city would install an art sculpture in the alleyway beside the parking garage.
Warren expounded on the prism-based sculpture which was done by artist Esteban Garacia Bravo. She walked through accessibility and maintenance concerns of the art installation.
Commission Member John West said he was unfamiliar with this style of art. He inquired about damage control and liability issues. City Attorney Larry Allen addressed those concerns saying it would fall under the city’s insurance policy.
Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked why the city chose this location for the sculpture and what concerns the city took into account when it comes to pedestrian traffic. Warren said they selected this site due its lack of vehicle traffic.
Commission Member Randy Cassady suggested that they work with the Public Works department to track whether the art installation would bring in more people to the alleyway. Cassady also asked if they need public works’ approval. Allen responded that the redevelopment commission would not need a greenlight from the public works department.
The Commission approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Redevelopment commission will meet again on July 1st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60 in the upcoming election. We turn now to Zyro Roze for Part Three of that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Annika Harshbarger, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Screening of Marissa Baker’s “Beautiful Roots”.On this edition of Bring It On!, host, Clarence Boone, and, guest co-host, Aniya Boone, spend the hour with Marissa Baker, a graduating senior from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and 2024 participating filmmaker in the Indiana Youth Film Festival. She discusses her film, “Beautiful Roots,” which you can watch on YouTube here. They also talk about her experiences as a participant in the Indian Youth Film Festival.
Marissa BakerOn Saturday, June 22, the Indiana Youth Film Festivalhosted a state-wide film festival for the young filmmakers of Indiana. Throughout the festival, they held filmmaker talk backs, workshops, and question and answer sessions. It was ran just like a typical film festival, there were film submissions that went through a screening process. Select filmmakers were able to showcase their films, have Q & A sessions, and potentially win awards for Best Comedy, Best Drama, or Audience Choice. In addition, the filmmakers were able to connect with other local creatives at a meet and greet, and seek advice, guidance, or potential collaboration.
Credits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone, and the guest co-host is Aniya Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Ostensibly about home and garden repairs and an ensuing bet between the narrator and her husband Jim, this excerpt from Claire Arbogast’s memoir, Leave the Dogs at Home, reveals the dynamics about the relationship and serves as a reflection of larger issues: illness, death, loss.
The memoir explores the stages of grief and how circumstances change not just the trajectory of our lives but the way we actually see ourselves and the world around us.
Extra water poured into the low-lying patio from a garden pathway, dragging mulch with it to clog the drain. I realized this was my fault. Excavation dirt from a small wall I had built around the garden by the garage had raised the path. But that water was a dribble compared to the water now gushing over the gutters like Niagara Falls. I slicked my wet hair back. How had I lived here for more than four years without noticing that we needed wider gutters? Why had Jim missed this in his worrying investigations?
About Claire Arbogast: The daughter of florists and granddaughter of a prolific gardener, Claire Arbogast was born in 1950. She grew up among the winding streets and deep front porches of historic Irvington on the eastside of Indianapolis. But her life took a wide turn as books and the times challenged her limited perspective of the world.
MUSIC
Show Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Songs from Living Room by Kade Puckett
– Walk the Talk
– Living Room
– When the Wind Blows
– Moving On
RELATED
Speaking of Stories – Episode 5
CREDITS
Narrator: Claire Arbogast
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
As Eco Report has cited many times, and Inside Climate Change now reports, new research finds most of the world’s largest marine protected areas have inadequate protections. In a setback to efforts to conserve 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, a third of the world’s largest protected areas allow destructive practices like mining and commercial fishing, while others are “paper parks” with no formal conservation measures. The study, conducted by an international group of researchers spearheaded by the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington, focused on the largest 100 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the world, which together encompass over 7 percent of the world’s ocean area.
“There are 18,000 MPAs, but a hundred of them make up 90 percent of the area,” said Beth Pike, director of the Marine Protection Atlas and the study’s lead author. “These are the big needle movers.” Pike and her colleagues found only a third of these MPAs’ total expanse to be under high or full protection—just 2.6 percent of the global ocean footprint. They found another third of these MPAs’ territories allowed for destructive activities, such as mining and industrial fishing, making them inherently incompatible with conservation.
Additionally, another quarter of the protected area they analyzed were deemed “paper parks,” meaning that while these ocean spaces had been officially proposed or designated as MPAs, they had yet to implement any subsequent conservation measures.Having fully protected marine areas is the most important and lowest cost approach to saving life in the oceans. The simple way of protecting these areas is to monitor the position of all commercial fishing boats in the same way that all aircraft are monitored. If a boat enters a protected area, the boat is seized when it goes to port. So why isn’t this done? Fishermen want to cheat, and government officials are interested in taking a bribe to allow illegal boats to fish their territorial waters.
Over the past few legislative sessions, the amount of protected wetlands has been reduced by half. The legislation was crafted by contractors in the legislature seeking cheap land. The story about the most recent effort to seize wetland comes from Mirror Indy, written by Enrique Saenz, familiar to our listeners from his days working for the Resilience Institute. A controversial plan to build a 200-acre retail development along the Indianapolis border with Greenwood is on hold after a state agency denied the developer’s permit application.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management denied Indianapolis-based Gershman Partners’ application to destroy a quarter acre of Class III wetlands, categorized as being the highest quality wetlands by state law, in order to build a $174-million development that would include several warehouses and a hotel. Mirror Indy first reported how the plan — which also would destroy dozens of acres of other wetlands — drew opposition from many Franklin Township residents due to the effect wetland destruction would have on flooding and wildlife.
The agency said it denied the permit for multiple reasons, including that the developers failed to demonstrate that there were no reasonable alternatives to destroying the wetlands and that there were plenty of already-built warehouses the company could buy instead of building new ones. Gershman Partners, which did not immediately respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment, could appeal the decision by June 12 or submit a new plan. For now, some Franklin Township residents are cautiously cheering the agency’s decision.
The development plan, proposed by Gershman and Citimark Management, included the destruction of 45 acres of wetland in all, but the quarter acre of high quality wetlands appeared to be the sticking point. Class III wetlands have unique protections in the state that are not given to any other type of wetland. As a result, developers must apply for a permit to disturb or destroy them. Gershman had proposed to purchase roughly $49,000 in mitigation credits, which would pay the state to replant the wetlands somewher in the Upper White River Service Area, a 2,700 square-mile are stretching across 16 counties.
According to the nonprofit Hoosier Environment Council, there would be “almost no chance” that the replacement would be build in the watershed where the wetlands currently are, the Pleasant Run Creek watershed.The Indiana Department of Environmental Management also said it based its decision on Greshman Partners’ submission of two sets of plans for the warehouses which differed on the number of warehouses that would be built and the effect they would have on the wetlands.
And, according to IDEM’s permit denial, the agency drew key information it sued for its decision from a public hearing held April 9, which the developers did not attend. Heldman with IDEM, said the developer’s absence from the hearing made her believe they had no intention of altering their plans and is glad the agency denied their application. “I was elated that the community’s voice was heard,” Heldman said. “I think that the number of people that showed up and expressed concern and legitimate reasoning and facts is exactly what was needed. I think that was pivotal to this decision.”
According to the New York Times, Polar bears in the southern Hudson Bay could go extinct as early as the 2030s because the sea ice that helps them hunt for food is thinning, a new study suggests. “We’ve known that the loss of Arctic sea ice would spell disaster for polar bears, so this might be the first subpopulation that disappears,” said Julienne Stroeve, the lead author of the study, which was published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
Last month, the eastern half of Hudson Bay, home to the world’s most-studied polar bears, went ice free a month earlier than usual. Polar bears are used to an ice-free season of about four months when they rely on fat reserves until ice reforms and they can hunt blubber-rich seals from the floes. But the presence of sea ice doesn’t guarantee the bears will be able to hunt; it needs to be thick enough to support them. The minimum thickness of ice to support a polar bear is about 4 inches. However, when chasing a seal, 4 inches is not enough.
The ice-free season is now about a month longer than what polar bears are habituated to. Studies show that when the ice-free period extends to six months, even the hardiest Hudson Bay bears, generally healthy adult males, will struggle to survive. Polar bears are what is known as an indicator species, meaning they predict the health and viability of the broader Arctic ecosystem. The concurrent loss of sea ice with depletion in snow cover significantly affects their preferred diet of ringed seals, which have a hard time keeping pups alive in their birthing dens if snow levels drop below 12 inches.
Given that little is being done to halt climate change, our present course will likely mean open water in Hudson Bay for most of the year. If the carbon dioxide level reaches 500 ppm, there will be almost no ice in the Arctic. It would seem that polar bears will have little chance of surviving outside of zoos.
CBS News reports that 2023 was an exceptional year for forest fires, marking a turning point in the history of forest fires in Quebec and Canada. The fires numbered well above the annual average of 480 fires over the last ten years. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the worst on record, with 6,551 fires scorching nearly 46 million acres, from the West Coast to the Atlantic provinces and the far north. The impact on the environment, particularly air quality, in both Canada and the United States was profound. As predicted, 2024 is shaping up to be another devastating wildfire season, and disaster and climate experts have a pretty good idea of why.
Most of the fires now ravaging Canada have actually been burning since last fire season, having smoldered slowly during the winter under the snowpack. Scientists say these blazes, sometimes called zombie fires, are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change. Studies have linked the overwinter fires to ongoing drought conditions amid the increasingly hot, dry springs Canada has experienced in recent years. Scientists say less precipitation and warmer winter temperatures mean fires can keep burning in the dense layers of vegetation under the snowpack.
Sonja Leverkus, an ecosystem scientist in British Columbia who also works as a firefighter, told CBS News that the northeast of the Canadian province has so many wildfires at the moment “because we are in a severe drought for a third year in a row.” She said the parched conditions were likely to make things worse before they get any better. Another factor for Canadian forests is predation by the pine beetle. The “findings”, published in the journal Global Change Biology, show the beetle’s typical 40-day brooding period accelerated to 30 days when they were exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide, the driving force behind human-caused climate change.
Rashaduz Zaman, lead author and a PhD candidate in forest biology and management at the University of Alberta, said the results show that as the climate changes, insects like the mountain pine beetle are adapting at a time trees are becoming more vulnerable to things like drought. Since the early 1990s, the mountain pine beetle has attacked about 40 million acres of forest, including half of the total volume of commercial lodgepole pine in British Columbia, according to Natural Resources Canada. Warmer winters and drier summers allowed the beetle to extend well beyond its traditional range in the boreal forests of B.C.
In this weeks feature, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
- Cave River Valley Day will take place at Cave River Valley Natural Area which is part of Spring Mill State Park, on Saturday, June 22nd, from 10 am to 4 pm. Multiple hikes will take place all day. There are no restrooms, so plan accordingly. Please wear waterproof shoes, bring water and bug spray. You must pre-register at sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
- A Nocturnal Pollinator Party at McCormick’s Creek State Park is planned for Saturday, June, 22nd, from 10 to 10:45 pm. Meet at the Nature Center Ampitheater to learn the many ways you can attract nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats to your home.
- Learn about Fireflies at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, June 23rd, from 10 to 10:45 pm. Hike to the Fire Tower to catch fireflies and learn about their communication. Meet at the Canyon Inn.
- Meet the Mustelids at Brown County State Park on Wednesday, June 26th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Learn interesting facts and information about this mischievous group of mammals. So what is a Mustelid? Come and find out. Meet at the Nature Center.
- A program on boater safety, Canoe Find It? is scheduled for Saturday, June 29th, at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve from 4 to 6 pm. After discussing boater safety, you will head to the water to practice paddling techniques. A scavenger hunt will allow you to practice as well as have fun. There is a prize! Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………….Robert Schull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Feature Report……………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
El día de hoy nos acompaña Emilia Martinez, periodista formada en México, quien es la editora de la sección internacional internacional del periódico Reforma en México. Nos comparte un poco sobre su formación académica, así como de su crecimiento profesional, y de la experiencia internacional adquirida, entrevistando a distintos actores políticos internacionales. Durante su última estancia en Bloomington visitó the Palestinian solidarity protest in IU Bloomington.
Síguela en:
IG: @emilia_xiomara
Twitter: @reformainter
Spotify: El Café de la Mañana
Featured Animal: Tally and Musa
Tally and Musa are a pair of sweethearts that met each other while in a foster home.
Tally, whose tail had been recently amputated, was recovering in a calm and quiet home when the very scared and timid Musa came to join him. The two were an instant match and have been inseparable ever since! Tally is a social boy that loves to talk with his people. He is super into food and head scratches, and he very proudly holds the title of “professional napper.”
Musa, on the other hand, prefers to let Tally get all the attention. She is a curious girl that is still a bit skittish with people, but she has been making a tremendous effort to be more social in her foster home. For Musa, this looks like her not hiding away at every chance she gets.
Tally and Musa love to cuddle and play together, and they almost always spend their time near one another. They are a wonderful and adorable duo that would love to find their forever home! Musa is part of the Bloomington Animal Shelter’s Catitude adoption program, and staff are happy to talk you through supporting a kitty like Musa.
For more information, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492 or animal[at]bloomington[dot]in[dot]gov.
Featured Topic: Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about the origins of Lil BUB’s Big Fund and their work in supporting the human-animal bond.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Tristra Newyear happened upon an historical marker in New Harmony revealing the spot as a one-time home of Frances “Fanny” Wright. Newyear discovered the Scottish-born American émigré was among the very first female newspaper editors, a teenaged author of a study of American customs and mores, an abolitionist, and a feminist who called for universal education, birth control, equal rights, sexual freedom, liberalized divorce laws, and so much more. Newyear and friend and colleague Eleanor Rust have produced an historical documentary podcast series, “Frances Wright: America’s Forgotten Radical.”
Rust (L) & NewyearHost Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
In honor of Pride Month, episode five of History Unbound dives into the rarely talked about Lavender Scare. Occurring in the 1940s and 50s, the US government fired thousands of gay federal employees for the mere fact of being gay. Similar to the Red Scare which sought to out Communist individuals, the Lavender Scare spread dangerous misinformation about LGBTQ+ Americans. The Lavender Scare not only resulted in gay employees losing their jobs, it broke up and quieted queer communities who were afraid of federal and public discrimination. It also led to the closeting of many queer folks who were terrified of losing their jobs. Even people who knew an LGBTQ person were at risk of being fired via “guilt of association.” The act of publicly outing individuals and stripping them of their humanity ultimately led a lot of queer people to take their own lives during this period. It wasn’t until 1998, that President Clinton passed a bill banning discrimination on the basis of sexuality when employing federal employees. Host, Brookelyn Lambright, ends episode five by connecting the Lavender Scare of the 1950s to the very real anti-transgender policies of conservative politicians today.
A special thanks to @daveincamas for the Veteran’s Day Parade audio.
More resources:
“These People are Frightened to Death” by the National Archives
The Lavender Scare by Queer America
“You’ve Probably Heard of the Red Scare, but the Lesser-Known, Anti-Gay ‘Lavender Scare’ Is Rarely Taught in Schools” by Suyin Haynes
“Frank Kemeney: Father of the Gay Rights Movement” by Jeffry Iovannone
“LGBT History: The Lavender Scare” by National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
“Cold War, Lavender Scare, and LGBTQ+ Activism” by National Park Service
“The Lavender Scare: How Fear and Prejudice Impacted a Nation in Crisis” by Erin Owens
By Annika Harshbarger
After leaving her final class of sophomore year Cameron Gray planned to hangout with a friend. She made the decision to pass Dunn Meadow, a decision that changed her life. In this three part series listen to Cameron Gray tell her story of being arrested in Dunn Meadow for protesting Indiana Universities investments in companies supporting the genocide in Gaza, being held for a few hours in the Indiana University field house unable to use the bathroom, and spending several hours in a hot, packed, white tiled holding cell in the Monroe County Jail.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Julianna Dailey speaks with Robyn Skuya-Boss, the Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana about the proposed Duke Energy electric rate increase. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on June 11th. Council President Trent Deckard noted that the American Rescue Plan Act Fund deadline is approaching, and said that they have a year to decide what to spend the funds on.
During staff reports, Planning Director Jacki Jelen gave an update on the proposed County Development Ordinance zoning districts.
Council President Deckard asked how residents would know if their property would see a zoning change. Jelen responded.
The next Department update came from the Sheriff’s Department. Chief Deputy Phil Parker said that they have achieved their hiring goal for the Jail Transition Team.
Council Member Kate Wiltz said she has qualms with the County Commissioners’ working so separately from the council on the new jail. She also said she was surprised to learn the council would be assigned to determine the size and bed count of a potential new jail. .
Wiltz then outlined her recommendations, saying the council needs to make sure it watches its spending of Local Income Tax funds.
Council Member Jennifer Crossley said that she agrees with Wiltz’ proposal for de-appropriation of funds. She explained that she doesn’t believe that the county council should be responsible for bed counts at the jail.
Wiltz clarified her intentions behind the de-appropriation, she said the purpose is to give the council the opportunity to look more closely at each item, rather than fund the project in a general sense.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on June 24th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club.In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Julianna Dailey speaks with Robyn Skuya-Boss, the Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana about the proposed Duke Energy electric rate increase. For more, we turn to Julianna Dailey.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Julianna Dailey.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The worst scam out there is extremely successful for criminal gangs in Asian countries, and they’ve got thousands of slaves looking for victims. It’s become a “mass transfer of wealth” from middle class Americans — and too many of those who’ve been financially butchered are killing themselves.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host and executive producer, Clarence Boone speaks with Shatoyia Moss, Interim Director of the Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD) for the City of Bloomington, and, Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center on the IU Bloomington campus. On Saturday, June 15th, the City of Bloomington hosted free food and activities at Switchyard Park to celebrate Juneteenth. On Wednesday, June 19th, The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center will host free food, music, games, a cakewalk, arts, and crafts. Shatoyia Moss and Dr. Gloria Howell join Bring It On! this evening to discuss these celebratory activities in the City of Bloomington and on the IU-Bloomington campusCulture Center on the IU Bloomington campus.
Shatoyia Moss, Interim Director of the Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD) for the City of BloomingtonDr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at IU BloomingtonCredits:
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s unanimous passage of a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for gender-affirming health care. More in today’s feature report.
Shawn Miya, is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington. She wants to strap a heat sensor to your car and have you drive around town to identify Bloomington’s hottest hot spots. Get the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.Bloomington City Council Members unanimously passed a resolution to protect people seeking gender affirming care during their meeting last Wednesday. This comes after the Indiana Statehouse passed a law last session which prohibits medical providers from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. City Council Member Courtney Daily, who co-sponsored the legislation, described what motivated the resolution.
Council Member Daily outlined the resolution for gender affirming care. The resolution cited the American Medical Association among other medical institutions that say, “gender affirming healthcare has been proven to be evidence-based, medically necessary, and lifesaving.”
Bloomington and Monroe County Human Rights Commission Chair Ryne Shadday discussed the history of the city’s efforts to advocate for the L-G-B-T-Q + community. Shadday called out Council Members Andy Ruff and Dave Rollo who previously signaled via a memo that they would sustain from the vote.
Shadday continued to explain why gender affirming care is needed when the state has banned such healthcare. Shadday urged the council to pass the resolution.
Council Member Matt Flaherty, who also co-sponsored the legislation, walked through why he supports the resolution, highlighting the value of “intersectional justice.”
During public comment, local resident London Montgomery encouraged the council to pass the legislation for gender affirming care.
County Councilor Jennifer Crossley gave public testimony speaking in support of the policy. She spoke about her role as a mom of a “queer teenager.”
Local resident Lilliana Young took to the public mic to urge the council members to support the resolution, calling it their “moral obligation.”
Council Member Dave Rollo was on the fence initially about supporting the resolution. In the memo Rollo and Ruff submitted prior to the meeting, he shared his hesitancy when it came to gender affirming care for minors. During his final comments at Wednesday’s meeting, Rollo explained the rationale behind his uncertainty to support the policy.
Both Rollo and ruff voted in support of the resolution. Council At-Large Member Matt Flaherty criticized the memo and said it has caused harm in the community.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again for its next regular session on June 18th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s unanimous passage of a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for gender-affirming health care. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
When Shawn Miya says “stay cool Bloomington,” she means it literally. Shawn is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington which puts her in charge of our local climate action plan. Right now Shawn is getting ready to do some urban heat mapping. Basically she wants to strap a heat sensor to your car and have you drive around town on a super hot day this summer. The data collected will be used to implement cooling strategies for Bloomington’s hottest hot spots. Shawn Miya is here with all the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
When Shawn Miya says “stay cool Bloomington,” she means it literally. Shawn is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington which puts her in charge of our local climate action plan. Right now Shawn is getting ready to do some urban heat mapping. Basically she wants to strap a heat sensor to your car and have you drive around Bloomington on a super hot day this summer. The data collected will be used to implement cooling strategies for Bloomington’s hottest hot spots. CLICK HERE to sign up!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
“Freeze Tag” captures a momentous day: November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and what hearing that news was like for a ten year old girl in Catholic School.
Everyone my age and older has an assassination story. “Where were you? What were you doing, thinking, wearing, when you heard that John Kennedy had been shot?” That story. I was a child, so my assassination tale begins on the playground and ends in my parents’ living room. And because I was a child, my story is tangled up with memories of girl culture, 5th grade crushes, Catholic School– all the other falls from innocence.
It was November. And in November, the game was freeze tag…
Joan Hawkins is professor of film in The Media School at Indiana University. Her book School and Suicide, which contains “Freeze Tag” and other stories, was published by Alien Buddha Press and is available through independent book sellers and Amazon.
MUSIC
Show Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Children’s Corner (1908)- Claude Debussy, performed by Gerluz
In the following order:
– Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
– The Snow Is Dancing
– The Little Shepherd
– Jimbo’s Lullaby
– Serenade for the Doll
CREDITS
Narrator: Joan Hawkins
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Recording: Kyle Quass
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana, will be talking about the Duke Energy Rate Increase Case.
The New York Times reports the Biden administration on Friday tightened vehicle fuel mileage standards, part of its strategy to transform the American auto market into one that is dominated by electric vehicles that do not emit the pollution that is heating the planet. The new mileage standards announced by the Transportation Department are among several regulations the administration is using to prod carmakers to produce more electric vehicles.
In April, the Environmental Protection Agency issued strict new limits on tailpipe pollution that are designed to ensure that the majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States are all-electric or hybrids by 2032, up from 7.6 percent last year. In addition to the regulations, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, championed by President Biden, provides tax credits for buyers of new and used electric vehicles, along with incentives for charging stations and grants and loans for manufacturers.
The push for more EVs comes as the world’s leading climate experts say that retiring the internal combustion engine is critical to staving off the most deadly effects of global warming. Thus far, the shift to EVs is going slowly, and several manufacturers are laying off employees.
Ospreys are primarily found along streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs where they forage for fish. The osprey’s main prey is fish. This bird is the only raptor to plunge into the water for prey. Usually, the osprey will hover 30 – 100 feet above the water watching for fish. When a fish is spotted, the osprey dives feet first into the water and is often momentarily under the surface of the water. Once capturing the fish, the osprey leaves the water, shakes the water from its feathers and positions the fish in its talons so that the fish’s head faces forward. This decreases wind resistance as the osprey flies.
Ospreys are reported to be able to carry up to 2.25 pounds, but most fish are in the 0.5 lb. range and are 5-15″ in length. They occasionally eat rodents, birds, small vertebrates and crustaceans. To feed their young, adult ospreys tear off small pieces of fish when the chicks are very young and adjust size as they get older. A brood of three chicks requires nearly two pounds of fish daily. From 1930 to 1975, osprey nesting was only noted in four counties in Indiana: Morgan, Parke, Porter and Posey. The use of DDT had virtually wiped out osprey elsewhere in the state. At the beginning of the 21st century, osprey populations in the Midwest had been growing slowly, but nests were widely scattered.
Reintroductions enhanced local and regional populations. From 2003 to 2006, DFW wildlife biologists obtained 96 young ospreys from nests in coastal areas of Virginia and raised and released them at four locations in Indiana: Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area, and Patoka Lake. Each site received eight birds in June of three consecutive years. Birds were held for one to five weeks and released from mid-June to mid-July. Locally obtained fish (primarily gizzard shad, carp, white sucker and yellow perch) were provided at release sites as late as early September. As a result of this effort and the installation of nesting platforms in a partnership between the Indiana DNR and private groups and individuals, Indiana’s osprey population has shown steady growth.
Several nest sites were erected a few years ago at Lake Monroe and the osprey are doing well. No nesting sites have been built at Lake Lemon. Osprey visit the lake every spring, but move on to waters with nesting sites. In 2018, after more than 3 years of at least 50 nest territories, the Osprey was down-listed from state endangered to special concern. In 2020, over 100 Osprey nests were found in Indiana.
The New York Times reports that when President Biden signed the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, it was expected to set off a boom in renewable energy, with hefty tax breaks that would make solar and wind power cheaper than fossil fuels. So far, however, that dream has only come partly true. Solar panel installations are indeed soaring to record highs in the United States, as are batteries that can store energy for later. But wind power has struggled, both on land and in the ocean.
The country is now adding less wind capacity each year than before the law was passed. Some factors behind the wind industry’s recent slowdown may be temporary, such as snarled supply chains. But wind power is also more vulnerable than solar power to many of the biggest logistical hurdles that hinder energy projects today: a lack of transmission lines, a lengthy permitting process and a growing backlash against new projects in many communities.
If wind power continues to stagnate, that could make the fight against global warming much harder, experts say. Many plans for quickly shifting the country away from fossil fuels envision a large expansion of both solar and wind, because the two sources generate electricity at different hours and can complement each other. A boom in solar power alone, which runs only in daytime, isn’t enough.
In a disconcerting update from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency revealed that bleaching has affected nearly two-thirds of the world’s coral reefs due to significant heat stress in just the past year. As of now, an alarming 60.5% of coral reefs globally have been impacted by this phenomenon, and unfortunately, this percentage is on the rise. This mass bleaching is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend exacerbated by climate change and a recent El Niño event, which have collectively driven ocean temperatures to unprecedented highs.
We are seeing ocean temperatures that are very extreme in nature, expressed Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. Coral bleaching occurs when corals, under stress, expel the symbiotic algae residing in their tissues — algae that provide essential nutrients through photosynthesis. This expulsion turns the corals pale and greatly heightens their vulnerability to starvation and disease.
Furthermore, the gravity of the current situation is underscored by historical comparisons. The last major global bleaching event, spanning from 2014 to 2017, affected 56.1% of the world’s reefs, while earlier events in 1998 and 2010 impacted 20% and 35% of reefs, respectively. Although the current event has impacted a broader area, Derek Manzello notes that the 2014-2017 episode remains the most severe on record, owing to its duration and intensity. However, the ongoing 2023-2024 event may soon exceed it in severity.
The Caribbean reefs have been particularly hard-hit, with a staggering 99.7% of the Atlantic basin’s reefs experiencing bleaching-level heat stress in the past year. The Atlantic Ocean has been off the charts, Manzello highlighted. A recent study indicated severe coral mortality, ranging between 50% and 93%, in areas like Huatulco, Oaxaca, along the Mexican Pacific. The situation appears grim as we approach the summer, with heat stress already accumulating in the Southern Caribbean.
Alarmingly, the thresholds for bleaching have been crossed much earlier in the year than ever before. This is alarming because this has never happened so early in the year before, Manzello warns. It may be futile to attempt to save existing coral reefs. Perhaps the better approach is to develop new corals that thrive in high temperature waters. Coral reefs thrived long ago, when temperatures were far higher. The fossil corals on Lake Champlain are the oldest known, dating back to 480 million years ago.
In this weeks feature, Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana, will be talking about the Duke Energy Rate Increase Case.
- Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will be having a Name that Adaptation/Wetland in a Bag on Saturday, June 15th, from 11 am to Noon. A representative from the International Crane Foundation will be leading programs on Saturdays this summer. Learn all about Cranes and how they have adapted to survive. Register at GoosepondFWA@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-512-9159.
- Make a Bumble Bee Bath at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, June 16th, from 10 to 11 am in the Nature Center. Because it is hard for bees to find water when they are pollinating, they drink dew droplets off flower petals. Your bumble bee water dish will help support our pollinators.
- Visit the lobby at the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park on Tuesday, June 18th, from 3 to 4 pm to learn and meet some of Indiana’s resident snakes. Learn their behaviors and habits and pet one, if you want to.
- Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the one and only True Flying Mammals, known as bats, at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, June 20th, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. Learn about our native bats and their ecological importance. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter.
- Don’t forget to attend the Duke Energy Rate Increase meeting on Thursday, June 20th, at 6 pm in the Olcott Young Room of the Monroe Convention Center. Make your voice heard.
Credits:
On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Robert Schull
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………….Zyro Roze
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
El día de hoy nos acompaña este talentosísimo músico, compositor y productor rockero de Puebla, México, para compartirnos un poco de su música. Los invitamos a escuchar algunas de sus canciones a lo largo de este episodio, como lo son “Por favor perdóname” y “Ojos color café”. Asimismo, nos platica de sus proyectos y del material y giras que tiene en marcha. Su música se encuentra disponible en todas las plataformas digitales. También puedes encontrarlo en sus redes sociales:
Canal Jei Pir VEVO:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0pwlEm5e98_PkK4innClQ
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/16WqaPC0klJL3cTzQhBK5p
iTunes:
https://itun.es/mx/bBPZfb
GooglePlay:
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Jei_Pir_Pyrock_2_4?id=B7r3s6eqcs47u63efzimordrxee
Deezer:
http://www.deezer.com/album/14443850
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsZVhO3krgMX5NRxWQv2_VxW5D6xNa-Qt
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Pyrock-2-4-Jei-Pir/dp/B01M5INVBJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497452878&sr=8-1&keywords=pyrock+2.4+jei+pir
Redes sociales:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jeipiroficial
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jeipiroficial
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jeipiroficial/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/jeipiroficial
Documentary filmmaker Mitch Teplitsky discovered Spencer in Owen County one day as he and his wife took a Sunday drive. He was drawn to its picturesque square and its civic-minding people. Then he learned about Spencer Pride and the town’s reputation as a rural center for LGBTQI people and their allies. He’s approaching the finish line for his documentary on the people and the town.
ScreenshotHost Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Let’s take a look back at scams in general — “confidence games” is the classic term — and examine one of the oldest and most famous: the “Spanish Prisoner” game. This swindle has a romantic history, but it’s still around today and there’s nothing romantic about getting ripped off.
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
In 2021, Hoosier lawmakers passed Senate Enrolled Act 389 – despite strong opposition from environmental advocates. The policy amended the State Regulated Wetland Law which gutted protections for the state’s wetlands.
A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision loosened the federal regulations of wetlands, which then in turn allowed the states to decide how to enforce wetland protections. Some states took the opportunity to increase their wetland protections. Indiana, however, loosened them further and it is what enabled the State of Indiana to pass House Enrolled Act 1383 this February.
To learn more about Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands, WFHB News spoke with Indiana Senator Shelli Yoder – a representative for District 40, which encompasses a majority of Monroe County. Yoder gave us an overview of the legislation she has seen during her time as Senator that has involved wetlands and how they are enforced.
Indiana state Sen. Shelli Yoder | Limestone PostYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. That concludes our series on Indiana’s wetlands. Tune in next week to learn more about Indiana Wetlands. To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.A great blue heron at Stillwater Marsh–Northfork Waterfowl Resting Area at Monroe Lake | Photo by Anne KibblerThe 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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 reports:
- Feature report with Limestone Post reporters Christina Avery and Haley Miller, April 3, 2024
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:
- Deep Dive: Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 12th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its fourth and final installment of its series on the deregulation of Indiana wetlands on the latest episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Spanish Prisoner Game” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive.
Feature Report:
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
In 2021, Hoosier lawmakers passed Senate Enrolled Act 389 – despite strong opposition from environmental advocates. The policy amended the State Regulated Wetland Law which gutted protections for the state’s wetlands.
A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision loosened the federal regulations of wetlands, which then in turn allowed the states to decide how to enforce wetland protections. Some states took the opportunity to increase their wetland protections. Indiana, however, loosened them further and it is what enabled the State of Indiana to pass House Enrolled Act 1383 this February.
State Senator Shelli YoderTo learn more about Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands, WFHB News spoke with Indiana Senator Shelli Yoder – a representative for District 40, which encompasses a majority of Monroe County. Yoder gave us an overview of the legislation she has seen during her time as Senator that has involved wetlands and how they are enforced.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. That concludes our series on Indiana’s wetlands. To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit Limestone Post.
Up next, “Spanish Prisoner Game on Better Beware” – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 11th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues the third and final installment of her series of reports on the arrests made at the Dunn Meadow protests earlier this year. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
On June 4th, the Bloomington Board of Public Works heard a resolution for a property at 105 East Driscoll Street. Neighborhood Compliance Officer for the City’s HAND Department Mike Arnold walked through the contract to uphold an order to seal.
Board Secretary James Roach asked Arnold why the property owner wouldn’t do the sealing themselves. Arnold responded.
The board approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. Then, the board heard an encroachment agreement for the Posh Hotel at 200 East Kirkwood Avenue. Public Improvements Manager for the City’s Engineering Department Maria McCormick introduced the resolution.
Vice President of the Board Elizabeth Karon asked about all the other approvals needed for the hotel. McCormick said they have been approved by the planning department.
The board approved the encroachment agreement by a 3-0 vote. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will happen on June 18th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues the third and final installment of her series of reports on the arrests made at the Dunn Meadow protests earlier this year. For more, we turn to Harshbarger.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The first segment of this show originally aired on July 25, 2022.
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Bryant Scott, the CEO of Tyscot Records, and John P. Kellogg, who is a Berklee Online music business instructor and the former assistant chair of the Music Business/Management Department at Berklee. Bryant and John are here to educate us on the ins and outs of the Gospel music industry.
John P. Kellogg is also a practicing entertainment lawyer who specializes in the music industry. He has represented clients such as LSG, the O’Jays, G. Dep, and the late Gerald Levert. Bryant Scott heads Tyscot Records, and Tyscot Films, the oldest African-American-owned international gospel record company in the world, Bryant has created opportunities, influenced lives, and launched careers. He is credited for signing and developing major artists including John P. Kee, The GMWA Women Of Worship, Dr. Bobby Jones, Deitrick Haddon, The Rance Allen Group, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Carman, Bishop Noel Jones, Darwin Hobbs, Shirley Murdock, Ann Nesby, and most recently Anthony Brown and Casey J.
In the second segment of Bring It On!, Liz Micthell presents another exciting episode of Dark Past, Bright Future about African Americans in Indiana.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 10th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s latest initiative to make changes to city code when it comes to public comment. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Ryan Jochim from Hoosier Hills Food Bank, distributing five million pounds of food to local pantries every year. Find out how you can help meet this critical need in our community later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on June 5th, the commissioners read two proclamations, one proclaiming June 2024 as Pride Month in Monroe County, and the other proclaiming June 7th, 2024 as Gun Violence Awareness Day.
During department updates, Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland informed the commissioners that the Election Board meeting was canceled and shared updates from County Clerk Nicole Brown and the Election Board.
Later in the meeting the commissioners considered a resolution that would establish an Opioid Settlement Application Review Board.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill explained the reasoning behind the creation of the board.
Commissioner Penny Githens thanked the working group that initiated the application process.
County Attorney Molly Turner-King spoke on behalf of council members who wanted to decrease the number of board positions to ensure that members of the board are not in a position that would be applying for the funds.
Thomas noted that once the board is created that they can change the number of appointees.
Githens commented that it is important to have appointees with experience be a part of the review process.
County Council Member Pete Iverson spoke during public comment on the resolution, and informed the public about submission deadlines for the application.
Cockerill informed the commissioners about who is able to apply.
The commissioners voted to table the resolutions until their meeting on June 26th, 2024.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s latest initiative to make changes to city code when it comes to public comment. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Food pantries are critical resources for families struggling to afford groceries, but where do food pantries get their food? The Hoosier Hills Food Bank keeps the shelves stocked at many south central Indiana pantries, distributing five million pounds of food every year. And it’s not just canned and boxed food either – the food bank sources fresh meat and dairy, and even grows thousands of pounds of produce themselves. Volunteer coordinator Ryan Jochim needs your help meeting this critical need in our community. Find out how on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By: Annika Harshbarger
After leaving her final class of sophomore year Cameron Gray planned to hangout with a friend. She made the decision to pass Dunn Meadow, a decision that changed her life. In this three part series listen to Cameron Gray tell her story of being arrested in Dunn Meadow for protesting Indiana Universities investments in companies supporting the genocide in Gaza, being held for a few hours in the Indiana University field house unable to use the bathroom, and spending several hours in a hot, packed, white tiled holding cell in the Monroe County Jail.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO FEATURE
Annika Harshbarger: This is part two of Banned from IU. A three part series focusing on Cameron Gray and her story of being arrested on Dunn Meadow for quote “using her voice” end quote. To listen to part one go to wfhb.org and search banned from IU: part 1. When we left Cameron last Tuesday she was on an IU bus with her hands zip tied behind her back. She had stumbled upon the protest by chance and was one of the first to be arrested and sat on a hill only able to watch as more students were arrested. She was led up the hill, and then up the stairs by the IMU bus stop and on to an IU bus that was anything but quiet.
Harshbarger: Cameron walks on to the bus and sees most of the protesters have sat in the back. She walks to join them and says.
Cameron Gray: “Well, hey guys, you know, and we just kind of rest and the solidarity and the knowledge that this isn’t good. This is actually quite scary, but we are here together.”
“We had a mission. And that was just sent a message that you can arrest us and that will not stop us that’s not going to stop our voices. “
Harshbarger: While they are stomping and chanting loud enough for people outside of the bus to hear them Cameron looked out the window.
Gray: “Guys it’s my sister… So someone had you know, gotten in contact with her and said, Hey, your sister’s arrested”
Harshbarger: The bus of arrested students and professors were scared but not discouraged.
Gray: “Here we are, you know, zip tied, dragged around, beat up, you know, on this IU bus with police. And, you know, we’re just as loud as we were on the field.”
Harshbarger: During this bus ride Cameron didn’t know where she was being taken. She assumed the county jail. She assumed wrong. Throughout the bus ride people are asking the police questions.
Gray: “we’re saying where are you going to take us? You know, we’re, we’re, we’re met with silence. So we finally pull up, you know, I see like a gravel parking lot. And like some stone looking architecture, and I’m like, where did you bring us? Where did you bring us?”
“We’re led through the door and I see that it’s the indoor track and field. Field House, you know, IU’s very own. And there’s a couple rows of small wooden chairs lined up. They say, take a seat. And that was shocking because that was like what what purposes have you for not taking us to jail? You know, what, what is the serve? What channels are you going through that that’s deemed that? Yes, you’re going to take the students on an IU bus to an IU Field House and hold them with with no answers for two hours”
Harshbarger: The field house was hot, and people were not doing well. One of the people that had been arrested had low blood sugar. They were pale and had to sit on the floor.
Gray: “The police would not do anything. So I had to behind my back, still cuffed on the student, he had to kneel on the ground. And behind my back, I had to try to feed them water. And then another student had, you know, granola bar and a granola bar that like, survived in their pocket. And they had to feed them that the same way.”
“There was another student that eventually they had to call like emergency services for it was just, it felt so wrong. And the whole time we were just, you know, questioning, almost like the legality of it. You know, does anyone know we’re here? How long are they going to keep us here? Nor are we going to jail? Are you Where are you taking us?”
“that was scary, because, you know, essentially, now we’re just students that have been zip tied, dragged off campus, no charges, no rights, some of us haven’t been told we’re under arrest. And we’re just sitting in this field house. They won’t let us go pee. You know, they won’t give us food or water. I screamed for two hours. That I had to be, I guess, maybe a little vulgar. I asked him if I could just pee my pants. They wouldn’t let me.
Harshbarger: After the police changed positions one came up to Cameron and asked if she had any questions.
Gray: “I said, Yeah. I have to go to the bathroom. They won’t let me I know for a fact there’s a bathroom in this place. I made him very, very uncomfortable because I brought up the fact that I was on my period that I felt I have a tampon and I’m gonna get toxic shock. You know, there’s blood running down my leg…, I’m gonna pee everywhere. And I think it’s really wrong that you won’t let me go pee, said I know you don’t care. But um, you know, it’s pretty gross. And he looked quite disturbed by the mention of blood and a natural, you know, bodily process in and finally at the end of almost two hours I was allowed to go to the bathroom.”
Harshbarger: After Cameron used the bathroom her hands were re-cuffed, but this time they were in front of her.
Gray: “I saw my sister outside the door. She had been waiting there the whole time, you know? And I was actually able to sign her a little bit, you know, I said, Hey, my phone’s dead. And, you know, what are they doing? And she said, yeah, there’s a shuttle on its way to take you guys. So we were able to trade information which provided greatly because we weren’t getting that anywhere else.”
Harshbarger: Cameron had had enough of the I don’t know’s, inconsistent answers and silence from the police.
Gray: “I said, you, you cuff us and you bring us here and you don’t know why. How blindly Can you follow orders?”
“there was such a lack of any sort of respect, and not that I think we were in a position where we would be getting respect from from, you know, the people who arrested us, but you’d expect a level of human decency that was just absent, it was just void. Maybe not even void, but it was replaced with some level of malice, you know, you know, they seem mad at us. And, you know, this is your punishment, almost, you know, not not going to jail not being put under arrest. But staying here without answers, not drinking water, not getting food, not getting answers not having the decency to use a restroom. It felt like an intentional kind of job on top of everything else. Because, you know, as we saw, in the end, they did have the power to give us water and to let us use the bathroom and to loosen the cuffs so that, you know, they finally did replace the cuffs of the student whose fingers were turning purple after hours of them pleading, and the rest of the students advocating for them. And they had cuts in their wrist, from how hard they were digging in. So it was, yeah, it was and it’s there was this battle kind of that’s been waged internally and me because I am both, you know, I’m dealing with the, the injustice of what I feel like I faced. But then there’s, you know, there’s a part of you, that’s what I’m fighting for, is the people who are, are dehumanized to the fullest extent, who are having bombs just dropped and who are being starved and murdered and put in mass graves. And, you know, so there’s, there’s a level of, of not letting yourself revel in your own pity, because it was worth it, you know, any anything I have to go through, you know, peeing my pants and being dehydrated, and having a sore elbow is? Is nothing.”
Harshbarger: An IU bus pulled up outside of the field house. Police picked the rowdiest students and loaded them onto the bus to be taken to the Monroe County Jail first. Cameron sat in the field house for almost another hour until an IU bus again pulled up outside of the field house. Cameron was lead on to the bus and sat down.
Gray: “It was beautiful because you know, they have posters all over the walls and the buses. And on one of the one of the little posters up on the bus said, the leaders of tomorrow, use your voice it said use your voice.”
Harshbarger: Protestors found the irony to be too much and had to laugh a little at how untrue the poster felt to them. Everybody on the bus sat in contemplating silence.
Gray: “The anger was still there. But, you know, it was sort of under the surface now, you know, now we’re just all thinking to ourselves, like, it’s starting to set in as much as it can, you know, the adrenaline has, has sort of waned. So that was it. It was a quiet one, Justin, you know, shock and trying to begin to process what’s going on, you know, we’ve we’ve been through so much already, and we’re not even to the jail.”
Harshbarger: We leave Cameron on yet another IU bus, tune in next week to hear part 3, the end, of Cameron’s story.
For WFHB this has been Annika Harshbarger
Food pantries are critical resources for families struggling to afford groceries, but where do food pantries get their food? The Hoosier Hills Food Bank keeps the shelves stocked at many south central Indiana pantries, distribution five million pounds of food every year. And it’s not just canned and boxed food either – the food bank sources fresh meat and dairy and even grows thousands of pounds of produce themselves. Volunteer Coordinator Ryan Jochim needs your help meeting this critical need in our community.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
WFHB welcomes Damion to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, June 8, from 11am to noon. Join us in the irresistible Damion groove, where contemporary indie rock gracefully merges with the smooth vibe of ‘70s-esque, folk-rock/jazz fusion reminiscent of the Youngbloods. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. Damion – live on Saturday’s Child, June 8, at 11am, on WFHB.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we welcome back and again interview Dr. Ed Weisbart from St Louis, the national Board Secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, and a leading researcher and expert on the problems of Medicare Advantage health plans for Seniors, as opposed to traditional Medicare.
Watch the webinar here: “TAKING ADVANTAGE – How Corporate Health Insurers Harm Seniors on Medicare.”
Read the report here.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Karol LagodzkiThis episode is the continuation of an excerpt from the novel Controlled Conversations by Karol Lagodzki Last week in episode 7 we were introduced to Emelia and briefly to Antek, In this excerpt we learn more about Antek, whose pursuits are “machines and love.”
“Antek had always thought that only machines—made for a purpose, perfected throughas many iterations as needed—could achieve what some might call perfection. Organic life was messy.”
And it gets messier quickly for Antek.
Karol has many published short stories, but Controlled Conversations is his first
published novel. It will be available in August by Milford House Press.
Episode 7 – Part I, Controlled Conversations
Karol Lagodzki’s Website
MUSIC
Show Theme: “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Interstitial: “La Fontaine d’Arethuse” from “Mythes”, Op.30 No.1, Karol Szymanowski (1882 – 1937)
CREDITS
Narrator: Malgorzata Cavar
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
In this week’s Eco Report feature, part two of ‘Local Food Sovereignty Amidst Global Challenges’ from Eco Report EXTRA – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.
While the Indiana Legislature and the power companies are doing all they can to kill solar, other regions of the country are seeing benefits to solar. One of those unexpected places is the New England states because they don’t have much sun in the winter. But the expansion of rooftop solar in New England is keeping the lights on during winter, surprising the region’s grid operator and challenging long-standing assumptions that the growth of renewable energy could destabilize the power system.
Officials at ISO New England, which oversees the six-state power market, concluded after months of research that the region’s power grid has been strengthened by cold-weather sunlight, an unanticipated finding that adds fuel to a growing debate over the impact that renewable energy has on the nation’s labyrinth of power plants and transmission lines. The findings stand to alter regulators’ view of rooftop solar, which many had seen as a small and unpredictable source of energy.
The influx of solar has paved the way for the retirement of one of New England’s dirtiest power plants. Mystic Generating Station, the third-largest power plant in the region, is slated to close next summer. New England electric customers have been paying a subsidy in recent years to keep the 1,413 megawatt gas plant from shutting down. The subsidy was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2018 at the request of ISO New England, which at the time said the plant was needed to shore up the region’s electric grid. But when the grid operator testified at a FERC meeting in Maine last week, it said Mystic isn’t needed to prevent blackouts across the region. Rooftop solar is one reason why.
New England relies on natural gas for about half of its power generation. That can be a problem in winter, when much of the region’s limited pipeline capacity is dedicated to natural gas for heating homes and other buildings. That led New England to turn to oil as a backup source of power generation. Many gas plants in the region have installed large oil tanks that can be tapped when gas prices spike, but oil’s highcarbon content contributes to climate change. Rooftop solar conserves the region’s oil supplies. ISO New England estimates that every 700 MW of solar capacity reduces oil consumption by 7 to 10 million gallons or gas demand by 1 to 1.5 billion cubic feet. The grid operator said it had around 5,400 MW of solar online at the end of last year. The vast majority of that is on rooftops.
Reuters reports that giant blue-grey sei whales that vanished from Argentina’s Patagonian coast a century ago due to hunting are starting to flourish once again, demonstrating how species can recover when measures to protect them are put in place. In the 1920s and 1930s regular whaling ships along the shores of Argentina, and beyond, saw populations dwindle. In the last 50 years, global bans on commercial whaling have helped populations of sei and others revive.
“They disappeared because they were hunted, they did not become extinct but were so reduced that no one saw them,” said Mariano Coscarella, biologist and researcher in marine ecosystems at the Argentine state science body. Coscarella added that it had taken decades for numbers to recover enough that the whales had again been sighted, which only started to happen again in recent years. “In this case it took over 80 years,” Coscarella said. “They breed every 2 or 3 years and so it took almost 100 years for them to have appreciable numbers for people to realize they were there.”
The team last month worked to fit some sei whales with satellite trackers to map their migration patterns, with funding from the National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project. They recorded footage of them from boats, drones and below water. “We can consider this a success of conservation on a global scale,” Coscarella said, adding that the global moratorium on whaling was critical to numbers improving. He warned that countries pulling out of this agreement would jeopardize the recovery.
The success with sei whales is consistent with the viability of the right whale population in the Southern Hemisphere. The right whale population is about 3,500 animals. The right whale population in the Northern Hemisphere is only about 350 animals. The northern right whale may be extinct by 2100.
The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection says that mangroves are one of Florida’s true natives. They thrive in salty environments because they can obtain freshwater from saltwater. Some secrete excess salt through their leaves, while others block absorption of salt at their roots. Mangroves are important in limiting coastal erosion during hurricanes. Florida’s estimated 600,000 acres of mangrove forests contribute to the overall health of the state’s southern coastal zone and beyond. This ecosystem traps and cycles various organic materials, chemical elements and important nutrients.
Mangrove roots act not only as physical traps but provide attachment surfaces for various marine organisms. Many of these attached organisms filter water through their bodies and, in turn, trap and cycle nutrients. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized.Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans and shellfish. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster and shrimp. Florida’s important recreational and commercial fisheries would drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests.
Many animals find shelter either in the roots or branches of mangroves. Mangrove branches are rookeries, or nesting areas, for beautiful coastal birds such as brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills.It is true that mangroves can be naturally damaged and destroyed, but there is no doubt that human impact has been most severe. Scientists in multiple agencies, including the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, Smithsonian Institute, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and many more are studying changes in Florida’s coastal habitats. The scientists evaluate habitat changes by analyzing aerial photographs from the 1940s and 1950s and satellite imagery and aerial photography from the 1980s.
Frequently the changes illustrate loss of mangrove acreage. Through researching the history of study sites, these losses are often attributed to human activities. However, mangroves are also gaining ground along their northern Florida habitat limits. As winter cold snaps decrease, mangroves are able to expand further north into new territory. Continued evaluation of aerial images between 1984 and 2011 has shown that the Florida Atlantic Coast gained more than 3,000 acres of mangroves. All the increase occurred north of Palm Beach County and the acreage between Cape Canaveral and St. Augustine doubled. Much of these gains come at the expense of salt marsh communities. Research is ongoing to determine the impacts, both positive and negative, of this transition.
There’s an update on the Florida Panthers from the Center for Biological Diversity. As few as 200 Florida panthers are left in the wild. On average nearly 30 are killed every year, mostly by vehicle strikes. And the threat will be even more dire if runaway development projects in Lee and Collier counties, the heart of panther habitat, go forward. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says nearly double the number of panthers could be killed if these cats keep losing ground on the shrinking patch of habitat that still remains.
That would doom them to extinction. Decades of urban sprawl have left Florida panthers eking out a living in less than 5% of their historic range. Today they’re the only large felines living in the Southeast. By keeping roads and cars from slashing through their habitat — and securing the last few areas where they can still hunt and find mates — we can pull these great cats back from the brink.
Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere 10 times faster than it has in the last 50,000 years, according to a new study led by researchers from University of St. Andrews and Oregon State University. The findings shed light on periods of abrupt climate change in the planet’s history while offering new understanding of the impacts of today’s climate crisis. “Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented,” said Kathleen Wendt, lead author of the study and an Oregon State University assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, in a press release from University of St. Andrews. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher.
FEATURE REPORTIn this weeks feature, part two of an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.
- Enjoy an Intro to Wild Edibles on Saturday, June 8th, from Noon to 2 pm at the RCA Community Park. You will explore the forest and meadows for wild, edible treasures. Bring a foraging bag. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Animals like to hide in interesting places. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn for a What’s Under That Rock hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, June 8th, from 2 to 3 pm. Hike down to the waterfall to see these hidden worlds. Meet at the Canyon Inn Lawn.
- Worried about invasive plants? Then plan to participate in an If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Eat ‘em! presentation at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 9th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. You will learn about invasive species, how to identify them and how to cook and eat them. Many are edible. Take home a free recipe card to remember what you learned.
- Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting Wild Wednesdays in June, July and August. Enjoy short nature hikes outside the Goose Pond Visitors Center. Meet at 10 am and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters, and more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray. Come out this Wednesday, June 12th.
- Take a Tree ID Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, June 14th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Walk on the Discovery Trail to learn some traits of common Indiana trees and practice identifying them.
Credits:
On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………….Zyro Roze
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Carmen Medina, profesora en la Escuela de Educación de IU, y Maria Clor, estudiante en CLACS, nos hablan sobre la riqueza disponible en la literatura infantil en español, escrita por y sobre latinos, y su importancia en el apoyo de la lectura para lectores jóvenes bilingues. También nos comparten sobre el proyecto Semillero de Literacidades Insumisas. Se trata de una exhibición de libros ilustrados para niños y niñas que estarán llevando a diferentes espacios para compartir los libros, ideas de como trabajarlos. Las pueden contactar si conocen de lugares donde la comunidad Latina se pueda beneficiar. No tiene que ser un espacio educativo. Al contrario se puede leer en todos los lugares.
Facebook: semillero de literalidades insumisasRecursos para encontrar libros: Socialjusticebooks.org y Aatsp.orgDiversebookfinder.orgCarmen Medina: cmedina@indiana.eduMaria Clor Mvclor@iu.edu
The second half of our conversation with Peter Lopilato, founder of The Ryder magazine and the Ryder Film Series. Peter died in March this year and will be long remembered for his contributions to the Bloomington arts and culture scene. Peter joined us in 2016 in the WFHB studios for an interview that became part of a short feature for the Daily Local News. We spoke for an hour and so now are able to present that entire conversation in this two-part Big Talk.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 6th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council made changes to its policy on public comment – limiting the amount of time residents can speak at the public mic from 5-minutes to 3-minutes. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Ellettsville Town Council continued its discussion on forming a redevelopment commission.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, May 28th. During department updates, County Assessor Judy Sharp spoke to the council about her concerns with the proposed changes to the county clinic’s healthcare provider.
Sharp then went on to discuss how the facility takes care of the employees year-round, and that it’s incredibly important to the whole county to continue using the same healthcare. She shared information about a petition being signed to halt the change.
County Treasurer Cathy Smith also spoke about the trouble she sees with this change.
Monroe County District 3 Council Member Marty Hawk spoke about her thoughts on the petition.
Monroe County Attorney Molly Turner-King said that this issue is on the Commissioners’s agenda to address any concerns.
Later in the meeting, Monroe County Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge requested approval for the de‐Appropriation of Account Lines Sample Road Phase 2, Hunters Creek Rd Phase 2 and 3, Bicentennial Pathway, and Liberty Drive to Karst Trail. This request was unanimously approved by all County Council Board Members.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 28th.They continued their discussion surrounding the formation of a Redevelopment Commission and a TIF district.
Town Manager Mike Farmer introduced the discussion.
Town Attorney Darla Brown shared her answers to questions the council had asked during their discussion last week.
Council Member William Ellis shared concerns about the commission making frivolous purchases that the council would have to spend money to maintain after the 20 year TIF district expired.
Farmer said that might be true in a worst case scenario, however, he reminded Ellis that the TIF is meant to improve the town’s infrastructure and contribute to the town’s economic development. Farmer also suggested that the town council have members on the commission so they would have control over what is being done.
Ellis reiterated that he has seen other county’s left with projects that they could not sustain.
Council Member Scott Oldham asked Attorney Darla Brown if there was a way to ensure the committee had to get their approval for purchases. Brown responded that she was not sure, but thought it was a likely possibility.
Council Member Scott Oldham said he was in support of the Redevelopment Commission since the town council positions change every four years, and said that the commission could add continuity and ensure long term projects like Envision Ellettsville initiatives are followed through.
Brown suggested one way the council will have oversight on what the commission does, is to set up the expectations of the Redevelopment Commission. She shared that after the commission is established, they will draft up their plans for the commission, and the town council and Plan Commission will be involved in the process.
Farmer reminded the council that the reason they considered starting a Redevelopment Commission and a T-I-F district was to meet the city’s basic needs. Ellis remarked that the money could be spent on unnecessary purchases, but Farmer again said that the town has infrastructure needs that are not being met.
Oldham said he thinks a redevelopment commission is needed, but he agrees with Ellis that they need to put parameters on it.
Brown said she would contact Baker Tilly with their questions about setting parameters for the commission.
Oldham suggested that since the decision would impact the Town of Ellettsville for many years to come, they take some more time to make sure they get it right.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on June 10th.
Bloomington City Council
During the June 5th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council made changes to city code when it comes to public comment. Council members heard an ordinance that would limit public comment to 3-minutes rather than the 5-minute time limit they currently adhere to. City Clerk Nicole Bolden read Ordinance 2024-13 by title and synopsis.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith went on to say that people have the opportunity for public comment for items in the agenda at a 3-minute time limit. She said that she believes the ordinance would provide consistency for items not on the agenda.
Furthermore, Piedmont-Smith touched on changes the ordinance would make to the rules of conduct surrounding public comment.
Council Member Dave Rollo said he’s generally supportive of the proposal; however, he asked City Attorney Stephen Lucas about whether the council could suspend the rules in special circumstances if the ordinance passes. Lucas responded that the council could make exceptions by a majority vote.
Then, the city council heard an amendment to the ordinance. Council Parliamentarian Hopi Stosberg walked through the purpose of the amendment.
Council Attorney Stephen Lucas recapped his overall thoughts on the amendment saying he supports it.
The council voted 9-0 on the amendment. Next, local resident and former city council member Jeff Richardson gave public comment on the ordinance as amended, suggesting the council could have separate meetings for more in-depth discussions.
The council voted unanimously in support of the ordinance as amended. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on June 12th for its next regular session.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Madison Stratton, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 5th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its series of Indiana’s wetlands on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Scammers Take A Toll” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive:
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
Up next, “Scammers Take A Toll” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Madison Stratton and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Two recent very sneaky scams are taking a toll — both literally and figuratively. The “who died” scam and the fake-toll-charge scam both want you to click a link in an email or a text — but don’t do it!
Featured Animal: Maze
Maze is a sweet little kitten who is front and center in the cat kennels of the Bloomington Animal Shelter, with black fur and a little white patch on her chest.
Maze will proudly show off her big meow when she hears visitors coming to make sure everyone pays attention to her! She is SUPER playful too! She seems to be good with humans of all ages and has lived with other cats, but would need to live with other FeLV positive cats since Maze has tested positive for FeLV, or feline leukemia virus. Shelter staff would be happy to go over what this means with interested adopters!
For more information, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492 or animal[at]bloomington[dot]in[dot]gov.
Featured Topic: Litter Boxes
Litter boxes are a fundamental item for pet cats, but problems can arise in practice. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about tips for setting up a cat with litter box success.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU – the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On May 30th, members of city and county government met for a joint session to discuss the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center. Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson began the meeting saying she wanted to create an open and transparent space for county and city officials to work together and remove tensions within the project.
County Councilor Cheryl Munson walked through the history of the Convention Center and cautioned against an overly ambitious vision for the Convention Center.
Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones said she took issue with a letter written by the city council addressed to the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board. The letter made a handful of recommendations to the C-I-B. Jones called the letter “high handed” and criticized the city council’s conduct in sending the letter.
County Council Member Geoff McKim offered his perspective on the Convention Center expansion project.
City Council Member Isak Asare said elected officials should have a more measured approach surrounding the convention center conversation.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith provided some concluding remarks on the project as a whole, saying she appreciated hearing all the perspectives and defending the city council’s drafting of the letter written to the C-I-B.
Both city and county bodies of government are expected to deliberate on the Convention Center expansion in the coming weeks.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the 55 protesters who were arrested for “criminal trespass” at Dunn Meadow in late April.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU – the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. We turn to Annika Harshbarger for more.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By Jiin Hur
A labor strike is when union workers withhold their labor under their employer for purposes of negotiation. This negotiation is called collective bargaining. They do this until they reach an agreement that settles compromised terms and conditions (e.g. higher pay, fewer working hours, etc.). This agreement is called a collective agreement.
WFHB News interviewed IU Maurer School of Law Professor Kenneth Dau-Schmidt, who teaches labor and employment law. He gave us the context of why and how these labor strikes are caused around the country.
Labor unions and labor strikes reflect specific viewpoints of many workers in a specific industry, allowing them to properly exercise their individual rights in America. But to understand why and how these things occur is equally important as well.
Professor Kenneth Dau-Schmidt is the Willard and Margaret Carr Professor of Labor and Employment Law at the IU Maurer School of Law (Photo courtesy of Indiana University).Dau-Schmidt explains some prevalent issues currently in the labor market.
“The market for low wage labor has been tight lately, so low wages have gone up. And what that means is that employees who are above that have also wanted raises. So there’s been a shortage of labor in the labor market lately. And that’s put pressure on wages, particularly for things like CDL drivers and skilled tradesmen,” he said.
Dau-Schmidt elaborates on the general demographics of people that tend to be in unions and partake in strikes.
“The people that tend to organize are people who are skilled laborers, or that are hard to replace, or they work in an industry where there are profits,” he said.
He talks about the historical situation of blue collar workers and white collar workers tending to join labor unions and strikes compared to the present.
“The rate of unionization declined so that we’re now down to about under 10%. But just recently, when you go into the pandemic, then what happens is that wages and benefits are lower now. And in the pandemic, a lot of people couldn’t work and the people kind of changed their attitude towards work,” said Dau-Schmidt.
Then, Dau-Schmidt explains the demographic of industrial workers (specifically minimum-wage workers) having to work second jobs and their relationships with their employer, bringing up Starbucks as an example.
“If you were getting paid the minimum wage, you’re either gonna have to work multiple jobs, or you’re gonna have to have multiple people in your household working,” he said.
Finally, Dau-Schmidt answers what he thinks the government and other local entities can do to advocate and better the lives of these industrial workers.
“I think that learning a trade and learning a skill should be as important to the government as sending people to college. I have a college education, all my kids have a college education. But you know what – you can have a good life and you can be highly productive in this society without going to college, if you learn to trade and if you learn something, if you’re skilled enough, and you’re productive enough to deserve a high wage, and I think government can do things to encourage that,” said Dau Schmidt.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone, spend the hour with the women of Resilience Productions. Resilience Productions was created by Gladys DeVane, Danielle Bruce, and our co-host, Elizabeth Mitchell. They are three close friends and remarkably artistic women who believe in the power of storytelling and that we are all immortal as long as our stories are told.
Since its inception in 2016, Resilience Productions has brought compelling and thought-provoking stories of the African American experience to the stage. Inspired by actual historical events, these performances come to life through original plays or staged readings. To commemorate Juneteenth, they are featuring: The Legacy of Opal Lee. At this production, you will meet Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth as she invites you to reflect on the true meaning of Juneteenth and the importance of living a purposeful life.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
S how Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 3rd, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the procedures of the Bloomington City Council during their work session last Wednesday. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Heather Stettler from the Bloomington Bicycle Club. The club was instrumental in getting drainage grates rotated on city streets so that bicycle tires wouldn’t get caught in them. Hear about their new project later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Prosecutor Drops Charges for Dunn Meadow Protesters
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the 55 protesters who were arrested for “criminal trespass” at Dunn Meadow in late April.
According to a revised statement released on Friday, the prosecutor’s office said, “based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding these arrests, including, among other things, the constitutionally dubious process by which the University passed and enforced its new policy regarding structures in Dunn Meadow, the State is unlikely to be able to convict these individuals at trials on the merits. To attempt to do so would be a poor use of limited resources and wholly inconsistent with the sound exercise of prosecutorial discretion.”
The arrests were made in Dunn Meadow after the Indiana State Police and the IU Police Department were called in to enforce an overnight policy change by Indiana University making prior approval necessary to have tents on campus. Dunn Meadow had been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects since 1969. The change in the decades-long policy led to police arresting 55 people, which included both students and faculty of the university.
In addition to the county prosecutor dropping charges for protestors, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against the university alleging the university violated the First Amendment rights of three plaintiffs facing a one-year ban from campus for their participation in political protests on the IU-Bloomington campus.
Organizers of the protest, the IU Divestment Coalition, wrote on their Instagram account, “while this decision marks a significant victory within our movement, our work is far from complete. The Israeli occupation continued to murder and violate innocent Palestinians every single day.”
Meanwhile, tents remain in Dunn Meadow as demonstrators continue their 40th day of the protest on the war on Gaza. The IU Divestment Coalition maintains that it will continue its occupation until demands are met, which include: the university terminating its partnership with Crane Naval Base and divesting from entities “implicated in genocide.”
Monroe County Commissioners Discuss Health Clinic Vendor Switch
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 29th, H-R Administrator Elizabeth Sensenstein, also known as E, presented on the staff recommendation to change service providers for their clinic from Everside to Proactive M-D. Sensenstein said that they were recommended to shift to a nurse practitioner model.
Sensenstein shared that over the five years they have worked with Everside, there have been issues that have not gotten resolved.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill informed the commissioners that they have until August 1st to make a decision.
During public comment on the Service Provider Agreement, county staff members asked the commissioners to forgo the change in providers, saying that they have long standing relationships with Dr. Clifford Mitcheff.
County Assessor Judy Sharp said that Sensentein brought up issues with Everside that she wasn’t aware of, but wanted the commissioners to think about the human aspect that they have all gotten to know Dr. Mitcheff.
County Planner Anne Crecilius said she doesn’t have any problems with the current clinic, and that she has never heard of other county employees having issues with it either.
Sheriff Office Administrator and Coordinator Liane Johnson said that Dr. Mitcheff has played an important role in her health and wellbeing, and she was surprised to learn that he might be replaced so soon.
County Council Member Pete Iverson spoke to the commissioners in support of keeping the current clinic structure to help keep the county competitive by offering good benefits.
Sensentein introduced the consultant that helped with the decision to move to Proactive. Apex Benefits Consultant Sarah Michaels said they are talking about changing vendor management not the primary care providers, and outlined why they decided to move away from Everside. Michaels said it could be possible to hire Dr. Mitcheff under the administration of Proactive.
Commissioner Lee Jones commented that she understands the desire to have a long term relationship with your doctor, but said that the doctor could change regardless of whether or not they stay with Everside. She also said that she was glad to see the position of Patient Advocate that Proactive was offering.
Commissioner Julie Thomas also said that the discussion wasn’t about the providers, it was about the vendor administrator. She said that if they want to have a physician, county staff can communicate with Proactive M-D, and they would allow the model to change whereas Everside was not as flexible of a vendor.
The commissioners voted to approve the agreement with Proactive M-D with the hope that the providers would be able to be hired again through Proactive.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on June 5th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the B-Square Beacon.Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the procedures of the Bloomington City Council during their work session last Wednesday. We turn to Askins for more.
Heather Stettler loves to ride her bike. When she first moved to Bloomington Heather found her people in the Bloomington Bicycle Club. In addition to organized rides, the club also advocates for bike safety and bicycle-friendly urban development. Their latest initiative is a program that will provide safety lights to local cyclists. Heather is here to ask you to join the Bloomington Bicycle Club on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Heather Stettler loves to ride her bike. When she first moved to Bloomington Heather found her people in the Bloomington Bicycle Club. In addition to organized rides, the club also advocates for bike safety and bicycle-friendly urban development. Their latest initiative is a program that will provide safety lights to local cyclists.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode features an excerpt from the novel Controlled Conversations by Karol Lagodzki. The novel offers the reader a look at life under martial law. In Poland, in 1982 it became required for telephone operators to clearly state, “This conversation is being controlled.” These first two chapters of the novel begin with phone operator Emilia, one of three central characters. She wanted to study literature, and is still an avid reader. But the author captures her current situation in two succinct sentences, “Somehow, everything had gone wrong,” and, “Now it’s June 1982 and Emilia sits and monitors sin, love, and banality.”
Here is a link to Chapter Two of the novel.
Controlled Conversations will be available in August by Milford House Press. Find more at Karol’s website.
Music:
Show Theme – “Firetime” by The Keithe Lowrie Duet
Chopin – Mazurka in G Major, Op. 67, no.1
Chopin – Preludes, Op. 28, no. 4 – “Suffocation”
Credits:
Narrator: Malgorzata Cavar
Producer & Host: Robert Shull
Audio Engineer: Doug Storm
Literary Consultant: Shana Ritter
Executive Producer: Josh Brewer
Featured Animal: Lulu
Lulu is an amazing Domestic Short Hair cat, just over 10 years old, who has been spending some time in foster care. Her foster momma has the following to say about her:
“This sweet girl just began her weight loss journey and she needs your help! Lulu is a very sweet and easy going older lady with a very kissable grumpy face. She doesn’t much like being held or picked up, but that’s necessary sometimes to help her on or off things- in which case she’ll make a little murmur of annoyance. While she’s a huge fan of pets and scratches, and doesn’t shy away from telling you when she wants more by reaching a paw out to you, she isn’t a huge cuddler. But she does enjoy being brushed and grooms herself along with you helping her. She’s more mobile than she looks and can, with some difficulty, go up and down stairs and even jump on low couches. She benefits from having soft blankets nearby to lay on or use as a landing pad for her joints – and having a personal cheer team motivating her to be more mobile. Lulu isn’t a huge fan of the outdoors, but enjoys window gazing or just sitting in the doorway or on the porch for a few minutes. She doesn’t seem to like loud road noises. One of her favorite pastimes is watching bird, chipmunk, and squirrel videos on YouTube, and will sit right in front of the TV to watch. Lulu would benefit from a home that can give her the time needed to help her lose weight and become her best self! At the same time, she will love to relax with you and will make herself your new best friend. Lulu is an absolute unit of love and will attach herself to your heartstrings and make your life that much better!”
To learn more about Lulu, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at 812-349-3492 or animal[at]bloomington[dot]in[dot]gov.
Featured Topic: Ear Infections in Cats and Dogs
Both cats and dogs are susceptible to outer ear infections. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about causes and symptoms, plus measures to reduce the chances and impacts of ear infections in these animals.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Justin and Melanie Cover good news for almost 3/4 of the show!!! Even Melanie! I KNOW, and I’m she, typing this!
Happy Pride Month!!!!
Check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
In this week’s Eco Report feature, Part One of “Local Food Sovereignty Amidst Global Challenges,” an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.
The Indiana Business Journal reports that according to environmentalists, the scores of coal ash ponds that have sprung up around Indiana power plants over the decades are a looming threat to public health and water supplies. Most are near rivers and are filled with toxic chemicals, including arsenic and mercury. But to the energy industry, the ponds are a necessary byproduct of burning mountains of coal over the years to produce cheap electricity for Hoosiers. They insist Indiana’s 86 ponds, more than in any other state, are safe and the risk of harm is low.
For years, the two sides have battled over how to treat the mountains of coal ash, most of which sits far from public view, behind fences, next to power plants. But up close, the ponds spread out for acres. Many have grown into small lakes with high embankments, up to 50 feet deep and containing untold amounts of toxins. Now a set of final rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could finally push electric utilities and other power generators to better monitor and clean up the coal ash around Indiana and the nation. For the first time, federal regulations will cover the nearly 50 dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana that were previously exempted from cleanup provisions.
Several Indiana utilities say they are studying the changes but stopped short of saying what they plan to do in response. The regulations will force big players and policymakers in Indiana to deal with what some see as a major environmental problem. Several coal ash ponds are in areas that are prone to flooding, raising the risk that toxins in the ponds could be swept into nearby rivers and that the underground aquifer could become contaminated.
For a long time, we’ve had a mindset in this state that if it’s economic development, if it supports the fossil fuel industry, we’re going to do it, said David Van Gilder, senior policy and legal director at the Hoosier Environmental Council. I think that’s something we’re going to turn the corner on if the EPA sticks to its guns and there’s some oomph behind this federal enforcement.
Inside Climate News has a story about whether it is prudent to have children. Jade S. Sasser has been studying reproductive choices in the context of climate change for a quarter century. Her 2018 book, “Infertile Ground,” explored how population growth in the Global South has been misguidedly framed as a crisis—a perspective that Sasser argues had its roots in long-standing racial stereotypes about sexuality and promiscuity.
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sasser, an environmental scientist who teaches at the University of California, Riverside, started asking different questions, this time about reproductive choices in the Global North. In an era in which the planet is getting hotter by the day, she wondered, is it morally, ethically or practically sound to bring children into the world? And do such factors as climate anxiety, race and socio-economic status shape who decides to have kids and who doesn’t?
The result is her latest book, “Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question,” which was published last month by the University of California Press and centers on a range of issues that are part of a broader conversation among those who try to practice climate-conscious decision-making. From the outset, Sasser cautions that her work does not attempt to draw any conclusions about what the future might hold or how concerns about global warming might affect population growth going forward.
This book is not predictive, Sasser said in a recent interview with Inside Climate News. “It’s too soon to be able to say, ‘OK, these are going to be the trends. These people are not going to have children, or are going to have fewer children or this many, or that many.’ We’re at the beginning of witnessing what could be a significant trend”. Sasser said that one of the most compelling findings of her research was how survey results showed that women of color were the demographic cohort that reported that they were most likely to have at least one child fewer than what they actually want because of climate change.
“No other group in that survey responded that way,” Sasser said. Those survey results, Sasser said, underscores the prevalence of climate anxiety among communities of color. A Yale study published last year found that Hispanic Americans were five times as likely to experience feelings of climate change anxiety when compared to their white counterparts; Black Americans were twice as likely to have those feelings.
There is a really large assumption that we don’t experience climate anxiety, said Sasser, who is African American. “And we do. How could we not? We experience most of the climate impacts first and worst.” And the few surveys that have been done around people of color and climate emotions showed that Black and Latinx people feel more worry and more concerned about climate change than other groups.”
CNN reports that rivers and streams in Alaska are changing color – from a clean, clear blue to a rusty orange – because of the toxic metals released by thawing permafrost, according to a new study. The finding surprised researchers from the National Park Service, the University of California at Davis and the US Geological Survey, who conducted tests at 75 locations in the waterways of Alaska’s Brooks Range. The rivers and streams in the range appeared to rust and became cloudy and orange over the past five to 10 years, according to the study published in the journal Communications: Earth & Environment.
We’re used to seeing this in parts of California, parts of Appalachia where we have mining history. This is a classic process that happens in rivers here in the continental US that have been impacted for over 100 years since some of the mining rushes in the 1850s, said Brett Poulin, a co-author of the study and a professor of environmental toxicology at UC Davis. But it’s very startling to see it when you’re on some of the most remote wilderness and you’re far from a mine source.
The discoloration and cloudiness are being caused by metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and lead, the researchers found – some of which are toxic to the river and stream ecosystems – as permafrost thaws and exposes the waterways to minerals locked away underground for thousands of years. Arctic soils naturally contain organic carbon, nutrients and metals, such as mercury, within their permafrost, the study says. High temperatures have caused these minerals and the water sources around them to meet as permafrost melts.
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the world, studies have shown. What we believe we’re seeing is this thawing of soil that’s happening faster there than it would happen elsewhere, said Poulin. It’s really an unexpected consequence of climate change. Those orange streams can be problematic both in terms of being toxic but might also prevent migration of fish to spawning areas.
The New York Times reports that Gilberto Pozo, a biologist, was monitoring a small forest in the town of Cunduacán, in southern Mexico, in early May when two mantled howler monkeys fell from a tree in front of him with a thud. They were dehydrated and received treatment, he said. But they didn’t survive. At first, Dr. Pozo and his team at Cobius, a nonprofit conservation group, thought the monkeys had been overcome by smoke from fires set by farmers clearing land nearby.
But, as temperatures soared over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks, dozens of reports of dead monkeys started popping up. Residents were finding groups of 10 or more dead at a time, many also showing signs of dehydration. As of Wednesday, 147 monkeys have died in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas in southern Mexico. The deaths of dozens of mantled howler monkeys in Mexico may be the latest sign of the danger extreme temperatures pose to wildlife around the world.
As global temperatures have shattered records, scientists have recently documented a die-off of Amazon dolphins and a mass bleaching event in the world’s oceans. This event points out why we humans are not terribly concerned about climate change. We just use more air-conditioning. But plants and animals have no similar option. That’s why we are in the initial stages of the sixth mass extinction. According to David Attenborough, one million plant and animal species will be extinct within the next two decades.
In this weeks feature, Part One of an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.
- A Free Fishing Weekend is planned for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd, at Monroe Lake. This is a great opportunity to learn about fishing. Free fishing equipment is available at the Paynetown Activity Center.
- Join Naturalist Jessie on a wild adventure to learn about nocturnal animals during the Sense of the Night Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, June 1st, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. You will put your senses to the test to see if you would be a good night owl. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter.
- A Cut Flowers for Crafting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. In this first part of a two-part series, you will learn about the kinds of flowers to plant in your garden. Plan to think outside the box. Part two will take place in September. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting Wild Wednesdays in June, July and August. Enjoy short nature hikes outside the Goose Pond Visitors Center. Meet at 10 am and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters, and more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray. The first Wednesday is June 5th.
- Enjoy an Intro to Wild Edibles on Saturday, June 8th, from Noon to 2 pm at the RCA Community Park. You will explore the forest and meadows for wild, edible treasures. Bring a foraging bag. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………Frank Marshalek
Headlines………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer………………………….Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Sandy Britton nos acompaña en este episodio para compartirnos su experiencia de vida a lo largo de estos años en Bloomington, de sus orígenes, su trabajo en el Hospital de Bloomington y en distintos puestos de IU, así como de las veces que ha sido voluntaria para distintas organizaciones. Actualmente es parte de la Junta Directiva del Centro Comunal Latino.
Justin and Melanie dig into Harrison Butker’s comments in context of the modern Christian Nationalists’ efforts to regress society to a fictional time.
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
The founder of the Ryder magazine and the Ryder Film Series, Peter Lopilato helped define Bloomington’s arts and culture scene for nearly half a century. Peter died in March, 2024. He visited the WFHB studios in 2016 to record a short Daily Local News feature. Now, we present that entire interview, nearly an hour long, this week and next. This two-part Big Talk will explore the life and times of Peter and the history of the magazine and the film series. Join us next week for Part 2 of our conversation.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 30th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on Industrial Labor Relations. Hurr explores the increasing trend of labor strikes happening all around the country. More coming up in today’s feature report. But first, your local headlines:
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on May 20th, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin updated the board on the work they have been doing to look ahead at staff positions that are currently being paid with grant funding set to expire in the near future.
Irwin also walked the board through H-vac work that will be ongoing during the summer months.
Later in the meeting, the board discussed the approval of a joint resolution with the Town of Ellettsville, to donate and accept a tract of land. President of the Board, Dana Kerr, introduced the resolution.
Kerr elaborated on some of the details of the resolution.
Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders talked about how the resolution would benefit the school system.
Legal Counsel Christine Bartlett outlined the changes that were made in collaboration with Ellettsville Town Attorney Darla Brown.
The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution to donate the small tract of land to the Town of Ellettsville. The Town of Ellettsville will have to approve the revised resolution as well.
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board will meet again on June 17th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Utility Service Board meeting on May 20th, Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler approached the board with new information regarding the sale of a property on the edge of Lake Lemon. Wheeler explained that he arranged for a second appraisal for the property as the board requested, and received similar results.
Board Member Jeff Enham asked if the second appraiser had used a different approach to come to their conclusion regarding the appraised value. Wheeler said the appraiser used the same approach, and that the other approaches were not applicable to the property.
Board Member Megan Parmenter said she was surprised the appraisal for the property was so low, but thanked Wheeler for double checking.
Wheeler recommended that the board table any decisions on the property to ensure the public has the opportunity to make public comments. Board Member Kirk White agreed.
The board will discuss the sale of the property at their next meeting on June 3rd.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for your feature reports. Up next, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on Industrial Labor Relations. Recent strikes such as the Starbucks workers’ strikes in New York and the IU graduate student workers’ strike are just some of an increasing trend of labor strikes happening all around the country.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jiin Hur.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its coverage of the rollback of protections for Indiana wetlands on the latest episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Your Pal May Not Be Your Friend” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on May 21st, the board approved a resolution to purchase a right of way for the High Street Intersection Modernizations and Multi-use Path Project.
Engineering Senior Project Engineer Neil Kopper presented on the right of way resolution.
Kopper explained the public right of way acquisition that will be necessary to complete the project.
Board Member James Roach asked how the project will affect the historic cemetery. Kopper responded.
Kopper said that there are some homeowners who feel like the right of way is taking up a large portion of their yard.
The board unanimously approved the request for the right of way purchase for the High Street Intersection Modernizations and Multi-use Path Project.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on June 4th.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees had a meeting on May 21st. M-C-C-S-C Foundation Executive Director Cyrilla Helm provided a quarterly report on the activities of the foundation.
During public comment, Monroe County Education Association President Paul Farmer announced that he’s stepping down from his role of the head of the county’s teachers’ union.
Next, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Certified Human Resources Dr. Erin Stalbaum gave a report on M-C-C-S-C personnel. Dr. Stalbaum announced faculty who recently retired from the school corporation.
The school board approved the personnel report by a unanimous vote. The M-C-C-S-C Board of Trustees will meet again on June 25th.
Feature Report:
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
WFHB News: Wetlands Part II
Limestone Post’s “What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?” written and photographed by Anne Kibbler.
Up next, “Your Pal May Not Be Your Friend” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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.
To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
A great blue heron at Stillwater Marsh–Northfork Waterfowl Resting Area at Monroe Lake | Photo by Anne KibblerLast week we talked a bit about what ARE wetlands, this week we are going to give you an overview of the legislation that has been eroding the protections of wetlands.
- 2021 Senate Enrolled Act 389
- 2024 House Enrolled Act 1383
- Senate Enrolled Act 246
We will dive deeper next week on Deep Dive.
Chris Craft, Former Professor at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs | Courtesy photoDr. Indra Frank, water policy director for the Hoosier Environmental Council | Courtesy photoYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Indiana Wetlands. To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, 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 this year, 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:
- Part 1, February 15, 2023
- Part 2, February 22, 2023
- Part 3, March 1, 2023
- Part 4, March 8, 2023
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:
- Part 1, March 15, 2023
- Part 2, March 22, 2023
- Part 3, April 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, April 19, 2023
- Part 2, April 26, 2023
- Part 3, May 3, 2023
- Part 4, May 10, 2023
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:
- Part 1, May 24, 2023
- Part 2, May 31, 2023
- Part 3, June 7, 2023
- Part 4, June 14, 2023
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:
- Part 1, June 21, 2023
- Part 2, June 28, 2023
- Part 3, July 5, 2023
- Part 4, July 12, 2023
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:
- Part 1, August 16, 2023
- Part 2, August 30, 2023
- Part 3, September 6, 2023
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:
- Part 1, October 4, 2023
- Part 2, October 11, 2023
- Part 3, October 18, 2023
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:
- Part 1, November 1, 2023
- Part 2, November 8, 2023
- Part 3, November 15, 2023
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:
- Part 1, February 14, 2024
- Part 2, February 21, 2024
- Part 3, February 28, 2024
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 reports:
- Feature report with Limestone Post reporters Christina Avery and Haley Miller, April 3, 2024
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:
- Deep Dive: Wetlands (Part 1), May 22, 2024
Lots of people use PayPal — including con artists. Here are some of the most common scams that are fleecing PayPal users, and the best ways to stay safe.
By: Annika Harshbarger
After leaving her final class of sophomore year Cameron Gray planned to hangout with a friend. She made the decision to pass Dunn Meadow, a decision that changed her life. In this three part series listen to Cameron Gray tell her story of being arrested in Dunn Meadow for protesting Indiana Universities investments in companies supporting the genocide in Gaza, being held for a few hours in the Indiana University field house unable to use the bathroom, and spending several hours in a hot, packed, white tiled holding cell in the Monroe County Jail.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO FEATURE
Annika Harshbarger: Cameron Gray left her final class of sophomore year and planned to hangout with a friend. She made the decision to pass Dunn Meadow, a decision that changed her life.
Cameron Gray: “It seemed like it was maybe 10 minutes from the time the cops first showed up on the meadow, to the moment of my arrest. I was one of the first people cuffed… So as I was about four o’clock, I was cuffed. Around six o’clock, we were transported to the jail. And then we were in the jail for about four hours. I was finally released at about 10:30.”
Harshbarger: Cameron Gray a 20 year old journalism and gender studies student at Indiana University has been arrested for protesting the genocide in Gaza and banned from all IU property for a year. This is her story.
Gray: “This was the day of my last final. It was my ASL final. I was feeling good. I love that class. So I wake up and you know, I, it’s unavoidable the news, So I was scanning social media, actually, before I went to class for any mention of any protests on campus. And I found nothing.”
Harshbarger: So she went to class. Took her final and left the building feeling great. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a protest at IU and thought if anything is happening today it’s in Dunn Meadow.
Gray: “I actually changed course, usually, I would get off at like the biology stop for my bus. So I decided I’ll just pass Franklin Hall. See if there’s just anything. I get within, you know, 100 yards or however far away. And I start hearing chanting. And I’m like, I hear some drums. And I’m like, these are my people, you know, this is I have to do this.”
Harshbarger: Cameron canceled plans with a friend and stood on the outskirts of the protest too nervous to join, when she heard a girl say.
Random girl: “Hey you want to join?”
Harshbarger: and Cameron said.
Gray: “ Yes, I would love to. I was just a little too nervous to go by myself.”
Gray: “I was completely unaware of what was going to come. I was completely unprepared. I happen to pass it on campus by some stroke of choosing a different bus stop. And then everything happened.”
Harshbarger: When Cameron arrived at the protest it was small and peaceful. There were three small tents and enough people to stand shoulder to shoulder around the perimeter. A little while later at around 3:30 p.m. counter protesters at the frat across the street from Dunn Meadow and at the Jewish cultural center, also known as Chabad house, started blasting music from large black speakers. Many protestors feel that this was an intentional act to drown out the chants of people in Dunn Meadow.
Gray: “We would do our chants…at that time, we could barely hold a chant, you know, they start yelling into the microphone, and then the voice would kind of get lost to the wind”
Harshbarger: According to a letter shared by IU president Pamela Whitten on April 25, the day Cameron was arrested, the Indiana State Police were brought in as a law enforcement partner to remove tents. The letter backs the universities decision by saying quote “Our university must create space for meaningful dialogue, while ensuring that our campus is safe and welcoming to all, and that peaceful protest, as many experienced today, symbolizes our steadfastness to the free expression of ideas.” end quote
Gray: “there was a, we, there was a small line of us on the field, you know, stretching from one end to the other. And someone yells something, and what they yelled has since been lost to me, but I turned my head and just advancing down the field. Grass Dunn Meadow, there are at least, you know, five rows of long, you know, long columns of shields, just marching, marching, marching towards us not ceasing, and then, you know, I see some more guys behind them. And I see some police over here. And it was I mean, it felt like there was like a five to one it was, you know, I was I was scared. I’m holding on to the two people next to me, you know, and I am very purposely yelling nothing inflammatory. Because I know, the cops, they look eager…I would chant Free Palestine…the police they’re just getting closer and closer. And you know, soon we’re almost chest to chest. And I don’t know what’s happening. You know, I’m looking in this cops eyes, and I’m just thinking like, you see me and I see you. And, you know, what are you about to do? Why? Why are you doing this? And the thing is, I don’t think any of them knew why they were there. Suddenly there are hands on me and a student who was next to me who I was locked up, locked arms with. And I think there’s maybe three or four police tugging on us. And you know, the ground comes out from under my feet. My arm was was pinned down under the student’s bodyweight and about three cops on top of him…I was prepared for my arm to snap that might sound dramatic, but I was terrified. I was on the ground, my glasses had been knocked off I was wearing a hat, it was ripped off my head. And there are just hands everywhere and voices are flying. I got I got hit in the nose, I busted my lip. And I’m yanking my arm free because I know they’re arresting the student I was attached to that much is obvious by now they’re wrenching his arm back to try to get him in the zip tie cuffs. And I’m just trying to free my arm because I don’t want it to snap in half. So they yank him one way and there’s hands on me and yank me another way, my arms free. So I feel pretty good. And next thing I know, I’m ripped. Apart from the situation apart from the line of students, and I’m blown away from group and, you know, told You’re under arrest. They rip my backpack off my back and slap me in some zip ties. And, you know, they lead me to the the other side of the meadow… I think I was one of the first few to be up there”
Harshbarger: Cameron has an auditory processing disorder and when she’s in loud crowds everything muffles together. Unable to hear what police were directing her to do she just stood on that hill with her hands zipped tied behind her back only able to watch.
Gray: “There was one woman sitting on the ground next to me and people a few yards down who were standing. You know, and this cop comes up and he says, I’m going to ask you to sit said are you asking me to sit? said, you know, get on the ground. So I kneel and I was just stuck there watching my students, you know, my fellow students, my peers, my friends. Just fall apart. I couldn’t look away. But I think I missed a lot of it. You know, I think not blackout but until I watched videos back. I felt like I had no idea Do what was going on? You know, I was looking at the police around me, I was scanning the crowd, I was actually desperately, desperately searching for someone who could tell my sister that I had been arrested. Because, you know, I was no one will know, no one knew I was here. I didn’t tell anyone I was stopping by here, because I thought I was going to hang out, you know, for an hour or so after class and be on my way. So it was a flash of a lot of noise and fear and pain and desperation.”
Harshbarger: All Cameron could do was sit and watch as the line of arrested people grew longer. What felt like a minute to her was probably more like 20.
Gray: “And then, you know, two by two officers start coming up behind us grabbing our arms and you know, walk to the bus. And so I’m watching a couple students be brought off. And I turn my head to see where they’re taking them. You know, probably a jail bus, right? No, no, it was, um, it was an IU bus, one that I have used personally to get from class to class to, to take from one side of the campus to the other. I’m brought to my feet lead away, you know, and so I’m led up by the by the bus stops the stairs, there at the IMU stop. And across the street, there’s an IU bus, parked and I’m walking and I’m, you know, I’m trying to make a point of keeping my head high and, and, you know, looking my students and my fellow students in the eyes and just saying, you know, look at me, look, look at me Look, look at this, one by one they, load us up on the bus kind of let us you know, sit wherever. But it was it was just insane to sit in a seat that I have sat in countless times, you know, my past two years that IU and to suddenly be in the same seat, cuffed behind my back, you know, six police on the bus. Just because I was on dunn meadow using my voice.”
Harshbarger: We leave Cameron on that IU bus, tune in next week to hear part two of her story.
For WFHB this has been Annika Harshbarger.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 28th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger filed a report on the arrests made during the Dunn Meadow protests. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on procedural reforms in local city government.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 22nd, Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 in the county.
Fleet and Building Manager for the County Richard Crider asked the commissioners to approve an agreement with Bounds Flooring, Inc. for improvements to the Monroe Convention Center.
The commissioners approved the agreement by a 3-0 vote. Furthermore, the board approved other Convention Center improvements, including the replacement of light fixtures and wallpaper in the Hanson & Zebendon Room.
Then, the Commissioners heard an ordinance to temporarily add “No Thru Trucks” locations from June to August throughout the duration of construction on State Road 45. Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge walked through the ordinance.
The Commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on May 29th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger filed a report on the arrests made during the Dunn Meadow protests. We turn to Harshbarger for Part I of this two-part series. Stay tuned for next Tuesday to hear Part II of the report.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We now turn to Lil Bub’s Lil Show on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on procedural reforms in local city government. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Annika Harshbarger, Karl Templeton and Dave Askins.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Jeanne Smith joins Melannie to discuss the upcoming general meeting for the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana and her history in the organization.
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs about how her time as a Community Organizer with Hoosier Action prepared her for her run for Indiana House District 60, which includes parts of Monroe County.
The New York Times reports that global warming creates conditions more favorable to severe storms. As the planet warms, severe storms of all kinds are likely to deliver even bigger payloads of rain. The reason: Warmer air holds more moisture, which effectively increases a storm’s capacity to carry precipitation.
Because the air can hold more moisture, that also means there is more water vapor in the sky that can condense into liquid, forming clouds. The heat energy released into the atmosphere by this condensation is what feeds thunderstorms. In short, more condensation, stronger storms.
Scientists are still trying to understand how this is playing out. Just because the ingredients are in place for a powerful storm doesn’t mean a powerful storm always materializes. Plenty of other factors shape when and whether storms form, and how destructive they become, which means it’s not straightforward to determine how global warming might be affecting overall storm trends.
Theoretically we understand very well what’s happening, said Andreas F. Prein, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. But how this then translates into severe convective storms, and what we saw recently, is a little bit more questionable. Thunderstorms can also produce strong winds that fan out in straight lines rather than
twisters. In a study published last year, Dr. Prein estimated that much larger areas of the central United States were now experiencing these straight-line gusts compared with the early 1980s. Thunderstorm damage is already causing big losses to home insurers.
The market for homeowners insurance has been in turmoil in the United States, and not just because of hurricanes and wildfires. As a New York Times investigation documented this week, severe storms are also causing insurers to lose money on homeowner coverage. These losses are affecting insurers in places like Iowa, Arkansas and Ohio, far from the coastal areas that are most battered by hurricanes.
The New York Times chronicles changes occurring in the insurance industry. The insurance turmoil caused by climate change — which has been concentrated in Florida, California and Louisiana — is fast becoming a contagion, spreading to states like Iowa, Arkansas, Ohio, Utah and Washington. Even in the Northeast, where homeowners insurance was still generally profitable last year, the trends are worsening.
In 2023, insurers lost money on homeowners coverage in 18 states, more than a third of the country, according to a New York Times analysis of newly available financial data. That’s up from 12 states five years ago, and eight states in 2013. The result is that insurance companies are raising premiums by as much as 50 percent or more, cutting back on coverage or leaving entire states altogether. Nationally, over the last decade, insurers paid out more in claims than they received in premiums, according to the ratings firm Moody’s, and those losses are increasing.
The growing tumult is affecting people whose homes have never been damaged and who have dutifully paid their premiums, year after year. Cancellation notices have left them scrambling to find coverage to protect what is often their single biggest investment. As a last resort, many are ending up in high-risk insurance pools created by states that are backed by the public and offer less coverage than standard policies. By and large, state regulators lack strategies to restore stability to the market. I believe we’re marching toward an uninsurable future in many places, said Dave Jones, the former insurance commissioner of California and now director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the University of California Berkeley law school.
Insurers are still turning a profit from other lines of business, like commercial and life insurance policies. But many are dropping homeowners coverage because of losses.
Climate troublemaker La Niña isn’t here yet – but it is on the way, federal weather forecasters said in a report released last week. In fact, forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave the climate pattern as much as an 85% chance of forming by late fall. We are very confident that La Niña will form by this fall, Nat Johnson, a NOAA meteorologist, told USA TODAY.
Once it forms, it’s also supposed to last through next winter and would impact U.S. weather throughout the coldest months. Of more immediate concern, there’s also as much as a 69% chance it will develop by the summer months, NOAA said. This is key because a full-fledged La Niña could worsen the severity of the Atlantic hurricane season, the heart of which is typically in September.
La Niña is a natural climate pattern marked by cooler-than-average seawater in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. When the water cools at least 0.9 degree Fahrenheit below average for three straight months, a La Niña is declared.
Surprisingly, that small amount is enough to affect weather and climate patterns in the U.S. and around the world. The cycle between La Niña and its “sibling” El Niño is hugely important for agriculture worldwides. El Niño generally brings wetter conditions to the Americas, while a La Niña has the opposite effect. The LaNina in 2012 brought drought to Indiana. Much of the corn crop was lost.
The Thwaites Glacier is back in the news. This is the glacier that could cut loose anytime from its mooring on Antarctica and raise ocean levels. Now it has been discovered that ocean water is pushing miles beneath Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier,” making it more vulnerable to melting than previously thought, according to new research which used radar data from space to perform an X-ray of the crucial glacier.
As the salty, relatively warm ocean water meets the ice, it’s causing “vigorous melting” underneath the glacier and could mean global sea level rise projections are being underestimated, according to the study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and reported by CNN.
The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica — nicknamed the “Doomsday Glacier” because its collapse could cause catastrophic sea level rise — is the world’s widest glacier and roughly the size of Florida. It’s also Antarctica’s most vulnerable and unstable glacier, in large part because the land on which it sits slopes downward, allowing ocean waters to eat away at its ice.
Thwaites, which already contributes 4% to global sea level rise, holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet. But because it also acts as a natural dam to the surrounding ice in West Antarctica, scientists have estimated its complete collapse could ultimately lead to around 10 feet of sea level rise — a catastrophe for the world’s coastal communities.
How likely is Thwaites to release from Antarctica soon? Now that the area is entering winter, it seems likely that release won’t occur this year. Scientists say that no further warming of the globe is necessary for the release to occur. Whenever it happens, there will be immediate consequences beyond dealing with a 2 foot rise in ocean levels. Home insurance rates could skyrocket in low-lying areas, or insurance companies could pull out of Florida and other low-lying states. Indiana is not helping because the coal interests still determine outcomes.
Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere 10 times faster than it has in the last 50,000 years, according to a new study led by researchers from University of St. Andrews and Oregon State University.
The findings shed light on periods of abrupt climate change in the planet’s history while offering new understanding of the impacts of today’s climate crisis. “Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented,” said Kathleen Wendt, lead author of the study and an Oregon State University assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, in a press release from University of St. Andrews. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher.
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his conversation with Michelle Higgs, a candidate for State government who got started in political activism by getting involved to address a toxic waste plume in Martinsville, the legacy of a dry cleaning operation in the town not far from Bloomington.
And now, some upcoming events:
- Learn about Twirling Ladybugs at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 25th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Go to the Activity Center to make a twirling ladybug craft while learning how to tell the difference between our native ladybugs and the non-native lady beetle.
- Take a Woodpecker Walk at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, May 26th, beginning at 11 am. Bring your binoculars for a short walk and talk about woodpeckers and then search for them. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot.
- Learn the Secrets of Sinkholes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 26th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. You will learn that sinkholes are the start of cave formations. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter to take a Karst Topography Hike on Trail 9, which is 1.2 miles into the woods.
- Beginner Kayaking is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th, from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. You will learn basic paddling and safety skills and enjoy supervised paddling time in quiet water. Sign up at tinyurl.com/kayak-May29-2024.
- A Free Fishing Weekend is planned for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd at Monroe Lake. This is a great opportunity to learn about fishing. Free fishing equipment is available at the Paynetown Activity Center.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced and edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.
Rena Cohen, una brillante estudiante de Bloomington High School North, nos platica su experiencia como intern en la Ciudad de Bloomington, brindando servicios de apoyo a la comunidad Hispana de Bloomington a través de Latino Outreach and Programs. Rena realizó este internship como parte de su senior year y tuvo la oportunidad de participar en todos los eventos, programas, actividades y servicios a lo largo del año. Nos cuenta su emotiva historia sobre su interés de aprender español, sin ninguna antecedente familiar latino, y de ponerlo en práctica cada día para mejorarlo.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Breckenridge gazed into the heavens at night in Bloomington a century and a half ago. She scanned the vastness of space and contemplated an infinity of possibilities after completing her daily work as the paid domestic servant and nanny for the Wylie family. (Theophilus Wylie was a professor at Indiana University and a minister.) Abegunde, the first person ever to receive a doctorate in African American and African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University, worked with the Wylie House Museum, Dr. Raymond Wise of the Jacobs School of Music, and the African American Arts Institute to create a digital exhibit exploring the life and dreams of Lizzie Breckenridge.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
By: Annika Harshbarger and Karl Templeton
In the basement of the Bell Trace Senior Living Community New Horizons Bloomington, an adult orchestra starts practicing for their upcoming performance. But this orchestra hasn’t always been here. Thanks to Audrey Jo Williams, Andrea Kleesattel and the Jacobs school of music at Indiana University it has become a reality. The orchestra just finished their current session. The summer weekend session retreat begins August 23rd. All orchestra levels are welcome and encouraged to join. Give the 5 minute audio story about the orchestra a listen to learn more.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO FEATURE
Annika Harshbarger: In the basement of the bell trace senior living community New Horizons Bloomington an adult orchestra starts practicing for their upcoming performance. But this orchestra hasn’t always been here. Thanks to Audrey Jo Williams and Andrea Kleesattel and the Jacobs school of music at Indiana University it has become a reality.
Audrey Jo Williams: “It was this idea that popped up during the pandemic with my colleague, Andrea. And so I met her actually during a zoom call. And she she mentioned it. So the Zoom call wasn’t about New Horizons. But she she mentioned the idea of an adult orchestra. And so I sent her a private message and was like, we have to do this. This idea needs to happen.”
Annika Harshbarger: The orchestra practices every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m and has around 30 members and is growing. Most members come from Audreys private lessons.
Audrey Jo Williams: “I have a lot of adult students. And so I basically forced them to join new horizons, like at their first lesson. I’m like, You should know that this is what you’re going to do. This is your path that has been set forth.”
“I had so many adult students and my own studio, I’ve had recitals and I’ve had, I’ve had events and it never felt appropriate to mix the kids in my studio and the adults like it. It felt like it cheapens the experience. For the adults, and so, if you’re going to have an event with children and adults, let’s be real, it’s just a children’s event. So I needed something for the adults where they could feel grown and not be overshadowed by the little gifted eight year old. Like, we don’t need that. We just need one specific place where adults can feel comfortable. And and this is it like, this is the thing.”
Annika Harshbarger: But some students find the orchestra on their own or through friends. Members range from people who have played their instrument forever
Teegan: “I’d started a strings program when I was in fifth grade and then I continued that when I was in sixth grade, and then I did it in middle school as well. And I joined the HYP in high school, which is the Hoosier Youth Philharmonic, and I’ve been doing that for all four years of high school.”
Annika Harshbarger: to absolute beginners.
Stephanie Bruce: “I’m a total beginner to not only to the cello, but to music in general, I’m learning to read music at the same time that learning the cello. And I just always wished that I could do something. I tried guitar when I was a kid, and that was not successful. And but I decided to try again when my nephew told me I could have his cello if I paid to get it fixed. So I was like, Okay, this is a sign. I’ve progressed more than I expected to. So it gives me hope that I can keep progressing.”
Annika Harshbarger: To join the orchestra students pay $175 per session, which lasts around 12 weeks. Adult beginner orchestras are not common in many cities. Many members appreciate the space that has been created for them here in Bloomington.
Eric Nicholas: “I think we really like it because it’s an adult beginner class. And like, she wanted to do this in the previous city. We live there was no adult stuff. There was just like, children begin to orchestras, of course, but having an adult beginner is really unique. So yeah, nice opportunity.”
Annika Harshbarger: The orchestra practices starts in two separate rooms. The violins and violas practice together in one. And the cellos and basses in another. Before coming together to practice as one. The full orchestra is like one big hangout.
Annika Harshbarger: They are conducting their last practice before their final performance, and the nerves are high.
Stephanie Bruce: “I’m excited to try it and of course nervous, but a little less nervous because she told us what to do if we get lost. So that helps with just staying calm.”
Annika Harshbarger: The final performance will end their session, but members are ready to sign up for the next one. The orchestra plans to continue into the future and only see their sound improving. They feel that spaces for adults to learn music for the first time without judgment is an important step to making Bloomington more inclusive.
Stephanie Bruce: “I have two friends that as soon as I have time to see them again, I’m going to try to talk them into it. They both want to get back to their violins. So I think this would be a good way for them to do that”
Annika Harshbarger: The summer weekend session retreat begins August 23rd. For WFHB this has been Annika Harshbarger. Editing by Karl Templeton.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 23rd, 2024.
In today’s feature report, Civic Conversations welcomed Dr. Marjorie Hershey, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Indiana University, about the impact of disinformation on elections and how it influences election politics. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Paula Waterman, from Brown County Schools Food Services Department, discusses the school corporation’s first ever summer food program.
That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Brown County Schools are launching their first-ever summer food program, and the response has escalated quickly.
That’s Paula Waterman, from Brown County Schools Food Services Department. Funding from the US Department of Agriculture has allowed this small rural school system to put together summer meal kits intended to cover nutrition needs that would be met in school cafeterias during the school year. The weekly kits include five days of a full breakfast and five days of a full lunch. Pickups are every Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Brown County High School and Sprunica Elementary, starting June Fourth.
The scale of the interest from the community has created a new problem for Waterman – a need for volunteers to help at the distribution sites.
To sign up for the free meals OR to help distribute them, the phone number is 988-5423. That’s Brown County Schools Food Services Department, 812-988-5423.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Civic Conversations welcomed Dr. Marjorie Hershey, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Indiana University, this month. In the podcast, she discusses the impact of disinformation on elections and how it influences election politics. Hershey shares that the definition of disinformation, purposeful misinformation designed to influence elections, has grown in recent years and that election campaigns that use disinformation hope that with enough repetitiveness of the information, people will begin to believe disinformation over the truth. We turn now to Civic Conversations – a partnership between WFHB and The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Credits:You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Chad Carrothers.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
But first, what are wetlands?
A wetland is a flooded ecosystem, teeming with life, the habitat of herons, egrets, frogs, snakes, and dragonflies, there are often cat tails and slow moving waters, and a chorus of croaks. But at a much more basic level, a wetland is what it sounds like a wet – land.
A great blue heron at Stillwater Marsh–Northfork Waterfowl Resting Area at Monroe Lake | Photo by Anne KibblerAccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wetlands are QUOTE “ areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season.” END QUOTE
John Lawrence, the executive director of the Sycamore Land Trust, described the nature of a wetland – saying it has both a scientific and a legal definition.
John Lawrence, Director of Sycamore Land Trust | Courtesy photoYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about Indiana Wetlands. To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “A Couple of Nasty Ones” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on May 15th, Library Director Grier Carson gave an update on the Southwest Branch closure and ongoing repairs.
Director of Finance Gary Lettelleir spoke to the board and asked them to approve a transfer from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund, also called the LIRF fund.
The board approved the transfer to the LIRF fund unanimously.
Next, the Board discussed a policy proposal for paid parental leave. Director of Human Resources Becky Throckmorton, spoke to the board about the policy.
Board Member Amy O’Shaughnessy asked about foster care, and if it would be included in the policy. Throckmorton responded.
The council unanimously approved the policy.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 26th, and will be held at the Ellettsville branch instead of their regular meeting location at the downtown library.
Feature Report:
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. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.
Up next, “A Couple of Nasty Ones” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Madison Stratton and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animal: Brynn
“Brynn is one of the best gals you could ever know. She is loving life in her foster home with her foster dog brother. Brynn is house trained, has the winningest personality, loves to be silly, and thinks most other dogs are super cool. Her foster parents had the following to say about her: ‘Brynn is a total sweetheart! She enjoys spending time outside, getting pets and massages, and playing with her foster brother. She has an amazing personality that is sure to capture your heart and would be a great addition to a loving family. She loves to sleep in, she’s always up for an adventure (car rides, walks on trails, attending family gatherings), and will quickly become your best friend and shadow’.” – City of Bloomington Animal Shelter
To learn more about Brynn and her adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Neonatal Kittens
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about fostering neonatal kittens and considerations for potential foster guardians.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
The FTC is warning about an inheritance scam that’s been targeting minorities, and the BBB is warning about swindlers who claim they can recover a social media account that’s been locked out. Anyone could be targeted by either one, so here’s a double headsup.
John Hamilton, 29th Mayor of Bloomington (2016-2023)On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone, spend the hour with former Mayor of Bloomington, John Hamilton. John Hamilton served as the Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana. He was first elected in 2016 and won a second term in 2020. During his tenure, Mayor Hamilton focused on building a bright future for the city of Bloomington.
As the 29th mayor of Bloomington, his administration addressed various issues, including economic development, affordable housing, and community well-being. A longer list of achievements includes Sustainability Initiatives, Community Engagement, Transportation Improvements, and enhancements to Arts and Culture.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Civic Conversations welcomed Dr. Marjorie Hersey, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Indiana University, this month. In the podcast, she discusses the impact of disinformation on elections and how it influences election politics. Hershey shares that the definition of disinformation, purposeful misinformation designed to influence elections, has grown in recent years and that election campaigns that use disinformation hope that with enough repetitiveness of the information, people will begin to believe disinformation over the truth.According to Hershey, the key action that voters can take is to look to the source of that information and disregard it if no source is provided. If a source is given, they should verify that source before taking it as truth. Sources to help with verifying information include PolitiFact, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Washington Post’s Fact Checker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 20th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger covers New Horizons, an adult beginner orchestra based here in Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Maryann Iaria from Monroe County Civic Theater, our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group. They’re about to launch their annual Shakespeare in the Park and you’ll get the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On May 15th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, City Clerk Nicole Brown read the title and synopsis of an ordinance that would rezone nearly 140 acres of land off South Weimer Road.
Development Services Manager for the City Jackie Scanlan walked through a basic overview of the property which would bring over 4,000 housing units to the southwest part of the city.
Angela Parker, an attorney representing the petitioner Sudbury Partners, LLC, said discussions have advanced since the council last met to deliberate on the project earlier this month.
Then, the council deliberated on nine “reasonable conditions” on the ordinance. Among these conditions were: restrictions on building height, affordable housing requirements, and an enablement of home ownership in each neighborhood, among others.
Council Member Dave Rollo took issue with a handful of conditions. He made a motion to postpone the ordinance until the council’s next regular session in early June. He explained his reasoning for the motion to postpone.
Council Parliamentarian Hopi Stosberg argued against the postponement of the ordinance saying this is the third time the council met to discuss this development, and she doesn’t want to further delay the process.
Council Member Matt Flaherty shared that he’s sympathetic to Rollo’s point-of-view, but he would not favor postponing the ordinance.
The motion failed by a 2-7 vote. During public comment on the ordinance as a whole, local resident Paully Taricone spoke about the difficulty of finding affordable housing in Bloomington and what he sees as the importance of housing density in the community.
Council Member Andy Ruff said he believes the reasonable conditions improved the ordinance. He quoted the comprehensive plan on the subjects of “growth” and “development.”
The council voted 7-2 in favor of the ordinance, with Council Members Andy Ruff and Dave Rollo dissenting. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on June 5th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger covers New Horizons, an adult beginner orchestra based here in Bloomington. For more, we turn to Annika Harshbarger.
You know summer is really here when the Monroe County Civic Theater does Shakespeare in the park. Our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group has been doing it for thirty-five years, and next week this year’s production goes back to basics with “The Comedy of Errors,” one of Shakespeare’s first plays. Maryann Iaria is super excited about this and you can hear it in her voice on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This episode gives you a delightful taste of Rebekah’s first novel. It’s full of interesting characters, each with a bit of ourselves in them.
Rebekah has a YouTube channel called Rebekah Spills Tea. On it she talks about writing. She reads letters to Aunt Piney who is the Chanceville Examiner’s advice columnist. Apparently she’s really bad at it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQuFjt3VJWELYGgKe1Fk4Ag
Rebekah’s website, Wellinkedbooks.com, will soon be operational.
You know summer is really here when the Monroe County Civic Theater does Shakespeare in the Park. Our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group has been doing it for 35 years, and next week this year’s production goes back to basics with “The Comedy of Errors,” one of Shakespeare’s first plays. Maryann Iaria is super excited about this and she wants you to be a part of it.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Featured Animal: Bubby
“Bubby is an amazing, affectionate, gorgeous old man. He loves chin scratches and will drool the tiniest bit when he’s really feeling them. His foster family is in love with him, and we know that you will be, too. If you’re looking for a senior guy who needs a warm bed to rest those weary bones, Bubby is your dude. He is diabetic and will need insulin and monitoring for this condition.” – City of Bloomington Animal Shelter
To learn more about Bubby and his adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Kitten Season
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about what “kitten season” is, and how to help as a member of the community.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze learns about a new student movement on the IU campus devoted to freeing animals from cruel and secretive experimentation programs like the one that uses baby birds to train Artificial Intelligence robots.
Carbon offsets are questionable as a tool to reduce fossil fuel consumption. A carbon offset is a credit that you can buy to make up for your emissions. So if you fly from New York to San Francisco, releasing around 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, you can purchase an offset, funding a project that will remove or store that same amount of carbon dioxide elsewhere, often by planting or preserving trees.
At least that’s the idea, according to a recent New York Times story. But many scientists object to the principle, on the grounds that we need to sharply reduce emissions, not just try to cancel them out.
Offsetting is a misnomer, said Barbara Haya, director of the Berkeley Carbon Trading Project at the University of California, Berkeley. It creates a fiction that you can fly and emit greenhouse gasses and companies are working on ways to improve the credibility of carbon credits. But Dr. Haya has been studying offsets for more than 20 years and so far, she said, the results have been grim. Most credits don’t represent the amount of emissions reductions that they claim, she said. Others have had no measurable climate benefit at all.
That’s because measuring the carbon captured by, say, planting a new tree is hard. Would that tree have been planted anyway? What happens if that tree later burns in a wildfire? John Sterman, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and director of the MIT Climate Pathways Project, compared carbon credits to the magical healing elixirs of the Old West. I could put anything into that bottle. And it isn’t just that it might not work — it could be downright harmful. That’s where we’re at with carbon offsets, he said. They’re fooling people.
Last year, an estimated $1.7 billion of carbon credits were issued worldwide, according to an analysis from the global accounting firm KPMG. The best solution, according to the experts: Fly less.
And when you do fly, choose economy. Since premium seats take up more space, passengers in first or business class account for up to four times the emissions of passengers in the back.
After 30 years of warnings, we’ve made little progress in halting global warming. The carbon dioxide measured at Hawaii is now 428 ppm. Ten years ago it was 402 ppm. The amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere is still accelerating. Countries are not reducing fossil fuel combustion enough to make an impact. From historic conditions, we know that when the CO2 value reaches 650 ppm, there will be no ice on Earth.
Reuters reports that the various species of whales inhabiting Earth’s oceans employ different types of vocalizations to communicate. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, communicate using bursts of clicking noises — called codas — sounding a bit like Morse code.
A new analysis of years of vocalizations by sperm whales in the eastern Caribbean has found that their system of communication is more sophisticated than previously known, exhibiting a complex internal structure replete with a “phonetic alphabet.” The researchers identified similarities to aspects of other animal communication systems — and even human language.
Like all marine mammals, sperm whales are very social animals, with their calls an integral part of this. The new study has provided a fuller understanding of how these whales communicate.
“The research shows that the expressivity of sperm whale calls is much larger than previously thought,” said Pratyusha Sharma, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology doctoral student in robotics and machine learning and lead author of the study published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.
We do not know yet what they are saying. We are studying the calls in their behavioral contexts next to understand what sperm whales might be communicating about, said Sharma.
Inside Climate Change reports the coastal communities of Guayama and Salinas in southern Puerto Rico feature acres of vibrant green farmland, and a rich, biodiverse estuary, the protected Jobos Bay, which stretches between the neighboring townships. But this would-be tropical paradise is also the home of both a 52-year-old oil-fired power plant and a 22-year-old coal-fired power plant, which local residents say contaminate their drinking water and air, and harm people’s health.
It’s a classic sacrifice zone, said Ruth Santiago, a lawyer and community activist who has fought against environmental injustice in Puerto Rico for more than 20 years. A friend calls this ‘the beautiful place with serious problems. Local residents envision a cleaner future as these fossil fuel plants are scheduled to retire within the next several years. They see rooftop solar as the best alternative as the island transitions to renewable energy.
In November 2023, the federal government allocated $440 million in funding for rooftop solar energy in Puerto Rico, part of a billion dollar energy investment in the island. Officials, in recent years, have acknowledged that the region has suffered as the home of polluting power plants.
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and Gorgo Losi of IU Animal Campaigns with a special report about the group’s fight for information from the Luddy School of Informatics about the placement of newborn chicks into virtual reality boxes in research on perceptual development to be applied to the Artificial Intelligence industry.
Learn about Natural Dyes during a program that explores the art of dyeing fabrics with organic materials from nature on Saturday, May 18th, from Noon to 2 pm at Winslow Woods Park. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Reptile and Amphibian Night on Saturday, May 18th, from 6:30 to 8 pm. The state herpetologist will discuss what makes reptiles and amphibians unique, their habitat needs and local Indiana species. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov.
World Turtle Day will be celebrated at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, May 23rd, from 10 am to 5 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to watch turtles explore the outside.
A Full Flower Moon Night Hike is scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd, from 9 to 10:30 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. Learn about nocturnal animals and the history and folklore of the Full Flower Moon. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Learn about Twirling Ladybugs at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 25th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Go to the Activity Center to make a twirling ladybug craft while learning how to tell the difference between our native ladybugs and the non-native lady beetle.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced and edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Zyro Roze are our engineers.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 16th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60. More in the top half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. That’s coming up in the second half of tonight’s newscast.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60. We turn now to Zyro Roze for Part Two of that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. In today’s report, Lambright traces the origins of whiteness in America, beginning with Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. She, along with scholar Micol Siegel, argue that whiteness, the ideology, has a starting place in time. Lambright tracks whiteness through time taking us to the present with the election of Donald Trump and the building of prisons in Appalachia. Lambright argues that whiteness not only hurts people of color, but it also hurts the people we might think benefit from the privileges associated with whiteness: lower-class white folks. We now turn to Part Two of the May edition of History Unbound on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Zyro Roze and Brookelyn Lambright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 15th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, the producers of Kite Line interviewed two professors at Indiana University who gave their reaction to the student Palestine solidarity protests in Dunn Meadow. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Young and the Old” on Better Beware — your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News
But first, we hear an excerpt from Kite Line:
In today’s feature report, the producers of Kite Line interviewed two professors at Indiana University who discussed the student Palestine solidarity protests in Dunn Meadow. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 pm on WFHB. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
To hear the full episode of Kite Line, click here.
Up next, “The Young and the Old” on Better Beware — your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Mia Beach and Hugh Farrell.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The FBI is reporting a serious increase in fraud victims who are 60 or older — but at the same time, the Better Business Bureau says younger people, 18-24, are losing more to scammers than any other age group! Here are the facts.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 14th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60. More in today’s feature report.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission met on May 9th. They discussed multiple demolition delays. The petitioner, Sable Beyers, requested full demolition approval on five properties located on East 7th Street and North Jefferson Street.
Historic Preservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss gave background information on the historic nature of the properties.
Sandweiss said he received phone calls from neighbors about the potential demolition.
Commissioner Daniel Schlegel asked if the houses were in the Historic Green Acres district. Sandweiss responded.
Schlegel remarked that the demolition of the house at 324 North Jefferson Street would give him heartburn since he could tell it had been lovingly restored.
Commissioner Elizabeth Mitchell said that she would not like them to be demolished. Commissioner John Saunders replied that they could forward a recommendation to the city council to designate the area as a historic district.
Commissioner Bill Fulk said that although it would be sad to see them demolished, they are in an area that has been zoned for multi-family housing.
The petitioner Beyers Realty staff shared the purpose behind the demolition requests.
Legal Margie Rice suggested the city council could deliberate this in a work session.
Commissioner Member Sam Desollar recommended tabling the decision to have time to listen to public feedback on the potential demolitions.
Fulk said he would support a motion to table, and shared some final thoughts on the property.
The commission voted to table the vote on the demolition requests until their next meeting on May 23rd.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works met this Monday, May 6th.
During their meeting, Engineering Field Specialist Alex Gray shared the request from A-E-G to re-issue closure permits on South Maxwell Street and North Williams Street.
Board Member James Roach asked if she could explain what the installation is for. Gray responded.
The board voted unanimously to approve the closure permits request.
Later in the meeting, board members listened to a proposal for a new credit card processor at all city parking garages.
Parking Garages Parking Manager Jess Goodman spoke to the change in systems.
They said the new processor, Windcave, is necessary to be Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
The board approved the agreement with WindCave.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on May 21st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60. We turn now to Zyro Roze for that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kate Chmielewski and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 13th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Sandra Freund, director of the Sing For Joy community choir. Sandra just won a Be More award from the Bloomington Volunteer Network for running Bloomington’s most inclusive performance group. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The City of Bloomington Common Council met this Wednesday, May 8th. During their meeting, the council members heard ordinance 2024-10 amending ordinance 23-25. City Clerk Nicole Browne elaborated on what the legislation entails.
Human Resources Director Sharr Pechac broke down the details of the policy saying it would add a position in the department of public works and reclassify job titles within the office of the mayor and the department of public works in order to “better reflect the nature of those positions.”
City Council Member Isak Asare asked where the board of public works deficit came from. Pechac responded.
Arare then questioned whether the office of the mayor is reclassifying currently filled positions. Pechac confirmed that adjustments are being made to change positions that more appropriately align with the needs of the office of the mayor.
Asare asked a final follow up question regarding the city’s policy when it comes to reclassifying job positions. Pechac said that the city would work with the HR department to match job descriptions with department needs.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith inquired if the current individual would be given a priority for another position within the city of Bloomington. Pechac could not guarantee that the individual would get an opening, but that conversations would be prioritized to see if a position would align with their skillset.
The board passed the ordinance with a unanimous vote. The next Bloomington City Council will meet next on Wednesday, May 15th.
Bloomington Arts Commission
During the May 8th meeting of the Bloomington Arts Commission, Assistant Director of the Arts Holly Warren announced an upcoming arts forum at the John Waldron Arts Center, which will happen on Monday, May 13th.
Warren said there will also be a listening and a question-and-answer component of the arts forum. She explained that it continues in the tradition of Mayor Kerry Thomson’s public forums and traveling town halls.
Next, the grants subcommittee gave an update on the 2024 Arts Projects Grant, which will fund public facing arts programming in the city. Commission Member Elliot Josephine Leila Reichert walked through the findings of the subcommittee on the arts projects grant.
One commission member asked when funds will be disbursed. Warren explained the timeline for issuing funds to awarded applicants. She said she hopes funding would be distributed by mid-June, though she said she can’t make any promises.
The arts commission unanimously passed the recommended funding package. Then, Commission Member Gerard Pannekoek made note of upcoming events and important dates for the city’s arts and culture department.
The Bloomington Arts Commission will meet again on June 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Bloomington’s SING FOR JOY! community choir might be the most inclusive performance group around. SING FOR JOY! is open to literally anyone, no audition required. People with disabilities or dementia or other challenges that might make a traditional choir intimidating are encouraged to join. Director Sandra Freund recently won a “Be More” award from the Bloomington Volunteer Network for this innovative approach, and she’s here to ask YOU to join SING FOR JOY! on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Kate Chmielewsk, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240511-Matriarch-Sat-Child-1.mp3WFHB welcomes The Matriarch to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, May 11, from 11am to noon. Join us for a uniquely convergent performance of emotionally bold, folk-influenced indie pop with pleasantly inviting R&B roots and a rock twist. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. The Matriarch –live on Saturday’s Child, May 11, at 11am, on WFHB.
Bloomington’s SING FOR JOY! community choir might be the most inclusive performance group around. SING FOR JOY! is open to literally anyone, no audition required. People with disabilities or dementia or other challenges that might make a traditional choir intimidating are encouraged to join. Director Sandra Freund recently won a “Be More” award from the Bloomington Volunteer Network for this innovative approach, and she’s here to ask YOU to join SING FOR JOY!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Kal bids Bloomington adieu for the wilds of Indy, and then we make a news sandwich.
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
Nuestras amigas de SCCAP, Anna Alemán, Mayra y Nancy, nos visitan para hablarnos de Head Start and Early Head Start, y brindarnos más información sobre estos programas de educación prescolar, como los requisitos de elegibilidad y la información de contacto. Además, nos platican sobre el Programa de Asistencia de Energía.
Desde Greenville, South Carolina, nuestra amiga entrañable y locutora por más 17 años, regresa a Hola Bloomington para contarnos de la transcición a su nuevo hogar. Después de haberse desempeñado como voluntaria por tantos años y en distintas organizaciones de Bloomington, María nos cuenta también de los trabajos voluntarios que ofrece la ciudad para sus habitantes,
Coming up in this edition of EcoReport, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their discussion in Part 4 about Monroe Lake and then we will listen to episodes about The Secret Life of Fungi.
A committee of the US House has been investigating the role of fossil fuel companies in hiding their awareness that burning fossil fuels would lead to global warming. Documents demonstrate for the first time that fossil fuel companies internally do not dispute that they have understood since at least the 1960s that burning fossil fuels causes climate change. Also, they then worked for decades to undermine public understanding of this fact and to deny the underlying science.
In fall 2015, blockbuster reporting by Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times revealed that Big Oil companies such as Exxon knew that burning fossil fuels was a major contributor to climate change. Companies publicly rejected the reporting at the time, but new documents corroborate the reporting and show that fossil fuel companies internally did not dispute the findings, but tried to dismiss them as “hyperbolic” and “journalistic malpractice.”
Big Oil’s deception campaign evolved from explicit denial of the basic science underlying climate change to deception, disinformation, and doublespeak. The fossil fuel industry evolved from denying climate science to spreading disinformation and perpetuating doublespeak about the safety of natural gas and its
commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
New documents demonstrate that Big Oil companies seek to position natural gas as a “bridge fuel” between coal and cleaner, renewable energy. They also portray natural gas as a green, climate-friendly fuel and make public pledges to support the Paris Agreement. Big oil publicly embraced carbon capture technologies to help reduce harmful emissions while privately acknowledging that the technology is expensive. They have been successful in forcing the Biden Administration to fund billions in this area. It is wasted money. Carbon sequestration is something the Indiana Legislature has been keen on, which only demonstrates how little our state leaders know about energy. Additionally, Exxon and others have publicly promoted algae-based biofuels as an innovative low-carbon technology. This made-for-tv concept showed gleaming kettles to impress the public, but now that they’ve accomplished their tree-hugger image, they’ve canceled these programs entirely.
In conclusion, the House committee has proven what climate scientists have been saying for decades.
There are signs in long-range models and climate trends that summer 2024 could end up being one of the hottest summers on record. It appears a La Niña event is developing. La Nina refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. That leaves warm water to accumulate near Australia. This condition has significant
consequences for the US.
The term El Niño is related to La Nina and refers to a warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino is the warm eastern phase of the Southern Oscillation cycle. A neutral phase refers to accumulation of warm surface water in the mid-Pacific. We have been under an El Nino condition for several months; now it appears there is a transition to La Niña. Forecasts for 2024 call for a transition from El Niño to neutral by April-June 2024 (85% chance), with the odds of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 (60% chance).
A hot summer is expected for nearly all of the contiguous U.S. with only a few exceptions. From June through August, temperatures are forecast to run at least 2 degrees above historical averages across more than half of the country. The last time Indiana experienced a very hot summer was in 2011, a La Nina year.
Summer 2024 might mean heat waves for many areas across the Plains to Northeast. Compared to historical averages, the hottest areas can be over the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and southwestern Plains. Showers and thunderstorms in these areas may bring periodic breaks in the heat in June and July, but drier weather could result in some of the hottest weather for the region in August. The widespread warmth will translate to higher energy bills across the country. There is a real danger our grid may fail,
because it is sorely in need of updating.
A La Nina is blamed for the record tornado activity across the Southern U.S during Spring 2011, especially the Super Outbreak, which is the largest and costliest tornado outbreak in recorded history, as well as being one of the most violent and one of the deadliest. A destructive Atlantic hurricane season is likely, and the first storm of the year could spin up before the season officially begins on June 1. The number of potential hurricanes in the forecast is almost double the normal number.
When there’s a La Nina, there are more storms in the Atlantic during hurricane season because winds from the west are not sufficient to shear off the tops of storms. We may be in for a difficult summer.
As reported by the New York Times, humans are transforming Earth’s natural landscapes so dramatically that as many as one million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, posing a dire threat to ecosystems that people all over the world depend on for their survival, a sweeping new United Nations assessment has concluded.
The 1,500-page report, compiled by hundreds of international experts and based on thousands of scientific studies, is the most exhaustive look yet at the decline in biodiversity across the globe and the dangers that creates for human civilization. A summary of its findings, which was approved by representatives from the United States and 131 other countries, was released recently.
Its conclusions are stark. In most major land habitats, from the savannas of Africa to the rain forests of South America, the average abundance of native plant and animal life has fallen by 20 percent or more, mainly over the past century. With the human population passing 8 billion, activities like farming, logging, poaching, fishing and mining are altering the natural world at a rate “unprecedented in human history.”
This warning is not new. E. O. Wilson, the dean of American biologists, predicted the one million species becoming extinct several years ago. Very recently David Attenborough not only chimed in on the one million species, but he took the debate one giant step forward by saying the extinction would occur within two decades. That is shocking because it comes early into the 6th Mass Extinction. The 6th extinction will continue until the human population is reduced, possibly under 4 billion.
Another event could be coming – the collapse of edible wild fish in the oceans. In 2006, a study of catch data published in the journal Science grimly predicted that if such unsustainable fishing rates continue, all the world’s fisheries will collapse by 2048. Unfortunately, we are on track to fulfill this prediction.
Feature Report:
And now, lets listen to Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young as they wrap up their interview about Monroe Lake and then enjoy episodes of The Secret Life of Fungi.
- Take a Leaves & Seeds Tree Hike at Lower Cascades Park on Saturday, May 11th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Get a close look at the leaves and seeds of trees to learn how to identify them. Dress for the weather. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Enjoy an All Nature Preserves Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 11th, at 10 am. Meet at the Twin Caves parking lot for a hike through all three of Spring Mill’s Nature Preserves.
- Take a Wildflower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th, at 4 pm. Meet the naturalist Jessica at the Canyon Inn to enjoy a hike on Trail 4 as you learn about spring-blooming wildflowers.
- Join guest hike leader and expert naturalist, Cathy Meyer, for a guided birding and nature walk through the wetlands area at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Tuesday, May 14th from 9 to 11 am. Register at Sycamorelandtrust.org.
- Learn about Springhouse Sallies at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, May 17th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter on Trail 9 to see what salamanders are living in the
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider..
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 9th, 2024.
Later in the program, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
This month we interviewed Dr. Matt Hoffman of Alina Health in Minnesota and Marisa Powell, lead organizer for Doctors Council, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.At the Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting on May 2nd, Planning Director Denise Line gave the Planning Department update. She shared that they have tentatively scheduled a Unified Development Ordinance Open House for the 30th of May.
President of the commission David Drake asked if the Plan commission reviews the U-D-O during the open house. Line responded that it is a time for the public to give their input.
Line said she plans to have the U-D-O draft ready by the commission meeting in July.
The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on June 6th.
Monroe County Commissioners’ Jail Feasibility Study
Photo by Benedict Jones.On April 29th, the Monroe County Commissioners held a public hearing about the Jail Feasibility Study, also referred to as the Justice Study. According to a release sent out by the commissioners, the purpose of the hearing was to provide a “feasibility study of possible alternatives to the construction or reconstruction of the county jail.” The public hearing coincided with the release of the
Monroe County Justice Study conducted by the R-Q-A-W Corporation, a consultant based out of Fishers, Indiana.
Project Manager Sanjay Patel introduced the staff working on the study and their roles.
The Monroe County Justice Study can be found online on the county’s website by going to their document center and searching Justice Study.
Feature Reports:
Up next, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News.
This month we interviewed Dr. Matt Hoffman of Alina Health in Minnesota and Marisa Powell, lead organizer for Doctors Council, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. Dr Hoffman, a family practitioner, was one of the leaders of the campaign that unionized more than 550 primary and urgent care physicians who work for Alina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
We turn now to the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Dr. Rob Stone, Karen Green Stone and Kelsey Pease.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured animal: Sun Bear
Sun Bear is a charming, 10-year-old Golden Retriever / Chow Chow mix who is very sweet and oh-so fluffy! He really enjoys being outside, getting all the sniffs, and has started to show off some “zoomies”! Sun Bear is most likely deaf or hard of hearing, so abrupt movements can be a bit startling, and he’d prefer the company of calm animal friends.
To learn more about Sun Bear and adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: CPR For Cats and Dogs
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about what to do if you find an unresponsive dog or cat, and how to perform CPR on these types of pets.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
They hope to connect songwriters with audiences, audiences with songwriters, and songwriters with other songwriters. The Cosmic Songwriter Festival is all about connections. Founded by Fuentes and McDermott in December 2021, the nonprofit Cosmic Songwriter, Inc. has staged monthly showcases at the Orbit Room since then. Now, the two are working feverishly to produce the second annual Cosmic Songwriter Festival this month. Over a four-day period, they’ll pair national acts with local acts, with two acts appearing on the same stage at the same time. The acts will alternate playing songs, will comment and converse between tunes, and perhaps even come up with something entirely new and different.
McDermott (L) and Fuentes.Host Michael GLab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
We all depend on computer encryption to keep our data and communications safe. Now, quantum computing is going to make the encryption we’ve all been using obsolete. Here’s a very quick look at a complex subject that will definitely affect all of us…perhaps as soon as next year.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News delivers a Primary Election Day Special speaking with voters, poll workers and Monroe County Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, the Election Day Special:
WFHB News – Primary Election Day Special
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).Today marks Primary Election Day in Monroe County. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WFHB News spoke with voters, poll workers and the county election supervisor to capture a glimpse of what Election Day looks like in Monroe County.
At 1 p.m., WFHB News Director Kade Young interviewed Monroe County Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland about what her position entails, what went into organizing the election and how to better engage voters in the election process. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In the first of two stories a slave girl is exposed to incredible indignities but has a secret that enables her to survive with her dignity in tact. The second story is a biographical dramatization of a woman born into slavery making it through her strength of character and generosity. You can enjoy much more of Gladys DeVane’s creativity in her book, Come Sit with Me: Life in Poetry Prose, and Plays.
This program originally aired on June 5, 2023:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Diana Daniels of the Lick Creek African American Settlement. These settlers were free citizens who fled racial persecution and increasingly restrictive laws for free blacks in their previous homes in North Carolina. Traveling with the Quakers offered some protection on their journey and the promise of supportive neighbors upon their arrival. According to the census records, 96 blacks were living in Orange County in 1820. As more blacks came into the area, they purchased land from the United States of America (patented) in what we now call the Lick Creek African American Settlement area.
One of the first African Americans to purchase land in the Lick Creek area was Elias Roberts, along with Benjamin Roberts and Peter Lindley, in 1832.Lick Creek CementaryCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 6th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Andrea Kleesattel from Windfall Dancers, a local nonprofit using dance to promote health AND build community. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 1st, during council reports, Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith gave an update on their deliberations about public comment, and how they might restructure it.
During public comment, Chair of the Human Rights Commission Ryan Shaddy spoke out against the hate speech at the Council meeting on April 3rd.
Then, council members revisited the resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, following the Mayor’s passive veto of the resolution on April 19th. City Clerk Nicole Bolden read aloud Resolution 2024-08.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith provided a brief overview on the mayor’s veto of the original resolution.
Council Member Dave Rollo spoke in solidarity with innocent people impacted by the war and Bloomington’s history passing similar resolutions against humanitarian crises.
The council unanimously passed the resolution on April 3rd. Council members unanimously passed it again at this meeting on May 1st, formally instating the resolution.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on May 8th.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 1st, the commissioners shared a statement on the recent events at Indiana University protests in Dunn Meadow.
Later the commissioners heard from Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie and Area 10 Director Chris Meyers for the annual Rural Transit agreement renewal. Purdie clarified that this year, the agreement does not include transportation between Bloomington and Ellettsville.
Area 10 Director Chris Meyers outlined the cost that the county would have to match, and said that they are looking to replace two of their large buses.
Commissioner Penny Githens said that the individuals using the service are making important trips.
Commissioner Julie Thomas explained why Rural Transit is not able to provide services to Elletsville anymore, and said that they are still working on finding a permanent solution.
During public comment on the Rural Transit renewal Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Director of Advocacy & Public Policy Christopher Emge spoke in support of Rural Transit.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 8th has been canceled. The commissioners will meet again on May 13th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Dance studios are typically set up as commercial businesses, but in Bloomington Windfall Dancers is a non-profit promoting movement for individual health AND building community. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel offers their facility to groups that need a space, and she’d love to talk to you about volunteering at Windfall or maybe trading some gardening work for free dance classes. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Dance studios are typically set up as commercial businesses, but in Bloomington Windfall Dancers is a non-profit promoting movement for individual health AND building community. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel offers their facility to groups that need a space, and she’d love to talk to you about volunteering at Windfall or maybe trading some gardening work for free dance classes. Yes, they have a garden at Windfall!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Justtin, Kal, and Melanie discuss the events of the week prior on IU’s campus where the President changed 55-year-old rules regarding the use of Dunn Meadow as a protected free speech zone. It was a secret meeting held the night before an announced peace protest, This, as she was coordinating with the Indiana State Police to force a violent escalation complete with an ISSP sniper on the Student Union. Its connection to the LGBTIQ+ community is that the First Amendment is at the root of all struggles for liberation.
Kal shares an exciting life update!
The Vernal Fund Drive is over, but we could always use your help! When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
In this edition of Eco Report, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their conversation with Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, discussing the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.
Eight percent of Indiana’s corn and soybeans have been planted across the state according to USDA. That compares to two percent of both corn and soybeans planted from last week’s report. Planting progress for both corn and soybeans are below their respective five-year averages at 13 and 9 percent. The statewide average precipitation was 0.80 inches, 0.02 inches below normal. There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 28, according to Nathanial Warenski, State Statistician, Indiana Field Office. Winter wheat jointing for Indiana is at 61 percent compared to 43 percent from last week. Seven percent is headed.
The planting so far does not reflect any adjustment for the possibility of a La Nina this summer. The Progressive Farmer says “with La Nina indicated to form by mid to late summer, there is a notable potential decline in corn production from levels posted in USDA’s 2024 Outlook Forum. The Outlook Forum projected U.S. corn production at 15.04 billion bushels in 2024”. During the last La Nina event 2011-2012, U.S. corn growers produced 10.8 billion bushels in 2012, 13 percent below the 2011 crop. Many Indiana farmers lost most of their crop in 2012. Some states in the Corn Belt did not suffer excessive drought.
You may not see many monarch butterflies this summer. Why? There are very few left. EcoWatch reports the estimated number of monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico for winter has reached its second-lowest level ever for the 2023 to 2024 overwintering season. The estimate, based on the size of the butterflies’ hibernating forest area, has dropped by about 59% from the previous year, according to officials. Experts are pointing to extensive heat and drought as well as climate change for the major decline. Recent years have seen some hope for the migrating monarch butterflies, with a 35% increase in the number of butterflies observed overwintering in Mexico during the 2021 to 2022 season compared to the previous year.
But monarch butterflies face three primary threats, including habitat loss for their breeding and overwintering; the use of pesticides, which can be toxic to the butterflies or can kill their food source, milkweed; and climate change, which can shift their migratory patterns. By the 2022 to 2023 overwintering season, World Wildlife Fund reported a 22% drop in the amount of overwintering monarch butterflies in Mexico. According to WWF, monarch butterflies once covered about 45 acres of forested land in Mexico during their 1996 to 1997 overwintering season. Last year, they covered 5.5 acres. With the 59% decline, the 2023 overwintering season saw the butterflies covering just 2.2 acres, The Associated Press reported. The lowest coverage ever recorded was 1.65 acres from 2013 to 2014.
Inside Climate Change reports that power plant pollution is targeted in sweeping actions by the Biden Administration. Greenhouse gas rules offer a leeway, but come packaged with new standards for air, water and waste that put big restraints on coal. The EPA has set the most stringent standards for the coal plants that are going to last the longest, and the gas plants that are going to operate the most often, said Frank Sturges, attorney with the advocacy group Clean Air Task Force.
This means there are going to be meaningful reductions that help address the worst impacts of climate change. The Department of Energy finalized a pair of measures designed to speed the build-out of renewable energy: a long-awaited plan to accelerate the federal permitting process for big transmission line projects and a streamlined environmental review process for upgrades of existing transmission lines, battery and other energy storage systems and solar photovoltaic projects.
CNN reports more people across the United States – nearly 40% – are living in places with unhealthy levels of polluted air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association. The number of people living with levels of air pollution that can significantly affect their health climbed from about 119 million in last year’s data to 131 million in the current data, according to the “State of the Air” report released Wednesday. Extreme heat, drought and wildfires are among the factors that have contributed to a rise in deadly air pollution, especially in the Western part of the country, said Katherine Pruitt, author of the report and senior director of the American Lung Association’s Nationwide Clean Air Policy. The air pollution produced by wildfire smoke is getting worse every year, Pruitt said.
Climate change is contributing to that situation, and those wildfires are a very serious threat to our health. According to a report by WFIU, Indianapolis is among one of the worst cities in the country for particle pollution. Particle pollution refers to a mix of solid and liquid droplets in the air – from things like burning stoves or smokestacks – which are harmful to breathe in. The 2023 “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association ranked Indianapolis as the 10th most polluted city for year-round particle pollution.
The city was ranked 13th last year. Tiffany Nichols is the Indiana advocacy director for the American Lung Association. She said Marion County received an “F” in the organization’s State of the Air report for particle pollution, meaning people may experience new or worsening lung issues due to air quality. There will be more wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks may be exacerbated, worsening of COPD, lung cancer, she said. Some other less common things are premature death. Heart attack and stroke and more susceptibility to infections.
In this weeks feature, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their conversation with Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Monroe Lake, discussing the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.
- Growing Gardeners, a program offered by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, will offer hands-on garden related project ideas that will help inspire kids to get involved with gardening on Saturday, May 4th, at the Willie Street Community Gardens from 10 am to Noon. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Enjoy a Cold Blooded Buffet at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 5th, from 2 to 2:30 pm in the Nature Center. Hop and slither to see the resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana’s native amphibians and reptiles.
- The popular Flora Field Day at the Salt Creek Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your flora identification skills with the naturalist. Bring bug spray, water, hats and sunglasses and a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafield-may2024.
- Help maintain habitat from invasive species on Wednesday, May 8th, from 10 am to Noon at the Porter West Preserve. Sycamore Land trust needs volunteers to Weed Wrangle and learn about garlic mustard. RSVP to Sycamorelandtrust.org.
- Take a Wildflower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 12th, at 4 pm. Meet the naturalist Jessica at the Canyon Inn to enjoy a hike on Trail 4 as you learn about spring-blooming wildflowers.
Credits:
On Air…………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………….Robert Schull
Headlines……………..Norm Holy
News feature…………Kade Young
Script………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………Julianna Dailey
Producer………………Kade Young
Producer……………..Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Engineer………………Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr Matt Hoffman of Alina Health in Minnesota and Marisa Powell, lead organizer for Doctors Council, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. Dr Hoffman, a family practitioner, was one of the leaders of the campaign that unionized more than 550 primary and urgent care physicians who work for Alina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Dr. Matt Hoffman
The New England Journal of Medicine 4/20/24 Hospital Consolidation and Physician Unionization
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
As part of our effort to create a comprehensive history of WFHB, Bloomington community radio, we are gathering a library of oral recollections. Among the recordings is that of Richard Fish, a long-time audio engineer and old-time radio program archivist. Fish was in on the development of WFHB as far back as the late 1970s. His voice has been heard on WFHB since our first day on the air in January, 1993. Keep up with our ongoing series of blog posts on WFHB’s history here.
Rich Fish in 2003.Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.
Earlier today, protesters gathered outside Bryan Hall to deliver a letter of resignation for Indiana University President Pamela Whitten. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound.
But first, your local headlines.
Students, Faculty and Staff Write Resignation Letter for IU President Pamela Whitten
Earlier today, protesters gathered outside Bryan Hall to deliver a letter of resignation for Indiana University President Pamela Whitten.
The letter was written by a handful of students, faculty and staff and was addressed to the IU Board of Trustees.
Dr. Micol Seigel commented on the letter outside Bryan Hall earlier this afternoon.
This comes in the aftermath of an overnight policy change by the university banning encampments in Dunn Meadow, reversing a decades old policy.
Furthermore, it coincides with the Indiana Graduate Workers’ strike and vote of ‘no confidence’ of the IU president.
Then, a protester read the letter. It says, as follows:
Demonstrators then began chanting, “sign the letter.” They were denied entry into Bryan Hall. A faculty member then addressed the crowd into a megaphone.
Protesters marched to the Bryan House, the traditional home of the president of the university. There, they read the letter again with a series of chants. The IU Police Department showed up, commenting that they were there simply to “keep the peace.”
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. In today’s report, Lambright traces the origins of whiteness in America, beginning with Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. She, along with scholar Micol Siegel, argue that whiteness, the ideology, has a starting place in time. Lambright tracks whiteness through time taking us to the present with the election of Donald Trump and the building of prisons in Appalachia. Lambright argues that whiteness not only hurts people of color, but it also hurts the people we might think benefit from the privileges associated with whiteness: lower-class white folks.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Whiteness: the privileges associated with one’s white skin color.
Before making this episode, when I thought about whiteness or racial divides, I often thought about it as a naturalized process- something inherent. But, after much research, it turns out whiteness does have a starting point in America- Bacon’s Rebellion. This episode traces the origins of Bacon’s Rebellion and it’s role in beginning a long history of racial tension in America. Then, I connect it to the present with the election of Donald Trump and his main demographic of voters: lower-class white folks. When we talk about white privilege, we often hear about its negative impact on people of color. Which is true. It hurts minorities in a multitude of ways, all of which are worth discussing. But, what I found so fascinating is that whiteness hurts the very people that think they are benefitting from it. Not only does whiteness hurt minorities but it places lower-class white folks at a disadvantage, impacting their health, finances, and sociopolitical power. Why and how whiteness impacts lower-class white people is the topic of this episode. Listen along to hear more from American Studies scholar, Micol Seigel.
More resources:
Encyclopedia of American Studies, “Whiteness”
Jonathan Metzel, Dying of whiteness, How the politics of raial resentment is killing America’s heartland
Judah Schept, “Cages in the Coalfields”
Brent Tarter, “Bacon’s Rebellion, the Grievances of the People, and the Political Culture of
Seventeenth-Century Virginia”
Dale Tatum, “Donald Trump and the legacy of Bacon’s Rebellion”
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with protesters at Dunn Meadow on Day 1 of Palestine solidarity demonstrations. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Three Strikes, No Hit” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On April 24th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Monroe County Climate Resilience Fellow Victoria Seest gave an update on the Monroe County Climate Resilience Plan.
Seest outlined steps moving forward, and explained that the Blue Ribbon Commission will be working on implementing the plan.
Later in the meeting the commissioners read off a proclamation recognizing the importance of Earth Day and the Monroe County Climate Resilience Plan in Monroe County.
The Commissioners held a public hearing on the Jail Feasibility Study on April 29th. The justice study is now publicly available. You can find the full report on the county’s website here.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will be held on May 1st.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the April 23rd meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard a request for an alley closure and metered parking reservation. The request came from Fox Properties for building facade work. Project Engineer for the City Kendall Knoke walked through the request.
Director of the Public Works Department Adam Wason said he recommends approval of the request.
The board approved the request by a unanimous vote. Then, the board heard a resolution regarding the West Second Street Modernization and Safety Improvement Project. Knoke introduced the resolution.
The board approved the resolution 2-0. The Bloomington Board of Public works will meet again on May 6th.
Dunn Meadow Protest Continues Into Day 7
Palestine solidarity protests have continued for seven days at Indiana University’s Dunn Meadow.
Since demonstrations began last Thursday, state police have arrested 57 people. Snipers were spotted on the roof of the student union, a state police helicopter surveilled the demonstration, and both students and faculty received bans from campus.
On Day 7 of the protest, WFHB News spoke with two organizers, Soha and Elena, both students at the university, who chose to only divulge their first names. They said they have been staying at the encampments for the past seven days.
Soha summarized in her own words the purpose of the Dunn Meadow protests, saying it has to do with “disclosure” and “divestment.”
The Indiana State Police arrested over 50 protesters since demonstrations began last Thursday. Soha gave her reaction to the police response to the protest.
Since 1969, Dunn Meadow has been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects. Soha described how protesters view the overnight policy change by the university, which she says contradicts historical precedent.
Then, WFHB News spoke with Elena, another organizer of the protest. Elena talked about her experience being banned from campus and challenges that protesters have faced, especially those who live on campus, following the arrests and subsequent trespassing bans.
Elena denounced the university’s response to what she says are peaceful protests. She described the “brute force” used by police, saying she was injured during the demonstrations.
Soha and Elena told WFHB News what they hope will change as a result of the protests, both at the university level but also across the globe.
Looking ahead, Elena explained what the next steps for the protests are and how they hope their demands will be met.
So far, the IU faculty have written a letter to the Board of Trustees calling for the resignation of IU President Pamela Whitten and Provost Rahul Shrivastav.
Other schools within the university such as the College of Arts and Sciences, the Media School and the Jacob’s School of Music have issued statements or letters showing solidarity with the protesters.
After arrests were made, IU President Pamela Whitten wrote in a letter to faculty colleagues, “As we watched similar events unfold on numerous campuses around the country and prepared for today’s rally, we thoughtfully considered the best course of action for IU with the safety of our community being foundational to our decision.”
Up next, “Three Strikes, No Hit” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The fraudsters hit on me all the time, and here are three recent foul-ball attempts to bamboozle me. All were pretty obvious for a number of reasons, and telling you about them is fun! Three strikes, no hits, and all made the error of targeting me.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.
Later in the program, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University’s financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.During public comment at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting on April 23rd, parents spoke in opposition to the resolution to merge Templeton and Child’s Elementary Schools.
Katey Buress spoke, saying that some parents are worried that students with an Individualized Education Plan are not going to be supported during the merger.
M-C-C-S-C English Teacher and Member of the Monroe County Education Assembly, or the M-C-E-A, the teacher’s union Paul Rhodes spoke on the amendment to Bylaw 135 and expressed support for reinstating the Union’s ability to discuss with employers during the decision making process.
The board voted on an amendment to Bylaw 135, to Meet and Confer for School Employees Exclusive Representatives and Discussion Rights.
Board President April Hennessey said this was a difficult decision to make, but that she will vote yes on the amendment to support the teacher’s union.
Board Member Erin Cooperman touched on the policy that prohibits teachers from speaking directly to the board.
Hennessey explained that the reason teachers are not allowed to speak directly to the board is to empower the union, but that the board is open to discussing this policy more in the future.
Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer added that the policy is to ensure that the board gives the teachers the opportunity to democratically come to a decision, rather than hearing from a handful of teachers.
The board voted to amend Bylaw 135 with a vote of 5-1, the amendment passed.
Next, the board voted to approve the merger between Child’s Elementary and Templeton Elementary schools.
Superintendent Jeff Hauswald answered some questions that the board has had about the merger.
The board voted to approve the resolution to converge the two elementary schools, with Board Member Ross Grimes abstaining.
The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting will be held on May 21st.
Protests Continue Monday at Dunn Meadow
On Monday, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University’s financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. Spokesperson for the IU Divestment Coalition Bryce Greene spoke to the crowd into a megaphone.
Then, Jeffrey Isaac, professor in political science at IU, brought up the vote of no confidence against IU President Pamela Whitten calling it “unprecedented.” He called out Whitten’s approach to the situation.
Matthew Rodriguez, a graduate student at Indiana University, addressed the police presence at the Dunn Meadow protest.
Protesters say they will continue their efforts until their demands are met. According to the IU Divestment Coalition’s Instagram, their demands include: the end of the university’s partnership with the Crane Naval Base, the resignation of IU administrators Pamela Whitten, Rahul Shrivastav, and Carrie Docherty, financial transparency and divestment from Israel and adherence to BDS, which stands for ‘boycott, divestment and sanctions.’
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cindy Beaulé and Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Fifteen year old Gordy shows us what life is like aboard a luxury space craft named Tree House on a years-long interstellar voyage. No body aboard, nether his aunt, his uncle, nor his cousin seems overly concerned that the craft’s propulsion system is on the fritz. These first two chapters of Kalynn Bower’s novel are likely to captivate many listeners and motivate them to acquire and read the whole novel.
This aired originally on November 6, 2023. On Friday, April 26, 2024, this program won First Place for OutstandingContributions in Reporting Events of Public Importance from the Indiana Chapter of The society of Professional Journalists.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, explore what the term woke really means. To help us better understand the concept and origins of “Wokeness”, Artina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton MetroParks in Southeast Michigan, joins them.
Artina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton MetroParks (MI)CREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger gives us a rundown of protests at Dunn Meadow over the course of the last few days. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Ryne Shadday from the Bloomington-Monroe County Human Rights Commission. Find out what kind of complaints come in and what they do about them later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines.
IU Divestment Coalition Hosts Press Conference
On Monday morning, the IU Divestment Coalition held a press conference about the recent protests in support of the people of Gaza.
The press conference took place on the sidewalk on 7th Street above Dunn Meadow — the location where demonstrators have been protesting for several days. In riot gear, the Indiana State Police arrested dozens of protesters late last week, including both students and faculty of the university.
In a statement released on Friday, the ISP said, “At approximately 12:20 p.m. today, uniformed officers from Indiana University Police Department and Indiana State Police approached the group in Dunn Meadow and gave a series of six verbal warnings to remove the structures. At approximately 12:35 p.m. individuals who refused to remove their structures from university property were detained and removed.”
IU President Pamela Whitten and Provost Rahul Shrivastav put out a statement on Sunday saying, “our commitment to free speech is—and must continue to be—unwavering. Everyone has the right to peacefully rally or protest on our campus, and we will do our best to ensure that everyone can exercise these rights in a safe environment. Free speech on our campus will never be impeded. There have been no changes to the opportunities and rights for free expression on campus.”
Bryce Greene, a spokesperson from the IU Divestment Coalition, responded to a question from a reporter pointing out factual inaccuracies from Whitten’s statement.
In Whitten’s statement, she said, “this movement also coincides with a troubling rise in antisemitism nationally and on college campuses. Specifically, antisemitic episodes have been linked to this national encampment campaign. It was in this unique context that we appointed the ad hoc committee and charged them to modernize our protocols for the presence of overnight structures in Dunn Meadow to address this contemporary issue.”
The IU Divestment Coalition addressed allegations of antisemitism or hate speech from the Whitten letter and from ISP Superintendent Doug Carter.
Greene listed the demands of the IU Divestment coalition saying it begins with disclosure of the university’s relationship with Israel’s war on Hamas.
Greene is a second year PhD student in Informatics. He was arrested on Saturday in connection with the protest. Greene said he’s facing one misdemeanor of trespassing and a five year ban from campus.
Meanwhile, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson released a video statement on Facebook saying she supports freedom of speech and that the Bloomington Police Department has not been involved in policing the protests.
On Sunday, Thomson issued an apology and, “commitment to do better” after she said her original statement was “less than clear.”
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Annika Harshbarger gives us a rundown of protests at Dunn Meadow over the course of the last few days. We turn to Harshbarger for more.
If you experience discrimination in Bloomington, the Human Rights Commission may be able to help. Last year the city HRC and the county HRC merged into a single entity that investigates complaints of discrimination against protected classes. Both the city and county have extended protection beyond what is federally required, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Commission president Ryne Shadday is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By: Annika Harshbarger
TRANSCRIPT
56 people have been arrested since protests started in Dunn Meadow Thursday morning, due to an overnight policy change from Indiana University making prior approval necessary to have tents on campus.
Dunn Meadow has been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects Since 1969. Force should not be used to execute the rules around enduring structures according to the office of the vice provost.
The new policy took effect on Wednesday and states that university approval must be given for signs, tents, and other temporary structures.
33 people were arrested Thursday afternoon in Dunn Meadow while protesting Indiana University’s connections to organizations supporting the genocide in Gaza. The protest has been mainly organized by the IU Divestment Coalition. They will be protesting until the following demands listed on their instagram on Thursday have been met.
“The end of the Crane partnership, the resignation of IU administrators Pamela Whitten, Rahul Shrivastav, and Carrie Docherty, financial transparency and divestment from Israel and adherence to BDS.”
On Thursday Bryce Greene, second year PhD student and spokesperson for the IU Divestment Coalition, spoke about the arrests from earlier that day.
“They shoved people to the ground… and people were arrested”
“Prepare people to be prepared for it”
People have reported being confused during their detainment due to silence from the university and police. 32 people were released from the Monroe County Jail with 1 year trespassing bans from IU. Many protesters live on campus creating issues for where to sleep that night.
Malaika khan: “A few of our members… “
Protestors felt that it was too dangerous to sleep in the encampment Thursday night. They decided to regroup at 11 am Friday to continue the protest.
With everybody on edge from the arrest the night before the focus of the day was morale. There were open mic nights, rallies at sample gates, and a movie screening.
Only to be interrupted by police vehicles driving by every once in a while and counter protestors blasting music from across the street and dancing with Israeli flags. They decided to sleep in Dunn meadow for the first time leading to arrests on Saturday.
23 people were arrested Saturday for trespassing and resisting law enforcement including the president of the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Bryce Greene the IU Divestment Coalition spokesperson. Greene has received a 5 year no trespassing ban on any Indiana University property.
From Thursday to Saturday there were rumors of two snipers sitting on the Indiana Memorial Union roof watching protestors. The Palestine Solidarity Committee Instagram posted a photo Saturday of two men walking through the IMU outfitted in military grade clothing, and what appears to be large guns poking out of their large backpacks. The committee captioned the photo saying:
“Snipers at Indiana University escorted by admin for the Gaza encampment where students, faculty, and community members (including toddlers) protest genocide and demand IU divest.”
Following the arrests there were protests outside the Monroe County Jail, in Dunn Meadow and the fieldhouse where protestors were rumored to have been held. Protestors slept in Dunn meadow for the second night.
Protestors have gained support across campus and into the community. Resulting in statements from student organizations such as the directors of the Indiana Memorial Union Board and schools such as the Media School concerned about free speech. As a result they have put out a call for an indefinite walk out, and calls to email professors about shutting down final exams to show the widespread support for the protests.
The Indiana Memorial Union Board talked about the police presence in the IMU leading to an atmosphere of fear dividing the campus.
The protest continues until the demands of the IU Divestment Coalition are met.
“I have to reiterate…”
If you experience discrimination in Bloomington, the Human Rights Commission may be able to help. Last year the city HRC and the county HRC merged into a single entity that investigates complaints of discrimination against protected classes. Both the city and county have extended protection beyond what is federally required, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. As a gay man living in a town that is perhaps not as “woke” as it thinks is, commission president Ryne Shadday stands up for those who have been wronged.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
We are joined by the Spencer Pride contingent! Judi Epp, Lucie Mathieu, and Spencer Pride’s Rainbow Birders organiser, Wendy Wonderly joins Kal and Justin and Melanie all around the big table to talk about Spencer Pride’s programming, give Unity Center updates, and Wendy talks about getting out farther than the closet with a bunch of other queer and allied folks to observe our beautiful, feathered microsaurs!
Before that, though, Kal updates us on some of the crisis around riot police being called into Dunn Meadow on the IU campus.
OH! Oh, yeah! It’s FUND DRIVE time. When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
On this Fund Drive edition of Eco Report, Kade Young continues his discussion with Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe. They will discuss how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.
Inside Climate Change *reports* a federal program is expanding electric school bus fleets, but there are still some bumps in the road. Often times, you can hear it—and smell it—before you see it: The steady sputtering of a bright yellow bus rolling around the corner to retrieve kids during the school year. Each year, school buses around the U.S. carry students more than 4 billion cumulative miles. However, the majority of them are powered by diesel-fueled engines that pre-date the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards.
Along with releasing climate-warming emissions, these diesel engines produce toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which can cause an array of health problems; research shows that diesel school buses exacerbate childhood asthma and drive increased reports of pneumonia and bronchitis. But momentum is building around a federal initiative to clean up schools’ gas-guzzling bus fleets by replacing them with cleaner electric convoys. In 2022, the Biden administration announced the first investments from the EPA’s “Clean School Bus Program,” which was launched to help speed up the electric transition in schools. As of January 2024, the EPA has provided around $1.84 billion to fund 5,103 “clean” school buses—96 percent of them electric—and charging infrastructure at 642 school districts in states, territories and tribal lands, according to a recent report.
Powered by large batteries, electric school buses do not produce any tailpipe emissions. In fact, the EPA says switching even just half of U.S. school buses from diesel to electric could avoid 2.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. A large-scale transition to electric vehicles in general would also have widespread benefits for pediatric lung health by reducing asthma attacks and cases of bronchitis, according to a report from the American Lung Association published in February. The problem? Electric school buses cost around $400,000 each, roughly three to four times as much as diesel-powered buses. That doesn’t factor in the additional tens of thousands of dollars required to build out infrastructure such as electric charging stations. For many school districts, shouldering the cost for this transition alone is impossible, which is why the EPA’s grants and rebates are coming into play.
The U.S. urgently urgently needs a bigger grid. There’s a fast solution. A rarely used technique to upgrade old power lines could play a big role in fixing one of the largest obstacles facing clean energy, two reports found. As explained by the New York Times, one of the biggest obstacles to expanding clean energy in the United States is a lack of power lines. Building new transmission lines can take a decade or more because of permitting delays and local opposition. But there may be a faster, cheaper solution, according to two reports.
Replacing existing power lines with cables made from state-of-the-art materials could roughly double the capacity of the electric grid in many parts of the country, making room for much more wind and solar power. This technique, known as “advanced reconductoring,” is widely used in other countries. But many U.S. utilities have been slow to embrace it because of their unfamiliarity with the technology as well as regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles, researchers found. “We were pretty astonished by how big of an increase in capacity you can get by reconductoring,” said Amol Phadke, a senior scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, who contributed to one of the reports released Tuesday.
Working with GridLab, a consulting firm, researchers from Berkeley looked at what would happen if advanced reconductoring were broadly adopted. Today, most power lines consist of steel cores surrounded by strands of aluminum, a design that’s been around for a century. In the 2000s, several companies developed cables that used smaller, lighter cores such as carbon fiber and that could hold more aluminum. These advanced cables can carry up to twice as much current as older models.
In this weeks feature, Kade Young and Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Monroe Lake, discuss the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.
- Learn all about Owls during the Nature Sounds Owls concert tonight, April 26th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park in the barn. Musical guest is Stephanie Heidemann. Bring your own seating.
- Enjoy Wildflowers along the Fire Tower at McCormick Creeks State Park on Saturday, May 4th from 2 to 4 pm. Meet naturalists Jess and Kyle in front of the Canyon Inn to enjoy a guided hike on Trail 4.
Credits:
Headlines Norm Holy
News feature Kade Young
Script Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar Julianna Dailey
Producer Kade Young
Producer Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Engineer Branden Blewett
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 25th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondents Kate Chmielewski and Annika Harshbarger will be live in the studio discussing how you can support the station during our Spring Fund Drive. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reported on a rally this morning at the Indiana University Dunn Meadow.
That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News:
Photo by Mia Beach.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reported on a rally this morning at the Indiana University Dunn Meadow where demonstrators called out the university’s ties to Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas. We turn now to that coverage on the WFHB Local News.
Photo by Mia Beach.About 150 people gathered with tents, canopies, and drums at Indiana University’s Dunn Meadow this morning, establishing a protest encampment in response to Indiana University’s ties to Israel, in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. We talked to a spokesperson of the encampment about their goals and experiences.
We were interrupted initially by IU administrators and IUPD officers, who walked through the camp handing out leaflets alleging the protest was illegal, though encampment organizers argue that this claim goes against standard IU policy, and that the encampment will only begin to violate the rules beginning at 11pm. Palestine solidarity organizers at IU have faced continual threats and harassment from the administration, including the suspension of tenured faculty member Abdulkader Sinno, the faculty advisor for the IU student group Palestine Solidarity Committee. As of reporting, dozens of student activists at the encampment are being threatened with arrest by a mix of IUPD, BDP, and Indiana state patrol officers.
This month, Civic Conversations welcomes Professor Charles Geyh, a Distinguished Professor of Law at Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law. A widely recognized expert on judicial conduct, Professor Geyh has served as a witness in a U.S. Senate impeachment trial, leading to dozens of media appearances on the subject. For more, we turn to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kay Weinberg.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 24th, 2024.
Later in the program, Limestone Post Reporter Becky Hill and Photographer Benedict Jones will be live in the studio during WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we will revisit an episode of Deep Dive penned by Hill and photographed by Jones.
That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News:
Power Transmission Lines in Central Indiana for Limestone Post by Benedict JonesIn today’s feature report, we rebroadcast a report on Indiana’s power grid from Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We turn now to that archived report during WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive.
Now we turn to the second half of the Deep Dive episode looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from August 17, 2020.
Hosts Cornelius Wright and Amnita Myers discuss the 1921 Tulsa/Greenwood Race Massacre with Liz Mitchel, a regular Bring It On! anchor and producer of award-winning WFHB segment “Dark Past, Bring Future”, and Professor Jewell Parker-Rhodes, bestselling novelist and award-winning academic.
The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred over the span of two days in 1921, from May 31 to June 1, when mobs of whites from the area indiscriminately attacked and often killed the black residents, especially those living in the Greenwood District of Tulsa. The white mobs went on to destroy more than 35 square blocks of what was then the wealthiest black community in the United States, which was dubbed the “Black Wall Street”.
In mid-June, Donald Trump was widely criticized as extremely insensitive to this tragedy when he scheduled his “Keep America Great” rally in Tulsa, OK shortly after the Massacre’s 99-year anniversary and on, and then rescheduled to the day after, Juneteenth. With the spark of the massacre starting with the arrest of 19-year-old black Dick Rowland for the assault of Sarah Page, a 17-year-old white, rumors had spread that Rowland was going to be lynched. Reportedly, 75 black men, some armed, arrived at the jail to ensure that would not happen. After reassurance from the sheriff, while the group of black men was leaving the jail, a member of the white mob already assembled at the jail attempted to disarm one of the black men. A shot was fired, and, according to the sheriff, “all hell broke loose”.
Many members of the white mob were deputized and armed by city officials. It is estimated that more than 800 black residents were hospitalized and up to 6,000 black residents were detained, many for several days. Officially, 36 were killed in the Race Massacre, but historians have estimated that anywhere from 75 to 300 were killed. Black Wall Street was left in ashes.
Professor Jewell Parker Rhodes and Liz Mitchell come to Bring It On! to help us understand this tragedy and its long-lasting psychological and economic impact on the black communities in Tulsa and throughout the United States.
CREDITS:
The hosts of today’s show are Cornelius Wright and Amnita Myers.
The Executive Producer is Clarence Boone with help from WFHB News Department Director Kade Young.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The promotional graphic is provided by William Hosea.
Online writing help provided by Chantalle LaFontant.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondents Kelsey Pease and Elyse Perry will be live in the studio during our Spring Fund Drive. More throughout today’s newscast.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease went to the Adult Winter Recess and spoke with attendees.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease went to the Adult Winter Recess and spoke with attendees. We turn now to that report.
Fans wait outside Assembly Hall to watch the much anticipated matchup of Iowa and Indiana. WFHB correspondent Elyse Perry interviewed experts and fans to learn about the increased interest in NCAA women’s basketball. Photo by Benedict Jones.Up next, we turn to an archived report from WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry. We turn to Perry for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our features were produced by Kelsey Pease and Elyse Perry.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We’re having another epidemic — of health misinformation, spread at the speed of light on the internet, and especially on social media. Swallowing lies and wrong information can literally kill you! Here are some facts, and some ways to stay safe…and healthy.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Jenny Tracy from Bloomington’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit. She needs help supporting local families of National Guard soldiers. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 17th, Sheriff Department Jail Transition Director Cory Grass gave an update on the Jail Transition Team, and shared highlights from the facilities they toured.
Commissioner Julie Thomas followed up after his presentation on the jail facility tours, and asked Grass to explain what else he has been doing.
Grass responded.
Later in the meeting, the Commissioners heard a request from Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge to award the 2024 Community Crossing Grant Paving Projects to Milestone Contractors. Ridge also shared which roads will be renovated.
Commission Julie Thomas thanked Ridge and the Highway Department for their work, and commented that the West side of the county will be busy with road work this summer.
The 2024 Community Crossing Grant Project Bid awarded to Milestone Contractors was approved unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on April 24th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Veteran service organizations have a problem: their volunteer pool is aging out. Not enough younger volunteers are signing up to replace the older volunteers who are retiring. Jenny Tracy discovered this problem at the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 in Bloomington when she went there looking for help while her husband was deployed. Now she pays it forward by supporting local National Guard families and recruiting the next generation of service volunteers. There’s a fundraiser coming up on May 11th at the American Legion Post on West Third Street. Jenny Tracy is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Veteran service organizations have a problem: their volunteer pool is aging out. Not enough younger volunteers are signing up to replace the older volunteers who are retiring. Jenny Tracy discovered this problem at the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 in Bloomington when she went there looking for help while her husband was deployed. Now she pays it forward by supporting local National Guard families and recruiting the next generation of service volunteers.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Kal brings the history and importance of the International Day of Silence.We discuss this year’s legislation in Kentucky and Indiana.
OH! Oh, yeah! It’s FUND DRIVE time. When you donate to WFHB, let them know BloomingOUT sent you!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
Jane Walters nos visita para hablarnos sobre su carrera profesional con la comunidad latina en diversos campos como la traducción e interpretación, así como su paso por El Centro Comunal Latino, y con el Programa de Impuestos de VITA y United Way.
FUND DRIVE is here! Si quieres apoyar a Hola Bloomington a alcanzar la meta, puedes dejar una donación aquí —>Click here to donate
“The Notebook” is a personal essay read by the author, Darrell Ann Stone. In it, she shares the inherent beauty she finds in people and animals, especially horses. The notebook itself is a zany introduction to who she is how she got there.
On this Fund Drive edition of Eco Report, we alert you to an event just recently planned for the evening of Earth Day, this coming Monday. A Community Forum on Management of Hoosier National Forest has finally come to Bloomington, hosted by IFA and Friends of Lake Monroe. Forest Supervisor Michael Chaveas will be on the panel, from our neck of the woods. More later in the program.
We have been talking with you about plastic for the past several shows of EcoReport. We wrap it up today with suggestions on how you can use and have less plastic in your life.
To start with the most obvious – it’s best to find trash receptacles for your trash rather than toss it indiscriminately out your window or on the ground as the majority is plastic and likely to get stuck in bushes and trees.
Making use of paper, tin foil or wax paper can also reduce plastic use. Plastic wrap or storage bags have chemicals that interact with heat and moisture so wrapping any meat purchases in paper like butchers have done for decades is preferable.
While plastic bags are convenient for storing leftovers, we suggest you was and reuse them. Since they can be expensive, the bonus is you save a little money.
Another way to limit your plastic use is to avoid overpackaged foods and other products. 28 percent of trash in landfills comes from packaging. Please remember, plastic does not break down. Try to buy products with minimal or reusable packaging or buy in bulk and use your own containers.
Those plastic forks, spoons, and straws we see at picnics or when you order food to go or be delivered are neither biodegradable or recyclable. Prior to the pervasiveness of plastic, folks carried their own utensils and food containers which is an option we still have. It is also possible to tell a restaurant, you do not want the plastic utensils or straws.
When shopping, making use of your own reusable shopping totes is the more eco-friendly option. Try no to use the plastic bags they give you when you shop.
Believe it or not, often your clothing has plastic in it. Polyester and acrylics are made from plastic. It is wise to check the label before you buy new or secondhand clothing.
I could go on and on about plastic. We live in a world that is completely filled with it and it is almost impossible to not have or use it. All you can do is try to cut down and use less. Word has it that the plastic industry is working on ways to truly recycle and reuse plastic that is affordable. Let’s hope they do, because the Earth has become a huge trash can and nurdles are washing up on our shores.
A story in the New York Times reports the E.P.A. says ‘forever chemicals’ must be removed from tap water. The rule applies to a family of chemicals known as PFAS that are linked to serious health effects.
Water utilities argue the cost is too great. For the first time, the federal government is requiring municipal water systems to remove six synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems that are present in the tap water of hundreds of millions of Americans. The extraordinary move from the Environmental Protection Agency mandates that water providers reduce
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS, to near-zero levels. The compounds, found in everything from dental floss to firefighting foams to children’s toys, are called “forever chemicals” because they never fully degrade and can accumulate in the body and the environment.
The chemicals are so ubiquitous that they can be found in the blood of almost every person in the United States. A 2023 government study of private wells and public water systems detected PFAS chemicals in nearly half the tap water in the country.
Exposure to PFAS has been associated with metabolic disorders, decreased fertility in women, developmental delays in children and increased risk of some prostate, kidney and testicular cancers, according to the E.P.A. The E.P.A. estimated it would cost water utilities about $1.5 billion annually to comply with the rule, though utilities maintain that the costs could be twice that amount and are worried about how to fund it.
States and local governments have successfully sued some manufacturers of PFAS for contaminating drinking water supplies, but the settlements awarded to municipalities have been dwarfed by the costs of cleaning up the chemicals, municipal officials said.
Industry executives say taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill in the form of increased water rates.
Feature Report:
And now we turn to Zyro Roze and members of the Indiana Forest Alliance for more on the Community Forum on Management of Hoosier National Forest coming up this Monday at the Monroe County Public Library.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
- A Global Climate Strike is taking place on Sunday, April 21st, from 4 to 4:30 pm at the Monroe County Courthouse. Come with signs and support.
- Celebrate Earth Day at McCormick’s Creek State Park at the Happy Earth Day event on Monday, April 22nd, all day. Explore trails, waterfalls, wildflowers and the love of being outside in nature.
- Learn all about Owls during the Nature Sounds Owls concert on Friday, April 26th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park in the barn. Musical guest is Stephanie Heidemann. Bring your own seating.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse passed over Bloomington. In honor of the cosmic event, this episode delves into solar eclipse folklore- from jaguars, to sun-eating frogs, to beheaded demons. Featuring interviews from folklorists and anthropologists, host Brookelyn Lambright, connects the past to the present.
“Even if they aren’t told today, eclipse myths are evidence of what humans have and will always do – create meaning. The creation of folklore, at its core, is a very human one. As long as humans exist, so too will stories.”
For more content about solar eclispse history, check out Amilcar Challu’s podcast, Eclipsing History.
A special thanks to Glen Hoban for the Chinese Hall drum effects.
This month, Civic Conversations welcomes Professor Charles Geyh, a Distinguished Professor of Law at Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law. A widely recognized expert on judicial conduct, Proerfoess Geyh has served as a witness in a U.S. Senate impeachment trial, leading to dozens of media appearances on the subject. He is also the author of Who Is to Judge: Who is to Judge?: The Perennial Debate Over Whether to Elect or Appoint America’s Judges, a book on the paradox of an elected judiciary in a representative democracy.In the podcast, Professor Geyh discusses that paradox and shares that the state judicial branch is a mix of appointed and elected judges in Indiana. However, according to Professor Geyh, each state has a code of judicial ethics and a disciplinary process that works very well. The contrast is the Supreme Court of the United States, which recently “grudgingly” adopted a voluntary code of conduct. “I’m taking a wait-and-see approach to see if it works,” said Professor Geyh. A fan himself of judicial term limits for SCOTUS, Professor Geyh shared that 75% of the American public is also aa fan of term limits of the Supreme Court.
Welcome to the 88th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by IU’s very own Kathleen Tran and Meghan Gunter, who are both involved in VSA and VCN. We talked about their involvement with the student organizations and how self-identity plays a crucial role in their position. We shared, thoughts, experience, and engaging ways to explore and learn different culture.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Kathleen Tran and Meghan Gunter
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB features perspectives from the Indiana Graduate Workers’ Coalition. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Time To Not Share” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Photo by Benedict Jones.Up next, we turn to WFHB News Anchor Jim Odom for the most recent coverage of the Monroe County Council which covers the state jail inspection.
Last night, more than 800 faculty members gathered to pass a no confidence vote against IU administrators. 93 percent voted no confidence in President Pamela Whitten.
WFHB News spoke with graduate workers picketing outside the meeting in support of faculty. These grad workers are now participating in a three day strike which has canceled hundreds of classes and substantially shut down campus today.
Then, today over 150 graduate workers were picketing outside Ballantine Hall – WFHB News Correspondent Elyse Perry speaks with two members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition at the picket line. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
That was Strike Mic on the WFHB Local News, bringing you to the frontlines of the grad workers strike. Stay tuned to the WFHB Local News for more coverage of the strike.
Up next, “Time To Not Share” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Mia Beach, Hugh Farrell and Elyse Perry.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Mexican crime cartels are ripping off American timeshare owners by offering to buy their timeshare at a very attractive price. This telephone scam has netted them hundreds of millions! Here’s how it works and what to watch out for.
With summer beckoning, amusement park attendance is sure to rise, with the latest data collected from the Global Attractions Attendance Report finding a total of 140.5 Million visitors to North American Theme Parks in 2022. One of the primary concerns that has impacted and continues to impact the disability community regarding theme park access is a lack of access, even with legislation to correct this such as the Americans With Disabilities Act. Under Title III of the Act, businesses be they operated privately or publicly that are designed to serve the general population such as hotels, restaurants, and schools, are known as public accomodations. Despite Amusement Parks falling under this section of the law, specifically Chapter 10 of the most recent ADA regulations passed in 2010, access to amusement parks can be challenging, as none have been previously designed for patrons with disabilities. Here in Indiana, the amusement park Holiday World and Splashin Safari has taken steps to become more disability accessible through the creation of a “calm room” allowing overstimulated guests to bask in adjustable lighting, rock in a chair, or curl up in a tent. In addition to providing boarding passes for guests with cognitive and mobility disabilities to eliminate the challenge of standing in lines just as Disney theme parks do. But Disney announced new procedures effective on May 20 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland on June 18 that will shift Disability Access Service reservations solely to virtual chats with cast members and instituted a ban to anyone found to be making falsified statements about disabilities to skip lines. Disney asserted this was to prevent abuse of the system. Attempts by Disabulletin to reach Disney’s media services for comment were unsuccessful.
But the story is different in Texas, where the history of disability rights is rich. Thanks to the work of several disability rights activists, including Justin Dart, father of the disability rights movement and former Dallas Council Member and US representative Steve Bartlet, the Americans With Disabilities Act was ultimately passed in 1990.
Today, our guest Gordan Hartman, has experienced the business and personal side of the disability community. A land and home developer by trade, Hartman founded his first small landscaping business at 15, eventually growing it to a full-fledged construction company by 23 and later the largest home development company in San Antonio.
Mr.Hartman would sell both companies in 2005 to found the Gordan Hartman Family Foundation which assists individuals with disabilities, eventually leading to the foundation establishing Morgan’s Wonderland in 2010 (named for his daughter), the first-ever theme park designed specifically to be accessible for visitors with disabilities. The foundation has since gone on to open the nation’s first-ever waterpark tailored towards accessibility, Morgan’s Inspiration Island in 2017, an all-accessible sports complex, Morgan’s Wonderland Sports in 2021, and Morgan’s Wonderland Summer Camp that same year. And he joins us now to discuss the re-opening of Morgan’s Wonderland’s theme park for the first time following the conclusion of a four-month renovation.
Image courtesy of:Morgan’s Wonderland
Captions of this interview soon to follow.
WFHB welcomes Technicolor Band to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, April 13, from 11am to noon. Join us for an ambient jazz performance as we wander into a realm of sonic exploration, where improvisation and creativity thrive. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. Technicolor Band — live on Saturday’s Child, April 13, at 11am, on WFHB.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Bo Peterson. Bo Petersen has been a successful professional actor, theatre director, dialogue coach, and voice-over artist for the past 45 years. Her experience is rich and varied. She has appeared on stage, television, radio, and film. While working as a dialogue coach, she was fortunate to work with the great, late Sydney Poitier and Michael Caine. She is a South African, living in the USA.
This Tuesday, April 16th at 7 p.m. on the IU campus, in the Great Hall of the Hutton Honors College, Bo Petersen performs her one-woman play, which explores her family’s. She unveils her father’s hidden life during apartheid. This play delves into the complexities of identity and the impact of historical injustices. More than a play, it’s a powerful exploration of transgenerational trauma and a call to break free from silence. Bo believes in theatre’s power to heal across generations. “Pieces of Me” is a catalyst for change, an ode to resilience, and a beacon of hope for a South Africa grappling with its tumultuous history.
Nelson MandelaAt the midpoint of the program, we also take time to remember Nelson Mandela by airing the speech he made upon his release from prison in which he called for the end of apartheid.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 15th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Kelsey Pease provides a roundup of the latest Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Michelle Moss, Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator, here to announce the 2024 winners of the Be More Awards. We celebrate people working for positive change in our community later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On April 10th during the Bloomington City Council meeting, City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced a resolution expressing support for the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation regarding a 35 million dollar grant application.
The grant dollars would be used to design and construct a climate resilient, administrative, operations and maintenance complex. General Manager of B-P-T-C John Connell walked through why he wants the city council’s support for the grant application.
Grants and Procurement Specialist for BPTC Zac Huneck discussed ongoing projects and made a case why he believes city councilors should support the resolution.
City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked how much the grant would be for, and what the local match would look like. Huneck responded that B-P-T-C is seeking 35 million dollars in federal funds and nearly 7 million dollars in local funds.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg questioned if B-P-T-C has already selected a site for the new proposed complex. Huneck said that they are still in the process of narrowing down a location.
Council Member Matt Flaherty said he’s glad that the B-P-T-C is applying for the grant and that he supports the measure.
Council Member Rollo agreed with Flaherty saying he supports the climate friendly nature of the resolution.
The council voted 8-0 in support of the resolution with Council Member Andy Ruff absent. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on April 7th.
Feature Report:
Photo by Benedict Jones.Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Kelsey Pease provides a roundup of the latest Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting. We turn to Pease for more.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Bloomington is teeming with people working for positive change in our community. The annual Be More Awards celebrates them. The 2024 awards will be presented next Thursday April 25th in a public event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The ceremony starts at 6:30pm or you could go a little early for the meet-and-greet. Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator Michelle Moss is ready to announce the winners right now on a new episode of Activate!, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Bloomington is teeming with people working for positive change in our community. The annual Be More Awards celebrates them. The 2024 awards will be presented at 6:30pm on Thursday April 25 in a public event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator Michelle Moss announces those winners in this special episode of Activate!
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Part 2 of WFHB’s Nicki Seven and IU Senior Chris, this episode joined by Bryce Greene, in studio with Justin and Melanie discussing the surprise event at the IU Union with US Representative Jim Banks’ and Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik’s anti-woke terror tour.
We venture further afield in this one, and talk about Wokenesss and things.
Video of the event and photo: (Credit, Jeremy Hogan ©2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot_f5b6ucAQ&t=951s
Who is Chaya? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libs_of_TikTok
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
In this edition of Eco Report, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.
Over* the past few segments of EcoReport, we have been teaching you about the kinds of plastic and what they are used for. Many think that plastic can be recycled. Today, you are going to learn the reasons plastic recycling fails. Single-use plastics can be thought of as trillions of pieces of plastic confetti spewed from retail and fast-food stores. Collecting the vast quantity of small pieces of plastic sold to U.S. consumers annually is impossible. In this edition of Eco Report, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.Spending billions of consumer and taxpayer dollars to increase collection is a waste of money. Mixed plastic waste cannot be recycled together, and it would be functionally impossible to sort the trillions of pieces of consumer plastic waste produced each year. The reprocessing of plastic also makes toxic waste, and it’s been shown to be hazardous to workers. Plastic is highly flammable, so plastic recycling can be dangerous to neighboring communities due to the risk of fires at the recycling facilities, which can release toxins into the air.Plastics are not inert like metal and glass. Plastic products may contain toxic additives or absorb contaminants like pesticides or motor oil. Plastic has always been expensive to collect, sort, truck, and safely reprocess. New plastic directly competes with recycled plastic, and it’s far cheaper to produce, and the expanding petrochemical industry is lowering the cost of new plastic even further. So, now we are at a decision point on single-use plastics and their packaging.Next week, let’s figure out what we can do in our lives to cut down on the use of plastic.Inside Climate News reports that the ocean is a major industry hub, acting as a marine highway for shipping vessels, a connector for transport ships and cruise lines, and a critical food and economic resource for the world’s fishing fleets. However, this sprawling marine ecosystem, which covers more than 70 percent of the planet, also provides a perfect place for unregulated human activities to hide in plain sight, experts say.A recent study revealed just how much fishing activity is slipping under the radar, finding that roughly three-quarters of the world’s industrial fishing ships are not publicly tracked. “The reason this matters is because it’s getting more crowded at sea and it’s getting more used and suddenly you have to decide how we’re going to manage this giant global commons,” David Kroodsma, director of research and innovation at the nonprofit Global Fishing Watch and co-lead author of the study, told the Verge. It can’t be the Wild West. And that’s the way it’s been historically.According to the New York Times, heat waves are moving slower and staying longer, a new study finds. Climate change is making heat waves linger for longer stretches of time, exacerbating the effects of extreme temperatures. When heat waves swept across large parts of the planet last summer, in many places the oppressive temperatures loitered for days or weeks at a time. As climate change warms the planet, heat waves are increasingly moving sluggishly and lasting longer. Each decade between 1979 and 2020, the rate at which heat waves travel, pushed along by air circulation, slowed by about 5 miles per day, the study found. Heat waves also now last about four days longer on average. This really has strong impacts on public health, said Wei Zhang, a climate scientist at Utah State University and one of the authors of the study, which appeared in the journal Science Advances. The longer heat waves stick around in one place, the longer people are exposed to life-threatening temperatures. As workers slow down during extreme heat, so does economic productivity. Heat waves also dry out soil and vegetation, harming crops and raising the risk of wildfires.This study is a further example of the consequences of a slowing jet stream. Thus, heat waves and storms linger. Expect the same this summer.The followin*g story, based upon an article n the New York Times, serves as a reminder to Hoosiers to be careful about what goes into the water. It’s a reminder to us because there are many rivers and streams in the state that if a person decided to swim, it’s likely the person will become sick. Most of the contamination comes from agricultural runoff. A fertilizer spill in Iowa this month wiped out much of the aquatic life across a 60-mile stretch of rivers in two states, officials said, leaving an estimated 789,000 fish dead in one of the region’s most ecologically devastating chemical spills in recent years.A Missouri official who surveyed the damage said that the banks of the Nishnabotna (Nish-na-bot-to-na) River had been lined with fish carcasses, and that dead fish were visible through the water. “I refer to this one as ‘the big one,” said the official, Matt Combes, an ecological health unit science supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He added: Calling something a near-total fish kill for 60 miles of a river is astounding and disheartening.While fish kills on that scale are unusual, smaller kills are common. Comparing the scope of fish kills across different states is difficult because of limited data and tracking, experts said. The latest die-off started, Iowa officials said, when a valve was left open over a weekend on a storage tank at NEW Cooperative, an agricultural business in Red Oak, in southwestern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which learned of the spill on March 11, said this week that 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer spilled into a drainage ditch and into the Nishnabotna River, which flows into the Missouri River.Iowa officials estimated that more than 749,000 fish died in that state. Most of them were small species, such as minnows and shiners, but thousands of larger fish, including catfish and carp, also perished. Mr. Combes, the Missouri official, estimated that around 40,000 fish died in his state. He said he saw large catfish dead, as well as shovelnose sturgeon.In this week’s Eco Report feature, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.* Take a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 13th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Enjoy a guided hike on Trail 7 and hear the history of the lake and learn about the flora and fauna around the lake * Enjoy a Birdwatching for Beginners hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 13th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. Birdwatching is a low-cost, relaxing and fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks * One of the best locations to see spring wildflowers in bloom is at Monroe. Enjoy a Salt Creek Wildflowers Hike on Wednesday, April 17th, from Noon to 2 pm. You will get to see the rare white-blooming Virginia Bluebells along with other species. Sign up at bit.ly/saltcreekflowers2024 * A Global Climate Strike is taking place on Sunday, April 21st, from 4 to 4:30 pm at the Monroe County Courthouse. Come with signs and support! * Learn all about skulls at the Who’s Skull Is That program at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 19th, from 10 to 10:45 am. You can learn a lot about an animal from its skull. Meet at the Nature Center
Credits:
Environmental Report was written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey
Eco Report Feature was produced and edited by Kade Young
Julianna Dailey compiled the events calendar
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produce Eco Report
Branden Blewett engineers Eco Report
Julianna Dailey and Frank Marshalek hosted this week’s Eco Report
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.
- Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
- Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
- What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
- We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
- One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!
This episode features two stories by Denise Breeden Ost read by Richard Fish. In the first story, Hosea is a really mean rooster that plays an important role in the narrator’s coming of age. In “The Turkey Vulture’s Story,” the vulture, dispenses wisdom while scarfing up delicious carrion.
Named the director of the Monroe County Public Library system in May 2022, Grier Carson knew he’d face some daunting challenges. But he was surprised by the news he received when he woke up on January 15th this year, The brand new, award-winning Southwest branch building had suffered extensive damage thanks to an overnight flood. The facility has been closed since then as all the parties involved sort out liability issues. Meanwhile, the system’s main library and Ellettsville branch remain humming. Carson oversees a library system facing an uncertain future in the shadows of the internet and rapidly changing information systems.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 11th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson gave her first State of the City Address earlier this week. More coming up next in your daily headlines:
Mayor Thomson Delivers State of the City Address Highlighting First 100 Days in Office
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.On Tuesday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson delivered the State of the City address highlighting her first 100 days in office.
Thomson discussed the solar eclipse, housing, accessibility and transparency in government and more during her speech.
First, she thanked those involved with coordinating events surrounding the total solar eclipse in the city.
Next, she addressed racist, antisemitic remarks that were made during last week’s city council meeting.
During last week’s meeting, the city council unanimously passed a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
Thomson had previously stated that she would not sign any resolutions that would extend beyond the purview of the city. She made no indication of how she would proceed on the resolution during the State of the City.
Then, she shifted her talking points to take a look back at her first 100 days in office and what she hopes to accomplish in the remainder of her first term.
Throughout her campaign, Thomson talked about making city affairs more transparent and more accessible. During her speech, she touted what she perceived as steps taken to fulfill that campaign promise.
Next, she touched on how the housing crisis has impacted the community. She noted the lack of affordable housing and the prevalence of unhoused community members in Bloomington.
Thomson discussed how she believes her housing plan will work to address housing affordability issues in the city.
Thomson then addressed the issue of homelessness in the city. During her term thus far, Thomson has overseen the removal of two encampments. The first eviction took place at a city owned property at Fairview Street and Patterson Drive in early January. The second encampment was removed later that month near Wheeler Mission on the West Side of Bloomington.
During the State of the City, she said the city is preparing to remove another encampment, citing “safety issues.”
To watch the full State of the City address, you can visit this link following this broadcast.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Indiana State Senator Shelli Yoder to talk about what the legislature has been doing regarding healthcare in Indiana, and especially contraception and abortion rights.
We now turn to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Kelsey Pease, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Indiana State Senator Shelli Yoder to talk about what the legislature has been doing regarding healthcare in Indiana, and especially contraception and abortion rights.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine. Avery and Miller authored a two-part series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “What Are The Facts?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on April 9. At their meeting, they discussed the Starnes Road Water Project. Town Manager Mike Farmer said that the local company Core & Main won the bid for the project.
The water project, which is part of Ellettsville’s 40 year town plan, will replace the current 6-inch water main that was installed in the 1950s. Farmer says the new 12-inch water main will improve the water quality in the town.
Board member Dan Swafford asked if the town residents would notice a disruption in their water service during the project. Farmer responded that people on Starnes Road would see a disruption, but they will be notified in advance.
The Starnes Road Water Project is set to start as soon as weather permits.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will take place on April 22.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the April 9 meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board members discussed Change Order Package number 2 for the Hopewell East Project. The Hopewell East Project is the first step of the larger Bloomington Hospital Re-Use Project, which aims to create a variety of housing where Bloomington’s hospital used to stand.
According to Senior Project Manager Roy Aten, the change order package updates the pricing for different aspects of the project’s infrastructure.
The change order package adds 15,000 dollars to the project total, bringing the cost to just under 13,553,000 dollars. This is the second increase to the original estimate of just under 13,373,000 dollars.
Board Secretary James Roach inquired about the goal of Phase I of the Hopewell East Project. Public Works Director Adam Wason explained the phase focuses on the site’s basic infrastructure.
The board approved the Change Order Package unanimously.
The Board of Public Works will meet again on April 23.
Feature Report:
One out of ten Bloomington residents struggles with food insecurity. A patchwork system of food banks, community kitchens, food-assistance programs, and other initiatives helps people get healthful food, but experts say it doesn’t address the root of the problem: poverty. | Photo by Olivia BiancoIn today’s feature report, WFHB News spoke with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine. Avery and Miller authored a two-part series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. The story has been placed in the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists’ “Best in Journalism” competition. For more about their process and what they learned from reporting on this issue, we turn to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
That was an interview with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine who authored a two-part series on food insecurity. Visit the links below to read the full articles and listen to the accompanying radio segments on Food Insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
Part 1: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/one-emergency-from-catastrophe-who-struggles-with-food-insecurity/
Part 2: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/food-insecurity-aid-doesnt-address-cause/
Up next, “What Are The Facts?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Do you make up your own mind — or just choose who to believe? That can be dangerous, these days. “You pilot always into an unknown future. Facts are your single clue. Get the facts!” — Robert A. Heinlein
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 9th, 2024.
Later in the program, you will hear an interview from Kinsey Institute Executive Director Justin Garcia with host Michael Glab. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Election Board
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Election Board met on April 4th, and listened to almost 40 minutes of hearings related to late Candidate Finance document submissions. During the hearings, many candidates referenced misunderstandings with deadlines or documents as reasons for their late submissions.
According to a ruling passed by the Election Board in February of 2023, after incurring two late notices, a third can result in late fees of $50 per day up to $1000. Chair of the Monroe County Democrats, David Henry, called into question the effectiveness of the current notification system, citing the number of candidates who expressed issues with notifications.
Henry added that the current rules make it harder for non-party affiliated candidates because they do most of the work on their own.
Board Member John Fernandez acknowledged that there must be an issue with the current system given the length of time spent discussing late fees at the meeting. He suggested that to save time, the board postpone the discussion for remedies until the next meeting.
The board unanimously agreed to table discussion on the candidate finance documentation notifications and fees until a later meeting.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Election Board will be held on May 2nd.
Bloomington Safe Streets and Roads For All Public Meeting
On April 1st, the City of Bloomington held a combined commission meeting with representatives from Toole Design Group to discuss the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program.
Toole Design Senior Planner, Drew Parker gave some background information on the program.
Parker said that many communities, per the U.S. Department of Transportation recommendations, are moving to a safe system approach. He further discusses the main difference between the traditional approach and the safe system approach to road safety.
According to Toole Design, from 2018 to 2022, Bloomington had a total of 756 fatal and serious injury crashes. They’re hoping to reduce crashes by 7% every year until 2039, where the goal is to have zero fatal and serious injury crashes.
Bloomington Planning Services Manager Ryan Robling explained why the year 2039 was chosen.
Residents can find out more information about Bloomington’s Safe Streets for All planning efforts at bloomington.in.gov/ss4a. The next Bloomington’s Safe Streets for All meeting will be held in May or June of this year.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have an archived interview from Big Talk – our public affairs program featuring one-on-one conversations with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. Today’s excerpt features Kinsey Institute Executive Director Justin Garcia.
This episode was aired a little more than a year after the Indiana legislature voted to bar state funding for the Kinsey Institute, the world-renowned human sexuality research center. The IU Board of Trustees voted on March 1, 2024 to keep the Institute after considering allowing it to spin off as an independent nonprofit in the wake of the statehouse ban. Dr. Garcia recounts the reactions of faculty, researchers, and supporting academics around the world while the Institute’s future appeared to be up in the air.
We turn to Michael Glab, host of Big Talk, for a portion of that interview. To hear the full interview visit this link.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
(Fade into Teletype Machine sound)
ABE SHAPIRO: Revolutionary devices help persons who are blind eclipse non- accessibility and an examination of Bloomington’s first choir for individuals disabled and non disabled.
(DISABULLETIN theme plays)
SHAPIRO:Good evening, I’m Abe Shapiro. And this is Disabulletin, where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world.
SHAPIRO:Good evening, in national news, the solar eclipse has come and gone. But thanks to a device created by students at Harvard University, individuals across the country who are blind, were also able to experience the phenomena. Thanks to a five person team in Harvard University’s Department of Astronomy, a device known as the light Sun box has transformed how members of the blind community experience a solar eclipse across the globe.
Image courtesy of:Lightsound Project.org
Image Description: To the left is a photo of the Lightsound Box, an orange rectangle with a black circle with a thin black line atop it jutting out of view, all of which is surrounded by a gray ring, on the bottom of the orange box. Two metallic knobs are on the device’s left, with the device held by a hand. In the center is a picture of Wanda Diaz Merced. On the right is a shot of Harvard Astronomy Lab Manager Allyson Bieryla.
The team is led by astronomy lab department manager Allyson Bieryla, and Wanda Diaz-Merced, a world renowned leader in transforming data gathered from space into audio. When a change in sunlight is detected in the area where the device is placed, a sensor inside it collects data after which such data is converted into specific zones previously programmed. The sounds will now be showcased courtesy of the Light Zone Project website. The following Theramin-like note is heard for high sunlight;
(Theramin Sound Plays),
SHAPIRO:An oboe like ring for moderate light;
(Oboe Sound Plays)
SHAPIRO:And an abrupt clicking representing little to no light.
(CLICKING NOISE)
SHAPIRO:Almost similar to a lawnmower. With three devices prepared in time for the 2017 solar eclipse, two in Kentucky and one in Wyoming, over 900 Light sound boxes were distributed across countries such as the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Puerto Rico in time for this year’s solar eclipse, according to the light sound projects website.
SHAPIRO:Here in Indiana, students at the State School for the Blind and Visually Impaired have previously been able to experience solar eclipses through a machine known as a “cadence tablet” created by the Lafayette based assistive device company tactile engineering. This device has revolutionized how students and persons who are blind learn braille, send messages, play games, monitor sports, or collect data for projects by creating tactile images. In other words by using braille dots to help persons who are blind use touch to visualize something.
Images courtesy of: Tactile Engineering.org and Techpoint.org
Image description: From left to right, a grey rectangle with four rectangular buttons jutting out and a circular button in the center. Four dash-shaped buttons are organized horizontally, a field of holes featuring some white dots raised. Below the field, four white squares are organized from left to right, with a white rectangle on the lower front half of the device. To the right of the machine image, a shot of Tacile Engineering CEO David Schlepenbach
SHAPIRO: In a comment to Disabulletin regarding the device’s use in the eclipse, tactile engineering CEO David schleppenbach explained “the device creates a tactile image made of dots that move up and down. These images are made via the connection of a video image from a telescope of the eclipse data which is then relayed to the machine. The machine’s dots then move according to the movement of the moon as it blocks the sun.” According to Schleppbach, while the device is currently used in “seven states and three countries”, he says the company is hoping to expand to all 50 states along with other countries across the world. Ultimately, Schleppenbach says the company seeks to help “anyone with a visual impairment get a cadence.”
SHAPIRO:Finally, we examine Bloomington’s first choir for individuals of all abilities. But first we pause for station identification.
SHAPIRO:You’re listening to Disabulletin here on WFHB 91.3 Bloomington, Indiana. Our next story in a moment
(Sound of crowds chattering)
SHAPIRO: It’s a late Wednesday afternoon and the sun is beginning to set in Bloomington. But the curtain is rising for the All Abilities choir, which has gathered for its weekly practice in the Monroe County Library auditorium. Originally founded within Lifedesigns one of Bloomington’s residential programs for individuals with disabilities, the choir is the first of its kind in the city. Founders Jake May and Kristen King explain how the choir began.
JAKE MAY:We started this back in 2018 with Kristen King, who is now working for Stonebelt. But we started this because we wanted to have a choir for anybody who wanted to to in Monroe County to be a part of
KRISTEN KING:Jake came to me and he said, “Kristen, I want to be a choir director.” We do what’s called person-centered planning where we talk to people about out what they want from life, what goals do they see, and let them take an active part of their planning for their life. And we talk about what are what are your “North Star goals.” And Jake said “my North Star goal is to be a choir director” because he is very much in this music scene. He loves to sing and he loves to perform, and he likes to watch performances. And he said, “Kristen, do you think we could start a choir?” And I said, “I think you can do anything you want to do as long as you’re willing to put the work in.” And he said, “Okay, let’s try it.” And I said, “let’s try it”. We set a date and a time to have like a call out meeting to see if anybody was interested in this group activity being offered to the community. There’s a lot of choirs, there’s a lot of different things going on in Bloomington. And so our idea was:let’s get people who love music and want to share that music with each other together”. So we did a call out meeting and I think the first call out meeting we had about 25 people there and that’s when we knew people want to do this.
MAY (speaking to choir): We have got the shirts ordered for the choir
AARON SMITH: We’re just waiting on…(fading)
SHAPIRO:With shoulders back and heads proud, May and co-founder Aaron Smith mount the stage of the auditorium and provide some brief updates.
Image description: A shot of Jake May and to his right stands Aaron Smith.
MAY:And we will also be singing, we are possibly going to be singing at an IU [INDIANA UNIVERSITY] Men’s soccer games this season.
SHAPIRO:With updates completed the choir launches into practice.
(CHOIR SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM)
SHAPIRO:Although only six years old, the choir has already performed in some rather exciting venues. Again, May and Smith.
MAY: Our first gig we did was when we sang-
SMITH: IU Women’s basketball.
MAY:IU Women’s Basketball game, back in 2008, when we did it. When we first started, we had a lot of members nervous about it. But in the end, we had a good time and then we got to sing at a Pacers game in Indy. Then we got to perform at an Autism Rock And Rolls event, the first autism Gala. We sang at that and then came back for the second Gala. And we’re hoping that we do some more performances with the gala for autism in the future.
KING:We’ve performed [at] places like women’s IU basketball games, singing the national anthem, local nonprofit galas, community events for the United Way we’ve done performances, and one of our biggest performances to date was when we got to sing the national anthem at Autism Acceptance Night for the Pacers. And so now, we’re all friends who love to share music and sing and the foundation of what we created the choir, which was that everyone gets a voice, is still going.
(FADE INTO CHOIR SINGING END OF NATIONAL ANTHEM)
SHAPIRO:Jake May and co-founder Eric Smith talked about how the choir keeps itself going.
MAY:We do have performances come up, like the people who put on the event call us, once a month. And they arrange for us to do their performances. And then we decide what songs we’re thinking and practice.
SHAPIRO:So you guys get different calls essentially?
SMITH:Yeah
SHAPIRO: So people reach out to you guys. Now, does that come from word of mouth? Or how do you guys market?
MAY: It’s usually like an email or a call from somebody.
SMITH:Yeah, that happens.
SMITH:Just recently, we did a joint practice with the IU Singing Hoosiers.
MAY: Yes, we did. And that was back in April of 2023. We did that.
SMITH:And…
MAY: And they actually came here and sang with us right here in the auditorium.
SHAPIRO: First collaboration?
MAY:Yes, first collaboration we ever did with the Singing Hoosiers. Yeah, it was a very fun experience. But they reached out to us, Chris Albanese, the director of the Singing Hoosiers reached out to us. So we combined with that and did a joint email.
SMITH:And we’re restarting that?
MAY:Yeah, we’re restarting it right now. So we’re looking at doing that again this year. So that’s our next big fundraiser event we’re doing. And they’re actually a sponsor with us this year too.
KING:Sometimes, Jake, myself, Aaron, or even a choir member will be talking about what we’re doing or somebody will know that we’re part of it, and they’ll reach out to us directly. But any of the members of the choir can bring that information back to us whether it’s through email, word of mouth. I don’t even mind if somebody tells me somebody wants to talk to me, i’ll reach out to them. So we are looking for those opportunities. If somebody has an event that they would like us to come sing a couple songs at, we would love the opportunity. We do really well singing the national anthem, I would say that’s our gem. But we do have a lot of other songs that we practice that we love to perform. Of all different genres:Country pop, Broadway. And certainly if anybody is looking for somebody to perform and has a specific request, as far as, like they want this kind of song, we will try, we will try our best to find a song that the choir feels comfortable learning. And it’s a little bit of a process for us and we need some time.
SHAPIRO:Recently, that time has been spent working on a song that may be familiar to fans of the late songwriter John Denver.
(FADE INTO CHOIR SINGING TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS)
SHAPIRO:Choir founder Kristen King elaborates on what the choir plans on doing for future concerts.
KING:We are working on doing some more visuals and maybe even doing some drumming and some bells. And we have a song that we do sign language on. We just do a little bit of everything and we’re excited to try new things. We also have a member that loves to play the piano and is going to accompany us on the piano for a song. So really, [the] sky’s the limit, I will never say no, we will always try it. And that’s our motto. We’re going to keep trying and we’re going to keep trying and find a way. But if it doesn’t work, we’re going to just keep going.
(FADE INTO CHOIR SINGING TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS, THEN FADE OUT)
SHAPIRO:For many members, the choir is a way for them to express themselves musically. Choir member Katie Adams explains how membership impacts her and suggests how the choir can expand its reach.
KATIE ADAMS:Well, I love to sing. And I don’t really get a lot of performing arts opportunities that aren’t super long hours. I think it [the choir] gives people a performing arts opportunity. I just really wish there was more variety in the sounds we sang. But I mean, I think that we are going to get some more variety.
Image Description: From left to right:Choir members Shelly Hackett and Crystal
SHAPIRO:For others, being part of the group provides them with teammates to help if challenges are encountered. Choir member Crystal explains:
CRYSTAL:When I sing, because…I couldn’t remember all the…when I couldn’t remember all the words…
SHAPIRO:So it feels good to have other team teammates help you out?
CRYSTAL:Uh-huh.
SHAPIRO: Still for others, it’s all about making memories that will last a lifetime. Choir member Shelley Hackett explains:
HACKETT’S AIDE:Where have we sung before?
CHOIR MEMBER SHELLEY HACKETT: I think, I remember. They served food there too. Yeah, we did a Chocolate Fest.
SHAPIRO:What’d you guys sing there?
CRYSTAL:Well, it was a while ago.
HACKETT:You’ve got a friend in me, [from] Toy Story. [AND] Mickey Mouse Club too.
SHAPIRO:Kristen King explains how the choir is different from others in town, and how it seeks to take a progressive approach towards rethinking social perception towards disability,
KING: Everyone is allowed to suggest songs, everyone’s allowed to suggest performances. Everybody gets to share in this love, that we all have with one another. And you don’t have to have disabilities to be part of it. You just have to love music and want to participate in something with other people. They’ve [the city of Bloomington] had choir groups and classes, but nothing that really took the choir to a next level of being a community choir that’s not related to just one service provider or one entity. And we’re really proud of the fact that this is a community choir. You don’t have to be affiliated with LifeDesigns or other service providers or even StoneBelt to participate. Do a lot of people from Stone Belt and Life Designs and other service providers that have disabilities participate in the choir? Sure. But it’s a community in itself and word of mouth spreads. And people want to be part of something that gets them excited, happy, giving them that meaningful connection. And so we have approximately 30 members at this time, with and without all various kinds of disabilities, including a majority I would say of of our members identify on the Autism Spectrum. But we have people with all kinds of disabilities and we try to give everyone a chance to shine and share the gifts that they have with how they’ve connected with music and their disability. For instance, we have a few people that like to do drumming as part of the music and participating in the choir, or using sign language, or teaching others. So, we’ve even implemented a chance for everyone to lead warm ups.
SMITH: (SINGING) I LOVE TO SING!
CHOIR MEMBERS:(SINGING) I LOVE TO SING!
SHAPIRO: But what does the All Abilities choir mean to the city of Bloomington? Again, Kristen king,
KING:Its those connections to your community and your connections to other people who like the same things as you. And sometimes that’s really difficult for us, whether we have disabilities or not, to find the people and the places and the things that we connect with, that give us this feeling of happiness and contentment to life, and feeling a part of, something bigger than ourselves. So, especially in the disability field, people with disabilities have been fighting to be independent. For so long. Now, we’ve come a long way. And I want to celebrate that, I want to celebrate all of the wonderful things that have happened and the changes that have occurred. But if we’re talking in this century, people with disabilities were sent to live in institutions. If you had a disability, you were deemed that you shouldn’t be around society, and you should be put somewhere, and just kept safe away from everyone. But what we’ve learned over time is that is not healthy and good for people in their quality of life. And we do know now, we know more now. So I always say, “we learn and grow and change. And we’re going to keep growing and learning and changing.” Because we know that people with disabilities have a lot to offer our community. They are often the best employees. They’re reliable. They’re capable, they’re willing to learn. And what that makes me think is, we have people that are willing to learn and are dependable, why are we not helping them get to do whatever they want to do? Even starting a choir, being a choir director. Because what I can tell you is through this experience with Jake and with Aaron, they pretty much do it on their own. I’m here as a support, they can ask me questions and do those things. And I don’t mind helping connect them with people. But they’re the ones typing up the roster sheet and sending out emails to the choir members and running practice and running the PowerPoints and the zooms. All the things that people still think they are incapable of doing, they’re doing so much better than able bodied people. And it is amazing. The growth that I’ve even seen in Jake and Aaron, their confidence, their leadership skills, their social skills with their peers, just doing day to day things that we love can help us grow in that way. And I’m just so proud of the people that they are. When I tell you, Aaron is always prepared. He comes to practice, he has all the music and the lyrics ready to pass out to people. He’s taking attendance, he creates all the certificates. And again, I know, people don’t believe me when I say they are capable, they can do this. They can be leaders, they can contribute to their community. And they should be able to dream a goal and have that dignity of risk to fail. That’s a right all humans have. So I didn’t mind when Jake came to me five years ago, and said he had a dream of being a choir director, can we start a choir? Because the chances are with a lot of things we start, it could fail. But that is his right, to make that choice to have the dignity to try something that he may not succeed at. Fortunately and amazingly, and I’m not shocked because we have a wonderful community here in Bloomington and surrounding areas. And we’re very, very lucky to have a lot of the disability resources that we have. But understanding that not every community has what we have here. And that’s why this is important because somebody has to do it first. Somebody has to give somebody the chance to prove they can do it, for other people to believe that they can do it. I believe anybody can do it. I believe that the All-Abilities choir is important. I feel like the work that people with disabilities do in the community, in their groups in their churches and faith congregations, in their families. It all matters. We just want a chance to share our love of music with everybody. So that’s what I see, I see us still growing. We’re still getting members, we still have upcoming shows. We are getting ready to sing the national anthem at an IU baseball game on Saturday, April 27 at 2 pm. And we’re very excited about this opportunity just to show people what we can do and what our group is about and just show awareness and acceptance of people with autism and disabilities, that we can do this, and we can be a part of the community too.
SHAPIRO: Founders May and Smith explain what the future holds for the choir
SMITH:When we started was through Life Designs. But here within the last…
MAY:Few months
SMITH:…few months, we’re getting ready to be our own entity. I’m working with Kristen to start a nonprofit booster. We’ve been fundraising for the last…
MAY:Yes, we have.
SMITH:…several weeks. We still don’t have a count but we had an area arts grant, we got equipment from that.
MAY:And then we donate our equipment who to Autism Rocks And Rolls.
SMITH:They’re one of our biggest supporters. The equipment that we got from them, from from the money they donated to us. We got rainbows and clouds for one of our songs, Rainbow connection
MAY:Yep.
SMITH:And then bells.
MAY:Yes.Yeah, we are getting bells for…
SMITH: We got bells…that was through the money we got from Autism Rocks and Rolls and also rainbows.
SHAPIRO:And with the theme of connections as a core principle of the choir’s mission, and rainbows serving as backdrop material for the group, it was only fitting then that practice end with a song that promotes the same theme and set design. That song being The Rainbow Connection.
(FADE INTO CHOIR SINGING RAINBOW CONNECTION)
(CHOIR SINGING RAINBOW CONNECTION)
SHAPIRO:With the moving refrains of the song now faded, founders May and Smith provide closing remarks that brought the message of this musical unit full circle.
MAY: .Everytime I see you guys. it always puts a smile on my face to see all of you show up. Because If you guys never show up to do that. I can’t be be more happy about this. So I want to thank you guys from the bottom my heart for coming out and making me happy every week.
SMITH:And also, this is this is our fifth year as a choir.
MAY:Yeah.
SMITH: WOO! (CHOIR APPLAUSE)
SHAPIRO:Sitting stage right a few minutes after the end of rehearsal, Jake and Aaron explain what the main takeaway of today’s rehearsal is.
MAY:I think the big takeaway from it is we always would like to get more members to join. We always want to get more members to join us. And we always want to get invited into more performances.
SMITH:And that’s the big thing we’re needing right now. Because, one of these days we’ll be doing our first live musical and we need members to put that on.
SHAPIRO:Disabulletin is created and produced by me, Abe Shapiro. Our theme music is Baseball Is More Than A Game by the George Romanis Sound. Abe Shapiro, WFHB news, live and learn.
To learn more about today’s devices, please visit https://astrolab.fas.harvard.edu/LightSound.html and https://www.tactile-engineering.com
Bloomington is waging war against a foreign invader. Asian bush honeysuckle is choking out our native flora, and the return of warmer weather means this invasive species is once again on the grow. Paul Murphy is an intern on the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Urban Greenspace Team and he’s hoping you’ll sign up for a “Weed Wrangle” to help fight the invasion.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This program originally aired on February 19, 2024:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Bone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Leon Bates, local Indianapolis historian and former guest of Bring It On!, and Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement for the City of Indianapolis, about respecting the remains from Greenlawn Cemetery as the land is being developed. In addition, the city is putting together a commission to recommend how best to memorialize the history of Greenlawn once the bridge project is complete.
Leon BatesJudith ThomasEunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn. City officials say they plan to disturb as little of the site as possible. They have hired an archeologist to examine the ground as construction progresses and look for signs of burials. If remains are found, work in the area will stop and everything will be documented and processed, according to the city.
Diamond Chain bought a portion of the site in 1913 for its manufacturing facility and remains have been discovered there over the years. That portion of the property is now being turned into Eleven Park, the massive mixed-use development that will include Indy Eleven’s new 20,000-seat soccer stadium, and historians expect more remains will be uncovered during the construction. Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Part 1 of WFHB’s Nicki Seven and IU Senior Chris joining Kal and Melanie to discuss the surprise event at the IU Union with US Representative Jim Banks’ and Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik’s anti-woke terror tour.
Video of the event and photo: (Credit, Jeremy Hogan ©2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot_f5b6ucAQ&t=951s
Who is Chaya? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libs_of_TikTok
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
Featured Animal: Brynn
This week’s featured animal is Brynn, an American Staffordshire Terrier Mix dog who has been with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter for well over 200 days. While she is hoping that her forever family is on the way, she does still chat animatedly with staff and volunteers once she’s out of her kennel! She loves to snuggle, but also has an independent personality where she is content to do her own thing. In the summer, she enjoys the shelter’s play yard pool and splashing around after lounging in the sun. Brynn is dog-selective, but has previously lived with another dog.
Since Brynn has allergies and will need ongoing care, the BUB Fund is offering a $1,000 grant to her future adopter to help with ongoing medical costs. Those interested in Brynn can learn more from and reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Spay and Neuter
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about the health, behavioral, and environmental benefits of spaying/neutering pets, and how the procedure reduces the number of animals being euthanized.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets updates from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance about plans to log and burn in Hoosier National Forest and free events this weekend for the total solar eclipse visible from Bloomington this coming Monday.
Over the past two weeks we have been sharing with you information about the different types of plastic and how they are used. Today, we’ll review several more of the different types of plastics and their common uses.1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) which is clear, strong and lightweight and is commonly used in beverage bottles, food containers and polyester fibers for textiles. 2. Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile material used in foam insulation, upholstery, adhesives, coatings and elastomers. 3. Polycarbonate (PC0) which is clear and impact-resistant and is used in eyeglass lenses, safety goggles, medical devices and elctronic components. 4. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is tough and heat resistant, and used in automotive parts, electronic housings, toys and appliances. 5. Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) which is chemically resistant and used in chemical processing equipment, piping and coatings. 6. Nylon Polymide which is strong, durable and heat-resistant and is used in textiles, ropes, automotive parts and engineering plastics.
From this list that we have shared with you, which included four from last week, you can see how intrusive plastic has become part of our everyday lives in every way. You use it, you eat it, and you wear it. There is no way to not have it in your homes or lives. So, what can you do to make your life more green and protect our Mother Earth? Next week, we will share with you some ways you can have less plastic in your life.
Indiana Business Journal reprts Boone County officials are considering a two-year moratorium on new solar power and wind energy projects while the county updates its comprehensive plan. The move would come as Virginia-based Hexagon Energy develops plans for a 3,000-acre solar farm north of Jamestown in western Boone County and Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources renews interest in building a solar farm near Zionsville.In 2021, the Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals and the Boone County Area Plan Commission blocked NextEra’s plan for a $210 million, 1,660-acre solar farm in Union and Marion townships. The proposed Brickyard Solar project would have brought approximately 675,000 solar panels to various tracts of land along U.S. 421. Boone County Area Plan Commission Executive Director Stephen Elkins told IBJ he is not aware of any wind energy projects that have been submitted or discussed for unincorporated Boone County. He said wind projects were discussed about 15 years ago but never went forward.Earlier this month, the Boone County Area Plan Commission delivered a letter to the Boone County Commissioners recommending a moratorium on solar power and wind energy projects. Supporters and opponents of the solar projects spoke at Monday’s meeting. Jeff Jacob, an attorney with Indianapolis-based Hackman Hulett LLP who is representing Hexagon Energy, called the potential moratorium “fundamentally unfair” for Hexagon, which he said has 3,000 acres under contract in Boone County.Don’t take this extreme measure of suggesting that you’re protecting your comprehensive plan, Jacob said. If you’re protecting your comprehensive plan, let’s stop all development for two years. But don’t focus on one business that has actively been discussing with the community on how to develop. Jordan Burke, a project developer for Hexagon, said the company understands and respects that western Boone County is historically focused on agriculture. Burke said farming can occur within a solar facility and that soil can be farmed after solar panels are removed.“The reason farmers are interested in working with us, and we’re working with a lot of old farmers in western Boone, is they don’t believe this will permanently affect or erase their farm ground,” Burke said. Jack Bowen, a farmer who has leased land to Hexagon, asked the commissioners to not approve a moratorium. He said his family has lived on his 100-acre farm since 1902, and he believes that solar farms in western Boone County would be a buffer against housing and commercial developers from building subdivisions and warehouses near his land.IndyStar reports that work will begin soon in Tippecanoe County on the first segment of highway in the U.S. that will wirelessly charge electric vehicles as they travel, a project that could help define the future of EV charging. The Indiana Department of Transportation is teaming up with Purdue University and Cummins, Inc. to install the technology on a state highway in West Lafayette as part of a pilot project, according to a draft press release obtained by IndyStar.The first segment of the project will cover about a quarter of a mile along U.S. Highway 52 / U.S. Highway 231 between Lindberg Road and Cumberland Avenue, the release said. Indiana’s pilot segment comes after multiple years of testing and research. In the future, the goal is to expand the research by electrifying a section of an Indiana interstate. The ability to charge on the go would reduce the need for charging breaks and extend the range of electric vehicles, which currently is one of their major drawbacks.AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting 20-25 named storms across the Atlantic basin in 2024, including 8-12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes and four to six direct U.S. impacts. This is all above the 30-year historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes and four direct U.S. impacts. The temperatures of waters of the Atlantic along our coast are already at July levels. In this week’s Eco Report feature, Zyro Roze and Steven Stewart to learn about recent developments in forest protection, legislation to expand the DEAM Wilderness and educational nature hikes, other upcoming IFA events and the Totality Ceremony at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center.* The Indiana Forest Alliance is hosting a FREE 2-day 2024 Solar Eclipse viewing event in Yellowwood State Forest and the Bloomington Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center on Sunday, April 7th and Monday, April 8th. Guided hikes will be held at Yellowwood Lake on the 7th. Beginning at 11 am, on April 8th, the monks will perform a medicine Buddha Puja with more activities throughout the day.
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Enjoy a Griffy Lake Total Eclipse Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, April 8th from 2 to 4 pm. You must register in advance at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. Canoes and paddles will be provided.
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There will be a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Friday, April 12th from 4 to 4:30 pm in the Nature Center. Get a personal look at Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits and how they affect your life.
- Take a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 13th from 2 to 3:30 pm. Enjoy a guided hike on Trail 7 and hear the history of the lake and learn about the flora and fauna around the lake. Credits:
Headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey
News feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and compiled the events calendar
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produce Eco Report
Branden Blewett engineers Eco Report
Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull hosted the show
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.
- Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
- Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
- What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
- We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
- One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!
Rodolfo Leiva, de nacionalidad tica y Americana, nos cuenta su experiencia de haber crecido en Costa Rica y de sus estudios en Ingeniería en la Universidad de Purdue. Actualmente está liderando el ministerio de música en St. Paul Catholic Church.
Like the robin and the crocus, Trashion Refashion is a sign of spring in Bloomington. This year’s runway show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is the 15th annual exhibition of clothing designs made of repurposed materials. Molecular biologist Bettina Kehoe is typical of the amateur designers who dabble in recycled couture. They join artists and trained designers in producing more than 50 looks on display this year. Stephen Hale is president of the Center for Sustainable Living, the financial beneficiary of the fundraiser.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we bring you coverage on the upcoming total solar eclipse which will bring more than 300,000 visitors to Bloomington.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
During the April 3rd meeting of the Bloomington City Council, City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
President of the Council Isabel Piedmont-Smith co-sponsored the policy. She explained why she brought forth this resolution.
Council Member Dave Rollo said the purpose of the initiative is to show solidarity with innocent people affected by the conflict.
Then, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson addressed racist and Antisemetic comments made by speakers during the initial public comment period of the meeting.
After the mayor’s address, the council took questions from its fellow members on the resolution. Council Member Hopi Stosberg asked the sponsors of the resolution if they tried to make the policy as inclusive as possible without alienating anybody. Piedmont-Smith and Rollo responded.
Council Member Isak Asare then asked if Piedmont-Smith would elaborate on her rationale of the proposal.
During public comment, a representative from Citizens Concerned for Justice in Palestine and Israel expressed his support for the resolution.
Another local resident argued he does not support the resolution. In his view, he believes the matter is beyond the purview of the city council.
After extensive public comment demonstrating both support and opposition of the resolution, the council members voted 9-0 to approve the policy. Mayor Kerry Thomson previously stated that she would not sign any resolutions that extend beyond the scope of the city. The city council will meet again for its next regular session on April 10th.
Local Officials Give Public Safety Tips for Solar Eclipse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-GCkqp6JDk
In March, local public safety officials gave preparedness tips for the upcoming total solar eclipse. The eclipse is expected to bring an estimated 300,000 people into the community to watch the cosmic event.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said the city has partnered with various local and state entities to prepare for the increased number of visitors.
Superintendent for Public Safety at Indiana University Benjamin Hunter said his mission is to ensure the utmost amount of safety for students, faculty, staff, visitors and community members.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Kevin Getz said the state police have been preparing for the eclipse for months in advance. He asked that visitors be patient during the expected increased amount of traffic for the event.
Celebratory events will take place in the city, on campus and in the county. To learn more about activities surrounding the solar eclipse, visit this link.
Astronomer Looks at Science Behind The Total Eclipse, Safety Tips for Viewers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxBMRuVaQuw
Caty Pilachowski is the Daniel Kirkwood Chair of Astronomy at Indiana University. Pilachowski teaches and conducts research about the evolution of stars and the chemical history of the Milky Way galaxy, according to her university web page.
The professor gave a talk on the 2024 Solar Eclipse for IU’s Food for Thought series. During her presentation, she describes what viewers will see.
Pilachowski offered a warning to viewers of the eclipse to never look directly into the sun during the celestial event.
She explained the path of totality – which is essentially the area where viewers can see the moon totally block the sun. She said it will last only around 4 minutes in any given viewable location.
Pilachowski touched on what makes Bloomington an ideal spot to witness the solar eclipse.
She then went on to talk about how often solar eclipses occur, and the science behind scale and alignment when it comes to eclipses.
Professor Pilachowski parroted traffic and safety concerns mentioned by public safety officials. She recommended that visitors spend the night in town to avoid the traffic jam following the eclipse.
Stay tuned for Monday’s broadcast of the WFHB Local News where Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on how the eclipse will impact the unhoused community in Bloomington.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine. Avery and Miller authored a two-part series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Eclipse Headsup” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.At the MCCSC School Board meeting on March 26th, conversations among the community and board members continued regarding the possibility of corporation-wide redistricting and the consolidation of Childs and Templeton Elementary School.
School Board President April Hennessy stated that no one from the board was looking to complete this process for the 2024 school year.
The board voted to continue discussing these topics at their next meeting, where members Erin Cooperman, Brandon Shurr and Ross Grimes volunteered to present options for the merger and redistricting plans. The next meeting will be held on April 23rd at 6pm.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland-Bean Blossom School Board meeting on Monday, March 25th, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve rate changes to the K-5 before and after school care program, also known as the Latch Key Program.
The board approved the rate adjustments, which will take effect at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The next school board meeting will be held on April 15th at 6pm.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on March 25th, and discussed amending the Fire Personnel Policy to Clarify the Town’s Policy on the Supervision of Relatives. The amendment would clarify who is in charge of employees whose direct relative is their supervisor.
Resident Jim Parry suggested that the town council amend the ordinance to outlaw or to eliminate nepotism in the fire department outright. He quoted an article about the negative effects of nepotism in the workplace in his argument.
Fire Chief Kevin Patton responded that nepotism doesn’t pose a large issue in the fire service because the Town Council acts as a checks-and-balances system.
The council voted to approve the amendment to the fire personnel policy as written.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9.
Feature Report:
Shelves inside of Crimson Cupboard at Campus View Apartments. Per pantry rules, students can only go once a week.In today’s feature report, WFHB News spoke with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine. Avery and Miller authored a two-part series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. The story has been placed in the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists’ “Best in Journalism” competition. For more about their process and what they learned from reporting on this issue, we turn to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
- Part 1: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/one-emergency-from-catastrophe-who-struggles-with-food-insecurity/
- Part 2: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/food-insecurity-aid-doesnt-address-cause/
That was an interview with Christina Avery and Haley Miller, two reporters from the Limestone Post magazine who authored a two-part series on food insecurity. Visit the links above to read the full articles and listen to the accompanying radio segments on Food Insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.
Up next, “Eclipse Headsup” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. Fish has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 88th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In honor of celebrating International Women’s Month, in this episode, we are joined by Maia Ruiz-Law a violinist and psychology major student here at Indiana University. We talked about the acknowledgement of women in classical music and the diversity within Maia’s academia and musical academia path. We shared thoughts, experience, and simple ways to discover personal identity and explore the unfamiliarity.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Maia Ruiz-Law
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Conaway, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about her reasons for starting a green cleaning company and what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27th, G-I-S Coordinator John Baeten spoke on the ongoing Broadband Challenge Survey that county residents have been asked to participate in.
Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked Baeten for the work they have done and for informing the public about the challenge. Thomas explained that the survey will help the county apply for federal funds to improve broadband connectivity.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on April 10th.
Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on March 26th. During their meeting, the board members discussed putting a continuous abatement on a property at 410 South Highland Street. Rob Council, the neighborhood compliance officer with the HAND Department, detailed his observations of the property.
Board Member Kyla Cox-Deckard asked if the abatement would focus on litter on the property or overgrown grass. Council responded that the abatement would be for both.
The property owner was not at the meeting to make a comment.
The board approved an abatement of the lawn of the property to mow the grass and remove trash.
The next Board of Public Works will be on April 9.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Conaway, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about her reasons for starting a green cleaning company and what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning. This interview will be rebroadcast on Eco Report – a weekly public affairs program providing independent media coverage of environmental and ecological studies. Eco Report airs each Friday at 5 p.m. on WFHB. For more, we turn to Zyro Roze.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Bloomington’s Disability community introduces itself to the new city council, a new rule is proposed by the Department of Transportation for passengers with disabilities who travel via airline, The Food and Drug Administration renews a campaign to ban a device long used in a Massachusetts institution, and we talk with Bloomington Human Rights Director Michael Shermis on the latest developments in city Disability policy.
Good evening, a brief reminder that April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month.
In local news, new members of the Bloomington City Council were introduced to the primary Disability Rights organizations in the city for the first time. Lesley Davis, the chairperson of the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, a volunteer organization that works with businesses and the city government to improve accessibility was the first to speak.
Image courtesy of:Indiana University Mauer School of Law Image Description:A Shot of Lesley Davis, Chairperson of the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, wearing a red shirt and a white one underneath, with a gold necklace is around her neck and curly hairDavis was then followed by Karen Willison. Willison is co-president of Mobility Aids Lending Library, a non-profit organization founded last year providing with assistive devices including canes, wheelchairs, and walkers to Bloomingtonians with Disabilities who could not otherwise afford them.
Image courtesy of Bloom Magazine Image description:A shot of Mobility Aids Lending Library Founder and co-president Karen Willison, wearing a light blue shirt and sitting in a wheelchair and has long long hair. To Willison’s left is a black dog with its tongue out.
Council President Isabel Piedmont Smith asked organization members about whether progress had been made to upgrade sidewalks in the city to ensure safe passage for Bloomingtonians in wheelchairs. Bloomington Human Rights and Government Liaison for the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility Michael Shermis, responded:
Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger then spoke about the importance of working with disability organizations to improve sidewalks in the city, particularly how to do so with sidewalks that have already been designated as historical.
Rosenbenbarger asked City Human Rights Director Shermis if the council had been briefed on a recent historical designation of sidewalks in the past.
Image courtesy of:The United States Department of Transportation Image Description:A shot of Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with black hair and wearing a black coat, white shirt, and blue tie. Buttigieg stands in front of an american flag to his left and the Department of Transportation flag to his right.
In news from the federal government, a new rule was proposed in February by the Department Of Transportation to improve how airline staff handle Wheelchairs for travelers with disabilities, a rule first announced by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg last July. On February 29, the Department of Transportation announced the full rule in its final form. At a roundtable last July with Disability Rights Activists celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination towards persons with disabilities in all forms, Buttigieg cited examples of the difficulty that passengers in wheelchairs disabilities may encounter when traveling via flight and described the latest actions by the Department of Transportation in improving these conditions. This is the latest development in the Department of Transportation’s attempts to make airlines more accessible, with the Department having drafted a bill of rights for disabled airline passengers in July 2022, the first such document in American history. While the Airline Carriers Access Act of 1986 already classifies discrimination against passengers with disabilities by airlines as illegal, it seems more enforcement is needed. In data obtained from the Department of Transportation released last month, a total of 11,527 wheelchairs were “mishandled”, an increase from 2022 when the total was 10,449. The new rules tackle three areas: Penalties, Assistance, and standards of airplane construction. Under the penalties section, any airline that mistreats a wheelchair has violated the Air Carrier Access Act, which may result in the Department of Transportation levying “penalties against said airline.” The section goes on to state that in the event of a wheelchair being damaged, the airline must inform the impacted passenger that it will pay for the wheelchair’s repair within a “reasonable timeframe” while providing the passenger an option to borrow a wheelchair in the meantime. As for Assistance, the rule recommends “annual hands-on training of airline employees” when helping passengers with disabilities and to ensure a passenger’s wheelchair reaches their intended location within 24 hours.” Finally, the rule proposes that passengers be informed by airline staff if their wheelchairs cannot fit on the plane they intend on traveling in and when their wheelchairs have been placed in and removed from the plane.
Image Courtesy of: The Judge Rotenberg Center Image description:A green field features several light blue sculptures with a concrete parking lot ahead and a red brick building in front of the parking lot
In national news, since its founding in 1971, the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Massachusetts has served as an institution for individuals with developmental disabilities. To help patients stop dangerous behaviors, the center uses aversive therapy, in which a patient experiences a form of discomfort given by a therapist if the patient engages in perceived inappropriate behaviors. The goal is for the patient to recognize that continued occurrences of such behaviors will result in further exposure to the discomfort given by the therapist, leading them to stop the behavior.
However the Judge Rotenberg Center is the only institution in the country performing aversive therapy with a device known as the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED). The device is usually worn by a patient on their bodies and, if the patient exhibits behaviors the staff deems inappropriate, an electric shock is given to the patient via remote control. The center states the device is only used as a last resort if a patient continues to engage in “self-injurious or violent behavior” after prior attempts at prevention have failed.
However several incidents at the center have come to light demonstrating that usage of the device is ineffective at reducing harmful behaviors, left lasting physical and psychological scars on patients, and has often been used as an initial form of treatment. At this time, the device is permitted for 45-50 patients at the center. Despite the United Nations classifying the device as a form of torture in 2013, legislative Efforts to ban the center from continuing this treatment have been unsuccessful, with a Food and Drug Administration ban of the device in March 2020 being overturned by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals one year later because the ban went beyond the FDA’s authority. Two years later, Congress passed the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act in December 2022, expanding the FDA’s authority to “ban devices that can be used in situations proven to cause substantial risk of illness or injury.” And just this week, the Food and Drug Administration unveiled a new attempt at a ban on the devices. According to a statement by FDA’s Product Evaluation and Quality office, the director Owen Faris said, “These devices present a number of psychological risks including depression, anxiety, worsening of underlying symptoms, development of post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical risks such as pain, burns, and tissue damage.” On May 28, the department will close public comment on the rule, at which time, it will decide whether or not to proceed with the ban.
And now an interview with Michael Shermis, Human Rights Director and Disability Coordinator for the city of Bloomington on the latest disability legislation in the city.
Image Courtesy of:Bloom Magazine Image Description:A man with glasses wearing a grey shirt and black pants sits in front of two posters with one displaying Martin Luther King. The quote above King reads: “Life’s most persistent question is what are you doing for others?” Below the king poster is a white poster with the universal wheelchair logo.
A total solar eclipse will pass right over Bloomington next Monday, and there are dangers from strangers, from traffic, from the eclipse itself — and from phony eclipse glasses sold by fraudsters! Here’s how to stay safe.
This program originally aired on August 21, 2023:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Dr. Marvin Dunn. Dr. Dunn is fighting against the potential miseducation of countless children and young adults in Florida. He is here to discuss his efforts to combat this miseducation and the current state of racial politics in Florida.
Demonstrators gather in February in Tallahassee, Florida, during a protest over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ rejection of a high school African American history course that included lessons about reparations.Last Wednesday, August 16, 2023, before the first day of school for the Miami-Dade County school system, he led a march to protest the new education curriculum standards instituted by the Republican Governor Ron DeSantis that affect the teaching of Black history. This is part of a larger effort by DeSantis to purge what he calls “woke” idealogy in Florida.
Earlier this year, DeSantis had rejected the College Board’s AP African American Studies course for high school students because it included lessons on diaspora reparations, Black LGBTQIA+ studies, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He has also barred instruction in schools that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color, according to a CNN report. The new curriculum teaches that some Black people benefited from being enslaved because they learned useful skills.
Dr. Dunn was joined by some members of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, who then were holding a conference in Miami. Tennessee state Representative Justin Pearson also joined the protest. Rep. Pearson, along with fellow representative Justin James, had recently been voted back into office, after being expelled for calling out state Republicans for failing to pass gun control laws after the Covenant School mass shooting in Nashville.
Marvin Dunn/Twitter (X)The union representing around 150,000 Florida teachers, the Florida Education Association, called these new curriculum changes “a disservice to Florida students and are a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994.” One of the most controversial aspects of these new standards includes teaching that some Blacks benefited from chattel slavery by learning useful skills. Further, these new curriculum changes include teaching that the Rosewood massacre was instigated by when a black man shot two white men who came onto his porch, rather than that a white woman falsely accused a Black man of assault.
Dr. Dunn has been leading “Teach No Lies” tours that take teachers and young people to places like Rosewood, Florida. Officially, it is recorded that the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 led to the killing of six Black residents and the fleeing of the rest of its black residents. Many say, however, that the death toll was much higher. By the massacre’s end, all but one of Rosewood’s buildings had been burned down. No law enforcement agency ever did an investigation, nor were there any criminal charges.
Dr. Dunn is a professor emeritus at Florida International University, and the author of many books, including A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes, where he writes:
Almost all of Florida’s painful racial past has been whitewashed, marginalized, or buried intentionally. But I was born here. I know Florida’s flowers and her warts.
He is also a co-founder of the Miami Center for Racial Justice. He began giving his Tell No Lies Tours in response to the state’s escalating efforts to further whitewash Florida’s Black History.
Dr. Dunn stands before a flag combining the American Stars and Stripes and the Confederate Stars and Bars in the driveway of his neighbor, David Emmanuel. (Marvin Dunn/ Twitter (X))On a personal front, Dr. Dunn recently saw his neighbor, David Emanuel, convicted on July 26 on six counts of federal hate crime charges for screaming the N-word and attempting to run him and five companions over in September 2022. Dr. Dunn, 83, acquired his five-acre property across from Emanuel’s home back in 2008 and turned it into a park to “celebrate Rosewood heritage.” He is the only black homeowner currently in Rosewood.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 1st, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. More in the bottom half of tonight’s newscast.
Local high school students Sophia Craiutu and Iris Jones are on a mission to change the way American kids find out about what’s going on in the world. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On March 27th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, members of the community addressed the council during public comment, and asked the council to pass a resolution calling for a cease fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
The first commenter was Bloomington Resident, Bob Arnov, who said he was a part of a multi-faith coalition here to speak about the need for a ceasefire in Palestine and Gaza.
Another resident, Kay Weinberg, spoke on the complexities of matter, saying that not all Jewish people share the same mindsets.
Later in the meeting, the council voted to reject an ordinance to establish Lower Cascades Park as a historic district. City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced the ordinance.
Historic Preservation Program Manager Noah Sandweiss presented the staff’s recommendation to establish the historic district. Sandweiss also shared that the presentation was created by the former Program Manager Gloria Colom Brana.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg asked if the Parks Department was involved in the decision. Sandweiss said they had been in communication with the Parks Department.
Stosberg asked Bloomington Parks and Recreation Operations and Development Division Director Tim Street a series of questions about how they currently maintain the park.
Council Member Matt Flaherty said he would not support the ordinance, and explained his reasoning.
The Council voted 3-6 on the ordinance. With 6 members voting no on the ordinance, the ordinance did not get approval.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on April 3rd.
Monroe County Council
During the Monroe County Council meeting on March 26th, the council heard a request to amend the 2024 salary ordinance to include six new positions at the county jail. Deputy Sheriff Phil Parker discussed why the sheriff’s office is seeking these positions for the jail transition team.
Council Member Kate Wiltz asked how money generated from local income tax would fund the new positions. Both Council Member Geoff McKim and Marty Hawk responded, strategizing on methods to fund the jail transition team.
The council voted to approve the salary ordinance amendment unanimously. The council will continue to finalize the six positions for the jail transition in the coming weeks. The next Monroe County Council meeting will take place on April 9th at the Nat U Hill Room.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.
Local high school student Sophia Craiutu was on a trip abroad when she realized she lives in a media bubble. Now Sophia and her friend Iris Jones are on a mission to change the way American kids receive and perceive information about what’s going on in the world. Their nonprofit Global Learners is looking for fresh perspectives to share in Bloomington classrooms, and maybe you’ve got a story to share. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Today’s episode of Activate! was produced by Corbin Trimble, Destiney Wilson and Jason Lipsey in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
A trip overseas led high school student Sophia Craiutu to realize she was living in a media bubble. Sophia and her friend Iris Jones founded Global Learners on a mission to change the way American kids receive and perceive information about what’s going on in the world.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This special edition of Activate! was produced by Corbin Trimble, Destiney Wilson and Jason Lipsey in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
in front, l-r: Sophia Craiutu & Iris Jones
Kal Returns!!! And brings William Dorsey Swann, the originator of Drag culture and vogueing, into our lives!
Melanie, Kal, and Justin go over updates to major stories of the week in LGBTIQ+ news.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
Melanie and Justin go over updates to major stories of the week in LGBTIQ+ news.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
In this week’s Eco Report feature, part 2 of WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull’s conversation with Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
*Last week* we introduced you to the world of plastic. Today, we will educate you on the categories of plastics, their chemical composition, properties and applications. It’s a long list, so we will start with the first four types:1. Polyethelene, also known as PE, has three types:• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is known for its strength, stiffness, and resistance to moisture and chemicals. It is used in bottles, containers, pipes and plastic lumber.
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is flexible and commonly used in packaging films, plastic bags and squeezable bottles.
• Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) combines the properties of LDPE and HDPE to be used in films, bags and liners. 2. Polypropylene (PP) which is tough and heat-resistant and is used in food containers, packaging, automotive parts and textiles. 3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is rigid PVC and is used in construction materials like pipes, window frames and siding. Flexible PVC is used in inflatable structures, medical tubing, electrical cable insulation and flooring. 4. Polystyrene (PS). General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) is transparent and rigid and used in food packaging, disposable cutlery and CD cases. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is lightweight and insulating and used in packaging, thermal insulation and disposable cups. There are more categories to be covered which we will discuss next week. What we are trying to teach you, is that practically everything in our homes, offices and lives has a lot of plastic in it.
Inside Climate News reports the world’s most famous groundhog —Punxsutawney Phil—did not cast a shadow, which legends say indicated that spring should arrive early this year. While the groundhog has been known to give notoriously inaccurate forecasts, this one probably wasn’t too far off base. As climate change accelerates, the signs of spring are arriving earlier in many parts of the world, from unnatural warmth to the tell-tale throat itch that accompanies seasonal allergies.The federally funded National Phenology Network—a group that monitors the biological impacts of seasonal changes—tracks when plants sprout leaves across the U.S., and says on its website that spring conditions in Des Moines, Iowa, is 20 days early, Detroit, Michigan, is 23 days early, and Cleveland, Ohio, is 16 days early compared to a long-term average of 1991-2020. Starting around the end of each March, tourists flock to cities across Japan and the Tidal Basin of Washington, D.C., to see the same thing: blooming cherry blossom trees. The vibrant petals transform the trees into clouds of pink, but these cotton-candy flowers have been blooming earlier in the past few decades, research shows.In Japan, the average start date of blooming has begun 1.2 days earlier per decade since 1953, Daisuke Sasano, a climate risk management officer at the Japan Meteorological Agency, told Bloomberg. A similar trend is playing out during cherry blossom season in D.C., where these iconic trees are also encountering sea-level rise. After this season’s festival, the National Park Service is set to cut down around 140 of the cherry blossom trees to make room for the construction of taller sea walls. The $113 million, three-year project is set to begin in late spring and early summer around the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River through West Potomac Park, after the National Cherry Blossom Festival draws crowds to celebrate the district’s iconic blooms.Roughly 300 trees are scheduled for removal in the construction zones. More than 450 trees, including 274 cherry trees, will be replanted in the area when the project is finished, the NPS said in a statement. Nature has developed connections between dissimilar species over millions of years. At least 11 species of migratory birds use horseshoe crab eggs as their primary food supply during their 2 to 3 week stopover. The eggs replenish their fat supply during their trip from South American wintering areas to Arctic breeding grounds. Now we are seeing the timing partially failing.The New York Times reports on the inside the Republican attacks on electric vehicles. President Biden’s new rule cutting emissions from vehicle tailpipes has deepened a partisan battle over automotive technology. One reason is that President Biden has made electric vehicles central to his strategy to combat climate change. This week, his administration announced the most ambitious climate regulation in the nation’s history: a measure designed to accelerate a transition toward electric vehicles and away from the gasoline-powered cars that are a major cause of global warming.The political war over electric vehicles has been fueled by an incendiary mix of issues: technological change, the future of the oil and gas industry, concerns about competition from China and the American love of motorized muscle. And in the rural reaches of America, where few public charging stations exist, the notion of an all-electric future feels fanciful — another element to the urban-rural divide that underlies the nation’s polarization. Mr. Biden’s opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, has for months escalated attacks on electric vehicles broadly and the new regulation in particular, falsely calling the rule a ban on gasoline-powered cars and claiming electric cars will “kill” America’s auto industry.He has called them an “assassination” of jobs. He has declared that the Biden administration ordered a hit job on Michigan manufacturing by encouraging the sales of electric cars. In many ways, Mr. Biden’s new rules on auto pollution combine elements that conservatives love to hate: government regulations and the notion that Democrats want to force Americans to give up comforts in the name of the environment. In this week’s Eco Report feature, part 2 of WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull’s conversation with Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, as they discuss her activism, her background and how to best respond to the climate crises.
. * Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 30th from 11 am to Noon. Learn about the solar eclipse and how to safely view the sun. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Please register in advance.
* Learn about the upcoming solar eclipse at Brown County State Park at the Eclipse 101 program on Friday, April 5th from 4 to 4:45 pm in the Nature Center. Learn what you need to know at this once in a life time event.
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There will be a Woodcock Walk at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, March 30th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Enjoy an evening excursion to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the ‘Sky Dance.’ Dress for the weather and be prepared for muddy conditions.
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Enjoy a Bluebird Nest Box Building Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 30th beginning at 1 pm. The Brown County Bluebird Club will teach you all about these birds while you build your very own bluebird box. Register to Dan Sparks at b4bluebirds@gmail.com or call 812-200-5700.
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Make a Solar Eclipse T-Shirt at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 6th from 1 to 2 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Bring a solid black t-shirt with no designs. The park will provide the rest of the supplies. Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey
Today’s news feature was produced by Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show
Branden Blewett engineered the show
Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts anchored the show
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.
- Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
- Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
- What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
- We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
- One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!
She taught herself how to play the guitar and now she wants to help young girls, trans kids, and those questioning their assigned gender learn how to play music too. Amy Oelsner, known to many around Bloomington as Amy O and leader of two bands, one named for her and the other called Brenda’s Friend, is more interested in working with young folks than becoming a star. Winner of the 2020 Indiana Governor’s Emerging Artist award and a veteran of the late, lamented Rhino’s Youth Center, Amy founded Girls Rock Bloomington in 2019.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 28th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we hear from Kristin Bishay, executive director of Monroe County CASA, about how federal funding cuts would impact the organization.
That’s coming up next in your local headlines:
VOCA Budget Cuts Would Affect Monroe County CASA
Photo courtesy of the Bloomington Volunteer Network.Funding for the Victims of Crime Act, also known as VOCA could be cut by nearly a third. This comes amidst talks of budget cuts in the U.S. Congress.
The loss of federal funding would impact local organizations who stand up for crime victims, such as the Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA.
Kristin Bishay, executive director of Monroe County CASA, explained what the organization does in the community.
“We are a nonprofit organization that recruits and trains community volunteers who represent children who were in the court system because they’ve been abused or neglected. And what the advocates do is become the voice of the child,” she said.
Bishay discussed the potential federal funding cuts and how that would affect Monroe County CASA. She said funds from VOCA have been granted to CASA for over 25 years. The loss of funds would add a burden to the organization, according to Bishay.
“This year, the application I just submitted this past week, they told us to expect a 40 percent cut. And that’s on top of our already 20 percent cut from the year before,” said Bishay. “What we’re doing is we’re trying to make adjustments.”
She said that non-profit organizations can often be strapped for funding and resources. However, she said the work that Monroe County CASA does is vital for children who are involved in juvenile court due to abuse or neglect.
“Without a CASA volunteer in there, the kids don’t have a voice,” she said.
The month of April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month across the United States. Bishay said that CASA prides itself on standing up for children. She touched on the organization’s advocacy in light of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Indiana has the most lenient laws about child abuse than any other state in the nation, and there are statistics to show this,” said Bishay. “If we got into these families earlier before severe harm happened before things escalated to a high standard, then we could prevent a lot of this abuse, prevent the harm and trauma to a child and spend far less dollars doing it.”
Again, Bishay said that non-profit groups are typically underfunded and under-resourced. In the meantime, she said Monroe County CASA will continue to look for volunteers and donors in spite of the potential funding cuts.
“What we need the most are volunteers. We have experienced volunteerism going way down. And we’re hearing this across the board in the state and the nation with CASA and most other nonprofits who use volunteers to provide services. And it’s getting to be critical. We are at the lowest number of volunteers that we have had probably in 10 years,” said Bishay.
To learn more about how to volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates, visit this link.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board Approves Rate Changes for Latch Key Program
At the Richland-Bean Blossom School Board meeting on Monday, March 25th, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve rate changes to the K-5 before and after school care program, also known as the Latch Key Program.
The board approved the rate adjustments, which will take effect at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The next school board meeting will be held on April 15th at 6pm.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. For more environmental news coverage, tune into Eco Report at 5 p.m. each Friday on WFHB. We now turn to Zyro Roze for that interview.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 27th.
Later in the program, candidates for the Monroe County Council-At Large race faced off in a forum discussing the new jail, the cost of childcare, affordable housing and more. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Candidates For County Council-At Large Face Off In Forum
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.On Saturday, candidates for the Monroe County Council-At Large race participated in a forum at the library auditorium.
The four candidates running for county council include: City Environmental Commission Member Matt Caldie, County Councilor Trent Deckard, former Election Board President David Henry and County Councilor Cheryl Munson.
The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. Laura Rusk, Maurer School of Law student, moderated the forum.
Candidates fielded questions about the new jail, the cost of child care, the county’s relationship with the state legislature and housing affordability.
Moderator Rusk asked the candidates about how local income tax would play into the conversation around the new county jail. Munson brought up annexation and said there are other resources for financing the jail.
Henry discussed bonds and said the county should sell off properties it doesn’t need.
Deckard said affordability is a concern and the county should think twice about raising taxes on residents.
Caldie acknowledged the expensive endeavor of building a new jail. He agreed with other candidates about being careful to raise income taxes. In addition, he said if funded appropriately, taxes would not need to increase in order to fund the jail.
Moderator Rusk mentioned the problem many residents face with affording childcare, and asked what steps the candidates would take to reduce these costs. Deckard said he believes that the solution will require a partnership of county, city, and private organizations.
Caldie responded that he is excited to look into possible solutions for the childcare costs.
Munson stated that she has been concerned about the issue of childcare expenses for over 50 years; however, she thinks the issue will persist until corporations are impacted by a lack of employees.
Henry suggested that the county should oversee that new corporations moving into the community prioritize benefits including childcare for their employees.
Throughout the forum, multiple candidates mentioned dissatisfaction with the state legislature. Moderator Rusk asked the candidates how they thought the Indiana legislature could improve or assist the local government. Caldie said he thinks the state would be most helpful by returning power to the county government.
Munson agreed with Caldie and added that she thinks the state should help with school funding.
Henry said that the state needs to allow the locality to make fiscal decisions for itself.
Deckard discussed the ways that the state legislation has acted in direct opposition to the beliefs of Monroe County.
Then, Rusk posed a question to the candidates about what they would do to improve access to housing. Caldie said first and foremost, the county needs more housing.
Munson discussed how housing issues span both the city and the county. She praised the Sudbury housing project, which would bring upwards of 4,000 housing units to the Southwest part of Bloomington.
Then, Henry offered ways the county can attempt to solve the issue of housing affordability and stagnation.
Deckard expressed disappointment in the increased housing costs in recent years. He also said realistically, the county council cannot solve the housing crisis but needs to work together with other entities to tackle the issue.
To watch the full candidate forum, click here. Early voting is slated to begin on April 9th. Primary Election Day will happen on May 7th.
Better Beware:
Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Romance scams are huge today, and all kinds of people are being targeted. This kind of fraud works all too well, and ripped off more than a billion dollars in 2022 alone. You may think you’re safe — but how about your family members and your friends?
Featured Animal: Marianne
Marianne is an easygoing, Domestic Shorthair cat who gets along with everyone. She likes to talk to people and she loves treats. Her cloudy eye doesn’t stop her from the “zoomies” either. She does well with other cats, as well as dogs, and she would love to meet you! Those interested in learning more about Marianne, including adoption details, can reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: First Aid for Cats
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about first aid for cats, potential signs of a medical emergency in cats, and preparedness considerations.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 26th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Jeremy Herhusky-Schneider reports on the state of Indiana’s pushback to transportation alternatives. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Public Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on March 20th. At their meeting, they discussed updates on the Southwest library, which was closed in January after a frozen exhaust pipe led to extensive flooding in the building.
According to the Monroe County Public Library Director Grier Carson, the library received 200,000 dollars for repairs.
Carson said that they do not currently have a planned reopening date for the library because there are so many parties involved.
Board member Kathy Loser asked what precautions will be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Carson replied that the investigation should provide an answer.
Carson said that they have been, “very intentionally not putting a lot of information out to the public about what’s coming because we don’t have anything to share.” However, he said they have agreed to an interview with the Herald Times so that the public can see how much damage the building incurred.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on April 17th.
Monroe County Plan Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Plan Commission meeting on March 19th, Planning Department Associate Planner Anne Crecelius presented a rezone request to the commission. The Hopkins Rezone located at 7540 South Old State Road 47 in Clear Creek Township is asking for a rezone from Agricultural Rural to Suburban Residential.
Crecelius, introduced the rezone request and presented some background information on the property to the commission.
Crecelius shared that the Highway Department had some input on the rights of way, but said that it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Crecelius said that the Planning Department recommends approval of the rezone request.
Commissioner Julie Thomas said she supports the rezone, but wants to make sure they don’t allow for future problems for the planning department.
The Petitioner’s Representative Eric Deckard, shared the petitioner’s intentions for the property.
Commissioner Member Jerry Pittford motioned to approve the rezone request.
The commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Monroe County Commissioners.
The next Monroe County Plan Commission meeting will be held on April 16th.
Feature Report:
Photo by Jeremy Herhusky-SchneiderIn today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Jeremy Herhusky-Schneider reports on the state of Indiana’s pushback to transportation alternatives. Herhusky-Schneider has more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jeremy Herhusky-Schneider.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By Jeremy Herhusky-Schneider
Public, equitable and sustainable transportation alternatives to personal vehicles in Indiana are limited. Attempts to increase public transportation in 2014 led to the banning of light rail in several Indiana counties. Although the ban was supposed to be repealed with the 2019 House Bill 1365, the House Bill died thus keeping the ban in place. More recently, this year’s legislative session heard Senate Bill 52 which would prohibit use of dedicated transit lanes (a bill targeting the Indianapolis bus Blue line). The ban to prohibit dedicated bus lanes was dropped but the possibility to limit the amount of lanes is pending.
Indiana’s state government and municipalities need to keep its options open because personal vehicles as the primary transportation system have several issues, according to Dr. Yonah Freemark of the Urban Institute.
“I basically was just convinced that when we think about transportation, it fundamentally is about connecting people from one place to another. And without understanding exactly what causes people to be located adjacent to transportation options, or vice versa,” Freemark said.
However, transportation is not an isolated issue. According to Freemark, we need to consider land use and zoning laws.
“Zoning that allows for only low-density development or that separates housing from jobs can lead to higher transportation cost burdens,” said Freemark in “Cracking the Zoning Code.”
As to why these issues are not being addressed, Freemark and the Urban Institute’s research has led them to review the folks that make these decisions in the following paper, “Who Makes Planning Choices” which found that “… on average, board membership is an overrepresentation of non-Hispanic white people, men, homeowners, and people whose occupations are in the planning and development sectors.” The paper concludes that this is a cause for concern because “If people who are Hispanic, women, or renters—or who hold occupations outside of the development sector—are systematically excluded from decision making roles, one key element of local government polity is in the hands of a group of people who do not adequately reflect the residents of these communities. It is possible, even likely, that the decisions being made about land-use policy do not serve the interests of underrepresented groups. This, in turn, may be one explanation for the inequitable outcomes we have historically seen in planning policy in the United States.”
Even small municipalities like Bloomington, according to former city council member Steve Volan, should consider how it zones and builds and grows corridors of businesses and homes with a priority on dense mixed use developments.
“But I think the key to it is transit oriented development. So what does that mean? It means that you develop new housing and commerce nodes that are dense enough that it justifies running a bus to it,” Volan said.
Although Bloomington is not large enough for a light rail system to be feasible, Dr. Freemark suggests.
“I do think that that improvements on bus service are probably the most effective thing for communities with, you know, relatively small populations. I think the goal here is really to encourage substantial investment in in those bus lanes to make sure that they are, you know, giving people the option to get around frequently, reliably and quickly,” Freemark said.
Volan looks forward to developing a bus system or rapid bus lanes around populated corridors by working with the county. One recommendation by Steve Volan is:
“What can we do to develop around transit to get developers to think I don’t need to build as much garage space or parking space or its street width, I can put more units on there. And I can generate more money and build the denser development that people are demanding. If I just don’t assume that I have to accommodate the car everywhere, and if they build densely enough, then it justifies running a bus to it,” Volan said.
Although a future with more public transportation will be equitable and sustainable, projects are often opposed or banned because of cost. Steve Volan argues the following:
“We don’t really think about how much the overall cost of accommodating cars costs us because it doesn’t come out of one pot, you’ve got the street budget over here, you’ve got the cost of structure parking over there, you’ve got the cost of land that you have to acquire in order to meet minimum parking requirements. All of those things add up, but nobody adds them up,” Volan said.
Dr. Freemark also agrees and does not buy the cost argument against public transportation projects:
“We spend way way more on investments in you know private cars and maintenance of those cars and the environmental impacts of those cars,” Freemark said.
Some organizations have attempted to measure the financial impact of car dependent transit systems, like Strong Towns.
Although public transportation is limited in Indiana and Bloomington, Volan imagines a future with trains.
“I met Herman Wells back in 1990…he told me that as an undergraduate in the early 1920s, he could get from Bloomington to Chicago in five hours by electric interurban rail. Five hours, it takes me four hours to drive to Chicago, when there’s no traffic, and the idea that I could sit and read a book or do work on a train to Chicago breaks my little heart that Indiana was crisscrossed by trains,” Volan said.
However, state legislative attempts to ban public transportation options will not make futures like this possible.
Sandra Chapman, investigative reporterIn this edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell, spend the hour with investigative reporter and documentarian, Sandra Chapman.
In 2001, Chapman aired on WISH-TV in Indianapolis a series of reports on the murder of Carol Jenkins. Jenkins was murdered on September 16, 1968, after a day of selling encyclopedias in Martinsville; thus, becoming known as a ‘sundown town’. After the airing of these reports, Chapman would later receive a phone call from a woman who claims to have seen her murder.
Eventually, this phone call led to discovering who Carol Jenkins’ murderer was. In 2011, Chapman published The Girl in the Yellow Scarf, a book about the murder of Carol Jenkins and the work of the efforts of Martinsville’s cold case unit to solve this case. She would later make a documentary with the same name. Tonight Sandra Chapman is here to discuss the murder and what led her to investigate this cold case.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 25th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin files a report on the Bloomington City Council agenda for this week. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Dorian Villanueva from CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates. She needs help standing up for the rights of local kids in cases of neglect and abuse. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Candidates Clash Over New Jail at County Commissioners Forum
On Saturday, Democratic candidates for the Monroe County Commissioners race in the primary election participated in a forum at the library auditorium.
The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County hosted the candidate forum with Maria Douglas, development director at Middle Way House, moderating.
Candidates for the District 2 seat of the Monroe County Commissioners include: Peter Iversen and the incumbent, Julie Thomas. As for District 3, the candidates include: the incumbent Penny Githens, Jody Madeira and Steve Volan.
During his opening statement, Peter Iversen who currently sits on the Monroe County Council, talked about public education and housing.
Current Commissioner Julie Thomas discussed her strategy of innovation when it comes to the environment and interacting with residents.
In District 3, Commissioner Penny Githens briefly highlighted her re-election campaign touching on her background and issues that are important to her.
Challenger for the District 3 seat, IU Maurer School of Law Professor Jody Madeira criticized the county government’s leadership on the Monroe Convention Center, the new jail initiative and city-county relations.
Former City Councilman Steve Volan also seeks the third district seat. Volan critiqued the county when it comes to housing, the new jail and its tense relationship with the city.
Moderator Douglas asked the slew of candidates about the planning of a new Monroe County Jail. Commissioner Githens responded to a question about what she learned from Sheriff Ruben Marté about jail design and location.
Madeira responded to the same question saying she doesn’t want the new jail outside the city. She mentioned what she learned from touring the current jail earlier this month.
Then, Volan touched on his strategy for the new jail saying he didn’t approve of how the commissioners have handled the project. He also responded to Githens’ comment that he voted against the Fullerton Pike proposal while he sat on the city council.
Next, District 2 candidates were given a chance to address the question on jail planning. Iversen said he has a close relationship with Sheriff Marté. He also commented on the perceived mismanagement of the current commissioners on the jail.
Commissioner Thomas responded to Iversen’s claims about the jail transition team. Thomas walked through her vision for the future of the county jail.
The candidates vying for the county commissioner seats continued to answer questions about mental health support in the jail, housing, climate change and a range of other issues. To watch the full candidate forum, visit this link. Early voting begins on April 9th. Primary Election Day will happen on May 7th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin files a report on the Bloomington City Council agenda for this week. This report was recorded on Friday, March 22nd. Dave Askins has more.
When Dorian Villanueva was a family case manager with the Department of Child Services, she frequently depended on Court Appointed Special Advocates to figure out what was really going in cases of neglect and abuse. After her time at DCS was over she got involved at CASA as a volunteer, and right now she’s planning their biggest fundraiser of the year – the CASA gala on April 27th. Dorian is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
When Dorian Villanueva was a family case manager with the Department of Child Services, she frequently depended on Court Appointed Special Advocates to figure out what was really going in cases of neglect and abuse. After her time at DCS was over she got involved at CASA as a volunteer, and right now she’s planning their biggest fundraiser of the year – the CASA gala on April 27.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Claudio Pérez, Voluntario de Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, nos platica sobre la organización y las oportunidades que brinda a la comunidad de Bloomington para que interactúen con diferentes culturas a través de la música y de las artes, así como de su próximo evento GRATUITO, el Lotus Blossoms World Bazaar, que tendrá lugar el sábado 23 de marzo, de 11am a 3pm at the Fairview Elemnatry Gym. Este evento contará con presentaciones de música en vivo, estaciones de actividades interactivas multiculturales, foodtrucks y más!
In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in Part Two of a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.
Today brings the conclusion of the story of fishing in the oceans. We have seen tremendous changes in the fishing techniques as the increasing human population brought the need to catch more fish. Fishermen have gone from fishing within a few milesof where they lived to a situation where they could be fishing anywhere in the world, spending months at sea. Now it is possible to use sonar to identify whether there are fish below the boat or not. Thus, the fishermen only deploy their nets in areaswhere there are fish. There are seven points to be made about ocean fishing.1. The stocks of the most desirable species, for example, codfish and halibut, are less than one percent what they were in 1600. There are no virgin areas left in the oceans. Most areas now have less than ten percent of the fish they had at 1600. 2. The fish in the northern hemisphere are the most depleted because the majority of the human population lives in the northern hemisphere. 3. There are pluses and minuses in selecting either wild-caught or farm-raised seafood. The bottom line is that there are not enough wild species left in the ocean to satisfy the demand. Approximately two billion people get their only animal proteinfrom seafood. Most of this population lives in poor countries where fishing is done by canoe or small boats. They fish in territorial waters. 4. Farm-raised fish are more readily available and less expensive than wild-caught fish, and they face some of the same problems as large-scale farms on land. Pollution of natural habitats is also a concern with fish grown in open-net cages. A unique problem with farmed fish is that those raised in nets can introduce diseases and pests to wild populations. A few years ago in Norway, farmed salmon infected the country’s wild salmon with sea lice, significantly decreasing the population of wild salmon. Farmed salmon will also sometimes escape their enclosures, mating with and overtaking wild salmon species. Farm-raised fish tend to have higher fat content, since wild fish get more exercise, and because farmed fish are typically given feed high in fat from sources such as fish oil. That includes healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, as well as saturated fat. Wild-caught fish may contain more trace minerals, while farmed fish may contain more sodium. Nutritional differences between farmed and wild-caught shellfish, however, are minimal. 5. The least expensive way to protect wild species is to form preserves. These are areas that cannot be fished. Fishermen arealways happy to set side areas where there are no fish, but they oppose setting aside areas with abundant numbers. Enforcement requires that a government vessel must go out to the preserve and visually see that the intruder is fishing. This requirement effectively means that poor countries cannot defend their territorial waters. Fishermen have successfully prevented following all boats from shore. We have the technology to locate where every boat is. What is needed is acceptance of monitoring from shore, plus the power to seize a boat if it enters a preserve area. 6. Preserves need to be established in the Arctic Ocean, and off Antarctica. Given that the rest of the oceans will be too warm for species such as cod, the polar waters will become the last refuge of cold-water fish. As the Arctic ocean warms, the number of days it will be ice-free will increase, bringing increased pressure from nations to fish. The Arctic ocean will be ice-free long before the Antarctic Ice Cap melts completely. 7. As the glaciers melt, the oceans will rise, which will bring new areas into the possibility of fishing. For example, if the oceans increase by 50 feet, much of the Florida Peninsula will be under water. Thus, will the buildings of Miami be occupied by creatures of the sea?
The trend of consuming more and more farm-raised fish will continue. As the water temperatures rise, many of the original stocks may leave, replaced by completely different species.
How much do you know about plastic? If you are like most people, you have it in your kitchen as plastic food wrapper bags, or saran wrap, or plastic film over a container that is also make of plastic. In fact, plastic is everywhere. Not only is it used to hold produce or other foods, it is now in the food you eat, your soil and also in your body. Plastic does not go away or compost down. It breaks into smaller and smaller pieces until it becomes microscopic, but it is still there. So I thought a little history lesson on plastic might be interesting to some of you. I grew up before it was a “big thing” in the kitchen. Milk came in bottles, my sandwich for lunch was wrapped in wax paper, I used a paper bag to carry my lunch. My mother put leftovers in metal containers or glass jars. However, it was around. Just not as obvious. Our TV had a plastic frame around it. It was very hard and didn’t break.
The term “plastic” originally meant “pliable and easily shaped.” It has evolved to refer to a category of materials called polymers. Polymers are made of long chains of molecules. Cellulose, found in plant cell walls, is a natural polymer. Humans learned to create synthetic polymers, often using carbon atoms from petroleum and fossil fuels. These synthetic polymers are strong, lightweight, and flexible, making them exceptionally useful.In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer. Inspired by a New York firm’s offer of $10,000 for an ivory substitute, he treated cellulose (from cotton fiber) with camphor. The result was celluloid, a plastic that could imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, and ivory. Celluloid revolutionized manufacturing by freeing it from the constraints of natural resources. It also helped protect elephants and tortoises.In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic. Unlike celluloid, Bakelite contained no molecules found in nature. Bakelite was an excellent insulator, heat-resistant, and ideal for mass production. This breakthrough marked the beginning of the plastics revolution, allowing humans to create new materials beyond nature’s limits. Over the last century, plastics have saturated our world and transformed our lives. They’ve made material wealth more widespread, freed people from resource scarcity, and shaped our environment. From celluloid to Bakelite to modern synthetic polymers, plastics continue to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovation and sustainability.In summary, plastics have come a long way—from imitating natural materials to revolutionizing manufacturing and shaping our modern existence. But now, it is getting out of control.In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in Part Two of a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.
- Take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 23rd from 8 to 9 pm. Enjoy a guided hike around Lake Strahl to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon. The trail is considered easy but more rugged in the dark.
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Plan to participate in a Cultivating Mushrooms at Home class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Tuesday, March 26th from 6 to 8 pm. Learn the benefits of having mushrooms in your diet and how to grow mushrooms. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
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Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 30th from 11 am to Noon. Learn about the solar eclipse and how to safely view the sun. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Please register in advance.
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Enjoy a Bluebird Nest Box Building Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 30th beginning at 1 pm. The Brown County Bluebird Club will teach you all about these birds while you build your very own bluebird box. Register to Dan Sparks at b4bluebirds@gmail.com or call 812-200-5700.
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There will be a Woodcock Walk at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, March 30th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Enjoy an evening excursion to watch the American Woodcock perform it mating ritual – the ‘Sky Dance.’ Dress for the weather and be prepared for muddy conditions. Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.
- Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
- Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
- What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
- We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
- One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!
Audrey Heller, co-founder of the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, has said it took a lot of chutzpah to start the stage company in South Central Indiana. The organization launched in 2005 and is reprising its very first production, “Another Antigone,” by academician and playwright A.R. Gurney. This iteration will be a staged reading with multiple performances in April. Directed by Martha Jacobs, “Another Antigone” dramatizes a test of wills between a college professor and a creative student. Heller aims to retire at the end of this year.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 21st, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington Plan Commission gave a positive recommendation for a rezone request for a Planned Unit Development that would cover 140 acres and 4,250 dwelling units on the Southwest side of Bloomington. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Part II of The Women’s History Month episode of History Unbound on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Plan Commission Gives Positive Recommendation on Housing Project Which Would Add Over 4,000 Dwelling Units
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.The Bloomington City Plan Commission met on March 19th to discuss a rezone request for a Planned Unit Development that would cover 140 acres on the Southwest side of Bloomington. Interim Planning and Transportation Director and Development Services Manager Jackie Scalan was the case manager, and presented on the petition.
The land is currently zoned as a Planned Unit Development under a partially developed Sudbury P-U-D which was approved in 1999. Sudbury Development Partners, LLC is requesting the land to be rezoned as a new P-U-D, which includes the approval of district ordinance and a preliminary plan, according to the plan commission’s agenda packet. Scanlan walked through further basic information on the site.
Scanlan explained what a Planned Unit Development is, and gave some background on the property.
Scanlan said Subury’s proposal includes five neighborhoods, 4,250 dwelling units, and new commercial uses over a 10-year development period.
One of the commercial uses outlined in the Plan Commission Packet is a hotel, as well as multiple roadways, trail and utility connections.
During public comment, Arbor Ridge resident Deb Pekin said she has concerns about density within the proposal.
David Kennedy, Weimer Road resident, expressed concerns regarding law enforcement resources and their ability to control traffic.
Rachel Noble, another Weimer Road resident, is not against the redevelopment plan but urged the city to think about traffic density, affordable housing accessibility, and residential flooding.
Director of Heading Home of South Central Indiana, Mary Morgan, said she supports the proposal and encouraged the plan commission to give a positive recommendation.
Local resident Paully Tarricone spoke in favor of the proposal saying he believes it will promote housing affordability.
The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County also demonstrated their support for the proposal during the public comment portion of the special session.
After public comment the petitioner was given the opportunity to respond. Sudbury Representative Legal Counsel, Attorney Angela Parker said that they take the public’s comments and the commission’s feedback into consideration.
Commissioner Tim Ballard expressed his support for the Planned Unit Development, and said that although the project is not perfect the pros outweigh the cons.
Commission Member Hopi Stosberg asked about the density in the area, and the building’s height
Development Director at Sullivan Development L-L-C Travis Vencel, a co-developer of the P-U-D, said that they need it to be dense to make it economically feasible, and to ensure units are affordable.
Stosberg also asked staff from the Utilities Department about the infrastructure needed to support this scale of development. Engineer Caden Swanson spoke on Utility improvements in the area, and said they don’t have any concerns at the moment.
Utilities Department Environmental Assistant Director Katherine Zaiger spoke on the Stormwater concerns.
Stosberg shared her concerns about the rezone being mainly flooding and density, but said that she would still recommend it to the council.
Commissioner Trohn Enright-Randolph said he was in support of adding additional housing, however he is concerned that there won’t be as many units for sale, and too many set aside as rentals.
The Plan Commission voted 7-0-1 with Chris Smith abstaining to give a positive recommendation on the proposal. The proposal will move to the City Council for its consideration in the near future. The Bloomington Plan Commission will have its next regular meeting on April 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. This news segment explores American history and culture through a critical lens. Today, in honor of women’s history month, Lambright brings us two interviews with Nancy Brand and Martha Vicinus, two women involved in Bloomington’s Women’s Liberation Movement during the 1960s and 1970s. Last episode, Lambright focused on Nany’s story. In this episode, she dives deeper into the story of Martha Vicinus. We now turn to Part II of The Women’s History Month episode of History Unbound on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animal: Bubby
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about Bubby: an affectionate, diabetic senior cat currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Featured Topic: Concerns with declawing
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about declawing, how it can affect cats, and alternatives to this practice.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with environmental advocate Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production of WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on March 11th, Fire Chief Kevin Patton presented an award to Firefighter and E-M-T Matthew Seibott for administering life saving first aid at the site of a car crash that occurred in February.
Later in the meeting, Town Attorney Darla Brown explained the water rate approval the town received from the Indiana Regulatory Committee, the rate the town requested was not approved, but a slight increase in rates was approved by the committee.
Town Manager Mike Farmer explained that this is phase one of the water rate increase. He walked through some examples of what their average customers’ bill will look like.
The council unanimously approved the water rate increase.
Next, the council discussed funding for Rural Transit.
Monroe County Council Member Trent Deckard spoke to the town council, asking them to approve the continuation of funding for the service.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas implored the council to assist with funding, even if the budget is tight.
Area 10 Agency on Aging Executive Director Chris Meyers outlined the cost of running the service in Ellettsville until the end of 2024.
During public comment, many Ellettsville Residents shared how they rely on Rural Transit.
Ellettsville Resident Mary Haik said she lives outside of the limits of Bloomington Transportation services, and explained that she would lose her independence if she lost access to Rural Transit.
Council Member Dan Swafford said that this decision is one of the most important he has ever made during his time on the council, and asked his fellow council members to approve its funding.
Council Member William Ellis said that he was hopeful funding for the service could come from E-D L-I-T revenue.
Council Member Scott Oldham said that it is difficult because the town has never run a bus service and doesn’t have a budget for it.
The council voted to amend their Memorandum of Understanding with Rural Transit to extend their services until the money they have already set aside is depleted. Oldham said they will revisit how to fund it further after they receive firm numbers on what they expect to receive from the Economic Development Local Income Tax. The council will revisit their funding strategy at the next meeting.
The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on March 25th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with environmental advocate Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the state’s first CCL chapter. Veldman discusses her activism, her background and how to best respond to the climate crisis. She also touches on a legislative effort to expand the boundaries of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. This interview will be broadcast on Eco Report, our environmental affairs program airing each Friday at 5 p.m. on WFHB. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production of WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Robert Shull.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The connection between humans and horses is ancestral. Yet for most, their role in our everyday lives has diminished. One non-profit is preserving the symbiotic relationship between humans and horses through equine-assisted therapy.
People and Animal Learning Services, also known as PALS, is a non-profit adaptive riding center in Bloomington that offers therapeutic riding sessions to individuals of any age in need of physical, mental, emotional or developmental assistance.
Volunteer and treasurer Lorie Miller moved to Bloomington three years ago, bringing with her years of experience with horses and people with disabilities. Soon after her move, she began volunteering at PALS, a place that seamlessly combined both things. Miller explained how horse therapy compares to other forms of therapy in treating patients.
“I have worked with clients here who, you know, maybe it’s a kid who has been bullied in school, or something like that. And they think that somebody’s going to judge the way they look or their clothes or their whatever. And the message here is ‘horse doesn’t care.’ The horse takes you as you are, and so we have seen people open up to our horses in ways that they don’t with humans,” Miller said.
Executive Director, Chris Herring, discovered PALS after she was in a riding accident that nearly ended her bond with horses. Even after years of riding and training them, she considered walking away. Herring discussed how PALS impacted her relationship with horses.
“Before I had a pretty bad riding accident, and I lost my confidence. I was ready to walk away from horses. And I had this opportunity to come to PALS and the opportunity to become the executive director that really shifted my focus and purpose with horses,” Herring said.
Herring further explained the historic connection between humans and horses.
“Humans have always been fascinated with horses. It’s their size. It’s their beauty. When I think back about personally, when I first saw a horse, it’s this incredible desire to want that animal to come and connect with me. And I think people throughout history have really sought that connection,” Herring said.
Like humans, horses can experience burnout too. Herring discussed what steps PALS takes when this happens.
They are very much individuals like we are. Some horses come to the program and love this work and want to continue doing it. We watch them carefully because they can start to show signs of burnout that they’re no longer interested,” Herring said.
Miller explains how working at PALS impacts volunteers.
“This place you can give to others and it will also give back to you. Just being able to see our clients make new strides in something they’re trying to accomplish, whether that’s a physical thing or gaining confidence, feeling like they have more control over life,” Miller said. “And then you watch the stories and it just fills your cup and so it ends up really having an effect on you too.”
You can visit palstherapy.com for more information about becoming a volunteer or participant at PALS.
Here are three scams that are prevalent right now — here in Indiana, and all over the country. They’re just a few of the many swindles that are costing Americans many billions of dollars these days, but they are ones that are most likely to hit on you.
On this edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Liz Mitchell and Gloria Howell, speak with Resilence Production members, Gladys DeVane, Danielle Bruce, Erin Carter, Kate Braun and our Bring It On! Assistant Producer – Liz Mitchell. Resilience Productions is hosting a theatrical event dedicated to the invincible Pauli Murray – a gifted scholar, theorist, socio-political activist, essayist, poet, attorney, and Episcopal priest. Pauli Murray: I’ve Come Full Circle offers a rare glimpse into the life and contributions of a true 20th-century trailblazer.
Resilience Productions will be presenting on Friday to Sunday, March 22 to March 24, a new Remarkable Women production. Written by Gladys DeVane in collaboration with and directed by Danielle Bruce, Pauli Murray: I’ve Come Full Circle is about the gifted mind and unrelenting determination of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray to meet every one of life’s obstacles.
Picture of the Cast – March 24, 2024Credits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 18th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the city’s planned pilot program for use of tasers by Bloomington police officers. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Deb Pekin from the USA International Harp Competition. She’s looking for host families willing to share their home with visiting performers. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council Strategizes Jail Transition Team
Photo by Benedict Jones.On March 12th, the Monroe County Council discussed a strategy to launch a jail transition team. Chief Deputy Sheriff Phil Parker explained why the sheriff’s department wants to establish the jail transition team.
Jail Transition Director Cory Grass said he toured a facility in Franklin County, Ohio. Grass said he wanted to implement a transition team with a similar focus.
Parker continued to walk through an overview of the jail transition.
Council Member Pete Iversen said he sympathizes with the sense of urgency for the initiative.
Council Member Geoff McKim suggested that they could use local income tax revenue earmarked for mental health services in the jail as a funding mechanism for the project.
Council Member Jennifer Crossley said she agrees with McKim to use funding from local income tax rather than using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Sheriff Reuben Marté urged the council for their continued support on the jail transition.
The Monroe County Council will meet next on March 26th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the city’s planned pilot program for use of tasers by Bloomington police officers. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Up next, we have IN Nature – a segment highlighting the flora and fauna of South Central Indiana. Tune in Friday at 5 p.m. to hear IN Nature on Eco Report, our environmental affairs program on WFHB. We turn now to that segment.
Every three years the best harp players in the world gather in Bloomington for the USA International Harp Competition. Of course the IU Jacobs School of Music is involved, but the competition itself is an independent organization relying heavily on volunteers. Deb Pekin is looking for host families willing to share their home with visiting performers, but there’s lots of other stuff you can do to help out too. Deb Pekin is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Every three years the best harp players in the world gather in Bloomington for the USA International Harp Competition. Of course the IU Jacobs School of Music is involved, but the competition itself is an independent organization relying heavily on volunteers. Deb Pekin is looking for host families willing to share their home with visiting performers. There’s lots of other stuff you can do to help out too.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Dinorah Sapp, ESL teacher and Adult Education teacher de MCCSC, nos brinda información sobre las clases de inglés GRATIS en Broadview Learning Center, así como de otras oportunidades de educación superior para adultos y del diploma de equivalencia de preparatoria / high school.
In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. They discuss the District’s new name, their operations, services, programs and events happening this spring.
Planting trees within cities is a popular plan to mitigate some hot zones. Here’s an example of Kansas City. Trees are being planted across Kansas City at an unprecedented pace, putting the city in the front ranks of American cities aggressively fighting climate change. An ongoing campaign to maintain Kansas City’s existing tree canopy is being broadened. Meanwhile, efforts to enhance native grasses and wildflowers across the metropolitan area are taking on new life and urgency.
Tree preservation will kick into high gear in June when a $12 million windfall grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reaches city coffers. The influx will enable the city to provide greater care to their existing arboreal canopy, which includes many aging trees planted after World War II. That federal infusion is in addition to money the city budgeted this fiscal year and next for its 10,000 Tree Campaign focused on heat islands in the older, poorer sections of the city, and for giving residents trees to plant in their yards.
WFHB is doing a series on ocean fishing, focusing on those species found in grocery stores. At year 1000 AD, all the oceans had billions of fish. Fishing at the time was mostly local, that is within 10 miles from port. A popular fishing method was to use a weir, essentially a v-shaped fence running parallel to the shore. At high tide, the fence was under water, at low tide the fish were trapped, so the fisherman could simply walk out and collect the fish trapped by the weir. Fishing boats were generally small enough that they could be dragged up the shore to high ground. The Vikings were brave enough to explore the high seas, and discovered Iceland and Newfoundland. The first child of European descent born in the Americas was the son of Leif Erickson. He was born at the Norse site at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, occupied about 1021.
By 1600 AD, many European nations were fishing in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. An important fish taken from the Mediterranean was the bluefin tuna. This largest of the tuna species spawned in the Mediterranean in huge numbers. The tradition of tuna trapping began in the Mediterranean with the Phoenicians; it was improved by the Arabs around the year 1000. In the 1870s, Sicilians started packing the bluefin tuna meat in locally produced olive oil instead of preserving with salt. At that time, there were tuna operations found across Sicily. Many canned their tuna; this supported large communities of fishers and their families. Today the bluefin stock is very low in both the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, nearing the status of “endangered”. The tv show “Wicked Tuna” is based on pursuit of the few bluefin left in the western part of the Atlantic.
Fishing in the North Atlantic by many nations occurred after 1500. Fishing pressure eased during the first half of the 20th century because of the two world wars and the Depression. By 1950, operations were again in full swing. In the 1960s the Soviet Union had developed fleets of boats to fish abundant areas around the globe. One operation was off the coast from Gloucester. The Soviets would take over 99 percent of the fish. The fleet could be seen from shore, and our fishermen were not pleased. Finally, in 1976 a bill was passed that made territorial waters 200 nautical miles out part of the nations’ fishing rights. In 1992 Canada closed the Grand Banks (east of Newfoundland) because there were few fish remaining.
The thought was the population of cod and halibut would recover in a few years. It didn’t happen. Now the cold-water species are moving north out of the Gulf of Maine because the water is too warm. There is a prediction that all the oceans will be overfished by 2050. This prediction was made 25 years ago, and events thus far suggest the prognosis is pretty accurate. In the next installment we’ll describe how the fish in the oceans can be saved.
Nine years after her 13-year old daughter, died from a rare brain tumor, Kari Rhinehart finally got the call she had been waiting for. On October 23, Dr. Michael Freedhoff, America’s top chemicals regulator, called her personally to tell her that the EPA had moved to ban trichloroethylene (TCE) – a known carcinogen that had contaminated the groundwater in Franklin, Indiana, where Rhinehart used to live. The contamination came from several sources, but notably, a nearby electrical parts plant had been using TCE as a degreaser. The chemical is also used as a spot cleaner and dry-cleaning solvent. Rhinehart believes that exposure to chemicals including TCE is what caused her daughter’s cancer – as well as the higher-than-average rate of pediatric cancer in Franklin.
Experts have found that TCE not only causes cancer, it is also toxic to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system and to developing fetuses. The Environmental Defense Fund has been working for more than 10 years to get TCE off the market – providing scientific expertise to regulators and working with impacted families to educate policymakers on the dangers of the chemical. Once the EPA’s proposal is final – hopefully this year – most uses of TCE will be banned within a year.
MIT is launching an ambitious climate Center to aid policymakers. Environmentalists welcome the new initiative, but worry about potential funding and influence from fossil companies. The MIT Climate Policy Center will be part of a new and larger campus-wide initiative called the Climate Project at MIT, which aims to mobilize different parts of the university to develop, deliver, and scale up practical climate solutions as quickly as possible, according to Richard K. Lester, MIT’s vice provost. “MIT is never better than when we come together to solve big problems,” MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a video announcing the launch of the Climate Project.
The video recalled key roles MIT played in developing radar for the U.S. military in World War II, putting the first astronauts on the moon, plugging the hole in Earth’s protective ozone layer and mapping the human genome. Tackling climate change is MIT’s most ambitious project yet, Kornbluth said. Still, some fear the university could turn to fossil fuel companies, as it has in the past, for additional funding, which could compromise the initiative’s objectives. Nathan Shwatal, a co-lead of MIT Divest, a student-led climate advocacy organization calling for the university to end its investments in fossil fuel companies, expressed cautious optimism about the new initiative. There’s great hope for the research, Shwatal said. “But there’s also a dark path that it can go down when it comes to fossil fuel funding.”
This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Elisa Pokral of the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. They discuss the District’s new name, their operations, services, programs and events happening this spring.
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Celebrate the upcoming Spring Equinox with a Step Into Spring Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 16th, from 11 am to Noon. Hike on Trail 5 to search for signs of the season. This is a rugged hike. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
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A Fun-Guy program will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 16th, at 3 pm in the Nature Center. If you are interested in learning about the fungus among us, then you will love exploring the world of fungi.
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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Sunday, March 17th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. You will walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to peek for spring wildflowers. Meet at the Nature Center.
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Push up your sleeves and construct a home for the endangered Indiana Bat during the Build a Bat Box program at Switchyard Park Pavilion on Thursday, March 21st, from 6 to 8 pm. Indiana Bats come out of hibernation in the Spring and begin looking for summer homes. During the session as you build your box, you will learn about bats. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
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The Sycamore Land Trust is hosting a ‘Sky Dance’ and Twilight Hike at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Thursday, March 21st, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Listen to a chorus of amphibians as you search the sky for the woodcock’s famous mating ritual, the ‘sky dance.” Registration is required.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.
- Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
- Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
- What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
- We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
- One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.
Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!
Tonight Melanie and Justin speak with Veronica Pejril, former Greencastle city councilwoman and current Indiana Senate candidate where we discuss her vision for the future.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
BloomingOUT is a production of WFHB Community Radio and produced by Melanie Davis and Kade Young. Our Engineer is Alyssa Gray. Your Hosts are Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree, and Melanie Davis
With Bloomington’s music scene experiencing a renaissance in the wake of the pandemic, new performers are emerging and longtime singers, songwriters, and players are staging comebacks. They’re all entering (or re-entering) rapidly changing performance and recording environments. Guitarist Clements and WFHB DJ Nicki 7 last summer founded the nonprofit HooMac, the Hoosier Original Music Association, in hopes of guiding musicians through the thicket of the music business. HooMac is sponsoring FARMette, a one-day networking, educational, and showcasing event, in April.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 14th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Monroe County Commissioners approved a contract for an environmental site assessment on a property being considered as a site for the new jail. More in the top half of tonight’s newscast.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we hear from Dr. Gabriel Bosslet, a pulmonary and critical care physician in Indianapolis and the president of the Good Trouble Coalition on the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.During the March 13th meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons provided an update on the conditions of the current jail.
Gibbons touched on mental health initiatives for inmates inside the jail. He also said that the jail is fully staffed at the moment.
Then, the commissioners heard a contract with VET Environmental Engineering for an environmental site assessment at a property on Hunter Valley Road and West State Road 46. The commissioners are considering the property as a potential site for a new jail. Administrator Angie Purdie presented the agreement.
Commissioner Lee Jones expressed relief that the board is moving forward with its efforts to build a new jail after the city council voted down a rezone request by the commissioners for a jail site north of Fullerton Pike back in late 2022.
Commissioner Penny Githens says that she supports the measure. She said the timeline is critical, because in her view the current jail conditions are not adequate.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract with VET Environmental Engineering in the amount of $4,750. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on March 27th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month.
This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Dr. Gabriel Bosslet, a pulmonary and critical care physician in Indianapolis and the president of the Good Trouble Coalition, a coalition of Hoosier healthcare and public health professionals who collaborate to educate, empower, and facilitate political advocacy in the areas of patient centered care, public health, and health equity.
We turn now to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider , in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Deep Fake Danger on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
On March 12th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting, the board heard a contract with Fire Service, Inc. for the purchase of an aerial apparatus. Deputy Fire Chief Max Litwin explained the intended purpose of the contract.
Board President Kayla Cox Deckard walked through some background information on the agenda item.
The board approved the contract unanimously.
City Corporation Counsel Margie Rice asked the board to approve a contract with Action Target for $200,000 to update the police shooting range facility.
Cox Deckard asked if the money was in the 2024 budget. Rice explained that the money is in the budget and has been earmarked for this contract.
Cox Deckard clarified that they discussed the facility, and it is not involved in the Showers West police headquarter relocation debate.
The board voted to approve the contract by a unanimous vote. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on March 26th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit’s mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses. For more, we turn to Kelsey Pease.
Up next, hosts of WFHB’s public affairs program Bring It On Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell speak with investigative journalist Sandra Chapman about her book “The Girl in the Yellow Scarf.” The book looks into the 1968 murder of Carol Jenkins in Martinsville, Indiana. For more, we turn to host Clarence Boone. Stay tuned next Monday at 6 p.m. to hear the full episode on Bring It On, WFHB’s Black affairs program.
Up next, Deep Fake Danger on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kelsey Pease.
Bring It On! Is produced by Clarence Boone.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes Claire Pendreigh (Pen-dree) to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, March 9th from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy Claire’s soulful sounds, and melodic song writing, with pedal steel accompaniment Listen on air or experience the show live in our audience, free of charge, in the Monroe County HIstory Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Claire Pendreigh (Pen-dree) – live on Saturday’s Child, March 9th, at 11am on WFHB.
The Firehouse Follies is back! Our first show, November 11, 2023, featured a classic of audio comedy – “The Further Adventures of Nick Danger, Third Eye” by The Firesign Theatre! Kid Kazooey leads the Four-Alarm Orchestra, and the special musical guest is Chris “Geodize” Barth. There’s plenty of comedy from the Mighty Firehouse Art Players, including an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, featuring Bloomington’s own (well, eventually) Captain Janeway. The new Follies will be a showcase for the best talent in our listening area – and the next one is coming on June 16, 2024.
Deepfake pictures and videos have suddenly become much more dangerous — and much more prevalent — because Artificial Intelligence can create them easily and cheaply. Here’s a great big headsup, and some ways to identify things you see (and hear) that are not real.
Featured Animal: Roz
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about Roz, a Labrador Retriever Mix dog currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Featured Topic: “Adopt, Don’t Shop”
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about response to Indiana House Bill 1412 and the impact of “adopting, not shopping” for canine companion animals.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.
Later in the program, we revisit an archived interview with Peter LoPilato, editor and publisher of The Ryder Magazine, who passed away recently. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the March 6th meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, the board approved funding for land appraisals of a possible location for the new jail facility. The location is at the intersection of West State Road 46 and Hunter Valley Road.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill provided background on the appraisals.
Cockerill explained that when the county was originally looking for properties, they had done a search of three or four different properties. This area was the next one on that list of where they had previously looked.
Commissioner Lee Jones responded that the new advancement in the jail process is good.
The motion to fund the two property appraisals passed unanimously.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners will be held on March 13th.
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on March 7th, Council Member Isak Asare spoke to the Election Board about his late C-F-A 4 filing.
The board voted to give him a warning.
Next, Monroe County Democrat Hans Kelson spoke and explained why he was late.
The board voted to give Kelson a warning.
Next, they discussed Ellettsville Town Council Member William Ellis’s late C-F-A 4 filing.
The board voted to give him a warning since it was his first offense.
Also forgiven was Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant. The board also discussed a missing form from Steve Volan.
Later in the meeting, County Clerk Nicole Browne introduced the new Chief Deputy and Election Supervisor.
Browne also reminded the public that early voting registration dates are slightly different than normal due to the eclipse.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on April 4th.
Feature Report:
Bloomington lost one of its foremost cultural icons last week. In so many ways Peter LoPilato was the heartbeat of Bloomington. He had shaped and transformed the arts, film and the cultural scene for over four decades. He helped many start their careers in the arts by encouraging them to write their first articles and create their first cover images in the Ryder Magazine.
He connected Bloomington to the rest of the world through The Ryder Film series that showcased independent and arthouse films such as Weeping Camel and Killing Fields to name a few. He was considerate, compassionate and kind. The most even keeled mentor a reporter could have ever had.
Now we turn back to an archived interview with Dr. Filiz Cicek and Peter LoPilato in 2019 where he joined our former segment, ArtBeat, to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Ryder Magazine. We turn now to that interview in honor of Peter LoPilato.
You can also hear a half-hour long interview with Peter LoPilato from Big Talk with Michael Glab from June 2020 by clicking here.Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Filiz Cicek.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On this episode of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Andrea Allen. She is the founder of RAD Travel Group, RAD Nurses Travel, and Travel Talk Tuesday.
Andrea Allen (right)Andrea has always loved travel, creating experiences, and planning. She believes that travel allows one to be exposed to different cultures, time for self-care, fun adventures, and so much more. Andrea loves to help others check destinations off their bucket list, meet new people, and build a community of friends.
Are you a busy and stressed-out mom and need a kid-free/guilt-free getaway? Or, do you want to learn how to prepare for and maximize your international travel? Well, these are a few of the exciting topics that Andrea Allen of Rad Travel joins us to talk about today.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 11th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin has his weekly segment on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Cassidy McCammon from Girl Coalition of Indiana, an innovation incubator trying to make Girl Scouts more inclusive. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on March 6th, Council Member Andy Ruff introduced a resolution to oppose the LEAP Pipeline Water Diversion Project.
West Lafayette Council Member at Large David Sanders spoke to the council about the history of the project.
Sanders said that similar resolutions to the one the council is hearing tonight to oppose the pipeline have been passed by 20 local governments.
Former Council Member Steve Volan spoke to the council about Monroe County’s experience with water pipelines that the City of Bloomington opposed back in 2006.
Mayor Kerry Thompson asked the council to table the resolution until the water study on the impact of the pipeline can be completed.
Ruff motioned to table the resolution until council members have more time to learn about the pipeline.
The council voted 8-1 to postpone the vote until the next Bloomington City Council meeting which will be held on March 27th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we turn to local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin for his weekly segment on the WFHB Local News.
Cassidy McCammon thinks Girl Scouts could be more inclusive and more relevant to girls in the modern age, especially black and brown girls and those from low-income families. Girl Coalition of Indiana is an innovation incubator for the six Girl Scout councils across the state, test-piloting new programs and partnerships to engage those girls. Cassidy McCammon is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Cassidy McCammon thinks Girl Scouts could be more inclusive and more relevant to girls in the modern age, especially black and brown girls and those from low-income families. Girl Coalition of Indiana is an innovation incubator for the six Girl Scout councils across the state, test-piloting new programs and partnerships to engage those girls.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Featured Animal: Jack, a Boston Terrier / Bully Breed Mix dog
“Jack is a lover, a snuggler, and a very resilient boy. He came into the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter as a stray in a serious state of neglect. Initially, the shelter could not tell if Jack was a sick puppy or an elderly dog. Turns out, he’s just a young adult who needed a lot of TLC. However, his heart of gold helped him heal up quickly. Jack is ready to leave his past behind and live a comfy life, making you smile while you cuddle and play!”
To learn more about Jack, potential adopters can reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: First Aid For Dogs
Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to dangers that can result in injury, poisoning, and more. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about steps to follow in the event of a canine emergency.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Dr Gabriel Bosslet, a pulmonary and critical care physician in Indianapolis and the president of the Good Trouble Coalition, a coalition of Hoosier healthcare and public health professionals who collaborate to educate, empower, and facilitate political advocacy in the areas of patient centered care, public health, and health equity.
Mentioned in the show from the Feb 25 issue of The New Yorker: One of the Last Abortion Doctors in Indiana – Caitlin Bernard is risking her career, and her safety, to care for pregnant patients.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Loida Rodriguez, Disaster Program Manager, at Community Engagement & Partnerships, nos comparte información sobre la organización en este mes de la Cruz Roja Americana así como de los distintos recursos en español que brinda la Cruz Roja en Indiana:
- Prepárate con Pedro
- https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/obtener-ayuda/como-prepararse/ensenar-a-los-ninos-a-prepararse-para-las-emergencias/preparate-con-pedro.html
- Campaña contra los Incendios Domésticos Formulario para Alarmas de Humo
- https://americanredcross.wufoo.com/forms/zf5gxf80l9q2p7/
- Recursos para Protegerse contra los Incendios Domésticos
- https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/obtener-ayuda/tipos-de-emergencias/incendios.html
- Aplicaciones Móviles de la Cruz Roja Americana
- https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/obtener-ayuda/aplicaciones-moviles.html
- Página de Aplicación para ser voluntario
- https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/voluntarios.html
In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Kevin Hunter, who has been involved in the treatment of sewage in Monroe County for over 30 years.
It has become increasingly known that Corals play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Not only do they buffer coastline communities against storms, but they reduce coastline erosion. The Center for Biological Diversity points out that “they create habitat for fish, sponges, crabs, sea stars and other wildlife.” Some of the most extensive, best preserved coral reefs in the entire Caribbean are along the coast of Cuba. Jardines (har-dean-es) de la Reina National Park, is one such place that maintains an incredibly rich underwater ecosystem. In Sept 2023 a team of experts completed an expedition to gage the health of Cuba’s reefs. A Cuban marine biologist initiated the study for a better understanding of coral’s resilience in this era of extreme climate change.
The Environmental Defense Fund in partnership with Cuban scientists are hopeful that such research will provide leads as to management & conservation techniques that prevent degradation of coral reefs. Cuba and the US have the potential to make great advancements to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. The lack of formal diplomatic relations, exacerbated by U.S unilateral listing of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, hamper joint ventures for all but a couple of NGO’s [NON-governmental organizations]. Nature is oblivious to such political maneuverings. Cuba has strategic plans for dealing with climate change that are hampered from coming to fruition as a result of the US embargo on Cuba.
“The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and the United States to rely on anything short of a government-to-government accord to formalize, catalyze, and facilitate cooperation on environmental problems of mutual concern,” states Brian Boorm in Sciencediplomacy.org. Nevertheless, Scientific communities of Cuba and the United States have found several ways to come together and agree on what is essential to advance joint research in the best interests of both countries, peoples, and societies.
Such joint scientific research provides opportunities for progress and capacity building in both Cuba and the U.S. The endangered species act recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of protected habitat for numerous species! Cuba and the United States share forty-nine animal species and eight plant species that are recognized as ‘Globally Threatened.’ “There exists a strong imperative for the two countries to cooperate on monitoring and protecting the threatened species for which they are joint stewards, including the West Indian walnut, the American crocodile, and the West Indian whistling duck” wrote Brian Boorm in sciencediplomacy.org. Extensive coverage can be found at globalconservation.org.
WFHB is doing a series on ocean issues, with an emphasis on the seafood available in Indiana grocery stores. The first story was about early fishing in the North Atlantic. It is a story of abundance. One of the prime targets was codfish, numbering in the billions and catchable using just a line wrapped around the wrist and one hook. Another popular fish was the herring, caught in the North and Baltic Seas. The Hanseatic League cities were funded in large part by the herring catch. Herring were popular because they were cheap and could be preserved by hanging them in a fireplace for smoking. Fresh herring rapidly decompose, so the English developed some powerful mustards to make the herring more palitable. Coleman’s mustard is popular even today.
The fish markets were full of large cod, salmon, and other species as illustrated in a painting by Frans Snyder, The Fish Market. The status of the oceans as of 1900 is that they were in excellent shape. Plastics were not a source of pollution. While a few areas were overfished, such as halibut along the U.S. east coast, or herring in the Baltic Sea, there were some areas virtually untouched. The untouched areas were that way because any catch would rot before the ship could reach its home port. All this was about to change. Clarence Birdseye was born in 1886, the sixth of nine children of Clarence Frank Birdseye, a lawyer in an insurance firm, and Ada Jane Underwood. His first years were spent in New York, New York, where his family owned a townhouse in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
From childhood, Birdseye was obsessed with natural science and with taxidermy, which he taught himself by correspondence. He entered Amherst College, where his father and elder brother had earned degrees. There he excelled at science, although an average student in other subjects. His obsession with collecting insects led his college classmates to nickname him “Bugs”. He had to drop out of college to support his family, working for the Department of Agriculture. He had several assignments before going to Labrador , where he furthered his interested in food preservation by freezing, especially fast freezing. He was taught by the Inuit how to ice fish under very thick ice. In -40 °C weather. The Inuit also demonstrated that freshly caught fish could be then instantly frozen when exposed to air, and when thawed, still tasted fresh.
This trip to Canada, where he witnessed the traditional methods of the indigenous Inuit people, directly inspired Birdseye’s food preserving method. Flash freezing changed ocean fishing forever. A boat could go anywhere to fish, then immediately freeze the fish. Fishing boats got bigger, eventually leading to a fleet of vessels catching the fish, then transferring it to a “factory” ship, which froze the catch and placed it in storage. The catching vessels could remain at a hot spot until virtually every fish was taken. The second development that totally changed ocean fishing was the development of vessels with steam engines, which rather quickly converted to gasoline or diesel fuel. This allowed the use of enormous nets and catches in tons.
Fish Creek in northeastern Indiana is one of the most biologically diverse streams in the Midwest. Mussels are a keystone species in the stream’s aquatic community. Mussels are filter feeders, so they are very sensitive to low water quality. In areas with good water quality, there are diverse mussel communities and large numbers of mussels. In areas where the water quality is poor, there are fewer species. Protecting mussel species was the impetus for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to work in Fish Creek more than 30 years ago. When TNC started working in the area, mussel populations were in decline. The story today is much more positive. Mussel surveys from last fall show a diversity of mussels – in variety, quantity and age range.
In order to protect the creek and the imperiled mussel species, TNC had to do more than just buy land and create nature preserves. “We had to find ways to work with the community,” says Larry Clemens, state director for TNC in Indiana, “so that people and nature could thrive together. Improvements to Fish Creek wouldn’t have happened without the community’s direct involvement.” TNC worked with farmers to control soil erosion on their lands, using a variety of conservation practices. Farmers implemented those conservation techniques widely.
The site of the old water treatment facility on the northern-most side of Griffy Lake. Photo: Google Maps.This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull and Kevin Hunter, who has been involved in the treatment of sewage in Monroe County for over 30 years.
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Join a Roving Naturalist on Saturday, March 9th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve for a Signs of Spring Hike. You will open your senses as you look for signs of the changing seasons. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
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The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting their Semi-Annual Ducks and Donuts gathering at the Stillwater Marsh observation platform on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 am to noon. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts and binoculars to spot ducks and other birds.
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Join Anthony for a Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 9th, from 1 to 2 pm. You will hike into the upper dry portion of Donaldson Cave as you learn about the eccentric Scotsman the cave is named for and the Shawnee Cave system. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter.
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Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Goose Pond Reads event on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 to 10 am. Enjoy a free community reading from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Sit in the Visitors Center as you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of the wetlands.
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Make a small terrarium in a glass jar during a Do It Yourself Jar EcoSystems program on Sunday, March 10th, from 5 to 7 pm at the Switchyard Park Pavilion. Learn about how functioning ecosystems work from water ecology to small microbes. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Cynthia Roberts and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner. Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you. Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon. What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable. One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference.
In today’s edition of BloomingOUT, hosts Melanie, Kal and Justin discuss current news and events in the LGBTIQ+ sphere.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 7th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright discusses the Bloomington Women’s Liberation Movement in a new episode of History Unbound. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, local activist Courtney Daily was selected as the District 5 representative for the Bloomington City Council.
More coming up next in your daily headlines:
MCDP Selects New City Council Member After Rana’s Resignation
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.On Saturday, members of the Monroe County Democratic Party hosted a caucus for the District 5 city council seat. Shruti Rana was originally elected in November but announced her resignation in early February, leaving the district 5 seat open.
In Rana’s place, the Monroe County Dems selected local activist Courtney Daily as the new District 5 representative. Daily works as associate director of admissions at the IU Kelley School of Business and an organizer for the gun control advocacy group, Moms Demand Action.
Daily discussed why she wanted to pursue the city council seat and what her main priorities will be in the role.
The caucus selected Daily over former Fire Chief Jason Moore and Jenny Stevens, a candidate for the District 5 seat in the 2023 primary.
Daily began her term on the city council at last nights council meeting.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on February 26 and discussed amendments to the sick leave policy for firefighters and overtime policy for police officers.
The council approved changing the firefighter’s sick leave policy from earning one sick day every 2.4 months to gaining 10 hours of sick leave every month. According to Fire Chief Kevin Patton, the amendment won’t change the firefighters’ amount of sick leave, it will just make it easier to track.
The amendment was passed unanimously.
Next, the council discussed an amendment to clarify the police department overtime policy. The proposal was immediately met with questioning. In response, Detective Lieutenant Zachary Mitchell mentioned there were still ongoing talks about the policy.
Councilmember William Ellis moved to table the amendment until a later date. The motion to table was passed unanimously.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on March 11.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. This news segment explores American history and culture through a new lens. Today, in honor of women’s history month, she brings us two interviews with Nancy Brand and Martha Vicinus, two women involved in Bloomington’s Women’s Liberation Movement during the 1960s and 1970s. We turn to Part I of History Unbound on the WFHB Local News.
And that concludes Part I of the Women’s History Month edition of History Unbound hosted by WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright. Stay tuned later this month for Part II of the episode.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
A little more than a year after the Indiana legislature voted to bar state funding for the Kinsey Institute, the world-renowned human sexuality research center will remain part of Indiana University. The IU Board of Trustees voted on March 1, 2024 to keep the Institute after considering allowing it to spin off as an independent nonprofit in the wake of the statehouse ban. Dr. Garcia recounts the reactions of faculty, researchers, and supporting academics around the world while the Institute’s future appeared to be up in the air.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Nancy Brand and Martha Vicinus are two women who worked and lived in Bloomington, Indiana and participated within the Women’s Liberation Movement during the 1960s and 1970s. They made advancements in women’s rights such as founding the Women’s Studies Department at Indiana University and creating the IU Women’s Center. Their interviews, conducted in the late 1970s, are brought back to life this month in honor of Women’s History Month. Listen along to learn more about the work these women did.
A special thanks to the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University for providing their audio interviews of Ms. Brand and Vicinus.
Photo courtesy of Biblio.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 6th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Tok Is Ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council held its regular session on February 28th. During the meeting, the council heard a resolution to amend an interlocal agreement between the city and the county for the operation of the Monroe Convention Center as a capital improvement board. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided an overview of the resolution.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice expanded on the agreement, walking through some background on the initiative.
During public comment on the agenda item, Executive Director for Visit Bloomington Mike McAfee spoke in support of the legislation saying it would promote tourism and economic development for the city.
Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emgee also voiced his support for the resolution.
Executive Director of the Monroe Convention Center Talisha Coppock said she believes the resolution would benefit the interests of the convention center and the greater community. Then, City Councilor Kate Rosenbarger offered a dissenting perspective on the resolution, questioning how relevant expanding the Convention Center would be.
Parliamentarian for the Council Hopi Stosberg said that while she agrees with some of the points made by Rosenbarger, she’s still voting in favor of the policy.
Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith explained her previous view of the convention center expansion and how her views have progressed over the past few months.
The council voted 7-1 in support of the resolution, with Rosenbarger dissenting. The Bloomington City Council will meet for its next regular session tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. Pokral discusses the Solid Waste District’s new name change, their operations, services, programs and events. We turn to Roze for more.
Up next, “The Tok Is Ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Rozre
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
By Elyse Perry
Over the past few years, interest in NCAA women’s basketball has increased seemingly exponentially.
Last year, the women’s championship game between Iowa and LSU had almost 10 million viewers, which showed a 103% increase from the previous year.
At IU, this increase is just as evident. This season, average home game attendance is over 10,000. That’s up from an average attendance of only 3,600 in the 2018-19 season five years ago.
IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson credits much of the team’s newfound attention to Head Coach Teri Moren. He said that Moren has created a consistent and competitive team that has garnered viewership through its skill.
“I’d say here at IU, I think our growth is directly attributed to Coach Moran and her staff, and then ultimately the players who make it all happen,” Dolson said. “Just seeing the fan support, that has been unbelievable, and it just has grown throughout the past five or six years, particularly. It has just been unbelievable and so much fun to watch.”
Fans eagerly await entry for the Iowa-Indiana basketball game on Feb. 22, 2024. Photo by Benedict Jones.IU women’s basketball has sold out two home games in program history. The first happened last year when over 17,000 fans packed into Assembly Hall to watch IU play Purdue. The second sell-out was a couple weeks ago when IU played Iowa. Tickets for the IU-Iowa game sold for an average of $353 according to the Herald Times.
The increasing number of fans attending games at IU led the athletic department to create a season ticket section and to charge for parking outside of the stadium. Scott Dolson said that the athletic department is implementing these changes to try and grow with the program.
“Last season, the growth of the attendance at every game really came about sort of a little more quickly…, during the season. We met towards the back end of the season, looking towards this season to try to figure out what we can do to make the best fan experience possible,” Dolson said.
According to Dolson, the ideas to charge for parking and to assign season ticket sections were not instated to make money. Despite that, he said that he hopes the women’s team can one day earn as much revenue as the men’s team.
If you had told me 10 years ago that we potentially could average 10,000 fans per women’s game for a season…, if you told me that 10 years ago, I would have never believed it,” Dolson said. “So, if you say at some point, can the women’s programs across the country, but specifically here at IU, have the same revenue stream as the men, or have the same television ratings, I believe it for sure. I think that’s the path we’re on.”
Fans raise newspaper clippings reading “Our corn is better.” 17,222 people packed into Assembly Hall for the Iowa-Indiana game on Feb. 24, 2024. Photo by Benedict Jones.Regardless of the money earned by the program, Dolson is proud of the progress they’ve made. He says that they are a model for other teams around campus.
“I’m just really, really proud and happy, and there’s a lot of people that put a lot of work into it. It’s great to see that work provides great results,” Dolson said. “Our women’s basketball team as a program, is a model for some of our other programs to really try to emulate what they’ve done… to build their program.”
On February 22, Iowa and Indiana fans made the trip to watch IU women’s second-ever sold-out home game where Indiana beat Iowa 86-69. The Indiana-Iowa game matched up two of the top three teams in the Big Ten conference. Just looking at Indiana’s Mackenzie Holmes and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, there were multiple record holders on the court.
Mackenzie Holmes holds the IU women’s record for scoring.
Caitlin Clark, who just announced her entry into the 2024 WNBA draft, is the all-time leading scorer in Division 1 basketball. Out of 32 regular season games Clark played in, home and away, 30 were sold out.
Danielle Patterson, former IU player and current grad assistant at St. John’s in NYC, says that the overall skill level of the players in women’s college basketball is a driving factor of the increased viewership.
“I think girls are now doing things that they haven’t done before. I think the skill sets and the positions are changing. I think you’re starting to have, like, positionless basketball.” Patterson said. “Also, you have, you know, this rising media attention. So before, when we weren’t getting as much attention, how would you know what the product was?”
Fans cheer for the Indiana women’s basketball team as their lineup is announced. Media attention around women’s basketball has expanded its viewership. Photo by Benedict Jones.Patterson started her college career playing at Notre Dame. She transferred to IU her junior year. Then, she transferred to St. John’s in 2021 to finish her final two years of eligibility. She thinks that social media and NIL deals, which allow players to make money off their name, image, and likeness, have also played a huge role in the advancement of women’s basketball.
“I started playing when I was five. So when I was coming through, like, the [Amateur Athletic Union] before you get to college, social media was playing somewhat of a part. I feel like it’s playing an even bigger part now than what it ever has,” Patterson said. “Also now with NIL,… now kids are coming through and they’re getting like multi-million dollar deals to just buy this drink company or this food company. So I think that’s been a big turnaround too for women’s basketball.”
Over 15% of all NIL deals go to women’s college basketball players. LSU’s Angel Reese has been making headlines for receiving the most NIL deals of any college basketball player, across men and women.
Regardless of the reason for the viewership spike, Patterson says it impacts the energy and performance of the players.
“I think you just made it more fun. I mean there’s the obvious thing of like would you want to be playing in an arena with, you know, 600, 700 people or do you want to be playing in a packed out arena with, you know, 17,000 fans or 18,000 fans,” Patterson said. “Like how could you not want to put on the best show that you possibly can? And that, I mean, that speaks volumes on both sides that you’re giving your all as a player and people are giving up their time to come and support you.”
Students started lining up for the Iowa-Indiana game at 1 p.m., 6 hours before the game started. At IU, the women’s basketball team has garnered a loyal following. Photo by Benedict Jones.The increased viewership of women’s college basketball is clear when looking at past championship games. In 2014, Notre Dame played UConn in the NC-doubleA championship game with around 3 million viewers. The game was one of the most watched of all time. Now, less than ten years later, the 2023 NCAA championship game between LSU and Iowa garnered almost 10 million viewers.
Fans credit the attention growth in the league to the players’ and coaches’ attitudes.
Lori Bellinger came to the Indiana-Iowa game with four generations of family members. She said that the family loves coming to the games because of the electric atmosphere.
“[We’re excited for] just really being here, feeling the electricity in here, seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces,” Bellinger said. “IU Women’s Basketball is a great program and a great experience.”
Cassidy Harris, a childhood friend of #22 Chloe Moore-McNeil, also attended the Indiana-Iowa game on the 22nd. At the game, she said she loves watching the team because of the way they work together.
“I think that they have great girls on their team and just being able to watch them all go out and play as a team together. It’s really an awesome thing to get to experience,” Harris said.
The IU women’s basketball team will be playing in the Big Ten tournament starting this Wednesday, March 6. This year’s tournament is the first ever to be completely sold out.
They will also play in the NCAA tournament starting on March 20. With the skill in the game this year, it is impossible to guess who will come out with the trophy.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 5th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on an increased viewership in college women’s basketball. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on February 27th. During Department Updates, Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer gave the council an update on their Solar Eclipse preparations.
Next, the County Commissioners spoke to the council on their preferences for the new jail. First, Commissioner Lee Jones spoke on the cost of waiting to start construction on the new jail.
Commissioner Julie Thomas said that after community listening sessions, they have decided to look at a new location for the future jail, and emphasized the importance of making a decision sooner rather than later.
Next, the council heard reports from the Sheriff’s Department. Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons shared the latest numbers of inmates.
Chief Deputy Phil Parker shared with the council a few examples of why they need a new facility rather than updating the current jail.
Parker also shared updates on their preparations for the Solar Eclipse.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on March 12th, 2024.
Feature Report:
Photo by Benedict Jones.In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the recent increase in viewership for college women’s basketball. We turn to Perry for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Elyse Perry and Benedict Jones.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Originally aired on June 13, 2022:
Dr. Gina ForrestIn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Gina Forrest. She has conducted extensive research on Sundown towns in Indiana. Dr. Forrest graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Behavior, focusing on Health Inequities. She was a former Chief Diversity Officer with the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sundown towns, also known as sunset towns, gray towns, or sundowner towns, are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, and intimidation, or violence. The term came from signs posted that “colored people” had to leave town by sundown. The same process also created entire sundown counties and sundown suburbs. The practice was not restricted to the southern states, with New Jersey and other northern states being described as equally inhospitable to black travelers until at least the early 1960s.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin features a recent item from his newsletter, the Morning Bulletin. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Julie Duhon from Tandem, a local nonprofit serving new moms and their babies. Julie wants to open Bloomington’s first community birth center. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on February 28th, Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer asked the commissioners to approve a contract with Bluestone L-L-C for tree remediation or removal. Witmer also added that they pay special attention to bats roosting in the tree whenever they have to take one down, and shared that the Northern Bat is on the endangered species list.
Commissioner Lee Jones added onto the importance of bats to the ecosystem. Witmer added that they try not to take down trees unless it is absolutely necessary.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented that the bat population is also helpful in keeping the mosquito population down.
The commissioners approved the contract unanimously.
Later in the meeting Planning Department, Associate Planner, Shawn Smith asked the commissioners to approve a petition request, the Whaley P-U-D Outline Plan Amendment.
Commissioner Julie Thomas shared her concerns about the impact the petitioner’s business could have on the watershed, and explained how the property’s sinkholes drain into the watershed.
Thomas continued, and explained that since the business has already been operating in this way, it makes it more difficult to retroactively enforce their zoning ordinances.
Assistant Director of Planning Tammy Behrman responded to Commissioner Thomas’s concerns about whether or not semi-trailer storage was already approved in the P-U-D.
Smith said that the approval is contingent upon the M-S-4 Coordinator’s finding on the hydrology of the sinkholes.
The commissioners voted against the rezone request, all three voting no on the amendment, thus not allowing the petitioner to fill in the sinkholes on the property.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 6th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the February 27th Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting, several members of the community came out in support of installing a marker in honor of Bloomington’s first Black firefighter, James “Snooky” Hopkins. Elizabeth Mitchell, historian of African American culture and experience here in Monroe County, asked that the marker be placed at 102 South Rogers Street, which was the original site of Fire Station #2.
In her request, Mitchell cited Hopkins’ dedication to the community despite its constant resistance towards him.
After working at the Bloomington Fire Department for 20 years, Hopkins was promoted to Captain at Fire Station #2 in 1985. Mitchell said that over his 27 year long career, Hopkins gained acceptance from his white colleagues, leading him to be a pioneer in the integration of the workforce.
Fire Chief Roger Kerr also came out to show support for the marker, stating that the fire department was in full support of the marker. Retired firefighter Lee Chapman spoke in favor of the marker.
Board member Kyla Cox-Deckard stated that she has been working closely with the mayor’s office to push this process forward. She thanked all who came out to support Hopkins. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on March 11.
Feature Reports:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin features a recent item from his newsletter, the Morning Bulletin. Today, he discusses the a website called BloomDocs.org as a way for local area journalists and residents to upload original source files. That’s coming up next in Dave Askins’ weekly segment on the WFHB Local News.
Ever since Bloomington Area Birth Services closed its doors, there hasn’t been a central hub in our community for pregnant women, new moms and their babies. Julie Duhon is trying to fill that need through Tandem, a local nonprofit offering both medical care and support services to low-income families on a sliding scale. Julie wants to expand Tandem into labor and delivery services, and she’s asking for your help on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Ever since Bloomington Area Birth Services closed its doors, there hasn’t been a central hub in our community for pregnant women, new moms and their babies. Julie Duhon is trying to fill that need through Tandem, a local nonprofit offering both medical care and support services to low-income families on a sliding scale. Julie wants to expand Tandem into labor and delivery services, and she’s asking for your help.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On February 14, 2024, J.C. Clements (with The Hammer and The Hatchet) joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance.
Production team:
- Host: Cindy Brubaker
- Engineers: Chama Henry and Alex Hamel
- Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
- Post-production by Chama Henry
El día de hoy nos acompaña el Padre Dennis, de la Iglesia Católica de St Pablo para hablarnos sobre los servicios en español que se brindan en la iglesia tanto para los estudiantes de Indiana University así como para la comunidad hispana de Bloomington. Diana Cortez, estudiante de IU, lo acompaña para hablarnos sobre su experiencia.
In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Dan Vest, Monroe County Animal Management Officer, about animal control, what his job entails and how much he loves his job.
PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly called “forever chemicals” are toxic chemicals that are dangerous to human health, accumulate in nature and people’s bodies, and take thousands of years to break down. You probably have some in your home and don’t realize it. If you have a non-stick skillet or pan, then you have PFAS in your home and when you use that pan, some of the chemicals come off into your food and then into you.
Despite that near universal acknowledgement, Hoosier lawmakers are advancing a bill to change the definition of PFAS – but only in Indiana. In other words, chemicals deemed harmful in every other state will no longer be considered dangerous in Indiana. In fact, Indiana is already one of the country’s most polluted states, according to the federal EPA data. “This bill makes no sense at all, said Gretchen Salter, a strategic advisor for Safer States. I don’t know why anyone would want to limit a state’s authority to regulate chemicals that the world has recognized are toxic and harmful to the public.”
Proponents of House Bill 1399, including the chemical manufacturing industry, say the change is needed to preserve essential uses of PFAS in items such as medical devices or semiconductors. No one in Indiana, however, is proposing to prohibit those uses. Advocates that work closely on PFAS issues say the new bill, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R, from Jasper, is part of a national push to change the definition of PFAS so certain manufacturers can continue using them in their products. University of Notre Dame professor Graham Peaslee, a nationally recognized PFAS expert said, “I’ve never met a good PFAS.” The bill passed out of the House by a 64-30 vote along party lines. Now in the Senate, it has been referred to the Environmental Committee but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
Straight* Arrow News*** reports that February is on track to become the ninth month in a row with record-breaking temperatures, creating concerns for the health of the planet. In the Florida Keys, rising marine temperatures have been bleaching coral reefs. High temperatures in the summer of 2023 caused so much damage that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) added three more levels to a two-level alert system to measure the impact. Per the new alert system, the Florida Keys hit alert levels four and five last summer, warning of the potential for near complete coral mortality. Delicate coral conservation nurseries had to be evacuated from the ocean and installed in extensive land-based operations.
Ocean temperatures reached triple digits in some areas and didn’t cool down enough to reinstall the coral nurseries until late October. In a recent NOAA survey of five coral restoration sites off the Florida Keys, several important corals were either completely decimated or barely found. NOAA and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary created Mission: Iconic Reefs Research and Monitoring. For this project, a team of researchers took a survey vessel through the Florida Keys looking for elkhorn and staghorn corals. “This certainly did feel like a step back,” Mission: Iconic Reefs Monitoring Coordinator Katey Lesneski said. Many of the corals that we did survey are those that are part of reef restoration.”
According to Lesneski, healthy elkhorn and staghorn corals are typically a tan, orange, brown color. On the research team’s journey to Key West, it came across multiple colonies of coral that had not been alive for months. Fewer than 22% of staghorn corals survived, and those that did were only found in the two northernmost sites. The Looe Key Reef in the lower Florida keys had no live staghorn or elkhorn corals. There is a good possibility that the summer of 2024 will resemble 2023, and destroy the surviving corals. Perhaps the only option is to plant the rescued corals in cooler waters.
In a couple of decades, when you go to the grocery store, you’ll have a choice to make in the seafood isle. There will be no cod, halibut, Pollock, haddock, snow crab, for sale. Farmed lobster will cost $50/lb. The salmon will be all farmed. There is now farm-raised tilapia, carp, mussels and catfish. In the year 1400, Portuguese fishermen were fishing in the North Atlantic. The approach was to wrap the fishing line around an arm, and drop the line overboard. It wasn’t long before they pulled in a 40lb codfish. When the day was over, he’d caught over 1,000 lb of codfish – each over 30 lb.
More recently, fishing ships from England fished east of Newfoundland. During winter, the cod move out of the depths, and are more easily caught. Fishing during winter was risky because of fierce storms that coated the ship with ice and made it top-heavy. Thousands of fishermen died when the boat tipped over. Many did not remove their boots in the water because they wanted to get the dying over quickly. Still the lucrative fishing continued. Many of the great mansions in England were built with the income from cod fishing. There were billions of cod.
By the early 1800s, fishing switched to the U.S. and Gloucester (pronounced Glawster) Massachusetts. It became the primary fishing port in the world, a position it held for more than 150 years. There were billions of fish within 20 miles of Gloucester. The fishing approach was for the mother-ship dropping off several small boats with one or two fisherman on each. Many fished with a “long-line”, and many hooks. Cod are not a fighting fish, so it was easy to bring a 30 lb-er. Every year, Gloucester would lose a few thousand fishermen at sea. Many homes in Gloucester still have a walkway at the top of the house. This was called a “widows walk” so the women could get an early glimpse of the horizon to see if their man made it back. The ships were constructed in towns near Gloucester, Essex being the major location. A lot of the forests in New England were sourced for lumber.
By the 1880s the fleet had expanded to where if you had just the halibut boats lined up bow-to-stern, a line 3 miles long would have been the result. A few of the halibut reached 500 lb and looked more like a manta ray. But the catch could not be maintained and yearly takes dropped year after year. There were an equal number of boats pursuing cod. As soon as the boats filled with cod, they would race to either Gloucester or Boston to sell their catch. Since they only had ice to preserve their catch, it was important to get the fish to market as quickly as possible. Next week, two discoveries changed fishing forever, beginning the long decline of all the oceans.
Are you* one*** of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner. Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you. Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon. What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable. One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference.
Freya (photo source: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter)This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull and Dan Vest at the Monroe County Animal Management office where we learn all about Dan’s love for his job, animal management and much more.
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Finish up the Brown County Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, March 3rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Ogla Lake Parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7. Your dog much be on a six-foot leash.
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Join a Roving Naturalist on Saturday, March 9th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve for a Signs of Spring Hike. You will open your senses as you look for signs of the changing seasons. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
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Join Anthony for a Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 9th, from 1 to 2 pm. You will hike into the upper dry portion of Donaldson Cave as you learn about the eccentric Scotsman the cave is named for and the Shawnee Cave system. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter.
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The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting their Semi-Annual Ducks and Donuts gathering at the Stillwater Marsh observation platform on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 am to noon. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts and binoculars to spot ducks and other birds.
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Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Goose Pond Reads event on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 to 10 am. Enjoy a free community reading from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Sit in the Visitors Center as you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of the wetlands.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the City of Bloomington’s Hidden River Tunnel Project. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council passed a resolution regarding the operation of the Monroe Convention Center.
That’s coming up next in your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council held its regular session on February 28th. During the meeting, the council heard a resolution to amend an interlocal agreement between the city and the county for the operation of the Monroe Convention Center as a capital improvement board. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided an overview of the resolution.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice expanded on the agreement, walking through some background on the initiative.
During public comment on the agenda item, Executive Director for Visit Bloomington Mike McAfee spoke in support of the legislation saying it would promote tourism and economic development for the city.
Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emgee also voiced his support for the resolution.
Executive Director of the Monroe Convention Center Talisha Coppock said she believes the resolution would benefit the interests of the convention center and the greater community. Then, City Councilor Kate Rosenbarger offered a dissenting perspective on the resolution, questioning how relevant expanding the Convention Center would be.
Parliamentarian for the Council Hopi Stosberg said that while she agrees with some of the points made by Rosenbarger, she’s still voting in favor of the policy.
Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith explained her previous view of the convention center expansion and how her views have progressed over the past few months.
The council voted 7-1 in support of the resolution, with Rosenbarger dissenting. The Bloomington City Council will meet for its next regular session on March 6th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the City of Bloomington’s Hidden River Tunnel Project. Perry speaks with local officials and business owners about the impact of the construction on downtown Bloomington. We turn to Perry for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Elyse Perry.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She’s been helping people trace their Hoosier roots as the maven of the Monroe County Public Library’s Indiana Room for years. Now, Friesel is spearheading the MCPL’s effort in getting the Hoosier Character digital map of the state in the 19th century off the ground. The map depends on oral histories and traditional sources to mark where “the common and the bold” lived in the state. The MCPL works with Monroe County GIS and the Monroe County History Center to make the interactive map available to all Indiana residents and organizations. Hoosier Character has been launched as part of the state’s celebration of America 250, the 2026 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 87th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In honor of celebrating Black History Month, in this episode, we are joined by Allison and Katelyn, AAA members at Indiana University, to recount a recent event they hosted in collaboration with the ACC, a talk with professor Cynthia Wu regarding the topic on anti-blackness in the Asian community. We shared thoughts, experience, and simple ways for students to be involve and stay aware on related topics.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Allison Baughman and Katelyn Wo
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 28th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have the final part of our series about food insecurity on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “the tok is ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
Feature Reports:
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. We continue our coverage on Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In today’s installment of Deep Dive, WFHB News spoke with Liz Barnhart, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Bloomington, IN. We also feature perspectives from the Executive Director for Feeding Indiana’s Hungry Emily Weikert Bryant and Julio Alonso, the executive director of Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
And that concludes our series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit Limestone Post Magazine. Stay tuned for more episodes of Deep Dive in 2024 where we will cover pressing issues of health, housing and the environment in our community.
Up next, “the tok is ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We continue our coverage on Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In today’s installment of Deep Dive, WFHB News spoke with Liz Barnhart, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Bloomington, IN.
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard has a Community Garden program that offers locally sourced food and space to grow organic produce. | Photo by Olivia BiancoWe also spoke with Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Emily Weikert Bryant, and Julio Alonso, the CEO and Executive Director of Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
That concludes our series on food insecurity for Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com. Stay tuned for more episodes of Deep Dive in 2024 where we will cover pressing issues of health, housing and the environment in our community.
By: Elyse Perry
On February 5th, construction started on the final phase of the Hidden River Tunnel Project with the sounds of breaking concrete and scraping metal behind the Von Lee building on Kirkwood Ave. The project, which has been dubbed the Clear Creek Tunnel Project, is the last step in replacing the nearly one-hundred year old tunnel that allows Campus River to flow under downtown Bloomington.
The construction will be in progress until mid-October, during which the Kirkwood Avenue block between Indiana Ave. and Dunn St. will be closed for parking. In the middle of the summer, Indiana Ave. will be closed between Kirkwood and 7th street to reconstruct the portion of the tunnel under it.
According to Adam Wason, the director of Bloomington public works, the project will update downtown infrastructure to prevent flooding on Kirkwood.
“This is all in an effort to increase that capacity throughout the downtown to get the stormwater away from the downtown and to keep Kirkwood from flooding,” Wason said.
In recent years, Bloomington has experienced major flooding on Kirkwood Avenue, notably in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, water between Dunn Street and Grant Street was thigh deep in some places, according to a previous WFHB report.
The city is working with Milestone Contractors. Milestone is the same company that completed the previous 1,829 foot phase of the Hidden River Tunnel Project between 2021 and 2023.
Milestone Superintendent Thomas Gott worked on the previous project, and is back for the current phase. He said that it is important that this project is done now to meet the needs of the growing town and changing climate.
“You hear a lot about climate change and more wet weather and it’s raining more these days than it has in the past. The infrastructure that Bloomington is constantly building, which adds more runoff and rainwater,” Gott said. “This box not only as it lived its life it needs to be upsized to keep continuing to grow with the infrastructure around Bloomington.”
Given the age of the current tunnel system, it has become outdated and inadequate for Bloomington’s modern needs. Since the bustle of downtown surrounds the construction area, Gott says that public safety is their main concern.
“This is a unique project. It’s not only just a tunnel, but the traveling public, existing businesses and buildings that this tunnel is adjacent to,” Gott said. “We do take safety and the top priority out here definitely.”
Construction workers dig out the old culvert to make way for a replacement (Photo courtesy of Ashlyn Halstead, Milestone Contractors).According to the city’s press release, street parking will be closed on Dunn Street and the north side of Kirkwood Avenue between Dunn and Indiana. The parking lot at the Von Lee building will be closed and used for construction equipment, deliveries, and trash services. Indiana Avenue will experience a closure during summer to allow for the final part of the construction, the press release says.
“There will be traffic and parking limitations on and off through the spring. Indiana Avenue will be closed for approximately 10 weeks but will reopen by early August 2024, before Indiana University students return to the Bloomington campus for the fall semester. Full project completion, including plantings, will occur in October.”
To account for the road closure, Bloomington Transit will be rerouting their buses from Indiana Avenue to Lincoln Street. In the summer buses 12 and 14 do not run, so there will only be changes to the 1N and 9 routes.
Due to the advanced notice, rerouting for the summer months will be mostly undisruptive. Planning and Special Projects Manager Shelley Strimaitis says that Bloomington Transit is used to adapting to quickly changing conditions.
“It’s a lot of things in transit are just responding in the moment to events,” Strimaitis said. “If we have advanced notice, we’ll try and plan that out and get it out to the public, but we fly by the seat of our pants every once in a while too.”
Strimaitis added that while transit is accustomed to adapting to changing road conditions, it is not the same for businesses.
“Us in transit, we are always looking. You know, we have Google notifications anytime there’s a story about any road closure, detours, anything like that. I mean, we’ll also get notified from people in the city because they know we’re impacted,” Strimaitis said. “But if you’re a business and you’re only impacted once every five or 10 years, you’re not looking for it even though the information is readily available.”
Some small businesses are worried about the impact of the construction over the summer months. Neither street parking nor outdoor dining will be available for business on the construction block of Kirkwood this summer. Parking meters have closure notices that last until August at the earliest, October at the latest.
The Ritz Hair Studio on Dunn Street has been negatively affected by both Kirkwood flooding and the Hidden River Tunnel Project. The owner Trevor Werner said that 2021 was a particularly bad time for flooding and the city didn’t provide assistance.
“Back in 2021, that’s when Kirkwood had flooded enormously and we had to take up everything…. We had no local assistance, you know, with the city helping us with that. We could reach out to FEMA, but that would be months for us to get any sort of assistance. So it was just us having to get through the savings, going into the savings and trying to fix what had happened…, because we weren’t in a flood zone to have the flooding insurance. So it was basically you fix it on your own dime and this city just didn’t help with that situation,” Werner said.
Werner says that when the city started the Hidden River Tunnel Project, the Ritz was affected by a lack of parking, and he is disappointed in the way that the city is handling it now.
“We have such a huge student clientele, but when those students go home for the summer, it does die down a lot,” Werner said. “But like I said, if there’s no parking and they have to park far away, that’s going to deter clients coming in here.”
Werner suggests that, to help the businesses, the city should try and work with IU to provide more downtown parking during construction. He mentioned that the IU lots would be a great alternative if they weren’t more expensive than street parking.
“I would personally like for the city and IU to get on the same page because, where they have placed the parking garage on 4th Street, that’s great, it’s beautiful but that’s not where the majority of the downtown people come to. They want to come down here to Kirkwood,” Werner said. “So if the city and Bloomington, the city of Bloomington and IU could get on the same page and find a solution, then that would be great.”
The construction is expected to last until the middle of October. Currently, neither the city nor IU have plans to create extra parking for the duration of the project. While this project is necessary for updating the city’s infrastructure, the impact on downtown summer activities remains to be seen.
TikTok has been a very popular social media over the last five years, but it may be on the decline — because there are a lot of reports about it which are very worrying. Here’s what we’ve found out.
Female High School Award Recipient – Ms. Jael DavisToday on Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with 2024 Living Legend Award Recipient, Elizabeth Ann Bridgwaters, and Female High School Award Recipient, Ms. Jael Davis. These awards, among others, were presented at The City of Bloomington’s Black History Month Gala. The gala offered an opportunity to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans who have devoted their time, talents, and resources to make a difference in the Bloomington community and beyond.
Living Legend Award Recipient – Elizabeth Ann BridgwatersCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 26th, 2024.
That’s Patsy Rahn from Friends of the Library, the volunteer-powered foundation that helps the Monroe County Public Library do lots of cool stuff. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).During the February 21st meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees, Director Grier Carson provided his monthly report, touching on the temporary closure of the Southwest Branch. The closure happened due to extreme cold temperatures in January when an exhaust vent froze overnight causing large amounts of water to be distributed to about one-third of the Southwest Branch, according to the library’s website.
Board Secretary Kari Esarey asked whether the entire floor was damaged. Carson responded.
Board Trustee Katherine Loser said that she missed last month’s meeting and was unclear on what happened to cause the water damage. Carson explained the series of events that caused the damage to the Southwest Branch.
The library says on its website, “our team is working hard to determine the needed repairs as well as a possible reopening date. Stay tuned for continued updates within the next few weeks.”
The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will meet again for its regular session on March 20th.
Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals
The Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals met on February 22nd. The board heard a petition for a property on East Hillside Drive. Case Manager Eric Greulich walked through the petition.
Greulich continued to outline the details of the request saying that the staff recommends approval.
Petitioner Ellen Rodkey explained why she and her husband are making this request for variance.
The board approved the petition by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on March 21st.
Monroe County Redevelopment Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission meeting on February 21st, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill gave a presentation on the potential Residential TIF district to support the ARPA Affordable Housing Project
Commissioner Richard Martin, brought up that a similar had been denied, and asked if this housing project was going to be located in a similar area. Commissioner Randy Cassidy said that the prior development was on land that was zoned for single family homes, and did not get approval to have paired patio housing.
Cockerill explained that this land was already zoned for this number of units, rather than single family residences.
Martin asked for clarification on what the Redevelopment Commission’s role would be. Cockerill outlined that the job of the Redevelopment Commission for the project was to decide whether or not a TIF district would be beneficial to help fund more infrastructure in the area to entice residents to move to the area.
Martin suggested that they schedule a meeting with the Planning Department to ascertain whether or not a TIF district in the area would be feasible and beneficial.
The next Monroe County Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on March 20th.
Feature Report:
The basic services provided by public libraries are funded by taxes, but all the cool stuff happening inside them is not. Book clubs, teen rec spaces, exhibits and special events – all of those things and more are supported by volunteer-powered library foundations. At the Monroe County Public Library that foundation is called Friends of the Library, and board member Patsy Rahn is looking for a few more library lovers to join the board. Patsy is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The basic services provided by public libraries are funded by taxes, but all the cool stuff happening inside them is not. Book clubs, teen rec spaces, exhibits and special events – all of those things (and more) are supported by volunteer-powered library foundations. At the Monroe County Public Library that foundation is called Friends of the Library, and board member Patsy Rahn is looking for a few more library lovers to join the board.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This week’s Eco Report feature is part four of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze’s interview with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, on legislation proposed to lawmakers of the Indiana General Assembly in this year’s non-budget Legislative Session. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at wfhb.org.
Recently, the Bloomington Herald Times published a story about the plastic industry and how it has been spreading misconceptions about recycling. One of the most widespread misconceptions is that all plastics can be recycled. Not true. Only certain types are economically and technically able to be recycled. Some plastics, likePVC, are very problematic to recycle and can contaminate streams. Many consumers believe that the plastic packaging they dispose of in recycling bins will be recycled. A significant portion of plastic waste, especially single-use packaging, ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Recycling is often promoted as the ultimate solution to plastic pollution. The reality is that only a fraction of plastic waste is effectively recycled and much of it still ends up in the environment. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are a sustainable alternative. However, these materials often require specific conditions to break down, and if they end up in a landfill, they may not degrade as intended. Recycling plastics is costly and complex. It is cheaper to produce new plastic from raw materials than to recyle existing plastic. It is crucial for consumers to be aware of the misconceptions and to advocate for more transparent and sustainable practices, such as reducing the use of plastics and promoting the use of alternative materials.
One of the common complaints about solar panels is that they take up valuable agricultural land. This factor has canceled several proposed projects in Indiana. A story from Inside Climate Change finds that ranchers in Wyoming have demonstrated a useful example. BrightNight – a global energy company, has proposed to build more than 1 million solar panels, a battery storage facility and a few miles of above-ground transmission lines on a 4,738 acres of private land run by the Tillard ranching family near Glenrock. The Dutchman Project, as it is called, is notable neither for its generation nor its storage capacity but for the creatures moseying beneath its panels. The base of each sun-tracking panel will be several feet off the ground, allowing enough room for the Tillard’s sheep to continue grazing.
In a state whose ranching industry predates its inclusion in the union, pairing solar generation with livestock grazing or other agricultural practices, a technique called “agrivoltaics,” could forge an unlikely alliance between two industries—one ancient; the other, high tech — that typically compete for resources. At the conclusion of their February 6 hearing regarding the Dutchman project, Converse County Commissioners directed the county attorney to draft an order of approval, indicating they would likely grant the project its permit later this month. This leaves us with one question. Why, in a state where the wind always blows, this ranch chose solar over wind.
The current mass extinction event is at an early stage. E. O. Wilson, the Dean of American biology, predicted the globe will extinguish one million species. Today, some conclude this assessment is too low. There are many reasons for this extinction event: loss of habitat is the primary cause. Humans occupy every livable space on Earth. Climate change plays a significant role. Poaching is another contributor. One we might not think of is cats: people take their cats to islands with flightless birds, and soon the birds disappear forever.
Solving this problem is straightforward: humans created the problem and we must solve it. Saving many species is not a matter of knowing what to do, but rather, the will to do it. For example, the number of right whales in the North Atlantic has fallen from 600 at the beginning of this century, to about 350 today. The main killer is ship strikes. These mostly occur near ports involved in worldwide trade. The big container ships are not trying to hit a whale, and often are not even aware that they have hit one. Most of the right whales have moved north out of the New England area because the water is too warm and little food (copepods) remains. Most, during summer, are now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and are thus at risk from all the boat traffic. A solution is to limit boat speed to 10 knots in areas where there are whales, but for the shippers, time is money and they are often unwilling to slow down.
Another issue is becoming entangled in lobster gear. A common lobster set consists of a buoy with attached rope that goes to the bottom and is attached to a lobster pot (aka traps) and then a line with perhaps ten traps, ending by a rope to the surface. Thus, there are two ropes for every set. For most of the year, just in the U.S., there are about 2 million vertical ropes in the water for most of the year. If a whale hits a rope, there is some probability of the rope wrapping around a flipper or tail (aka, fluke). After dragging around the rope (and possibly some lobster traps) for a year or two, the rope often has cut into the whale and the whale bleeds to death or dies of starvation.
The problem could be cut in half if the rope at the non-hauling end broke at 1000 lb. An adult right whale can break a rope at that breaking strength. The rope at the hauling end is much stronger because the traps can be entangled with the bottom. The problem is the lobstermen have rejected the use of a weak rope because occasionally they need to haul using the non-hauling rope. Another solution is to use no vertical rope. The ropes are carried to the bottom by a device that can trigger the release of the rope. Thus, when the lobsterman arrives at the exact location, he activates the device and the rope floats to the surface. Clever. The problem is these release systems are expensive, and some trawlers may carry the set several miles from its original location. What might work is one weak rope and one strong rope with a release device. Though this would seem to solve all problems, this concept has not been tested. And there is the issue of warming waters off New England, which is driving the lobsters north. Next week, the discussion will be on how to protect the few remaining cold-water species, such as codfish.
Parts of this story come from the New York Times. Climate change is stretching the length of time in parts of the Far North that go without sea ice, which polar bears rely on to hunt their preferred prey: blubbery, calorie-rich seals. When the ice melts in summer, the bears move onto land and face two options. They can rest and slow down to a state approaching hibernation, or they can forage for alternative food like berries, bird eggs and small land animals. Scientists tracking 20 polar bears in Manitoba, below the Arctic Circle at the southern end of the animals’ range, found that the option the polar bears chose didn’t make much difference.
Bears who foraged generally got just enough calories from their small meals to replenish the energy they spent finding them, but not enough to maintain their body mass. “Terrestrial foods are not adequate to prolong the period that polar bears can survive on land,” said Anthony Pagano, a wildlife biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey and the lead author of a study based on the research, published recently in Nature Communications. In western Hudson Bay, the ice-free period is three weeks longer now than it was in the 1970s, and polar bears currently spend about 130 days on land during the year. Scientists estimate that, going forward, there will be five to 10 more days without sea ice each decade. It is estimated that the polar bear population of the western Hudson Bay area, an area extending from the Manitoba-Ontario boundary through to Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut, is approximately 935 miles. The population of polar bears in this region has dropped by thirty percent over the last five years.
This week’s Eco Report feature is part four of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze’s interview with H.E.C. Executive Director Sam Carpenter on legislation supported or opposed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session at the State Capitol relating to groundwater, the LEAP Pipeline project and phasing out fossil fuels. The full four-part interview is available online as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA at wfhb.org.
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A Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th, from noon to 1:30 pm at the RCA Community Park in Bloomington. This hands-on workshop will discuss tree identification, equipment, collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
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The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with the CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave hike on Saturday, February 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that will take you to the Civilian Conservation Corps area then you will hike to the Deserter’s Cave which is a very rugged section of off-trail hiking.
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Take a Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 24th, from 8 to 9 pm. Experience the park at night while learning the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4.
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Celebrate February 29th with a Leap Year Hike at Spring Mill State Park from 1 to 2 pm. Take advantage of the this extra day as you hike through nature on Trail 4 and learn leap year facts, superstitions and folklore. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter House.
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Finish up the Brown County Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, March 3rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Ogle Lake Parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7. Your dog must be on a six-foot leash.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers whose goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
On February 2nd, 2024, Nina Pitchkites and Kevin Krauter of the Indianapolis dream-pop band Wishy joined us for a Firehouse Session in-studio interview and performance. They talked about the evolution of the band, their mutual obsession with The Sundays and the excitement and buzz around their recent EP, Paradise.
Production team:
- Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
- Session Host: Abby Noroozi
- Engineers: Mike Chrastil and Clara Preske
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage on the most recent meetings of the Monroe County Council and the Bloomington Utilities Service Board.
That’s coming up next in your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Council meeting on February 13th, Soil and Water Conservation District Manager, Martha Miller, gave an update on the Soil and Water Conservation projects that are ongoing.
Council Member Pete Iverson asked for clarification on a term Miller used when explaining an Indiana Department of Environmental Management project.
Next, Sheriff Ruben Marté gave an update on the jail, and the work that they have been doing to translate their jail policies into Spanish with the help of the Bloomington Outreach Coordinator Ximena Martinez .
Council Member Jennifer Crossley followed up, asking how many inmates are in need of the translated version. Marté responded.
Next, the Council heard a request to appoint Dr. Lisa Hanner‐Robinson to the Monroe County Board of Health.
Council Member Trent Deckard commented on the application.
Hanner‐Robinson spoke to the board about why she applied for the board position.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the appointment.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on February 27th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on February 12th, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson requested approval for Wessler Engineering to provide an Asset Management Capital Improvement Plan for the Monroe Water Treatment Plant.
The board unanimously approved the contract with Wessler Engineering.
Later in the meeting, Pre-Treatment Coordinator Jason Wenning gave an update on the Wastewater Monitoring Program.
Board Member Kirk White asked where the public can find the results of the sampling. Wenning responded.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on February 26th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council approved a motion to amend Salary Ordinance 23-18 after a debate surrounding an overtime pay clause led to the clause being struck. The clause authorized time-and-a-half overtime pay for employees working more than eight hour workdays.
Council Member William Ellis called the clause into question, noting that non-government employees don’t have the same policy. The State of Indiana only requires time-and-a-half for working more than forty hours per week.
Town Manager Mike Farmer responded that the policy was enacted around 1999 to incentivize utilities employees to come in for emergencies after hours. He suggested that it might be possible to reword the clause to focus specifically on such situations.
Council Member Scott Oldham mentioned that the current policy bars police and firefighters from receiving overtime, especially when they take personal time off work. He thinks that the policy should be made equal for all city employees.
The council ultimately decided to strike the clause from the salary ordinance amendment, instead moving it to the personnel policy.
The salary ordinance amendment passed unanimously after removal of the clause, approving a clause that ensures time-and-a-half overtime pay for work that exceeds forty hours in a week.
The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on February 26th.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked. For more, we turn to Liz Mitchell on today’s edition of the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Dark Past, Bright Future is produced by Liz Mitchell
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Foursquare, dodgeball and musical chairs are just a few of the many games that frequented our childhoods. Bloomington Parks and Recreation is bringing these memories back for adults, but with a twist.
The second annual Adult Winter Recess took place Saturday, Feb. 17th at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center. A plethora of throwback recess games, concessions, and craft beer were offered to the 21+ adults that registered to attend the event.
Community Events Coordinator Crystal Ritter discussed the purpose of Adult Winter Recess.
“We wanted to create an event that really encouraged adults to get out, have fun, play with each other, do some competitive games, do some creative things. And it was kind of an idea to do a throwback event that kind of was reminiscent of summer camp, or like field day at your school that you went to while growing up,” said Ritter.
Among the “throwback” recess games were 80s and 90s themed portraits, crafts and music.
cue sound of music from event
“We have some other throwback activities as well, that will really take you back a little bit. Plus we play music of the 90s and 2000s as well to kind of throwback. And just lots of fun activities that we hope people will enjoy and also be a little bit active or creative,” Ritter said. “The music really helps set the scene and we use the music in several different capacities. One of the most popular events the last couple of years has been one-hit wonder musical chairs.”
Ritters expressed that Adult Winter Recess and other similar Parks and Recreation events can serve as rare opportunities for community members to get out of the house and have fun with other adults around Bloomington.
“I think what draws people to our winter recess and adult field day events is just kind of a low barrier way to come out and have fun, to interact with other adults. We don’t really get that opportunity. A lot of times if we’re going out, we’re going out with our friends or we’re going to something specific and this program really encourages you,” said Ritter.
Bloomington Community Member Katie Thompson missed out on the summer version of Adult Recess, but was ecstatic to attend this one.
“A friend of mine went to the summer recess and said it was super fun. I wasn’t able to go and so when I saw this, I was super excited. Also, pretty much everything that is happening I like including the games, and the crafts, and the alcohol. Yeah, very exciting.” said Thompson.
Thompson’s favorite recess game as a kid was foursquare, she explains why.
“As a kid, I hit up the Foursquare. I feel like I did some Foursquare. I was not great at it, but I was really bad at pretty much everything else. So, Foursquare was as good as it was gonna get,” said Thompson.
The Adult Field Day in July will be the next opportunity for those 21 and over to act like little kids on the playground again, either as a volunteer or event goer.
“I think adult winter recess and adult field day, the winter and summer versions, have been really popular events. And we’re going to continue doing them and create more adult oriented programming that gets adults out and playing in our parks and facilities and just remembering what it is to have fun,” Ritter said. “Occasionally, one of the cool things about being an event coordinator is we get to come up with these awesome events, but we always make sure that people who are either volunteering or working the event have a chance to kind of have some fun too.”
Thompson just has one request for the next Adult Winter Recess.
“We wish it was longer. Like two hours, I feel like there’s not enough time to do everything that’s here,” said Thompson.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues our coverage on food insecurity in Indiana during a new installment of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Inbox Vermin on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, we have the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. We continue our coverage on Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In today’s installment of Deep Dive, WFHB News spoke with Executive Director of Feeding America Emily Weikert Bryant, about food insecurity across Indiana. Weikert Bryant started off by explaining the fundamentals of food insecurity.
Above, a storage trailer outside of Hoosier Hills Food Bank. | Photo by Olivia BiancoYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to learn more about how food insecurity impacts residents of Monroe County. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit the Limestone Post.
Up next, Inbox Vermin on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We continue our coverage on food insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In today’s installment of Deep Dive, WFHB News spoke with Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Emily Weikert Bryant, about food insecurity across Indiana.
We also spoke with Julio Alonso, Executive Director and CEO of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and the Executive Director of Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen in Nashville, IN, Jill Baker.
Tune in next week to learn more about how food insecurity impacts residents of Monroe County, and policy changes needed to address it. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the network of Feeding America food banks in Indiana. | Courtesy photo
On January 31, 2024, CLIFFS joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance.
Production team:
- Host: Cindy Brubaker
- Engineers: Alyssa Gray, Chama Henry, and Alex Hamel
- Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
- Post-production by Chama Henry
For the 50th episode of Lil BUB’s Lil Show, we dive into two topics pertinent to our local animal community: the fate of Indiana’s bobcats and the future of companion animal welfare in our state.
Senate Bill 241: Taking bobcats
A bill stirring debate is advancing through the Indiana General Assembly. Senate Bill 241, spearheaded by Sen. Scott Baldwin, aims to establish a bobcat hunting season by July 1, 2025. Despite a strong 40-9 Senate approval and an 11-1 vote in the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, the bill has faced objection. Bobcats play a crucial role in our environment, helping to maintain balanced ecosystems. Critics of SB 241 question whether Indiana’s bobcats, once listed as endangered until 2005, have truly bounced back enough to be hunted.
House Bill 1412: Canine standard of care
The Indiana General Assembly has passed House Bill 1412, which has sparked a heated debate on the future of companion animal welfare in Indiana. The bill will force cities and counties in the state to allow pet stores to sell puppies from puppy mills. It states that stores must be allowed to source from hundreds of federally-licensed commercial breeders. Thus, the bill would void 21 local ordinances across the state that stop the sale of commercially-raised puppies in pet stores. Critics, including local officials and animal welfare advocates, are strongly opposed to this bill because it would protect and promote the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline. With Indiana lacking significant investment in statewide spay-neuter programs to control and improve overall pet health, the bill’s approach has raised eyebrows.
Opponents of these bills can contact Governor Holcomb’s Office at 317-232-4567 to ask him to veto SB 241 and HB 1412.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
I get phony scam emails just like you do. Here are some of the more outrageous ones I’ve received, recognized, failed to fall for — and saved so I could give you a laugh!
Disability advocates call for action in the Department of Education, a ray of sunshine in the fight for personal independence for Floridians with disabilities, Enforcement of Jamaica’s disability discrimination act reaches a crossroads, and we continue our conversation with Disability Law expert William Goren regarding future Disability cases.
Good evening, I’m Abe Shapiro and this is Disabulletin, where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world.
In news of the federal government, disability advocates across the nation are seeking an increase in funding the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, which protects students with disabilities. Since its passage in 1975 and its renovation in 1990, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act has entitled students with disabilities to a Free Appropriate Public Education. However, the process in obtaining such an education can create a considerable burden on parents, which may lead to the filing of civil rights complaints with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. In the most recent data cited in a story released today by DisabilityScoop’s Michelle Diament, “the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating 4,775 complaints of disability discrimination at elementary, secondary and postsecondary institutions.” Diament went on to write that a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders signed by 91 disability and civil rights organizations, contends that funding for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights will need to be doubled to $280 million for the 2025 fiscal budget slated to take effect this October, up from $140 million in 2023.
In news regarding state government, Florida’s state legislature has taken steps in the issue of determining when guardianship is appropriate for persons with disabilities. Essentially, if an individual with a disability is unable to make decisions for themselves, a court may place them under guardianship, in which a person is entrusted by a court to make personal decisions on the individual with a disability’s behalf. There are two types of guardianship, one based on legal decisions including where the person with a disability will live, and financial decisions. However, a strategy known as supported decision-making is cited as a less restricting alternative to guardianship since the practice emphasizes taking the wants and needs of the person with a disability into full account before making decisions on their behalf. In the new bills, one passed unanimously by the Florida house last Thursday, with its companion set to be voted on in the senate tomorrow, courts would have to assess a person with a disability’s needs before determining whether or not to appoint a guardian on their behalf, while still ensuring that said person with a disability has final say over personal decisions.
In international news, on February 14, the two-year grace period expired for businesses and public accommodations across Jamaica to make their buildings accessible for individuals with disabilities. Jamaica first passed a law banning disability discrimination in 2014, with regulations added to the bill in 2022.
An article published the same day by the Jamaica Gleaner cited comments by Jamaican Senator Lambert Brown, made last December in session, in which he stated that “lawmakers are the biggest promoters of lawbreaking when it comes to the Disabilities Act”. Brown went on to cite that Gordon House, the hub of Jamaica’s legislature, is not accessible and described his difficulty in accessing the legislative chamber upon his return after recovering from sickness and brought up a 2016 promise by Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson to build a lift in the building.
In the same article, Executive director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities Dr Christine Hendricks unveiled the process by which persons with disabilities may file a report to the council if their rights are violated. The council would then send the complaint to a tribunal should the offending entity decline to comply.
“People with disabilities are part of the citizenry of our country who have that right to access the service that you provide,” she said. Hendricks also cited an accessibility checklist on the Council’s website to assist businesses and other entities impacted by the law in making their places of operation more accessible. Hendricks said, “You’ll find the accessibility checklist to help you conduct a simple audit to ensure that you know what you need to fix – the doorway that needs to be widened, the ramp and the rail that needs to be in place, the signage that should be in your building to give direction or to give guidance.”
And now, part two of our interview on the latest Court cases concerning disability with William Goren, one of our nation’s most renowned experts on disability law. Previously, Mr.Goren spoke about the most recent disability Supreme Court case. Today, he joins us to discuss the next frontier in Disability Litigation.
You’re listening to Disabulletin, where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world.
Abe Shapiro, WFHB News
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease went to the Adult Winter Recess and spoke with attendees. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.At the Bloomington City Council meeting on February 14th, Council Member Sydney Zulich announced that she will be having a town hall meeting on March 2nd at 10 a.m. in the McCloskey Conference Room about combating homelessness in Monroe County.
Mayor Kerry Thomson, shared that First United Methodist and First Christian Church will begin providing shelter for unhoused individuals during inclement weather.
Thompson also informed the public that a volunteer training session will be held at First Christian Church Saturday, on February 17th at 3 p.m.
Next, City Clerk Nicole Bolden read the title and synopsis for Ordinance 2024-01 which would amend a section of city code titled “Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers.”
The city’s Long Range Planner Karina Pazos gave a presentation to the council on the ordinance.
Council Member Hopi Stosberg made a motion to amend the ordinance. Stosberg walked through the amendments.
Stosberg asked about the stump removal section of the ordinance. Urban Forester Haskell Smith offered some clarification.
The council voted 8 to 0 to approve the ordinance as amended. Council Members voted to cancel the February 21st Bloomington City Council meeting. The city council will meet next for its regular session on Wednesday, February 28th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the February 13th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard lane and sidewalk closure requests from the Atlantic Engineering Group, or A-E-G. The temporary closures would be intended to continue installing the city’s planned fiber optic network. Engineering Field Specialist Alex Gray walked through the lane and sidewalk closure requests.
Board Secretary James Roach asked if Gray would give some background on the city’s high-speed fiber network initiative. Gray responded. Then, Public Works Director Adam Wason clarified more details on the project as a whole.
The board approved the lane and sidewalk closures by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on February 27th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Btown Parks Instagram page.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease went to the Adult Winter Recess and spoke with attendees. For more, we turn to Kelsey Pease.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Elyse Perry, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kelsey Pease.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On January 24th, 2024, Paul Bertsch joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance.
Production team:
- Coordinating Producer: Nicki Seven
- Session Host: Cindy Brubaker
- Engineers: Chama Henry, Alyssa Gray, and Alex Hamel
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Bone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Leon Bates, local Indianapolis historian and former guest of Bring It On!, and Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement for the City of Indianapolis, about respecting the remains from Greenlawn Cemetery as the land is being developed. In addition, the city is putting together a commission to recommend how best to memorialize the history of Greenlawn once the bridge project is complete.
Leon BatesJudith ThomasEunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn. City officials say they plan to disturb as little of the site as possible. They have hired an archeologist to examine the ground as construction progresses and look for signs of burials. If remains are found, work in the area will stop and everything will be documented and processed, according to the city.
Diamond Chain bought a portion of the site in 1913 for its manufacturing facility and remains have been discovered there over the years. That portion of the property is now being turned into Eleven Park, the massive mixed-use development that will include Indy Eleven’s new 20,000-seat soccer stadium, and historians expect more remains will be uncovered during the construction. Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Giovanni Perez from Monroe County United Ministries shares information and services provided in Spanish for the Hispanic and Latino population of Monroe County. Escucha el programa en español para saber más información sobre los servicios y apoyos en español para la comunidad Hispana y Latina de Bloomington.
Coming up in this edition of Eco Report, Agrivoltaics and Climate Resilience as Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us Part Three of his discussion with Sam Carpenter on bills opposed and backed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.
This story appeared in the “Daily Journal” of Franklin. A controversial bill that would strip wetland protections in Indiana is the first to head to the governor’s desk after being fast-tracked by the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1383, authored by Rep. Alan Morrison, R-Versailles, clarifies various wetland definitions and eliminates certain wetland rule-making requirements. The bill would shift some Class III wetlands down to Class II, a class that already has few protections because of another state law passed in 2021. The Senate approved the bill 32-17 on Tuesday, less than a month after its first reading in the House. Some residents, environmentalists and state senators have expressed concerns that it was fast-tracked despite heavy opposition.
Environmental activists and some state legislators also questioned whether the bill would actually protect wetlands or dwindle them further. In 2021, Indiana passed another controversial bill that left nearly 80% of the state’s wetlands unprotected, with only 25% of wetlands being mitigated since then, according to the Hoosier Environmental Council, or HEC. A one-acre wetland can typically store over one million gallons of water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
This means nearly 400 million gallons of water storage has been removed without mitigation since 2021, according to data from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Indiana has also lost 85% of wetlands in the last 200 years, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the EPA, leaving the fate of wetlands in the state’s hands, Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said during the Senate vote on the bill Tuesday.
Indiana is already seeing accelerated wetland loss, said Indra Frank, environmental health and water policy director for the HEC. The continued stripping of wetland protections is “very discouraging,” she said. Sens. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, and Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, questioned how involved environmental consultants and groups were in the legislation.
During the committee hearing on the bill, 26 people — including organizations involved in drafting the bill — testified in opposition to the bill. Only three testified in support. Builders, environmental activists and consultants, including the HEC, and IDEM staff helped draft the legislation last July, Niemeyer said. Representatives from the Indiana Builders Association told the Indiana Capital Chronicle the bill was a compromise to prevent permitting delays. Profit over people! Even though the bill passed, please contact the Governor today to voice opposition to this legislation.
Last week we aired a story about olive trees. Following is more information. In a Counterpunch article by Joshua Frank, it is noted that olive trees in Palestine, in addition to being a means of economic sustenance are a long standing cultural practice. The harvesting of olives on wild trees extends back thousands of years. The razing of such groves has had disastrous results including soil erosion, and climate change. Since 1967, more than 800,000 Palestinian olive trees have been illegally uprooted by the Israeli authority accordinging to a 1921 Al Jazerra report.
Besides providing a harvestable commodity for numerous bird species, including Jays, Finches and crows they rely on the biodiversity provided by Palestine’s wild trees. Multiple species of these trees are often found in native olive groves. Olive groves in Palestine, in addition to being cultural landscapes, are important globally as an agricultural system based on their biodiversity, cultural, and economic values. ”An ancient, native olive tree should be considered a testament to the very existence of Palestinians and their struggle for freedom. With its thick spiraling trunk, the olive tree stands as a cautionary tale to Israel, not because of the fruit it bears, but because of the stories its roots hold of a scarred landscape and a battered people that have been callously and relentlessly besieged for more than 75 years.”
There have been major developments in climate change. One is that the average temperature of the globe exceeded 1.5 C for 2023. This comes as no surprise. The second development is the oceans are warming at a faster pace than predictions. Thus, the glaciers are melting faster. Of particular concern are the glaciers on Greenland and Antarctica, simply because they contain the most water. It may be that previous projections of ocean rise are vastly underestimated. Most projections over the last three decades have pegged ocean rise between one and three feet by the years 2100. The new projections say the increase could be as much as sixteen feet, and much of that could come in large chunks. The biggest chunk could come from the release of the Thwaites Glacier from the Western Ice Sheet in Antarctica.
Thwaites Glacier is closely monitored for its potential to raise sea levels since the 1980s, Thwaites and Pine Island Glacier have been described as part of the “weak underbelly” of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, in part because they seem vulnerable to irreversible retreat and collapse even under relatively little warming, yet also because if they go, the entire ice sheet is likely to eventually follow. This hypothesis is based on both theoretical studies of the stability of marine ice sheets and observations of large changes on these two glaciers. In recent years, the flow of both of these glaciers has accelerated, their surfaces have lowered, and their grounding lines have retreated. They are believed very likely to eventually collapse even without any further warming. The outsized danger Thwaites poses has led to some reporters nicknaming it the Doomsday Glacier, although this nickname is controversial among scientists.
The third development is that the fresh water melting on Greenland may cause the global circulation of sea water to stop. This hypothesis was first proposed twenty years ago. If that happens, a danger is that heat from the equatorial regions may not be transported to polar regions. Thus, the Gulf Stream, for example, may not transport heat to northern waters. Would Europe experience a new ice age? One thing is for sure, it would disrupt weather patterns worldwide.
NBC reports that as electric vehicle demand slows, workers caught in the middle face an uncertain future. Thousands of workers face layoffs or transfers as automakers scale back on their lofty EV ambitions. This year was shaping up to be a good one for the workers at the GM Orion Assembly plant in a working-class suburb of Detroit. After winning a pay raise following last year’s United Auto Workers strike, they were slated to start production later this year on a marquee product for GM: the electric Chevy Silverado pickup truck.
But like thousands of other workers on the front lines of the electric vehicle transition, they have hit some bumps in the road. GM told the nearly 1,000 workers at the Orion plant in December that they were being laid off until late 2025 to make engineering improvements and amid cooling demand for electric vehicles. Their last paycheck was their holiday pay the week of Christmas, and many are still waiting to find out if they will be offered a job at another plant. Electric vehicles account for about 4.5% of new vehicle sales in Indiana, far below national average.
And now, Part Three on the 2024 Legislative Session at the State Capitol with Zyro Roze and the HEC’s Sam Carpenter. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.
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Learn how to identify trees in the winter during a Buds & Barks Winter Tree ID Hike at Olcott Park in Bloomington on Saturday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 pm. You will be outside taking a close look at the bark, branches and buds to seek out the tree identification. Dress for the weather.
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The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series continues with a Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve Hike on Saturday, February 17th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike along a fire trail and horse trail. The Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve is the largest nature preserve in the state and has a very unique story. Please dress for the weather.
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The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 21st, at 9 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
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A Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th, from noon to 1:30 pm at the RCA Community Park in Bloomington. This hands-on workshop will discuss tree identification, equipment, collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
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The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with the CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave hike on Saturday, February 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that will take you to the Civilian Conservation Corps area then you will hike to the Deserter’s Cave which is a very rugged section of off-trail hiking.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Cynthia Roberts.
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Frank Marshalek.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 15th, 2024.
This month, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County welcomes Karen Jepson-Innes, WonderLab executive director, and Kelly Debikey, their education director, to share with our audience the many exciting opportunities that WonderLab Museum of Science Health and Technology offers to Bloomington residents. More in the latest edition of Civic Conversations.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage on the latest city of Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on February 5th to discuss the future of the Showers West renovation project.
In December, the city of Bloomington received several bids regarding the use of Showers West as the police headquarters and fire department administration, along with two firehouse renovations and a new fire logistics building.
Mayor Kerry Thomson gathered a taskforce to evaluate the project and determine what the city’s next steps should be.
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission voted to reject all construction bids for the renovation project. The city plans to continue construction on Fire Station 1, designs for Fire Station 3, and find a potential new home for the fire logistics building. Current residents will be allowed to stay at Showers West, but new lease agreements are on pause.
The next redevelopment meeting will take place February 19th.
Feature Report:
This month, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County welcomes Karen Jepson-Innes, WonderLab executive director, and Kelly Debikey, their education director, to share with our audience the many exciting opportunities that WonderLab Museum of Science Health and Technology offers to Bloomington residents. The WonderLab was formed in 1995 by a small group of Bloomington citizens interested in the importance of science education within a community. The goal of the WonderLab was to teach and make science education fun while also creating a permanent museum that celebrates the importance of science exploration and discovery. We turn to host Jim Allison for more on the latest edition of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
What started out as a side gig, a vanity project, has become Drew Wehrle’s day job. He and his brother Cole Wehrle founded the historical board game maker, Wehrlegig Games. Drew handles the production and business end of the operation while Cole is a noted game designer. They’ve produced two board games thus far: one dealing with the aftermath of the Russian and British colonial reigns in Afghanistan and the other with the people who benefitted from the East India Company’s control of the East Indies and the Indian subcontinent. This year the Wehrle brothers will launch a board game dealing with the cloistered queer culture of Georgian England. Historical board games are a fast=growing niche in the overall game market.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Blue Bee Eco Media host Zyro Roze speaks with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council about legislation supported or opposed by the HEC in the current non-budget Legislative Session of Indiana State Government.
This full interview was aired as a series of news segments on WFHB Local News and WFHB’s Eco Report, FireHouse Broadcasting’s environmental news program.
~ Topics in this episode ~
[Part One] Wetlands, Wild Lands, Lead Lines/Testing
Bills discussed: HB 1383, SB 5, SB 246, SB 259, SB 297, HB 1193, HB 117.
[Part Two] PFAS, Bobcats, Community Solar
Bills discussed: SB 1399, SB 241, HB 1165.
[Part Three] AgriVoltaics, Climate Resilience
Bills: SB 177, HB 1172, SB 259
[Part Four] Groundwater, LEAP Pipeline, Fossil Fuels
Bills: HB 1382, HB 1305, SB 52
[E R X] Eco Report EXTRA is a production of Eco Media Center of Monroe County, a program of Blue Bee Ecological Endeavors inc or BBEE, a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization based in Bloomington Indiana, as part of an ongoing community media partnership with WFHB News and Public Affairs and CATS Cable Ch.7.
To learn more about how to get involved with Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC), go to: https://www.hecweb.org/
This month, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington Monroe County welcomes Karen Jepson-Innes, WonderLab executive director, and Kelly Debikey, their education director, to share with our audience the many exciting opportunities that WonderLab Museum of Science Health and Technology offers to Bloomington residents. The WonderLab was formed in 1995 by a small group of Bloomington citizens interested in the importance of science education within a community. The goal of the WonderLab was to teach and make science education fun while also creating a permanent museum that celebrates the importance of science exploration and discovery. Kelly and Karen shared the many exciting programs and exhibits, such as the Grape Vine, Animal Ambassadors, Science Sprout Program, and their Honeybee Colony that the WonderLab offers, saying that children are natural scientists and love to discover how our world works through science.
Welcome to the 86th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by Hannah, a sophomore at IU Indy studying psychology, to recall the Retracing Our Roots trip and a meaningful conversation regarding identity. We touched on different culture background and ways for students to be involved in culture events.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Hannah
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
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. We are looking into Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In Bloomington, one out of every ten residents cannot access the food they need. That’s accordingMon to the 2021 Bloomington Food Access Report. United Way of South Central Indiana reports that Monroe County has a 16 percent food insecurity rate, which is higher than both the state and national averages. In Brown County, the food insecurity rate is 10.6 percent, according to Feeding America.
According to the Bloomington Food Access Report the top five barriers to accessing food are high food prices, time to prepare food, low wages, housing costs, and limited transportation. In addition to low wages a percentage of residents said that social security benefits were too low to cover the cost of living.
WFHB News spoke with Julio Alonso, Executive Director and CEO of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. According to its website, Hoosier Hills collects, stores and distributes food to non-profit agencies that feed the hungry in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe counties.
We also spoke with the Executive Director of Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen in Nashville, IN, Jill Baker.
Above, a storage trailer outside of Hoosier Hills Food Bank. | Photo by Olivia BiancoTune in next week to learn more about how food insecurity impacts residents of Monroe County. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 13th, 2024.
Later in the program, we cover the latest Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee and the Waste Reduction District Board. More in the top half of tonight’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee met on February 6th. For the start of the new year Council Member Jennifer Crossley was nominated for the chair position. She accepted the nomination and it passed unanimously.
Health Department Lori Kelley shared that they received feedback from WIS on their job description edits.
Council Member Goeff McKim asked what the health department’s goal is with the job description changes. Kelley responded.
McKim said he would support moving the positions from 35 hour positions to 40 hour positions.
Board of Health Chair Steve Pritchard shared that they have an increased workload, and need more staff to handle the new Health First Law.
Council Member Marty Hawke responded that WIS doesn’t look at the amount of work, but they look for an increase in responsibilities.
McKim agreed with Hawke saying that just because staff members have more work to do, it doesn’t mean that they are doing more skilled labor necessarily.
Kelley pointed out that even if they do create new positions, they do not have enough office space to accommodate the positions.
Kelley also reiterated that the Vital Entry and Registrar positions should be reclassified due to the fact that so much depends on the positions.
Crossley suggested that as a temporary solution, they should increase the hours to 40 hours per week, and continue to collaborate to figure out more long term solutions.
The committee did not reach any final decisions on the matter, but will continue to work with the Board of Health to reorganize the Health Department’s staffing structure.
Monroe County Waste Reduction District Board
The Monroe County Waste Reduction District Board met on February 8th, Board Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for an update from Controller Catherine Martin about a transfer of funds that occurred to pay back an unexpected amount due on the closure bond debt account.
Executive Director for the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Tom McGlasson, Jr. clarified that the county will not need an additional appropriation on this.
During department reports, Waste Reduction Specialist Kayla Strand provided a report on behalf of the administration department.
Finally, Environmental Compliance Director Lee Paulsen provided an update on the November groundwater testing, which he said has remained consistent compared to previous months.
The Waste Reduction District Board of Directors will meet again for its regular session on March 14th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn to that segment right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Postmodern Jazz Quartet
Gordon Bonham & Jim Richter
WFHB is pleased, proud, and pumped to Celebrate the first 30 Years of Saturday’s Child with a special, 2-hour, sound sensation extravaganza! We’ll feature a plethora of fantastic performers taking us to the early days of the program and then back to the present as we welcome the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, Gordon Bonham & Jim Richter’s acoustic, old-timey blues, and a gaggle of great performers. Listen on air or as part of our audience, free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center and help us celebrate 30 years of Saturday’s Child: Saturday, February 10, from 11am to 1:00pm on WFHB.
Postmodern Jazz Quartet
Gordon Bonham & Jim Richter
WFHB is pleased, proud, and pumped to Celebrate the first 30 Years of Saturday’s Child with a special, 2-hour, sound sensation extravaganza! We’ll feature a plethora of fantastic performers taking us to the early days of the program and then back to the present as we welcome the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, Gordon Bonham & Jim Richter’s acoustic, old-timey blues, and a gaggle of great performers. Listen on air or as part of our audience, free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center and help us celebrate 30 years of Saturday’s Child: Saturday, February 10, from 11am to 1:00pm on WFHB.
Tune in to the episode to learn about this week’s featured animal and topic!
Featured animal: Bubby, an affectionate, diabetic senior cat currently available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter
Featured topic: Lil BUB’s legacy and celebrating special needs pets
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Census bureau drops renovation of disability questions, an Oregon County’s Law enforcement approach to mental health has led to litigation being filed, new progress has been made in Kansas regarding subminimum wage for people with disabilities, and we’ll talk with one of our nation’s most renowned disability law experts, on the latest Supreme Court Case concerning Disability.
Today we begin our expanded report the latest developments in the disability community.
We at Disabulletin understand the expectation of fairness excellence and accuracy in delivering to you a meaningful report on the happenings of disability in our nation and we intend to meet it.
In a world where disability consists of multiple definitions, each interpretation may be met with a variety of reactions. Such was the case last week, when the United States Census Bureau announced that proposed changes to how it would define disability in its 2025 Community survey would be dropped.
Such changes, were first announced last October and would reword the six questions regarding disability in the survey.
Currently, the disability census questions ask respondents to answer “yes” or “no” if they experience “difficulty or “serious difficulty” with vision, hearing, concentration, and decision-making and in performing everyday activities walking, climbing, dressing, or bathing. If any are answered with yes, the subject qualifies as having a disability.
However, according to opponents of the new survey, a respondent would only qualify as an individual with a disability if they rated the level of difficulty they have performing multiple rather than individual activities on a scale from “no difficulty,” “some difficulty,” “a lot of difficulty” or “cannot do at all.”
Opponents argued that such a requirement would reduce the number of persons with disabilities accounted for in the survey, the Census Bureau’s largest in terms of data collection for determining federal funding for housing, healthcare, and civil rights. In a report by the Associated Press released February 7, “the percentage of respondents who were defined as having a disability went from 13.9% using the current questions to 8.1% under the proposed changes. When the definition was expanded to also include “some difficulty,” it grew to 31.7%”
In Disability Law news, the issue of law enforcement’s approach to individuals with disabilities has been brought to the legal forefront in Washington County Oregon, the state’s second-largest county. A lawsuit filed in Portland’s U.S. District Court by Disability non-profit Disability Rights Oregon contends that Washington County harms individuals with disabilities by sending armed police officers instead of “behavioral health teams” when assisting people during a mental health crisis.
The non-profit argues that the Washington County Sherriff’s office has become the default agency in said crisis since the county dispatcher system sends 911 calls for mental health assistance to police first. Although the county has a mental health response team, issues range from lack of nighttime availability to being called only after the police have been informed.
The suit was filed after Disability Rights Oregon conducted a year-long investigation with the state’s American Civil Liberties Union on the matter. After analyzing emergency call data, it was found that between 2020 to 2022, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office handled about 12,000 calls, but dispatchers only sent a mobile crisis team consisting of mental health experts for about 100 calls.”
In responding to news outlets about the lawsuit, County Spokesperson Julie McCloud expressed disappointment in the filing and cited the crisis team’s response to “more than 2,100 calls” in 2022. McCloud also cited a “successful” initiative in which deputies team up with clinicians.
Kansas is set to transition workers with disabilities away from segregated employment.. A bill signed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly four days ago seeks to transition workers with disabilities away from participation in such a controversial labor practice and creates a grant program called the Sheltered Workshop Transition Grant, which provides tax credits for businesses that hire individuals with disabilities into integrated employment and “eliminates the minimum work-hour requirement for Kansans with disabilities to qualify for health insurance coverage.” For 85 years, a minimum wage has been set for Americans across the country. However, this wage is not the same for those with disabilities Since 1938, section 14c of the same act that first established a minimum wage for all Americans, the Fair Labor Standards Act, has qualified certain employers of workers with disabilities for certificates administered by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. If their application for such certificates is approved, employers can, under the pretense of preventing individuals with disabilities from being excluded from the workforce, pay a wage level below the federal minimum, a practice known as a subminimum wage. To set this wage, employers conduct a test within a disabled worker’s first month of employment. The test consists of timing how long it takes a person with disabilities to complete certain tasks when compared to an able-bodied worker’s efforts. The resulting number is then multiplied by the “prevailing hourly wage for the same type of work”. The final calculation is the worker’s productivity rate which is subject to change based on progress made over time and can be phased out if a worker with a disability reaches the same level of productivity as their non-disabled colleagues. One of the employers approved to pay subminimum wages is Community Rehabilitation Programs, previously known as Sheltered Workshops by the Wage and Hour Division. These programs offer both medical rehabilitation alongside employment for individuals with disabilities. Within the first month of employment and if approved for a certificate, CRP employers must determine a disabled employee’s productivity rate and review it every six months to determine whether to raise the worker’s wage. As of this year, 16 states have enacted legislation to phase out the practice of subminimum wage, with Kansas set to become the 17th to do so. On Capitol Hill in recent years, legislation passed has included the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which in Section 511 of the bill, requires that Community Rehabilitation program employers with a certificate provide career counseling during the first six months and annually thereafter of a disabled individual’s subminimum employment. As for those who favor subminimum wage, arguments include concerns that rising wages would increase labor costs, leading to the closing of such workshops and the unemployment of thousands in the disability community, which were mentioned on in a 2020 Report by the United States Commision of Civil Rights arguing for further regulation of subminimum wage (pg. 90). Since October, the Department of Labor has been reviewing the practice.
As covered in our previous episode, the Supreme Court case of brought disability advocates and business owners to the edge of their seats in ruling that a lawsuit filed by one Deborah Laufer. Although the case was declared moot by the Supreme Court as it had been previously dismissed before being brought before the court, the initial question concerned whether or not an Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA “tester” had legal standing to sue a place of public accommodation for failing to provide accessibility information on its website, despite having no intent on staying at said accommodation.
Today, I’ll be discussing the decision with William Goren, one of our nation’s most renowned experts on disability law.
This was the first part of a 30-minute interview conducted with Mr. Goren on the case of Laufer. Next week, we’ll conclude our discussion with Mr. Goren by discussing disability law cases on the horizon.
Disabulletin is created and produced by me, Abe Shapiro
Our theme is, “Baseball is More than a Game” by the George Romanis Sound.
Abe Shapiro, WFHB News, Live and Learn.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 14th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have 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. Today we look into Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Counterfeit Websites” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. We are looking into Food Insecurity in Monroe and Brown Counties.
In Bloomington, one out of every ten residents cannot access the food they need. That’s according to the 2021 Bloomington Food Access Report. United Way of South Central Indiana reports that Monroe County has a 16 percent food insecurity rate, which is higher than both the state and national averages. In Brown County, the food insecurity rate is 10.6 percent, according to Feeding America.
According to the Bloomington Food Access Report the top five barriers to accessing food are high food prices, time to prepare food, low wages, housing costs, and limited transportation. In addition to low wages a percentage of residents said that social security benefits were too low to cover the cost of living.
WFHB News spoke with Julio Alonso, Executive Director and CEO of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. According to its website, Hoosier Hills collects, stores and distributes food to non-profit agencies that feed the hungry in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe counties.
We also spoke with the Executive Director of Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen in Nashville, Indiana, Jill Baker, who explained that people can’t afford to pay for groceries after they have paid for their rent and utilities. Tune in next week to learn more about how food insecurity impacts residents of Monroe County. To read the full article written by Christina Avery and Haley Miller, and photographed by Olivia Bianco, visit Limestone Post Magazine.
Better Beware:
Up next, “Counterfeit Websites” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Phony websites that are exact imitations of real ones are popping up all over the place, more than ever before. Here’s how to spot a fake and avoid giving away your personal info or passwords — or letting crooks take over your computer.
Laurisa LeSure, the Director of “Better Homes: The Play”On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Laurisa LeSure, the director of Better Homes: The Play. In the 1950s African American Studebaker workers from the South won out over Jim Crow in the North to build 22 homes in a white neighborhood and create a legacy. Their success demonstrates the decisive importance of fair housing for generations to come. It is a victory in a battle that has not been won yet since housing discrimination and redlining persist today.
Historical Marker for Better Homes of South BendThis collective group was known as the Better Homes of South Bend, and they built 22 homes on 1700-1800 blocks of North Elmer Street, creating a vibrant and peaceful community here in a formerly all-white neighborhood. And now, history is being transformed into a play based on the book by Gabrielle Robinson, Ph.D.
Gabrielle Robinson, Ph.D, Professor EmeritusIn honor of Black History Month, we felt it was important to shed light on this Indiana story of resilience. There is a historical marker on South Bend’s far northwest side where 22 Black families began a housing co-op in the 50s known as the “Better Homes of South Bend.” WNIT of South Bend will show the entire play along with talk-back segments from the cast & crew of “Better Homes: The Play” on Friday, February 23, at 9 PM and on Sunday, February 25, at 8 PM.
Residents of North Elmer St.Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 12th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin discusses the mention of “Inciting Joy” by Ross Gay in a recent city council meeting. We turn to Dave Askins for more. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Timber Tucker from the Bloomington Pickleball Club. It’s the hot new thing in recreational sports, but all of our local courts are outdoors. The club is lobbying the city to install permanent indoor pickleball courts for year-round play. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On February 7th at the Bloomington City Council Meeting, Council Member Shruti Rhana shared why she ran for the position and why she is stepping down.
Next, Capital Improvement Board Member Doug Bruce gave an update on the Convention Center Expansion Project.
Bruce shared information on the convention center’s current usage, and why its expansion is necessary.
Bruce continued, outlining the Capital Improvement Board’s task force’s work moving forward.
Council Member Matt Flaherty asked if the board had any idea yet if they would need more funding than the Food and Beverage Tax revenue, or if that would be sufficient. Bruce responded that at this time they think the revenue from the Food and Beverage tax will be sustainable.
Council Member Kate Rosenbarger asked where the convention center gets most of its visitors from. Bruce responded the majority are from Indiana..
Rosenbarger followed up and asked if the expansion aims to reach people from out of the state.
Bruce said that they haven’t discussed that yet, but that if the space is larger it could open the doors for more national groups.
Rosenbarger suggested that if the number of out of town guests does increase, that the Capital Improvement Board consider purchasing a shuttle to drive groups of people from the airport.
Council Member Isak Asare asked if the board had discussed how the convention center is used when there are no ongoing conventions.
Council Member Dave Rollo also asked about the other uses of the center, and noted that when it was created it was intended to also be used as a civic center. Bruce responded that the board has not discussed that yet.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on February 14th.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the February 7th meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, the commissioners rejected a motion for the rezoning of Worm’s Way property from Agriculture/Rural Reserve to Pre-Existing Business. The Property Owner, Martin Heydt, requested the property be rezoned to allow future businesses to buy and use the land.
In response to Heydt’s comments, many members of Windsor Private, a neighborhood adjacent to the Worm’s Way property expressed their disapproval of rezoning.
Local Real Estate Agent Julie Booze, a resident of Windsor Private, has shown the property twice for Heydt. Both times, the sale failed due to Heydt advertising the property improperly.
Another Windsor Private homeowner, Mike Hofstatler, shared concerns about the impact of rezoning on property values in the neighborhood.
Commissioner Julie Thomas responded saying that the residents of Windsor Private bought their properties with a neighboring garden supply store, and that rezoning that land to allow industrial business would impede on the residents.
All three commissioners voted ‘no’ on the motion to rezone Worm’s Way property after hearing over an hour of debate, nearly half of which was public comment in opposition to the rezoning. The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on February 14th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin discusses the mention of “Inciting Joy” by Ross Gay in a recent city council meeting. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Pickleball! It’s the hot new thing in recreational sports. Switchyard Park has four courts and RCA Park has six, but all of them are outdoors. The Bloomington Pickleball Club says we need some INDOOR courts for year-round play, and to keep up with rising demand. Club member Timber Tucker is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Pickleball! It’s the hot new thing in recreational sports. Switchyard Park has four courts and RCA Park has six, but all of them are outdoors. Bloomington Pickleball Club member Timber Tucker says we need some indoor courts for year-round play, and to keep up with rising demand.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month (except this month, 3rd Thu) as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Rose Roach, former director of the Minnesota Nurses Association and currently National Coordinator of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer. We talk about how nurses and doctors around the country are joining unions as they push back against the growing corporatization of the healthcare “industry.”
“Doctors and nurses are the conscience of health care. They are the voice for us as patients. Corporate health care doesn’t give two hoots about us, but not so when it comes to our doctors and our nurses. It is now evident that the only way to radically change a health care system that is nothing more than a health care marketplace these days, that is being bought up by Wall Street solely for the purpose of generating profit, is to radically engage care providers in the collective struggle that we are all in for a humane, patient-provider centered system. That’s why I believe that we are seeing more and more physicians exploring unions as a way to ensure their ability to practice medicine as they’ve been trained to do. Not to practice according to the corporate bosses who have been trained to make money. No one should profit from another human being suffering. Our doctors and nurses are coming together to fight against that ever growing focus of our health care system.” – Rose Roach
Minnesota Nurses Association
Nurses at IU Health’s University and Methodist hospitals eye unionizingFollow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This week, we focus on two people who are studies in dignity in the face of state repression. Jack Mazurek was arrested in Atlanta yesterday and charged with arson. These allegations stemmed from an attack last July on police motorcycles, which was rooted in the movement against Cop City. He is standing strong despite the serious charges against him, as people around the country mobilize in his defense. After addressing Jack’s charges, the rest of the episode features Leon Benson, who survived decades in Indiana prisons, organizing against the guards and admins despite terrifying repression, and who emerged unbroken and exonerated a year ago.
Javier Rosales regresa nuevamente a Hola Bloomington para hablarnos sobre la addiccion con el alcoholismo y el apoyo que brinda para cualquiera persona que sufra de esta enfermedad. Escucha el programa para obtener sus datos de contacto.
You’re listening to Eco Report. In today’s feature, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us Part Two of his discussion with Sam Carpenter on bills opposed and backed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session.
The olive tree, according to Greek mythology, was created by Athena, the goddess of wisdom, as a gift to the people of her namesake city, Athens. Olives and olive oil have become synonymous with Greece, and are credited, in part, with fueling the rise of Greek civilization. But despite a history spanning thousands of years, these culinary pillars of Greek identity are under threat. Small farmers expect this year’s harvest season, which got underway in November, to be one of the worst years on record, thanks to climate change and the irregular seasonal shifts it has wrought upon the flowering process and fruit development.
We are collecting olives much earlier than ever before. Our producers do not recall any year like this,” says Michael Antonopoulos, president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Kalamata. I think we will see less and less olive trees not only in our region, but all the Mediterranean, because the Africa heat line is moving forward to Europe. Greek growers are having to patrol their trees during harvest because of high levels of poaching. Spain has been blighted by a long-running drought, caused by record-high temperatures in 2022 and 2023 and almost three years of reduced rainfall. Throughout the country, reservoirs have been depleted; in the worst-affected areas, they are at less than 20 percent of their capacity.
The Mediterranean basin, responsible for about 95 percent of global olive oil production, was particularly impacted by both record heat and extreme weather events, with temperatures in Italy reaching 48.2°C, and record-high temperatures reported in Tunisia (49.0°C), Morocco (50.4°C) and Algeria (49.2°C). Furthermore, torrential rainfall resulted in flooding and damage to olive groves in Greece, Turkey and Libya, which also suffered a heavy loss of life. This year’s record temperatures may also impact olive oil production in the 2024/25 crop year, with glaciers in the European Alps experiencing an extreme melt from which they are unlikely to recover in the winter.
Melting snowpack from the Alps in the spring is one of the sources of water upon which northern Italian and French olive growers rely, especially as spring seasons become hotter and drier. The US produces less than 1% of the world’s olives. The major producer is Spain, followed by Italy and Greece. California is the only important olive growing state in the US. California olive production is mostly in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, although some acreage is reported throughout California. All agree we cannot return to the climate of the 20th century, but we must act now to limit the risks of an increasingly inhospitable climate in this and the coming centuries.
Roundup, the most popular and profitable weed killer ever sold, uses glyphosate as its most active ingredient. Glyphosate is toxic to most broadleaf plants and grasses. It kills most plants it comes into contact with, instead of targeting certain weeds or plants. Monsanto, a now defunct company, developed the product. Because glyphosate kills anything it touches, Monsanto developed plant seeds that were genetically modified to resist the damage of Roundup. This is when residential Roundup sales skyrocketed. However, as the years went on, science questioned the safety of glyphosate.
Studies have shown that the chemical might cause illness to humans and cause damage to the environment. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes glyphosate as possibly carcinogenic to humans —essentially, the IARC is saying this toxin may cause cancer. In 2018, Roundup was purchased by Bayer. By then, consumers had filed thousands of lawsuits linking Roundup to cancer. The most common cancer associated with Roundup is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer committed to begin in 2023 replacing “its glyphosate-based products in the U.S. residential Lawn & Garden market with new formulations that rely on alternative active ingredients.”
Given the extreme cold this past January, we checked to see if wind turbines are working. International design standards actually require that wind turbines can work at temperatures down to -4° Fahrenheit. Turbines engineered for cold climates—using technologies like cold-resistant steel and heaters to warm them—can work at temperatures down to -22° Fahrenheit. Below that there is some danger of blades becoming brittle and shattering. Even in a place like Alberta, Canada the turbines operate most of the time during the winter.
It’s a miracle! Paoli Peaks is celebrating 45 years in business. At the beginning, a fair amount of natural snowfall brought in skiers. At the beginning, natural snowfall in that zip code was around 25 inches. Now that area receives an average of 12 inches. The opening date for skiing has depended on the snow-gods and has varied widely. Early on, the closing date was late March; now nearly every year shows a closing a few days earlier. Now closing is more likely mid-February.
One thing is certain: there will come a year not far in the future when there is no skiing at Paoli. The global temperature is guaranteed to rise another 3 – 5 F because our country is exporting more fossil fuel than ever. Other countries, such as China, continue to build coal-fired power plants at a furious pace. Enjoy it when you can, because soon there will be only water skiing around Paoli.
And now, Part Two of Environmental Considerations in the current Legislative Session at the State Capitol with Zyro Roze and the Hoosier Environmental Council’s Sam Carpenter. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.
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Take the Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 10th, from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot. Discover more interesting facts about George Donaldson, an eccentric Scotsman and his contributions to Spring Mill State Park.
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The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 14th, at 9 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
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Take a Tea Blending for Winter Wellness class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Thursday, February 15th, from 6 to 8 pm. Learn to blend your own herbal tea to help support your immune system.
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Learn how to identify trees in the winter during a Buds & Barks Winter Tree ID Hike at Olcott Park in Bloomington on Saturday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 pm. You will be outside taking a close look at the bark, branches and buds to seek out the tree identification. Dress for the weather.
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The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series continues with a Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve Hike on Saturday, February 17th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike along a fire trail and horse trail. The Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve is the largest nature preserve in the state and has a very unique story. Please dress for the weather. Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.
Thank you for listening and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
He has bussed tables, washed dishes, waited on diners, bartended, managed restaurants, and now serves as the operations director for the Chocolate Moose. Jordan Davis realized early on in his career that making the dining out experience successful entails the efforts of many people, coming from many backgrounds, doing many jobs. His weekly No Dishes podcast allows viewers to peek behind the curtain of the restaurant world. His guests have included restaurant owners, bussers, chefs, and even a competitive eater and a person responsible for feeding Indiana University athletic teams. Davis also reveals how Food Truck Fridays came about.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
When we think about the Statue of Liberty, American ideals like freedom, equality, and democracy often come to mind. Lady Liberty stands proudly near Ellis Island as a welcoming icon to those entering the U.S. possibly in search of those ideals.
The story we’ve been told about Lady Liberty doesn’t always align with the country we know. The U.S. hasn’t always welcomed everyone equally. In a world where Jim Crow laws and brutal slave codes existed, how does Lady Liberty stand true?
In the first episode of History Unbound, host Brookelyn Lambright breaks down how we might begin to think about Lady Liberty and the American ideals she seems to represent.
She speaks with local community members to hear their understanding of Lady Liberty, and she talks to the Assistant Director of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University, Barbara Truesdell. Truesdell, the co-author of the academic piece, The Changing Face of the Statue of Liberty sheds light on how Lady Liberty has changed throughout America’s history.
Barbara Truesdell Photo courtesy of Indiana Unviersity-BloomingtonSources used to inform this episode:
Tyler Stovall, White Freedom and the Lady of Liberty
“White Freedom and the Lady of Liberty” by Tyler Stovall
The Changing Face of the Statue of Liberty by John Bodnar, Laura Burt, Jennifer Stinson and Barbara Truesdell
“The Black Statue of Liberty Rumor” by Rebecca M. Joseph Ph.D.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 8th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us a new segment called History Unbound. This news segment explores American history and culture through a critical lens. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked. More following today’s feature report.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works approved the lane, sidewalk, alley and road closure request from Milestone Contractors for the Clear Creek Tunnel Project at their meeting on January 30. This project, previously known as the Hidden River Pathway Project, aims to prevent flooding downtown on Kirkwood Avenue. Public Works Director Adam Wason shared the history and need for the project.
This phase of the Clear Creek Tunnel Project will affect the area around Dunn Street and Indiana Avenue where they meet Kirkwood Avenue. Kyle Baugh, an Engineering Field Specialist on the project, talked about the project timeline.
Thomas Gott, the Milestone Project Manager, interjected that the planned shutdown of Indiana Avenue will be between May and June when most college students are off campus. Wason added that the construction timeline could impact Bloomington businesses and festivals, but the Board is in communication with the downtown business owners and organizers.
Board member Kyla Cox Deckard added that this project, though disruptive, is necessary to maintain downtown.
The board members approved the lane, sidewalk, alley and road closure request from Milestone Contractors for the Clear Creek Tunnel Project.
The Board of Public Works will meet again on February 13th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us a new segment called History Unbound. This news segment explores American history and culture through a new lens. Today, she breaks down Lady Liberty and why the ideals America attaches to her are not always reality. She also speaks with local community members about their understandings of Lady Liberty, and the assistant director for the center of documentary research and practice at IU, Barbara Truesdell. That’s coming up on History Unbound on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked. Today, Mitchell presents a brief history of Garrett Morgan, the black inventor of the automotive traffic control light, and the story of an unsung black race car driver, Fred Patterson. We turn to Liz Mitchell for more.
Garrett MorganFrederick PattersonCredits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.
Dark Past, Bright Future is produced by Liz Mitchell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 7th, 2024.
Later in the program, we take a look at the most recent episode of Bring It On – WFHB’s Black affairs program. Hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell put the spotlight on Black History Month in Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Stand – Or Tap – And Deliver! on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
City of Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the January 29th meeting of the Bloomington Utilities Service Board Meeting, representatives from Blucher Poole Wastewater Treatment Plant requested approval for multiple agenda items pertaining to facility updates. These updates include a belt press replacement costing about $16,180 and P-L-C upgrades.
Council Member Kirk White asked if the P-L-C upgrades would improve cybersecurity.
Blucher Poole Data Analyst Jill Minor responded.
Council President Megan Parmenter addressed the multiple projects going on at Blucher Poole and requested a master plan. Capital Projects Manager Daniel Hudson said the plant is working on a five year master plan.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on February 12th at 5:00pm.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we take a look at the most recent episode of Bring It On – WFHB’s Black affairs program. Hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell put the spotlight on Black History Month in Bloomington. Bring It On welcomes guests Shatoyia Moss from the City of Bloomington and Dr. Gloria Howell and William Lawrence from Indiana University. Here in Bloomington, the Black History Month theme for this year, “Blacks in Cinema,” celebrates the profound impact and enduring contributions of Black individuals in the world of film. Bring It On airs each Monday on WFHB at 6 p.m. To listen to the full program, visit this link. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, Stand – Or Tap – And Deliver! on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Chantalle LaFontant.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Digital payment services like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App have become more and more dangerous. It’s not just hackers, it’s street criminals — this is a new way to assault and rob people in person! Watch out!
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 6th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Dan Vest, Monroe County Animal Management Officer. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works approved the lane, sidewalk, alley and road closure request from Milestone Contractors for the Clear Creek Tunnel Project at their meeting on January 30.
This project, previously known as the Hidden River Pathway Project, aims to prevent flooding downtown on Kirkwood Avenue. Public Works Director Adam Wason shared the history and need for the project.
This phase of the Clear Creek Tunnel Project will affect the area around Dunn Street and Indiana Avenue where they meet Kirkwood Avenue. Kyle Baugh, an Engineering Field Specialist on the project, talked about the project timeline.
Thomas Gott, the Milestone Project Manager, interjected that the planned shutdown of Indiana Avenue will be between May and June when most college students are off campus.
Wason added that the construction timeline could impact Bloomington businesses and festivals, but the Board is in communication with the downtown business owners and organizers.
Board member Kyla Cox Deckard added that this project, though disruptive, is necessary to maintain downtown.
The board members approved the lane, sidewalk, alley and road closure request from Milestone Contractors for the Clear Creek Tunnel Project.
The Board of Public Works will meet again on February 13th.
Monroe County Commissioners and the Monroe County Plan Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.On January 29th, the Monroe County Commissioners and the Monroe County Plan Commission met to discuss House Bill 11-08. The bill would allow developers to build on slopes that are up to twenty five percent.
Commissioner Julie Thomas began the meeting by suggesting they start by coming up with compromises or revisions they could propose.
Director of the Planning Department Jackie Jelen shared that the bill would impact a local law the commissioners made that development could only be built on a slope of up to 15 percent in some areas and up to 18 percent in others.
The commissioners and the plan commission discussed alternatives to the wording of the bill.
Commissioner Penny Githens shared why she is concerned about the bill.
Jelen suggested that if the bill does pass, there will be a new stormwater management ordinance in the spring that they can attempt to address the consequences of the bill.
The special meeting was concluded with no future meetings scheduled at this point.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Dan Vest, Monroe County Animal Management Officer, about animal control, what his job entails and how much he loves his job. We turn to Robert Shull for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Robert Shull.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Today Bring It On!’s hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Micthell, spend the hour with Jim Sms and Beverly Calender Anderson.
Jim SimsWhen Bring It On launched in 2005, Jim Sims was the first co-anchor along with Delia Alexander. Jim was employed at Indiana University – Residential Programs and Services Division (31 years) and additionally served as Council liaison to the City of Bloomington Utilities (among other council board, commission, and committee appointments), as President of the Monroe County NAACP, and as Chair for Second Baptist Church Trustee Board. Jim is the second African American to ever serve on Bloomington City Council, where he also served as Council President and At-Large Representative.
Beverly Calender AndersonBeverly Calender Anderson has enjoyed a long tenure as one of the distinctive voices as an anchor for Bring It On! For more than 18 years Beverly has served the City of Bloomington in the Community and Family Resources Department. First as the director of Safe and Civil Cities (9+ years) and then as director of the department (9+ years). She is a longtime leader in the community, through her roles with the City of Bloomington, and countless other community-based roles on boards and commissions. She serves as an inspiration to women in local government and social services. She leads humbly but firmly, she encourages creative solutions to new problems, mentors and supports others, and she is willing to go above and beyond her job description to serve our community. Among her many recognitions, in 2021, she was bestowed the distinction as a Women Excel Bloomington Honoree.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 5th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an update on an annexation lawsuit hearing on February 8th. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Kathy Romy from One Hundred Plus Women Who Care, a philanthropy club supporting local nonprofits. Find out how they raise fifteen or even twenty thousand dollars in one hour later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Election Board
Photo courtesy of CATS – Community Access Television ServicesAt the Monroe County Election Board meeting on February 1st, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave her update to the board.
Browne shared the deadline to register to vote in the next election is coming up, and shared the primary early voting hours.
Lastly, she shared legislative updates she is following.
Later in the meeting, the Election Board discussed the late CFA filings of City Council Candidates Isak Asare and Steve Volan.
Volan explained that he was late filing his CFA-4 by a few hours, and he incorrectly submitted his CFA-11.
The board fined Volan for the late CFA-4 form, and gave him a warning for his CFA-11 filing as it was his first time with that specific form.
Candidate Asare was not present at the meeting. It was his second late filing, and the procedure would be to charge him for the days that he was late. He was three days late making the fine $150.
County Attorney Molly Turner-King recommended that the board table their vote on the fine.
The board tabled the final decision on the fine to ensure that the candidate Asare had received the letter about the late filing.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on March 7th.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo courtesy of CATS – Community Access Television ServicesDuring the January 31st meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, the commissioners presented to the public on the State of the County. Commissioner Julie Thomas started off the address by saying the county is facing parallel issues to that of global issues, but that they are tackling them locally.
Commissioner Penny Githens provided an update on the distribution of opioid settlement funds in the county.
Thomas then clarified developments regarding the county’s intention to build a new jail.
Commissioner Lee Jones recapped the county’s environmental considerations concerning the Houston South Vegetation Project.
The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting will take place on February 7th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an update on an annexation lawsuit hearing on February 8th. We turn to Askins for more.
It’s part lottery, part democracy, and all heart. 100+ Women Who Care is a giving club, pooling individual donations into a cash prize awarded to local nonprofits four times a year. Their first meeting of 2024 is this coming Wednesday, when the club will donate fifteen thousand dollars to charity…maybe even more. Club member Kathy Romy is here to tell us how it works on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate was produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Micthell, put the spotlight on Black History Month in Bloomington, IN. Here in Bloomington, the Black History Month theme for this year, “Blacks in Cinema,” celebrates the profound impact and enduring contributions of Black individuals in the world of film. Throughout history, Black filmmakers, actors, and storytellers have played pivotal roles in shaping the cinematic landscape, enriching it with diverse narratives and perspectives. This theme invites reflection on the resilience, creativity, and transformative power of Black voices within the realm of cinema.
On the Indiana University campus, the theme for this year’s celebration is “For the Culture,” which symbolizes the contributions of Black people from around the world and here at Indiana University. The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC) chose this theme as a way to honor and celebrate the culture, beauty, creativity, intellect, and resilience of Black people everywhere. As one of the oldest Black culture centers in the nation, the NMBCC is proud to celebrate 50 years of power, progress, and promise.
Joining us this evening to discuss celebratory activities surrounding Black History Month in the City of Bloomington and on the Indiana University Bloomington campus are Bring It On! guests, Shatoyia Moss, Director of Safe and Civil Cities for the City of Bloomington, Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, and William Lawrence, Director of the Black Film Center & Archives also on the IUB campus.
Shatoyia Moss, Director of Safe and Civil Cities for the City of BloomingtonDr. Gloria Howell, Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at the Indiana University BloomingtonWilliam Lawrence, Director of the Black Film Center & Archives at Indiana University BloomingtonCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
It’s part lottery, part democracy, and all heart. 100+ Women Who Care is a giving club, pooling individual donations into a cash prize awarded to local nonprofits four times a year. Club member Kathy Romy explains how it works.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
You’re listening to Eco Report for Friday, February 2, 2024.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets a breakdown of some bills currently before the Indiana House and Senate in Part One of his conversation with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council.
And now for your environmental reports:
To help Indiana schools celebrate Earth Day 2024, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is offering free hands-on classroom presentations to elementary students across the state. Every year, IDEM staff visit schools to talk about their careers and share STEM-based lessons on air, land, water, and recycling.
“I am pleased to have IDEM staff visit classrooms to work with Indiana’s leaders of tomorrow. Our STEM-based lessons are a great way to emphasize the importance of taking care of our environment while also introducing them to environmental-related careers,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “I hope Indiana’s teachers will take advantage of this great opportunity!”
Classroom Earth Day presentations are available for elementary schools and vary in length from 30 to 50 minutes. The interactive presentations offer activities such as reduce, reuse, recycle your trash, how long does your trash last, or a demonstration on how water flows through a watershed.
In-person classroom presentations are available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the month of April, and each school may request up to four presentations. Registration is now open. Teachers can request a classroom presentation by visiting on.IN.gov/IDEMclassroom
—Indiana Department of Environmental Management
The UPI reports obtaining financial relief following more frequent natural disasters in an era of climate change will be easier under new guidelines published recently, the Biden administration says.
U.S. officials say people impacted by natural disasters should now have an easier time obtaining help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program, which includes financial assistance to help pay for lodging, food, and other necessities following a natural disaster.
(quote)The limitations of federal assistance have delayed disaster recovery for too many — especially communities that are disproportionately affected by disasters,(end quote) Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement last Friday.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said the changes are the most significant program updates in 20 years and eliminate red tape to make it easier for individuals to obtain services, resources and support when natural disasters occur.
Mayorkas and Criswell said more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change made it necessary to update and streamline the system so disaster survivors have faster and easier access to needed resources.
FEMA removed prior loan application requirements to obtain certain types of financial assistance through the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and programs. Now, disaster survivors can apply for financial help from FEMA and the SBA at the same time.
FEMA also will pay up to $42,500 to households for costs not covered by insurance, including deductibles and losses that exceed insurance limits. The financial help is in addition to insurance payments that might be made to cover insured losses due to a natural disaster. FEMA previously would not help those who received at least $42,500 in settlement funds from insurers.
The United States endured 28 natural disasters that totaled more than $1 billion in damages in 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported. Other disasters also occurred, including drought in the South and Midwest that caused about $14.5 billion in damages, CNN reported.
—Norm Holy
How Much Ice Is Greenland Losing? Researchers have found an Answer.
The island is shedding 20 percent more than previously estimated, a study found, potentially threatening ocean currents that help to regulate global temperatures.
Greenland’s expansive ice sheet is known to be shrinking, especially since the 1990s, because of warming from climate change. It’s a fate shared by the Antarctic Ice Sheet as well as glaciers around the world. Now, a new study reveals that about 20 percent more of the Greenland ice sheet has disappeared than previous estimates show.
The missing ice has been breaking and melting from the ends of glaciers around Greenland’s perimeter. The new research, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, provides a detailed accounting of a process that scientists knew was happening but had struggled to measure comprehensively.
“Almost every glacier in Greenland is retreating. And that story is true no matter where you look,” said Chad Greene, a glaciologist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the lead author of the study. “This retreat is happening everywhere and all at once.”
Because the ends of these glaciers generally sit below sea level, within deep fjords, their retreat isn’t directly adding a significant amount to sea level rise. But melting ice still adds an influx of freshwater that has implications for global climate models and projections, and for the system of ocean currents that regulates temperatures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dr. Greene’s team combined more than 200,000 observations of glacier end points, covering almost all of Greenland, based on satellite images taken from 1985 to 2022. The researchers used observations from existing public data sets and combined them to create a comprehensive bird’s-eye view of the contracting edges of Greenland’s ice sheet over the past 40 years.
Earlier estimates of the changing size of Greenland’s ice sheet were based on three types of measurements: the altitude of the sheet’s surface, the velocity of ice passing by fixed locations and the gravitational pull produced by the sheet’s mass.
Combining several of these estimates, scientists arrived at a consensus that Greenland has lost a total of nearly five trillion metric tons of ice since 1992.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and Sam Carpenter of the Hoosier Environmental Council as they discuss the ongoing Legislative Session at the State Capitol and proposed laws relating to wetlands, wild lands, lead testing and lead service lines.
Ways To Get Involved:
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
- “Eagles Over Monroe” is an annual event that celebrates Monroe Lake’s unique history with the Bald Eagle. The event begins on Thursday, February 1st and runs through Sunday, February 4th with special activities planned for each day. Go to bit.ly/eom2024 to get the full schedule.
- Brown County State Park continues their Winter Hike Series with The Lake That Never Was hike on Saturday, February 3rd, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Hike to the Taylor Hollow Lake to see the 3rd lake in Brown County that was started and never completed. This is a 2.5 mile, rugged hike. Wear water proof shoes and dress for the weather.
- The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 7th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
- A Winter Exploration Hike at Allens Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. These hikes feature off-trail hiking through lesser-known areas of Monroe Lake. There is no “set” path and no planned route. There are no formal toilet facilities. Register at bit.ly/weh-feb7-2024.
- Learn about the Earth’s Most Venomous Snakes at Brown County State Park on Friday, February 9th, from 4 to 4:45 pm in the Nature Center. Indiana has 4 species of venomous snakes. You will learn how Indiana’s venomous snakes compare to the rest of the world.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.
Alexandra, fotógrafa colombiana – americana, regresa a Hola Bloomington para platicarnos de los próximos trabajos que presentará después de su exhibición en IU.
Koch (pronounced kaw) took the reins last July from longtime executive director Tamara Loewenthal and this year will oversee the 31st Lotus World Music & Arts Festival from start to finish. Koch runs the business end of the nonprofit Lotus Educational & Arts Foundation while Loewenthal, who remains on board as artistic director, concentrates on the arts, cultural, and performance aspects of Lotus. Koch hopes to integrate physical and mental health, culture, music, and food in the Lotus world as she has run a southern Indiana network of clinics, has been a personal chef, and even worked in Bloomington’s venerable Goods for Cooks shop.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 1st, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Part Two of the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare, where we welcomed Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at Ball State University. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the January 29th meeting of the Bloomington Utilities Service Board Meeting, representatives from Blucher Poole Wastewater Treatment Plant requested approval for multiple agenda items pertaining to facility updates. These updates include a belt press replacement costing about $16,180 and PLC upgrades.
Council Member Kirk White asked if the PLC upgrades would improve cybersecurity. Blucher Poole Data Analyst Jill Minor confirmed.
Council President Megan Parmenter addressed the multiple projects going on at Blucher Poole and requested a master plan. Capital Projects Manager Daniel Hudson said the plant is working on a five year master plan.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on February 12th at 5:00pm.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on January 22nd to discuss a new initiative, Ordinance 2024-02, a plan for implementing a new e-commerce utilities platform to pay bills and transfer funds online.
Council member William Ellis asked if the platform would allow residents to pay their utility bills online with their bank information. Deputy clerk Noelle Conyer responded affirmatively, saying that the platform would make it easier for customers to set up and track payments. The town is already paying for most of the services required for the platform.
The council ultimately decided to table Ordinance 2024-02 until their next meeting.
Next, the council discussed approving the hiring of two new employees for the Department of Public Works.
The first position, called Labor 1, is an existing position that needs to be filled. The second, Labor 2, is a new position without currently authorized funds budgeted towards its salary. Town Manager Mike Farmer clarified that the first-year salary for Labor 2 was planned to be covered by the current DNR Next Level Trails grant.
Farmer further explained that after the grant runs out, the recent increase in water rates is supposed to cover the salary for Labor 2 in the future.
Farmer requested that the funds for Labor 2 be authorized by the clerk’s office to proceed with the hiring process. The council approved the hire of Labor 1 and approved permission to hire Labor 2 while salary funding is pending authorization.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on February 5th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Part Two of the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare, where we welcomed Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of Center Business Economic Research at Ball State University.
His work has appeared not only in scholarly sources but also in such publications and media as Rolling Stone, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR, and Fox Business News. Dr. Hicks joined us to discuss the impact of public schools on a community’s economic development.We now turn to Part II of an interview with Dr. Hicks on Civic Conversations coming your way on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell featuring accounts of Black history that often go overlooked. Today, Mitchell presents a brief history of Madame C.J. Walker’s triumph over adversity to become the first Black woman millionaire in America. We turn to Liz Mitchell for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Dark Past, Bright Future was produced by Liz Mitchell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animal: Freya
This week’s featured animal is Freya, a Bully Breed Mix dog, just a little over 3 years old. The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter describes her as “an absolute treasure”. She came to the shelter with her younger sister and nursing seven rowdy puppies. Now, she’s single and ready to mingle! Freya is thriving in a foster home with another dog and cats, and her foster guardians think very highly of her. If you’re looking for a serious snuggler who’s chock-full of kisses, Freya might be the one for you! If you are interested in learning more about Freya, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Canine Respiratory Disease of Unknown Cause(s)
Cases of canine respiratory disease of undetermined cause(s) have been increasingly reported across the United States. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about common signs of respiratory disease in dogs, high-risk situations to avoid, and the importance of keeping a dog up-to-date on vaccinations.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 31st, 2024.
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Publisher of the Limestone Post Ron Eid and Board President Becky Hill about the state of local news, nonprofit journalism and what the future will look like for the online magazine. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Looking Ahead” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.On January 23rd, several parents, staff and community members attended the Monroe County Community School Corporation board meeting to express their opinions about the elementary school consolidation plan proposed by district superintendent Jeff Hauswauld this past December.
Hauswauld’s proposal suggested two potential mergers with the goal of balancing the socioeconomic status within the school district.
The first would combine Templeton Elementary and Childs Elementary students, where Childs Elementary would house pre-k to second grade and Templeton Elementary would house third grade to sixth grade.
The second would combine University Elementary and Fairview Elementary students, where University Elementary would house pre-k to third grade and Fairview Elementary would house fourth grade to sixth grade.
Parent to two Templeton Elementary students and spouse to a Templeton Elementary teacher, Colleen Rose spoke for the proposal, briefly discussing the differences in test scores, socioeconomic status and P-T-O funding between Templeton and Childs elementary.
Community member Nathaniel Grow spoke out against the proposal, highlighting disparities between the schools chosen and not chosen for consolidation, and explaining that the problem at hand needed more analysis, explanation and discussion among the community.
MCCSC Board Assistant Secretary Ashley Pirani reassured members that the board has been transparent with them and recognized that change takes time.
Board Member Brandon Shurr moved to add conversations about consolidating Childs and Templeton Elementary and county-wide redistricting to the March agenda. In the meantime, board members agreed to release parent forums, teacher forums, and an online question portal to encourage conversations about the topics amongst the community.
The next MCCSC board meeting will be held on February 27th.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
During the January 22nd meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, the commissioners heard three contract proposals for renovations to the city’s Showers-West building. This is the next step in an initiative to relocate police and fire headquarters to city hall. City attorney Larry Allen walked through the resolutions before the commission, and noted that some of the current tenants are not keen to move out early.
Commission Member John West asked about how the transition to the new mayoral administration has impacted the project. Allen responded.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice followed up on the points made by Allen saying that some tenants are ready to move out while at least a half a dozen others prefer to stay.
Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked for more information on the status of current tenants. West also says he would appreciate more information in order for the commission to make an informed decision. Rice said that she can prepare a more comprehensive list of tenants by their February meeting.
The first three resolutions were approved on the condition that lease agreements would be included in meeting minutes. The final resolution was pushed back to a later date. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again for its regular session on February 5th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on January 22nd to discuss a new initiative, Ordinance 2024-02, a plan for implementing a new e-commerce utilities platform to pay bills and transfer funds online.
Council member William Ellis asked if the platform would allow residents to pay their utility bills online with their bank information. Deputy clerk Noelle Conyer responded affirmatively, saying that the platform would make it easier for customers to set up and track payments. The town is already paying for most of the services required for the platform.
The council ultimately decided to table Ordinance 2024-02 until their next meeting.
Next, the council discussed approving the hiring of two new employees for the Department of Public Works.
The first position, called Labor 1, is an existing position that needs to be filled. The second, Labor 2, is a new position without currently authorized funds budgeted towards its salary. Town Manager Mike Farmer clarified that the first-year salary for Labor 2 was planned to be covered by the current DNR Next Level Trails grant.
Farmer further explained that after the grant runs out, the recent increase in water rates is supposed to cover the salary for Labor 2 in the future.
Farmer requested that the funds for Labor 2 be authorized by the clerk’s office to proceed with the hiring process. The council approved the hire of Labor 1 and approved permission to hire Labor 2 while salary funding is pending authorization.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on February 5th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Publisher of the Limestone Post Ron Eid and Board President Becky Hill about the state of local news, nonprofit journalism and what the future of the magazine will look like for the online magazine. We turn to host and producer of Big Talk, Michael Glab, for more.
Up next, “Looking Ahead” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month, we welcomed Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of Center Business Economic Research at Ball State University. His work has appeared not only in scholarly sources but also in such publications and media as Rolling Stone, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR, and Fox Business News. Dr. Hicks joined us to discuss the impact of public schools on a community’s economic development.
In the podcast, Dr. Hicks discusses the impact of Indiana’s voucher program on school choice and public schools. According to Dr. Hicks, Indiana has spent approximately $80 million since 2019 on voucher programs and other charter schools. Indiana currently spends roughly $10,095 per student on public education, while the average amount in the US is $12,612 per pupil. In his research, Dr. Hicks has found that quality public schools contribute directly to a community’s economy. For instance, 30% of all home buyers consider the quality of public schools when buying a home; even a school’s test scores can contribute to home-buying decisions.
Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores stark realities and imaginative solutions with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age about her formative years, her travels and educational attainments, her return to her home state, the Owen County property that she is reclaiming and her passion for environmental and social justice.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 30th, 2024.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin filed a report on the vacancy of the Monroe County Election Supervisor position. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a segment in collaboration between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On January 24th, 2024, the Bloomington City Council met for their regularly scheduled session.
During council member reports, Council Member Dave Rollo shared his concerns about recent Indiana legislation that would allow developers to build on slopes that are steeper than the current
Monroe County zoning codes allow. He explained that there will be environmental consequences, specifically to the Lake Monroe Reservoir.
During her council report, Council Member Hopi Stosberg gave an update on the recent MCCSC meeting and the initiative to make the county’s school corporation more socially and economically equitable.
Stosberg continued, and shared more information on the school systems’ history with disparity.
The only item on the council’s agenda for the meeting was to transfer funds from the Motor Vehicle Highway Restricted Street Fund into the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund, and to additionally appropriate ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund expenditures that had not already otherwise been appropriated for 2024. City Clerk Nicole Biolden read the title and synopsis of the ordinance.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice expounded on the appropriation ordinance.
Local resident Trin Piedra addressed concerns for people who are unhoused and urged the council to consider additional funds for that community.
During public comment, local resident Kyle Halvorsen took to the podium to address concerns about allocating funds to assist people experiencing homelessness.
The council approved the appropriation ordinance by a unanimous vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on January 31st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin filed a report on the vacancy of the Monroe County Election Supervisor position. We turn to Askins for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a segment in collaboration with WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
More of the latest wrinkles in scams and swindles that have surfaced recently. It’s important to keep up and not let the scammers get ahead of you!
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, dozens came out to protest IU’s cancellation of Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby outside the Eskenazi Art Museum on Friday. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Raquel Anderson from El Centro Comunal with some examples of the work their volunteers do to support Bloomington’s Latino community. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on January 24th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on influenza cases in the region.
Next, Chief Deputy Phil Parker gave a department update on the jail facilities, which he clarified did not have any heating issues during the cold spell.
Although they didn’t have heating issues, he shared that they do have other infrastructure issues. The most recent one being the plumbing.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about a Memorandum of Understanding with the Community Kitchen to help fund their new facility.
Commissioner Penny Githens shared her support for the new facility.
Commissioner Lee Jones added that the location will help with the food desert.
The commissioners unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 31st.
Monroe County Council
During department updates, at the Monroe County Council meeting on January 23rd, the Sheriff Department Financial Coordinator Jordan Miller presented the Semi-annual Commissary Fund Report.
Council Member Kate Wiltz thanked him for the promptness of the report
Council Member Marty Hawke said that the transparency of the report serves to show the public that the sheriff’s department is being run well.
Council Member Geoff McKim asked about the expenditures, and if they were one time purchases. Miller responded, and Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons added more details about what has led to the recent increase in expenses.
Later during the meeting Convention and Visitors Commission Member Michael Campbell asked the council to approve an additional appropriation of funds for Karst Turf Project.
Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer spoke next to share her support for the project.
McKim thanked Witmer for her work to ensure the field is environmentally friendly.
The council voted unanimously to approve the appropriation of funds for the project.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on February 13th.
Dozens Protest IU’s Cancellation of Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby
Demonstrators gathered outside the Eskenazi Art museum to protest Indiana University’s canceling the art exhibition of Palestinian American artist, Samia Halaby.
A retrospective featuring Halaby’s work was slated to open on February 10th. In late December, the museum canceled the exhibit. This came in the aftermath of Halaby’s statements online criticizing Israel’s war on Gaza.
Reed Hepburn, a concerned community member and organizer of the protest, said the cancellation of Halaby’s exhibit goes against the university’s principles of academic freedom and diversity.
Hepburn said that he wants to see the university reinstate the exhibit and acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Protesters directed their frustration at IU President Pamela Whitten.
Hepburn reiterated that acknowledgement is key when it comes to his preferred response from President Whitten’s office.
Hepburn said that society needs to end the culture of silence and complicity surrounding Israel’s war on Gaza.
An IU spokesperson told WFHB News in an email, “Academic leaders and campus officials canceled the exhibit due to concerns about guaranteeing the security of the exhibit for its duration.”
Feature Report:
A local nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help support Bloomington’s Latino community. Raquel Anderson is on the board of directors over at El Centro Comunal, a grassroots organization completely independent of the university or government. Raquel is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
El Centro Comunal supports Bloomington’s Latino community. Raquel Anderson is on the board of directors of this grassroots organization that is completely independent of the university or government.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Online magazine Limestone Post has been publishing long-form articles on local issues as well as arts, entertainment, and cultural topics since 2015. With the slow demise of local daily newspapers, Limestone Media, the magazine’s parent company, hopes to fill the void with an emerging network of independent news sources in and around Bloomington. The nonprofit (since 2019) will serve as an umbrella organizer for a planned daily news site and will spend 2024 arranging for financing and assembling a team of contributors and participants in an ambitious project to bring news gathering into the 21st century. Limestone Media co-founder Ron Eid and Board of Directors President Rebecca Hill tell Big Talk the nonprofit will continue to publish Limestone Post in its current form even after the new site launches.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Kerry Thomson, la Alcaldesa de Bloomington viene a hablarnos de los primeros 100 días de su gobierno, su experiencia en Habitat for Humanity y en países de habla hispana, y su acercamiento con la comunidad hispana de Bloomington.
You’re listening to Eco Report for January 26th, 2024.
Later in the program, we will listen to Part 4 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age.
And now for your environmental reports:
Inside Climate Change reports that in an unprecedented step to preserve and maintain the most carbon-rich elements of U.S. forests in an era of climate change, President Joe Biden’s administration recently proposed to end commercially driven logging of old-growth trees in National Forests.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, issued a Notice of Intent to amend the land management plans of all 128 National Forests to prioritize old-growth conservation and recognize the oldest trees’ unique role in carbon storage. It would be the first nationwide amendment to forest plans in the 118-year history of the Forest Service, where local rangers typically have the final word on how to balance forests’ role in watershed, wildlife and recreation with the agency’s mandate to maintain a “sustained yield” of timber.
National and local environmental advocates have been urging the Biden administration to adopt a new policy emphasizing preservation in National Forests, treating them as a strategic reserve of carbon. Although they praised the old-growth proposal as an “historic” step, they want to see protection extended to “mature” forests, those dominated by trees roughly 80 to 150 years old, which are a far larger portion of the National Forests. As old-growth trees are lost, which can happen rapidly due to megafires and other assaults, they argue that the Forest Service should be ensuring there are fully developed trees on the landscape to take their place.
The National Climate Assessment released by the administration this fall included data underscoring the urgency of the issue: The amount of carbon sequestered by U.S. forest land decreased by 22 percent from 1990 to 2019 due to a combination of drought, wildfire and disturbances by insects and disease. In webcast presentations this fall on its work to update agency policy, the Forest Service showed that the amount of mature and old-growth forest in National Forests exposed to temperatures in excess of 90 degrees for more than two months a year has doubled compared to the last three decades of the last century. If global carbon emissions continue on a high trajectory, exposure to such extreme temperatures is on track to double again by mid-century and double again by the end of the 21st century. This will raise the destructiveness of fires.
Of Indiana’s original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have been selected as National Natural Landmarks. The government has shown little interest in preserving even this small amount of old growth forests.
—Norm Holy
The states that rely on the Colorado River, which is shrinking because of climate change and overuse, are rushing to agree on a long-term deal to share the dwindling resource by the end of the year. They worry that a change in administrations after the election could set back talks. The story appeared in the New York Times.
Negotiators are seeking an agreement that would prepare for extraordinary cuts in the amount of river water that can be tapped. The Colorado provides drinking water to 40 million people in seven states, 30 tribes and Mexico, as well as irrigation for some of America’s most productive farmland. But the amount of water flowing in the Colorado has declined over time as rising temperatures reduce the snowpack that feeds the river.
The rules that govern the distribution of Colorado River water expire at the end of 2026. Negotiators are trying to reach a deal quickly, in case the White House changes hands. It’s not the prospect of a Republican administration that is particularly concerning, negotiators said, but rather a change in personnel and the time required to build new relationships between state and federal officials.
The Colorado River hit a crisis a year and a half ago, when dangerously low water levels threatened the water supply for California, Arizona and Nevada, prompting the Biden administration to seek an agreement among states on deep cuts. That crisis receded after last year’s unusually wet winter, which temporarily reduced pressure on the river; in May, California, Arizona and Nevada agreed to more modest reductions than what the government had initially sought.
But those negotiations were a precursor to a much harder challenge. Whatever agreement replaces the current rules will require far deeper reductions than in the past.
—Norm Holy
John Kerry, President Biden’s special envoy for climate, plans to step down by spring, ending a three-year run in a major diplomatic role that was created especially for him and which will face an uncertain future with his departure.
Mr. Kerry, age 80, has served as the president’s top diplomat on climate change since early 2021, working to cajole governments around the world to aggressively cut their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. He led the U.S. negotiating team through three United Nations climate summits, reasserting American leadership after the country withdrew from the Paris climate agreement during the Trump administration. Mr. Kerry championed cooperation on global warming between the United States and China, the world’s two largest polluters, during times of tension.
The bottom line concerning his leadership is that little was accomplished. His persuasion was too gentle. He failed to communicate the urgency required to make progress. He does not seem to recognize how quickly we are reaching a point where a couple billion people will be facing calamity.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
And now, Part Four of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan, a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice.
And now for some upcoming events:
- Learn some Indiana history during the Village History Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 27th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Meet at the Village Ordinary Concession Stand and take a leisurely stroll with Tony to hear about the village’s past.
- The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 31st, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
- “Eagles Over Monroe” is an annual event that celebrates Monroe Lake’s unique history with the Bald Eagle. The event begins on Thursday, February 1st and runs through Sunday, February 4th with special activities planned for each day. Go to bit.ly/eom2024 to get the full schedule.
- There will be an Owl Prowl at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Friday, February 2nd, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center to learn all about owls, then you will head outside to get a look at some of the resident short-eared owls. Dress for the weather.
- Brown County State Park continues their Winter Hike Series with The Lake That Never Was hike on Saturday, February 3rd, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Hike to the Taylor Hollow Lake to see the 3rd lake in Brown County that was started and never completed. This is a 2.5 mile, rugged hike. Wear water proof shoes and dress for the weather.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy
Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 25th, 2024.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a segment in collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB. Today, we welcome Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of the Center of Business Economic Research at Ball State University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro provides a rundown of recent news in the disability community on a new episode of Disabulletin.
But first, your local headlines:
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the January 16th meeting for the Richland-Bean Blossom School Board of School Trustees, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin proposed an increase in the full-day rate for three-year-olds attending Edgewood Early Childhood Center.
Irwin proposed a three-dollar increase which would raise prices from $32 to $35 per day and could bring in an estimated nine thousand dollars ($9,000) to the school corporation.
The board approved the proposal for the 2024-2025 school year. Their next meeting was a special session held on January 24th at 5:00pm.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on January 16th, 2024. Lake Lemon Conservancy District Manager Adam Casey gave a presentation on their ongoing projects, and the work they have been doing to reduce sediment build up in the lake.
Casey shared their overarching goal is to maintain water quality and recreation potential, and how they have been working to achieve it.
He said the biggest problem they have is deciding where to put the sediment after they dredge it out of the lake, and the toxic algae blooms that grow in the lake.
Board Member Amanda Burnham asked if they have received any complaints from residents near one of the sediment dumping grounds. Casey responded.
The next regularly scheduled Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on January 29th.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Up next, we have a recent roundup of news in the disability community on the latest episode of Disabulletin. We turn to producer Abe Shapiro for more.
This month, on the latest edition of Civic Conversations, we welcomed Dr. Michael Hicks, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Business Research and Director of Center Business Economic Research at Ball State University. His work has appeared not only in scholarly sources but also in such publications and media as Rolling Stone, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR, and Fox Business News. Dr. Hicks joined us to discuss the impact of public schools on a community’s economic development. We now turn to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kelsey Pease, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Disabulletin was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Prescription for Healthcare is produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB Producer Abe Shapiro provides a rundown of news surrounding the disability community in today’s edition of Disabulletin. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
West 2nd Street Modernization Public Input Meeting
On Tuesday, local residents were invited to a public input session to modernize and make safety improvements to West Second Street between the B-Line Trail and South Walker Street. The public meeting happened at the First Church of the Nazarene, and it addressed several city projects, including a two-way bike lane, a replacement of traffic signals and storm and drainage improvements. Project Engineer Kendall Knoke provided background on the project.
He talked about other ongoing projects that would impact the various improvements proposed by the city in the area, including the Hopewell neighborhood and the Building Trades Park project.
Knocke walked through the existing conditions of the roadway – particularly on 2nd Street. He then listed the goals of the reconstruction.
Neighborhood resident Sarah Ryterband asked how the city is maintaining traffic signals, streetlights and sidewalks in the area.
Knocke addressed the concerns that Ryderband outlined.
Local resident David Huber, an Indiana University graduate who lives in the Prospect Hill neighborhood, said he wants to see walking and bicycling concerns as a top priority in the project.
McDoel Gardens resident Sam Dixon shared that he wants to see a focus on pedestrian safety in the modernization and safety improvements project.
Neighborhood Representative for the Hopewell project Richard Lewis asked about the coordination of ongoing, adjacent projects, such as Hopewell and the Building Trades Park.
The city estimates that it will begin construction in 2025. If you want to provide feedback or ask questions about the project, you can visit this form.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.The Ellettsville Town Council met on January 22nd to discuss a new initiative, Ordinance 2024-02, a plan for implementing a new e-commerce utilities platform to pay bills and transfer funds online.
Council member William Ellis asked if the platform would allow residents to pay their utility bills online with their bank information. Deputy clerk Noelle Conyer responded affirmatively, saying that the platform would make it easier for customers to set up and track payments. The town is already paying for most of the services required for the platform.
The council ultimately decided to table Ordinance 2024-02 until their next meeting.
Next, the council discussed approving the hiring of two new employees for the Department of Public Works.
The first position, called Labor 1, is an existing position that needs to be filled. The second, Labor 2, is a new position without currently authorized funds budgeted towards its salary. Town Manager Mike Farmer clarified that the first-year salary for Labor 2 was planned to be covered by the current DNR Next Level Trails grant.
Farmer further explained that after the grant runs out, the recent increase in water rates is supposed to cover the salary for Labor 2 in the future.
Farmer requested that the funds for Labor 2 be authorized by the clerk’s office to proceed with the hiring process. The council approved the hire of Labor 1 and approved permission to hire Labor 2 while salary funding is pending authorization.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on February 5.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Up next, WFHB Producer Abe Shapiro provides a rundown of news surrounding the disability community in today’s edition of Disabulletin. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The bad guys are getting better — at being bad. This is the first part of our look at the most dangerous things going on today, and what you need to beware of most in 2024.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission revisits the conversation about relocating police and fire headquarters into the city’s Showers-West building. More is coming up in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
During the January 22nd meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, the commissioners heard three contract proposals for renovations to the city’s Showers-West building. This is the next step in an initiative to relocate police and fire headquarters to city hall. City attorney Larry Allen walked through the resolutions before the commission, and noted that some of the current tenants are not keen to move out early.
Commission Member John West asked about how the transition to the new mayoral administration has impacted the project. Allen responded.
Corporation Counsel Margie Rice followed up on the points made by Allen saying that some tenants are ready to move out while at least a half a dozen others prefer to stay.
Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked for more information on the status of current tenants. West also says he would appreciate more information in order for the commission to make an informed decision. Rice said that she can prepare a more comprehensive list of tenants by their February meeting.
The first three resolutions were approved on the condition that lease agreements would be included in meeting minutes. The final resolution was pushed back to a later date. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again for its regular session on February 5th.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on January 17th director, Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the state of the library, specifically a water leak at the new Southwest Branch.
Carson shared that they are trying to re-open the library as soon as possible, shared how patrons can receive books they have on hold, and thanked staff and community members for their support and camaraderie during the closure.
Board Member Kari Esarey asked how patrons will receive updates on the Southwest Branch. Carson responded.
He continued his report providing updates on the library’s programming.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on February 21st.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on January 16th. First, Neighborhood Compliance Officer Rob Council asked the board to approve an abatement of a property on North Clark Street. Council shared that the owner of the property is willing to have the city assist with cleaning up the yard.
Board Member Elizabeth Karon followed up with questions on the number of N-O-Vs or, Notice of Violations, the property owner had been given before they were fined. Council explained the history of warnings and fines for the property.
Director of Public Works, Adam Wason asked for clarification on whether or not a repeating violation would receive a warning before being fined. Council said that they would not receive a warning on a repeated violation.
Karon asked why there was a red void stamp on one of the notices. Council responded, and noted that the property owner is always on time paying the fines.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on January 30th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Kelsey Pease, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from January 20, 2020:
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a special edition of Bring It On!
Tonight at 7 PM, the City of Bloomington is honoring the MLK holiday with a celebration at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. We are recognizing the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with two riveting interviews. We’ll begin our show with a powerful discussion with Ms. Brittany Packnett, the keynote speaker for Bloomington’s 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. In the second half of the hour, hosts Clarence Boone and William Hosea interview tonight’s keynote speaker Dr. Melina Abdullah, Professor and Chair of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, who will speak on “Courage and Beautiful Struggle: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Our Work”.
Ms. Brittany Packnett is an activist and co-founder of Campaign Zero. She was also a member of President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Task Force, and she was executive director for Teach for America in St. Louis. Her 2019 TED Talk on confidence has garnered nearly 3 million views worldwide. Brittany is the author of the forthcoming book, We Are Like Those Who Dream, with One World.
Dr. Melina Abdullah is a recognized expert on race, gender, class, and social movements. She was among the original group of organizers that convened to form Black Lives Matter and continues to serve as a Los Angeles chapter leader. She is a co-host and co-producer of the weekly radio program “Beautiful Struggle” which airs on KPFK, part of the Pacifica radio network, and hosts and produces the weekly internet radio show “Move the Crowd,” which airs on Radio Justice (radiojustice.org).
CREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea.
Our show’s producer is Clarence Boone, with help from WFHB’s News Department Director Kade Young.
Our board engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 22nd, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin explores the amount of transparency within the Bloomington City Council. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Rhonda Greene from Johnson Christian Village, a non-profit serving local seniors. She’s looking for volunteers to make meaningful connections with our community elders. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on January 17th for its second regular session of the year. The council heard a second reading on a resolution to approve recommendations to the mayor for the distribution of community block grant funds for 2024. Deputy Clerk Jennifer Crossley read the synopsis for the resolution.
Interim Director of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Anna Killion-Hanson walked through the grant allocation.
Killion-Hanson also walked through grant funds which will be used for social services.
Newly elected Council Member Sydney Zulich representing the city’s 6th district, asked how estimations were calculated and if the numbers would change. Killion-Hanson responded.
District 3 Representative Hopi Stosberg asked about the history of how C-D-G-B funds were typically allocated.
Council Member Kate Rosenbarger chimed in to provide an account on how the requests for funds have worked in the past.
Council Member Dave Rollo noted that CDBG funding has generally declined over the years. He expressed concern that more funding could be allocated to social services such as the Jack Hopkins program, while devoting less money to the city.
Council Member Matt Flaherty shared Rollo’s concern about the decreasing funding, specifically around social services. To proactively address the issue, he proposed a cooperation between the Jack Hopkins and C-D-B-G social services committees in future years.
Council Member Kate Rosenbarger added that it is difficult for grant applicants to predict what the committees for the Jack Hopkins and CDBG grants will be considering each year. She suggested using software to facilitate this process.
The city approved C-D-B-G funds by a 9-0 vote. The city council will meet for its next regular session on January 24th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on January 16th, 2024. Lake Lemon Conservancy District Manager Adam Casey gave a presentation on their ongoing projects, and the work they have been doing to reduce sediment build up in the lake.
Casey shared their overarching goal is to maintain water quality and recreation potential, and how they have been working to achieve it.
He said the biggest problem they have is deciding where to put the sediment after they dredge it out of the lake, and the toxic algae blooms that grow in the lake.
Board Member Amanda Burnham asked if they have received any complaints from residents near one of the sediment dumping grounds. Casey responded.
The next regularly scheduled Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on January 29th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin explores the amount of transparency within the Bloomington City Council. We turn to Askins for more.
Johnson Christian Village is a faith-based not-for-profit serving local seniors. Rhonda Greene works there and she loves to see volunteers come in and spend quality time with the residents, or take them out into the community to do a little volunteering of their own. Rhonda is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrother and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Johnson Christian Village is a faith-based not-for-profit serving local seniors. Rhonda Greene works there and she loves to see volunteers come in and spend quality time with the residents, or take them out into the community to do a little volunteering of their own.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
El día de hoy nos acompaña Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo, fotógrafa colombiana americana, quien nos platica su historia de vida y carrera profesional desde su natal Colombia, su paso por Europa, hasta su proyecto de vida en Indiana. Con dos Maestrías obtenidas por la Indiana State University, que la llevaron a ejercer su pasión por la fotografía, nos platica sobre su trabajo e interes por las luchas sociales como los derechos humanos, la lucha por los pueblos indígenas, la migración y las mujeres, todo plasmado en su arte y fotografía.
You’re listening to Eco Report on WFHB for Friday, January 19th, 2024.
Later in the program, we will listen to Part 3 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. Also, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently.
And now for your environmental reports:
- As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Indiana is set to receive funding through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
- Indiana has not had a severe drought in years, so the grain crops have been excellent. Elsewhere there has been terrible weather affecting the growth of grains. The New York Times reports that olive groves have shriveled in Tunisia.
- The United Nations estimates that 1.84 billion people worldwide, or nearly a quarter of humanity, were living under drought in 2022 and 2023, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries.
- With Earth’s average annual temperature speeding toward 1.5 degrees Celsius faster than expected and global climate policy on a treadmill, an increasing number of researchers say it’s time to consider a “restorative pathway” to avoid the worst ecological and social outcomes of global warming.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently. We turn to Perry for more.
And now, Part Three of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan, a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice.
And now for some upcoming events:
Take the Mysterious Monument Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 20th, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will stroll along a stream to the mysterious monument near Donaldson Cave and hear the story of the two Scottish gentlemen associated with it. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Join the Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Club and other members of the Indiana Conservation Alliance for a day of advocacy at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, January 23rd. The event last all day.
There will be a Winter Exploration Hike at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 24th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Explore the Kirk’s Ford area during this off-trail hike with no “set” path. You will have plenty of freedom to roam. Keep in mind that there are no formal toilet facilities. Register at bit/ly/weh-jan24-2024.
The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 24th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
A Full Wolf Moon Hike is planned for Friday, January 26th, from 7 to 8:30 pm at Brown County State Park. You will hike around Lake Ogle on Trail 7 while the naturalist shares history and folklore of the Full Wolf Moon.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy
Today’s news features were produced by Elyse Perry and Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 18th, 2023.
Later in the program, Diljeet Singh MD, vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program, joins us on a new edition of Prescription for Healthcare. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry delivers a report on the recent cold front that hit the Midwest. That’s coming up in your daily headlines:
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting, Board Member Dana Kerr was re-elected as president of the board. Board Member Jimmie Durnil was elected as Vice-President of the board. Board Member Larry DeMoss was elected as the secretary for the board.
Next, Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders asked the board to approve the Establishment of Board Compensation for 2024.
The Board Compensation was approved unanimously.
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board will meet again for their regularly scheduled board meeting on January 16th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.On January 8, the Ellettsville Town Council approved the purchase of an easement for the installation of a water line across property owned by Umbarger Farms LLC. Town Manager Mike Farmer talked about needing this easement for Utilities to build a new 12 inch waterline to replace the current 6 inch waterline.
He continued, and outlined the cost of the project.
Farmer said the town already has the financial resources to purchase the necessary property for the easement.
Council member Dan Swafford posed a question about the availability of the land for purchase and the possibility of using eminent domain. Town Attorney Darla Brown responded that while the council has met requirements for eminent domain, that is not the only way forward.
The council members agreed to attempt a negotiated settlement for the property at 66,825 dollars. The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on January 22.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently. We turn to Perry for more.
Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interview Diljeet Singh MD, vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program and a gynecologic oncologist and surgeon, about moral injury. This continues our conversation from our December interview with Dr. Carol Paris. Moral injury is described as a specific trauma that arises when people face situations that deeply violate their conscience or threaten their core values.
We turn to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
An arctic blast struck Bloomington this past week, putting temperatures as low as -5 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chills below -10 degrees Fahrenheit. During this same time last year, the average temperature was 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill was around 30 degrees.
Coming on the heels of 2023 being the warmest year on record, this cold spell is to be expected according to James Ryan, an IU Ph.D. candidate specializing in weather patterns and cold extremes.
“It has been one of the coldest weeks you get in a typical year, even colder than you’d find in a lot of years. So it is extreme, but nothing we haven’t seen before in the Midwest. But a similar event will probably happen again in a couple years, and it will probably keep being that way,” said Ryan.
He added that this weather is not a direct result of a changing climate.
James Ryan, an IU Ph.D. candidate specializing in weather patterns and cold extremes. Photo courtesy of Indiana University.“We live in the northern United States, which is a region that gets cold sometimes. The global average temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius, or about two degrees Fahrenheit, which is a large and unambiguous signal. But that’s not enough to mean that the Midwest will stop having winters,” he added.
Despite the arctic temperatures, Bloomingtonians have been trying to proceed as normal. Bloomington native Cat Seltz said while it changes her daily desires and goals, she enjoys the weather.
“It makes me want to snuggle it makes me want to cook and read and really enjoy the sun coming into my house,” said Seltz. “It’s like taking a cold shower taking that plunge in the lake, and just give your system a teeny bit of a shock each day to get your metabolism woken up.”
Seltz was raised in Bloomington, but has since lived in many places in the country. She said that this past week was nothing compared to Minnesota winters.
Plummeting winter temperatures pose an impact on utilities we take for granted, such as water, vehicles, and electricity. Bloomington Utilities suggest allowing water to drip from faucets, leaving cabinet doors open, and covering outdoor water lines to prevent pipes from freezing. For vehicle safety, check your vehicles’ tire pressure and antifreeze levels and keep a winter safety kit in your vehicle.
In extreme cases, low temperatures can cause ice build-ups on powerlines, leading to power outages. In the case of a power outage, Interim Fire Department Chief Roger Kerr says it’s important to be careful with alternative heating measures.
“Trying to stay warm, people will start to burn wood or whatever they have, which can lead to fire,” said Kerr. “People just have to be really cautious about using alternate forms of heat to try to stay warm other than their furnaces.”
Interim Chief Roger Kerr. Photo courtesy of Kerry Thomson.If you are in need of a warm place to go, Bloomington Fire Department Stations 1 and 2 are staying open as warming stations until January 20th.
“Emergency Management Agency of Monroe County asked us if we would have a couple warming stations in our fire houses. So we have two fire stations, this one here and one on Franklin Drive which is on the west side that are warming stations from 8-6, which started on Saturday and runs to Saturday, this coming Saturday. So between those hours somebody could come in, warm up and get a chance to kind of get the chill off and then the shelters open back up at 6 and then they could go back to a shelter in the evenings.”
Other warming stations are available around Bloomington and Monroe County. The full list can be found below:
- Bloomington Fire Station 1 (Headquarters), 226 S. College Ave.
- Bloomington Fire Station 2, 209 S. Fairfield Drive
- Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters, 5080 West Ind. 46, Ellettsville
- Monroe Fire Protection District–Perry, 3953 S. Kennedy Drive
- Monroe Fire Protection District–Clear Creek, 9094 S. Strain Ridge Road
- Monroe Fire Protection District–Indiana Creek, 8019 S. Rockport Road
- Monroe Fire Protection District-Bloomington, 5081 N. Old Ind. 37
- Monroe Fire Protection District-Van Buren 2130 S. Kirby Road.
For twenty years, Steve Volan represented the downtown district in Bloomington’s city council. His 6th district map was redrawn, largely due to his own efforts, and he was forced to run for reelection as an at-large candidate last year. He lost but swiftly shifted gears and now is running for Monroe County Commissioner in this year’s election. Volan talks about his years on the council and his wish that Indiana University students gain more representation in local government.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 85th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by Awais Khalid, a master student studying Loss and Damage here at IU, with a meaningful conversation on the topic of climate change in the context of Asian Diaspora. We touch on various aspect of climate justice and implementable steps to combat as students.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Awais Khalid
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, you will hear remarks from keynote speaker Jesse Hagopian, an award-winning educator and activist, who spoke at the city’s MLK Day celebration at the Buskirk Chumley Theater on Monday. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment with host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council elected new positions for the start of the year at their meeting on January 9th. First, Council President Kate Wiltz nominated Council Member Trent Deckard as the new Council President.
Deckard accepted the nomination.
He said that he will imitate his leadership after the example Wiltz modeled this past year.
The nomination passed unanimously.
Next, Council Member Cheryl Munson nominated Council Member Jennifer Crossley as the President Pro Tempore. Crossley was attending virtually and there were some technical issues with her audio, but she did accept the nomination. The council voted to nominate her unanimously for the position of President Pro Temp.
Next, the council members were appointed to their new positions as board liaisons.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on January 23rd.
MCCSC School Board
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board met on January 9th for their re-organizational meeting. The board appointed the ex-officio members.
President April Hennessey thanked the members for the willingness to serve as ex-officio committee appointments.
The appointments were approved unanimously.
Next, the board voted on the non-board related appointments.
The appointments passed unanimously.
The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting will be held on January 23rd, 2024.
City of Bloomington Hosts MLK Day Event at Buskirk Chumley Theater
On Monday, the City of Bloomington hosted its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at the Buskirk Chumley Theater.
This year’s theme was “Unlocking Freedom: the Transformative Power of Education.” The keynote speaker was Jesse Hagopian, an award-winning educator who shared insights on educational equity and social justice.
Hagopian discussed his experience visiting the site of a plantation in Mississippi where his ancestors were enslaved. Hagopian read a letter that he wrote to his ancestors when visiting the Lenoir Plantation.
During the keynote address, Hagopian criticized attacks on education when it comes to the history of slavery and racism in classrooms today.
Hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell from WFHB’s Black affairs program, Bring It On, interviewed Hagopian in December. During that interview, Hagopian tackled a question dealing with attacks on anti-racist education in schools.
To listen to the full interview with Jesse Hagopian, high school educator and social justice activist, visit wfhb dot org following this broadcast.
Better Beware
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Let’s take a look at the best of the worst in the year we’ve just finished. Here are the nastiest and most successful scams of 2023.
Featured animal: Ray Ray
This week’s featured animal is Ray Ray, a people-loving Australian Shepard Mix dog who is always down for an adventure. He happens to be deaf, so he’ll need someone willing to work on communication with him. While his previous owner did not fill out a profile for him, they did let the shelter know that Ray Ray is familiar with some signs and is a very fast learner. To learn more about Ray Ray, including adoption details, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
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Featured topic: Deafness in dogs
With certain accommodations, deaf dogs can live long, full lives. Tune in to the episode to learn about determining deafness in dogs, safety precautions to keep in mind with deaf dogs, and training tips.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 16th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin provides an update on Bloomington’s annexation efforts. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Holds Organizational Meeting
The Bloomington City Council held its organizational meeting on January 10th, 2024.
First, Mayor Kerry Thompson introduced herself to the council. Next, the council voted on the election of officers.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith was nominated as President of the Council. Piedmont-Smith shared why she is interested in the role.
Council Members Andy Ruff, Hopi Stosberg, Shruti Rhana, Isak Asare, and Sydney Zulich all shared their support for her nomination. The vote to elect Piedmont-Smith as President passed unanimously.
For the position of Vice-President, Council Member Isak Asare nominated Council Member Andy Ruff. Ruff spoke on the nomination. Again, Council Members shared their support for the nomination.
The council unanimously voted to approve the appointment of Ruff as Vice President. Council Member Hopi Stosberg was nominated for the position of Parliamentarian. She shared that although she is a new member of the council she has been preparing for the position.
The nomination was approved unanimously. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on January 17th.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Commissioners met on January 10th, 2024.
Executive Director of the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County Tom McGlasson Jr. spoke during public comment. McGlasson discussed some changes coming to the recycling center, formerly known as the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, including new signage, simpler paper recycling procedures and a new monthly schedule for bulky items.
Commissioner Penny Githens expressed appreciation for the center’s new bulky item schedule.
McGlasson explained that residents can expect to see new signage in their facilities, including one with the updated schedule.
The board also heard from County Attorney Molly Turner-King who asked the commissioners to approve an ordinance which would increase the compensation that Drainage Board members receive.
Turner-King explained that the board is often faced with tasks which require a certain level of expertise and technical
knowledge. This ordinance aims to retain capable board members.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented on the ordinance, and the importance of the Drainage Board.
The commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be on January 17th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin provides an update on Bloomington’s annexation efforts. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Dr. Gloria HowellOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Dr. Gloria Howell. Gloria is the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and has a mayoral appointment on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission seeks to promote and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and promote the acceptance of diversity in the community. The Commission sponsors events and programs to commemorate the annual Dr. King federal holiday, including a volunteer service day initiative “A Day ON! Not a Day Off”, “40 Days of Peace”, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, and the annual community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. The Commission also sponsors events throughout the year that promote justice, racial harmony, and equal opportunity.
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Indiana University hosted “An Evening Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” last Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Indiana University Memorial Union’s Alumni Hall. The program included student performances, IU’s Building Bridges award presentations, and special keynote remarks from Dr. Shaun Harper, one of the nation’s most highly respected racial equity experts. Sharing Dr. King’s sentiments, the City of Bloomington Dr. MLK Birthday Celebration Commission is committed to amplifying his message regarding the power of education during the 2024 celebration and beyond. This year’s theme is Unlocking Freedom: The Transformative and Liberating Power of Education.
Today’s 2024 Birthday Celebration included:
• Performances by Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble,
• Fairview World Music, and Highland Park Elementary School Choir
• Presentation of the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award
• Presenters include both elected and community leaders
• Recognition of “A Day On! Not a Day Off!” volunteers, and information about 40 Days of Service opportunities.
More information about Indiana University’s activities for Black History Month can be found here.
11/2/1983 President Reagan and Signing Ceremony for Martin Luther King Holiday Legislation in the rose garden with Coretta Scott King George Bush Howard Baker Bob Dole Jack Kemp Samuel Pierce Katie Hall looking on.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On December 14th, 2023, The Namby Pamby joined us for a live interview and performance before their show at The Bishop Bar.
WFHB production team:
- Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
- Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Mike Chrastil
- Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
WFHB welcomes The Bazargan Book Club to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, January 13, from 11am till noon. Join us as we enjoy this swinging suite of sweet musicians led by the savvy and talented Kid Kazooey. Listen on air or as part of audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. The Bazargan Book Club — live on Saturday’s Child, January 13, at 11am, on WFHB.
For our first episode of the new year, we wanted to begin sharing an interview with Leon Benson. In this conversation, he covers his release from prison, reflections on the treatment he received from the authorities, and his work on the outside. This is a special privilege for Kite Line, since we have aired Benson’s work and thought many times over the years, since he was a leading organizer and thinker inside the Indiana Department of Corrections. We are thrilled that he has been released and are excited to share news of his ongoing work to challenge the prison system. In this segment, he shares the story of what led him to be arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. We will continue this interview in our next episode.
You can hear previous episodes with Leon and his family members:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/you-cant-force-the-state-to-abide-by-the-law/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/253-truth-never-dies/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/leon-benson-in-his-own-words-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/leon-benson-in-his-own-words-part-two/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/staying-in-touch-a-conversation-with-leon-benson/
| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Robert Shull. Later in the program, we will listen to Part 2 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. | | And now for your environmental reports:Inside Climate Change reports that in an unprecedented step to preserve and maintain the most carbon-rich elements of U.S. forests in an era of climate change, President Joe Biden’s administration last week proposed to end commercially driven logging of old-growth trees in National Forests. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, issued a Notice of Intent to amend the land management plans of all 128 National Forests to prioritize old-growth conservation and recognize the oldest trees’ unique role in carbon storage. It would be the first nationwide amendment to forest plans in the 118-year history of the Forest Service, where local rangers typically have the final word on how to balance forests’ role in watershed, wildlife and recreation with the agency’s mandate to maintain a “sustained yield” of timber.National and local environmental advocates have been urging the Biden administration to adopt a new policy emphasizing preservation in National Forests, treating them as a strategic reserve of carbon. Although they praised the old-growth proposal as an “historic” step, they want to see protection extended to “mature” forests, those dominated by trees roughly 80 to 150 years old, which are a far larger portion of the National Forests. As old-growth trees are lost, which can happen rapidly due to megafires and other assaults, they argue that the Forest Service should be ensuring there are fully developed trees on the landscape to take their place.The National Climate Assessment released by the administration this fall included data underscoring the urgency of the issue: The amount of carbon sequestered by U.S. forest land decreased by 22 percent from 1990 to 2019 due to a combination of drought, wildfire and disturbances by insects and disease. In webcast presentations this fall on its work to update agency policy, the Forest Service showed that the amount of mature and old-growth forest in National Forests exposed to temperatures in excess of 90 degrees for more than two months a year has doubled compared to the last three decades of the last century. If global carbon emissions continue on a high trajectory, exposure to such extreme temperatures is on track to double again by mid-century and double again by the end of the 21st century. This will raise the destructiveness of fires.Of Indiana’s original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have been selected as National Natural Landmarks. The government has shown little interest in preserving even this small amount of old growth forests.—Norm Holy | | According to the New YorkTimes, the first large offshore wind farm in New England has started producing electricity, a milestone for an industry that has struggled to get off the ground over the past year. The power started flowing late on Tuesday. For now, the Vineyard Wind project, located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., can send only five megawatts of power to the grid from a single towering wind turbine. But the companies behind the project, Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, plan to install a total of 62 turbines with 800 megawatts of capacity, or roughly enough electricity to power 400,000 homes, by the end of this year.Vineyard Wind is the nation’s second utility-scale offshore wind farm to start generating electricity. Another large project off the coast of New York, South Fork Wind, began producing power in December. Once completed, South Fork will be capable of producing 132 megawatts of electricity. The two projects are coming online at a turbulent time for the nascent offshore wind industry. To fight climate change, many Eastern states are hoping to install dozens of large wind farms in the Atlantic Ocean that can generate electricity without emitting any planet-warming greenhouse gases. But lately, developers of those projects have struggled with soaring costs, high interest rates, supply chain delays and bursts of local opposition.The Biden administration has made offshore wind a priority, essentially aiming to create an industry from scratch. But the United States remains far behind Europe, which has already installed more than 32,000 megawatts of capacity in its waters.—Norm Holy | | In 2023, 55 percent of Germany’s power came from renewables — an increase of 6.6 percent, according to the energy office. Europe’s biggest national economy has a goal of 80 percent green energy by 2030. The country plans to get rid of most of its coal, has already ceased relying on nuclear power and in the future intends to use gas primarily as backup for its energy grid. “We have broken the 50 per cent mark for renewables for the first time,” said Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor and federal minister for economic affairs and climate action, in a statement, as The National reported. “Our measures to simplify planning and approvals are starting to take effect.”Germany’s renewables mix included 31.1 percent from wind, 12.1 percent from solar and biomass and 3.4 percent from a mixture of hydropower and other renewable sources. Wind farms – especially those on land – made the largest contribution, the press release said. The energy sector regulator said the renewables increase in 2023 was bolstered by weather and an expansion of capacity, reported Reuters.The total amount of power supplied by Germany’s public networks decreased by 5.3 percent last year, indicating less demand for fossil fuels in favor of renewables. The country’s economy continued to feel the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the decline of energy imports and resulting price increases that followed in 2022. The energy sector regulator said the renewables increase in 2023 was bolstered by weather and an expansion of capacity, reported Reuters.—Norm Holy | | And now, Part Two of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan (pronounced Koothan), a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice. |
| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |
| And now for some upcoming events:Learn about the Winds of Change at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 13th, at 3 pm. You will get an overview of the park’s ongoing recovery efforts and a look at the role of ecological succession in the future of our forest ecosystems. Meet at the Nature Center. | | The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series starts off the new year with The Boulder in the Tree Hike on Saturday, January 13th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is your chance to see the boulder in the tree and try to figure out how it got there. Boots are essential for this hike. | | There will be a Kids Birding Day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington on Sunday, January 14th, from 1 to 3 pm. Jill Vance, the Interpretive Naturalist for Monroe Lake will help kids make a fun-filled bird craft and how to use kid-sized binoculars. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 17th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Take the Mysterious Monument Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 20th, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will stroll along a stream to the mysterious monument near Donaldson Cave and hear the story of the two Scottish gentlemen associated with it. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. |
| And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Robert Shull. And this is EcoReport. Thank you for listening. |
Misleny Moreno, estudiante latina de IU nos comparte su experiencia en la universidad y en Bloomington al proveenir de una familia Hondureña. Junto con sus compañeros, tambien nos informan sobre el grupo de baile latino en IU “Paso a Paso”.
On December 20th, 2023, Superlunar joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Josh Brewer
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Miles Grimmer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast MC and Producer: Jar Turner
On December 20th, 2023, Tree to Stone joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Josh Brewer
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Miles Grimmer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast MC and Producer: Jar Turner
On January 17th singer/songwriters Lenox Monroe performed a Local Live Remote session from the Orbit Room!
Lenox Monroe is a singer, songwriter, and story teller who has been involved in playing instruments and competing in vocal performance competitions throughout her youth. She studied vocal performance at the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music and then went to Nashville to record several songs. She is now booking and playing shows and pursuing her musical career.
Listen to her recorded performance here!
On January 17th singer/songwriters Claire Pendreigh performed a Local Live Remote session from the Orbit Room!
Claire Pendreigh is an emerging singer-songwriter born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana. With lyrics that are often both softly poetic and deeply cutting at once, her songs emerge from a place of intimate self-expression, inviting listeners on a raw and vulnerable journey through the craggy and mysterious landscape of the heart.
Listen to her recorded performance here!
Park CannonFor this year’s Bloomington MLK Day observance, the theme is “Keep Knocking!” The January 16 evening keynote speaker, Park Cannon, is Georgia’s youngest State Representative and one of two openly queer lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly. She represents House District 58, which encompasses a diverse cross-section of Atlanta.
The Democratic lawmaker recently made national headlines when she was unlawfully arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol after she knocked on the door to the Republican governor’s office during his signing of SB 202. This restrictive law limits voting rights in the state. Republicans rushed the bill through both chambers of the legislature a few hours before he signed it into law. It has been harshly criticized nationwide for disenfranchising Black voters, is being challenged in court, and is being dubbed “Jim Crow 2.0.”
Tonight Representative Cannon talks about her start in politics and the state of affairs in the State of Georgia. She also shares her reflections on such issues as the Mid- term success of Senator Raphael Warnock and her work with such civic leaders as Stacey Abrams. Finally, as the keynote for next Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re inviting her to share a preview of her remarks.
Credits:
Clarence Boone is this evening’s anchor.
Our co-anchor for this evening is BIO former contributor and proclaimed “Indiana’s Own” Dana Black, producer and anchor of “Turn Left”.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. | | And now for your environmental reports:The New York Times reports that the United States and the state of California have reached an agreement with the truck engine manufacturer Cummins. The agreement is on a $1.6 billion penalty to settle claims that the company violated the Clean Air Act by installing devices to defeat emissions controls on hundreds of thousands of engines, the Justice Department announced last Friday.The penalty would be the largest ever under the Clean Air Act and the second largest ever environmental penalty in the United States. Defeat devices are parts or software that bypass, defeat or render inoperative emissions controls like pollution sensors and onboard computers. They allow vehicles to pass emissions inspections while still emitting high levels of smog-causing pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, which is linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses.The Justice Department has accused the company of installing defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. The company is also alleged to have secretly installed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. “Violations of our environmental laws have a tangible impact. They inflict real harm on people in communities across the country,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “This historic agreement should make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.”—Norm Holy | | Indiana has over 2,300 megawatts of wind capacity and is 12th in the U.S. for the number of wind turbines, which is 1,264. In 2019, wind generated 6% of electricity in Indiana. Over 1,100 MW of new wind projects are in development or construction. Wind power in 2023 now accounts for 9 percent of electric power in Indiana.With gusts from Lake Michigan and a strategic position between two electric grids, Indiana is one of the best states in the country for building wind turbines, experts say. And as a result, the industry is growing. Wind energy also brings considerable economic growth to the states and localities that host projects. Total wind energy investment in Indiana to date is over $6.8 billion. American Clean Power also estimates annual state and local tax payments of $23.4 million and annual land lease payments of $22 million.Typically new construction yields about five thousand dollars per year per wind turbine to the land owner. Southern Indiana is not a great place for wind turbines because there isn’t enough wind.—Norm Holy | | Climatewire reported that Minnesota Democrats, newly in control of the state government, began 2023 by enacting a clean electricity standard. Michigan lawmakers followed suit months later — as one of their final acts before gaveling out for the year.The two laws were bookends to a year of climate action, experts say, as Democratic state officials advanced major policies that climate hawks could once only dream of. State officials committed serious money and political capital to cleaning up the electricity sector — the backbone of the energy transition — while also boosting electric vehicles, restricting gas in new buildings, and building factories to manufacture batteries and other clean technology. Climate activists hope such actions ripple out nationwide, as the U.S. lags in its goal of halving emissions by 2030. The best we can say for Indiana is that the state verified its “coal forever” stance.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports this past summer was the Arctic’s warmest on record, as it was at lower latitudes. But above the Arctic Circle, temperatures are rising four times as fast as they are elsewhere. The past year overall was the sixth-warmest year the Arctic had experienced since reliable records began in 1900, according to the 18th annual assessment of the region, published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The hottest spots on the Arctic map varied throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, temperatures over the Barents Sea north of Norway and Russia were as much as 5 degrees Celsius, or 9 degrees Fahrenheit, above the 1991-2020 average. In the spring, temperatures were also about 5 degrees Celsius hotter than average in northwest Canada.Hotter air temperatures dry out vegetation and soil, priming the pump for wildfires to burn more easily. This year, during Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, fires burned more than 10 million acres in the Northwest Territories. More than two-thirds of the territories’ population of 46,000 people had to be evacuated at various points and smoke from the fires reached millions more people, reducing air quality as far as the southern United States.This year, for the first time, the Arctic Report Card includes weather and climate observations from the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, a network of Iñupiat observers living on Alaska’s coast. The observers reported that multiple powerful storms hit their communities last year. A lack of sea ice exposed the coast — including roads, buildings, community ice cellars and historic landmarks — to more damage from flooding and erosion.—Norm Holy | | And now, Part One of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan (pronounced Koothan), a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice. |
| For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org. |
| And now for some upcoming events:Brown County State Park will have their First Winter Hike Series for 2024 to Kelp Village on Saturday, January 6th, from 11 am to 1 pm. You will explore the old village where you will see foundations of old buildings, home sites and more. The hike is about 1.5 Round Trip miles. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. | | Join the Sycamore Land Trust for a First Week Hike to the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Sunday, January 7th, from 1 to 3 pm. Registration is required at the Sycamore Land Trust Website. | | Enjoy a Winter Exploration Hike at the Southfork Robertson Cemetery area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 10th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. This is an off-trail hike through lesser-known areas of Monroe Lake. There is no “set” path and no toilet facilities. Sign up at bit.ly/weh-jan10-2024. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 10th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series starts off the new year with The Boulder in the Tree Hike on Saturday, January 13th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is your chance to see the boulder in the tree and try to figure out how it got there. Boots are essential for this hike. |
| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. | | For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is Eco Report. Thank you for listening. |
His story can be read as a mini-history of Bloomington from the 1960s through today. “Strats’s” involvement with the Ashram; The Tao, The Gables, and The Uptown Cafe restaurants; and his work on the film, “Hoosiers,” all are legendary landmarks in the chronicle of this town. An inveterate raconteur, Strats has been a teacher, an entrepreneur, an actor, a cook, and an occasional mystic. He talks about the interconnection between many of Bloomington’s fabled eateries and how he taught film star Gene Hackman how to act like a basketball coach.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is a rebroadcast from July 4, 2016:
William Hosea and Clarence Boone talk with three special guests from sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. State Department’s Mandela Washington Fellows for Young African Leaders brought 25 young leaders to the US for several weeks. These Fellows are leaders who have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. On this 4th of July, hear how the American experiment impacts these leaders, and at the same time how America gains wisdom from these African leaders.
Sylvester Andamowei SEDE (NIGERIA) is a media professional with over eight years of experience in creative innovation, media production, and programming in community development. He has worked extensively with over 300 youths and women in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Sylvester is the MD of a media firm, Sylverflame Media Ltd, and president of the Creative Arts for Peace Initiative, a youth NGO.
Zemedena Abebe ARERU (ETHIOPIA) is an activist and mentoring high school girls toward reducing gender-based violence, environmental education, and hygiene and sanitation strategies.
Zukiswa Yoliswa Zinhle NZO (SOUTH AFRICA), is an advocate and community leader who strives to address issues of inequality of diverse groups, especially disability.
Credits:
Hosts William Hosea and Clarence Boone
Bring It On! is produced by Clarence Boone
Executive Producer Joe Crawford
Our News Editor is Michael Nowlin.
Our Board Engineer is Floyd Hobson and Jim Thrasher
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Diljeet Singh MD, vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program and a gynecologic oncologist and surgeon, about moral injury. This continues our conversation from our December interview with Dr. Carol Paris. Moral injury is described as a specific trauma that arises when people face situations that deeply violate their conscience or threaten their core values. Those who grapple with it can struggle with guilt, anger, and a consuming sense that they can’t forgive themselves or others. It may be related to but is not the same thing as burnout.
From our conversation with Dr Singh, “I think this issue of moral injury is really tied to trust and patients’ trust that I will do the right thing for them, that my moral compass will lead me to recommend the best things for them… I absolutely feel terrible when I do need to tell my patients, ‘I’m so sorry. You know, Mrs. Smith, I had told you we should do your surgery within a month, but we just can’t get it scheduled because we can’t get it approved’… On a bigger picture, I think that a patient who walks into my office today is less likely to trust me than a patient who walked in 10 years ago.”
Diljeet Singh MD
Physicians aren’t ‘burning out.’ They’re suffering from moral injury. By Simon G. Talbot and Wendy Dean July 26, 2018. STAT News
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is a rebroadcast from February 6, 2023:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Malcolm Abrams, the editor and publisher of Bloom Magazine. He discusses his passion for publishing Bloom and why he is driven to showcase the diversity and richness that is Bloomington.
Malcolm Abrams, Editor and Publisher of Bloom MagazineBloom Magazine is a bimonthly culture and lifestyle magazine published in Bloomington. Founded in 2005 by editor and publisher Malcolm Abrams, Bloom is an independent and free magazine, which highlights and promotes inclusion and diversity in every issue. Within its pages, peppered with high-quality photography, readers learn about Bloomington’s, local community, the arts, entertainment, food and wine, fashion and shopping, health and fitness, and business and finance.
This month marks their 100th publication, which is an achievement for an individual with a lengthy career in news and print. Abrams worked for Rupert Murdoch as vice president/editorial director of Murdoch Business Magazines, where he was responsible for twenty publications including Travel Weekly, Meetings & Conventions, and Business and Commercial Aviation. Abrams is also the co-author of “Future Stuff,” and its sequel, “More Future Stuff,” both published by Viking Penguin.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Hello and welcome to Eco Report.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young look into how the Charles C. Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the wilderness area.
And now for your environmental reports:
The Indiana Capital Chronicle lists some of the issues likely to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. The commentary was written by Sam Carpenter. Last year our power supply was in jeopardy as an extreme freeze and high winds moved in just before Christmas. Coal fired power plants did not perform well under these conditions. Just as demand grew to meet Hoosier household’s heating and cooking needs, many coal fired plants, along with gas and nuclear generation, buckled under the pressure.
Extreme frigid temps can cause coal piles to freeze limiting their accessibility. Cold temperatures can also impact the combustion process, making it harder to burn coal effectively and lead to limitations on water intake systems needed to run coal power generation. These items point to the reliability limitations of coal when it comes to keeping the lights on for Hoosiers.
According to Michael Bryson, senior vice president of system operations for PJM, the nation’s largest grid operator, the grid saw significant generation outages with about 25% of the grid’s capacity failing with Winter Storm Elliot. Coal, gas, and nuclear power were all impaired on Dec 23, 2022, while renewables, mostly made up of wind, performed well! Another challenge on that fateful day was that the transmission grid, that moves electricity hundreds of miles when required, was having trouble getting power to where it was needed. Hoosiers kept the lights on that day, but we came perilously close to a grid disaster.
Coal power generation has many liabilities, starting with being expensive. Indiana’s utilities are planning to eventually eliminate coal power generation. More economical and reliable sources of energy are available. In addition to cost concerns, coal is dirty. Burning coal is linked to health conditions including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments as well as environmental concerns related to acid rain and climate change. People living in counties located downwind of coal power stations have a life expectancy that is less than counties without coal plants. Coal ash or the residue left over after burning coal, is currently filling unlined pits along waterways across Indiana and is allowing toxins like mercury and arsenic to seep into our groundwater. While coal has played an important historical role in building our economy, better solutions are now available. In the interest of all Hoosiers, it is time to move away from coal.
—Norm Holy
EcoWatch reports on coral reefs have been diminished by the very high ocean temperatures of the past summer. They say next year could bring the final blow and massive coral bleaching events that disrupt reef ecosystems. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a marine studies professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, is predicting that coral reefs will experience dramatic bleaching. Hoegh-Guldberg and colleagues shared their predictions in a “Perspectives” piece for Science.org. Their observations are consistent with changes in reefs in Florida and the Caribbean.
Bleaching events can occur as a stress response to things such as increasing ocean temperatures and pollution, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Currently, the world is experiencing an El Niño event, which is likely to last through March 2024, which can influence warmer ocean temperatures. The current El Niño phenomenon could then be followed by a second El Niño year. As The Guardian reported, every instance where there has been a pair of El Niño years since 1997 has been followed by mass coral bleaching around the world.
It appears likely that substantial efforts to plant new corals in existing reefs may all be for naught. They could be cooked next year. Perhaps new reefs could be started in waters that were too cool before global warming.
—Norm Holy
Inside Climate Change concluded COP28 accomplished little. Only by going into overtime under the cover of a dark winter night in Dubai, climate negotiators at COP28 cooked up a weak sauce of climate half-measures that fail to adequately address the existential risk of global warming to millions of people around the globe, according to leading climate experts at the conference.
The UAE Consensus, COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber said, represents a clear step in a just transition away from fossil fuels, but the tarnished image of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and its process requiring consensus among nations, took another big hit because 39 small island states most affected by global warming were not in the room when al-Jaber signaled acceptance during the closing speech.
COP28 still says the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels is still possible. Repeating this goal elicited an immediate response from some climate scientists, including Rob Larter, a polar researcher with the British Antarctic Survey. (quote) When you see statements like this you know you’re being lied to,(end quote) Larter wrote in a social media post. What’s been agreed certainly does not keep 1.5 Celsius in reach. Larter was one of the first scientists to highlight the abrupt and alarming decline of Antarctic sea ice this year. The vast expanses of ice at the poles function as one of the planet’s main cooling systems by reflecting a lot of incoming solar energy back into space. A permanent reduction of that surface would lead to additional heating of the atmosphere.
A huge problem with these meetings is that the final report must be agreed upon by all nations in attendance. This automatically means every report presents an overly rosy picture.
—Norm Holy
Here in the United States, it can be hard to imagine a world without single-use plastic. Even though single-use plastics are designed for our rapid use and disposal, their lifespan is just the opposite. Single-use plastic items persist indefinitely in our environment, collecting in the soil, rivers, streams, and ultimately in the ocean, endangering our food sources and entangling wildlife.
And if that’s not bad enough, single-use plastics don’t actually degrade – they simply break up into tiny microplastics that end up in the food we eat and the water we drink.
The United States is the number-one generator of plastic waste in the world, and on top of that, more than 30% of landfilled material in 2018 in the United States consisted of food waste and yard trimmings – a potent source of greenhouse gases – according to the Environmental Protection Agency. We have a lot to learn and teach that there are solutions.
—Julianna Dailey
What can you personally do to help free the United States of plastic and other trash? First, download the free Clean Swell app to track important trash data while you collect trash during your daily walks or out and about.
Second, stop littering! Even cigarette butts contain plastic that never biodegrades. Plus, animals will try to eat them. And never place trash in an overflowing trash bin; hold onto it until you can dispose of it properly.
Third, Recycle whenever possible, or better yet, use reusable items like water bottles and silverware instead of disposable ones.
Fourth, when you visit the beach or park, scan your area for five seconds to make sure you are taking everything with you. Got it all? Then take five extra trash items with you.
Fifth, you need to volunteer. Volunteer at a cleanup, especially along our parks and creeks.
Sixth, you need to be smart. Make smart consumer decisions. Don’t take that single-use plastic bag if you don’t need it. Skip the disposable straws when you can.
And last, spread the word! Talk to family, friends and legislators about the challenges facing our lands and waters and the importance of a clean, healthy earth. It’s the only one we have!
—Julianna Dailey
Feature Report:
And now, WFHB Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young look into how the Charles C. Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the wilderness area. We turn now to that report.
Upcoming Events:
| Enjoy the Full Cold Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 23rd, from 7 to 7:45 pm. Join Anthony on Trail 6 for the last Full Moon of 2023 and hear stories of why it is called the Full Cold Moon. Meet at the Grissom Memorial parking lot. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 27th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Learn Winter Hike Preparedness at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 30th, at 10:30 am. Explore the tools and habitats you can use to make your hikes more safer as you enjoy what makes winter in the woods special. Meet at the Deer Run parking lot. | | End the 2023 Year with a Discovery Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 31st, from 11 to 11:45 am. Learn about the flora, fauna, pioneer history, and the interesting geology of Brown County State Park. Meet in the Nature Center parking lot. |
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Kade Young is our engineer.
Angelica María Candelaria, Gerente de Servicios para Niños en la Biblioteca Pública del Condado de Monroe nos informa sobre los servicios y programas en español que se ofrecen en la Biblioteca Pública localizada en Kirkwood para la comunidad hispana de Bloomington .
Jesse HagopianOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speaks with Jesse Hagopian, a high school educator, with over twenty years of experience, and social justice activist. He taught for over ten years at Seattle’s Garfield High School, where the historic boycott of the MAP test or Measures of Academic Progress took place. Jesse is an editor for the social justice periodical Rethinking Schools, and is the co-editor of the books, Black Lives Matter at School, Teaching for Black Lives, Teacher Unions and Social Justice, and is the editor of the book, More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High-Stakes Testing.
Jesse’s essay on the MAP test boycott and the ensuing national uprising against high-stakes testing was published in Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove’s 10th anniversary edition of Voices of a People’s History of the United States. Jesse’s commentary has been featured on many local and national news programs including, HBO’s “Problem Areas” with Wyatt Cenac, NBC’s “Education Nation,” The PBS News Hour with Gwen Ifill, CNN, Keith Olberman’s Countdown, The Dan Rather Report, Democracy Now!, The Real News Network, Busted Pencils, The Laura Flanders Show, and C-Span’s “Book TV.”
Boycott Protest at Seattle’s Garfield High School, 2013On January 15th of 2024, the City of Bloomington will observe the MLK Birthday Celebration with the theme of Unlocking Freedom: The Transformative and Liberating Power of Education. Jesse Hagopian will inform and inspire during special remarks as a keynote speaker .
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 20th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Hannah Airress and Micol Seigel about their new business venture, Redbud Books. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Shopping Social Media on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on December 12th.
During public comment, a Monroe County Bus Driver, Theresa Liddy spoke to the board about issues they have been having with their electric bus supplier, Thomas Built Busses.
Next, the board voted on Policies 9-1-3-1, and 9-1-3- 0, Policy 3-2-1-3, and Policy 3-1-2-0 point 0-4.
Board President April Hennessey noted that the policy 9-1-3-1 is mandated by Indiana Code, and must be adopted before January.
The board approved the policy unanimously.
The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting will be held on January 23rd, 2024.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on December 13th, Director of the Library Grier Carson gave his monthly report.
Next, the board voted to approve the 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan. Carson gave some background on the Plan.
The board unanimously approved the adoption of the 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held in 2024.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Hannah Airress and Micol Seigel about their new business venture, Redbud Books. Big Talk airs each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB, featuring one-on-one conversations with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. Find out more about Redbud Books coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
That was Michael Glab, producer of WFHB’s public affairs program Big Talk, speaking with guests Hannah Airress and Micol Seigel about a new book shop, Redbud Books, which will open in January of 2024. Listen to the full episode here.
Up next, Shopping Social Media on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. We turn to Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 19th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council held their last meeting of the year last week. More coverage on that meeting during today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On December 13, the Bloomington City Council held its weekly meeting. The agenda included a second reading of an amendment to the city’s Municipal Code that would require Closed Captioning for deaf patrons in Places of Public Accommodation, or places offering goods, facilities, and services such as businesses and restaurants. City Clerk Nichole Bolden read the amendment.
Councilmember Steve Volan then offered a summary of the legislation.
Volan went on to describe the challenges that such legislation would solve for individuals with disabilities.
Holly Elkins, a representative for the Indiana Association of the Deaf, then delivered a presentation before the council on the importance of the ordinance from the deaf community’s perspective.
Elkins then expanded upon the impact of the ordinance on the whole disability community and provided evidence demonstrating the rising need for closed captioning.
Elkins pointed out that while Social media has become much more accessible, public media and accommodations continue to lag behind then reiterated who was impacted by this.
Elkins concluded by affirming her support for the ordinance.
Before opening up for questions councilmember Volan offered comments on Elkins statement.
Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked Councilmember Volan about how enforcement of the ordinance would be conducted in city businesses. Councilmember Volan and Michael Shermis of the Council For Community Accessibility responded.
Shermis then continued by explaining how the enforcement process works when disability discrimination presents itself.
Councilmember Dave Rollo then asked Shermis about whether or not financial penalties would be used to ensure businesses comply
Councilmember Volan then followed up on Shermis comments.
Councilmember Rollo lauded Shermis for his efforts and argued that much work was still needed for full accessibility to be achieved, which was affirmed by Councilmember Volan
AARP staff member Dan Dosik then spoke on why he and his organization supported the ordinance.
The city council approved the ordinance unanimously. This was the last city council meeting of the year. The council will meet for an organizational meeting on January 10th of next year.
Lil Bub:
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and the WFHB Local News. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Abe Shapiro, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about Icarus, a senior domestic medium-hair cat currently adoptable through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter! Plus, learn about details to consider when adopting a new cat.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
In December, we welcomed Anita Morgan, the author of We Are Fearless: The Woman Suffrage Movement in Indiana. Dr. Morgan is the senior lecturer emerita at IU’s School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI in Indianapolis. In the podcast, she shared the history behind the suffrage movement in Indiana and how it impacted Indiana women. She expounded on the role of African-American and Quaker women in Indiana and how they promoted the campaign. Finally, she discussed the part of the League of Women Voters in the suffrage movement.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 18th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin discusses the Polar Bear Plunge at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Lake Monroe. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Lauren Fulford from the Bloomington office of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She’s got a waitlist of “littles” hoping Santa will bring them a “big.” Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on December 13th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19, Influenza and Salmonella.
Later, the Commissioners approved an agreement with Burgess and Niple for a Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
Commissioner Penny Githens noted that the county would not have to pay the full one hundred thousand dollars. Highway Director Lisa Ridge said she was correct and elaborated on how the cost would be split up.
M-P-O Staff Patrick Martin explained why the Metropolitan Transportation Plan is necessary.
Commissioner Julie Thomas explained to the public what the transportation plan would cover. Martin added that the plan would also look on the outskirts of the city as well.
The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 20th.
Monroe County Council
The Monroe County Council met on December 12th. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented a request for approval of a tax abatement for Nhance Semiconductors, Inc.
President of NHanced Semiconductors, Bob Patti spoke to the council about the business.
Local Journalist Dave Askins asked how much the tax abatement would amount to. Cockerill said they would have paid 8.8 million in taxes over the ten year period.
Council Member Geoff Mckim asked about where the tax revenue would go if they didn’t approve the abatement. Cockerill responded.
Council Member Marty Hawke asked about how much water the plant would need. Patti responded.
The Council voted to unanimously approve the tax abatement for NHanced Semiconductors.
The Monroe County Council will meet again on January 9th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin discusses the Polar Bear Plunge at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Lake Monroe. That’s coming up next in his weekly column on the WFHB Local News.
What some kids really want this holiday season is a true friend. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana has a waitlist of “littles” hoping Santa will bring them a “big.” Lauren Fulford has the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
What some kids really want this holiday season is a true friend. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana has a waitlist of “littles” hoping Santa will bring them a “big.” Lauren Fulford works to match those kids with local volunteers willing to give the greatest gift of all: quality time.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On November 15th, 2023, Technicolor Band joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at Backspace Gallery.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Studio Engineers: Josh Brewer and Miles Grimmer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer and Engineer: Jar Turner
- Post-production by Chama Henry
On November 15th, 2023, Without Whom joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at Backspace Gallery.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Studio Engineers: Josh Brewer and Miles Grimmer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer and Engineer: Jar Turner
- Post-production by Chama Henry
On October 25th, 2023, Bloomington-based singer-songwriter Lennon Beasley joined us for a live performance and interview.
WFHB production team:
- Host: Steve Philbeck
- Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chama Henry
- Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Christy Crandall joins Melanie to play music and discuss news. Melanie presents another episode of Interviews In Cars (with Queens!), this time, State Senator Shelli Yoder talks before her Campaign Kickoff Party at Switchyard and talks about her philosophy and upcoming legislation.
Catch Christy and others at Sleeper’s Bar! Check Them Out!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ-focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org
El día de hoy nos acompaña Hector Ortiz Sánchez, Subdirector de Operaciones en City of Bloomington Utilities, para hablarnos sobre los servicios de agua y drenaje de la Ciudad de Bloomington, así como de la transcisión de Puerto Rico a Bloomington que junto con su familia vivieron al mudarse a Estados Unidos, y además nos platica de la experiencia que vivió junto al Alcalde John Hamilton en el viaje que realizaron a las Ciudades Hermanas de Posoltega, Nicaragua y Santa Clara, Cuba.
| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I’m Robert Shull. Coming up later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission about potential changes to bike infrastructure on the south edge of the University and to find out which organizations were awarded this year’s BPSC Local-Motion grant. | | And now for your environmental reports:The Fifth National Climate Assessment indicates, that despite a decrease in U.S. CO2 emissions and reduced costs for renewable energy, the nation remains susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The report foresees a doubling of heatwaves, a 50% increase in droughts, and heightened cyclone and wildfire activity across the country, even with ongoing efforts to limit global warming.Highlighting the significance of preparedness for these impacts, the assessment examines adaptation and mitigation activities across the United States. Data reveals coastal states in the West and Northeast lead in such efforts due to heightened risks. However, the report underscores the nationwide impact of climate change, with Southern states facing elevated risks despite varying preparedness levels. For instance, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama show lower preparedness, while Florida stands out as an exception alongside well-prepared states like California, Massachusetts, Washington, New York, and Maryland. Indiana is among the least prepared in the Mid-West.—Norm Holy | | Despite the clear human and environmental toll of global warming, countries are taking only “baby steps” to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, a senior U.N. official said, summarizing a new U.N. report card on the promises made by governments so far. Restoring global forests where they occur naturally could potentially capture about a third of the amount that humans have released since the beginning of the Industrial Era, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. The research, with input from more than 200 authors, leveraged vast troves of data collected by satellites and on the ground and was partly an effort to address the controversy surrounding an earlier paper.That study, in 2019, helped to spur the Trillion Trees movement but also caused a scientific uproar. The new conclusions were similar to those in a separate study published last year. Mainly, the extra storage capacity would come from allowing existing forests to recover to maturity. But major caveats remain: If we protect all current forests, where will people get timber, rubber and palm oil? Would forests be able to store carbon quickly enough? And how much forest carbon would be lost to fire, drought and pests as climate change intensifies? The level of carbon storage cannot be achieved without cutting greenhouse gas emissions, said Thomas Crowther, the study’s senior author and a professor of ecology at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland. “If we continue emitting carbon, as we’ve done to date, then droughts and fires and other extreme events will continue to threaten the scale of the global forest system, further limiting its potential to contribute.” Forests are essential to tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises. They offer food, shelter and shade to humans and countless other species. They clean our air and water. And they pull climate-warming carbon out of the atmosphere. As the climate crisis intensifies, that ability has made them controversial: How much can we rely on trees to get us out of this mess?There is one thing they all agreed upon: To tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss, the world must do far more to cut fossil fuels and end deforestation of old-growth forests. For Indiana the path forward is clear: we must cease burning coal, build much more capacity in wind/solar, and transition as rapidly as possible to electric vehicles. In managing our state forests, we should reduce the current level of cutting of 14 million board feet. To have any 60 year-old trees, we should return to the time before Republican Governors required the Forestry Department to generate roughly half of its budget from logging. Until Daniels, the state allowed about 2 million board feet. To date the state has not shown the political will to work toward meeting a zero carbon future.—Norm Holy | | New Scientist reports that yet another unwanted temperature record may have been set in 2023. According to a preliminary estimate, the global average surface temperature on the 17th of November, was more than 2° Centigrade above pre-industrial levels for the first time. “Our best estimate is that this was the first day when global temperature was more than 2°C above 1850 to 1900 (or pre-industrial) levels, at 2.06°C,” tweeted Sam Burgess at the Copernicus Climate Change Service.”While exceeding this milestone on one day shows how rapidly the planet is warming as a result of rising greenhouse gas levels, it doesn’t mean that the 2°C warming limit has been breached. That breach will occur when the daily average temperature over a whole year reaches 2 degrees C or above. As it is expected that the El Nino event will continue into the 2024 summer, so we may have several days breaking 2 degrees C in the near future. The 2 degrees C number has been seen as a goal to stay under for at least 30 years. The nations have been remarkable in largely doing nothing to prevent this warming.—Norm Holy | | Optimists about the shift to clean transportation often talk about a double benefit: Electric vehicles have almost zero emissions and soon they also will be less expensive than their gasoline counterparts. But the idea of the inevitability of cheaper EVs took some hits last year as the average price of lithium-ion batteries increased. Analysts reassured us that the price surge was due to short-term factors, and that the long-term trend of price decreases would likely resume in 2023.They were right. Bloomberg NEW Economy Forum /NEF/ issued its annual battery price report this week, showing a global average price of $139 per kilowatt-hour for a lithium-ion battery pack, which is down from $161 in 2022 and lower than any year on record. The report predicts prices will continue to decline, reaching an average of $113 in 2025 and $80 in 2030.—Norm Holy | | This is a story about a citizen having an impact on corporate decisions. A volunteer at WFHB saw a tv ad and decided to act. The Toyota commercial showed a young lad carrying an aquarium, climbing into the family vehicle and heading for the mountains. Upon arriving at a lake, the boy empties his aquarium into the lake.The WFHB volunteer wrote a note to the corporate headquarters in the USA. The note said that introducing foreign species into our waters is always a bad idea. The note illustrated what can happen by giving an example. Lake trout were introduced into Yellowstone Lake in the 1980s, and they have taken over and eaten the native cutthroat trout. Bears coming out of hibernation historically would catch cutthroats before the grasses and berries were available. The lake trout is a deep-water fish that bears cannot catch. The bears turned to elk calves. The elk population has dropped from 16,000 to 4,000. Impacts are seen throughout the food chain.It is not known whether the letter stopped the ad. What can be said is the ad has not been seen after the company received the letter.—Norm Holy |
| Vast stretches of the US are dominated by corn, nearly 100 million acres of it, stretching from Ohio to the Dakotas. What once was forest or open prairie today produces the corn that feeds people, cattle and, when made into ethanol, cars.Now, the nation’s airlines want to power their planes with corn, too. Their ambitious goals would likely require nearly doubling ethanol production, which airlines say would slash their greenhouse gas emissions. If they succeed it could transform America’s Corn Belt yet again, boosting farmers and ethanol producers alike, but also potentially further damaging one of the nation’s most important resources: groundwater. Several issues need resolution: ethanol provides less energy than hydrocarbons, and ethanol eats away at many plastics and rubbers.—Norm Holy | | Up next, some local organizations were awarded the Local-Motion grant earlier this week from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission and bicyclists that use 3rd Street by I.U. may soon see new measures to keep drivers from obstructing or entering the bike lane. We now turn to Zyro Roze and Hank Duncan for more on these developments. |
| For Eco Report, I am Cynthia Roberts. And I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Do you know what a Smammal is? Plan to come to McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 16th, at 10:30 am to learn about Smammals. You will explore the life of some of the tiniest critters that call the park home as you learn about the small mammals at McCormick’s Creek. | | Join Anthony at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 16th from 1 to 3 pm for a Cave River Valley Hike. This is a 2-hour rugged hike into a very beautiful and primitive natural area. Meet at the Donaldson parking lot and you will carpool 15 miles to the off-site property. There are no restrooms on the site. Please wear water proof hiking boots. | | There will be a Lake Strahl Wildlife Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 17th, from 9 to 9:45 am. You will hike Trail 6 around Lake Strahl while learning about the wildlife in the park and around the lake. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 20th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Enjoy the Full Cold Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 23rd, from 7 to 7:45 pm. Join Anthony on Trail 6 for the last Full Moon of 2023 and hear stories of why it is called the Full Cold Moon. Meet at the Grissom Memorial parking lot. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I am Robert Shull. And this is Eco Report. |
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about Farley, a Shepherd mix dog currently adoptable through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter! Plus, learn about details to consider when adopting a new dog.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
They’re starting a new business in Bloomington but they’re not looking to become rich. Hannah Airiess and Micol Seigel are part of a collective opening a new book shop and gathering place in January 2024. They’ll open the doors of Redbud Books at 408 W. Kirkwood Ave. The nonprofit Redbud Books will be a community-curated book shop as well as a meeting place for people interested in reading groups, film screenings, art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, topical discussions, and more. Redbud is partnering with the Neighborhood Planting project to plant a tree for every book sold. Volunteers are filling its shelves with everything from poetry, science fiction, graphic novels, and children’s literature to Indigenous Worldview titles, Feminist and Black Thought, and Rustbelt Histories.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 14th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council unanimously rejected the sale of the city’s police station on Third Street during last night’s meeting.
That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Unanimously Rejects Sale of Police Station
On Wednesday, the Bloomington City Council unanimously rejected the sale of the city’s police station on Third Street. Deputy Mayor Larry Allen presented a summary of the resolution.
Outgoing Mayor John Hamilton spoke in support of the sale.
During public comment, Mayor Elect Kerry Thomson urged the council to delay the sale of the building.
Further complicating the process is a deed restriction on the land which requires the property to be a public park. Local resident Nathaniel Usher Hill the Fourth spoke out against the proposal, saying his family members were the original “signers of the deed.”
The council voted 0-9 rejecting the sale of the police building. This was the last city council meeting of the year. The council will convene for an organizational meeting on January 10th of next year.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month we interviewed Carol Paris MD, psychiatrist, former president of PNHP, on facing the crisis of moral injury in our healthcare system, and how it is different from burnout. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 13th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Bloomington Board of Public Works met on Friday for a public hearing on the sale of the city’s police building on Third Street. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday December 6th. The meeting began with the summarization of several ordinances by Council President Sue Sgambelluri.
The main points discussed were ordinances 23-29 and 23-30. The ordinances will help repair and make improvements to the sewage and waterworks in Bloomington. The first ordinance would establish bonds to help finance the renovations and attempts to modernize the Dillman wastewater treatment plant, and the underground river stormwater project. Kelson explained why he believes the projects are necessary.
Ordinance 23-29 and ordinance 23-30 passed with unanimous votes.
The meeting ended with changes to the 2024 annual council legislative schedule.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday December 13th.
Board of Public Works Holds Public Hearing For Sale of City Police Building
On Friday, the Bloomington Board of Public Works met for a public hearing on the sale of the city’s police building on Third Street.
The board voted 2-0 to not provide a recommendation to the city council. Corporation Counsel Beth Cate walked through the history behind the proposal and explained why the board of public works hosted the public hearing.
Tim Ballard, a broker at Griffin Realty, presented the offers made on the property.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked for clarification on whether the interested parties expressed how they plan to use the building. Ballard explained the planned use for each offer.
Ballard then provided Griffin Realty’s recommendation to the board.
During public comment, Senior Police Officer Paul Post criticized what he called a lack of transparency in the process of the sale. He said he opposed the proposed move to the Showers building.
Local resident David Sabbagh also gave public comment saying he doesn’t approve of the process.
Again, the board voted 2-0 to not provide a recommendation. The Bloomington City Council has a resolution authorizing the sale of the property on their agenda for their meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Better Beware
Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 12th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, host of WFHB’s Firehouse Theater Richard Fish reports on Matilda the Musical presented by Constellation Stage and Screen. The show will be on stage December 14 – 31 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on December 4th, Utilities Engineer Phil Peden asked the board to approve two items, an agreement with the Weddle Brothers Building Group, and an agreement with Champlin – Haupt Architects.
Board President Amanda Burnham commented, clarifying that these projects would cost a total of about 5 million dollars.
Director of Utilities Vic Kelson explained why these renovations are necessary.
Kelson recommended they approve the money now, and then debate the specifics later down the road.
The board approved all of the requests.
The next order of business was a request for approval of repairs to the wastewater treatment plant. Capital Projects Manager for Bloomington Utilities Dan Hudson requested approval to repair and replace: the plantwide handrail system, piping and valves, and increase the capacity of the plant by adding a blower.
Kelson explained that increasing the plants capacity has been an ongoing process for years.
The board approved the agreement.
The next order of business was a request for the approval to fund five different stormwater projects that have to meet the following criteria M-S-4 Program Coordinator Liz Carter laid out.
Carter said they are not using the full one hundred thousand this year, and will instead reach out to people they think will need the money rather than people who come to them. Burnham said she was very pleased with their work.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on December 14th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.In today’s feature report, host of WFHB’s Firehouse Theater Richard Fish reports on Matilda the Musical presented by Constellation Stage and Screen. The show will be on stage December 14 – 31 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. We turn to Richard Fish for more.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes the long-awaited return of the celebrated songwriter Tim Grimm to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, December 9, from 11am to noon. Tim’s grippingly complex simplicity, delivered with passionate voice and powerful picking, is lauded by folk critics worldwide. You can listen on air or as part of our live audience, free of charge, in the History Center in downtown Bloomington. Tim Grimm — on Saturday’s Child, December 9, at 11am, on WFHB.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Bo Petersen, a professional South African actress, currently living in the United States. She wrote, produced, and stars in Pieces of Me, an autobiographical play. She exposes the devastating, emotional cost of living secretly as a mixed-race family under the vicious racist apartheid regime and the legacy it bore.
Bo PetersenCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Bloomington’s largest food pantry is running a toy donation program this Christmas and they are seriously short on Secret Santas. The “Elf Dispatch” program at Pantry 279 crashed the pantry website when more than 1,600 families signed up in the first 24 hours. Program coordinator Cindy Chavez still needs 500 donors to meet the demand from local families in need.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Featured animals: Musa and Tally
Musa and Tally are a pair of domestic shorthair cats. Tally, whose tail had been amputated, was recovering in a calm and quiet foster home when the very scared and timid Musa came to join him. The two were an instant match and have been inseparable ever since!
Tally is a social boy that loves to talk with his people and receive head scratches. He is super into food and naps. Meanwhile, Musa prefers to let Tally get all the attention. She is a curious girl that is still a bit skittish with people, but she has been making a tremendous effort to be more social in her foster home.
Tally and Musa love to cuddle and play together, and they almost always spend their time near one another. To learn more about or adopt this duo, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Keeping pets safe during the holiday season
With the holiday season, there are a number of steps pet owners can take to ensure the safety of their animals. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about minimizing risks associated with decorations, salt-based crafts, and high-fat table scraps. Because vet appointments can be difficult to arrange on short notice, especially during the holiday season, it can also be helpful to note the location and phone number of the nearest emergency vet.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:15 PM.
This month we interview Carol Paris MD, psychiatrist, former president of PNHP, on facing the crisis of moral injury in our healthcare system, and how it is different from burnout.
Physicians aren’t ‘burning out.’ They’re suffering from moral injury. By Simon G. Talbot and Wendy Dean July 26, 2018. STAT News
If I Betray These Words, Moral Injury in Medicine by Wendy Dean and Simon TalbotFollow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Frank Marshalek. And I’m Robert Shull. Coming up in this episode, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. | | And now for your environmental reports:Indiana is the number one state in the country with over 24,000 miles which is the most total miles of rivers and streams that are impaired for swimming and water recreation, according to the Environmental Integrity Project. This project is a nonprofit organization that advocates for more effective enforcement of environmental laws. Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attorney, said that one of the main reasons the water is polluted is the runoff of manure from animal farms. E. Coli and nitrogen ammonia are the main bacteria in the water.According to the Star Press, the White River at Muncie, however, has been doing better with its water quality. Lead and chromium have seen a 97 and 83 percent reduction, respectively. E. coli has been reduced by 87%. Looking downstream, in regions around Indianapolis, including the Upper Fall Creek, Lower Fall Creek and Eagle Creek areas, match the overall health of the river with a “C” rating. More than three-fourths of the White River in Marion County do not meet State water quality standards. White River pollution has been an issue for years and years.Why doesn’t the legislature do something about it?—Norm Holy | | Earthjustice reports public interest groups have documented a pattern of pollution for years at the Merom coal plant in Sullivan County and urged the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in a letter to crack down on the violations now that the plant was no longer retiring as planned. The plant has repeatedly violated legal limits on dangerous pollutants, including ammonia, lead, barium, and chromium. The letter is from Earthjustice, Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Sierra Club, and Hoosier Environmental Council.The need to address the pollution is more urgent due to the fact that plans to shut down the dirty 41-year-old plant this year were canceled. Within a few months of the former owner revealing the plant would stay open, an out-of-state cryptomining company announced plans to build a large facility right next to the plant that would require a tremendous amount of power. The co-founder of the crypto company called the critics’ assertions that the deal could keep a polluting coal plant open ‘100% correct.’ The crypto mine’s energy demand could make it the largest electricity user in the Hoosier Energy service area.The letter sent to Indiana environmental regulators describes the environmental and health risks. For example, the letter states: “Based on its own admission, the plant has repeatedlydumped wastewater into the Turtle Creek Reservoir — which connects to the Wabash River a couple miles away — with illegal levels of ammonia and iron, which can harm aquatic life, not to mention harming drinking water infrastructure. The plant’s testing found groundwater on the property exceeded health limits for lead, barium, chromium, cadmium, lead sulfate, and fluoride. On top of that, the plant violated air pollution rules by producing an unacceptably high level of dense smoke, threatening the health of nearby residents who breathe that air.The life expectancy in Sullivan County is two years under the state average and nearly three years under the national average. Life expectancy is typical of counties near coal power plants. This development reveals, again, that Indiana has little interest in becoming fossil-fuel free.—Norm Holy | | The Detroit Free Press announced the country’s first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles. A blue electric Ford E-Transit commercial van was able to charge as it moved over a quarter-mile stretch of newly paved 14th Street, a short distance from the towering Michigan Central Station, thanks to rubber-coated copper coils buried underneath the road surface.The endeavor represents one piece of a public-private partnership aiming to show how this type of EV charging infrastructure could work in practice, and it follows up on an announcement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in September 2021 that the state planned to launch the first wireless-charging public road project in the country.—Norm Holy | | Ohio has recently allowed fossil fuel companies to drill in state parks and wildlife areas. Now opponents are appealing this decision. Environmental groups argue that a state commission failed to consider all the factors required under the law, and it didn’t hold a public hearing before deciding to open up bids for drilling.Among other things, the groups say the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission failed to consider all of the factors it was required to weigh under state law. The groups also allege that the commission failed to provide an opportunity for public hearing under state law.—Norm Holy | | There is an unopened, vacuum-sealed package of sausage in the refrigerator, and the label says it was “best used by” last week. “Best by” doesn’t mean that the sausage is now spoiled or unsafe to eat, but it causes me to pause.Date labeling of foodstuffs goes back to the safety scares of the early 20th century. Instances of botulism in canned foods led manufacturers to adopt codes that they stamped on their packaging to help retailers determine freshness and product quality. In the 1970’s, these labels were made legible to consumers. But they had little impact on food safety, because most issues arise during and after processing and by incorrect storage and handling.A 2020 study found that only 57 percent of US adults could correctly identify what “best if used by” and “use by” mean. Both refer to the manufacturer’s estimate for when a product is at peak flavor or quality. Consumers, wishing to be safe, often throw out perfectly good products. The likely result will be a 12-ounce addition to the 130 billion pounds of food wasted in the United States this year.—Julianna Dailey | | Global warming has increased the speed at which glaciers in Greenland are melting by fivefold over the last 20 years, scientists from the University of Copenhagen reported recently. Greenland’s ice melt is of particular concern, as the ancient ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 20 feet if it were to melt away entirely. A study of a thousand glaciers in the area showed the rate of melting has entered a new phase over the last two decades. This acceleration should persist because the carbon dioxide content in the air is increasing every year. Only when there is no increase in CO2 can we begin to hope the global warming will stop. Assuming our current trend will continue, there is every reason to anticipate that 50 – 75 percent of the glacial ice on Greenland will eventually melt.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Robert Shull for his interview with local Urban Forester, Haskell Smith. | | For Eco Report, I am Frank Marshalek. And, I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Join the Naturalist at Spring Mill State Park for a hike into the upper portion of Donaldson Cave on Saturday, December 9th, from 1 to 2:30 pm. You will learn about Spring Mill’s cave system, cave fauna and more. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter. | | There will be a Beginning Birding Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, December 10th, from 9:30 to 11 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a partially rugged hike to look and listen for native birds. Bird ID books will be available. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 13th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | A program titled “What’s That Skull?” will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, December 14th, at 10:30 am. Meet at the Nature Center where you can explore a collection of skulls and learn what clues they can give you. | | Do you know what a Smammal is? Plan to come to McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 16th, at 10:30 am to learn about Smammals. You will explore the life of some of the tiniest critters that call the park home as you learn about the small mammals at McCormick’s Creek. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by myself, Robert Shull and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Frank Marshalek. And I am Robert Shull. And this is Eco Report. |
El día de hoy nos visita Loida Rodríguez, Gerente de Programas de Desastre de la Cruz Roja Americana, para platicarnos sobre la misión humanitaria de esta organización sin fines de lucro y de sus servicios fundamentales.
In this episode, we have our monthly round up of prison disturbances, as compiled by Perilous Chronicle. Afterwards, we have a conversation with Sophia Johnson, also known as Candle, who is an anarchist writer who currently serving a sentence in Oregon. In this conversation, she talks about writing in prison, and her ongoing struggle to receive adequate health care.
Perhaps the only thing they love as much as music is teaching. Kleesattel and Williams get to do both as co-directors of the Bloomington branch of the New Horizons International Music Association. New Horizons Bloomington is an adult beginners orchestra that meets weekly at the Bell Trace Senior Living center. Newcomers to playing symphony orchestra instruments can learn the basics and immediately begin plying with others. Kleesattel and Williams both boast of extensive experience playing with professional orchestras and as teachers in individual and group settings. Their 2023 fall semester class will play a final concert Monday, December 12, at Bell Trace. The performance is open to the public and is free.
Williams (L) & KleesattelHost Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 84th episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
Lunar New Year/ Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is a celebration that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar in February. Lunar New Year is celebrated amongst many regions and cultures around the world, each with its own traditions, practices and meaning surrounding the holiday. With Lunar New Year in mind we wanted to talk about celebrations and traditions. Though every Asian culture is unique with a variety of their own customs, their focus on spending time with family and loved ones is a commonality during such celebrations and all year round. In this episode, we take some time to reflect on celebrations and traditions growing up. Joined by two current IU students Win and Kristian, this episode features a discussion on family and community gatherings, the role that identity plays amidst these holidays and the longstanding traditions that shape who we are today.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather.
Our conversation is with Kristian Buenconsejo and Win Bejrsuwana.
Special thanks to Hannah Lorenzo and Belle for researching for this episode.
Our Sound Engineers are Andrew Pace and Michael Sears.
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 6th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington, the prevalence of homelessness and the resources to fight it. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the December 5th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, Assistant City Attorney Aleksandria Pratt made a case for a memorandum of understanding for a lease buyout of the Monroe County Humane Association.
Board member Kyla Cox Deckard asked how the amount of money for the buyout was settled. Pratt responded.
Cox Deckard posed a question regarding the language of the agreement where it touches on modifications to the structure. Director of Animal Care and Control Virgil Sauder further explained how they arrived at the amount of 95 thousand dollars and what the modifications clause means in the agreement.
The board approved the agreement by a unanimous vote. It will advance to the city council for their consideration. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular session on December 19th.
Feature Report:
Bloomington and Monroe County lack sufficient housing, and the reasons are complex, writes Steve Hinnefeld. In his in-depth report on housing, he finds our community struggling with supply, stability, and subsidies, while the deeper housing issues are overlapping and intertwined. | Photo by Jason VestIn today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington, the prevalence of homelessness and the resources to fight it. We turn to Elyse Perry for more.
Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. Fish has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Elyse Perry.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 5th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Photo by Benedict Jones.First, WFHB Correspondent Robert Shull delivers a report on the latest joint session between the Monroe County Council and the Monroe County Commissioners.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. We turn to Shull for that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Robert Shull.
Lil Bub’s Lil Fund is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from a program originally aired on December 4, 2017:
Dr. Audrey McCluskeyIn tonight’s “Bring It On!” episode, hosts, Roberta Radovich and William Hosea, interview Dr. Audrey McCluskey. Dr. McCluskey is an IU emeritus faculty member, past Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, and past Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of African American & African Diaspora Studies. Dr.McCluskey shares her scholarly insight into the emergence of the “Colored Schools” in America.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Roberta Radovich and William Hosea.
Our show’s producer is Clarence Boone,
With help from WFHB News Department director Wes Martin.
Our board engineer is Kirsten Payton.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom,
With additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 4th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B-Square Bulletin discusses the future of local news in his weekly segment on WFHB. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Ximena Martinez, our city’s Latino Outreach Coordinator. Learn more about efforts to engage Bloomington’s growing Latino population later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Local Chapter of the League of Women Voters Host Legislative Town Hall To Discuss Priorities Ahead of Upcoming Session
During a legislative update hosted by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, local officials discussed policy priorities ahead of the Indiana General Assembly’s upcoming session.
Lawmakers have their sights set on a short legislative session in 2024 after passing a two-year budget in 2023. The session will begin in January and will continue through mid-March.
District 40 State Senator Shelli Yoder outlined her priorities and elaborated on the format of the upcoming session.
Yoder explained that one of her priorities would be repealing Senate Bill One – Indiana’s abortion ban. She also touched on reforming the state’s taxes on menstrual products.
Representative Matt Pierce, who represents Indiana’s 61st district, touched on the shorter nature of the new session. Pierce scrutinized the process, characterizing it as “rushed.”
During the question-and-answer portion of the town hall, Brown County School Board Member Amy Oliver asked about school referendums.
In Brown County, voters turned down a school referendum last year by only 333 votes. Oliver asked what the legislators could do in order to revise what she labels as “misleading language” at the Statehouse when it comes to ballot referendums.
Representative Pierce responded saying he doesn’t believe the Republican supermajority is interested in revising that language.
State Senator Yoder added that she saw shortcomings of the state’s budget passed earlier this year. She emphasized the importance of referendums when funding education initiatives in the state.
Local resident Cathy Rountree expressed frustration at the limited amount of bills each legislator is allowed to introduce.
She also criticized the lack of public input available to be heard on bills introduced in the Statehouse. Rountree asked who is responsible for this process. Pierce responded saying that it’s a part of the rules of the House and Senate.
All legislators who represent a portion of Monroe and Brown counties were invited to the town hall. Yoder and Pierce were the only legislators in attendance. To watch the full town hall, you can visit this link.
The 2024 legislative session will officially kick off on January 8th of next year.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B-Square Bulletin discusses the future of local news in his weekly segment on WFHB. We turn to Askins for more.
Bloomington’s Latino population is growing, and Ximena Martinez wants our Spanish-speaking neighbors to feel welcome in this community. Martinez is the Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington, which also makes her the producer of Hola Bloomington, our Spanish-language public affairs program airing Fridays at 6pm. She talks about that show and other ways to engage the Hispanic community on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Annika Harshbarger, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Bloomington’s Latino population is growing, and Ximena Martinez wants our Spanish-speaking neighbors to feel welcome in this community. Martinez is the Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington, which also makes her the producer of Hola Bloomington, WFHB’s Spanish-language public affairs program airing Fridays at 6pm.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On October 12th, 2023, Anya Hinkle and Andrew Finn Magill joined us for a live interview and performance before their show at Orbit Room.
WFHB production team:
Host: Jim Quinn
Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineer: Mike Chrastil
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On October 18th, 2023, Damion joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at Orbit Room.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineers: Josh Brewer and Miles Grimmer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Post-production by Chama Henry
| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up in this episode, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Neil Goswami, newest member of the Monroe County Environmental Commission, on the understandings fundamental to bridge divides and implement the changes needed to correct the course of civilization and create a climate resilient society cognizant of the environmental and societal consequences of our consumerism and creature comforts. | |
| And now for your environmental reports:Now that we are at the end of the hottest summer ever recorded, what can we expect next year? It is possible to predict this because trends are not easily reversed. We should expect annual increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide because that happens every year. We should expect the forest fires in our West, Canada, and Russia to continue. The Canadian fires have consumed approximately 18 billion trees. It is expected that next year we’ll still be experiencing El Nino, so we should expect more forest fires. Growing forests gobble up huge amounts of carbon dioxide. The tendency of storms to track over the same path is a consequence of global warming. The jet stream is slower and more wavy, and storms follow the waves. We should expect the same trend next year.This past summer has been a disaster for the earth’s coral reefs. A hot summer next year should kill any corals that survive this year. Glacial melt will accelerate every year. The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is expected to drop into the sea within a few years. This would cause seawater levels to rise by around 2 feet. This could, in turn, destabilize neighboring glaciers, potentially increasing future sea levels by almost an additional 10 feet. There will be additional seawater rise (in feet) from glacial melt on Greenland.—Norm Holy | | An astounding number of Alaskan snow crabs disappeared from the Bering Sea over the last several years, and scientists say they’ve finally discovered why. A new paper published in Science blames marine heat waves in 2018 and 2019 for the decimation of 90% of the snow crab population through 2021, around 10 billion of the crustaceans, Smithsonian Magazine reports. The snow crabs died of starvation as temperatures rose, the researchers say. “When I received the 2021 data from the survey for the first time, my mind was just blown,” said lead author Cody Szuwalski. Everybody was just kind of hoping and praying that that was an error in the survey and that next year you would see more crabs.Snow crabs thrive in colder waters, and usually enjoy temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit on the floor of the Bering Sea. While they can survive in warmer waters, up to 53 degrees, they need to eat more when things heat up. From 2017 to 2018, the calories they needed quadrupled, Szuwalski says. Last year’s crab season was canceled and the cancellation of this year’s season was just announced. “We are now witnessing more and more big crashes associated with extreme temperatures,” zoologist Christopher Harley tells New Scientist. The list of species and ecosystems that are strongly impacted just keeps growing. CNN notes that Arctic temperatures are warming four times faster than other parts of the globe. Szuwalski tells CNN that in the long term, the crabs will likely move north, while in the easternBering Sea, we probably won’t see as much of them anymore. There is a small but growing population of snow crabs in the Arctic Ocean. Crabs from Alaska have settled all along the northern Russian coast and as far away as Norway.—Norm Holy | | Energy News Network reports the Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs’ steel mill succeeded in beating its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its U.S. iron and steel operations and won recognition from the Department of Energy.The progress is part of a broader industry trend to cut pollution that drives human-caused climate change. Yet advocates say there’s lots of room for further cuts. Cliffs slashed greenhouse gas emissions for almost four dozen U.S. facilities by nearly one-third from a 2017 baseline as of the end of last year.The steel industry was responsible for about 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions as of 2020, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported last year. That’s roughly one-sixth of all worldwide emissions from generating power, according to a Canary Media analysis of the International Energy Agency data. The iron and steel industry led the industrial sector, with the cement industry coming in second.—Norm Holy | | The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest seller of plastics to consumers, and it may surprise younger listeners to learn that the beverage giant was an early leader in refillable bottles. A century ago, it got 96% of its bottles back for reuse by offering customers a bottle deposit. Unfortunately, Coke gutted its own refillables infrastructure in the United States between the 1950s and 1970s, opting for single-use bottles that pushed the cost of its packaging waste onto the public and the planet.A new report reveals that, as early as the 1970s, the company knew switching to single-use containers would be worse for the environment — but did it anyway. To make matters worse, since then Coke has fought state and federal legislative efforts to ban single-use bottles and other throwaway containers. Coke recently took a step in the right direction by committing to sell 25% of its beverages globally in refillable containers. But beyond one small pilot project in Texas, it hasn’t circulated any refillable bottles in the United States.A petition to Coke encouraging refill is available online by going to the website of the Center for Biological Diversity.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports that health risks linked to climate change are getting worse. The 8th update to a major international report shows more people are getting sick and dying from extreme heat, drought and other climate problems. Climate change continues to have a worsening effect on health and mortality around the world, according to an exhaustive report published by an international team of 114 researchers.One of the starkest findings is that heat-related deaths of people older than 65 have increased by 85 percent since the 1990s, according to modeling that incorporates both changing temperatures and demographics. People in this age group, along with babies, are especially vulnerable to health risks like heat stroke. As global temperatures have risen, older people and infants now are exposed to twice the number of heat-wave days annually as they were from 1986 to 2005.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Part One of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Neil Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission on their respective paths to the engagement with environmental issues, Climate Change and the systems that impact our lives, people around the world and coming generations affected by our choices as individuals and members of larger communities. |
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| For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | |
| And now for some upcoming events:The Devil’s Backbone Guided Tours at Charlestown State Park have started back up on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10 am to Noon. This is a rugged, 3-mile off trail hike that is normally closed to the public. Pre-registration is required at jbeavin@dnr.in.gov. | | Drive-thru the Holiday Lights at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 2nd, from 6 to 9:45 pm. You can vote for your favorite site decorations and enjoy the Holiday in the Village. | | The Indiana Audubon Society is offering an on-line Building Birder Skills 2.0 class on Tuesday, December 5th, from 5 to 7 pm. This workshop will help you work on birding technology concentrating on Sound Recording. You must sign up in advance on the Indiana Audubon Society site. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 6th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Take a Winter Tree ID Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 6th, at 2 pm. Learn how to identify trees after the leaves have fallen. Sign up at bit.ly/wintertree-dec2023. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com.This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report. |
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On September 20th, 2023, Busman’s Holiday joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar during the WFHB fall fund drive.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineers: Josh Brewer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Post-production by Chama Henry
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 30th, 2023.
Later in the program, Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, we are joined by Health Officer Dr. Clark Brittain and Board Member George Hegeman of the Monroe County Health Department Board. More in the bottom half of the show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, an excerpt from Kite Line’s latest episode on the Stop Cop City protests in Atlanta, Georgia.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners Postpone Convention Center Vote
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on November 29tth, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 and flu cases in the community.
Later in the meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill introduced an interlocal agreement with the City of Bloomington to confirm the initial of a Capital Improvement Board. Cockerill gave some history on the agreement which was put on hold during the pandemic.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked if they could take more time before approving the agreement as she wasn’t comfortable with all of the items.
During public comment on the agreement, a Capital Improvement Board Member John Whikehart shared that the new interlocal agreement would temporarily pass off the management of the building which he did not believe is necessary.
Cockerill added the management of the convention center would remain within the city and the county until it would go back to the Capital Improvement Board.
Next, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President Eric Spoonemoore spoke on the agreement.
Commissioner Penny Githens shared concerns that were brought up at the Monroe County Council meeting the day before. Their main concern being that County Council Members would not be allowed to be appointed to the board.
Thomas added that it was unfortunate the agreement was announced by the city as a done deal, and said that there are things that need to be clarified before approving it.
Githens proposed that they look at the agreement for a little longer, and work on what amendments they would like to make.
The Commissioners postponed the decision on the agreement. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on December 6th.
Feature Report:
Up next, Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month on Civic Conversations, we are joined by Health Officer Dr. Clark Brittain and Board Member George Hegeman of the Monroe County Health Department Board. In our discussion, we tackled the Health Department’s role and numerous services. With the recent legislative allocations towards Indiana public health, Dr. Brittain talked about the amounts received and how that money would be spent in Monroe County through the Indiana Health First Initiative. We turn now to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we present a portion of Kite Line – a public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond on WFHB. This excerpt comes from their most recent episode on the Stop Cop City protest in Atlanta, Georgia. Tune in tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. or visit this link to listen to the full program. We turn now to that segment of Kite Line on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach and Hugh Farrell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 29th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with Neal Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission about his background, the new generation of advocacy when it comes to tackling climate change and the proposal to expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Testing Your Credibility” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
During the November 28th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, the board heard a contract with masonry contractor Baker Stone Work for wall repair at Rose Hill Cemetery. This comes in the aftermath of a high-speed police chase in October where a man crashed into a concrete wall and hit three headstones, according to Bloomington police. Operations
Superintendent for the city’s parks department Mark Marotz walked through the contract with Baker Stone Work.
The board approved the contract with a unanimous vote. The board then heard a review of a contract with Eco-Logic for the 2024 deer browse monitoring project at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Natural Resources Manager Steve Cotter provided the update.
Board Member Jim Whitlock asked if the cost of the contract has remained consistent or if it has gone up. Board Member Kathleen Mills also asked how the initiative has been going. Cotter responded.
The board approved the contract unanimously. The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on December 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with Neal Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission about his background which led him to join the environmental commission, the new generation of policy making when it comes to tackling climate change and the proposal to expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. Zyro Roze has more.
That was WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaking with Monroe County Environmental Commission member Neal Goswami about young people in the fight for climate change, his background in environmental advocacy and the proposed expansion of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. Up next, “Testing Your Credibility” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 28th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaulé spoke with Konnor Graber and Kate Weber of Eclipse Productions about their upcoming theater production of True West, a play by Sam Shephard written in the early 1980s. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, learn more about the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in this week’s edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council Discusses Rural Transportation
Photo courtesy of CATS – Community Access Television Services.The Ellettsville town council met yesterday to discuss changes to rural transportation.
Chris Myers, rural transit representative, has been providing transportation for non urban areas in Monroe County into urban areas for a long time, but was recently informed that they should not have gone into urban areas.
Bloomington has gotten approval to expand their boundaries of services to anywhere in the county. One option is for Bloomington to use their expansion to cover the urban areas. The council continued to discuss plans like this along with their funding options. Monroe County Counselor Trent Deckard noted.
President William Ellis agreed with the need for a transit service.
Councilman Mike Farmer asked if in the future as the town grows will the amount they have to pay also grow. Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas responded.
Ellis emphasized the importance of transportation regardless of the cost.
The council is aware of the need for transportation, but is still unsure on how to fund it.
The Town council will continue this conversation at the next Ellettsville Town Council Meeting on December 11th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Eclipse Production Company.In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaulé spoke with Konnor Graber and Kate Weber of Eclipse Productions about their upcoming theater production of True West, a play by Sam Shephard written in the early 1980s. The show opens this Thursday at the Waldron Arts Firebay Theater and will continue until December 10th. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. In this week’s episode, you will learn about Georgia, a serval hybrid/Savannah cat, and the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. We turn it over to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cindy Beaulé.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone and guest host Dr. Gloria Howell spend the hour with Dr. Charlie Nelms and Frank Motley to discuss efforts nationwide to ban schools from teaching critical race theory and the 1619 Project.
Dr. Gloria Howell, Director of IU’s Neal-Marshall Black Culture CenterDr. Charlie Nelms, former Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural AffairsFrank Motley, former Assistant Dean at Indiana UniversityCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Dr. Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 27th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Bloomington Board of Public Works denied an appeal for a sanitation violation on a property on South Washington Street. Local resident Joe Davis had a heated exchange with the board. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Gabbie Hetrick from Community Justice and Mediation. C-JAM is a partner in the Eviction Prevention Project, training mediators to work out landlord-tenant disputes BEFORE they go to eviction court. Turns out they are REALLY good at it, as you’ll hear later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Board of Public Works Denies Appeal for Resident on South Washington Street
During the November 21st meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard an appeal from local resident Joe Davis. This appeal was for a sanitation violation for his property on South Washington Street. Board President Kyla Cox-Deckard walked through the appeals process.
Davis requested that the board members recess for 10 minutes to provide time for witnesses to arrive. The board denied his request.
Despite his plea for more time, Davis continued to provide his case for appeal.
He went on to discuss the conversations he had with John Zody, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development for the city.
Public Works Director Adam Wason provided his version off events and said he recommended the board deny the appeal.
Davis pushed back saying he believes his rights to due process were being denied.
Cox-Deckard then asked City Attorney Chris Wheeler for clarification on the items related to this appeal.
Again, Davis disagreed on the items that Wheeler regarded as “rubbish.”
The board denied the appeal by a unanimous vote. The board also approved an abatement for the same property, which allows the city’s HAND department to essentially come onto the property and make it compliant with city code. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular session on December 5th.
Feature Report:
Nobody likes going to court. At a Bloomington nonprofit called Community Justice and Mediation, volunteers like Joelene Bergonzi and Gabbie Hetrick help people solve conflict without legal action. C-JAM is a partner in the Eviction Prevention Project, training mediators to work out landlord-tenant disputes BEFORE they go to eviction court. Turns out they are REALLY good at it, as you’ll hear on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Activate was produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Nobody likes going to court. At Community Justice and Mediation volunteers like Joelene Bergonzi and Gabbie Hetrick help people solve conflict without legal action. CJAM is a partner in the Eviction Prevention Project, training mediators to work out landlord-tenant disputes BEFORE they go to eviction court.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
l-r: Joelene Bergonzi, Gabbie Hetrick
Since 2021, a diverse movement in has challenged the construction of Cop City, which is slated to destroy Atlanta’s South River Forest. The forest is also known by its Muscogee name, Weelaunee. The movement has created new intersections between abolitionist and environmental politics, since it is defending a forest with important ecological elements for the surrounding Black community, in order to protest the creation of new police training facilities.
In the movement’s latest phase, a new coalition called Block Cop City made an ambitious proposal for mass, non-violent action. That action forced the city to suspend construction that day- and as of our airdate- has not resumed in the days since.
Here are selections from the statement issued by Block Cop City about the mobilization:
On November 13th, a bold and joyful procession of roughly 500 people marched along a public road to the proposed Cop City construction site. Holding banners and giant puppets, and accompanied by drummers and a brass band, Block Cop City activists reclaimed Atlanta’s rich civil rights legacy from politicians who continue to tarnish it with every voter disenfranchised and each tear gas canister thrown. Despite the violent response by police, activists minimized arrests and harm through careful planning, extensive preparation, and close attention to lessons learned from generations of revolutionary struggles against repression and authoritarianism.
Despite numerous stated commitments from religious leaders and city officials to honor the right to protest, armed riot police terrorized the crowd with tear gas grenades, attack dogs, clubs and ballistic shields.
As other protestors took to planting tree saplings in the Weelaunee Forest, journalists were forcibly separated from the crowd and threatened with arrest by police. We condemn this infringement of these journalists’ rights as well as the arrest of protestors including the Indigenous activists arrested while visiting Tortuguita’s altar in the Weelaunee Forest over the weekend.
The movement to Stop Cop City and Defend the Atlanta Forest is undeterred by today’s police aggression.
Photo credit: Mia Beach
Welcome to the 83rd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by Soha Vora, Ana Lim, and her parents for an enlightening conversation about how different AAPI families celebrate Thanksgiving! We touch on their perspectives on having a diverse ethnic background in the US and their attitude towards the Thanksgiving history and culture.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Soha Vora, Ana Lim, Harry Lim, and Pia Lim
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 21st, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance on positive and negative developments affecting climate, habitat, water and air quality in the region. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
MCPL Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on November 15th. Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report.
Board Member Kari Esarey asked if they have seen an increase in the number of visitors at the Southwest Branch. Carson responded that they have not been able to comprehensively monitor this due to some technical issues with their R-F-I-D gates which should allow them to count visitors as they enter or exit through the gates.
Carson also gave an update on the 2024 benefits package, before the board took a final vote to approve them.
The board voted unanimously to approve the 2024 insurance benefits plan.
The board also heard a strategic plan update from Carson. First, he revisited the last 3 year strategic plan.
Carson shared some feedback they received from the public about their priorities for the library.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on December 13th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance on positive and negative developments affecting climate, habitat, water and air quality in the region. The window for public comment closed on November 20th. We turn to Roze for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Ane Jenkins, speak with Troy T. Thomas, Jr., the founder and lead vocalist for Trumusiq. He is here today to promote an upcoming evening of inspirational and uplifting entertainment, food, music, and fun at the “Moments of Truth” Mental Health Gala and Awards Program scheduled for Dec. 2nd, at 6 p.m. at the Warehouse – 1525 South Rogers St. To get tickets, go to trumusiq.com.
Troy Thomas, founder and lead vocalistCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Ane Jenkins.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 20th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins takes a look at the transition between current Mayor John Hamilton and Mayor-Elect Kerry Thomson who assumes office on January 1st, 2024. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Michelle Moss from the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Find out which local nonprofits need extra help this holiday season later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Board of Health
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on November 16th. Public Health Preparedness Coordinator Christina Kempf gave an update from her department.
Following the Futures Clinic Manager Evan Theis’ department update, Board Member Sarah Ryterband asked if they have a sense for if the community knows about the Futures Family Planning Clinic as a local resource. Theis responded.
Board Member Stephen Pritchard asked about the foot traffic the clinic sees on a daily basis. Theis shared that they see about six patients per day.
Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update, and shared that they would be able to hire a new Health Educator in 2024.
Later the board discussed filling the last two positions on the board. Ryterbrand said she spoke with a commissioner who is in charge of filling one of the open positions, who shared they are having a hard time finding a Republican Physician to fill the vacant spot.
The board generated some ideas of people to contact to reach members of the Republican Party who might be interested and qualified for the position.
The next Monroe County Board of Health meeting will be held on December 21st.
Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on November 15th, Director of the Monroe County Airport Carlos Laverty, gave an update on their recent successful Federal Aviation Administration certification.
Planning Department Director Jacki Nester Jelen gave an update on the listening sessions they held to get public input on the Monroe County Development Ordinance.
Later in the meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented an agreement with VET Environmental Engineering, to complete an environmental review of Thomson Site.
Cockerill explained some of the parameters of the agreement.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented that residents expressed concerns about flooding nearby, and that this investigation would help ensure a new jail would not harm their properties.
The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on November 29th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin takes a look at the transition between current Mayor John Hamilton and Mayor-Elect Kerry Thomson who assumes office on January 1st, 2024. We turn to Askins for more.
During the holidays many local nonprofits need to “fill the gap” created when their regular volunteers are out of town or busy with family. Michelle Moss with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network has a special page on the Volunteer Network website where you can sign up to make a big difference without a big commitment. Michelle has a few examples for you on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
During the holidays many local non-profits need to “fill the gap” created when their regular volunteers are out of town or busy with family. Michelle Moss with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network has a special page on the BVN website where you can sign up to make a big difference without a big commitment.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Mayor John Hamilton, along with Josefa Madrigal Chief of Staff, and Cynthia Roberts from Cuba Amistad, share with Hola Bloomington about their recent trip to Bloomington Sister Cities: Posoltega in Nicaragua, and Santa Clara and Cuba, and share some remarks and highlights that show the deep relationship that Bloomington has with these cities.
This week on Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance on positive and negative developments affecting climate, habitat, water and air quality in the region as windows of opportunity for public input draw to a close.
And now for your environmental reports:
The Grain Belt Express is a power line that will carry wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana that serves eastern states. This project has taken many years to gain approval for its transmission line.
The $7 billion, 800-mile Grain Belt Express electric transmission infrastructure project secured approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission for its request to amend its existing Certificate of Convenience and Necessity. The decision marks the last required state siting approval for significant enhancements to the project and provides the necessary certainty about power delivery to support ongoing and upcoming commercial contracting efforts.
For Missouri electric consumers, the decision provides certainty of power delivery, billions of dollars in additional energy savings, and increased reliability for major grid regions that serve the Show Me state. Across the route, the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, the Grain Belt Express will deliver over $11 billion in energy cost savings over 15 years and enhance reliability for millions of homes and businesses in the Midwest and other regions.
—Norm Holy
The switch to electric vehicles is plagued with problems.
Major automakers and governments have vowed that the future of cars is electric. And with transportation making up about a quarter of the carbon pollution emitted by humanity, scientists say phasing out gas- and diesel-powered cars is imperative for there to be any hope of avoiding the worst effects of global warming.
But the shift away from fossil-fuel burning cars is happening too slowly to stave off climate catastrophe, according to a report released by Greenpeace this week. (quote) Leading auto manufacturers, including Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, are transitioning far too slowly to zero-emission vehicles, which has dangerous consequences for our planet, (end quote) Benjamin Stephan, climate campaigner at Greenpeace Germany, said in a statement. Toyota, Volkswagen and other leading automakers are on a collision course with the climate.
The report closely analyzed the stated electrification plans of four automakers that make up 40% of the world’s cars: GM, Hyundai/Kia, Toyota and the Volkswagen Group. Two of them have set dates to eliminate fossil-fueled cars: GM by 2035, and Kia by 2045.
Toyota and Volkswagen have no target date to go all-electric. VW had previously set 2040 as its target, while Toyota’s CEO has resisted the all-electric push, recently saying the EV transition will take longer than many believe.
EVs and hybrids may be catching on, but they make up only a little more than 2% of all vehicles registered in Indiana. Detractors point out that EVs are expensive – and that they are powered by electricity, which may still be produced from natural gas or coal. It doesn’t seem to matter that wind and solar are cheaper than gas and coal, and do not cause health issues. The Legislature is operating as if our state motto is “coal forever”.
—Norm Holy
This past summer, the Nature Conservancy of Indiana closed on a 360-acre forested property in Monroe County. The forests on this property – adjacent to Lake Monroe, Ransburg Scout Reservation and the Hoosier National Forest – are a stronghold for rare plants and wildlife species, including the tens of thousands of songbirds that migrate from South America every year to breed and raise their young in central and southern Indiana’s hardwood forests. This “home away from home” cannot be replicated or replaced.
This was one of the last and largest privately-owned parcels remaining in the Lake Monroe area, with a high risk for development due to its proximity to both State Road 446 and Lake Monroe. More than a mile of the property borders the Hoosier National Forest. The Nature Conservancy will be working with the U.S. Forest Service to transfer ownership and management of the property within the next five years.
—Julianna Dailey
This past summer, while conducting a routine survey, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources discovered a young Eastern hellbender salamander in south-central Indiana’s Blue River. Over the past three to four decades, no juvenile hellbenders have been documented in the wild in Indiana.
The hellbender, once occurring in most of southeast Indiana’s tributaries to the Ohio River, is now on Indiana’s endangered species list due to habitat loss and polluted waterways. To help improve water quality and save the hellbender – as well as other aquatic species – the Nature Conservancy and partners decided to do something about it. They planted more than a half a million trees along the Blue River, worked with agricultural retailers to promote conservation practices on nearby farmland, and removed two low-head dams, with a third slated for removal in 2024. These efforts are paying off! The discovery of a juvenile means that there is a population healthy enough to reproduce on their own.
—Julianna Dailey
The Yale School of the Environment reports that the renewable energy firm, Savion, is building a 200-megawatt solar installation on a former coal mine on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. When completed, it will be the largest solar project in Kentucky.
The Martin County Solar Project will stretch across 1,200 acres of the Martiki coal mine, an abandoned mountaintop strip mine. When completed, it will generate enough electricity to power more than 33,000 homes. Construction will kick off next year, and the solar array will go online by early 2024. Most of the workers on the project are expected to be former coal miners, PV Magazine reported.
In 2017, the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum made national news when it decided to cut its power bill by installing rooftop solar panels. Now, solar is taking off in the state. While Kentucky has just 68 megawatts of solar power installed currently, more than 800 megawatts are in the pipeline.
Mountain top sites are ideal for wind or solar. These sites are flat and without topsoil for farming. West Virginia would appear to be attractive for similar development.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
And now, we turn to Zyro Roze as he announces that Monroe County is among sixteen counties under a burn ban due to dry conditions and asks Steven Stewart of I.F.A. about threats to health and habitat as well as the positive promise posed by a new United States Senate Bill to establish the Benjamin Harris National Recreation Area and Wilderness which could counter U.S. Forest Service plans to log and burn in the Lake Monroe watershed and across the state.
To follow up on the information and your opportunities to voice opposition or approval, go to: www.indianaforestalliance.org before the public comment period ending Monday.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.
And now for some upcoming events:
Join park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” radio personality Don Glass at Brown County State Park on Saturday, November 18th, from 11 to 11:45 am to learn about the Woodpeckers of Indiana. The presentation will discuss Indiana’s 7 species, what they look like, their behaviors and more. Meet in the Nature Center.
Enjoy a Here Kitty Kitty Talk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, November 12th, at 3:30 pm in the Nature Center. You won’t be learning about little kitties, but all about the park’s elusive feline residents focusing on bobcats.
Experience Whooper Wednesday every Wednesday until February 21st, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, November 22nd, from 8 to 9:30 am. The morning bird walk will let you spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Dress for the weather.
Forget about shopping and holiday stress at the 4th Annual Monroe Lake Holiday Hiking Challenge. Hike all of Monroe Lake’s trails and complete the challenge activities beginning on Thursday, November 23rd, for an opportunity to win a prize. You have 4 days to complete the challenge which ends on November 26th.
If you love full moon hikes, then plan to join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 5 for a Full Beaver Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 25th, from 8 to 9 pm. Learn the history and folklore of the Full Beaver Moon. Dress for the weather.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.
This month on Civic Conversations, we are joined by Health Officer Dr. Clark Brittain and Board Member George Hegeman of the Monroe County Health Department Board. In our discussion, we discussed the Health Department’s role and numerous services. With the recent legislative allocations towards Indiana public health, Dr. Brittain talked about the amounts received and how that money would be spent in Monroe County through the Indiana Health First Initiative.https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Public-Health-Podcast.mp3
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 16th, 2023.
Later in the program, Mayor-Elect Kerry Thomson sent a letter to Current Mayor John Hamilton asking him to refrain from making any strategic decisions before the end of his term. More in the top half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council approved a resolution regarding the operation of a joint capital improvement board between the city and the county for the Monroe Convention Center.
That’s coming up in your daily headlines:
Mayor-Elect Thomson Sends Letter to Current Mayor Hamilton to Not Make Strategic Decisions
Incoming Mayor Kerry Thomson sent a letter to current Mayor John Hamilton asking him to “refrain from making any strategic or discretionary decisions” before the end of his term.
In Mayor-Elect Thomson’s letter, she wrote, “such vacancies would include but not limited to signing new contracts or extension of contracts, purchasing or conveying property and making future board and commission appointments.”
Thomson did say in her letter that she appreciates Mayor Hamilton’s decision to let vacancies remain and allowing acting or interim staff to serve. She also welcomed to engage in conversation with Hamilton on matters that may impact her tenure.
She wrote, “please accept this request with the spirit in which it is intended, which is respectful, collaborative and with the best interests of Bloomington in mind.” END QUOTE
Mayor Hamilton wrote a letter to the city council in response saying he was “very surprised” to receive Thomson’s letter. He said that Thomson’s request was “neither appropriate nor possible.”
Saying, “I make decisions daily that affect the future of the city for the upcoming days, weeks, months and years. It is my responsibility as mayor to do so, and I will continue to do so.”
Hamilton said he has reached out to Thomson over the phone to discuss the matter. Mayor-Elect Kerry Thomson will take office on January 1st of next year.
Bloomington City Council
At the November 15th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council heard a resolution regarding the operation of a joint capital improvement board between the city and the county for the Monroe Convention Center. Deputy City Clerk Sofia McDowell introduced the resolution.
Corporation Counsel Beth Cate elaborated on what the resolution entails and provided some background on the interlocal agreement.
Council Member Stephen Volan asked whether this agreement would comply with the Statehouse when it comes to food and beverage tax.
Council Member Dave Rollo questioned corporation counsel in what capacity would the city council oversee the CIB budget. Cate responded.
The resolution passed unanimously. The next city council meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 6th.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on November 8th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 cases in the county.
Area 10 Agency on Aging Executive Director Chris Myers gave an update on Rural Transit numbers, and usage across the county.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked Meyers to share how to schedule a ride and who is eligible to use their services. Meyers responded.
Later in the meeting, Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve a change order for a portable stop light on Sample Road.
The commissioners approved the change order unanimously.
Lastly, the Commissioner Penny Githens informed the public that they are accepting applications for appointments to boards and commissions.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on November 15th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have an excerpt from Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. You can hear Kite Line each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Annika Harshbarger, Ashley Voss, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach and Hugh Farrell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Her two books thus far have reflected her passions. After visiting Russia as a 16 year-old and becoming a devoted Russophile, Tristra went on to pen the epic historical fantasy “The Tomb and the Stone,” set in Siberia. Recently, she’s become entranced by the 19th century Indiana utopian outpost, New Harmony. Fittingly, her new book is set partly there. It’s a cli-fi (climate fiction) dystopian fantasy set in both the past and the future called “Starfall,” the first in a series of four books. Tristra’s author byline is T. Newyear.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 15th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB News continues its coverage into the proposed expansion of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area in the latest episode of Deep Dive: WFHB And Limestone Post Investigate.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Artificial Grandchildren on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More in the bottom half of our program.
But first, Deep Dive:
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. Last week we explored recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area. This week we dive deeper into the history of the land, and what it was before it was a wilderness area.
To learn more, we spoke with Indiana University Professor of History and Native American and Indigenous Studies, David Nichols.
You’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article written and photographed by Steven Higgs, visit Limestone Post Magazine dot com. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org.
Up next, Artificial Grandchildren on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. Last week we explored recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area. This week we dive deeper into the history of the land, and what it was before it was a wilderness area.
During our research on the History of the Hoosier National Forest, one thing we noticed is that most of the history centers around European settlers. The U.S. Forest Service does acknowledge that there were people living here before the colonists, but does not go into much detail about who? when? and where? We were curious to learn more about what the Hoosier National was like before there was a wilderness area, and before what Forest Service dubs, the Pioneer Era.
To learn more, we spoke with Indiana University Professor of History and Native American and Indigenous Studies, David Nichols.
Photos from the Charles C. Deam Wilderness AreaYou’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. To read the full article written and photographed by Steven Higgs, visit Limestone Post Magazine. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org.
Featured Animal: Peanut
This week’s featured animal is Peanut, a very sweet cat currently residing with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Peanut enjoys watching birds through the window, sleeping under blanket forts on couches, and playing with paper straws under doorways. She isn’t really a lap-cat, but she is social and generally wants to be around people to see what they’re doing. Peanut gets a little too excited around other cats, so she would probably be better off in a single-cat home. She has not been around children or dogs. Peanut likes freeze-dried chicken and drinking from faucets or cups, but also does fine with cat water fountains. She also enjoys chasing things, especially if they’re flying, such as frisbees.
Overall, Peanut would love a quiet home where she can be the only cat and watch animals outside, chase toys, and take naps. If that sounds like your home, Peanut would love to meet you!
Featured Topic: The Importance of Feline Play
Tune in to the episode to learn about the physical, mental, and behavioral benefits of play for cats – and advice on how to safely and affordably facilitate play for a pet cat!
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Tune in to learn about Baby and Pueblo, two seniors currently residing with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, and why potential adopters should consider senior pets!
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 14th, 2023.
Later in the program, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the usage of pdf files within city government. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board met on November 9th.
First, the board discussed the 2024 District Holiday Schedule.
Monroe County Solid Waste Executive Director Tom McGlasson, outlined the three holiday schedules.
The board voted unanimously to approve the 2024 District Holiday Schedule.
Next, the board discussed compensation for the Executive Director. County Council Member Goeff McKim introduced the issue, and shared that in other counties, the position receives a higher salary.
County Commissioner Penny Githens shared her findings from other counties.
The board agreed the salary for the Executive Director should be increased in the future. Githens suggested that they increase it to $84,000.
City Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith summarized the amendment to the salary ordinance to adjust the Executive Director’s salary.”
The board voted to approve the 2024 Salary Ordinance with the amendment increasing the Executive Director’s Salary.
The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board will meet again on December 14th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on November 8th.
Before approving the consent agenda Board Member Jane Kupersmith first asked about how they selected the providers for the 2024 service agreements. Public Works Facilities Director, J – D Boruff responded.
Kupersmith followed up, asking how a service provider becomes a preferred vendor. Boruff and Kupersmith discussed this process.
The board approved the 2024 service agreements.
Next, the board heard a request from Milestone Contractors for full street closure on West 2nd Street for Phase 1 of the Hopewell Project.
Engineering Project Manager Zac Rogers shared details of the request.
Kupersmith asked if neighbors were notified of the closures. Rogers received confirmation that they would be notified.
The board voted to approve the street closure request.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on November 21st.
Bloomington Utility Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.The Bloomington Utility Service Board met this Monday, November 6th.
The Financial Advisor from Kronan Associates, Gerald Hall, explained the new bonds that he suggested should be approved before the current ones in place mature.
Board Member Kirk White expressed his gratitude for the work Hall put into this planning.
Board President Amanda Burnham asked if there was potential to restructure the bonds in the future. Hall responded.
The board voted unanimously to recommend the Sewer and Stormwater Bond.
Utilities Engineer Jane Fleig requested the board’s approval of Resolution 2023-20, to accept and award the bid for the Clear Creek Culvert Reconstruction from Dunn Street to Indiana Avenue. Kirk White asked when this reconstruction would be completed, Fleig responded.
Later in the meeting the board heard a request for the approval of resolution of 23-24, for the adoption of the revised Title 13 Stormwater Ordinance.
Burnham thanked everyone for their work on this ordinance
The ordinance was approved.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on November 20th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the usage of pdf files within city government. We turn to Askins for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ashley Voss, Annika Harshbarger and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from May 30, 2021:
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, talk about the history of black women in the military. From the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, women have proudly served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as nurses, pilots, engineers, soldiers and other specialties. During World War I, about 35,000 women officially served as nurses and support staff. Nonetheless, many black women also broke barriers while serving in the U.S. Military. These women worked on the front lines or supported U.S. soldiers and civilian employees.
Dr. Alfreda R. CarmichaelCarrying on with this fine tradition of service are two remarkable women of color with whom we have the pleasure of speaking this evening. They are Dr. Alfreda R. Carmichael, who enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a Contract Specialist. While in the military, she deployed to multiple locations, including Iraq’s combat deployment. Dr. Carmichael served as the First Female President of Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 10. She is currently the National Treasurer and National Scholarship Director for National Montford Point Marine Association.
Joining her is Takishia Smiley, who joined the United States Marine Corps, and served 21 years and 5 months as a CWO-3 Supply Operations Professional in automated supply systems and logistic initiatives. She has over 26 years of experience in Supply Chain Management and Distribution Information Management. She is currently the Director at the National Museum of the Montford Point Marine.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 13th, 2023.
Later in the program, we learn more about restoring social sustainability from eco architect and village builder Mark Lakeman of Planet Repair. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Annalise Haldeman from Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, with a call for volunteers to help “The Hub” build community food security, later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on November 8th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 cases in the county.
Area 10 Agency on Aging Executive Director Chris Myers gave an update on Rural Transit numbers, and usage across the county.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked Meyers to share how to schedule a ride and who is eligible to use their services. Meyers responded.
Later in the meeting, Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve a change order for a portable stop light on Sample Road.
The commissioners approved the change order unanimously.
Lastly, the Commissioner Penny Githens informed the public that they are accepting applications for appointments to boards and commissions.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on November 15th.
Feature Report:
Up next in today’s feature, we learn more about restoring social sustainability from eco architect and village builder Mark Lakeman of Planet Repair, inspired by his expeditions into indigenous communities to reconnect isolated Americans by implementing neighborhood placemaking projects. That’s coming up in Part Four of his conversation with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.
Growing up in Bloomington Annalise Haldeman always thought of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard as a food pantry, but these days “The Hub” is so much more. Haldeman talks about this food resource center and how vital volunteers are to building community food security on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Growing up in Bloomington Annalise Haldeman always thought of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard as a food pantry, but these days “The Hub” is so much more. Haldeman talks about this food resource center and how vital volunteers are to building community food security.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On September 20th, 2023, The Matriarch joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar during the WFHB fall fund drive.
Production team:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineers: Josh Brewer
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Post-production by Chama Henry
El alcalde de Bloomington, John Hamilton y su equipo de trabajo, así como representantes de CubaAmistad como Cynthia Roberts, visitaron la Ciudad hermana de Bloomington en Cuba, Santa Clara. Durante esta visita tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer los sitios más emblemáticos de Santa Clara como el memorial del Che Guevara, la Escuela Profesional de Arte Samuel Feijó, la Universidad Central Marta Abreu de las Villas, la emisora de radio provincial CMHW, el centro cultural El Mejunje, entre otros. Para hablarnos sobre temas referentes al hermanamiento entre ambas ciudades, temas sociales y culturales del municipio , entrevistamos a Maile Hernández, Osmani García López, y Milagros Artiles.
On September 30, 2023, Madalitso Band joined us at the station for a live performance and interview ahead of their Lotus Festival performance.
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chama Henry
Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On September 27th, 2023, Bloomington-based pop rock band Moon Buggy joined us for a live performance and interview.
WFHB production team:
- Host: DJ Cindy
- Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray, Chama Henry, and Alex Hamel
- Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
WFHB host Abby Noroozi spoke with Sadie Dupuis and Andy Molholt of Speedy Ortiz ahead of their show at The Bishop Bar on September 22, 2023.
On September 30, 2023, Larry & Joe joined us at the station for a live performance and interview ahead of their Lotus Festival performance.
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chama Henry
Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Today, our guest speaker is Carlos Arturo Bedoya, and the host is Jose Viloria, the Venezuelan DJ from Hora Latina. Carlos is a Colombian musician who shares with us his life story and his passion for music. He also talks about his transition to the USA in 2009 and the significance of holding on to his Latino values.
His business card reads “Entertainer.” More specifically, Tim Reed is a composer, pianist, actor, writer, and piano & voice teacher. He’s putting on a big show Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater featuring performances by him, his friends, his students, and even members of the Indiana University ballet. The family-friendly program will include music, stories, and skits. Reed will also play several tunes from the movie musical, “Childrenopolis,” he has co-written.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 82nd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are celebrating IU’s Asian Culture Center’s 25th anniversary with students, alumni, staff members, and many affiliates that have witnessed this journey together. We interviewed some guests at the gala and shared many warm memories and wishes with the ACC.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. Last week we explored a bit of the history of the land, and how it came to be a wilderness area, this week we look into recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area.
Hoosier National Forest Proposal Wilderness National Recreation Area Map from Sen. Braun’s website.Tune in next week to hear more about the Deam Wilderness and the proposal to expand its borders. To read the full article written and photographed by Steven Higgs, visit Limestone Post Magazine. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 8th, 2023.
Later in the program, 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. More in today’s feature report.
But first, WFHB Correspondent Ashley Voss filed a report on the final results of Election Day in Monroe County. Voss has more.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ashley-Feature.mp3Deep Dive: Hoosier National Forest – Episode 2
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. Last week we explored a bit of the history of the land, and how it came to be a wilderness area, this week we look into recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area.
Browning Mountain is not protected wilderness, but it is a roadless area just up the Salt Creek Valley in Brown County that would become part of the new wilderness area under pending legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, with support from the Indiana Forest Alliance. It is within eyeshot of the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower and was included in some preservationist proposals in the early days of the struggle for an Indiana wilderness. Photo by: Steven HiggsUp next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. Host and producer Richard Fish has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ashley Voss.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB News presents Election Day coverage from the Monroe County Democrats’ Watch Party at the Dimension Mill in Bloomington, Indiana.
Correspondent Ashley Voss is on location bringing you real-time updates as the evening progresses.
Voss provides you partial election results, including an up-to-date tally of the Monroe County Community School Corporation referendum, which holds significance for early childhood education programs.
Moreover, we have an exclusive interview with the newly elected Mayor Kerry Thomson, discussing her top priorities once she becomes mayor.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Interview-with-Kerry-Thomson.mp3Photo courtesy of IU Center for Rural Engagement.Voss also provides an update on the Bloomington City Council District 3 race, where Democrat Hopi Stosberg faces off against Republican Brett Heinisch.
Tune in to WFHB tomorrow to hear final results. Also, listen to the Election Day Special from Tuesday’s edition of the WFHB Local News to hear more on the 2023 election.
WFHB welcomes The Cuadros Quartet to Saturday’s Child on a rare first Saturday – this Saturday, November 4, from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy the smooth, jazzy groove of Nate Johnson on saxophone, Paul Kirk on guitar, John Valdez on drums & Dave Bruker on bass. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. The Cuadros Quartet — live on Saturday’s Child, November 4, at 11am, on WFHB.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, explore what the term woke really means. To help us better understand the concept and origins of “Wokeness”, Artina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton MetroParks in Southeast Michigan, joins them.
Artina Carter, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Huron-Clinton MetroParks (MI)CREDITS:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 6th, 2023.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin continues a report on the potential merging of commissions within city hall. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Jenny Kirby, a volunteer in Bloomington’s Adopt-A-Greenspace program. Learn how you can run your own tiny nature preserve later in the show, on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County Election Board
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on November 2nd, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave an update on early voting numbers.
Browne shared the days and times of which the early voting center will be open until before Election Day on Tuesday.
Democratic Chair David Henry commented that he has received positive feedback from the public on the early voting center.
Next, Henry brought up the Vote Center Study Committee. He asked Clerk Browne if she had her final appointee selected yet. Browne said she did not have anyone finalized yet. Democratic Chair David Henry nominated Steve Volan to the commission.
The board voted unanimously to approve the nomination.
Henry asked if there were any updates on the date of the first meeting of the commission.
Deputy Clerk Kylie Moresland responded.
Henry said that he understands if the meeting takes a few more weeks to set up since, in the grand scheme of things, it has been years in the making.
The Election Board voted to recess the meeting, and the re-adjourn on November 6th at Election Central. The next scheduled Election Board meeting is scheduled for December 7th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin continues a report on the potential merging of commissions within city hall. We turn to Askins for more.
When Jenny Kirby and Liza Saracina moved into their new home near Clear Creek, they fell in love with the surrounding natural habitat. Through the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program, Jenny and Liza are now active stewards of a tiny nature preserve they are calling “Bunting Burrow.” Hear their story on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ashley Voss, Annika Harshbarger and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
When Jenny Kirby and Liza Saracina moved into their new home near Clear Creek, they fell in love with the surrounding natural habitat. Through the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program, Jenny and Liza are now active stewards of a tiny nature preserve they are calling “Bunting Burrow.”
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Liza Saracina and Jenny Kirby
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM. With this month we are expanding our format to 15 minutes.
This month we welcome back Ed Weisbart MD, our old friend from St Louis whom we interviewed last in September, 2021. It is open enrollment now for Medicare (DIS)Advantage and he shares important information about the problems of Medicare Advantage as opposed to Traditional Medicare.
More information about Medicare Advantage can be found at Protect Medicare.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. In today’s program, we learn more about restoring social sustainability from eco architect and village builder Mark Lakeman of Planet Repair, inspired by his expeditions into indigenous communities to reconnect isolated Americans by implementing neighborhood place making projects. That’s coming up in Part Four of his conversation with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. | | And now for your environmental reports:The Michigan Senate voted to require that all of the state’s energy come from sources that do not emit climate warming gases by 2040.“This legislation is a major milestone in ongoing efforts to ensure a greener and more environmentally conscious Michigan,” said Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee. “These policies will safeguard public health and better protect our environment now and for future generations, and my colleagues and I will continue to work to address the climate crisis and combating the harmful pollution that plagues our farms, air and Great Lakes.”Senate Bill 271 sets targets for a clean energy future. Those targets include establishing a 100% clean energy standard set to be achieved by 2040, and an 80% clean energy standard by 2035. —Norm Holy | | The main driver of the extinction of plant and wildlife species around the world is habitat loss. In the U.S. alone, approximately 650 species have become extinct or are “missing in action,” according to the National Wildlife Federation. This week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed 21 species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA)’s list of threatened and endangered species due to extinction. Delisting was based on “the best available science” for each species, a press release from USFWS said.The newly delisted 21 species emphasize the ESA’s importance in trying to protect species before their declines become irreversible. Human activity is the number one driver of species decline and extinction due to habitat loss, overuse, invasive species and diseases. “Federal protection came too late to reverse these species’ decline, and it’s a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before it’s too late,” said USFWS Director Martha Williams in the USFWS press release.As the world population and temperatures rise, the pace of extinctions will increase. So far, attempts to halt climate change have fallen way short. By 2100, we may be losing 1,000 species per year. E. O. Wilson, the dean of American biologists, predicted the current mass extinction would cause 1 million plants and animals to go extinct.—Norm Holy | | A group of residents in Tippecanoe-Warren-Boone-Clinton and Montgomery Counties in Indiana have banded together regarding a plan by the Indiana Economic Development Committee (IEDC) to push piping up to 100 million gallons of water PER DAY from the Teays Aquifer in Tippecanoe County to their upcoming Limitless Exploration Advanced Pace (LEAP) industrial district in Lebanon, Indiana, with plans to use and forward the water to Indianapolis. The IEDC is a government-funded private entity.The plan, which included Governor Holcomb, has not had a single environmental impact study completed. At a meeting on September 28th, the IEDC’s contracted hydologist presented data from only four days of testing during the wettest part of the year.Residents reported sulfurous water, gravel in their wells, and problems with their filters. No study was done regarding the flora and fauna that might be dependent on the aquifer.The “water grab” will have negative effects on both residents of Indiana and Illinois and their natural resources. At this time, there is no water protection laws in place in the State of Indiana. Members of the group are asking others in Indiana to reach out to the IN DNR and the EPA for more testing.—Julianna Dailey | | Now that the Arctic Ocean is navigable during the summer months, how much traffic is there? The majority of ships (41 percent) entering the Arctic are commercial fishing vessels. Other types of ships that commonly navigate in the region include bulk carriers, icebreakers, and research vessels. Growing Arctic marine tourism also has its share – 73 cruise ships sailed in Arctic waters in 2019.Arctic coastal communities that are used to largely un-trafficked waters are likely to experience major changes as shipping in the Arctic increases. As shipping increases, it may interfere with communities’ subsistence harvesting of fish and marine mammals, foul their coastlines if they spill fuel or other toxic substances or impose a heavy burden upon their limited search and rescue and response capabilities in the event of an accident.There is an urgent need to protect the Arctic. As cold-water fish (e.g., cod) move out of the Gulf of Maine , it is critical that sanctuaries are in place to receive them. Given that global warming will be with us for centuries, cold-water species will need the Arctic.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports that as winter is over in the Southern Hemisphere and sea ice around Antarctica has likely grown as much as it’s going to for 2023, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest peak by a wide margin for any year since 1979, when the continuous satellite record began.“The ice this year is so far out of the range of all the other years that it’s a really exceptional year,” said Ariaan Purich, a climate scientist at Monash University in Australia.Antarctica has ice both on land and a massive continental ice sheet. The icebergs that calve off from the big glaciers help to protect the main mass from melting. Less sea ice could mean that the continental ice sheet melts and breaks faster, contributing to faster sea-level rise around the world. That sea ice supports a whole ecosystem of wildlife, including both Adélie and emperor penguins. Last year, several emperor penguin colonies suffered a widespread loss of their chicks when the ice broke up early.What will happen during the coming summer to the so-called ‘Doomsday’ glacier – an Antarctic glacier that buffers warming seas from the large Antarctic ice sheet – could melt much faster than predicted. Officially called the Thwaites Glacier, it is monitored closely by researchers. When it breaks free, it could be catastrophic for the planet. Should the Thwaites Glacier and its surrounding ice basins melt, it could raise sea levels by anywhere between three and 10 feet. This, combined with the Florida-sized glacier’s buffering role in the ocean, has given it its apocalyptic Doomsday nickname. There is nothing we can do at this point to prevent Thwaites from breaking free – it’s too late. It may not break free this summer, but the outcome is certain.—Norm Holy | | And now we turn to Zyro Roze as he explores the origins of the first Little Free Library and the self-service solar powered tea station that formed the initial components of the revolutionary socio-cultural movement that became Portland’s City Repair Project which is now branching out into communities all across the country. |
| For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |
| And now for some upcoming events:Take an Introduction to Hydroponics class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Saturday, November 4th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Learn an alternative way of gardening using water rather than soil. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | There will be a Night Owl Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, November 4th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. A naturalist will accompany you as you learn how to spot and listen for common Indiana owl species. Meet at the boathouse. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Take the Elkinsville History Tour at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, November 8th, beginning at 1 pm. This will be a driving and walking tour through the “town that was.” Meet at the Story Inn in Story, Indiana. Sign up at bit.ly/elkinsville2023. | | The Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter will gather at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve near Nashville, Indiana on Thursday, November 9th, from 9 to 11:30 am for a hike through the preserve. | | Join the naturalist at Spring Mill State Park for an Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop on Saturday, November 11th, from 11 am to Noon. You will dissect an owl pellet and use a chart to help determine what animal the owl ate. Please register at sbelt@dnr.in.gov. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report. |
We continue our conversation with musician, performer, and teacher, Sarah Flint. The founder of WFHB’s Youth Radio, she continues to make music, live and recorded, and she offers music lessons online and in her Courthouse Square studio. Part 1 of our talk aired Thursday, October 26, 2023.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. This week we look into how the Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area.
Nestled in the northern edge of the Hoosier National Forest sits nearly 12,953 acres of land called the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area.
Photos from the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Browning Mountain is not protected wilderness, but it is a roadless area just up the Salt Creek Valley in Brown County that would become part of the new wilderness area under pending legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, with support from the Indiana Forest Alliance. It is within eyeshot of the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower and was included in some preservationist proposals in the early days of the struggle for an Indiana wilderness. Photo by: Steven HiggsTune in next week to hear more about the Deam Wilderness and the proposal to expand its borders. To read the full article written and photographed by Steven Higgs, visit Limestone Post Magazine.
To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 1st, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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.
Also coming up, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Feature Report:
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. We are looking into the Hoosier National Forest, and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area within it. This week we look into how the Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the Wilderness Area.
Nestled in the northern edge of the Hoosier National Forest sits nearly 12,953 acres of land called the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. In 1982, the U.S. Congress designated it as wilderness protecting the area from significant human influence, preserving its natural condition. The Deam is the only permanently protected wilderness in the state of Indiana.
Tune in next week to hear more about the Deam Wilderness and the proposal to expand its borders. To read the full article written and photographed by Steven Higgs, visit Limestone Post Magazine dot com. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 31st, 2023.
Later in the program, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on a potential consolidation of several city commissions. We turn to Askins for more. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we rebroadcast Episode 34 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on October 25th, Commissioner Penny Githens gave an update on the jail, and what they are currently working on.
Later, Personnel Administrator Elizabeth Sensenstein asked the commissioners to approve the 2024 Anthem Medical Plans Summary for Monroe County Employees.
Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked Sensenstein for the work that was done. Sensenstein highlighted the work of Commissioners’ Administrator, Angie Purdie, for bargaining to keep the cost of insurance as stable as possible amidst rising costs.
The commissioners unanimously approved the medical plan summary.
Next, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about Ordinance 2023-44, to amend Monroe County Code to include the collective bargaining agreement with highway workers.
The commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance. They also unanimously approved the bargaining agreement.
The commissioners also approved a feasibility study for the current jail. The agreement with R-Q-A-W was for $40,000 to study possible alternatives to the construction or reconstruction of the county jail. Cockerill explained what prompted the study.
Commissioner Githens asked how long it would take to complete the study. Cockerill explained that it is set to take two months, however, he noted that we are approaching the holiday season and it might take a little longer consequentially.
The agenda notes that after completion, the County will hold a public hearing on this feasibility study.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on November 1st.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on October 24th, the board heard a request for an abatement at 2501 East 8th Street from Housing and Neighborhood Development Neighborhood Compliance Officer, Rob Council.
Board Member Elizabeth Karon asked if there is anything the city can do to further support the individual since they said they were struggling with mental health. Council responded.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked if the resident was present to speak on the abatement. Council shared he was not in attendance.
The board unanimously approved the abatement.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on November 8th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on October 23rd, the council discussed Ordinance 2023-15, a General Obligation Bond Ordinance on property tax in Ellettsville. The General Obligation Bond would go toward funding a new Maintenance Facility. An advisor from Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, Principal Matt Eckerle, was brought in to explain the intricacies of the ordinance, and the impact the General Obligation bond would have on property taxes.
Council President William Ellis clarified that this General Obligation Bond would be a continuation of a previous bond, and said that due to the increase in new residential developments residents likely won’t see an increase in their property taxes. He explained this is because the town expects to establish 6 million dollars worth of additional property tax assessment value which will be added to the tax rolls in January of 2024.
Eckerle responded saying that the 19 dollar increase only takes into account the current property values. He said that the addition of new property could take the burden off of current taxpayers. However, Eckerle said it is not a guarantee that residents will not see any increases, due to there being a variety of factors that play into tax rates.
Eckerle added that Baker Tilly will continue to monitor the town’s assessed value as the town continues to grow.
The ordinance was unanimously approved without council discussion or public comment.
The next Ellettsville Town Council Meeting will be held on November 6th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on a potential consolidation of several city commissions. We turn to Askins for more.
Up next, we rebroadcast Episode 34 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ashley Voss, Annika Harshbarger, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is co-produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 30th, 2023.
That’s Jessica Marchbank from the Bloomington office of All Options. Abortion is now illegal in Indiana with very few exceptions, and Marchbank has advice for Hoosiers struggling with reproductive rights. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Richland Bean Blossom School Corporation
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on Monday October 23rd.
During visitor comments, Library Assistant and a mom of three high schoolers that attend Edgewood High, Andrea Andrews spoke to the board about anxiety caused by sports.
Junior High Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jonathan Siegelin (Sea-glen) highlighted the actions of a middle school coaching staff that saved a moms life at a football game in September.
Next, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin, gave his report including updates on projects approved in previous meetings such as the replacement of the high school gym floor that will be finished next week.
Later, the 2024 budget was unanimously adopted, and the Director of Teaching and Learning Ready Schools, Jennifer Barrett, reported on a fifty six thousand dollar ($56,000) grant that the school district received.
The meeting ended with a comment from Larry DeMos on the need to be actively supporting students,
especially those in the marching band.
The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held on November 20th at 6:00pm.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.During the October 24th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation, the school board halted a policy that would have created new high school schedules for the 2025-26 school year. Vice President of the School Board, April Hennessey, introduced a motion which would designate scheduling as a board voting matter rather than a decision made by the superintendent.
Hennessey continued to provide her rationale behind the motion, and expressed her frustration in how the process had played out.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald said the proposed scheduling changes were introduced because of equity concerns. Board Member Ashley Pirani asked how those concerns were taken into account.
45 parents and students shared their concerns about the policy during public comment.
Rebecca Baxter, a sophomore at Bloomington High School South, said she doesn’t believe equity concerns would be solved with identical schedules.
The board voted 4-3 in favor of shifting the authority of scheduling changes away from the superintendent and to the school board as a voting matter. No scheduling changes will be made prior to the 2025-26 school year.
Feature Report:
Abortion is now illegal in Indiana with very few exceptions, after a new state law went into effect in August. Here in Bloomington the local chapter of All Options supports those seeking an abortion in neighboring states through their Hoosier Abortion Fund. They also run a diaper giveaway program for local families struggling to afford them. All Options State Program Director Jessica Marchbank is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins
Activate was produced by Shelby Gosser, Alyssa Gallarneau and Will Toriello.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Abortion is now illegal in Indiana with very few exceptions, after a new state law went into effect in August. Here in Bloomington the local chapter of All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center supports those seeking an abortion in neighboring states through their Hoosier Abortion Fund. They also run a diaper giveaway program for local families struggling to afford them. Jessica Marchbank is All-Options State Program Director.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode was produced by Shelby Gosser, Alyssa Gallarneau and Will Toriello in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
On August 2nd, 2023, Terry Klein joined us for a live interview and performance.
WFHB production team:
Host: Rich Reardin
Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session Engineer: Jim Lang
“Off The Charts” Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
On September 6th, 2023, Buffalo Nichols joined us for a live interview and performance ahead of his show at The Bishop Bar.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Session engineers: Alyssa Gray and Mike Chrastil
Post-production engineer: Chama Henry
On September 6th, 2023, Bloomington-based “Hoosier surf klezmer” band Bazargan Book Club joined us for a live performance and interview.
WFHB production team:
- Host and Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
- Session Engineers: Alyssa Gray, Chama Henry, and Alex Hamel
- Post-Production Engineer: Chama Henry
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance on a new attempt at prescribed burning and logging proposed for the Lake Monroe watershed.
And now for your environmental reports:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has been selected to receive a $325,000 pollution prevention grant through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This is a key pillar of Bidenomics. The EPA has selected IDEM to receive the funding made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The goal is to develop and adopt practices that prevent pollution at the source in local communities.
IDEM will use their grant funding to help small and medium-sized businesses in Indiana implement changes such as identifying and repairing compressor leaks and cleaning out barrels properly. They will provide training, peer mentoring, toolkits and environmental management systems planning. The project will help reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. “Preventing pollution is a crucial part of environmental justice efforts across the Great Lakes region,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grants being announced will encourage businesses to help overburdened and underserved communities become cleaner, healthier places to live, learn and work.”
There is virtually no limit to opportunities for improvement. Indiana has 24,000 miles of rivers and streams that are sufficiently polluted that if you swim in these waters, you stand a good chance of getting sick. Indiana is “business friendly,” so its laws allow high levels of pollution.
—Norm Holy
The historic wildfire season currently plaguing Canada is expected to persist, a potentially devastating forecast made more likely due to human-caused climate change, according to new research. Drought and hot conditions contributed to an unprecedented start to the fire season in Canada and has kept the fires burning all over the country since late April says Kristina Dahl, senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Currently, more than 40 million total acres have been burned, an area nearly as large as the state of Georgia, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. There are more than 1,000 active wildfires burning in Canada, with more than 650 of them deemed “out of control,” according to the agency. The fire season would not have gotten this bad were it not for anthropogenic, or human-caused, climate change, according to a new study released Tuesday by World Weather Attribution, an international group of academics and officials that evaluate the influence of climate change on extreme weather events.
The carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere increases every year. We will know we are making progress when the growth in carbon dioxide slows.
—Norm Holy
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is one of the last intact, wild landscapes of its kind. It’s a sanctuary for a remarkable array of wildlife, from polar bears and awe-inspiring caribou herds to millions of migratory birds. In its final days, the Trump administration issued leases to drill for oil on the refuge’s fragile coastal plain where these animals live. But the Arctic is already heating up at a rate four times faster than the rest of the planet. The stakes for this incredibly vulnerable place couldn’t be higher.
The plans in place to halt global warming are inadequate. The globe is warming at an ever-increasing rate. Thus, we can expect much higher temperatures in the Arctic. The refuge may even become forested if we continue on our current path. Back when there was much greater volcanic activity, the carbon dioxide content in the air was over 1000 ppm, and there were forests and even alligators in the Arctic. While that degree of warming is not expected, the future Arctic will be vastly different than what it is today. Polar bears are likely to be extinct in the wild. Nonetheless, the area could become the only relatively cool place for species that require cooler temperatures.
For preserving many cold climate species, we will need to protect the Arctic Refuge. Arguably even more important will be protecting the Arctic Ocean from drilling and fishing. The cold water fish are already moving northward from both of our coasts. Even if we did everything possible to halt warming, this trend will continue through the lifetimes of everyone currently alive. But if large portions of the Arctic Ocean are maintained as a preserve, they will become really important for reestablishing populations along both the East and West coasts as the climate cools. While that may be thousands of years off, it is important to start now.
—Norm Holy
The New York Times reports that hidden within the seemingly barren expanse of White Sands National Park in New Mexico are human footprints. But these impressions are much more than random tracks: They are ancient vignettes cast in gypsum-rich sand. The footprints tell stories of hunters stalking a giant sloth; a traveler slipping in mud with a child on one hip; children jumping in puddles, splashing in play; and more.
But one question has plagued researchers studying these prints. Exactly how long ago were they made? A paper published in 2021 offered a somewhat surprising answer: Humans could have pressed their feet in the sand as early as 21,000 to 23,000 years ago, making the tracks some of the oldest evidence yet found of people in the Americas.
The result elicited both excitement and skepticism, with calls for additional tests to back up the astonishing claims. A new study published Thursday in the journal Science employed additional methods to determine the age of the tracks and adds to the evidence for those surprisingly ancient dates.
—Norm Holy
When is an area truly safe from exploitation? The answer seems to be NEVER. A few years ago, during the Trump era, there was a proposal to open a gold mine right next to the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Environmentalists were concerned about this proposal from the very beginning. EcoReport covered the blow-by-blow battle. Concerns were about preserving animal life: for many species the area is part of their natural migration territory. Both Grizzlies and wolves frequent the target area.
Furthermore, the watershed includes the Yellowstone River and the concern was that the toxic runoff from a mine might poison the river. The battle was pitched for a couple of years. Finally, the environmental concerns won and there was no mine. Recently, there has been a new attempt to open this mine. The effort was halted because environmental groups raised six million dollars to buy enough land to make it unattractive to mine.
—Norm Holy
And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his interview with Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance, on how the Hous•ton-South project could affect endangered species, the health of County residents and the municipal drinking water supply for Bloomington.
| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@WFHB.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Join the Uplands Network of the Sierra Club for a 7-mile hike on the Sycamore Loop Trail in the Hoosier National Forest on Saturday, October 28th, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. There will be a stop for lunch while you enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Register at maryrrdn@gmail.com or call 812-320-9322. | | Take a Spooky Full Moon Hike on Saturday, October 28th, from 9:30 to 11 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. During the hike you will learn the history and folklore surrounding the full moon and Hallow’s Eve. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Celebrate Halloween with a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Tuesday, October 31st, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Get a close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn their unique traits, their threats and how they affect your life. You will have the opportunity to pet the snake at the end of the program. | | Take an Introduction to Hydroponics class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Saturday, November 4th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Learn an alternative way of gardening using water rather than soil. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | There will be a Night Owl Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, November 4th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. A naturalist will accompany you as you learn how to spot and listen for common Indiana owl species. Meet at the boathouse. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report! |
Today we have Mitch Teplitsky, Marketing / PR Director & Author Talk host from Morgenstern’s Books, which is Hola Bloomington Sponsor, to talk about how the bookstore promotes diversity and hosts Spanish storytelling. He also shares with our host, Carlos Bakota, his passion for producing documentaries.
She fell in love with music as a kid, listening to the bands playing late into the night in her family’s first floor restaurant. She obtained her FCC broadcaster’s license at the tender age of 14. Sarah Flint went on to become a well-traveled singer and guitar player. She founded Youth Radio at WFHB and today is one of Bloomington’s most beloved music teachers. This is Part 1 of our conversation with her. Part 2 will air next week.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 81th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we are joined by Alex Tran, a PhD student studying Social Psychology here at IU, with a meaningful conversation on the importance of reading books, especially for the AAPI community, and his work with the ACC’s Book Club. We touch on the book All My Rage, Alex’s motivation for starting the book club, and the book ban in Indiana.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our guests is Alex Tran
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 24th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with eco-architect and place maker Mark Lakeman. More in the bottom half of the program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday October 18th. The meeting began with a report from Holly Warren, Interim Director of Economic and Sustainable Development and Assistant Director for the Arts, and Gerard Pannekoek Chair of the Bloomington Arts Commission. Warren introduced a new microgrant program that will be available to the public.
The report ended with the discussion of a possible self guided audio tour of all Bloomington public art pieces and an invitation to attend future art commission meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at five pm in person or on zoom. Later in the meeting Ordinance 23-28 was moved to be adopted by Council Member Dave Rollo and a summary was read by the City Clerk, Nicole Bolden.
The ordinance was discussed at length by council members. During public comment on the ordinance, Bloomington Resident Sue Touey asked the council to consider lowering the speed limit on Arlington Road and 17th street.
The amended ordinance was called to a vote.
It passed unanimously.
The meeting ended with a 3-5 failed motion by Council Member Dave Rollo in an effort to reverse the mayoral veto of ordinance 23-23 by Mayor John Hamilton that would have added stop signs at various locations on seventh street.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on November 1st at 6:30pm.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).During the October 18th meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees, Director Grier Carson delivered his monthly report on the status of MCPL.
Carson also notified the board that a final draft of the library system’s strategic plan should be ready in December for adoption.
Next, the board of trustees heard an update on benefits and open enrollment for next year. JA Benefits Account Executive Alyssa Prince provided the update.
Board Trustee Nichelle Whitney Wash asked for clarification on whether or not they could increase the amount of medical providers to make the plan more attractive to library employees.
No actions were taken on 2024 benefits and open enrollment. The MCPL Board of Trustees will meet again on November 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with eco-architect and place maker Mark Lakeman. We turn to Roze for Part III of that conversation.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about Collie and Grey, two working cats currently residing with the Bloomington Animal Shelter, and to learn about what it means to be a working cat!
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
On September 29, 2023, Kavita Shah joined us at the station for a live performance and interview ahead of her Lotus Festival performance.
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo
Engineer: Jim Lang
Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
This is a rebroadcast from August 17, 2020.
Hosts Cornelius Wright and Amnita Myers discuss the 1921 Tulsa/Greenwood Race Massacre with Liz Mitchel, a regular Bring It On! anchor and producer of award-winning WFHB segment “Dark Past, Bring Future”, and Professor Jewell Parker-Rhodes, bestselling novelist and award-winning academic.
The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred over the span of two days in 1921, from May 31 to June 1, when mobs of whites from the area indiscriminately attacked and often killed the black residents, especially those living in the Greenwood District of Tulsa. The white mobs went on to destroy more than 35 square blocks of what was then the wealthiest black community in the United States, which was dubbed the “Black Wall Street”.
In mid-June, Donald Trump was widely criticized as extremely insensitive to this tragedy when he scheduled his “Keep America Great” rally in Tulsa, OK shortly after the Massacre’s 99-year anniversary and on, and then rescheduled to the day after, Juneteenth. With the spark of the massacre starting with the arrest of 19-year-old black Dick Rowland for the assault of Sarah Page, a 17-year-old white, rumors had spread that Rowland was going to be lynched. Reportedly, 75 black men, some armed, arrived at the jail to ensure that would not happen. After reassurance from the sheriff, while the group of black men was leaving the jail, a member of the white mob already assembled at the jail attempted to disarm one of the black men. A shot was fired, and, according to the sheriff, “all hell broke loose”.
Many members of the white mob were deputized and armed by city officials. It is estimated that more than 800 black residents were hospitalized and up to 6,000 black residents were detained, many for several days. Officially, 36 were killed in the Race Massacre, but historians have estimated that anywhere from 75 to 300 were killed. Black Wall Street was left in ashes.
Professor Jewell Parker Rhodes and Liz Mitchell come to Bring It On! to help us understand this tragedy and its long-lasting psychological and economic impact on the black communities in Tulsa and throughout the United States.
CREDITS:
The hosts of today’s show are Cornelius Wright and Amnita Myers.
The Executive Producer is Clarence Boone with help from WFHB News Department Director Kade Young.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The promotional graphic is provided by William Hosea.
Online writing help provided by Chantalle LaFontant.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 23rd, 2023.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin reports on a Zoom audio glitch during the public comment portion of the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting last Thursday. We turn to Dave Askins for more. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
That’s Macee Long from Middle Way House, on a quest to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. Middle Way’s annual tree sweater public art project is now in full swing – more on that later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on October 17th for the second reading and the adoption of the 2024 budget. Council Member Pete Iverson introduced the budget resolution.
The council voted to approve the Monroe Fire Protection District 2024 Budget and the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District 2024 Budget.
Before voting on the Monroe County 2024 Budget, Council Member Marty Hawke asked about the amount set for the debt levy. Council President Kate Wiltz responded.
Council Administrator Kim Shell added that the higher amount was put in during budgeting, but will be changed after the Department of Local Government Finance finalizes the paperwork.
Hawke asked about the amount of money the bond was advertised for, saying it was advertised as 5 million instead of the 4.4 million they adopted.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill said at last week’s first hearing of the budget, the council approved a 3.1 million General Obligation bond.
Hawke said that she is not comfortable advertising the bond as 4.4 million as it gives the council legal room to use 4.4 instead of 3.1 million. Cockerill responded and shared that there are time constraints to approving the bond.
County Auditor Cathrine Smith added that she discussed the issue with the Department of Local Government Finance, and they said it wouldn’t make a difference what it is advertised as.
Iverson said he was comfortable with moving forward due to the advice of the county attorney and county auditor.
Hawke remarked that the debt levy is set high initially, however, at this point in time she would like it to be set in stone.
Council President Kate Wiltz agreed she would like it to be accurate, however she didn’t want to alter the official budget at official budget meeting.
Council Member Trent Deckard commented that they will ensure it will remain at the agreed upon 3.1 million amount.
The Council voted 5-1 to approve the Monroe County 2024 Budget, with Council Member Marty Hawke voting no.
They also approved the Monroe County 2024 Salary Ordinance for Elected Officials and Monroe County Employees.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on November 14th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin reports on a Zoom audio glitch during the public comment portion of the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting last Thursday. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Middle Way House volunteer Macee Long preps a “Wrapped in Love” tree sweaterIt’s that time of year where everybody in Bloomington is wearing sweaters – even the trees. The “Wrapped in Love” tree sweater project is more than just public art – it also raises money for Middle Way House, a local nonprofit working to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. This year for the first time ever the City of Bloomington is partnering with Middle Way on the Wrapped in Love project. Middle Way House volunteer Macee Long is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
It’s that time of year where everybody in Bloomington is wearing sweaters – even the trees. The “Wrapped in Love” tree sweater project is more than just public art – it also raises money for Middle Way House, a local nonprofit working to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. This year for the first time ever the City of Bloomington is partnering with Middle Way on the Wrapped in Love project.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Middle Way House volunteer Macee Long preps a “Wrapped in Love” tree sweater
El día de hoy recibimos a nuestra amiga Lucero Guillén, estudiante internacional de México, quien nos cuenta sobre su historia en Bloomington, su paso por la oficina internacional de IU en México, y lo importante de la multiculturalidad.
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. We are looking into the Lake Monroe Watershed and the water quality. This week, we look into ways the watershed is naturally protested by wetlands and forested areas.
One of the biggest threats o the Lake Monroe reservoir is sediment accumulation at the bottom of the dam. As mentioned in episode 2 of our Deep Dive coverage on the Lake Monroe Watershed, 38,733 tons of sediment enter the lake annually and 3,037 tons exit the lake, leaving 35,696 tons stored in the lake, according to the Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan. Michelle Cohen, executive director of the Lake Monroe Water Fund, explained that reducing the amount of incoming sediment would increase the lifespan of the reservoir.
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from thereservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond itswatershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit Limestone Post Magazine dot com. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
This program was originally aired on July 29, 2019.
Today’s show focuses on how African-American ex-slaves were pioneers and part of the U.S.’s expansion into the Western Frontier, focusing on free-black settlers in Indiana and other parts of the Midwest. Hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with La Vella Hyter, President of the Board of Directors for the Indiana Roberts Settlement, and Stanley Madison, Chairman of the Board for Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation*.
They are also joined by Dr. Anna-Lisa Cox, author, award-winning historian, and Non-Resident Fellow at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Dr. Cox’s newest book is The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America’s Forgotten Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality, which chronicles the long-hidden stories of America’s black pioneers of the Western frontier.
*The Roberts Settlement was an early rural settlement in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, dating from the 1830s whose first settlers were free people of color, most of whom migrated from the Beech Settlement, located 40 miles (64 km) southeast in rural Rush County, Indiana.
**The Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation (LSHPC), a not-for-profit (501(C)3) organization, was established in August 1998 for the specific and primary purpose of preservation of the oral, written, and physical history, artifacts, buildings, and land which identifies and/or describes events, activities and life experiences of the people and the community known as Lyles Station in Gibson County, Indiana. Lyles Station is an early black settlement started in the 1830s.
For more information on today’s topic, visit the following interview guest links :
Ms. La Vella Hyter – President of the Board of Directors for the Indiana Roberts Settlement Mr. Stanley Madison – Chairman of the Board for Lyles Station Historic Museum and School Dr. Anna-Lisa Cox – Author and Non-Resident Fellow, Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University
CREDITS: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Roberta Radovich. Our show’s producer is Clarence Boone. The board engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music is created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 11th, 2023. In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a new gateway monument at Miller Showers Park. This comes from the B-Square Bulletin’s “Morning Bulletin.” More in the bottom half of our program.
That's Shawn Williams, from Hoosiers Outrun Cancer. Bloomington's annual fundraiser for the local cancer support community is happening this Saturday - find out how you can help later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your local headlines: Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
At the Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting on September 9th, the Commission heard two requests.
Planning Director Denise Line, introduced the first item, a preliminary plat approval for forty-five single family lots in Prominence Fields, located at North Louden Road and West Upland Drive. Line said that staff recommends its conditional approval.
Commissioner Sandra Hash asked where the sinkhole had been found.
The petitioner’s Engineer from Bynum Fanyo & Associates, AJ Willis spoke on behalf of the petitioner
Hash followed up, asking if the Department of Natural Resources would look at the sinkhole. Willis responded.
Next the Petitioner Valu-built Construction Co-Owner, Ernest Xi explained their plans for the plats.
Commission President David Drake spoke in favor of the request.
The commission unanimously voted to approve the plat request.
Next the commission heard a request for a zoning map amendment. The petitioner, Chris Smith, asked the commission to change 115 acres located at 7633 West State Road 46, from Agricultural - 2, Suburban Agricultural, to Commercial-3, General Business. Line outlined the request.
Line shared the staff’s recommendation on the rezone request.
The petitioner Chris Smith spoke to the commission.
During public comment on the proposal, Envision Ellettsville Project Manager Kyle Hannon spoke in support of the zoning amendment.
Next, an Ellettsville resident voiced his concern about increasing development, and not having the capacity to handle the influx of more residents.
The commission voted unanimously to pass on a positive recommendation to the town council for the zoning amendment with the condition that the petitioner agree to landscape buffers.
The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on October 5th. Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
The Monroe County Election Board met on September 8th. First, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave an update on the budget, and Polling Sites.
Monroe County Election Supervisor Ryan Herndon gave updates from Election Central.
Herdon then asked the board whether or not they would provide extensions to the polling locations which have not responded in a timely manner. Board Member Nicole Browne suggested that the board should follow up with those potential polling locations in-person.
Next, Browne gave updates on the Fall 2023 General Election.
The next Election Board meeting will be held on October 5th. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides a report on a new gateway monument at Miller Showers Park. This comes from the B-Square Bulletin’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
Shawn Williams is the volunteer race chair for Hoosiers Outrun Cancer, Bloomington's annual fundraiser for the local cancer support community. He needs hundreds of volunteers to make this event a success. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov. Credits:
This was originally aired on April 3, 2023:
Today’s hosts of Bring It On!, William Hosea and Dana Black, spend the hour discussing and analyzing the impacts and implications of the first indictment of a former U.S. President, Donald J. Trump with two recurring Bring It On! guests:
Robin WinstonRobin Winston is a political strategist and former State Democratic Party Chair. In 1999, he made history when he became the first African-American to chair a major political party in Indiana. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Winston moved to Kentucky to pursue his education and start a career in business, government, and politics. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where he was elected president of the student body.
-and-
Joseph HoffmannIU Emeritus Law Professor Joseph Hoffman is an award-winning scholar and previous holder of the Harry Pratter Professorship, and past recipient of the Law School Gavel Award. He is a nationally recognized authority on the death penalty, he has also written extensively about criminal procedure and habeas corpus law. Hoffmann is co-author of a groundbreaking book on habeas corpus, Habeas for the 21st Century: Uses, Abuses and the Future of the Great Writ (University of Chicago Press, 2011) (with Nancy J. King). He is also a co-author of one of the leading casebooks in criminal procedure law, Comprehensive Criminal Procedure (Aspen 2nd ed. 2005) (with Allen, Livingston, and Stuntz).
Credits:
Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Dana Black.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Shawn Williams is the volunteer race chair for Hoosiers Outrun Cancer, Bloomington’s annual fundraiser for the local cancer support community. He needs hundreds of volunteers to make this event a success.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Race chair Shawn Williams (center) with former chair Angela Parker and Bloomington Health Foundation CEO Jon Barada
WFHB welcomes Eli Cherry to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, September 9th from 11:00 am until noon. Please join us as we enjoy Cherry’s unique take on thought provoking and heart warming take on her original folk music. Listen on air or join us as part of our audience free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington. That’s Eli Cherry, live on Saturday’s Child, September 9th at 11:00 am on WFHB.
On August 24th, 2023, Henhouse Prowlers joined us for a live performance and interview ahead of their performance at Switchyard Park.
WFHB production team:
Host: Jim Quinn
Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Engineer: Jar Turner
Post-production by Chama Henry
Today our host Minerva Sosa is welcoming Javier Rosales, who shares his personal story moving from Mexico to Bloomington along with his family. Besides working in the private industry, he serves at the Commission of Hispanic and Latino Affairs at the City of Bloomington.
| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. Later in this half hour, we hear from Marilyn Bauchat of Uplands Network, an aspect of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club, about their conservation initiatives and upcoming events. | | And now for your environmental reports:Inside Clean Energy reports onshore wind energy is working on a comeback in the U.S. market. This is odd to say considering that land-based wind farms are the country’s leading source of renewable power. But it reflects a market in which utility-scale solar and battery storage are growing at much faster rates, and offshore wind is on the cusp of substantial growth. At the same time, onshore wind suffered through a rough 2022. The industry had 8.5 gigawatts of new projects go online last year, which was the lowest number since 2018 and less than half of the record high from 2020. Wind energy manufacturers felt the pain from this downturn, with layoffs and financial losses.Negative press in Indiana has taken a toll on new wind farms. Critics say wind farms are an intrusion into nature in that they have concrete foundations. In addition, their blades can kill high-flying bats and birds — a reality opponents often use to argue against this form of renewable energy. The coal industry is the source of much of the criticism. Actually the pad for a wind turbine is well under an acre, and the landowner typically receives $5,000 per year. Critics also feel no need for honesty. Nationally, wind turbines kill about 200,000 birds and bats per year, well behind collisions with vehicles and buildings. Cats kill 10,000 times as many bird deaths as wind turbines.But the industry is now shifting back into growth mode thanks in part to tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, said Ryan Wiser, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Some Republican officeholders vow to kill Biden’s Infrastructure Plan -they favor fossil fuels.—Norm Holy | | Since late April, wildfires have been burning across Canada, blanketing the country and parts of the U.S. in unhealthy and sometimes dangerous smoke, in what Canadian wildfire officials have called the worst wildfire season ever recorded.In a new study, scientists from the World Weather Attribution Initiative examined the conditions that lead to the record series of wildfires and concluded that they were at least twice as probable due to human-caused climate change. The study, “Climate change more than doubled the likelihood of extreme fire weather conditions in Eastern Canada,” was conducted by scientists from the Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom.The area burned by this year’s wildfire season in Canada is bigger than Greece, reported The Guardian. More than 34 million acres have been burned — more than twice the previous record. That area represents approximately 13 billion trees. This year, high temperatures led to the rapid thawing and disappearance of snow during May, particularly in eastern Québec, resulting in unusually early wildfires, said Philippe Gachon, a researcher at the University of Quebec in Montreal, as reported by The Guardian.—Norm Holy | | The Arctic has been the most affected by global climate change in recent years, resulting in rapid melting of ice and warming, as well as affecting wildlife, particularly the polar bear. Polar bears, the world’s largest land predators, have been designated as “vulnerable” on the Red List. The loss of habitat is the main reason for the decline.During the third National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition under the auspices of Türkiye’s Polar Research Institute, scientists concluded the sharp decline in Arctic habitat will continue. Recent research indicates that unless carbon emissions are reduced, polar bear populations in many areas may become extinct by the end of this century.—Norm Holy | | Migration is beginning in Indiana. As fall approaches and daylight diminishes, as leaves begin to change, many species are following their ancient tradition of gathering and heading south. Cerulean warblers leave their Indiana home in August and September and head south to the Andes Mountains for the winter. Other birds, including the Baltimore orioles, scarlet tanagers and indigo buntings are also making their way south through Indiana.These birds all have one thing in common: they utilize wooded habitats across Indiana to rest, recover and refuel. Now is an excellent time to watch for them in your yard. Migration isn’t limited to birds. We all know about the Monarch butterfly that journey’s thousands of miles to hillsides in Mexico’s fir forests. They love milkweed, so that is one thing you can plant in your yard to help them along their journey.—Julianna Dailey | | Inside Climate Change reports that rising North Atlantic Ocean temperatures are causing increased numbers of threatened and endangered sea turtles to migrate through Massachusetts waters — heading north in search of food, then back south to their breeding grounds. Their journey is fraught with dangers: fishing gear entanglement, plastic pollution, and habitat loss all threaten their survival, according to numerous environmental and fisheries sources. An additional menace looms large here at this time of year: the summer surge in boating traffic around Cape Cod. “Vessel strike is a primary cause of sea turtle fatality in our waters,” said Karen Dourdeville, sea turtle research coordinator at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Boats frequently collide with sea turtles as they come up for air after diving for food, she said. August and September are peak months for boat strikes here, said Dourdeville, as vessels and migrating sea turtles are both heading south to the Caribbean and Central America. As the oceans warm the food for turtles moves north thus increasing the distance to nesting sites.—Norm Holy | | And now we turn to Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze for his interview with Marilyn Bauchat of Sierra Club’s Upland Network on the history of the Hoosier Chapter and the current activities of the conservation organization here in Bloomington and across the state. To learn more about the Hoosier Chapter, go to www.sierraclub.org/indiana. |
| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |
| And now for some upcoming events:The MC-IRIS Native Plant Sale will be held this year at the Switchyard Park in Bloomington on Saturday, September 9th, from 9 am to 1 pm. Get there early to get your favorite plants. | | Where are the birds and what can we do? Join the Uplands Network of Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Club Virtual monthly meeting on Monday, September 11th, at 6:30 pm. Dr. Ellen Ketterson, Distinguished Professor of Biology and Co-Director of Midwest Center for Biodiversity, will present data about the decline in the bird population. Register at https://www.sierraclub.org/indiana/upcoming-events-and-outings. | | Take the Kelp Village Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, September 15th, beginning at 1 pm. Join the naturalist to see this often over-looked history of Brown County State Park before it was a park. Sign up at bit.ly/scv-history2023. | | The Fall Bio Blitz is starting on Friday, September 15th and runs through Monday, September 24th at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Compete to find as many plant and animal species during the week. If you get the most, you win a prize. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Join the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter for a Yellowwood Resource Management Walk on Saturday, September 16th, at 9 am. During this 1-mile easy trail walk, you will learn about forest management techniques such as clear-cuts, controlled burns, select cuts and more. Meet in the Yellowwood parking lot near the forest office. Register with marilynbauchat@gmail.com.
| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is EcoReport. |
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He fell into the chair position almost by accident. Seemingly every other person in Monroe County capable of leading the party was running for office or working a campaign. David Henry promises he’ll only hold the reins for a short time but the truth is he loves politics: the game, the work, the issues, the people. Guiding the Democrats in a one-party town presents a few challenges for him as we approach November’s municipal election and 2024’s national election.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 78th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this first episode of the semester, Belle shared her summer internships back home, the APATC event, and some upcoming ACC events. The ACC has various activities and events to look forward to, and we welcome everyone to stop by.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Molly Cai, and Joanna Kung
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
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. We are looking into the Lake Monroe Watershed and the water quality. This week, we look into how water moves through our county and how the county is working to mitigate flooding.
We spoke with Monroe County MS4 Coordinator, Kelsey Thetonia about how the county manages stormwater, how climate change affects flooding in the county and how stormwater runoff can impact water quality.
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the
reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its
watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.Tune in next week to hear more about Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit the Limestone Post Magazine’s website. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 6th, 2023. Later in the program, the latest edition of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate – where we look into issues regarding health, housing and the environment. Today, we continue our report of Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Real and Fake on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News spoke with MS4 Coordinator Kelsey Thetonia about how the county manages stormwater, how climate change affects flooding in the county and how stormwater runoff can impact water quality. This is part of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate – where we look into issues regarding health, housing and the environment. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, Real and Fake on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on efforts to add a nurse to the dispatch center during the 2024 city budget hearings. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on August 30th, Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave a department update.
Next, Director of the Planning Department Jacki Nester Jelen informed the public about County Development Ordinance Listening Sessions.
Later on in the meeting, the Commissioners heard from Senior Planner, Drew Meyers, on Ordinance 2023-29, a Lake Lemon Marina Rezone petition.
The commissioners decided to postpone a vote on the petition until they hear more information from the highway department.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on September 6th.
‘This Summer Has Been Devastating Across the Globe with Extreme Heat’, Says IU Expert (Part II)
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.Last week, WFHB News reported on record high heat waves this summer. Today, we continue that report.
Dana Habeeb, architect and urban designer at Indiana University, looks at how climate responsive design can help mitigate climate change. She’s the principal investigator with Beat the Heat – in collaboration with the IU Environmental Resilience Institute and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs started in 2021.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.Beat the Heat selected the Indiana cities Clarksville and Richmond as the program’s recipients. Through this project, both communities hired full-time heat relief coordinators to develop programs and projects to cope with the health impacts of extreme heat. She expanded on what the Beat the Heat project entails.
Given her background in urban design, Habeeb discussed how urban planning can help those who are most at-risk during extreme weather events.
Habeeb says that there isn’t a “one size fits all” solution for society to grapple with a rise in extreme weather events as a result of climate change. However, she said through collective action, we can take a step in the right direction.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on efforts to add a nurse to the dispatch center during the 2024 city budget hearings. This comes from the B-Square Bulletin’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Ashley Voss.
| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey And I’m Katrine Bruner. In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Jeff Mease, CEO of One World Enterprises, about the measures taken to make a set of local food service companies more environmentally responsible. | | And now for your environmental reports:Electrocution isn’t the main thing killing birds along power lines, according to the New York Times. A survey of power lines in four Western states found bullet fragments and shotgun pellets in most of the dead birds that were collected. Birds get electrocuted on power lines. But people shooting at birds perched on power poles may be even more of a problem. In a survey of five sites in the western United States, two-thirds of birds found dead beneath power lines had been shot.Avians found dead along power lines are often assumed to have died from electrocution, especially if their bodies show burns or singeing, said Eve Thomason, a wildlife biologist at Boise State University in Idaho. But the animal may have been injured or killed before getting zapped. In the new study, published in the journal Science, Ms. Thomason and her colleagues walked along 122 miles of power lines in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, collecting 410 bird carcasses. Back in the lab, the researchers X-rayed the birds, looking for evidence of gunshot wounds or other trauma.—Norm Holy | | Phoenix is enduring its hottest month on record, but mitigations could make the city’s heat waves less unbearable. Simple solutions like more trees, reflective pavements, smaller parking lots and lighter roofs could make the Valley of the Sun less prone to overheating in the future. The consequences are now making headlines around the world, with Phoenix reaching over 20 days straight of temperatures reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher—a new record. The city also recorded its highest low temperature ever last week, a not-so-comfortable 97 degrees, and will become the city’s hottest month ever. The news is full of language saying hottest month ever. It’s true if the reference is to recorded temperatures, which date back to 1880. But before there were Homo Sapiens, there were millions of years on earth with temperatures 10 – 20 degrees F warmer than today. The atmospheric carbon dioxide was several times higher than today – all coming from volcanic eruptions. During most of earth’s existence, there was no ice at all on earth. One of the easiest ways to mitigate heat is to provide more shade in areas that need it, often by planting more trees. That idea is beginning to take root throughout the Phoenix metro area. Thus far, the golf courses are still using copious amounts of water, and 80 percent of the water from the Colorado River goes to agriculture. Leafy greens, cabbage, dates, melons, lemons, oranges, apples, potatoes and tomatoes are just some foods harvested from Arizona’s nourishing soil. The state also boasts a growing nut and date crop industry. High quality cotton, which requires a lot of water, is also a major crop. What is difficult to understand is the construction of a microchip plant that will employ about 30,000 people. That would add at least 200,000 people to the population. Arizona’s people are going to be exposed to even higher temperatures in the future. Temperatures over 120 F are life-threatening.—Norm Holy | | The earliest evidence for human habitation in what is now the city of Paris dates from about 7600 BCE. By the end of the 3rd century BCE, a settlement had been built on the island, Île de la Cité; it was inhabited by a Gallic tribe known as the Parisii. The Seine River was full of salmon and sturgeon. The river began to decline seriously 500 years ago because butcher shops and tanneries on the island dumped their waste into the river.Still, Paris is referred to as the City of Light and the City of Love, and, until 1923, it was also a city of swimming. That year, swimming was banned in the Seine due to excess sewage being drained into the river following heavy rainfall, rendering the iconic river unsafe. An exception to the ban was the swimming competition, Traversée de Paris à la Nage, which continued into the 1940s, according to Paris Unlocked. Paris is gearing up for the Summer Olympic Games next year and is in the final phase of a decade-long, $1.6 billion project to restore the Seine and make it swimmable once again, reported BBC News and France 24.—Norm Holy | | EcoWatch reports that olive harvests are expected to face a second challenging year in a row as heat waves threaten crops across Europe. This year’s heat waves arrived a month earlier than the first heat waves of last year’s hot, dry season, according to Earth.org. The first heat wave arrived in late April, following a warmer- and drier-than-usual March. The winter was also unusually warm. During the first heat wave of 2023, the trees were just beginning to flower, putting them in a vulnerable position.Spain, the largest olive oil producer in Europe, has had its annual supply decline by half because of the heat and drought. Last year, heat waves caused the country’s olive oil production to decline from 1.48 million metric tons in 2021 to 2022 to just 660,000 metric tons from 2022 to 2023. Experts are predicting olive oil supply to reach 850,000 metric tons this year, still far below average, but continuing heat waves could impact the harvest.In Spain we already know it is going to be another bad year, but no one knows what’s currently happening. The record temperatures are not going to help the situation, according to Walter Zanre, the chief executive of the largest olive oil producer globally. (quote)I can’t share how much anxiety this is causing us. Last year, Spain came into crop with a bit of carry-over [from the year before], which negated the shortfall somewhat. This year the barrels are dry. Even if Spain produces the predicted 850,000 tonnes, the price situation is worse. (end quote)Spain isn’t alone. Other major olive oil-producing countries, such as Italy and Portugal, have experienced smaller yields because of the harsh conditions. Since June 2022, olive oil prices have surged in response to the poor olive harvests, as the crop has been affected by the extreme heat. Olive oil prices have hit over $6,000 per metric ton, the highest price this product has been since 1997, Weather.com reported.As The Guardian reported, consumers may expect to see shortages of olive oil in the fall, as last year’s supply is expected to run out in September, and the new supply for 2023 isn’t expected to be ready until November. Many crops are facing shortages amid the climate crisis. The current heat waves in Europe are also threatening vineyards, even putting types of grapes that have long been known to survive in extreme conditions at risk. Maturing tomatoes in Italy are at risk from blistering in the extreme temperatures, and these crops were already impacted by severe floods earlier this year.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his conversation with Jeff Mease of One World Enterprises on ways that he has worked to prevent pollution, reduce waste and implement green practices as standard policy among a family of local food businesses..Jeff Mease, Founder/CEO of One World EnterprisesPhoto Courtesy of Eco Media Center of Monroe CountyCourtesy of One World Enterprises |
For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Noelle. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.
| And now for some upcoming events:Happening right now, the Artist for Environmental Restoration are having an opening reception of their visual arts exhibition, Sea Change, a Collective Exhibition about our natural world at Backspace Gallery on 6th Street from 5 to 8 pm, today! | | Drop by the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake to do some Cloud Watching on Saturday, September 2nd, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Meet at the Campground Playground to cloud-gaze and learn what different types of clouds can tell us about weather changes. | | A National Wildlife Day Talk and Walk will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Monday, September 4th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet the naturalist at the Lakeview Activity Center for a brief presentation and then take a short hike near the lake shoreline to look for wildlife. | | A Trees From Seed presentation by Ray Major is scheduled for Brown County State Park on Thursday, September 7th, from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at the Friends’ Shelter House to join Ray, the man behind the “Trees From Seed” social media movement for an informative session on growing trees. | | Learn about Owls: Nighttime Hunters at the Paynetown Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 9th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center Patio to discover how owls are uniquely adapted to being nocturnal hunters and find out which owls call Indiana home. |
| And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Katrine Bruner. And this is Eco Report. |
The last of three Big Talk conversations with people whose job it is — and whose passion it is — to keep our Bloomington and Monroe County waters clean. We visited with Maggie Sullivan of Friends of Lake Monroe on August 17, 2023 and Michelle Cohen of the Lake Monroe Water Fund August 24th. Today, we speak with City of Bloomington utilities director Vic Kelson. Please read the Limestone Post article How Healthy Is Lake Monroe — and How Long Will It Survive? Deep Dive is a cooperative effort between WFHB News and Limestone Post.
Bloomington’s Water Treatment PlantHost Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 30th, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB News continues its coverage on Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? – on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Survey Says – Scam – on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. Feature Report:
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from thereservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond itswatershed.
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. We are looking into the Lake Monroe Watershed and the water quality. This week, we look into pollutants in the watershed.
Tune in next week to hear more about Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit the Limestone Post's website. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
Up next, Survey Says – Scam – on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky Schneider. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into the Lake Monroe Watershed and the water quality. This week, we look into pollutants in the watershed.
According to the Friends of Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan, pollutants such as: fertilizer, animal manure, sediment, and septic system leakage wash into the lake when it rains.
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton
Tune in next week to hear more about Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit the Limestone Post Magazine’s website. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 29th, 2023. Later in the program, Dana Habeeb, an architect and urban designer at Indiana University, discusses record-high heat waves this summer, causing drought, wildfires and other negative health impacts. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the August 23 meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, the board approved Monroe County jail improvements and rezoning requests. Lori Kelley, the Monroe County Health Administrator, reported on the continued increase in COVID cases and emergency room visits. The emergence of B.A. 2.86 earlier this month has raised concerns with experts over the new variant’s highly mutated genetic makeup and lack of information on the strain.
COVID test kits are available for free from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Health Services Building located at 119 West 7th Street and at the Monroe County Health Clinic located at 333 East Miller Drive. Jim Shelton, the government relations manager for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of the Court Appointed Special Advocates group (CASA), which represents those in juvenile court due to negligence or abuse. Applications to volunteer will be available to complete online and are due September 8th, 2023. Training will be from September 19th to October 19th on Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons requested an extension on their contract with Combined Public Communications and the addition of the program TextBehind, an offsite document scanning service that can be used to send mail and electronic messages directly to inmates. The addition will require no additional funding nor cost from inmates.
After concerns of an offsite facility potentially breaching attorney to client confidentiality, Gibbons assured the Commissioners that mail of legal matters will be sent directly to the jail to be opened in front of the inmates. The measure passed unanimously.
Daniel Brown of the Monroe County Planning Department, requested a rezone of property located at 3130 N Smith Pike. This rezone would reclassify a portion of the five acre lot into a Medium Density Residential (MDR) area. It would also rezone a portion of the lot to be considered a Limited Business (LB) area. The motion passed 3-0.
The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting will happen on Wednesday, August 30 at 10 a.m. at Nat U Hill, located at 100 W. Kirkwood Ave. Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation
During the August 21st board meeting of the Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin gave his regular report.
Then, Irwin explained the 2024 budget forms for the school corporation and requested permission to advertise them.
The school board approved the permission to advertise the 2024 budget forms unanimously. The R-B-B-C-S-C will meet on September 18th for its monthly session. 'This Summer Has Been Devastating Across the Globe with Extreme Heat', Says IU Expert
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
Across the U.S., Americans have experienced record-high heat waves this summer, causing drought, wildfires and even death for people without air conditioning.
According to the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, the number of extreme heat events will continue to rise significantly in all areas of the state as a result of climate change.
Dana Habeeb, an architect and urban designer at Indiana University, looks at how climate responsive design can help mitigate climate change. Habeeb touched on the extreme heat this summer, attributing the causes to a variety of factors including climate change and El Niño.
“This summer has been devastating for the United States,
Professor Joseph Hoffman (emeritus)
On tonight's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea, spend the hour with Professor Joseph Hoffman (emeritus) of Indiana University's Maurer School of Law to help us better understand their legal positions and Trump’s legal entanglements.
Donald Trump’s fourth indictment occurred on August 14th. Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, which contains most of Atlanta, indicted Donald Trump on racketeering charges including election interference. The former President turned himself in Thursday night at the Fulton County Jail to be booked on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
Former President Donald J. Trump
It now stands that Donald J. Trump has four indictments and three civil cases. Of the four indictments confronting Donald Trump, the Georgia case is the most inescapable, because it is not a federal crime. Thus, a future President Trump cannot order the Justice Department to drop it or pardon himself. Also, he recently lost his bid to hold this trial in a federal court. Now some claim Trump is ineligible to run for the office of the U.S. President.
The claim is that former President Trump engaged in an insurrection and gave aid and comfort to other individuals who were engaging in such actions. This is well within the confines of Section Three of the 14th Amendment. And so, assuming that the public record to date is accurate, Trump therefore is no longer eligible to seek the office of the President of the United States, or of any other state of the Union. Professor Joseph Hoffman (emeritus) is here to disentangle how this aspect of the U.S. Constitution should be applied and other legal issues facing Donald J. Trump.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. Our assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 28th, 2023. Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on musician Molly Tuttle’s performance last week at Switchyard Park. More in today’s feature report.
Kelley Scholfield, Urban Greenspace Specialist with the City of Bloomington, bringing neighbors together to care for our parks and natural habitats. Kelley can connect you to volunteer opportunities protecting Bloomington's greenspace later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Concerned Students and Parents Comment on Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation during MCCSC School Board Meeting
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During public comment at the board meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation, concerned parents and teachers shared their reactions to the passage of House Bill 1608 in the Indiana Statehouse. The new law requires schools to notify parents about a student’s name or pronoun change. A student from Kaleidoscope Youth Community, a youth-led organization serving the LGBTQIA+ community, shared their concerns about the bill.
A representative from Kaleidoscope Youth also urged the school board to protect its youth in light of the recent legislation.
Then, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald delivered his report providing an update on the school system’s antiracism policy.
The MCCSC School Board will convene again for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 26th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission Hears Resolution on Bloomington Certified Technology Park
During the August 21st meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, officials heard a resolution for an impact analysis of the Bloomington Certified Technology Park with the IU Public Policy Institute. Interim Director and Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren presented the proposal.
Commission members discussed the history of this kind of work noting that it’s unprecedented because this is the first year that an impact study has been required.
Commission Member Deb Hutton asked if the impact analysis would be an annual requirement. Assistant Director for Small Business Development Andrea de la Rosa responded that it will happen every four years.
Commissioner Sarah Bauerle Danzman said that she appreciates that the commission is working with Indiana University on the impact analysis.
The commission approved the resolution unanimously. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again on September 5th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you listen to podcasts.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on musician Molly Tuttle’s performance last week at Switchyard Park. This comes from the B-Square Bulletin’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Last month The Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people for positive change in our community. Every Monday during the month of August we've been showcasing their work.
This week's episode was produced by Ellie Broscow. Ellie is a senior at Piedmont High School in Oakland, California. She produces her own podcast called "Teens in the Bay" and also enjoys playing tennis and guitar. You'll hear Ellie's voice in the intro to this week's epis...
Kelley Scholfield is an Urban Greenspace Specialist with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation department. She brings neighbors together to care for our parks and natural habitats.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ellie Broscow as part of the High School Journalism Institute hosted by The Media School at Indiana University.
For today's show, Raquel Anderson, Professor at IU for Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, talked about the process of language development in child dual language learners and social factors that impact language input and use.
Today on Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator, about recent changes in local infrastructure to address E-scooter misuse and other challenges relating to access for the disabled and providing alternative transit options for Bloomington residents and visitors. And now for your environmental reports: Columbus Looking at $2.3 million Solar Project at Wastewater Plant
Photo courtesy of City of Columbus.
Columbus City Utilities is planning a solar project at its wastewater plant with an estimated price tag of $2.3 million, though a tax credit is expected to lower the cost by around 30%.
We are looking at installing solar panels on our property at the wastewater treatment plant, said utilities engineer Ashley Getz. The array will be located west of the plant and be just under 2.5 acres.
According to CCU Executive Director Roger Kelso, the solar array will be located in a field that is utilities property, and they will not need to acquire additional ground for the project.
The one-megawatt system will allow CCU to cut energy purchasing at the plant by 30%, Getz said. It’s expected this will save them $140,000 for the first year. Savings in future years will depend on how much the cost of electricity increases over time.
-Norm Holy 'Indiana Bats Appear to be Thriving' at Vermont Colony
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.
There’s hope for the Indiana bat. A colony has been found in Vermont. The bats' habitat, a 301-acre public forest, was conserved when the colony was discovered nearly 20 years ago — just before the onset of the devastating white-nose syndrome. While bats elsewhere have struggled to rebound, the Indiana bats in Hinesburg, Vermont appear to be thriving.
To wildlife experts, the colony's resilience is a testament to how conservation and good land management can help restore a species on the brink.
When the bats were discovered in Hinesburg in 2006, it marked the farthest point north and east that the species had ever been found. Members of the Hinesburg Land Trust and other conservation groups worked with state and federal officials to purchase the land, which was being sold by a longtime farming family, and succeeded in 2007, permanently conserving the bats' habitat.
The deal came just before white-nose syndrome began spreading across the region and decimating the local population. The fungus attacks hibernating bats, waking them and sapping their stores of energy and fat. Since arriving in Vermont in 2008, the disease has killed nearly 65 percent of Indiana bats. Where biologists once counted hundreds of the species, they were tallying fewer than 50. So when biologists went to catch, release and count the bats in Hinesburg, they were shocked when many instantly flew into their nets. Researchers caught between 700 and 800 that night.
The story did not comment about whether the bats had developed immunity to the white-nosed fungus, or whether they had lived isolated from other colonies.
-Norm Holy Judge Rules That Montana Violated the Constitution for Failure to Consider Climate Change for Fossil Fuel Projects
Photo courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
The New York Times reports that a group of young people in Montana won a landmark lawsuit on Monday when a judge ruled that the state’s failure to consider climate change when approving fossil fuel projects was unconstitutional.
The decision in the suit, Held v. Montana, coming during a summer of record heat and deadly wildfires, marks a victory in the expanding fight against government support for oil, gas and coal, the burning of which has rapidly warmed the planet.
As fires rage in the West, fueled by fossil fuel pollution, today’s ruling in Montana is a game-changer that marks a turning point in this generation’s efforts to save the planet from the devastating effects of human-caused climate chaos, said Julia Olson,
Content Warning: This episode contains references to sexual trauma and harm.
We start off this episode with our monthly round up of prison disturbances, as compiled by Perilous Chronicle- followed by some recent prison news.
We close our episode with a feature created by students as part of Dr. Micol Seigel’s Inside Out program at Indiana University. As mentioned on the show previously, the Inside Out program was started a means of bringing together campus-based students with incarcerated students for a semester-long course held in a prison, jail or other correctional setting. This feature was written, recorded, and edited by students inside and outside of the prison walls.
Dr. Seigel would like to thank the staff of Plainfield Correctional Facility for their assistance in guiding the Inside-Out class.
This month, we welcome Grier Carson, Library Director of the Monroe County Public Library, to discuss the library as a civic institution. Carson talked to our host, Jim Allison, about the library's role in a democracy and how it protects intellectual freedom and access to information for everyone without regard to their social status, gender, race, or religion. The library has three goals, says Carson, to provide equitable impartial access, to strengthen communications, and to improve people's lives. He talked briefly about what is happening in Fishers, Indiana, at Hamilton East Public Library, saying instead of focusing on the appropriateness of content in the library and collection development policies, if we are genuinely concerned about the appropriateness of information, we should go after Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Twitter and access to content on the Internet. "Going after books is an easy, time-worn practice and amounts to window dressing in 21st-century culture wars," said Carson. "But it has very real and negative consequences for library professionals and their livelihood. It is ludicrous and careless."
The second in our series of Big Talk interviews on the health and future of Lake Monroe, This week, Michelle Cohen, executive director of the Lake Monroe Water Fund, joins us. Deep Dive is a cooperative effort of WFHB News and Limestone Post magazine. Please read the Limestone Post article, How Healthy Is Lake Monroe -- and How Long Will It Survive?
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 78th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this first episode of the semester, Belle shared her summer internships back home and upcoming ACC events. The ACC has various activities and events we are looking forward to, and we welcome everyone to stop by. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Joanna Kung, and Molly Cai Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023. In today’s feature report, we have the latest edition of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding health, housing and the environment. In today’s edition, we begin coverage of Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Artificial Shopping on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
On August 16, the Bloomington City Council held its weekly meeting. Agenda items included an amendment to Title 7 of the Bloomington Municipal Code to ban the practice of feeding deer within city limits. Bloomington Municipal Code City Clerk Nichole Bolden delivered the resolution:
Virgil Sauder, Director of the Bloomington Animal Shelter spoke on behalf of the resolution, beginning with the proposed changes on how the city defines dangerous animals:
Anyone caught feeding deer within the city will face fines of $50 which would be doubled should they be caught again within the same year and for every offense thereafter.
Councilmember Rollo expressed his support for the deer feeding ban but inquired about the possibility of initiating a count of the total deer in the city to prevent the prevalence of tick-borne diseases.
Sauder Responded.
Councilmember Jim Sims expressed concerns about tax dollars regarding the tracking and microchipping of dangerous animals, to which Sauder replied.
Councilmember Sims concluded by asking Sauder about the consequences that owners with animals classified as dangerous would be met with if such owners were caught violating Title 7 ordinances:
Bloomington resident Julie Gray spoke in favor of the Deer Feeding ban with the hope that it would ensure the safety of Bloomington’s citizenry and a reduction of the city’s deer population.
During final comment, Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger affirmed her support for the ban but asked that the issue of food on the ground be considered within the near future.
In conclusion, Councilmember Isabel Piedmont Smith provided advice to members of the community regarding the feeding ban before affirming her support for the resolution.
The city council approved the resolution unanimously. The Bloomington City Council will meet again for the 2024 budget hearings on August 28th. Feature Reports:
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its watershed (Photo by Anna Powell Denton).
In today’s feature report, we have the latest edition of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding health, housing and the environment. In today’s edition, we begin coverage of Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive?
Tune in next week to hear more about Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit the Limestone Post Magazine. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
Up next, Artificial Shopping on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Abe Shapiro, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and...
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its watershed (Photo by Anna Powell Denton).
In this week's episode of Deep Dive on the WFHB Local News, we delve deep into Lake Monroe's water quality. As the largest manmade lake in Indiana, Lake Monroe serves as a primary drinking water source for over 130,000 residents and a hub for recreational activities, generating millions in revenue annually.
Our guest, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, uncovers the lake's history and its crucial role in Bloomington's water supply. She discusses the Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan, identifying key threats to water quality and outlining a two-decade action plan. Sullivan sheds light on the persistent complaints from residents about the smell and taste of the tap water, attributed to blooming blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria.
Maggie Sullivan is the Watershed Coordinator of Lake Monroe for the advocacy group Friends of Lake Monroe. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
We also hear from Vic Kelson, Director of the Bloomington Utilities Department, who speaks to the public regarding the quality of the drinking water. As concerns rise about cyanobacteria, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources issues warnings about direct contact while swimming. Join us this week as we navigate the complex challenges facing Lake Monroe and its future.
Vic Kelson, director of City of Bloomington Utilities, is shown here at the Shields Ridge Road Water Treatment Plant. | Photo by Anna Powell Denton
Tune in next week to hear more about Lake Monroe – how healthy is it and how long will it survive? To read the full article written by Michael Glab and photography by Anna Powell Denton, visit the Limestone Post Magazine's website. To submit feedback to WFHB you can email deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483.
WFHB's Youth Radio has partnered with Girls Rock Bloomington to present this recording of our 2023 Camp Showcase Final Performance, as well as an interview with GRB Director Amy Oelsner. Aja and Jessie talk to her about the origins of the camp, how its grown and what the process of educating the participants is like.
Engineered by Nick Romy
Produced and Edited by Jessie Grubb
Featured animal: Nikki, a Dachshund with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Nikki is a loving and affectionate elderly Dachshund who came to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter with over 60 other dogs. She would do best in a home without other dogs, since she has a bad habit of resource guarding food, toys, etc. from her canine friends. Nikki loves meeting new people, thinks rolling in the grass is the best, and she can take surprisingly long walks for a gal who’s almost 12 years old. She does have Cushing's Disease, which is treated with medication. Nikki’s foster mom says that she's "a gem" and can't wait for you to meet her. Nikki's adoption fee is waived. If you’re interested in learning more about Nikki, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Featured topic: Cushing’s Disease in dogs According to Cornell University, Cushing’s Disease (or Cushing’s Syndrome) is caused by excess cortisol production due to a tumor in either the pituitary gland or adrenal gland. Tune in to this week's episode to learn about signs, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of Cushing's Disease in dogs. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Later in the program, Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The August 16 meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners met to approve Municipal Election polling sites and budgetary projects. Lori Kelley, the Monroe County Health Administrator, outlined changed to Indiana’s COVID-19 treatments, including emergency room visits and how positive COVID-19 tests are to be recorded.
Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne presented for approval a list of 25 polling sites for the Municipal General Election in November. The polling locations, including Bloomington High School South, are ADA compliant and have been used successfully in previous elections. The motion passed 3-0. The meeting moved along to approving budgetary motions. The Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie introduced a motion to fund a large garage project, expected to cost $236,400, to repair and maintain the vehicles in Monroe County’s fleet. The motion was passed 3-0.
Program Coordinator at Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County Sara Jamieson sought approval of a contract with National Cinemedia to promote their Safe Place Outreach program.
The next Board of Commissioners Meeting will be Wednesday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at Nat U Hill, located at 100 West Kirkwood Avenue. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, August 16th. During the meeting, the board discussed the increased number of patrons, solar panel installation and Aunt Flow, a new program that will be running at the libraries to ensure equitable access to menstruation products. Director Grier Carson addressed the increase of patrons in his report.
During the old business section of the meeting, the solar panel initiative was approved as well as the Aunt Flow project. Carson discussed the solar panel installation.
Next, a library assistant at the downtown branch working in the teen services department presented the Aunt Flow initiative addressing period poverty.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023. Feature Report:
Up next, Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. In today’s episode, Shapiro provides an update on the case of Lyft v. Westchester Disabled on the Move over the rideshare company’s alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles or WAVs. Shapiro has more.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Yane Sanchez Lopez, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Dr. Marvin Dunn. Dr. Dunn is fighting against the potential miseducation of countless children and young adults in Florida. He is here to discuss his efforts to combat this miseducation and the current state of racial politics in Florida.
Demonstrators gather in February in Tallahassee, Florida, during a protest over Gov. Ron DeSantis' rejection of a high school African American history course that included lessons about reparations.
Last Wednesday, August 16, 2023, before the first day of school for the Miami-Dade County school system, he led a march to protest the new education curriculum standards instituted by the Republican Governor Ron DeSantis that affect the teaching of Black history. This is part of a larger effort by DeSantis to purge what he calls "woke" idealogy in Florida.
Earlier this year, DeSantis had rejected the College Board’s AP African American Studies course for high school students because it included lessons on diaspora reparations, Black LGBTQIA+ studies, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He has also barred instruction in schools that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color, according to a CNN report. The new curriculum teaches that some Black people benefited from being enslaved because they learned useful skills.
Dr. Dunn was joined by some members of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, who then were holding a conference in Miami. Tennessee state Representative Justin Pearson also joined the protest. Rep. Pearson, along with fellow representative Justin James, had recently been voted back into office, after being expelled for calling out state Republicans for failing to pass gun control laws after the Covenant School mass shooting in Nashville.
Marvin Dunn/Twitter (X)
The union representing around 150,000 Florida teachers, the Florida Education Association, called these new curriculum changes “a disservice to Florida students and are a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994.” One of the most controversial aspects of these new standards includes teaching that some Blacks benefited from chattel slavery by learning useful skills. Further, these new curriculum changes include teaching that the Rosewood massacre was instigated by when a black man shot two white men who came onto his porch, rather than that a white woman falsely accused a Black man of assault.
Dr. Dunn has been leading “Teach No Lies” tours that take teachers and young people to places like Rosewood, Florida. Officially, it is recorded that the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 led to the killing of six Black residents and the fleeing of the rest of its black residents. Many say, however, that the death toll was much higher. By the massacre's end, all but one of Rosewood's buildings had been burned down. No law enforcement agency ever did an investigation, nor were there any criminal charges.
Dr. Dunn is a professor emeritus at Florida International University, and the author of many books, including A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes, where he writes: Almost all of Florida’s painful racial past has been whitewashed, marginalized, or buried intentionally. But I was born here. I know Florida’s flowers and her warts. He is also a co-founder of the Miami Center for Racial Justice. He began giving his Tell No Lies Tours in response to the state's escalating efforts to further whitewash Florida's Black History.
Dr. Dunn stands before a flag combining the American Stars and Stripes and the Confederate Stars and Bars in the driveway of his neighbor, David Emmanuel. (Marvin Dunn/ Twitter (X))
On a personal front, Dr. Dunn recently saw his neighbor, David Emanuel, convicted on July 26 on six counts of federal hate crime charges for screaming the N-word and attempting to run him and five companions over in September 2022. Dr.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 21st, 2023. Later in the program, you will hear a report from local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin on Bloomington annexation, taken from his “Morning Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report.
That's Vinal Lee - he's the local chair of Community Organizations Active in Disaster or KOH-ad. Fire, flood, tornado, mass shooting - how can you help Monroe County be ready and respond? Find out later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Board of Public Works Passes Ordinance Targeting Tents in Public Right-of-Way
During its meeting on August 15th, the Bloomington Board of Public Works heard an ordinance against camping in the public right-of-way. Public Works Director Adam Wason presented the ordinance.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard said she believes this is an issue of accessibility. She said the public needs to be able to access the public right-of-way without obstruction.
Vice President of the Board Elizabeth Karon asked for clarification on how the “fines” portion would be included in the ordinance. City Attorney Mike Rouker addressed the question.
During public comment, local resident Sydney Zulich spoke against the ordinance saying she believes it vilified people who are unhoused.
The board approved the ordinance unanimously. It awaits the city council for final approval. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular session on August 29th. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners Votes to Ban Tents in Public Parks
During the August 16th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, the board heard a resolution on the use of structures on park properties, specifically addressing tents in public parks. Director of the Parks and Recreation Department Paula McDevitt explained the resolution and endorsed the proposal. During public comment, representatives from both Downtown Bloomington, Inc. and the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce spoke in support of the initiative. Conversely, a handful of residents took to the public mic to voice their concerns about the policy. Community Volunteer Erin Nicholson said unless the city can fully support its unhoused population, displacement is not the answer.
Indiana Recovery Alliance worker Kyle Halvorsen criticized previous public comments that were in favor of the policy. He said he would prefer the city to take a more humanitarian approach when it comes to the unhoused population.
Local resident Hannah Gorman expressed disappointment in the proposal of the ordinance, saying the passage of the policy will have a negative impact on the community.
The motion passed by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners will meet next on August 22nd. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on Monroe County residents who received notices last week regarding the status of their property in light of Bloomington’s annexation efforts. This comes from the B-Square Bulletin’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Last month The Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people working for positive change in our community. Every Monday during the month of August you get to hear their work.
This week's episode was produced by Nishka Mishra. Nishka lives in Mason, Ohio where she is active in her community as a volunteer. During her week in Bloomington Nishka produced TWO episodes of Activate!, including today's segment featuring Vinal Lee,
Fire, flood, tornado, mass shooting - how can you help Monroe County be ready and respond? Vinal Lee is chair of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). He connects agencies and individuals who are ready to step up.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Nishka Mishra as part of the High School Journalism Institute hosted by The Media School at Indiana University.
Today, Melanie interviews Mitch Teplitsky, a documentarian working on a project about Spencer Pride! He is also the Marketing Director of Morgenstern Books in Bloomington and they talked about some of the programming coming up in the next week including Spencer Pride's BANNED Book Club as well as the upcoming Author Talk with Jonathan Balash interviewing Jim Fielding about his book: "All Pride, No Ego" At Morgenstern Books on Tuesday, August 22nd.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Credits:
Melanie Davis
[Part One: America's first certified Energy Positive public library] In the first part of a four part series of feature segments aired by WFHB News and Public Affairs during our Local News and Eco Report programs, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown of Griffy Creek Studio about the environmental considerations involved in constructing energy efficient public libraries that Brown designed for two communities in Indiana. Bill describes how he harnessed social capital, federal funds and the energy of the Sun to create America's first certified Energy Positive public library right here in the Hoosier state.
Bill Brown is the Assistant Director for Strategy and Engagement for Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute. Bill was hired to be the first Director of Sustainability at Indiana University, in 2009, where he helped the university achieve a STARS Gold rating in 2018. Bill was elected to the national board of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in 2012. He is a former chair of the Indiana Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Bill taught graduate courses in the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program.
Bill was a member of the AIA National Committee on the Environment and a participant in The Greening of the White House in 1992-1994. His architectural portfolio includes dozens of public schools and libraries, including the first certified energy-positive public library in America, built in Chrisney, Indiana, in 2009. He is the recipient of two AIA National Presidential Citations. Bill is a graduate of Indiana University and Ball State University R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. He and his wife, Dr. Linda Brown, are restoring a solar-powered Griffy Creek Farm north of Bloomington.
[Part Two: Does it pay to use renewable energy in the Midwest?] In the second part of the interview, Roze and Brown discuss the cost benefit analysis of solar energy, addressing the price compared to fossil fuels, financial incentives available, as well as state and federal government policies relating to electrification and the transition to renewable energy.
Bill Brown lays out the financial case for how going solar in Indiana saves money and makes sense for families and institutions that choose to think long-term, comprehensively considering the trade-offs involved with conventional utilities versus ultra efficiency, geothermal batteries and renewable power infrastructure.
[Part Three: Embodied Carbon, adaptive reuse and sustainably sourced materials when building with with social, climate and health impacts in mind] In the third segment Roze and Brown address retrofitting existing structures like Indiana University's historic limestone buildings, how to source environmentally friendly materials to offset climate change and how construction methods impact the atmosphere and indoor air quality. They discuss how much energy is used in the conventional built environment, the concept of embodied Carbon and adaptive reuse of older buildings, sustainable materials like certified timber and the holistic health conditions to consider when building green.
[Part Four: Housing affordability and resilience strategies for engaging and assisting entities of various sorts to adapt to climate change and environmental challenges] In the conclusion of the four part series, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Bill Brown, Assistant Director for Strategy and Engagement of the Environmental Resilience Institute or E-R-I of Indiana University about how ERI assists institutions, communities, organizations, businesses and governmental entities to plan for, mitigate and adapt to Climate Change impacts. They explore how the Campus works with the City and other institutions to secure funding,
Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today's episode, we learn about the EcoBlitz wildlife survey program monitoring biodiversity and bat populations in Indiana which discovered a new species of bee. We also get details about an upcoming forest protection roundtable as Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Steven Stewart, the Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance.
And now for your environmental reports: A letter to the Indianapolis Business Journal outlines something that would improve Indiana. The letter was written by Larry Clemens, Indiana state director of The Nature Conservancy.His letter is in response to the recent article, “Indiana lawmakers could further dilute state wetlands protections following SCOTUS decision” [by Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle, IBJ.com, July 26]. The article did a great job of citing the benefits of wetlands, particularly their ability to catch and hold excess stormwater. As storms intensify throughout Indiana with each passing year, this is a benefit we cannot live without.
What the article failed to mention is how Hoosiers reacted strongly two years ago when the General Assembly threatened to remove all state regulation from wetlands. Polling shows a majority of Hoosiers favor sensible regulatory protection of this critical resource, yet wetlands remain a target of developers with powerful connections. It’ll take a strong and sustained effort from Hoosiers across the state to ensure we don’t lose these important natural assets.
---Norm Holy
The New York Times reported a story about the fires on Maui that has a good outcome.
Jennifer Pribble was asleep when the power line fell in the forest. She heard the generator kick in but didn’t think much of it. High winds sometimes led to electricity failures. It was normal enough. Wildfires were not even on her radar. Ms. Pribble lives at the Maui Bird Conservation Center, where she helps care for some of the most critically endangered birds in the world. Hawaii’s native birds have been decimated by disease fueled by climate change and by introduced predators like rats. The center keeps some 80 birds in enclosures in an effort to prevent their extinction.
On Monday night, Ms. Pribble was the only staff member at the center, one of two in Hawaii managed by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. As she slept, a downed line appears to have started a fire in the pine forest nearby. Several hours later, at about 3 a.m., Ms. Pribble awoke again, this time to the thud of a large branch hitting the roof. Still unaware of the fire, she worried it might have damaged the building and went onto the back porch to check.
The sky was orange and there was smoke in the air, like out in the forest, Ms. Pribble said. She went outside to see what was happening, and saw flames about 150 feet from the edge of the property. She called 911, and was told the Fire Department knew about the blaze and was assessing. The center houses about 40 ‘akikiki, a native songbird, and about 40 ‘alalā, also known as the Hawaiian crow. ‘Alalā are extinct in the wild, and only about five ‘akikiki are known to remain there. The only other members of these species live at the center’s sister facility on the Big Island, said Emily Senninger, a spokeswoman for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The birds are divided between both places to insure against disasters such as this one. But until now, they thought volcanic eruptions and hurricanes were the biggest dangers.
As Ms. Pribble watched the fire in the distance, she felt reassured that it was in the forest, where a bed of thick pine needles seemed to be making it hard for the flames to spread. For a time, they actually reduced in size. But she grew increasingly worried as fire approached grasses closer to a road. If it crossed, she thought,
Ana Cordero, is here to talk about the free services provided by El Centro Comunal Latino, a Non-Profit Organization located inside the Monroe's Public Library. They help the Latino immigrants arriving to Bloomington to settle down, providing them with information and putting them in contact with partners and agencies. Services provided in Spanish.
Tune in to the episode to learn about this week’s featured animal and topic! Featured animal: Bubby, a cat currently residing with the Bloomington Animal Shelter Featured topic: Fostering animals via Bloomington Animal Shelter — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
On July 19, 2023, Copeland James joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at Orbit Room.
Production team:
Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang WFHB Studio Engineers: Addison Rogers and Josh Brewer WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner Post-production by Chama Henry
On July 13th, 2023, Hurray for the Riff Raff joined us for a live performance and interview ahead of their performance at The Bishop Bar.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Engineer: Alyssa Gray Photographer: Paul Baechtold Post-production by Chama Henry
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 16th, 2023. Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Last week, at the Indiana’s Republican Party state dinner, the GOP endorsed U.S. representative Jim Banks for the open U.S. Senate seat. Banks endorsement is the first time the Indiana Republican Party has openly endorsed a candidate before primary elections. More coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup By Brookelyn Lambright
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level. Holcomb announces new IEDC head Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced on Tuesday that David Rosenberg will be the state's new Secretary of Commerce.. Rosenberg is replacing the previous Secretary of Commerce, Brad Chambers. Chambers stepped down from the position on August 6th after considering a run for Indiana governor.
Holcomb said , “David has been instrumental in guiding the IEDC team over the last two years, and I am confident in his ability to continue to lead the strong team and Indiana’s extraordinary economic momentum.”
Rosenberg has been with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation or IEDC since 2021, serving on state projects like the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative and the LEAP program which developed nearly 9,000 acres across Boone County.
Before working with IEDC, Rosenberg served as the deputy chief of staff for former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and as operations officer for Indianapolis Public Schools. Indiana GOP endorses Banks for Senate Last Thursday, at the Indiana’s Republican Party state dinner, the GOP endorsed U.S. representative Jim Banks for the open U.S. Senate seat. Banks endorsement is the first time the Indiana Republican Party has openly endorsed a candidate before primary elections.
Banks currently represents Indiana’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Banks is running against Democratic candidates Keith Potts and Marc Carmichael for Mike Braun’s vacated seat. Braun announced he will be running for Indiana Governor this year instead of the U.S. Senate.
Banks said, “Indiana is a conservative state that deserves a conservative Senator, and I look forward to continuing to make my case to Hoosiers across the state that I am a conservative voice they can trust with a consistent track record of getting things done.”
Now that Banks has been endorsed by the G.O.P, he may receive financial support from the Republican National Committee. Trump Georgia Indictment On Monday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced a fourth indictment against former president Donald Trump for his involvement in the 2020 election. Willis first began investigating Trump and his co-conspirators in February 2021. The indictment is based around Georgia’s RICO statute or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The act penalizes individuals for engaging in organized crime. Willis alleges Trump along with 18 allies attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in the state of Georgia. Willis said she would like to see a trial date for the case within the next six months.
Conservatives are pointing fingers at President Joe Biden online. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on X, “ Justice should be blind, but Biden has weaponized the government against his leading political opponent to interfere in the 2024 election. Now a radical DA in Georgia is following Biden’s lead by attacking President Trump and using it to fundraise her political career.”
However, Willis pushed back against conservatives online saying during a press conference, “I make decisions in this office based on the facts and the laws.
Take a Deep Dive into Lake Monroe. WFHB News, Big Talk, and the Limestone Post have worked together to produce an in-depth look into the quality of the water in Lake Monroe. The source of our drinking water and a year-round site for recreation and an escape into nature, our lake faces challenges. Our guest this week is Maggie Sullivan, watershed coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe. Go here for the online story and tune in to the Daily Local News, Wednesdays, for follow-up reports. Deep Dive is a joint project of WFHB and Limestone Post.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
Episode 4 - The Rosetta Stone of Heavy Metal
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them.
In this episode, DJ Firebrand gets into the deeper themes of Clifford's "neo" nü-metal song "Dark Descent" while DJ Bast comes in hot with a rare find, "Metal Rap" by The Lone Rager. They dissect if this song is truly the first instance of rap and heavy metal crossing paths as well as getting into the uh...questionable album art that accompanies it.
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 16th, 2023. Later in the program, Bloomington Pridefest will happen next Saturday, August 26th. BloomingOUT, an LGBTIQ+ public affairs program on WFHB, interviewed April Hennessey and Phoenix Rayng to discuss the upcoming Pridefest and more. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Double Header on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Council met on August 8th. During department updates, Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens shared the commissioner's salary recommendation for 2024. Githens shared that they would like to increase county staff wages by 8.5 percent to ensure staff can afford to live in the county they work in.
Next, the Surveyors Office gave an update on their G-I-S mapping. Monroe County Surveyor Trohn Enright-Randolph introduced the department update.
G-I-S Coordinator John Baeten gave a demonstration of the Monroe County Community Resource Web Page.
Next, the Council discussed the Local Income Tax for the 2024 budget. Council President Kate Wiltz explained that this is an annual review of the estimated property tax levy limits and property tax caps for the budget.
Council Member Geoff McKim shared the Tax Cap Impacts from 2023, and the estimated tax cap impacts for 2024.
McKim tied the conversation about Local Income tax back to Commissioner Githens’ presentation on the salary recommendation for 2024.
The Monroe County Council will continue their discussion of the 2024 budget at a meeting on September 6th. Feature Report:
Bloomington Pridefest will happen next Saturday, August 26th. BloomingOUT, an LGBTIQ+ public affairs program on WFHB, interviewed April Hennessey and Phoenix Rayng to discuss the upcoming Pridefest and more. You can find previous episodes of BloomingOUT on our website at wfhb dot org. We turn to host and producer Melanie Davis for more.
Bloomington residents gather on Kirkwood Avenue for Pridefest, the annual street festival hosted by local organization, Bloomington PRIDE. Photo by Melanie Davis.
Up next, Doubleheader on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Melanie Davis. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 15th, 2023. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls, which raises awareness and works to end the stigma around autism. Lambright has more in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
During its meeting on August 9th, the Bloomington City Council heard Ordinance 23-15 which would expand the boundaries of Bloomington Transit further into Monroe County and the town of Ellettsville. Council Member Steve Volan who sponsored the bill outlined an overview of the ordinance during Wednesday night’s meeting.
Volan characterized the ordinance as, “the most significant change to Bloomington Transit in 50 years.” The ordinance would establish a Department of Transportation and create the Bloomington Public Transit Corporation. Volan said the change would only affect BT’s operating boundaries, not its taxing ones.
General Manager of Bloomington Transit John Connell spoke in support of the BT expansion. Connell said he wanted to see an extension of services beyond city limits.
Councilor Ron Smith expressed concern that Area 10 Agency on Aging would be impacted by the ordinance due to a change in the 2020 Census that redefined what is considered an urbanized area. Connell addressed Smith’s concerns.
Smith asked for clarification on how the boundaries would be extended into the county. Connell elaborated on Bloomington Transportation’s plans.
Local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin shared concerns he had during the public comment portion of the meeting. He pointed out what he saw as “factual issues” in the proposed legislation.
The council unanimously approved the ordinance. The legislation awaits approval from Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton before going into effect. The Bloomington City Council will meet again for its regular session at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers on August 16th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls, which raises awareness and works to end the stigma around autism. Lambright has more.
Up next, episode 34 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This program originally aired on January 11, 2021:
On today’s edition of Bring It On! hosts William Hosea and Liz Mitchell welcome Dr. Amrita Myers, who is the Ruth Halls Associate Professor of History and Gender Studies at Indiana University. Together they examine what the insurgency and siege of the Capitol Building in Washington by Trump supporters, in an attempt to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election results, says about white supremacy in the United States.
The Trump-endorsed insurgency on the Capitol Building and its aftermath have caused the Democratic and some members of the Republic Party to call for a historic 2nd impeachment of Donald J. Trump and the use of the 25th Amendment to remove him from office immediately. As many in the media have already pointed out, the lack of police preparedness to the violent Trump revolt is particularly startling given the overwhelming use of force used against largely peaceful Black Life Matters during the previous summer. The motivating subtext of QAnon-inspired white nationalism and structural racism, in part, seems to explain the violent action taken by the Trump supports who were involved. These issues and more are examined in today’s edition of Bring It On!.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester screams "Freedom" inside the Senate chamber after the U.S. Capitol was breached by a mob during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
CREDITS: The hosts of today’s show are William Hosea and Liz Mitchell. The Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. William Hosea is the Assistant Producer and Zoom Conference Technician. Bring It On!’s consultant is Kade Young, the WFHB News Department Director. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Jamyl Efiom wrote the original theme music with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This program originally aired on January 11, 2021:
On today’s edition of Bring It On! hosts William Hosea and Liz Mitchell welcome Dr. Amrita Myers, who is the Ruth Halls Associate Professor of History and Gender Studies at Indiana University. Together they examine what the insurgency and siege of the Capitol Building in Washington by Trump supporters, in an attempt to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election results, says about white supremacy in the United States.
The Trump-endorsed insurgency on the Capitol Building and its aftermath have caused the Democratic and some members of the Republic Party to call for a historic 2nd impeachment of Donald J. Trump and the use of the 25th Amendment to remove him from office immediately. As many in the media have already pointed out, the lack of police preparedness to the violent Trump revolt is particularly startling given the overwhelming use of force used against largely peaceful Black Life Matters during the previous summer. The motivating subtext of QAnon-inspired white nationalism and structural racism, in part, seems to explain the violent action taken by the Trump supports who were involved. These issues and more are examined in today’s edition of Bring It On!.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester screams "Freedom" inside the Senate chamber after the U.S. Capitol was breached by a mob during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
CREDITS: The hosts of today’s show are William Hosea and Liz Mitchell. The Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. William Hosea is the Assistant Producer and Zoom Conference Technician. Bring It On!’s consultant is Kade Young, the WFHB News Department Director. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Jamyl Efiom wrote the original theme music, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 14th, 2023. Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on an ordinance that allows Bloomington Transit to expand its coverage into Monroe County More in today’s feature report.
That's Phoenix Rang from a new organization called Protect Our People, advocating for Hoosier transgender equality. New Indiana laws are making it harder for trans youth to access gender-affirming care and Protect Our People is trying to help those kids. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community. But first, your daily headlines: Two Bodies Recovered at Monroe Lake over the Weekend
The body of a man was recovered from Monroe Lake on Sunday afternoon.
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, emergency services were dispatched to Moore’s Creek after a man went under the water and never resurfaced.
66-year-old man Paul Bosler was recovered by Indiana Conservation Officers with the assistance of the Monroe County Dive Team. According to a news release from the DNR, lifesaving measures were taken but Bosler was pronounced dead after being taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
Witnesses day that Bosler jumped off a boat to swim and never resurfaced. The DNR release states that no life jackets were used at the time of the incident.
This marks the second body recovered from Monroe Lake in two days. On Saturday, Rajesh Kumar, a 40-year-old man from New York, was pronounced dead at the scene after his body was recovered from the lake.
The DNR said that Kumar was also not wearing a life jacket. Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
During the August 9th meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on the health department.
Kelly also presented two items to the commissioners, the first, tackling COVID immunization funding, and the second, grant funding for local schools which had been previously discussed in an earlier meeting.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked if the grant would cover vaccines for individuals. Kelley responded.
A motion was made to approve the funding and it passed unanimously 2-0. Next the commissioners listened to Lori Kelley present the Grant for local school that totaled twelve-thousand-two-hundred eighty dollars. Commissioner Lee Jones shared the Board of Health’s recommendations of what to fund and what not to fund in response to the various schools’ requests.
Kelley shared the purpose of the grant, and what the funding should be focused on.
Commissioner Githens asked if more schools should apply to receive A-E-Ds and bleed kits. Kelley suggested that the county could purchase them, and distribute them as well.
Lastly, Commissioner Jones asked why the playground equipment was not selected for funding, when it could be considered health oriented. Kelley explained what she thought was the reasoning behind the decision.
A motion was made to approve the funding and it passed unanimously 2-0. During public comment, Government Relations Manager for the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Jim Shelton made the commissioners aware of fall training for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will have its next meeting on Wednesday, August 16th. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on an ordinance that allows Bloomington Transit to expand its coverage into Monroe County taken from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
Phoenix Rayng represents a new organization called Protect Our People, advocating for transgender equality across Indiana. Protect Our People needs help getting trans youth access to gender-affirming care.
Activate!
Phoenix Rayng represents a new organization called Protect Our People, advocating for transgender equality across Indiana. Protect Our People needs help getting trans youth access to gender-affirming care.Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.This episode of Activate! was produced by Nishka Mishra as part of the High School Journalism Institute hosted by The Media School at Indiana University.
WFHB welcomes the Andy Cobine trio to Saturday's Child on Saturday, August 12, from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy jazzular tunes, both classics and originals, in the groove of swing, bossa, blues, and funky too. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center in downtown Bloomington as Steve Mascari and Tim Moore round out the Andy Cobine Trio -- live on Saturday's Child, August 12, at 11am, on WFHB.
Tune in to the episode to learn about this week’s featured animal and topic! Featured animal: Posh, a cat residing with the Bloomington Animal Shelter Featured topic: PUPP Act — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Our host Minerva chats with Martha Shedd, Homeowner Services Director from Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, who shared information about Habitat mission, ways to volunteer and to apply to their programs, inviting people to work together in partnership, building houses with families in need of safe, affordable housing.
Hello and welcome to Eco Report. Today's anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts-Hall. Later in today's program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze attended the second public meeting for the Allen Street Greenway connector which will link Madison and Morton Streets in the McDoel Gardens neighborhood. We will have an excerpt from the event held yesterday by Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. And now for your environmental reports: An Update on the Status of the Canadian Wildfires
Photo courtesy of Reuters.
This story updates the status of the Canadian fires. Canadian wildfires have released 290 megatonnes of carbon emissions from January to July 2023, more than doubling the previous annual high of 138 megatonnes of carbon emissions in 2014, according to Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service. The emissions for this year are set to keep rising as fires continue to blaze, with fire season typically spanning from May to October.
Canada’s wildfire emissions this year make up about 25% of global total emissions from wildfires, Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service reported. Major wildfires are currently burning across the country.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there are 1,052 wildfires burning in Canada, with 666 of these fires considered “out of control” burns. The fires are particularly affecting British Columbia and Northwest Territories, and most of Canada’s territories have been impacted by wildfires since May. Wildfires are also affecting the Arctic Circle, the service reported.
"We have been monitoring the emissions from wildfires right across Canada for three months since the beginning of May, during which time they have continued to increase almost continuously to a level which is already considerably higher than the previous annual total fire emissions for Canada in our dataset," said Mark Parrington, senior scientist with the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, said in a statement. As fire emissions from boreal regions typically peak at the end of July and early August, the total is still likely to continue rising for some more weeks and we will continue to monitor.
The wildfires in Canada have contributed to poor air quality around the country and in the U.S. for months, and by the end of June, emissions for the first six months of the year had already surpassed the record high, reaching 160 megatonnes. The 2023 fire season has also hit a record high for the amount of area burned, with over 32 million acres burned, Reuters reported. At the usual estimate, 32 million acres reflects nearly 13 billion trees.
Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service noted that climate change was contributing to conditions that raise the chances of longer fire seasons, and rapidly increasing surface air temperatures in the Arctic could also be playing a part in the record-breaking fires.
One thing that is overlooked is that nearly all of Canada’s forests are now warm enough to be targeted by beetles. Between fire and beetles, the future of Canadian forests is not bright.
One thing that is often overlooked by mainstream media is that nearly all of Canada forests are now warm enough to be targeted by beetles.
---Norm Holy Reasons for the Fires in Hawaii
Photo courtesy of the NY Times.
The New York Times reports on the reasons for the fires in Hawaii. The fires in Hawaii are shocking to all of us. Its happened in a state defined by its lush vegetation, a far cry from the dry landscape normally associated with fire threats.
The explanation is as straightforward as it is sobering: As the planet heats up, no place is protected from disasters.
The story of this week’s blaze arguably began decades ago, when Hawaii started experiencing a long-term decline in average annual rainfall. Since 1990, rainfall at selected monitoring sites has been 31 percent lower in the wet season, and 6 percent lower in the dry season,
This is the fifth and final week of partnership between WFHB's Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington called "Youth Radio Summer Camp". The idea behind the program was to encourage campers to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could potentially do if they got involved in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday on Youth Radio's programming block.
For the final week of Youth Radio Summer Camp we decided to let the campers take what they learned over the course of the previous weeks and choose whatever path they wanted to explore more. So it's variety pack of stories, crush talk, remote dj'ing and tidbits.
We hope you enjoyed this years selections and we hope to see you next summer ❤
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Today the crew talks about local and national news. Book reclassifications in Kal's old hometown library, Martinsville Jr high transgender bathroom use lawsuit, queer-affirming media, and some challenges we're still slogging through.
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Credits:
Melanie Davis, Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree
They're obsessed. And they want to share their obsession with you. Aja Essex and Josh Brewer run Cicada Cinema, a pop-up, volunteer-run movie theater in Bloomington. The two schedule film showings in locales all around town, sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors. Cicada's offerings range from esoteric art films to low-budget black-and-white horror movies. Essex and Brewer will host the Cicada Cinema Gala, Sunday, August 20, 2023, 4:00pm, at the FAR Center for Contemporary Art. Admission is free for the fundraiser featuring food and drink, a raffle, activities, and the movie, "Matinee," directed by Joe Dante and starring John Goodman and Cathy Moriarty.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 9th, 2023. In today’s feature report, we have the second half of a discussion between Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Delaney Barber - Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council. More in the bottom half of tonight’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Dodgier Than Ever on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 1, 2023. At the meeting, the board approved a noise permit for the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival’s event, Lotus in the Park. Director of Public Works, Adam Wason shared more details about the noise permit request.
The Board of Public Works also approved Indiana University’s event, the Student Involvement Fair. Wason shared the permit request.
The board approved a noise permit request from the City of Bloomington Utilities for nighttime construction on Fountain Drive. Assistant Director of Utilities James Hall presented the request.
At the last Board of Public Works Meeting, the board tabled a discussion on a sidewalk closure at 2038 N. Walnut Street. Engineering Department Public Improvements Manager Maria McCormick updated the board on the closure request.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on August 15, 2023. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores funding provisions of the federal Inflation Reduction Act and other climate pollution reduction measures being advocated and implemented in Indiana with Delaney Barber of the Hoosier Environmental Council. We turn to Roze for more.
Up next, Dodgier Than Ever on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the fourth week of partnership between WFHB's Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington called "Youth Radio Summer Camp". The idea behind the program was to encourage campers to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could potentially do if they got involved in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday on Youth Radio's programming block.
This weeks project was audio theater. All plays were written and performed by each camp. We gave them free reign to make plays about whatever they saw fit, but came around to the same theme: MYSTERY!
So cozy up and take a listen to 4 tales to thrill you to your core!
Voice Over by Addison Rogers
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 8th, 2023. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright touches on the impact of redistricting on Indiana’s 2024 election, speaking with Executive Director of Common Cause Indiana Julia Vaughn. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Council and Monroe County Commissioners Joint Session
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Council and Monroe County Commissioners held a joint meeting on August 3rd.
First, Baker Tilly Manager Jennifer Carmack reported on general requirements of American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA state fiscal recovery funds.
Next, Mary Morgan gave an update on Heading Home which receives ARPA funding.
Morgan explained that they are working with landlords to incentivise them to accept section 8 housing vouchers.
Morgan also shared information on the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund.
Commissioner Penny Githens highlighted the work Heading Home has done to house veterans..
The council and commission also discussed other projects that could receive ARPA funding, and how to select other projects that could receive funding as well. The Commissioners and Councilors agreed to meet again in the near future to continue to discuss project funding. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of AP Photo / Tom Davies.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright touches on the impact of redistricting on Indiana’s 2024 election. Lambright speaks with Julia Vaughn, the executive director for Common Cause Indiana – a nonpartisan organization that works to promote open, ethical, and accountable government for Indiana residents. We turn to Lambright for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Common Cause Indiana, a nonprofit organization advocating for redistricting reform discusses the impact of severe gerrymandering across the state. In Indiana, the legislative maps used to divide Hoosiers into voting districts are more biased towards one party than 95% of maps drawn in other U.S. states. What is expected to be a fair process meant to encourage voter turnout and strengthen minority voters has become a process known as gerrymandering.
Every ten years, new legislative maps are drawn to adjust for fluctuations in population. However, the practice has become an opportunity for politicians across the board to secure a majority win for their party. The last redistricting map was drawn in 2021 meaning the next redraw is in 2031.
Indiana's 2021 Congressional Districts Map
Julia Vaughn, the Executive Director of Common Cause Indiana, a nonprofit organization which lobbies for accountable and honest government, proposes a law reform which prohibits gerrymandering entirely. “Unfortunately, what happens, particularly when you have politicians leading the process, is politics takes over. So we think you need to spell out in law, that you cannot draw these districts to benefit a political party or to benefit any individual person. And that's how you stop gerrymandering because that gives you a big tool. If you know the districts don't do that, that gives you a tool to go to court and hold whoever drew the maps accountable for not following that principle. We need not only a different set of people to control the redistricting process, but we also need some language in state law that says whoever draws the maps can't gerrymander,” said Vaughn. There are a few guidelines Indiana redistricting has to follow. The first being that each district must be equally populated. This follows the principle that one person equals one vote. The next is that districts must comply with the Voting Rights Act, meaning districts must expand on the strength of minority voters rather than splitting minority votes to dismantle their voting power. Indiana’s constitution also requires that districts are contiguous, meaning they must touch.
In 2015, Common Cause Indiana joined with the League of Women Voters Indiana to create the All IN for Democracy Coalition made up of 33 organizations across the state to raise awareness about and combat redistricting.
The All IN for Democracy Coalition held a mapping competition in 2021. A committee made up of three Democrats, three Republicans, and three Independents held 10 hearings to understand what Hoosiers thought state districts should look like. Hoosiers across the state were then encouraged to create fair district maps for that year’s redistricting cycle. Contestants were able to use Districtr, a publicly available software with data about Indiana’s communities. The submitted maps were judged by the politically impartial committee and the fairest map was selected.
While the winning map was not approved by Indiana’s General Assembly, Vaughn says the mapping competition raised awareness about redistricting across the state.
“So, while we weren't able to convince the Indiana General Assembly to adopt the maps that won our competition, back in 2021, our coalition certainly did a great job at turning people out to the statehouse to testify on the issue [...] So, you know, we're very proud to lead the effort to set an example of how this should be done, and also to help Hoosiers make their voices heard on the maps that were adopted back in 2021,” said Vaughn.
Getting reform surrounding gerrymandering is difficult in states like Indiana where one party holds a majority of the power in the statehouse. Indiana also lacks a ballot initiative process which would place a citizen-proposed measure directly on the ballot.
“It's really tough to get reform of redistricting in a state like Indiana where we don't have the ballot initiative process.
This is the third week of partnership between WFHB's Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington called "Youth Radio Summer Camp". The idea behind the program was to encourage campers to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could potentially do if they got involved in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday on Youth Radio's programming block.
This weeks broadcast was dedicated to having the campers review some of their favorite media, talk about the current news of the time and honestly anything else that defied categorization. They got creative with their presentations and topics! Tune and listen to what the youthz are all talking about!
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we interview Dr. Rob Stone for an update and synthesis of all the complex and maddening developments in healthcare costs, billing, and profiteering, based on his recent presentation at IU Health and IU School of Medicine in Bloomington.
ProPublica is mentioned and you can link to their series UNCOVERED:How the Insurance Industry Denies Coverage to Patients
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
Join us Wednesday 9/13/23, 7 PM, at The Woolery Mill 2250 W Sunstone Dr 47403 for another free showing of American Hosptitals - Healing a Broken System. Stay for the discussion after the movie.
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Today on Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with David Gudaitis, Alan Backler, and Larry Laswell to preview the upcoming documentary, Reviving the West Baden Colored Church: A Labor of Love. It tells the story of the First Baptist (Colored) Church in West Baden Springs, Indiana, from its founding and years of growth to its decline and rebirth. It also talks about the people who were involved in each stage of the church’s development.
David Gudaitis, Alan Backler, and Larry Laswell are here today telling this story because it helps preserve the legacy of the large African American community that lived in French Lick and West Baden Springs, who had worked at the local resorts, beginning in the late 19th century. Also, the documentary tells the story of how the church, which was the cornerstone of the local African American community, survived and flourished, despite the great depression, floods, declining membership, and racial conflicts.
Finally, Reviving the West Baden Colored Church chronicles the challenges of the extensive restoration that took place over five years leading to its revival. After this screening, directors Elizabeth Michell and David Gudaitis and volunteers who helped restore the church will share insights and answer questions.
Reviving the West Baden Colored Church documentary is set to air at 4 p.m., on Sunday, August 20th at the West Baden Hotel, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 27th at the Monroe County Public Library. Both showings are free to the public.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 7th, 2023. In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a canceled city council budget meeting from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin."
That's Stephanie Shelton from Cancer Support Community of Indiana. Shelton says forty thousand Hoosiers will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. She needs volunteers to help support people affected by cancer through local events and programs. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee met on July 31st. At this meeting, they discussed investments the County Council can make to reduce the number of community members entering the justice system.
Committee Member Jennifer Crossley discussed possible solutions to reducing the number of people entering the county’s justice system.
Committee Member Jennifer Crossley also proposed solutions such as supportive employment, family and peer support groups, and investing in community groups and organizations. During the meeting, Centerstone Adult and Family Services gave a presentation discussing their work in intervention services, addiction prevention, and psychiatric care.
JFAC also heard from Marilyn Grimes with Courage to Change Sober Living.
During public comment, Monroe County Resident, Denny Wise, shared their disapproval with the construction of a larger county jail.
JFAC will meet again on August 7, 2023. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a canceled city council budget meeting from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.
WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Last month The Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people for positive change in our community. Every Monday during the month of August you get to hear their work.
This week's episode was produced by Ellie Broscow and Anthony Navarro. Ellie lives in Oakland, California where she produces her own podcast called "Teens in the Bay." Anthony is from Chicago and you'll hear his voice in the intro to this week's episode of Activate!, featuring Stephanie Shelton from Cancer Support Community of Indiana. Shelton says forty thousand Hoosiers will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. She needs volunteers to help support friends and neighbors with cancer through local events and programs. That's on a new student-produced episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dave Askins. Activate was produced by Chad Carrothers, Michelle Moss, Ellie Broscow and Anthony Navarro. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Stephanie Shelton works for Cancer Support Community of Indiana. 40,000 Hoosiers will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year and Shelton needs volunteers to help support people affected by cancer through local events and programs.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Ellie Broscow and Anthony Navarro as part of the High School Journalism Institute hosted by The Media School at Indiana University.
Nuestra host María entrevistando al representante latina de Bloomington Housing Authority, Yaneli, quien trabaja para servir a los ciudadanos de Monroe County, a traves de la promoción de la vivienda y las oportunidades comunitarias, como por ejemplo, el programa de Autosuficiencia Familiar y servicios para las familias.
WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores issues relating to local urban agriculture and government policy with Jami Scholl of Rezenience, a permaculture consultancy firm growing nutriceutical produce in Bloomington, Indiana.
Roze and Scholl discuss new research and options for optimal health and nutrition, challenges for local food security, shortfalls in disaster preparedness, local impacts of climate change and strategies for resilience amidst environmental disruptions affecting the sustainability of food systems worldwide. https://rezenience.com/
Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.
Hello and welcome to EcoReport. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. In this edition of EcoReport, we have the second half of a discussion between Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Delaney Barber - Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council.
And now for your environmental reports: WTHR of Indianapolis reports Indiana sees nearly double the number of air quality alerts in 2023 than 2022. New numbers released by the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management show it's a more volatile summer than normal for Hoosiers. Feeling like you've suffered a smokier summer than last year? It's not just your imagination. The state's leading environmental organization has recorded nearly double the amount of air quality alerts in 2023 than 2022. Officials with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management revealed while they issued a total of 13 Air Quality Action Days in 2022, we have already seen nearly double that number well before summer's end. So far in 2023, 25 Air Quality Action Days have been issued. Of those 25 total alerts, 14 were issued because of ozone pollution, and 10 were issued because of particle pollution from fine particles, or PM 2.5 pollution.
Air quality alerts issued by IDEM can be triggered by both particle and ground level ozone pollution, although 2023 did record one air quality alert so far that resulted from both types of pollution. Particle pollution has a single pollution source, like soot from fires, dust, factory debris or fossil fuel emissions, which are all examples of particulate matter. In the most recent case, the Canadian wildfires would be the single pollution source that's sending an excess of fine particulate matter into the air.
Exposure to PM 2.5 has been linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, and irregular heartbeats. One study from Harvard found more exposure to PM 2.5 is linked to higher rates of death from COVID-19. The Indiana Legislature is not particularly concerned with air quality as demonstrated by their total support of the coal industry and their efforts to marginalize wind and solar.
---Norm Holy
According to PBS, of all extreme weather conditions, heat is the deadliest. It kills more people in the U.S. in an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined. The human body has a built-in cooling mechanism – sweat. But that system can only do so much, especially in soaring temperatures with high humidity. When your body is exposed to heat, it will try to cool itself down by redirecting more blood to the skin, says Ollie Jay, a professor of heat and health at the University of Sydney, where he directs the Heat and Health Research Incubator. But that means less blood and less oxygen are going to your gut. If these conditions go on long enough, your gut can become more permeable.
So, nasty things like endotoxins that usually reside and stay inside the gut start leaking out of the gut, entering the circulation. And that sets off a cascade of effects that ultimately result in death, Jay says. The second way people die in high heat also has to do with your body pumping more blood to the skin. Your heart has to pump faster – which can make you feel lightheaded – to keep your blood pressure up. We might have a heart rate of 60 beats per minute, all of a sudden, we might be asking the heart to contract 100 times per minute, 110 times per minute. So now you're asking the heart to do a lot more work, Jay says.
Those spikes in the heart rate can be triggers for a heart attack, he says, especially for the elderly and those with underlying heart conditions. The third deadly danger has to do with the fluids your body is losing in extreme heat. People can sweat as much as a liter and half per hour, Jay says. And if you don't replenish those fluids, you get dehydrated and your blood volume shrinks,
This is the second week of partnership between WFHB's Youth Radio, Kid City and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington called "Youth Radio Summer Camp". The idea behind the program was to encourage campers to participate in some creative activities that gave them a crash course in all the things they could potentially do if they got involved in broadcast radio. We wanted to give them a voice and allow them to hear all the hard work they put into their projects every Saturday on Youth Radio's programming block.
For this week, we decided to bring back an old Youth Radio mainstay: Mixed Nuts! This one is focused around food and the campers relationship to certain foods. I wont lie, it gets pretty passionate in a few places and surprising in others. Take a listen to hear some delightfully unhinged takes on that stuff we put in our faces and keeps us goin'
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
Tune in to the episode to learn about this week's featured animal and topic! Featured animal: Millikan, a dog at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Featured topic: Kitten Season — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Over the last five years on the banks of West Plains New York, the transportation company Lyft has been embroiled in a Lawsuit with Westchester on the Move or (WDOMI), A disability rights organization headquartered in Westchester County New York. In the lawsuit, WDOMI argues that Lyft is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing Wheelchair Accessible vehicles (WAV’s) that accommodate non-foldable wheelchairs. The original lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Harriet Lowell of White Plains New York, on behalf of individuals with mobility disabilities who are “pervasively and systematically excluded from Lyft’s convenient transportation services as Lyft does not provide Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles in White Plans, where Lowell is located. Yesterday, I spoke to Jeremiah Frei Pearson, the Lawyer fighting on behalf of Westchester on the Move in their lawsuit against Lyft and who has previously appeared on our program along with his colleague Erin Kelley, Harriet Lowell the plaintiff and representative of all disabled individuals affected by Lyft in this case, and Mel Tanzman the Executive Director and representative of WDOMI, who is the second plaintiff in this case.
We began by asking Tanzman about how the case began, followed by Harriet Lowell then Frei Pearson
Frei Pearson then provided a lowdown on the facts of the case, Lyft’s main arguments for why it cannot provide access to people in wheelchairs, and the role the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, the primary civil rights act for individuals with disabilities, impacts this case.
I also asked Frei Pearson how Lyft might prevent people from obtaining access to WAV’s in other parts of the country using a toggle and blocker and if it is possible for both tools to be removed. Frei Pearson elaborated:
I asked Lowell about how the lack of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles has had on her daily life and what she along with WDOMI and the disability community of Westchester sought from the case.
I asked Frei Pearson about the regulation of such ride share companies in New York State?
Frei Pearson also spoke about those who have come out in support of the organization’s litigation campaign:
A common concern amongst ride share companies is that there is an insufficient supply of WAVs in the country to provide on-demand service and the cost of modifications. Some companies suggest that lowering the floor then adding a wheelchair ramp and securement device for a wheelchair to an already existing vehicle adds $15 to $30,000 to the overall cost of such a vehicle.
WDOMI Executive Director Mel Tanzman clarified WDOMI’s stance on alternative transportation for people with disabilities but reiterated WDOMI’s stance and shared the story of the late WDOMI advocate Ansel Lurio
In 2021, a judge in the Northern District of California ruled that the lack of WAV service on the Lyft platform does not constitute discrimination under the ADA. I asked Frei Pearson about this decision and how the upcoming Lowell and WDOMI would argue differently to be successful in their lawsuit.
The next hearing on this case has been scheduled for August 30 from White Plains. Next time, we'll provide more highlights from our interview.
Abe Shapiro, WFHB news, Live and Learn!
Episode 3 - Now With 100% More Wizards
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them.
It's the thrilling conclusion to "The Wizard Saga"! Our heroes, broadcasting from ̶ ̶a ̶c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶t̶ The Backspace Gallery are once again fighting to for their sanity. To alleviate their woes, DJ Firebrand shows DJ Bast "Why It Scares Me" by La Dispute and DJ Bast completes this trilogy by blessing Firebrand with "Electric Wizard" by Vinum Sabathi.
The wheels of fate are turning! Listen in!
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
This week, we are all back in the house!!! Justin and Kal and Melanie were visited by Judi Epp, Lucie Mathieu, and their grandson, Truman, all the way from Spencer to talk about the news and Spencer Pride's goings on.
Saturday, the 5th of August @ 11am, is the Health and Wellness event: Hoosiers Need Health Insurance. Come by the commUnity Center on the north side of the square in downtown Spencer to learn how to navigate and apply for health insurance. The Annual Meeting this Sunday, August 6th at 4pm where the public is invited to come learn about all the things being planned for the upcoming year and 5 years for Spencer's CommUnity Center! Spencer's famous Pride event will be October 7th, this year! Non-food vendors still encouraged to apply! Visit spencerpride.org for much more information and a complete scope of their many, many programs for our LGBTQ commUnity!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Credits:
Melanie Davis, Justin Robertson, Kal Demaree
Our chat with NAACP branch president Maqubè Reese and her colleagues and friends, Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant and legal researcher and advocate Guy Loftman, continues this week. Reese and Loftman recount how their childhood families nurtured their worldviews and their future. Oliphant talks about her responsibility to address wrongs and inequalities within the county judicial system. Part 1 aired last week, Thursday, July 27, 2023. Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This year, Youth Radio took to the streets to ask attendees of the 2023 Granfalloon Festival about Kurt Vonnegut, the performing artists and Bloomington's atmosphere during the festivities. Along the way, they interviewed both people on the street, local artists and musicians and some participants in the festival itself. What is presented here is the extended edit of the episode that first aired on WFHB back in June.
Please enjoy.
All interviews conducted by DJ Iris, DJ Ezra, DJ Ollie and DJ Roux.
Produced and edited by Jessie Grubb and Aja Essex
Episode 1 - The Granfalloon (ft. Michelle and The Flaming Lips)
Welcome to ShowRats! A podcast where DJ Ollie goes to concerts and reviews them. Along the way they will talk to their friends about these shows and even document their journey to learning how to play drums
For the first episode Ollie is joined by Youth Radio Director Aja Essex to discuss the main stage show at this years Granfalloon. They we're both able to catch the pop group Michelle and this years headliner, The Flaming Lips. They get into the festival atmosphere, their relationship with each band and shout out their favorite moments of the evening
Tune in and listen to how it all went down!
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Ollie
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on the “Fight For Abortion Rights” vigil at the Monroe County Courthouse. This comes after the Indiana Supreme Court decided it was within the state’s constitution to ban abortion. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners met Wednesday July 26th, 2023. During the meeting, Health Administrator Lori Kelley presented on the Grant Funding for Local Schools for the amount of $12,280. The Health department will support local schools through the Cooperative Agreement for emergency response.
Dr. Sarah Ryterband spoke to the commissioners about the grant, and the requests they received from the schools.
Commissioner Julie Thomas followed up on the request from the Seven Oaks School, and said she was unsure what the next steps should be on the motion.
Kelley explained the timeline they have to use the grant funding.
The Commissioners made a motion to table the discussion of the grant for the next meeting which passed 3-0. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on Wednesday August 9th, 2023. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on the “Fight For Abortion Rights” vigil at the Monroe County Courthouse. This comes after the Indiana Supreme Court decided it was within the state’s constitution to ban abortion. We turn to Lambright for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Last night, nearly 80 Bloomington residents stood on the front lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse to express their frustration with Indiana’s abortion ban. With signs held in the air saying, “Keep abortion legal”, residents mourned the loss of reproductive healthcare in Indiana.
A Bloomington resident stands with their sign in protest of Indiana's abortion ban.
The event, sponsored by Hoosier Jews for Choice, Indiana NOW Chapters, and MADVoters brought together Hoosiers, abortion activists, and politicians statewide. In total, seven vigils were held across the state in cities like Ft. Wayne and Valparaiso. Pro-choice Hoosiers are looking to make their voices heard as they prepare for Indiana’s abortion ban to take effect.
In 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling which made abortion legal nationally.
One month later, Indiana made waves as it became the first state to pass anti-abortion legislation. The bill made only a few exceptions including cases of rape and incest up to 10 weeks post-fertilization and fatal fetus abnormalities that threaten a mother’s life up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. But after one week of the bill being in effect, the ACLU of Indiana sued the state in two separate cases.
In June 2023, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled on the first lawsuit stating that Indiana’s abortion ban is constitutional. Under the ban, only licensed hospitals may perform an abortion. Places like Planned Parenthood will no longer be able to offer abortion services in the state.
It is unclear when the ban will take effect. The abortion ban was slated to take effect today, August 1, but has not been certified by the Indiana Supreme Court yet.
A second lawsuit was filed against the state on behalf of Hoosier Jews for Choice and five anonymous women. They argue SB 1 violates Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act by establishing a statewide religion which acknowledges life beginning at conception. If Indiana’s Supreme Court rules in favor of the lawsuit, women could apply for an abortion if they receive a religious exemption.
As of last night, there is no new information on the second lawsuit. Amalia Shifriss, a founding member of Hoosier Jews for Choice said they are currently awaiting their hearing which was moved from September of this year to December.
“We wish we had more of an update on the legal case. As a lot of you know, the injunction in the privacy law case was recently vacated, which is why the law is taking effect tomorrow. The injunction in the recent case is still standing. As of right now, we're not sure because we were classified as a class action suit, but we're not sure it just applies to plaintiffs and for anonymous plaintiffs, or if it applies to the whole class action, that's what we're not clear on,” said Shifriss.
Shruti Rana, president of Monroe County NOW begins the vigil with her remarks.
Politicians from the city, county, and state level spoke at the vigil as well. Each provided updates on the work being done throughout Monroe County and the state to provide support for those seeking abortions.
The President and District 2 Representative for Bloomington’s Common Council, Sue Sgambelluri says the city is working to provide funds for an emergency reproductive grant program. The Common Council will also continue to support All-Options and Planned Parenthood.
“Defending women's health means defending the access to abortion, not just in theory, but in reality. So how have we done that? In October 2022, we unanimously adopted appropriation ordinance 22-04. That appropriated funds for an emergency reproductive health care grant program of $100,000, specifically to address the impacts of Indiana's near total abortion ban,” said Sgambelluri.
The President and District 3 Representative for the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Penny Githens said Monroe County is supplying funds to All-Options and Planned Parenthoo...
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 31st, 2023. Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on the Bloomington Community Survey from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report.
That's Patty Moon, volunteer coordinator for the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival. She needs FOUR HUNDRED volunteers to make this year's thirtieth annual LotusFest a success. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council met on July 26th, 2023. Director of Survey Research for Poll Co, Jade Arocha shared the results from a city-wide survey asking citizens various questions about their experience in the city. The survey ranked Bloomington alongside five hundred cities which the surveyors had in their database. Arocha shared that this is the fourth year Bloomington has done the survey.
She walked the council through characteristics that residents said pertain to Bloomington. The highest being the overall opportunity for education and enrichment.
Arocha went over what residents liked the most about Bloomington, according to the survey.
Then, Arocha announced the results from the survey pertaining to what residents like least about the city – namely the lack of affordable housing and the prevalence of homelessness.
After the presentation, there were a few questions from the council members. Council member Jim Sims questioned the validity of the survey sample, which represents all the residents despite less than 20 percent of the population responding to the survey.
Next, the council heard from Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson about the Lower Cascades Park Pedestrian and Bicycle network. The road going through Lower Cascades, called North Old State Road 37, had been set aside to be closed to through traffic to increase the connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians, specifically for students at Bloomington North High School that don’t drive. That plan heard opposition from residents who said the road should remain open. Robinson walked the council through the options available to use the road moving forward.
Robinson warned that if they do expand the street to accommodate both uses, it could have harmful effects on the streamback. He explained that streambank stabilization is a priority
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on the Bloomington Community Survey from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Patty Moon has been a fan of Bloomington's annual Lotus Festival her whole life. Now she gets to help others experience the magic of Lotus as the volunteer coordinator for the festival. Patty needs hundreds of volunteers to sign up to make this year's 30th Lotus World Music and Arts Festival a success. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dave Askins. Activate is produced by Michelle Moss and Chad Carrothers. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This program originally aired on October 17, 2022:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with William Hosea, Alonzo Johnson, Jim Mitchell, and James Sanders about how it is to live as black men in the United States.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Patty Moon has been a fan of Bloomington's annual Lotus Festival her whole life. Now she gets to help others experience the magic of Lotus as the volunteer coordinator for the festival. Patty needs hundreds of volunteers to sign up to make this year's 30th Lotus World Music and Arts Festival a success.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Episode 2 - The Wizard Strikes Back
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them.
It is a dark time for DJ Bast and DJ Firebrand. Although successfully recording a first episode, they have been shoved in ̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶t̶ the studio to record another, DJ Firebrand talks about "Stranded in Time" by The United States of America, DJ Bast summons the power of the Swedish to discuss his song "The Black Riders & Flight To The Ford" by Bo Hansson.
Tune in to find out if they make it out alive!
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
On July 7th, 2023, Stillhouse Junkies joined us for a live performance and interview ahead of their performance at Food Truck Friday.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Engineer: Alyssa Gray Photographer: Paul Baechtold Post-production by Chama Henry
Featured pet: Scarlett, a cat with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Scarlett is a Domestic Short Hair cat, a little over 4 years old. She came to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter because she had inflammatory bowel symptoms that were not under control. The shelter has tried a variety of medications to get her stabilized and on track - and they feel, with her current medicines, that she is doing great! She will have to be in a low-stress household, because stress contributes to IBD, but Scarlett has handled being at the shelter while they investigated what would work for her. Many cats have stomach sensitivities, but with the right care, they are just like every other cat. Scarlett loves to have her belly rubbed and is a very friendly, social, and talkative cat. To learn more about Scarlett, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Featured topic: Emergency kits for pets The need for emergency preparedness isn’t limited to humans, including situations where taking shelter or evacuation may be necessary. Tune in to the episode to hear tips on how to assemble an emergency kit for pets. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Featured pet: Zeke, a Carolina dog with the Bloomington Animal Shelter Zeke is one of the extra shy Carolina dogs that the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter has been working hard to socialize. He is most motivated by spray cheese and will take regular meaty treats here and there as well. He has never walked on a leash and finds it extremely scary, so ideally, he would live in a home where he has access to a yard for outside time. He has made progress: he now has a collar and can drag a leash while outside. Zeke is not especially playful with other dogs, but he does well with those that respect his nervous demeanor and let him approach on his own. To learn more about Zeke, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Featured topic: Keeping animals safe in hot weather Tune in to the episode to learn about heat stroke in pets, animals that are especially prone to heat stroke, as well as potential symptoms and preventative measures. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Nuestra Host Maria Auxi recibe al Dr. Leighton, quien tiene más de 30 años de experiencia en la terapia física. He talked about his journey from Chile to the USA, all the process he had to go through to validate his MD license, and how he finally managed to start his own PT clinic, which is a family business.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today's program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze will talk with Delaney Barber the Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council.
And now for your environmental reports: The following story is quite long, so we have broken it up into several segments, making it easier for you to follow and to help you understand how and why your elected legislators vote on environmental bills.
According to the Lebanon Gazette, conflicts of interest in environmental bills continued in the 2023 legislative session. The author is Enrique Saenz, the Indiana Environmental Reporter. He moved from IU because the excellent program he did there did not receive funding. The experience WFHB has had with his stories is that they are reliable and thoroughly investigated.
A joint investigation between the Indiana Environmental Reporter and the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism revealed some Indiana lawmakers stood to benefit financially from environmental legislation they introduced or supported.
Indiana state law requires lawmakers and candidates for office to disclose financial interests from the previous year, but little in state law prevents legislators from introducing legislation that benefits them financially.
The investigation found multiple potential conflicts of interest on both sides of the aisle. Statements of economic interest submitted by lawmakers in early 2023 indicate that financial links to bills introduced by lawmakers continued to exist in the latest legislative session, especially at crucial junctures in the lawmaking process.
So, how’s it work? First up, Rewarding the Gatekeepers. Any member of the Indiana House of Representatives or Indiana Senate can sponsor a bill, but a bill in either chamber must pass through a series of gatekeepers in order to be considered by the full membership of that chamber.
In the House of Representatives, the first hurdle to overcome is the Speaker of the House. The Speaker decides whether a bill is referred to a committee for review or dies immediately.
What about the Speaker of the House? Indiana Speaker of the House Todd Huston disclosed owning a consulting firm with clients currently unrelated to the environment. Huston’s campaign received tens of thousands of dollars in contributions from companies regulated by the state’s environmental laws that would benefit from less protective legislation.
Huston’s campaign received $564,000 in contributions to help with his re-election, including $10,000 from Duke Energy Corp.’s political action committee, $3,000 from American Electric Power and $2,500 from NextEra Energy, Inc.
---Norm Holy
Next, we go to the Senate President Pro Tempore. In the Senate, the President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray decides whether a bill is referred to a committee or dies.
Bray reported that he had business interests in various utilities in Indiana and Michigan, including AES, parent company of AES Indiana; NiSource, Inc., parent company of the Northern Indiana Public Service Co.; and Michigan-bassed Detroit Edison, now known as DTE Energy. Bray also reported that one of his children has a business interest in Duke Energy Corp.
Bray also received campaign contributions from regulated utilities and the fossil fuel industry, including $12,500 from NiSource, $10,000 from Duke Engergy Indiana, $3,000 from American Electric Power, $2,000 from CenterPoint Energy, Inc., $2,500 from Sunrise Coal LLC and $1,250 from Alliance Coal LLC.
Neither Huston or Bray denied any bill assignment to a committee in the 2023 session.
And we also have the Committee Chairs. Once bills are assigned to a committee, committee chairs decide whether or not to allow a bill to progress. A committee chair can decide not to schedule a bill for a hearing. If that happens,
And now we return to the second part of our conversation between Micol Seigel and Amanda Hall. Last week, Hall talked to us about how her firsthand experience of incarceration led her to her current work in prisoner and re-entry support. And now she talks through her continuing advocacy through Dream.org and the ACLU.
You can find out more about Amanda’s work and Dream.org on their website.
Joining us in the WFHB studios with her colleagues, Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant and legal activist Guy Loftman, Reese talks about the historic civil rights organization and the work it's doing locally. She stresses the importance of thinking on a micro level, acknowledging injustice and racism in the wide world but concentrating on listening and working here and now to fix pressing problems in Bloomington and Monroe County. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will air next week.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
On June 16th, 2023, Nick Harley joined us for a live interview and performance ahead of that evening’s show at the Orbit Room.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Engineer: Alyssa Gray Post-production by Chama Henry
On May 30th, 2023, BNNY joined us for a live interview and performance ahead of that evening’s show at The Bishop Bar.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Alex Hammel Post-production by Chama Henry
An Indiana bill repealing state tax on menstrual products was denied a hearing; how period poverty impacts women nationwide. Worldwide there are nearly 800,000,000 people who menstruate. Every 28 days they experience a variety of symptoms such as cramps, nausea, bloating, mood swings, fatigue, acne, and bleeding for nearly seven days straight. 500,000,000 of those people lack the resources they need to manage their menstrual cycle.
In the United States, one-third of low income women miss commitments like school or work because of a lack of access to affordable menstrual care. There’s only one federal law that addresses these issues. The First Step Act, codified by Congress in 2018 which requires federal women’s facilities to supply free menstrual products.
As of June 20, 2023, 21 states still charge sales tax on menstrual products. This does not include any provisions on access to period products in schools, private prisons, and homeless shelters. Those without access to quality period products may extend the life of a tampon or pad in order to cut on costs. This increases the chance of toxic shock syndrome, reproductive tract infections, negative pregnancy outcomes, and the Human Papillomavirus. Beyond the health risks acquired by a lack of access to period care, a lack of menstrual products can lead to greater feelings of humiliation and exclusion.
Jennifer Gaines, the Program Director for Alliance of Period Supplies, an organization that works to provide period products to women in need while also advocating for greater period equity, says additional taxes on menstrual supplies can make it difficult for families on a budget to purchase the products they need. “And so by reducing and eliminating that tax we will continue to advance equity- specifically gender equity. There's no reason why period products are taxed, and other things are not. Period products are essential. So removing that tampon tax will create a message that these products are essential, they're not a luxury and it will also remove the undue burden and additional burden of the financial constraints. I know people who can't afford them, and are able to access them a little bit more because that restraint is removed. So we're only paying a few cents on the dollar, but that can make or break a family’s decision on whether or not they choose period products with their limited funds, or they go to the grocery store and buy food to support their families,” said Gaines. Jennifer Gaines, the Program Director of Alliance for Period Supplies. Photo Courtesy of Alliance for Period Supplies.
Indiana is among one of the 21 states nationally that still tax menstrual products. In the last legislative session, State Senator Shelli Yoder for Indiana’s 40th District authored Senate Bill 259 which proposed removing taxes on menstrual products. The bill however never made it to a hearing.
Items in Indiana are taxed if the state legislature determines they are a luxury. Yoder says placing a tax on menstrual items is spreading the wrong message about their necessity. Menstrual products are not a want but a need for people who menstruate.
“Now we've made a decision that other items like food we would not tax because people need food to survive. So we're not going to build an economy on the backs of people needing to eat food. But we have decided to build an economy off the backs of women. And what my bill is say, no more. Indiana is going to join with the other states who now recognize this as an unconstitutional tax. We're going to repeal the tax on menstrual products [...] You can't leave your home, you can't go to school, you can't go to work, unless you have menstrual products. You can’t be in the same spaces as men without menstrual products. And my bill would just say, in Indiana, we recognize that as a constitutional right, and so we are not going to tax menstrual products any longer,” said Yoder.
40th District State Senator,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 26th, 2023. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports that an Indiana bill repealing state tax on menstrual products was denied a hearing and how period poverty impacts women nationwide. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met Monday, July 17th 2023. At the start of the meeting a motion was made to change the agenda and to add an additional Petitions and Communications item at the beginning of the meeting.
The adjustment gave petitioners the opportunity to avoid sitting through the entire meeting in order to present. The petitioners spoke to the board about an increase in water fees that occurred due to a water line break.
Board President Amanda Burnham asked for clarification on how the restaurant owners received the Utilities notices that there was a leak. Kamen responded.
Director of Utilities Vic Kelson explained the city typically can waive sewer bills, however they do not normally waive water bills.
Board Member Kirk White asked if there was a board precedent for adjustments like this. Kelson responded.
Kelson explained that since they do not make any money from delivering water, they have to charge the cost it takes to deliver the water.
Board Member Jim Sherman shared what he remembers the board has done in the past for water petitions.
Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler shared the rules and regulations the city has on unusually high or low bills.
Wheeler advised the board to adhere to the precedent so previous petitioners will know they have been treated fairly.
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board was unable to provide any aid other than payment adjustments to the restaurant and tenant.
There was a motion to continue which passed unanimously.
The next Bloomington utilities service board will meet Monday, July 31st, 2023. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on an Indiana bill repealing state tax on menstrual products that was denied a hearing and how period poverty impacts women nationwide. We turn to Lambright for more.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. Host and producer Richard Fish has more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 25th, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on July 18th. At the meeting, Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler spoke on behalf of the Utility Department. Wheeler explained an upcoming project they are working on to install stormwater infrastructure on the city’s remnant properties.
The board voted to approve the Indiana Brownfields Program Phase 1 Site Agreement 2-0.
Next, Engineering Field Specialist, Paul Kehrberg, explained that Duke Energy is beginning the second phase of their Bloomington Reliability Project. It will link the Dun Street substation to the 11th street substation.
Wells & Wells Construction sought approval from the board for a sidewalk closure in front of 2038 North Walnut St. from August 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025. A new 8-story mixed use building with commercial space will be under construction during this time.
During public comment, Bloomington Resident Greg Alexander shared his concerns about the two year sidewalk closure.
The senior project manager for Wells & Wells Construction, Jesse Graber, told the board the project will not interfere with the bike lane on North Walnut Street.
The board did not vote on the sidewalk closure and will discuss the issue with staff in greater detail.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet next on August 1st. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls, which raises awareness and works to end the stigma around autism. Lambright has more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 24th, 2023. In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a closure of Lower Cascades Park from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Local Girl Scout leader Holly Bales Hall. She's looking for volunteers to help scouts in Monroe County and Owen County discover, connect, and take action. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners met on July 19th. At the meeting, the board approved the B-Tech Fire and Security agreement for the justice building. The agreement will supply the justice building with a replacement of the current swipe lock systems on two doors.
The board also approved an agreement with B-Tech Fire and Security for a replacement of a security camera on the exterior of the Johnson Hardware Building.
The board also approved a quote from Matrix Integration to install hardwired network access for the county jail. The jail will be converting storage space into office space and requires Internet access to these areas.
The Monroe County Government is seeking new copiers to replace the current copiers which are beyond their service life. The board approved an agreement with Toshiba Business Solutions to replace thirty-two copiers. The old copiers will be reserviced rather than sent to a landfill.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on July 26th. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on July 19th. Director of Public Services Josh Wolf gave the monthly Director’s Report.
Board President Chris Harrison commented that she was glad to hear they are working to stock the children’s collection. Wolf responded.
The board discussed the renewal of a contract with Polaris, their catalog system program. Wolf shared the details on their decision to continue to contract with the company.
The board voted unanimously to approve the contract renewal.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on August 16th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a closure of Lower Cascades Park from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Holly Bales-Hall joined Girl Scouts in fifth grade and it was a deeply formative experience for her. Now she pays it forward as the scout leader for her daughter's troop, helping the next generation of Girl Scouts discover, connect and take action to make the world a better place. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on the rise of pickleball. While pickleball has become the nation’s fastest growing sport, it has also led to a rise in injuries. Correspondent Leo Paes has more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dave Askins. Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Sam Mitchell began his podcast Autism Rocks and Rolls in October of 2019 after falling in love with podcasting in his high school’s media club. From there, his podcast quickly grew, and with the support of his mom, he’s been able to create an entire non-profit business.
Sam has welcomed numerous guests on his show. From WWE wrestlers to doctors and autism advocates, Sam has had the opportunity to learn and advocate for a better awareness and acceptance of autism. Because of his podcast, he’s had the opportunity to travel to places like Canada, Florida, Oklahoma and Washington D.C. to speak. Sam is also an ambassador for organizations like the Doug Flutie Foundation and the Make a Film Foundation.
Sam Mitchell, the Executive Director of Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation. Photo Courtesy of Sam Mitchell.
Sam was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. His mother, Gina Mitchell, says her pregnancy with Sam was normal. It wasn’t until he began growing that she realized he displayed signs of autism.
“Now that we look back on it, Sam never looked at a camera whenever we were taking pictures of him. He didn't hit his milestones typically when kids do so. I just remember he crawled, stood up, rolled over, and walked all within a month. I mean, just very, very quickly. He was almost a year old. We knew that there were some delays. But then once he did that, it was a pretty classic textbook case of autism. Being an educator, I kind of knew what it looked like, but I wasn't an expert in it by any means. So he was diagnosed with autism when he was four. And then there were hard days. But there were also lots of good days because Sam is a pretty incredible person,” said Gina.
School presented its own challenges for Sam. His peers were often cruel, sometimes ignoring him or refusing to play with him. Gina, being an educator, understood this was a reality all children face, but for kids like Sam, who often appear a bit “different”, socializing can be difficult.
During his first podcast episode, Sam discusses his struggles with school. Eighth grade brought unexpected friends his way. He only realized afterwards that his peers were buttering up to him in hopes he’d put in a good word with his mom, the eighth grade English teacher. Sam says freshman year of high school was the hardest for him.
But now, new friends have found Sam in the form of fan mail. Autism Rocks and Rolls is making an impact on kids around the country and in his own community.
“He would go to school, and nobody would talk to him. And it wasn't because it's a bad school. It's just kids that age, I'm around them all the time. Sometimes to them different is bad. The school that he went to was phenomenal. It’s a good school system, but kids can be mean and cruel sometimes. So now, when he logs on, and he's got this fan mail, it's pretty cool,” said Gina.
When people think of Sam, he doesn’t want them to first think of his autism diagnosis. Sam has regular hobbies and interests like any other twenty-one year old.
“There's more to me; I like wrestling, I like bonfires, I love rock'n'roll music. There's more to me than just autism,” said Sam.
Sam wants the world to know people with autism do not need to be fixed and they are not broken. Sam says he’s become successful with autism not despite of it. This is the message Sam had in mind when creating Autism Rocks and Rolls. He wanted to change the language and ideas surrounding autism.
“That became part of our mission-to destigmatize autism and really change the language. You know, I've done a lot of assessment with what's out there, and it's very negative. It's a very negative dialogue. I think back to when he was diagnosed and we didn't have YouTube, so I read books. But now a four year old would get diagnosed with autism, and the caregiver is probably going to go to YouTube because that's where we all go when we want a question answered. You know, at this point,
Today's broadcast originally aired on June 27, 2022:
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Leon Bates, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pan-African Studies, at the University of Louisville, KY. He focuses on Urban History (i.e. Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence), and the Intersection of Race. Mr. Bates has conducted extensive research on Racialized Violence. In particular, he has focused on lynchings in Indiana.
Indiana has 21 official cases of reported lynching, and one lynching survivor, James Cameron, Jr. In the 1940s, he founded three chapters of the NAACP and later served as Indiana’s State Director of the Office of Civil Liberties. In 1988, he also founded America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee. Cameron is the only known survivor of a lynching attempt in the United States.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Holly Bales-Hall joined Girl Scouts in fifth grade and it was a deeply formative experience for her. Now she pays it forward as the scout leader for her daughter's troop, helping the next generation of Girl Scouts discover, connect and take action to make the world a better place.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Local troop leader Holly Bales-Hall and her daughter
In July, President and CEO Michelle Gilchrist and COO Heather Robinson of the Bloomington Health Foundation joined LWV-BMC's Civic Conversation to discuss their role in the Bloomington community and how the foundation works to address numerous health issues in the community. Bloomington Health Foundation started in the 1960s as the Bloomington Hospital Foundation under the auspices of the Local Council of Women, which the Bloomington Hospital then owned. In 2018 the Bloomington Hospital Foundation began to expand its community health focus and officially became the Bloomington Health Foundation. Their focus is on community health initiatives such as expanding community cancer services by connecting with the Cancer Support Community of Central Indiana and opening a Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana. BHF also focuses on funding food security and mental health programming and avidly supports the STRIDE Center.
Melanie welcomes April Hennessey and Phoenix Rayng to talk about the impact of this year's legislation on Queer youth in Bloomington and Pridefest! 2023!
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Credits:
Melanie Davis
Nuestra locutora Luz María entrevistó a la Profesora Claudia Avellaneda, MA, PhD de la escuela Paul H. O'Neill, y Fishcher Faculty Fellow, acerca de su investigación sobre los gobiernos latinomaericanos y de todas las oportunidades para estudiantes internacionales de aplicar a programas en la escuela de Asuntos Públicos y Ambientales. Además, compartió cómo fue su experiencia de llegar desde Colombia para estudiar en los Estados Unidos.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today's program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us a conversation on Local Food Security amidst Global Challenges in Part Three of a series with Jami Scholl of ReZENience, a permaculture health consultancy in Bloomington.
And now for your environmental reports: Inside Climate Change reports republicans are doubling down on their attacks on clean energy and climate spending. This kicks off their return to Congress with a slew of bills and amendments that would block key funding pools established under the Inflation Reduction Act and prohibit the federal government from advancing policies aimed at reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to new reports.
Congress must pass a number of spending bills by Sept. 30, when current funding expires, to avoid a government shutdown. While Democrats and Republicans narrowly avoided a U.S. default last month when they reached a fragile deal to raise the debt ceiling, this week’s budget talks already appear to be on shaky ground as far-right members of the GOP continue to frame climate action and other progressive concerns through America’s culture wars.
In fact, environmentalists are accusing House Republicans of sabotaging any chance for a budget deal this fall by slipping so-called “climate poison pills” into their spending proposals. A poison pill is an amendment to a legislative bill that considerably weakens the bill’s intended effect or ruins the bill’s chances of passing.
---Norm Holy
The National Environment Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and reports on the status of Florida’s coral reefs. They say that if ocean temperatures are higher than the maximum monthly average, for a month or more, especially during the warmest part of the year — even by as little as 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit — corals will experience bleaching.
A bleached coral is essentially starving to death because it has lost its main source of nutrition — the algae that live symbiotically within its tissues. The damage corals experience from marine heatwaves is a function of the duration, or how long the heat stress occurs, plus the magnitude of the heat stress.Corals can recover from bleaching if the heat stress subsides, but the corals that are able to recover frequently have impaired growth and reproduction, and are susceptible to disease for two to four years after recovery. There are downstream, negative impacts to the corals that are able to survive a heat stress event. If the heat stress does not subside, the coral will die. Mortality becomes likely if the corals experience sea temperatures 1°C greater than the historical maximum monthly average for two months, or 2°C greater than the maximum monthly average for one month. Also, if there is a temperature deviation of say 3°C, then the corals would be expected to start experiencing mortality in less than three weeks. Many corals grow optimally in water temperatures between 73° and 84° Fahrenheit, but some can tolerate temperatures as high as 104° Fahrenheit for short periods. During previous, large-scale bleaching events in the Florida Keys (the most recent severe events were in 2014 and 2015), the bleaching-level did not occur until mid-August. So, we are a full month ahead of what we, historically, have called the normal 'bleaching season'. What this means is, unless significant cooling takes place (for example, repeat passage of hurricanes, or tropical storms), the corals of the Florida Keys may be looking at upwards of three consecutive months of thermally-stressful conditions. This would be unprecedented in the satellite record because most previous bleaching events lasted about four to six weeks. The coral reefs of the Florida Keys have undergone a dramatic decline since the late 1970s,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 19th, 2023. In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on the rise of pickleball. While pickleball has become the nation’s fastest growing sport, it has also led to a rise in injuries. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Stay Safe Online on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At their meeting on July 11th, the Monroe County Council approved the issuance of bonds for the Fullerton Pike Bridge Project. The funds approved by the council will help with repayment of bonds of up to 8 million dollars and the unspent money will help fund Phase Three of the Fullerton Pike Project.
The council also approved the conversion of one of the two vacant Juvenile Supervision PO positions to an additional Evidence-based Practices Coordinator/PO position. Chief Probation Officer, Linda Brady explained the new position to the council.
Also discussed at the meeting was a capital improvement project for the Karst Athletic Complex. The Executive Director of the Cutter’s Soccer Club, Louis Malone, shared with the council the Club’s support for the project.
The project to replace the current field would cost nearly 4.4 million dollars. However, the Karst Athletic Complex along with Mr. Malone argued the renovation would bring more athletic events to the area.
The Monroe County Council will meet again on August 8th, 2023. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
During the July 12th, 2023 Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting Community Relations Coordinator, Emily Buuck presented the Bravo Award to Steve Bailey, Winslow Woods Park A mbassador. Buuck commented on the work Bailey has done at the parks.
The next topic covered was the approval and review of Commercial Service of Bloomington, Inc. for a dog wash station at Switchyard Park Dog Park. Which was presented by the Switchyard Park General Manager, Sean Marler.
A motion was made to approve the contract which was carried unanimously.
The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on the rise of pickleball. While pickleball has become the nation’s fastest growing sport, it has also led to a rise in injuries. Correspondent Leo Paes has more.
Up next, Stay Safe Online on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Leo Paes. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In 1965, Congressman Joel Pritchard improvised a game of Badminton with Ping Pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball to play with his family over the weekend after being unable to find a complete set of Badminton rackets. As the game went on, they realized that a lower net would make the game better, and thus, in his house just outside Seattle, Pickleball was created.
The sport spread out around the US and grew throughout the decades, but it was only after the COVID-19 pandemic that Pickleball really became mainstream. Since 2020, the total number of players in the US went from 3.5 million to over 36 million as of January 2023.
The sport is especially known to be appealing to elderly people, as its low-impact nature and easy-to-play dynamic makes it easier for them. Brandon Mackie, co-founder of Pickleheads, a website where you can find people, courts, and equipment to play, played Tennis his whole life and made the switch to Pickleball when he saw the low-impact nature of the sport.
“Pickleball is definitely easier on the body [...] later in life because of that,” said Mackie.
As the Medical University of South Carolina puts it, Pickleball offers a good workout without as much stress on joints and muscles. It also helps with hand-eye coordination, which is crucial for daily activities like eating or driving, and with balance, helping avoid falls. But that doesn’t mean that injuries do not happen. As CNN reports, 86% of pickleball injuries occurred in people over 60 years old; most of these injuries are sprains, strains, and fractures. To avoid that, Dr. Lora Giangregorio, a professor and Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, recommends that older people participate in muscle and balance training.
“The fact that we should be physically active is common [...] balance training to maintain balance and prevent falls,” said Dr. Giangregorio.
To ease the transition to the court, Dr. Giangregorio advises people to start easy and slowly increase the intensity and volume of the workout. Another thing is that if you are planning on starting to play Pickleball, you should look at other activities that can prepare your body first so the transition to the court is easier.
“What’s really important is to understand what your abilities are [...] physically fit enough to play the sport that you want to play,” said Dr. Giangregorio.
But Pickleball is not only for elderly people. The sport is attracting a younger audience, especially after the pandemic, as Mackie points out, and the rise in popularity among younger people can partly explain the spike in the number of players.
“For decades it was only played in senior communities [...] more and more it’s going to continue to find its way to young people,” said Mackie.
And Bloomington is following the lead of bigger metropolitan cities. Alex Linn, a Bloomington resident, started to play Pickleball after a family trip to South Carolina and hasn’t stopped since.
“I probably only started playing about maybe a year ago now [...] I absolutely love it,” said Linn.
As the sport becomes more and more popular, Dr. Giangregorio urges people of all ages to look at the National Physical Activities guidelines and try to meet them so they can be prepared to start a new sport.
“Also encouraging people to meet National Physical Activities Guidelines [...] what are some exercises I can do to get me stronger, improve my balance, and those sorts of things,” said Dr. Giangregorio.
National Guidelines for Physical Activities can be found on the National Institutes of Health website.
For WFHB, I’m Leo Paes.
And we’re back with Disabulletin following a brief research sabbatical concerning upcoming installments for our program.
With the Supreme Court’s docket empty until the first Monday of October, we review two significant Cases. In these cases, the Disability community asked the court critical questions regarding nursing home civil rights and Special Education rights respectively:
The first came out of our very own state of Indiana and concerned the late Gorgi Talevski, a resident at the Valparaiso Care and Rehabilitation Facility.
Talevski’s family sued the facility’s operators, the Marion County Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC), under Section 1983 of the US Code and the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 (FNHRH).
In the Supreme Court arguments held on November 8 of last year, the Talevski family argued they had the grounds to sue as their relative was allegedly the victim of civil rights violations, which included overmedication and involuntary transfer to a different nursing located hours away from his family’s home. The question, in this case, was whether or not those benefitting under programs receiving federal Medicaid funds such as government-run nursing homes could sue such programs if their civil rights were violated.
On the opposite side, Marion HHC contested the case on the grounds that the statute known as Section 1983 did not confer such a right when it was enacted in the 19th century, its original purpose being to protect former slaves from further discrimination by the southern states.
Marion HHC also argued that even if a section of a law secures rights, HHC could defeat the lawsuit by arguing congress “did not intend” that section 1983 lawsuits be available under such rights.
Although the “rights” statute of the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act mentions nothing about congress intending to allow for civil rights lawsuits, it does create an administrative scheme “for inspections of nursing facilities, see §1396r(g), and authorizes governments to sanction and correct non- compliant facilities.” Therefore, there was no “incompatibility” present between the scheme and 1983.
On June 8, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that “The FNHRA [The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act] provisions at issue unambiguously create §1983-enforceable rights, and the Court discerns no incompatibility between private enforcement under §1983 and the remedial scheme that Congress devised.” In other words, the court ruled that those receiving the benefits of Medicaid programs do in fact have the right, or in legalese, a right of action, to seek compensation through the courts.
In the Majority opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote, "At oral argument, HHC’s counsel remarked that the “right question” is “what rights are secured by law within the meaning of §1983… Section 1983 itself provides the answer. By its terms, §1983 is available to enforce every right that Congress validly and unambiguously creates; we will not impose a categorical font-of-power condition that the Reconstruction Congress did not."
Justice Jackson added that the manner in which Section 1983 is applied does allow for a private right for nursing home residents to sue if their rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act are violated.
As Marion HHC’s medical team violated both provisions of FNHRH regarding medication and the process of proper nursing home transfer by transferring Talevski improperly and giving him psychotropic medicine against his will, Talevski’s rights were therefore violated, thus creating a cause of action to sue.
Justice Amy Comey Barrett concurred with Jackson by citing a test set in a A2002 Supreme Court Case, Gonzaga V Doe, wherein Congress must have had the intention to “create rights for the intended beneficiaries.” Justice Comey Barrett also wrote that the FNRHRA satisfied the test because the law contained a “rights” statute for nursing home residents. However,
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 18th, 2023. In today’s feature report, we have Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee
The Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee met on July 10th. The committee began with a discussion of the last meeting’s topic- reentry and support programs for incarcerated individuals.
The Committee’s topic of discussion this week was community corrections. This includes investments the County Council can make to reduce reentry of previously incarcerated people back into the prison system.
The Committee heard from the director of housing security for Heading Home, Mary Morgan. Heading Home is an organization in South Central Indiana that works to decrease homelessness and strengthen housing security.
Heading Home advised the Committee on the challenges associated with housing previously incarcerated people. The program is working to create stronger relationships with local landlords to encourage housing security for previously incarcerated people.
Committee Member Jennifer Crossley shared her support for building relationships with local landlords to encourage more stable housing for previously incarcerated people.
Also discussed was the issue of psychiatric treatment for incarcerated people. The Committee briefly discussed creating treatment programs for incarcerated people with mental health needs
They said they will discuss the issue in length at a later time.
JFAC will meet again on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Mary Reardon coordinates hikes for the local chapter of the Sierra Club. Invasive plants are choking out native wildlife in the Hoosier National Forest and the Sierra Club is fighting back.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This show was initially aired on January 30, 2023.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea welcome Robin Winston, an accomplished business leader and a skilled political strategist, to talk about Black Americans and the Republican Party.
Five Facts about Black Republicans include: 1) Black Republicans are younger than Black Democrats and White Republicans. 2) Black Republicans have a similar income profile to Black Democrats. 3) As is the case among Black Democrats, roughly half of Black Republicans live in the South. 4) Black Republicans are less likely than Black Democrats to attend Black churches. 5) Black Republicans are less likely than Black Democrats to say being Black is a significant part of their personal identity.
Today, only about one-in-ten Black adults identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. Moreover, in a Pew Research Center survey in October, only 4% of Black registered voters said they would vote for the Republican candidate for the U.S. House seat in their district, while 69% said they would back the Democratic candidate.
Robin Winston joins the program to provide his astute observations on Black Americans' relationship with the Republican Party. Along with his views on the political horizon in Indiana, he will field some questions pertaining to the circus atmosphere in the US House of Representatives, Donald Trump’s last stand in Georgia and up and coming Democratic talent like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
Credits: Clarence Boone and William Hosea are tonight’s hosts. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is William Hosea. The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Sycamore Land Trust's mission is to preserve the beauty, health, and diversity of southern Indiana's natural landscape through strategic land conservation and environmental education. Sycamore Land Trust wants you to know more about the wildlife communities that depend on the land they protect. In 2021, they set up 15 motion-triggered wildlife cameras at locations they know are frequented by animals. So far, they've recorded more than 50 animal species and are keeping an inventory of what they see. This will give them a baseline to measure the success of their large-scale wetland restoration and native planting projects. It will also help guide their stewardship plans for these nature preserves to benefit threatened and endangered species. One of the species caught on their trail cams - and this episodes's featured animal - is the coyote. Coyotes are native to Indiana and are often called prairie wolves. Before the European settlement of Indiana, coyotes were primarily restricted to Prairie regions of the state. But today, coyotes are found throughout Indiana, including in urban areas. If you'd like to see coyotes in their natural habitat here in Indiana, just visit Sycamore Land Trust trail cams. You can also visit one of the many preserves or trails Sycamore Land Trust maintains that are free to the public. While the impacts of climate change seem to be increasing, people are coming together in great numbers to solve the problems we face. Land conservation is a vital part of this response, because protecting nature is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy climate. Land conservation projects that are strategic about the types of habitats they protect can have tremendous impacts, such as: clean water, healthy soil for farming, increased biodiversity (which strengthens ecosystems), more habitat options for endangered and protected species, healthy native plants for pollinators (on which our crops depend), clean air from mature forests, and balanced ecosystems free from the effects of invasive species. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in this edition of Eco Report, we have Part Two of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze's interview with Jami Scholl of ReZENience, a permaculture health consultancy growing nutriceuticals in Bloomington.
And now for your environmental reports: In a new record, solar and wind generated more electricity nationally than coal for the first 5 months of 2023. Though Indiana participates little in the effort, other states are surging ahead. From a production-cost perspective, renewables-wind and solar- are the cheapest thing to use. So, we’re going to see more and more of these records, said Ram Rajagopal, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, as reported by CBS News.
As recently as 2008, nearly half of the country’s electricity was generated by coal, but it has been declining steadily ever since, replaced by renewables and natural gas, Environmental & Energy News reported. As electricity providers generate more electricity from renewable sources, we see electricity generated from coal decline over the next year and a half, Energy Information Agency (EIA ) Administrator Joe DeCarolis said in May, according to a press release. We expect that the United States will generate less electricity from coal this year than in any year this century.
Coal reached a record high globally last year due to the increase in natural gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but its resurgence didn’t last. An additional 22.5 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity were added in the past year ending in May, an EIA report from earlier this month said. Ending coal generation once and for all can only do good things for the climate. Though it comprises around one-fifth of the energy grid, coal use makes up more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The expansion of renewables has been given a boost by the Inflation Reduction Act, but getting green power sources hooked up to the U.S. electrical grid has been a tedious process. According to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report, on average, a renewables project that came online last year had waited five years between its request to connect to the grid and the start of its commercial operations. Between 2000 and 2007, the wait was less than two years.
According to the report, 1,350 gigawatts of capacity from more than 10,000 projects are waiting to be connected to the grid, most of them renewables. Wind and solar make only 10 percent of Indiana's power generation. This places our state in the lowest third of all states.
---Norm Holy
The Biden administration is proposing new rules for protecting imperiled plants and animals that would reverse changes under former President Donald Trump that weakened the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates protections for species that are newly classified as threatened. That measure was dropped under Trump as part of a suite of changes to the species law that was encouraged by industry.
Under the proposal, officials also would drop consideration of economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants need protection. Another change would expand requirements for federal agencies to consult with the wildlife service or the National Marine Fisheries Service before taking actions that could affect threatened or endangered species. Under Trump, officials rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves and other species. It will take months for Wednesday’s proposal to be finalized.
The Biden administration had earlier reversed Trump’s decision to weaken enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which made it harder to prosecute bird deaths caused by th...
Host Minerva interviewing our guest Ivan Maceda, about the Mariachi Band and his career as a musician. He also talked about his professional activities, his studies through IU Jacob School of Music and his transition from Mexico City to Bloomington, Indiana.
Melanie and Justin cover news and a vision for the future - how do we get from hostility to unity?
BloomingOUT is one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ focused radio shows. We feature people, news, events, entertainment, and businesses relevant to the queer experience in central Indiana and the Midwest.
Interested in being on the show or want to recommend a person, business or topic for us to cover? Let us know at bloomingout@wfhb.org.
Credits: Melanie Davis, Justin Robertson
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 13th, 2023. Later in the program, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month we interviewed Michelle Higgs, an activist with Hoosier Action and the national group People’s Action and their Care over Cost project. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Clayton Young reports on Off-Night Production’s new play at the John Waldron Arts Center. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill announced on Monday, July 3rd that he is entering the race for Indiana Governor. In the past, Hill aligned himself with conservatives like former U.S. President Trump. It seems Hill will continue his pro-Trump policies as he begins his run for governor, making clear in his statement that he will be running as a Republican. Hill says Hoosiers are looking for a, “proven conservative and fresh voice."
While Hill is a bit late to the race, with three other candidates already well established, experts say he still has a chance to draw votes. Other candidates in the race for Indiana Governor include Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, U.S. Senator Mike Braun, and Eric Doden.
The IndyStar published a report in 2018 which accused Hill of inappropriately touching four women at a bar party. While the allegations and lawsuit were dismissed, it’s possible some voters may take this into account when casting their ballot next year.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita wrote a letter to superstore chain Target over their line of LGBTQ Pride merchandise. Rokita was joined along with six other conservative state attorneys who found the clothing line warranted legal concern.
Conservatives online have expressed their anger this past month saying Pride merchandise is harmful for children. The trend to enter Target and film merchandise deemed as harmful has gone viral on platforms like TikTok. Rokita’s letter is based partly on the same misinformation spread by these viral trends.
Rokita said in his letter, “As the chief legal officers of our States, we are charged with enforcing state laws protecting children and safeguarding parental rights. State child-protection laws penalize the ‘sale or distribution of …obscene matter.'"
Rokita’s letter also mentioned concerns over “Satanist-inspired” products. While Target did partner with the brand Abprallen as Rokita claimed, the products placed in store did not promote Satanism.
Rokita also claimed that Target has partnered with GLSEN, which Rokita alleged supported the, “secret gender transitions for kids." In the past however, the organization has supported anti-bullying laws and policies that support LGBTQ+ students.
It’s unclear whether Target will continue its Pride collection next year, but the company did lose money in the month of June after backlash broke out online.
Keith Potts, the Indianapolis City-County councilor, announced he will run for the U.S. Senate. The position opened after U.S. Senator Mike Braun announced he will be running for Indiana Governor.
Potts is running as a Democrat and will run against Marc Carmichael, a Democrat. U.S. Representative Jim Banks is running as well, as a Republican.
Potts is advocating for more gun control and better health care nationally. Potts has a long road ahead of him as he attempts to flip the traditionally red seat to blue. But as a young, gay, candidate, it’s likely younger voters will find him more appealing than the older more conservative candidates. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on July 5th, 2023.
You’re listening 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. We are looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
This week we talked to SIREN ( Solar Indiana Renewable Energy Network) Communications Manager Anne Hedin, who walked us through the different types of electric utilities there are in the U.S., how solar and wind energy help to reduce strain on the grid, what net metering is and why we need to re-implement similar legislation, and what we can hope for in the future with renewable energy in Indiana.
The U.S. electrical grid is a complicated network of wires that traverse the continent and connect with regional private operators who then transmit and distribute power. Some call it “a patchwork of operators with competing interests,” writes Rebecca Hill. Indiana’s electricity comes primarily from coal, natural gas, and a growing renewables market, but the transition to renewables is not without problems. | Photo by Benedict Jones
Some people complain that nausea, headaches, and other symptoms result from “wind farm syndrome,” a condition that, according to a Finnish study, doesn’t exist. Meadow Lake Wind Farm (above), in Benton and White counties in northwestern Indiana, will produce enough electricity to power 203,000 homes. | Photo by Raed Mansour, CC BY 2.0
You can also read the article, “The Power Struggle in Indiana’s Changing Energy Landscape” in the Limestone Post written by Rebecca Hill and photos taken by Benedict Jones.
Look out, Bloomington! A new theater production company has just hit the scene, and this one is stirring up waves in the service industry. How? By putting the troupe first.
Off-Night Productions is a newly formed theater company that has the goal of making local theater more accessible to Bloomington residents. Off-Night is the culmination of years of discussions around how to make the local theater industry less of a burden to perform in. Aubrey Seader, co-producer and actor in ‘Proof’, said Off-Night’s goal is allow actors to get roles and lucrative shifts at their day jobs.
“After I graduated with my undergraduate, I primarily worked in food service, so my best nights of the week to make money were Thursday through Sunday afternoon. So if. . . I was cast in a great role, I always had to make this decision, ‘Was I going to take the role, or was I going to make money for all of those weeks that I was going to be performing and rehearsing,’” Seader said.
Aubrey Seader, photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
The concept of Off-Night Productions was formulated by Seader’s mother, who is also a co-producer on the production. Other than making the process of putting on a play easier for participants’ bank accounts, Off-Night’s goal is to give women and women-presenting people a chance to be part of the decision making process in Bloomington’s local theatre production companies.
The process of getting a play from conception to execution can take months, and often there are logistical hurdles to clear before anything can be done, namely obtaining the rights. Obtaining the rights to a theater production are vastly different from the movie studio model of obtaining rights through a legal process and paying royalties.
“We bought the rights to the play 'Proof' from the Dramatist’s Play Service, and they are probably the largest purveyor of rights. . . When I picked 'Proof', I looked it up. . . and you can read through what the agreement is that the playwright and their trust have set. . . David Auburn is still around and able to monitor his trust and the rights of his play. . . For some plays, they have very specific things they want you to do and want you to use. . . Famously, there is a play called Waiting for Gadot, where you cannot not have a specific tree in the play. . For David Auburn’s 'Proof', we purchased rights per night. So there was a price for purchasing the rights to a play, and then you pay a fee per number of performances,” Seader said.
Another element that sets Off-Night Productions apart is their unique ability to reuse and store old sets for later productions. Traditional theater productions use staples or glue to make sets easier to move around in a quick timespan. The cost to build sets light is losing a lot of material in the process. Another big obstacle other production companies run into when attempting to store their sets is simply a lack of storage options. Cassie Hakken, the Director of 'Proof' enlightened WFHB on how Off-Night adapts to this challenge.
Cassie Hakken, photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
“I’m so glad that it’s one of the core values of Off-Night Productions. . . Theater across the board can be a very wasteful industry. .. I know locally a lot of the challenge for pretty much all companies in town is just a lack of storage space. A lot of time a company might want to save a set or save a ton of platforms, but they just can’t because they don’t know when the next time they’ll use it will be, and it’s so expensive to pay for a whole storage unit. So usually they’ll try to save stuff that’s the most frequently used like furniture and things like that. . . But it’s great that Off-Night has storage capabilities and that Melinda [Seader] is so savvy with conserving all of the materials we use.
With a production starting in February of 2023, consisting of getting rights approved, building sets, and numerous technical aspects, Off-Night’s production of 'Proof' has had a long road getting...
Tory Crowe is the volunteer coordinator at Beacon, the antipoverty organization that runs the Shalom Center day shelter. Beacon is now the largest housing provider of any nonprofit in Monroe County.
Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Aaron Bonds, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Director of Actor Interpretation & Theater
Today's On Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Aaron Bonds, the Director of Actor Interpretation & Theater for the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
The mission of the nationally recognized Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is to create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. Aaron Bonds is here to discuss how the museum programmatically achieves its goal of creating extraordinary learning experiences through interpretive acting and theatrical performances.
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 10th, 2023. Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a wrap-up of the Primary Election and looks forward to November for the General Election in the City of Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Tory Crow from Beacon on the plight of the unhoused in Bloomington. Beacon operates the Shalom Center homeless shelter and right now they are short on volunteers. Learn how YOU can help later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on July 6th, a new Board Member, Judith Benckart introduced herself, and explained that she is replacing Republican Chair Member Donovan Garletts.
Following Benckart’s appointment to the board, Board Member David Henry proposed that they move up the Democratic Presidency for the board by six months. Garletts had previously been president of the Board, and given that Benckart is new to the Election Board it would give her time to get acquainted with the board before being put in the role of president.
County Clerk Nicole Browne explained that there is a precedent that when there is a new member they arrange the President’s term to give the new member time to ease into the role as a board member. Browne also welcomed Benckart to the board.
The board voted unanimously to approve the amendment that would allow Board Member Henry to serve as Board President six months early. Chief Deputy Clerk Tressia Martin asked when Henry’s position as president would expire. Browne responded.
Later, the board discussed establishing a Vote Center Study Committee. Henry shared background information on vote centers in the county.
Browne commented that study committees can unnecessarily draw out the length of the discussion. Henry responded that he thinks the study is important to ensure the decision on vote centers is bipartisan.
Browne shared that she is in support of vote centers, but explained her concern with vote centers being regarded as an option to save money.
Henry made a motion to establish the committee.
The board unanimously voted to establish a Vote Center Study Commission. They will discuss further details about the commission at their next meeting on August 3rd.
The board will also meet on July 13th to discuss the potential candidacy of Joseph Davis. Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the July 3rd meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley presented a new electric scooter license application.
During public comment, Local Resident Chuck Livingston said he’s witnessed electric scooters blocking sidewalks. He showed a series of photos he took, documenting the obstructions.
Crowley responded to the public comment, saying geofencing could assist in preventing residents from parking in incorrect locations.
Vice President of the Board Elizabeth Karon, asked whether this enforcement procedure is a new addition within the proposed license application. Board Secretary Jennifer Lloyd inquired on the timeline of enforcement. Crowley responded to both requests for clarification.
The board approved the license application unanimously. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on Tuesday, July 18th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a wrap-up of the Primary Election and looks forward to November for the General Election in the City of Bloomington. This segment was originally published as a column in the June/July 2023 issue of Bloom Magazine and is being used with permission. We turn to Askins for more.
Tory Crowe is the volunteer coordinator at Beacon,
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we interview Michelle Higgs, an activist with Hoosier Action and the national group People's Action and their Care over Cost project. She recently spoke at a demonstration in Washington DC in front of the headquarters of AHIP - America's Health Insurance Plans.
Watch Michelle's speech in front of AHIP [she comes on at 41:15].
For much more information about how insurance companies rip us off, see UNCOVERED - How the Insurance Industry Denies Coverage to Patients from ProPublica. It will make your blood boil!
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
WFHB welcomes Steve Plessinger with Devin Brown to Saturday's Child on Saturday, July 8, from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy the dynamic combination of two, soulful song-smiths with Hoosier roots and a world to relate. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center, on 6th and Washington, downtown Bloomington. Steve Plessinger with Devin Brown -- live on Saturday's Child, July 8, at 11am, on WFHB.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Jami Scholl of Rezenience about local food production, urban agriculture, food as medicine, and sustainable business practices.
And now for your environmental reports: Here’s something Bloomington should jump on. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the $7 billion “Solar for All” grants competition to increase affordable solar energy access to millions of low-income households, a press release from the EPA said. As part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America plan, the availability of more residential solar will provide lower-cost energy while leveling the renewable energy access playing field and helping to mitigate the climate crisis.
The Solar for All grants competition was created by the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and will award as many as 60 grants to states, Tribal governments, territories, municipalities and eligible nonprofits to help expand solar investment in disadvantaged and low-income communities. The grants will be used to expand and create solar programs that provide technical assistance like workforce development and financing so that these communities can benefit from residential solar.
"At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, all while dealing with the existential threat of climate change, we must make residential rooftop solar a reality for low-income and working families that need it most," said U.S. Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders in the press release. This $7 billion residential solar program that I introduced and the EPA is administering is a major step in the right direction.
The application deadline for the grants is September 26, 2023. A recording of the public briefing on the Notice of Funding Opportunity will be available on the EPA’s GGRF website. There will also be an informational webinar on the competition from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 12. You can register here for the webinar, which will also be posted on the GGRF website. The website includes resources and tools for applicants.
More information can be found at grants.gov.
---Norm Holy
Fox59 reports that America’s honeybee hives just staggered through the second highest death rate on record, with beekeepers losing nearly half of their managed colonies, an annual bee survey found. But using costly and Herculean measures to create new colonies, beekeepers are somehow keeping afloat. Thursday’s University of Maryland and Auburn University survey found that even though 48% of colonies were lost in the year that ended April 1, the number of United States honeybee colonies “remained relatively stable.”
Honeybees are crucial to the food supply, pollinating more than 100 of the crops we eat, including nuts, vegetables, berries, citrus and melons. Scientists said a combination of parasites, pesticides, starvation and climate change keep causing large die-offs.
Last year’s 48% annual loss is up from the previous year’s loss of 39% and the 12-year average of 39.6%, but it’s not as high as 2020-2021’s 50.8% mortality rate, according to the survey funded and administered by the nonprofit research group Bee Informed Partnership. Beekeepers told the surveying scientists that 21% loss over the winter is acceptable and more than three-fifths of beekeepers surveyed said their losses were higher than that.
"This is a very troubling loss number when we barely manage sufficient colonies to meet pollination demands in the U.S.," said former government bee scientist Jeff Pettis, president of the global beekeeper association Apimondia that wasn’t part of the study. It also highlights the hard work that beekeepers must do to rebuild their colony numbers each year.
The overall bee colony population is relatively steady because commercial beekeepers split and restock their hives,
Host Maria Auxi, regresa a transmitir la primera edición en vivo, del radio show Hola Bloomington. Guest Ximena Martinez, la nueva Coordinadora de Alcance Latino del Departamento de Recursos Comunitarios y Familiares de la Ciudad de Bloomington. Ximena se unió a esta nueva posición el pasado mes de mayo y, entre las funciones de la cuales estará a cargo, se encuentra la producción del programa de radio Hola Bloomington. Ximena nos platicó sobre su experiencia laboral, pasado acaddemico, adaptación cultural en Bloomington y los planes a futuro que tiene considerados. Ella tomará esta oportunidad para renovar Hola Bloomington y a partir de este viernes, cada emisión del programa será transmitida completamente en vivo cada viernes de 6 a 7 pm.
For this episode, we share the first part of a conversation between Micol Seigel and Amanda Hall. Hall talks to us about how her firsthand experience of incarceration led her to her current work in prisoner and re-entry support. We will air the second part of this conversation next week.
You can find out more about Amanda's work and Dream.org on their website.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 6th, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Leo Paes reports on racial inequality in sports. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Indiana Supreme Court upheld its abortion ban - saying it doesn’t violate the state’s constitution. WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright has more coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
On Friday, June 30th, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Joe Biden’s $400 billion plan to cancel/reduce federal student loan debts. The court held in a 6-3 decision that President Biden must receive approval from Congress before issuing his student debt relief program. But it is unlikely his plan would have passed Congress either, as Republicans hold a majority in the House.
Many Democratic politicians called out the hypocrisy of the Supreme Court's decision with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeting quote, “Justice Alito accepted tens of thousands of dollars in lavish vacation gifts from a billionaire who lobbied to cancel the student loan forgiveness. After the gifts, Alito voted to overturn. This SCOTUS’ corruption undercuts its own legitimacy by putting its rulings up for sale.” End quote.
If passed, Biden’s bill would have canceled nearly $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000. Nearly 43 million Americans would have been eligible for Biden’s relief plan.
Hours after the Supreme Court ruling, Biden released a new plan, which he says is quote “legally sound”. It is essentially the same plan as before but relies on a different circumvention of the law to issue student debt relief. But Biden’s new plan will not be available until October 2023 and some are still questioning its legality.
On Thursday, June 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. The court declared that race cannot be a factor when universities decide which students to accept. Schools will be forced to rethink their admission practices and how they will achieve a diverse student body.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissent, “With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces ‘colorblindness for all’ by legal fiat. But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”
Now, some worry college campuses will become less diverse, as higher education institutions have no law requiring them to maintain diversity. Conservatives have long argued affirmative action discriminates against white and Asian Americans. However, in cases brought forward from UNC and Harvard, lower courts have upheld affirmative action programs, rejecting claims of discrimination.
On Friday, June 30th, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that the state’s abortion ban doesn’t violate the state constitution. The injunction placed the ban on hold, not allowing it to take effect. It is unclear when the ban will take effect. The ban doesn’t allow the seven abortion clinics in the state to operate. The bill states only licensed hospitals may perform abortions.
The Court said in their decision quote, “protects a woman’s right to an abortion that is necessary to protect her life or to protect her from a serious health risk, the provision does not protect a fundamental right to abortion in all circumstances.”
There is still one more injunction on the ban on grounds of a violation of the Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Court has said it will not immediately hear arguments on the religious freedom lawsuit. Indiana’s intermediate Court of Appeals is set to begin hearing arguments on the case beginning September 12th. . Feature Report:
WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on racial inequality in sports.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on racial inequality in sports. We turn to Paes for more. Credits:
In the past few years, racist incidents have been on the rise in professional leagues around the world, the most recent case involving Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior in Spanish soccer. Vinicius has been attacked by fans, players, and even the La Liga commissioner. When the commissioner of one of the biggest soccer leagues in the world gets defensive about racial injuries toward one of his players, we naturally ask ourselves: how racist is the world of sports?
To answer this question, we have to look at some of the biggest sports leagues in Europe and the US. In 2022, Arne Koch, an Associate Professor in the Department of German and Russian at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, wrote a scientific paper called “The paradoxical reality of Racism: German Soccer and the Irreversibility of Multiculturalism.” In the article, he talked about cases of racist offenses against foreign players in the German league and the difference in treatment between ‘traditional’ Germans and ‘non-traditional’ Germans.
According to Dr. Koch, German multicultural exposure started to be seen in the German National Team in the 1970s, but it was only after the unification of Germany in 1989 that the number of players with different backgrounds really increased. However, the reception of these players by German fans was skeptical and suspicious, as Koch explains.
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
“The acceptance of them was more significant in the 2000s [...] as longs as they met the definition of what a good German player would do,” said Dr. Koch.
This suspicion can be seen in the case of Bakery Jatta, a Gambian refugee and Hamburg SV player who was accused by the German media of falsifying his identity to enter Germany in 2015, a year before he signed with Hamburg. As Koch shows, despite having no proof to support their claim, the German media still attacked Jatta, who had to prove his innocence in court.
“There’s still that suspicion of him [...] stuck with Jatta for a long time,” said Dr. Koch.
What’s more important is that it’s not just the professional leagues that have these problems. Youth and developmental leagues are, oftentimes, structured in an oppressive way because of systemic racism, as Dr. Koch demonstrates.
“There is systemic racism [...] makes you train harder,” said Dr. Koch.
And systemic racism is not exclusive to Germany. Dr. Chris Lamb, a Professor and Chair of the Journalism and Public Relations department at IUPUI, explains that the most common form of racism in American sports is systemic racism.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
“I think the most common form of racism is probably the most powerful [...] coaches of teams and things like that,” said Dr. Lamb.
With a fundamental problem on their hands, the major leagues implement changes that often serve just as facades, which is the case of the Rooney Rule. As the NFL website explains, the Rooney Rule was created in 2003 to help increase the number of minority hires for Head Coach positions in the NFL by requiring every team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one or more diverse candidates before making a new hire, but the rule did not make the impact expected. For Dr. Lamb, players need to push harder for change so league executives feel forced to actually change.
“The Rooney rule, which the NFL created [...] until something happens that changes that,” said Dr. Lamb
Dr. Lamb explains that change is gradual but players need to push for them nonetheless. The most prominent case of change regarding race is the case of Jackie Robinson, the first black player to play in Major League Baseball. In 1947, he was called up by the then-Brooklyn Dodgers and was received with a hostile reception, including players and coaches calling him slurs, threatening to strike, and using excessive force against him. As Dr. Lamb explains, players need to understand their power and use it for good.
“It’s going to take something drastic [...
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 5th, 2023. Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bad News and Good News on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. Feature Report:
After severe storms hit Indiana this past week, Duke Energy reported that on July 1st 2023, they had 2,458 power outages, which they reported impacted 61,382 of their customers. The storms continued throughout the weekend, leaving many individuals without power for a few days. Duke Energy reported on July 3rd to still have 1,369 power outages affecting 18,682 customers. These power outages were the result of storms that had heavy rain, high winds, frequent lightning, and hail. According to the American Meteorological Society storms are getting more extreme due to climate change.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speak with Kerwin Olson, the executive director for the Citizens Action Coalition, or the CAC, an environmental advocacy organization. The CAC advocates for more equitable energy policy, utility reform and pollution prevention.
Olson touched on Indiana’s power grid in light of the recent storms causing thousands to lose power across the state. We turn now to that interview – as part of the latest installment of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our Indiana’s Energy Grid.
Up next, Bad News and Good News on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Yane Sanchez Lopez and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening 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. We are looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
After severe storms hit Indiana this past week, Duke Energy reported that on July 1st 2023, they had 2,458 power outages, which they reported impacted 61,382 of their customers. The storms continued throughout the weekend, leaving many individuals without power for a few days. Duke Energy reported on July 3rd to still have 1,369 power outages affecting 18,682 customers. These power outages were the result of storms that had heavy rain, high winds, frequent lightning, and hail. According to the American Meteorological Society storms are getting more extreme due to climate change.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speak with Kerwin Olson, the executive director for the Citizens Action Coalition, or the C-A-C, an environmental advocacy organization. The CAC advocates for more equitable energy policy, utility reform and pollution prevention.
Olson touched on Indiana’s power grid in light of the recent storms causing thousands to lose power across the state.
The U.S. electrical grid is a complicated network of wires that traverse the continent and connect with regional private operators who then transmit and distribute power. Some call it “a patchwork of operators with competing interests,” writes Rebecca Hill. Indiana’s electricity comes primarily from coal, natural gas, and a growing renewables market, but the transition to renewables is not without problems. | Photo by Benedict Jones
Tune in next week to hear more about Indiana’s power grid on the WFHB Local News.
You can also read the article, “The Power Struggle in Indiana’s Changing Energy Landscape” in the Limestone Post written by Rebecca Hill and photos taken by Benedict Jones.
Originally aired on June 13, 2022:
Dr. Gina Forrest In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Gina Forrest. She has conducted extensive research on Sundown towns in Indiana. Dr. Forrest graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Behavior, focusing on Health Inequities. She was a former Chief Diversity Officer with the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sundown towns, also known as sunset towns, gray towns, or sundowner towns, are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, and intimidation, or violence. The term came from signs posted that “colored people” had to leave town by sundown. The same process also created entire sundown counties and sundown suburbs. The practice was not restricted to the southern states, with New Jersey and other northern states being described as equally inhospitable to black travelers until at least the early 1960s.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The executive director of the nonprofit antipoverty organization, the Rev. Forrest Gilmore, joins us again to update listeners on the state of homelessness and hunger in Monroe County and what Beacon is doing about those problems. Formerly known as the Shalom Center, the organization changed its name in 2020 to better reflect the various projects and programs it runs to feed and house people in need. The Shalom Center remains an integral part of Beacon's overall strategy. Gilmore asserts that the solutions to hunger and housing are surprisingly easy to explain but finding the financial resources continues to prevent them from being fully implemented.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
You’re listening 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. We are looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
In today’s edition of Deep Dive, we explore how climate change impacts the power grid.
The U.S. electrical grid is a complicated network of wires that traverse the continent and connect with regional private operators who then transmit and distribute power. Some call it “a patchwork of operators with competing interests,” writes Rebecca Hill. Indiana’s electricity comes primarily from coal, natural gas, and a growing renewables market, but the transition to renewables is not without problems. | Photo by Benedict Jones
Tune in next week to hear more about Indiana’s power grid on the WFHB Local News.
You can also read the article, “The Power Struggle in Indiana’s Changing Energy Landscape” in the Limestone Post written by Rebecca Hill and photos taken by Benedict Jones.
In September 2022, Indiana passed Senate Bill 1, which banned abortion in all circumstances except for rape and incest up to 10 weeks post-fertilization, and serious fetal anomalies or health risks to the mother’s life up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. The bill also eliminates all abortion clinics in the state and requires all abortions to be performed in a licensed hospital.
After the bill wreaked havoc on Indiana for nearly a week, Marion County Superior Court Judge Heather Welch issued an injunction making the bill ineffective. Welch issued the injunction after Hoosier Jews for Choice, the American Civil Liberties Union, and five other women challenged the abortion ban on grounds of a violation of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Until Indiana’s Supreme Court issues an opinion on SB 1, Indiana’s previous abortion law is currently in effect. It allows abortion in all circumstances up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. As of September 2023, the state will have taken nearly a year to decide whether to pass SB 1. Jennifer Drobac, a law professor at the McKinney School of Law says it’s not uncommon for courts to take large amounts of time to issue an opinion.
“But what some courts do is they kind of wait to see what other jurisdictions do with similar legislation. They kind of wait for a matter to percolate. Another thing that can happen, for example, the United States Supreme Court has done this. They'll wait until a low media moment, for example, in the middle of the summer or on a Friday night, and they'll quietly issue an opinion, hoping that whatever is in the opinion, will not make quite such a splash in the media," said Drobac.
Jennifer Drobac pictured in the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI.
In drafting their opinion, the court may be considering the structural integrity of SB 1. Drobac says the bill has problematic wording. The bill establishes life at the point of conception which scientists and some religions have disagreed with. By denoting life beginning with conception, the bill indicates the state is establishing a religion, which goes against the Free Exercise Clause. “So that's problematic [wording of the bill], because that's defining when human life begins. And of course, at the moment of conception, you do not have a baby by some interpretations, you have a mass of cells. So defining human life at the moment of fertilization is scientifically problematic. It's also extremely problematic for religious reasons because many religions do not define human life at the moment of conception. Organizations have argued, the ACLU included, that this is an establishment clause, a First Amendment clause violation, in that the state is establishing a religion or is making a religious determination and forcing that perspective on other adherents of different religions and therefore, interfering with the free exercise of alternative religious perspective," said Drobac. Besides the problematic wording of the bill, SB 1 proposes and adheres to harmful perspectives about women and bodily autonomy. Shelli Yoder, Indiana’s 40th District State Senator says a law such as SB 1 furthers the idea that women are untrustworthy and incapable of making decisions about their bodies. SB 1 says that women may only receive necessary health care if they endure rape or their life is threatened by the pregnancy. This type of language ignores other factors which may cause women to need an abortion. The bill also harms primary care physicians who, because of the bill, are not allowed to administer the care they see fit to women in need.
“So the legislature, the Republicans are saying, abortion care is health care and has a place in health care, but we don't trust women or healthcare providers unless a woman is raped or is going to die," said Yoder.
When asked to provide comment on the harmful impact of SB 1 on Hoosiers, Indiana Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization declined to comment.
Tune in to this week's episode to learn about Agate (aka "Allie"), a Chow/Retriever mix at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, as well as considerations for dog training. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell are joined by Sierra Lee and Samantha Kirby. They are here to discuss the July 15th Nurse Family Partnership’s Maternal and Infant Advocacy event. Sierra is the organizer and is an intern this summer with the partnership. Samantha Kirby is a communication consultant with Indiana University Health. The purpose of this event is to inform individuals of the health care disparities amongst minority pregnant women. An overarching goal is also to educate women of color on how they can advocate for themselves when in a healthcare setting.
Sierra Lee
Samantha Kirby
As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, infant mortality is the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. In addition to providing critical information about maternal and infant health, the infant mortality rate is an important marker of the overall health of a society.
In 2020, the infant mortality rate in the United States was 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Non-Hispanic Black communities was 10.6%, while the rate for Non-Hispanic White communities was 4.5% The Healthy People 2030 initiative sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. While rates of infant mortality are trending to desired levels, in communities of color, women and children are still inordinately dying in childbirth, and their deaths seem to be invisible.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 26th, 2023. In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reported on new EMTs and an assistant fire department chief position that were placed on hold by the Bloomington City Council during their Wednesday night meeting. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Funny Times Magazine will host a comedy show at the Orbit Room on Wednesday, June 28th. More in the bottom half of our show. But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on June 20th. At the meeting, the board approved the project Wrapped in Love from 2023 to 2029. The project wraps sweaters around city trees to convey the city’s stance against domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.
At the meeting, the board also approved a construction agreement between the city and CSX transportation. The city wishes to extend the B-line trail, but the project runs adjacent to railroad tracks owned by CSX transportation.
As a follow-up to the previous request by Rita’s Italian Ice for a right-of-way encroachment, the board approved the business’s request to use part of the sidewalk for their walk-up window. Rita’s Italian Ice has undergone some changes in order to improve the safety of customers waiting in line outside. The business has added an indoor space to order, a railing along the walk-up line, awnings, and a tree grate.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on July 3rd at 5:30 pm. Monroe County Board of Commissioners Work Session
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners Work session met on June 21st, 2023. The first discussion was about support for the Brown county Regional Sewer district’s proposed expansion. Clint Studabaker, Vice President of the Brown County Sewer District was the first guest to speak. Studabaker started with a brief history of the sewer systems.
Next Studabaker began to address the issue at hand with Lake Lemon.
The concerns of high levels have been reported by two separate organizations and the hope is that this project will address those issues. Later in his speech he noted that they had tested the water to distinguish whether the high levels were coming from humans or animals. The meeting ended with a motion to support the Bean Blossom project with a signed letter. The motion passed unanimously.
The next Monroe county board of commissioners meeting will be June 28th, 2023. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reported on new EMTs and an assistant fire department chief position that were placed on hold by the Bloomington City Council during their Wednesday night meeting. We turn to Askins for more.
Funny Times Magazine will host a comedy show at the Orbit Room on Wednesday, June 28th. WFHB News interviewed Renae Lesser, who co-publishes the magazine, about the event, the magazine's recent move to Bloomington and more. Information about the event can be found here.
Jan Gavin is a volunteer at WonderLab, Bloomington's nonprofit hands-on science museum for kids. Her own grandkids live far away, so she's happy to be "Grandma Jan" to YOUR kids and help them learn as they play. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright and Yané Sanchez Lopez, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our features were produced by Dave Askins and Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers....
Jan Gavin is a volunteer at WonderLab, Bloomington's nonprofit hands-on science museum for kids. Her own grandkids live far away, so she's happy to be "Grandma Jan" to YOUR kids and help them learn as they play. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Jan Gavin with Wonderlab volunteer manager Lucas Anderson
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Later on in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores urban permaculture and village building with Mark Lakeman, the eco architect and place maker behind Portland Oregon's City Repair Project, which has inspired communities around the world to transform their neighborhoods into art installations and food forests.
And now for your environmental reports: Inside Climate Change reports on the status of a plastics recycling plant in Ashley, Indiana. EcoReport has covered progress at the huge facility earlier and emphasized the dangers posed by this facility. Companies outside Indiana place their dirty plants here because our politicians tolerate pollution. Inside Indiana’s ‘Advanced’ Plastics Recycling Plant there are dangerous vapors, oil spills and life-threatening fires. The Brightmark "plastics renewal” plant can’t get past the startup phase, as former employees raise environmental, health and safety concerns.
The plant’s owner is San Francisco-based Brightmark. The plan here is to store, shred and chop plastic waste and extrude it into pellets. Those pellets are then fed into pressurized “pyrolysis” chambers—the plant has six of them—that use extreme heat to produce a synthetic gas and a dirty “pyrolysis oil,” in what the chemical industry markets as a type of “advanced recycling.”
The plastics industry champions the process as something that makes plastics sustainable, even green, by turning old plastic containers, packaging and the like into new plastic products without the need to extract more fossil fuels to create new plastic feedstocks. But many scientists and environmentalists say pyrolysis is anything but sustainable, describing it as energy-intensive manufacturing with a large carbon footprint that incinerates much of the plastic waste and mostly just makes new fossil fuels.
A fire in May of 2021 is just one of several environmental health or safety challenges the company has faced since it began testing its plant in 2020 while struggling to fulfill its promise of operating “the world’s largest plastics renewal facility” on a commercial scale. The plant has kept the Ashley Fire Department of about 20 members busy, responding to at least six or seven fires since 2020, at least one producing a plume of smoke that could be seen 35 miles away in Fort Wayne. They remind us of the plastics fire in Richmond.
EcoReport has raised another potential issue: what’s in the emissions. This type of process often generates dioxins, which are carcinogenic. These compounds can be eliminated by adding additional combustion of the emission gases. EcoReport has not been able to learn the details of emissions
---Norm Holy
Inside Indiana Business reports that by the time it’s expected to come online in 2026, a West Terre Haute-based fertilizer plant will have the capacity to capture and store as much as 1.65 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of the largest carbon-sequestration projects in the country.
Wabash Valley Resources, which was formed in 2016 to acquire a shuttered Duke Energy coal plant in Vigo County, is moving forward with the project after state lawmakers passed legislation requiring the company to compensate landowners for the porous, underground rock formations underneath their property that will hold carbon dioxide. The plant currently produces hydrogen-rich syngas, but the company plans to retrofit the facility to also produce anhydrous ammonia fertilizer and separate CO2 for sequestration.
"This is a billion-dollar asset that we’re repurposing to make fertilizer and, maybe down the road, hydrogen," said Sen. Jon Ford, a Republican from Terre Haute who supports the development. “I think there’s a lot of possibilities with a project like this.” The $900 million endeavor, which has received funding from Arizona-based battery manufacturer Nikola Corp.
Episode 1 - Space Wizards
Welcome to Title Talk! A podcast where DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast each choose a song that the other hasn’t heard and discuss them. They kick this episode off with DJ Firebrand playing “Getting Sodas” by The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die. DJ Firebrand shares their knowledge about the band’s albums and lyrics. Later in the episode, DJ Bast plays “Why Can the Bodies Fly” by Warning - an early 80’s avant-garde doom band from Germany. DJ Bast discusses the band’s limited history and their possible influences. Tune in to explore new music together!
Credits:
Hosted by DJ Firebrand and DJ Bast
Produced and Engineered by Aja Essex and Jessie Grubb
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 22nd, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze explores a new land trust housing development implementing a different model for fostering home ownership for low and median income households here in Bloomington. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB’s Richard Fish speaks with Artistic Director for Constellation Stage and Screen Kate Galvin about the Arts Fair on the Square, which takes place on Saturday, June 24th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feature Reports:
First, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on the Statehouse Roundup - a 3-4 minute rundown of news and politics in Indiana. Lambright has more.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Nathan Ferreira, Director of Real Estate Development for Summit Hill Community Development Corporation, the nonprofit subsidiary of the Bloomington Housing Authority, on their monthly information sessions about their plan to build more affordable homes by holding the land in trust. Roze has more.
Up next, WFHB’s Richard Fish speaks with Artistic Director for Constellation Stage and Screen Kate Galvin about the Arts Fair on the Square, which takes place on Saturday, June 24th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We turn to Richard Fish for more.
Now it’s time for the WFHB Sports News Briefing – produced by WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, The Statehouse Roundup was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Today’s features were produced by Zyro Roze and Richard Fish. The Sports News Briefing was produced by Leo Paes. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 21st, 2023. Later in the program, we have 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. Today we are looking into Indiana’s power grid. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Reality of Artificial Intelligence on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today's feature. Feature Reports:
From outdated equipment, an energy storage problem and the impacts of climate change, Indiana’s power grid faces a crisis. WFHB and Limestone Post interviewed experts, advocates and government officials on how the Indiana power grid works and how the state will grapple with an ongoing energy transition.
In today’s edition of Deep Dive, we will explore the basics of the power grid, renewable alternatives and what the future holds for Indiana’s energy. Tune in next week to hear more about Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
Up next, the Reality of Artificial Intelligence on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You're listening 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. We are looking into Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and renewable alternatives the state could explore to transition into more sustainable forms of energy.
The U.S. electrical grid is a complicated network of wires that traverse the continent and connect with regional private operators who then transmit and distribute power. Some call it “a patchwork of operators with competing interests,” writes Rebecca Hill. Indiana’s electricity comes primarily from coal, natural gas, and a growing renewables market, but the transition to renewables is not without problems. | Photo by Benedict Jones
From outdated equipment, an energy storage problem and the impacts of climate change, Indiana’s power grid faces a crisis. WFHB and Limestone Post interviewed experts, advocates and government officials on how the Indiana power grid works and how the state will grapple with an ongoing energy transition.
In today’s edition of Deep Dive, we will explore the basics of the power grid, renewable alternatives and what the future holds for Indiana’s energy. Tune in next week to hear more about Indiana’s power grid on the WFHB Local News. You can also read the article, "The Power Struggle in Indiana's Changing Energy Landscape" in the Limestone Post written by Rebecca Hill and photos taken by Benedict Jones.
This month, we welcomed Mary Morgan, director of housing security, with Heading Home, South Central Indiana. In the podcast, Mary and Jim discuss what housing looks like in Bloomington and Monroe County as it buttresses housing challenges in the US. Bloomington faces a shortage of single-family homes while also seeing a surge in rental properties being built. Nationwide, Morgan said, society housing trends are shifting to where the dream of owning a home may only be available to some. Rents have increased nationally, and communities are struggling with rising rents in Bloomington. Low-income housing, where federal housing choice vouchers are utilized too, is becoming a challenge to those recently homeless or coming out of jail because it is difficult to find landlords who will accept them. Morgan says one solution to this is developing relationships and working with area landlords to help fill that critical need.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Hank Duncan, Bloomington's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on how the Bloomington City Council voted down a trash fee increase. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Council meeting on June 13 began with a public comment. Greg Alexander spoke on behalf of pedestrians wanting to access the Monroe County Public Library. He asked the Council to petition the County Planning Department for a more accessible entrance into the library while construction is underway on the sidewalk outside.
The Council also announced that the Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee will be meeting on June 29 via Zoom and on the third floor of the Monroe County Courthouse at 4:30 pm. For updates on JFAC (pron. jay-fact) meetings, visit their website or Facebook page.
The Emergency Management Agency asked the Council for fifty-thousand dollars to help clean up the northwestern part of Monroe County. On March 31st tornadoes swept through the Wolf Mountain and Texas Ridge Road area causing debris and destroyed homes. With the fifty-thousand dollars, the Emergency Management Agency would supply dumpsters for cleanup.
The Council approved a motion to continue the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative in Monroe County for the 2023-2024 grant year. The program is completely funded by the Indiana Department of Correction and helps create alternatives for securely detaining youth.
The Monroe County Council will meet again on July 11th. Feature Reports:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on how the Bloomington City Council voted down a trash fee increase. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan, Bloomington's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, about the aspects of becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community, the City's metrics and sources of data, room for improvement and the special recognition of the 7-Line bike lane by People for Bikes. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our features were produced by Dave Askins and Zyro Roze. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from June 12, 2017:
Cornelius Wright and Leila Randle host interviews, one on the history of Juneteenth through the decades, and the other on open-mic night comedy from a personal perspective. One funny interview, and one solemn. Both riveting.
PART ONE: As part of Ivy Tech’s Lifelong Learning classes, Cornelius Wright and Renee Reed participated in a standup comedy group. The “final” was all class members doing a 5-minute routine on an open-mic night. Hear about common and unique aspects of doing comedy as a person of color.
PART TWO: Juneteenth is a significant milestone in the African American community that often gets overlooked. Liz Mitchell tells the history of Juneteenth, how it is relevant today, and the special work being done by the West Baden Church Renewal project as part of Juneteenth this year. And as part of Juneteenth festivities, Mama Minnie’s Juke Joint returns this weekend.
Credits: Hosts Leila Randle and Cornelius Wright. Bring It On! is produced by Clarence Boone. Executive Producer Joe Crawford. Our News Editor is Michael Nowlin. Our Board Engineers are Floyd Hobson and Jim Thrasher.
On June 1st, 2023, Lily & Madeleine joined us for a live interview and performance ahead of that evening's show at the Orbit Room.
WFHB production team:
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Engineer: Jim Lang Post-production by Jim Lang
On May 17, 2023, Sumatics joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar.
Photos by Benedict Jones
Production team:
Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang WFHB Studio Engineer: Addison Rogers WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner Photographer: Benedict Jones Post-production by Chama Henry
On May 17, 2023, Kay Krull joined us for a Local Live remote broadcast performance at The Bishop Bar.
Production team:
Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang WFHB Studio Engineer: Addison Rogers WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner Photographer: Benedict Jones
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze delves into Bloomington's designation as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
And now for your environmental reports: The following article is about the future of the Hoosier National Forest:
Log and burn, or leave alone? Indiana residents fight the US Forest Service over the future of Hoosier National Forest. The mighty, valuable oak is at the center of conflict between federal officials and logging opponents over how to manage mature forests in an era of climate change. The following story comes from Inside Climate News and presents arguments on both sides of this issue.
In two of the largest projects the U.S. Forest Service has ever undertaken in the historic Hoosier National Forest, the agency plans to log more than 9,000 acres, conduct prescribed burns on another 28,000 and build more than 27 miles of roads. The “Houston South” and “Buffalo Springs” proposals have engendered fierce local opposition, not only from horse riders and hikers but chambers of commerce, and elected officials, Republicans and Democrats alike.
The contest taking shape in southern Indiana is part of a larger battle now being waged over the future of the National Forests, the nation’s greatest reservoirs of forest carbon, in a changing climate. President Joe Biden has sought to protect mature and old-growth forests, but clearly his Forest Service is resisting the concept of preserving older forests as a strategic reserve of carbon, which some climate scientists have advocated.
Last month, the Biden administration announced a plan for new regulations to enhance “climate resilience” in those forests. It was a follow-up to a first-of-its-kind inventory ordered by Biden that showed mature and old-growth forests make up 60 percent, or 112 million acres, of the forests managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. But the Forest Service has more than 20 projects underway like the Hoosier plans that include logging or burning in 370,000 acres of those mature and old-growth forests, according to the Climate Forests Campaign, a coalition of environmental groups.
The Forest Service, which is taking public comments through June 20 on what its new climate rules should look like, argues “restoration” and “vegetation management” activities, like the Buffalo Springs and Houston South projects proposed in Indiana, may be better in the long run from a climate change perspective. The Forest Service says that with predicted changes in climate, especially hotter, drier summers in the Midwest, Hoosier National Forest is more likely to experience wildfire and therefore they must plan appropriately to have a fire-resilient forest.
More than half of the stands in the Hoosier are 80 years old or older, and there has been a sharp decline in establishment of new ones, the Forest Service said in its assessment of the carbon impact of the Buffalo Springs portion of its Hoosier Proposal. If the Forest continues on this aging trajectory, more stands will reach a slower growth stage in coming years, potentially causing the rate of carbon accumulation to decline, the assessment said. The plan is to make way for new oak habitat by clear-cutting 1,100 acres and otherwise culling mature trees the Forest Service says are less resilient and beneficial to the ecosystem, including maple, beech and pine.
---Norm Holy
And now, continuing with the article on the Hoosier National Forest:
But Richard Birdsey, who spent 40 years with the Forest Service before his retirement as a distinguished scientist in 2016, says, in effect, that the agency’s climate science in this instance is wrong. Such a fall-off in carbon absorption can take hundreds of years to unfold as trees die and decay. Middle-aged forests of the eastern United States would contin...
Featured pet: Dulce, a Carolina Dog currently residing with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Dulce is about a year and a half old and came to the Bloomington Animal Shelter with over 60 other dogs, who were housed in a very small home. Dulce was never able to meet other people while in her home, which affected her socialization process. Shelter staff and volunteers have worked and worked to build a bond with her, and thankfully, she has finally started to trust them a bit! This young, fluffy gal will now seek out affection once she's gotten to know a person. She needs help with leash training and understanding that the world isn't so scary after all. If you think you might be the person Dulce is looking for, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Featured topic: Keeping pets safe and calm during fireworks season With the 4th of July just around the corner, it is important to be mindful of how fireworks may affect household pets. Flashing lights, loud noises, and the smell of fireworks can scare dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, Independence Day is largely believed to be the day when the highest number of dogs run away. However, precautions can be taken to help make an animal more comfortable during fireworks season. Tune in to this week's episode to learn more. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
She was the first hire of the new nonprofit in early 2021. The executive director of the Lake Monroe Water Fund, Michelle Cohen, hit the ground running and already has started programs to help upstream landowners control erosion and runoff that affects the waters of the lake. One of 48 such fundraising and activist organizations around the world. the Water Fund was brought to life by The Nature Conservancy. One of Cohen's goals is to help the 9000-plus homeowners within the Lake Monroe watershed who have aging septic systems repair or replace the human waste devices. Inefficient septic systems are a big contributor to pollution in Lake Monroe.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 15th, 2023. Later in the program, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio. More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a new installment of the WFHB Sports News Briefing. More following today’s feature. The Statehouse Roundup:
The Statehouse Roundup is a 2-3 minute rundown of news and politics in Indiana. This segment was produced by WFHB News Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright. Bloomington Redevelopment Committee
On June 5th at the Bloomington Redevelopment Committee meeting, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody gave the Director’s Report.
Committee Member Deb Hutton asked when they expect to hear back from HUD or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development about the grants HAND applied for. Zody responded.
Later, the commission discussed an agreement with U-3 Advisors, for owner’s representative consultant services for Hopewell. Vice President of J-S Held, Deb Kunce presented on the contract with U-3 Advisors.
Committee Member Cindy Kinnarney asked if U-3 Advisor would prioritize using local developers. U-3 Advisors Managing Director Todd Stern responded.
Kinnarney asked if they could include a quarterly reporting requirement for U-3 Advisors to report to the Redevelopment Commission.
Stern said they are happy to provide quarterly reports.
The committee voted to approve the agreement with U-3 Advisors. The next Bloomington Redevelopment Committee meeting will be on June 20th. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio. In today’s edition, Youth Radio spoke with attendees of the 2023 Granfalloon Festival. We turn now to that segment.
Now it’s time for a new installment – the WFHB Sports News Briefing – produced by WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Voices in the Street is produced by Youth Radio. The Statehouse Roundup was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. The Sports News Briefing was produced by Leo Paes. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Text Traps on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, the latest edition of Deep Dive:
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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
Indiana has 4.8 million acres of forest land which is over 20 percent of the state’s land base, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Within these forests, you often see sprawling oak and hickory trees, which cover the vast majority of the state’s forest land. However, you can also find beautiful and rare yellowwoods, sourwoods ornamented with white, bell-shaped flowers, or even the paper birch with ivory bark that peels off in layers from the trunk resembling sheets of paper.
This week, WFHB News spoke with Bill DeBoer, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Woody Warehouse Nursery, a plant nursery specializing in native tree cultivation. DeBoer walked us through notable, native trees in Indiana. Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our Indiana’s Energy Grid. Better Beware:
Up next, Text Traps on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
Indiana has 4.8 million acres of forest land which is over 20 percent of the state’s land base, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Within these forests, you often see sprawling oak and hickory trees, which cover the vast majority of the state’s forest land. However, you can also find beautiful and rare yellowwoods, sourwoods ornamented with white, bell-shaped flowers, or even the paper birch with ivory bark that peels off in layers from the trunk resembling sheets of paper.
This week, WFHB News spoke with Bill DeBoer, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Woody Warehouse Nursery, a plant nursery specializing in native tree cultivation. DeBoer walked us through notable, native trees in Indiana.
Oblong leaf of the paw-paw | Limestone Post
On Indiana University's campus (left) Dunn’s Woods, (right)Paw-paw patch next to Bryan House. | Limestone Post
If you are listening and you have any questions about Indiana’s energy grid you would like answered, or maybe you have some perspective on renewable energy you want to share with others in the community, you can email us at deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802.552.3483.
If you leave us a message, we would love to share it on a future episode of Deep Dive.
Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our Indiana’s Energy Grid. The Limestone Post Article written by Laurie D. Borman can be found here: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/trees-add-charm-to-iu-campus/
Dr. Gloria Howell talks about our local Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission. It's not just one day in January - these volunteers work year-round to build a beloved Bloomington. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 13th, 2023. Today on the program, we have the second half of an interview with Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Duncan about some of the controversy and safety concerns surrounding alternative modes of transit like the E-Scooters currently left at all odd points of town, blocking bike racks and ramps, affecting disability access and serving as a pedestrian hazard. We will hear what the City plans to do about improving the situation. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the June 6th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, City Attorney Chris Wheeler discussed a lease agreement with Summit Hill Community Development Corporation.
Board members asked Wheeler about which daycare would operate from the location and what the construction timeline would be. Wheeler said he did not know. He noted that Director of Real Estate Development for Summit Hill Nate Ferreria could not attend the meeting due to a prior obligation. During public comment, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin asked about the zoning designation for the location.
Wheeler responded.
He explained that Summit Hill received a multi use zoning variance for the property several years ago. Board President Kyla Cox-Deckard asked if Summit Hill were not able to develop the property, what would happen to the lease. Wheeler explained how that would play out.
The board approved the lease with Summit Hill unanimously. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular meeting on June 20th. Feature Report:
And now, we go to Zyro Roze as he asks Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator about the goals of Neighborhood Greenways, also delving into new financial incentives, upcoming regulations and technology like geo-fencing to modify problematic behavior when it comes to the management of Alt Transit Rental Apps that have introduced fleets of electric bikes and scooters to the streets, alleys and sidewalks of Bloomington in recent years.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 12th, 2023. In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides updates on the city’s plans to relocate Bloomington police headquarters to the Showers building and the redevelopment of the Hopewell neighborhood. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Dr. Gloria Howell from the local MLK Commission. It's not just one day in January - these volunteers work year-round to build a better Bloomington. Hear more about civic engagement through public service on local boards and commissions later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on June 7th, Director of Public Works Adam Wason gave a report on the city’s pavement and sidewalk conditions.
Wason presented on the state of the road surfaces in Bloomington, the condition of the pavement was delineated by Pavement Condition Index or P-C-I .
Next, the council discussed Resolution 23-09, a resolution endorsing Indiana to pass Legislation to establish a driver card for undocumented Indiana residents.
Office of the Mayor Chief of Staff Josefa Madgridal (Mad-ri-gal), presented the resolution to the council. She explained that the Office of the Mayor received information from a non-profit, La Voz Unida, which asked the city to pass the resolution to support state legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license.
Madgridal outlined the benefits of passing the resolution, explained what the drivers card will not do, and shared that 13 other municipalities in Indiana have passed similar legislation.
During public comment Indiana Senator Shelli Yoder asked the council to approve the resolution to pledge support to the legislation.
The council passed the resolution unanimously.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on June 14th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on June 5th, before approving the standard invoices,
Board Member Jeff Ehman asked about Davey Resource Group Miller-Showers dredging permits. Assistant Director of Environmental Programs Katherine Zaiger responded.
Ehman followed up by asking why they need permits in the first place. Zaiger explained what the permit is for.
Next, Assistant Director of Finance Matt Havey discussed a customer refund.
A board member asked what caused the inquiry. Havey responded.
The board approved the refund unanimously. Next, Director of Utilities Vic Kelson gave an update on the budget.
The board agreed to discuss more at a future finance subcommittee meeting. Kelson said the budget should be finalized around the end of July. The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on June 20th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides updates on the city’s plans to relocate Bloomington police headquarters to the Showers building and the redevelopment of the Hopewell neighborhood. We turn to Dave Askins for more.
Dr. Gloria Howell talks about our local Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission. It's not just one day in January - these volunteers work year-round to build a beloved Bloomington. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Yane Sanchez-Lopez in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Activate is produced by Michelle Moss and Chad Carrothers.
WFHB welcomes to Saturday's Child on Saturday, June 10, from 11am to noon. Join us as we enjoy the fruits of this local singer-songwriter and farmer who works his roots, pulls up tuberously deep tunes, and sews the seeds for sonic wonderment. Listen on air or as part our audience, free of charge in the Monroe County History Center, on 6th and Washington, downtown Bloomington. Salem Willard -- live on Saturday's Child, June 10, at 11am, on WFHB.
On May 19th, 2023, Tommy Alexander joined us for a live interview and performance in conjunction with Cosmic Songwriter Festival.
Host: Abby Noroozi Engineers: Jar Turner and Alyssa Gray Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Post-production by Chama Henry
On May 18th, 2023, Jarrod Dickenson joined us for a live interview and performance in conjunction with Cosmic Songwriter Festival.
Host: Nicki Seven Engineer: Alyssa Gray Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Post-production by Chama Henry
Photo source: Jarrod Dickenson's Facebook page
On May 17th, 2023, Jaimee Harris joined us for a live interview and performance in conjunction with Cosmic Songwriter Festival.
Host: Nicki Seven Engineer: Alyssa Gray Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Post-production by Jim Lang
On May 16th, 2023, Baba Commandant joined us for a live interview and performance ahead of that evening's performance with the Mandingo Band at The Bluebird.
Host: Adriane Pontecorvo Engineers: Jar Turner and Alex Hammel Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi Post-production by Jim Lang and Chama Henry
On May 10th, 2023, Jeff Cannon joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed his recently-released album High Tea for Poets and the following day's concert at Ted Jones Playhouse.
Songs:
"Big Switch" "How I Became a Ghost" "Indiana" "Pareidolia"
Production team:
Host and Executive Producer: Christine Brackenhoff Engineers: Chama Henry and Alyssa Gray Post-Production: Chama Henry
Heavy Mother joined us at I Fell on April 26th, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Production credits:
Venue Sound Engineer: Nick Romy WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Jar Turner WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner WFHB Post-Production by: Chama Henry and Jim Lang
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Today on the program, we have the second half of an interview with Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Duncan about some of the controversy and safety concerns surrounding alternative modes of transit like the E-scooters currently left at all odd points of town, blocking bike racks and ramps, affecting disability access and serving as a pedestrian hazard. We will hear what the City plans to do about improving the situation.
And now for your environmental reports: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued an Air Quality Action Day last weekend for three northeast Indiana counties as high ozone levels.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management issued the AQAD for Allen, Huntington, and Wabash in northeast Indiana.
IDEM says anyone who is sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should avoid exertion or heavy work outside.
“Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors,” IDEM says. “Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations.”
---Norm Holy
This year biologists will gain a better perspective on whether the Indiana bat will survive. Last year, healthy colonies were found in Vermont.Wildlife biologists in Vermont discovered a hopeful sign for the state’s Indiana bat population: One colony, located in Hinesburg, just south of Burlington, appears to be flourishing.
In the Green Mountain State and nationwide, bats have been suffering from white-nose syndrome for more than a decade, when the disease first appeared and swiftly decimated the populations of several species.
Numbers of Indiana bats in the rest of Vermont have been declining, and the species is federally listed as endangered. But the summer of 2022 colony, located on conserved land in Hinesburg, contained around 700 of the animals, according to data collected this summer by Alyssa Bennett, a small mammals biologist with Vermont’s Department of Fish & Wildlife.
The colony hibernates across Lake Champlain in New York, Bennett said. “In Hinesburg last field season, we counted as many as 300 bats in a single roost,” she said. “That is similar to historic numbers at this site, and three times greater than anything we have found in Vermont over the past decade,” when the white-nose disease was first detected in the state.
The conserved land in Hinesburg appears to have contributed significantly to the growth of the Indiana bat colony. Habitat there features a mix of shagbark hickory, dead trees with peeling bark, water and transitions where fields turn to forest, according to Bennett. Bat boxes, which are located at the site, may have helped the animals stay warm and conserve energy during the winter.
Indiana bats are typically found in the midwestern to eastern United States. Vermont is located at the northeastern edge of its range — the Hinesburg colony is the most northeasterly population of Indiana bats. The colony’s success raises new and hopeful questions about the future of the species in the state, Bennett said.
“Are Indiana bats moving further north and east as summers become warmer? Are there other colonies that could benefit from habitat improvement?” she said. “Thanks to last year’s findings, these are the questions we’ll be working to answer this year.”
Not all bat populations have made a comeback, however. As the state announced news of the successful Hinesburg colony on Tuesday, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service announced its proposal to nationally list the tricolored bat,
Last week, Jeffrey began telling the genesis story of Bloomington's community radio station. When he left off, the dreamers who'd held on to the idea for years were stymied once again. He picks up this week with the ultimately successful start up of WFHB. He also talks about his lifelong love for broadcast radio and his ham radio set up in the basement of his boyhood Gary, Indiana home. Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 8th, 2023. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on a rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation in Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Board of Public Works approved a lease agreement with Summit Hill Community Development Corporation. More in your daily headlines. Board of Public Works Approves Lease with Summit Hill
During the June 6th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, City Attorney Chris Wheeler discussed a lease agreement with Summit Hill Community Development Corporation.
Board members asked Wheeler about which daycare would operate from the location and what the construction timeline would be. Wheeler said he did not know. He noted that Director of Real Estate Development for Summit Hill Nate Ferreria could not attend the meeting due to a prior obligation. During public comment, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin asked about the zoning designation for the location.
Wheeler responded.
He explained that Summit Hill received a multi use zoning variance for the property several years ago. Board President Kyla Cox-Deckard asked if Summit Hill were not able to develop the property, what would happen to the lease. Wheeler explained how that would play out.
The board approved the lease with Summit Hill unanimously. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular meeting on June 20th. Monroe County Election Board Discuss Procedure for Late Filing Forms
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Election Board met on June 1st. Chief Deputy Clerk Tressia Martin shared that two candidates submitted late candidate filing forms, and asked the board to decide what should be done.
President of the Board Donovan Garletts suggested that both late filings be forgiven and both candidates given a warning, in line with the new procedure regarding first offenses.
The board unanimously voted to approve the warning for the two late C-F-A 4 filings.
Next, Board Member David Henry asked for clarification on the Stinesville and Ellettsville polling locations.
Martin responded.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on July 6th. Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on a rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation in Indiana.
In today's feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on a rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation in Indiana. We turn to Lambright for more.
You can hear Prescription for Healthcare with Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone on the second Thursday of each month on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. This month we have part 2 of our interview with Richard Master, prominent businessman and producer of the new movie American Hospitals, Healing a Broken System. We turn now to that program. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright. Prescription for Healthcare is produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The first of June officially kicked off Pride Month. Across the state, LGBTQ+ Hoosiers are celebrating their right to same-sex marriage, gender affirming care, and the opportunity to live authentically. However, this year has also welcomed a growing number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills by Indiana legislation and some Hoosiers are finding it difficult to celebrate Pride Month in light of recent bills.
As more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passes the State house, more LGBTQ+ Hoosiers are growing concerned and questioning their safety within the State. Most recently, Senate Bill 480 was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb. The bill restricts the right to gender-affirming care for trans children. Shelly Snider, the Executive Director of Indy Pride says the amount of anti- LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023 is concerning.
Shelly Snider, Executive Director of Indy Pride. Photo Courtesy of Indy Pride.
“We were alarmed because the most we have ever seen come down is seven. We know that this year there were triple the amount of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that came out of the State house, and it has really had a negative effect on the emotional state of our community members," said Snider.
The Trevor Project reports that nearly 59% of transgender boys/men and 48% of transgender girls/women considered suicide in the past year. They also found that for transgender children living in a community not supportive of their identity, suicide rates were significantly higher.
Anti-LGBTQ+ bills are hurting the State’s economy as well. LGBTQ+ people are leaving Indiana because of safety fears and a restricted access to health care. G. David Caudill, the Founder and Operations Director of Equality Indiana says it's disappointing to see big businesses in Indiana stay quiet on the issue of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
“The business community did not speak up forcefully enough, especially the larger businesses. Passing these bills could impact their businesses because their employees won’t feel safe, whether their children won’t, or whether even LGBTQ adults will suddenly not feel safe being in this State and will want to relocate. Which means these companies may take away from the economic engine of Indiana if they say they don’t want to be in this State any longer.”
LGBTQ+ people are leaving Indiana for more progressive States that still have access to gender affirming care and are less discriminatory. Trans children no longer have access to gender affirming care in Indiana meaning they must travel to a nearby State to receive care. Parents in support of their trans children are deciding to uproot and leave the State.
“It’s very concerning to see these anti-LGBTQ+ bills come out of the State House. It has an effect on the economy, it makes people not want to work in the State of Indiana, it has an effect on our families and these people not wanting to live in the State of Indiana," said Snider.
Katie Blair, the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for ACLU Indiana says a small but radical group of legislators are controlling the State House. This year, they have chosen to draft legislation affecting one of Indiana’s minority groups- trans people. “It’s really devastating to see the amount of bills pushed forward both here in Indiana and across the country. We’re seeing an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, bigger than ever before. I think that there is a small but vocal, radically conservative part of our legislature that is pushing forward these bills. They are working with national anti-LGBTQ hate groups to draft these bills and push them forward," said Blair. Katie Blair, the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for ACLU Indiana. Photo Courtesy of Women4Change.
The Alliance Defending Freedom or ADF is one of the national anti-LGBTQ hate groups pushing legislators to pass more extreme bills against the LGBTQ+ community. ADF was first classified as a hate group in 2016 by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023. Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Banks and Double Checks on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
This week we spoke with Social-Ecological Systems Scientist Sarah Mincey who works as a Clinical Associate Professor at Indiana University, and Director for the Integrated Program in the Environment and the IU Research and Teaching Preserve; and is the Managing Director of the Environmental Resilience Institute.
Up next, Banks and Double Checks on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for the latest edition of Better Beware. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky Schneider. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Background music was made by Mort Garson Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
The bur oak was about two decades old when Indiana University bought Dunn Meadow from Moses Fell Dunn in 1883. | photo by Jeremy Hogan
This week we spoke with Social-Ecological Systems Scientist Sarah Mincey who works as a Clinical Associate Professor at Indiana University, and Director for the Integrated Program in the Environment and the IU Research and Teaching Preserve; and is the Managing Director of the Environmental Resilience Institute.
If you are listening and you have any questions about trees you would like answered, or maybe you have a few trees in your life that you want to share with others in the community, you can email us at deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802.552.3483.
This voice mailbox is new for us, and we are pretty excited about it. If you leave us a message about a tree, we would love to share it on a future episode of Deep Dive.
Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our local trees.
The Limestone Post Article written by Laurie D. Borman can be found here: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/trees-add-charm-to-iu-campus/
If you see a wild animal that is alive but injured, such as from a domestic animal or a car, there are a few things you can do to potentially help. Tune in to hear a few pieces of advice from local wildlife rehabilitator WildCare. Plus, tune in to hear about how free-roaming cats can negatively impact on our native bird and small animal populations - and solutions to limit predation while allowing a pet cat to experience the joys of being outside. (photo source: WildCare's Facebook page) — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 6th, 2023. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the City Of Bloomington on the City's Greenways, streets that allow automobiles and parking that are designated as corridors made safer for those utilizing greener modes of transit. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission
On June 1st at the Bloomington Community Advisory on the Public Safety Commission, Commissioner Carolyn Leinenbach suggested that the commission look into making Bloomington a Sanctuary City for individuals receiving gender affirming care.
Next, Commission Member Nejla Routsong gave an update on the Alternative Public Safety Outreach Special Committee.
Following her report, the commission discussed planning a community event. Routsong gave an update on a Black Genealogy Event, which was previously designated as a Juneteenth event, and suggested working with the IU Cinema.
The Bloomington Community Advisory on the Public Safety Commission will meet again on July 6th. Feature Report:
And now, we go to Zyro Roze as he asks Hank Duncan, the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator about the progress on the plan for the Allen Street Greenway which will create a new connection from Walnut Street, cutting West through the McDoel Gardens neighborhood with a route that will include Mother Hubbard's Cupboard on Allen Street West of Patterson Drive here in Bloomington.
Up next we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Ben Wendell from Community Justice and Mediation talks about how volunteers help this nonprofit employ restorative justice to find alternative solutions to conflict in Bloomington. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Diana Daniels of the Lick Creek African American Settlement. These settlers were free citizens who fled racial persecution and increasingly restrictive laws for free blacks in their previous homes in North Carolina. Traveling with the Quakers offered some protection on their journey and the promise of supportive neighbors upon their arrival. According to the census records, there were 96 blacks living in Orange County in 1820. As more blacks came into the area, they purchased land from the United States of America (patented) in what we now call the Lick Creek African American Settlement area.
One of the first African Americans to purchase land in the Lick Creek area was Elias Roberts, along with Benjamin Roberts and Peter Lindley, in 1832.Lick Creek CementaryCredits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker
| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Kade Young. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, on the City’s Greenways, streets that allow automobiles and parking that are designated as corridors made safer for those utilizing greener modes of transit. | | And now for your environmental reports:Finally, Indiana may make progress in reducing the health threat from coal ash dumps. The Indiana Lawyer reports that a draft EPA rule could impact nearly 50 Indiana coal ash dumps. Draft federal regulations for toxic coal byproducts could cover nearly 50 previously exempted dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana. The Environmental Protection Agency’s rule — released last week — would extend monitoring, closure, and cleanup provisions to certain landfills, ponds and other sites for the first time. “Coal ash,” the catch-all term for particulate matter produced by burning coal, can contain dangerous carcinogens like arsenic, cadmium and mercury.“This is a really big deal,” said Lisa Evans, senior counsel for nonprofit environmental litigator Earthjustice, in a news release. The proposal arises out of settlement to a lawsuit involving the organization, several Hoosier plaintiffs and others. The Biden administration is standing up for people near a lot of hazardous coal waste sites around the country, Evans added. For far too long, a large portion of toxic coal ash around the U.S. was left leaching into drinking water supplies without any requirement it be cleaned up.Although utilities for decades have dumped coal in unlined landfills and ponds throughout the country, no national standards for coal ash existed until 2015. That year, an initial EPA rule went into force, but it excluded landfills that stopped taking in waste before the effective date, as well as ponds at power plants that stopped generating energy before the effective date. An Earthjustice analysis found that the regulations left out 566 landfills and ponds and 242 plants in 40 states. In Indiana alone, that meant 25 landfills and 23 ponds at 14 sites.Hoosier organizations celebrated last week’s announcement, noting that Indiana lawmakers have blocked state regulators from promulgating stricter standards. We have worked for years to get safer coal ash disposal via state policy, but our efforts were blocked since the majority in Indiana’s General Assembly insist on limiting state environmental standards to no more than what is required federally, said Indra Frank, who directs environmental health and water policy for the Hoosier Environmental Council.“In Indiana, safe coal ash disposal depends on a strong federal rule,” Frank concluded, in a news release. The proposed rule changes would extend requirements for groundwater monitoring, corrective action, closure and post-closure to inactive landfills. And the EPA hopes to include any other places coal ash was put directly on the ground, like structural fills sites. Finally, Indiana is making progress in reducing the health risks posed by coal ash dumps. Hopefully, in the future, the state legislature will expand its objectives beyond exploitation and corporate profit to include public health.—Norm Holy | | The Forest Alliance reports that the Buck Creek development proposal is withdrawn! Becknell has withdrawn their rezoning petition from the Marion County Metropolitan Development Commission to develop a massive warehouse along Buck Creek! So the remnant forest along Buck Creek north of Action, whose largest trees were growing when the Lenni Lenape hunted beneath them, will not be drowned by increased flooding due to runoff from the warehouse and surrounding concrete hardscape that would accompany the building. This is a great victory for nature and the citizens of southeast Indianapolis led by Julie and Brian Zoeller and their neighbors, as well as Plews, Shadley, Racher & Braun law firm, IFA, and others who helped. Yet it will no doubt be temporary, as another developer is likely to submit a proposal for the site. Let’s hope we can get IDNR to move forward with a wetland project in the floodplain in front of the Buck Creek woods that the owners of the site had invited, and the City of Indianapolis to seriously examine the feasibility of establishing the Buck Creek Greenway that it has proposed to do in three successive Greenway plans.—Norm Holy | | According to Energy.gov, for 2022, electric power in Indiana was generated from several sources. The largest approach is, of course, coal at 55 percent of the total power. Indiana ranks second, behind Texas, in coal consumption. Next is natural gas, at 32 percent. Though the legislature has deemed natural gas not to be a fossil fuel, everywhere outside Indiana knows it’s a fossil fuel. Thus, coal and natural gas make up 87 percent of power generation. Wind is 10 percent and solar is 2 percent. Indiana ranks 28th in the percentage of power generated by renewables. The legislature has been superb at avoiding reducing air or water pollution.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports the World Meteorological Organization concludes increased odds that El Niño, the global weather pattern often tied to intense heat, will arrive by fall. While there is not yet a clear picture of how strong the El Niño event will be or how long it might last, even a relatively mild one could affect precipitation and temperature patterns around the world. “The development of an El Niño will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records,” said Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the meteorological organization, in a news release. El Niño is associated with warmer-than-normal ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. In the United States, it tends to lead to rainier, cooler conditions in much of the South, and warmer conditions in parts of the North. Maybe this will be a good summer to swim in Lake Superior.—Norm Holy | | The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, predicted to be “slightly below-average,” because of the likelihood of an El Nino condition developing. The official kickoff date is June 1 and will run until Nov. 30. But experts have already noted this season comes with a high level of uncertainty based on a developing El Niño and an unusually warm Atlantic Basin. El Niño events generally suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, so fewer hurricanes than normal form in the Atlantic during August to October, the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. In California, warmer than normal ocean temperatures mean fishes normally found off Mexico, such as yellowfin tuna and dorado, are more common off southern California. However, bait, such as anchovy and squid, may travel to the north, and some game fish, such as white seabass and California halibut, may follow them. An El Niño reduces the upwelling of cold water off the coast of South America. When this happens, fish either die or migrate into areas where they’ll find more to eat. With the fish gone, sea birds that depend on them may die or go elsewhere. Kelp forests are often destroyed by storms and ocean swells. During El Nino years, when currents weaken and trade winds die down, the entire Galapagos food chain is impacted and many species face mass starvation and near extinctions.—Norm Holy | | Smoke from forest fires is limiting visibility in New York City; it’s not coming from California. Instead, the source is unusual – Nova Scotia. Forest fires in Nova Scotia are rare because rains and fog are very common. But this year the ground is dry, allowing flames to spread. British Columbia and Alberta have been warm for a decade or so. Forest fires and pine beetle attacks on forests are common. The immense forests in Ontario and Quebec are now under threat. Perhaps, within a decade we shall witness vast fires and beetle attacks in these Provinces. To prevent beetle attacks requires several days below minus 30 F. Such low temperatures are now rare.All this matters a great deal because the forests of North America and Russia are responsible for removing an immense amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The aspect of carbon dioxide management will suffer a great deal. The probable result is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is likely to grow even faster. Currently, atmospheric carbon dioxide is at 420 ppm. Given that the nations are doing little to reduce CO2 emissions, we can expect CO2 levels in the 600 – 700 ppm region within 200 years. Why is this important? Because it will mean there is NO ice left on earth, and ocean levels will be 250 feet higher.—Norm Holy | | And now we go to Zyro Roze as he asks Hank Duncan, the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, about the progress on the plan for the Allen Street Greenway which will create a new connection from Walnut Street, cutting West through the McDoel Gardens neighborhood with a route that will include Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard on Allen Street West of Patterson Drive here in Bloomington. |
| For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Kade Young. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at WFHB.org. |
| And now for some upcoming events:Come to the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, June 3rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm to see the Strawberry Full Moon. Learn why it is called the Strawberry Full Moon and hear all about the history and folklore. Meet at the Campground Playground.The Community Gardening Program is offering a Composting Basics class on Sunday, June 4th, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Butler Community Park Gardens. Learn how to be more eco-friendly with composting and how to add composting to your gardens. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.Do you love Box Turtles? Are you one of those people who moves the turtle out of the road? If so, come to a Box Turtle Talk at Spring Mill State Park on Tuesday, June 6th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Learn all about box turtles while meeting a live one. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.The monarchs are on the way! Enjoy learning about Migrating Monrarchs at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, June 7th, at 7 pm. Discover why monarchs don’t appear in Indiana until mid to late June. Meet in the Amphitheater.Explore Monroe Lake during a Paddling Trip on Sunday, June 11th, beginning at 7 pm at the Pine Grove State Recreation Area. You must have paddling experience. Learn about the quieter side of Monroe Lake as you watch the sun set and discover beautiful views and hidden wildlife. Sign up at bit.ly/explore-jun11-2023. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett was our engineer. | | For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Kade Young. And this is EcoReport. |
On the morning of May 31st, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Atlanta Police Department raided a house and arrested three staff members of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. The Atlanta Solidarity Fund is a non profit organization that supports those arrested for protesting or otherwise prosecuted for involvement in social movements. Over the last year, the fund has focused on supporting those arrested for their involvement in the national movement to Stop Cop City, which opposes the construction of what would be the largest police training facility in the US, set to be built over an urban forest in South Atlanta and most notably featuring a ‘mock city’ for urban combat training and riot control.
The solidarity fund has posted bail and offered jail support to those arrested in relation to the movement.
This week’s house raid is just the most recent attack on the struggle to Stop Cop City, which has experienced extreme repression by the state of Georgia this year. In January, an activist opposing the construciton of Cop City, Manuel Terran, also known as Tortuguita, was shot and killed by Georgia State Troopers, with over 57 gunshot wounds. Georgia police have made over 90 arrests in the past two years related to the movement, and 42 of those arrested are being charged with domestic terrorism.
The attempt by Georgia government to attack a nonprofit providing legal support, however, is a new development in this ongoing campaign against Georgian’s civil rights. This is a part of a prosecutorial strategy of characterizing the entirety of Atlanta’s popular Stop Cop City social movement as a terrorist organization. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement with this week’s raid, promising to “track down every member of a criminal organization, from violent foot soldiers to their uncaring leaders.”
UPDATE: On June 2nd, Judge Altman questioned the prosecution’s basis for the case and granted bond to all three defendants. He said, ““I’m concerned about some of the same things that the defense attorney mentions about the line between legitimate free speech and crossing into illegal violent acts… Paying for camping supplies and the like—I don’t find it very impressive. There’s not a lot of meat on the bones of the allegations that thousands of dollars are going to fund illegal activities.”
The National Bail Fund Network is collecting donations for the Atlanta Solidarity Fund on a temporary basis as of May 31, 2023. All funds raised here will be used to support bail and legal defense funds of those being arrested and prosecuted in Atlanta.
More information at bit.ly/localbailfunds
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we have part 2 of our interview with Richard Master, prominent businessman and producer of the new movie American Hospitals, Healing a Broken System. Medicare for All Indiana screened the Indiana premier of the movie in Bloomington in April. Rep. Matt Pierce attended and addressed the parallels between this movie and Indiana hospitals. You can hear our interview with Rep. Pierce in the February and March shows that can be scrolled to below.
This month Richard Master is discussing his role in founding Business Leaders for Healthcare Transformation. We will discuss how the business community is the “sleeping giant” that when awakened has the potential to lead the way to universal healthcare.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 1st, 2023.
In today’s feature report, we conclude with Part Four of a series by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze from an interview with Bill Brown of the Environmental Resilience Institute or E-R-I of Indiana University on how E-R-I assists institutions, communities, organizations, businesses and governmental entities to plan for, mitigate and adapt to Climate Change impacts.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on May 22nd, Town Marshal Jimmie Durnil presented Police Officer Alva Bohall with officer of the year.
Then, Board Member Kip Headdy announced the opening of several fire department positions, three of which would be full time and one would be part time. He introduced Sam Saft as a potential new firefighter.
Headdy walked through the candidates for full time fire department positions, which included Logan Burpo, Branden Johnson and Matt Siebott. The council approved the hiring of full time fire department personnel unanimously.
Next, the council heard the second hearing of the water rate increase ordinance. Pamela Samples asked for clarification why they are raising the water rates. Town Manager Mike Farmer responded.
Council Member William Ellis commented that the cost of not fixing the water infrastructure would be more expensive than this preventative maintenance. Farmer added that they pay attention to when infrastructure will need to be replaced, and shared some history on the water infrastructure.
The council unanimously approved the water rate increase ordinance.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on June 5th.
Monroe County Board of Health
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on May 22nd to discuss and approve contract revisions for Health Department Staff.
President of the Board Carol Touloukian introduced the contract to alter the Administrative Assistant Jaimmie Ford’s position.
Health Department Director Lori Kelley explained what the changes would be, and Touloukian added onto what they are proposing to add the Administrative Assistant position’s tasks.
The board unanimously approved the revised contract.
The Board also approved a contract revision to increase Kelley’s hours from 35 to 40 due to her job requiring more hours than it currently has allotted. Toulokian introduced the contract revision.
Kelley shared that recently she has worked around 13 to 15 unpaid hours a week.
Toulokian emphasized that with the addition of Senate Bill 4, Kelley’s responsibilities will only increase, and she will need more time to take care of them.
Next, the contracts approved by the Board of Health will go to the Monroe County Council who will hear the proposed contract revisions at an upcoming meeting on June 13th or July 11th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we conclude with Part Four of a series by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze from an interview with Bill Brown of the Environmental Resilience Institute or E-R-I of Indiana University on how E-R-I assists institutions, communities, organizations, businesses and governmental entities to plan for, mitigate and adapt to Climate Change impacts.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
He held on to the dream for almost two full decades before WFHB went on the air. While he was living in a converted garage with no plumbing in 1975, Jeffrey Morris began making plans to start up a community radio station here in Bloomington. A revolving cast of friends and like-minded dreamers came and went as the years passed but Morris kept them all on the same track. With help from an heir to the Waldron family fortune as well as Indiana University Chancellor Herman B. Wells, WFHB began broadcasting on January 4, 1993.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
This week we spoke with Bloomington Urban Forester Haskell Smith about the city’s Urban Forest. Smith works for the Parks and Recreation department for the City of Bloomington.
He is responsible for all the planting, maintaining and caring for the trees, and responding to permit requests submitted to cut down trees - Smith is the official voice on whether or not the tree should be cut down.
A Canopy Bloomington informational yard sign on Clear Creek Trail. Photo courtesy of Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
If you are listening and you have any questions about trees you would like answered, or maybe you have a few trees in your life that you want to share with others in the community, you can email us at deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802.552.3483.
This voice mailbox is new for us, and we are pretty excited about it. If you leave us a message about a tree, we would love to share it on a future episode of Deep Dive.
Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our local trees.
The Limestone Post Article written by Laurie D. Borman can be found here: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/trees-add-charm-to-iu-campus/ The bur oak was about two decades old when Indiana University bought Dunn Meadow from Moses Fell Dunn in 1883. | photo by Jeremy Hogan
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 31st, 2023. Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, Crypto Winter on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioner meeting on May 24th, Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Phil Parker gave an update on the jail.
Parker also gave an update on the number of residents struggling with mental illness, and some recent work they have done to get them the services they need.
Parker also shared that female inmates have received the new clothing that was ordered, and they are still waiting on the clothing for the male inmates.
Parker shared that the Sheriff Tony Skinner from Delaware County will be coming on May 31st to give the commissioners a presentation on the R-X Program.
Commissioner Penny Githens informed the public that it will take place at 11:30 on Wednesday, and encouraged anyone interested to attend.
Next, Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider asked the commissioners to approve a service agreement with Lentz Paving LLC to pave an alley between the Curry Building and Monroe County Employee Parking Garage.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked if the alley was City of Bloomington property. Crider responded.
The commissioners unanimously approved the service agreement with Lentz Paving LLC.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on May 31st. Feature Reports:
In today's feature report, we have 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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out. This week we spoke with Bloomington Urban Forester Haskell Smith about the city’s Urban Forest. Smith works for the Parks and Recreation department for the City of Bloomington.
Up next, Crypto Winter on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On March 29, 2023, Superlunar joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed the band’s formation, show schedule, new music, and the importance of community radio.
Songs:
- “No Hope, No Help, No Hurt”
- “It’s All The Same”
- “Sleep Forever”
- “Chandelier Part 3”
Production team:
- Host: Abby Noroozi
- Engineers: Chama Henry and Alyssa Gray
- Music Director: Christine Brackenhoff
- Post-Production: Chama Henry and Jim Lang
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 30th, 2023.
Later in the program, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the possible reform of Bloomington’s boards and commissions by a city council committee. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro.
But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Board of Health
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on May 22nd to discuss and approve contract revisions for Health Department Staff.
President of the Board Carol Touloukian introduced the contract to alter the Administrative Assistant Jaimmie Ford’s position.
Health Department Director Lori Kelley explained what the changes would be, and Touloukian added onto what they are proposing to add the Administrative Assistant position’s tasks.
The board unanimously approved the revised contract.
The Board also approved a contract revision to increase Kelley’s hours from 35 to 40 due to her job requiring more hours than it currently has allotted. Toulokian introduced the contract revision.
Kelley shared that recently she has worked around 13 to 15 unpaid hours a week.
Toulokian emphasized that with the addition of Senate Bill 4, Kelley’s responsibilities will only increase, and she will need more time to take care of them.
Next, the contracts approved by the Board of Health will go to the Monroe County Council who will hear the proposed contract revisions at an upcoming meeting on June 13th or July 11th.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.During the May 25th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation school board, Dr. Jeff Hauswald presented a referendum that would increase the school district’s tax rate by 8.5 cents.
Dr. Hauswald explained how the Indiana legislature’s changes in policy would affect school districts’ referendum rates. He outlined how that will impact MCCSC.
The board approved the resolution unanimously. It agreed to allow public discussion of the item at an event on May 24th.
The MCCSC School Board will meet again at 6 p.m. on June 27th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on the possible reform of Bloomington’s boards and commissions by a city council committee. Askins has more.
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Dave Askins, Abe Shapiro, Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Durand-Jones-full-session-1.mp3On April 24th, 2023, Durand Jones joined us for a Firehouse Session interview and performance before his performance at The Bluebird. Jones kicked off his tour in celebration of his debut solo album, Wait Til I Get Over. Jones, a self-described “Bloomerang”, recorded the album at local studio Russian Recording and released the album via local label Dead Oceans. Ben Lumsdaine (acoustic guitar and backup vocals) and Drake Ritter (electric guitar and backup vocals) accompanied Jones for this Firehouse Session.
Songs:
- Gerri Marie
- Sadie
- Lord Have Mercy
Production Team:
- Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
- Engineers: Jim Lang and Chama Henry
- Post-Production: Jim Lang
- Music Director: Christine Brackenhoff
This is a rebroadcast from May 8, 2023.
Chef Lee RosserOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell welcome Chef Lee Rosser.
In a recent Bloom Magazine article, Carmen Siering wrote that for more than 25 years, Lee Rosser was a professional wrestler—a showman with a flair for pageantry, storytelling, and bringing people together. Now, as Chef Lee, he does the same thing using culinary skills gained after stepping out of the ring. He has also been featured in the Times Herald.
Lee Rosser, who is 51, is from Gary, Indiana, and is the eldest of seven children raised by a single mother. “I grew up in the ’hood, and I wanted a way out,” he says. “Wrestling offered me that.” He started wrestling in the mid-90s, traveling a circuit and making a name for himself as “PT Hustla”. His break came when he met Chef JJ Boston at an autograph-signing event at Victory Field in Indy. Soon, he was promoting himself as “Caterer Lee Rosser Punching You with Flavor” as he took his flair for showmanship from the ring to the kitchen. He joins us to share his story of transformation.
Fred PattersonDark Past-Bright Future: Garrett Morgan and Fred Patterson
Garrett MorganToday, we also have a special Dark Past-Bright Future segment ideally suited for the month of May featuring Garrett Morgan, the black inventor of the automotive traffic control light, and the story of an unsung black race car driver, Fred Patterson. Garrett Morgan was an African-American inventor who invented two very different and important things: the gas mask and the traffic signal. During his long life, he also became one of the most recognized and respected African-Americans in the country. Frederick Douglas Patterson was the first African American to build motorized cars. The first Patterson automobile, the Patterson-Greenfield, rolled off the line on September 23, 1915.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, we conclude with Part Four of a series by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze from an interview with Bill Brown of the Environmental Resilience Institute or E-R-I of Indiana University on how E-R-I assists institutions, communities, organizations, businesses and governmental entities to plan for, mitigate and adapt to Climate Change impacts.
| And now for your environmental reports:According to NUVO, a news organization based in Indy, Indiana lawmakers passed more than three dozen bills in the just-concluded session. Most of the bills are intended to make operating in Indiana more profitable for electric and water utilities or their fuel suppliers. By the Indiana Environmental Reporter’s count, Indiana lawmakers passed 15 bills affecting utilities, including some that allow them to pass more of their costs directly to consumers, prolong the life of fossil fuels and place more hurdles in the way of large-scale renewable energy system adoption.Indiana lawmakers also passed eight bills affecting various parts of state water issues in the state. Some of the bills target water infrastructure funding and make it easier for schools and childcare facilities to test for contaminants. Other bills focus on changing how the state regulates new types of septic tanks, water districts, and other issues.This year, lawmakers also focused on establishing and funding economic development initiatives that would help develop brownfields and reclaim coal mines. However, they would tax drivers who use fossil fuel alternatives and punish financial institutions that choose to limit their investment in fossil fuels.Bills regulating new technology in the state, like small modular nuclear reactors, carbon capture and sequestration, and advanced recycling, have also passed, as well as bills that authorized land use studies and PFAS blood monitoring for firefighters.In regard to UTILITY BILLS:The Indiana General Assembly passed bills that establish a five-pillar guideline for making energy policy decisions; 1. Make it more difficult for utilities to retire coal-fired power plants, 2. Allow utilities to pass on the costs of coal ash pond cleanups and other expenditures to customers, 3. Eliminate competitive bidding for transmission lines, 4. Allow natural gas-fired power plants to qualify as a“clean energy project,” 5. Ensure that a planned state coal ash permitting program will be as lenient as federal law allows it to be.
Lawmakers also passed a bill that would allow the Environmental Rules Board to update air permit fees, establish guidelines for communities to accept solar and wind energy systems and study the best practices for the disposal of solar panels and wind turbine blades. Other bills passed would authorize pay raises for water district board members, require state homeland security authorization for expanding battery energy storage systems, set the foundation for further taxing of utilities with wind energy systems and authorize a state program to pay for half of the costs of decommissioning or replacing underground petroleum tanks.—Norm Holy | | Continuing with the Indiana Legislative Environmental bills, there are also WATER POLICY BILLS:Indiana lawmakers passed two bills authored by the same legislator that deal with flood plains in different ways. Senate Bill 242 repeals the requirement for local floodplain administrators to use the best available floodplain mapping data when reviewing permit applications to build in or near a floodplain, while Senate Bill 412, among other flooding issues, prohibits the same administrators from issuing building permits if those permits threaten eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.The Indiana General Assembly also passed bills expanding the use of above-ground onsite residential sewage discharging disposal systems in place of repairing old septic tanks, changing the requirement for water system mercury permit changes when they are proven not to contribute to Ohio River mercury problems and requiring water systems not subject to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to require commission approval before building new wastewater treatment plants.Other bills make it easier for communities to receive infrastructure loans and grants from the Indiana Finance Authority, require lead testing and mitigation at preschools and childcare facilities and ease the process for counties to join a watershed development commission.Then there are the Omissions:In addition to specific areas described above, there are a few other things that should be cited. The legislature still does not allow discussion of “climate change.” The rebuff of the climate initiative by 20,000 high school students represents incredible arrogance. The state has not chosen to improve its 48th rank in water and air quality. There was no plan to improve life expectancy in counties downwind of points of pollution such as coal-fired power plants. Finally, resolving that natural gas is not a fossil fuel is laughable. —Norm Holy | | This week we’ll report more statistics regarding life expectancy. Earlier we reported on life expectancy in each county in 2018. The differences were large. In wealthy white areas with no coal-fired power plants around, life expectancy was nearly 80 years. In areas downwind of power plants and other sources of air pollution, life expectancy was as low as 72+ years.In this report the objective is to gain some idea of the effect of covid on life expectancy. The latest figures are available for 2021 from the National Statistics Report. The covid effect is, thus, not fully captured. It was anticipated that since many Hoosiers, especially in the southern part of the state, did not comply with the mask advisory, lower expectancies were anticipated. The Indiana life expectancy (male and female) was 76.8 years in 2018 (pre-covid) and 75.0 years in 2021. Covid is not the only cause of the drop, but seems likely to be the major contributor.Ranking states by life expectancy reveals that Indiana ranked 40th in 2018 and 41st in 2021. Thus, our handling of the disease was typical with other states. Indiana is toward the bottom of states because we have a high percentage of smokers, obesity is an issue, and we have very high air and water pollution. The top 10 states with the longest life expectancy are all “blue” states. The bottom ten, including Indiana, are all “red” states.—Norm Holy | | The snowbirds among us depart for Florida in the winter to enjoy the warm weather and beach. One of the fixtures in terms of bird life is the anhinga, a water bird with a snakelike neck. Recently an anhinga has turned up in an unexpected place: Brooklyn. This is a sign of shifting ranges for birds from the South.(quote) What we are seeing here is likely an expanding population from the previous typical range of the species in the southeastern United States, (end quote) said Andrew Farnsworth, a researcher at the Cornell lab. He added that the anhinga is a strong flier and quite a migrant, so it’s not necessarily a surprise this is happening. So if you see a bird swimming with just its head and neck out of the water, it could be an anhinga living near you.—Norm Holy |
| In 2019, research revealed that the US and Canada had lost nearly a third of their birds – 2.9 billion all together, since 1970. As bleak as this picture may be, it’s not too late to make a difference for our local bird populations. You can plant trees, and take other easy steps, to help them thrive.Birds contribute to our food supply by pollinating 5% of all plants grown for human consumption. They also quietly go about keeping insect populations in check! A Baltimore Oriole can consume 17 hairy caterpillars in a minute. A house wren feeds 500 insects to its young every summer afternoon and a pair of flickers consider 5,000 ants a mere snack.You can help the bird population by planting trees with fruit, nuts, or seeds that attract birds. Plant trees that are different heights at maturity. Set out a bird bath and keep it filled with clean water. Hang a bird feeder and if possible, retain dead trees – the woodpeckers love them. These are just some ways to support our feathered friends.—Julianna Dailey | | And now…we present the final segment of Zyro Roze’s interview with Bill Brown, Assistant Director for Strategy and Engagement at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute as they explore how the Campus works with the City and other institutions to secure funding, data and expertise while also touching on how eco design strategies can make housing more affordable by assessing the true costs and benefits of going beyond conventional approaches to residential infrastructure. | | For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts | | Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G. |
| And now for some upcoming events:Join Indiana native plant expert, David Mow at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 27th, from 1 to 2 pm for a highly informative session on edible plants. Learn how to identify plants, what their uses are, and rules for collecting in Indiana State Parks. | | Drop by the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake to learn about Clever Crows on Sunday, May 28th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center Patio to learn how smart crows are and then take some time to make a crow puppet. | | A Creek Stomp at Spring Mill State Park is scheduled for Sunday, May 28th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Wade in the cold creek to search for fresh water creatures. Learn how they help determine the quality of the water. | | Tag along on a Herp Hike through Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Friday, June 2nd, from 6 to 8 pm to look for amphibians and reptiles. Learn all about frogs, snakes, lizards and salamanders; how to find them and their role in the ecosystem. Register at Bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Pastors for Peace is sponsoring a trip to Cuba from June 26th through July 6th, to learn practices focused on fighting the climate crises. The trip doesn’t take place until the end of June, but you need to register now at IFCO@IFCONews.org. |
| And that wraps up our show for this week.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. | | Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and Branden Blewett engineered today’s show. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey and have a safe and happy Memorial Day. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is EcoReport. |
A veteran of community radio as well as nonprofit fundraising, Brooke Turpin came to WFHB during the pandemic and has professionalized the station’s efforts to support and market itself. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Turpin worked for the grandmama of community radio, KPFA in Berkeley. The flagship of the Pacifica Network of 140 nonprofit, community radio stations, KPFA served as a model and inspiration for the founders of WFHB and Firehouse Broadcasting. WFHB’s first Development Director, Turpin hopes to help guide the station toward a thriving future.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 25th, 2023.
Later in the program, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on an ordinance that would increase trash collection fees discussed in a recent meeting of the Bloomington City Council. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees provided updates on the new Southwest Branch construction.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 17th, Population Health & Outreach Manager Kathey Hewett shared some information on Covid-19 in response to questions from the public concerning the end of the public health emergency.
During public comment a Monroe County Resident spoke to the commissioners about the Gordon Pike Construction Project.
Next, the commissioners heard from Financial Director Brianne Gregory who asked the commissioners to approve a contract with Baker Tilly for consulting services to help manage American Rescue Plan Act funding.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill explained how Baker Tilly was selected, and that the county council will need to approve the appropriation of funds as well.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract with Baker Tilly, contingent upon the county council also approving the contract.
The Monroe County Commissioners met again on May 24th. Stay tuned to the WFHB Local News next week for further coverage.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on May 17th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the library.
Board President Chris Harrison asked about the process of weeding out books from the library, and if extra copies of books that are no longer needed are going to be distributed to the Southwest Branch. Carson responded.
Board Member Nichelle Whitley-Wash asked about a patron’s request for mental health services to be added to the website, and asked how the library was going to respond to that. Carson answered.
Next, Carson gave updates on the Southwest Branch construction, book stocking, and staff hiring.
Next, Carson asked the board to approve seven change orders. The board unanimously approved the change orders, leaving the Southwest Branch Construction project with $38,000 (thirty eight thousand dollars) left in the budget for any future change orders.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 21st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reports on an ordinance that would increase trash collection fees discussed in a recent meeting of the Bloomington City Council. We turn to Askins for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
A Canopy Bloomington informational yard sign on Clear Creek Trail. Photo by Noelle Herhusky-SchneiderThis 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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out!
When you walk outside and go wherever you are going to, do you notice the trees along your journey? Trees are something that we all can take for granted. But once you start noticing them, you learn to appreciate just how much they do for us.
Limestone Post contributor Laurie D. Borman is a Bloomington based writer and editor. She worked as a former travel magazine editor and past president of the American Travel Writers. Borman is also a Magazine Reporting professor at Indiana University.
Hannah Gregory works as a research associate at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute. She was the former Forestry Director at CanopyBloomington.
Working on the IU tree survey fostered Hannah Gregory’s love of trees. Here she’s in front of one of the ginkgo trees planted in 1896 outside of Maxwell Hall. | Photo by Jeremy Hogan***
If you are listening and you have any questions about trees you would like answered, or maybe you have a few trees in your life that you want to share with others in the community, you can email us at deepdive@wfhb.org or you can leave us a voice mail at 802.552.3483.
This voice mailbox is new for us, and we are pretty excited about it. If you leave us a message about a tree, we would love to share it on a future episode of Deep Dive.
Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our local trees.
The Limestone Post Article written by Laurie D. Borman can be found here: https://limestonepostmagazine.com/trees-add-charm-to-iu-campus/
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 24th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Golden Fleecewear on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on May 17th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the library.
Board President Chris Harrison asked about the process of weeding out books from the library, and if extra copies of books that are no longer needed are going to be distributed to the Southwest Branch. Carson responded.
Board Member Nichelle Whitley-Wash asked about a patron’s request for mental health services to be added to the website, and asked how the library was going to respond to that. Carson answered.
Next, Carson gave updates on the Southwest Branch construction, book stocking, and staff hiring.
Carson asked the board to approve seven change orders. The board unanimously approved the change orders, leaving the Southwest Branch Construction project with $38,000 (thirty eight thousand dollars) left in the budget for any future change orders.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 21st.
Feature Report:
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – MAY 3: Bur Oak in Dunn Meadow at Indiana University, on May 3, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)You’re listening to 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. We are looking into trees in Monroe County. What trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out! Tune in next week to dive deeper and learn more about our local trees.
Photo courtesy of Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.Up next, Golden Fleecewear on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Our other music was created by Mort Garson
Sound effects were recorded by Bob McGuire
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall interviewed Pastors for Peace Executive Director Gail Walker about the Peace Caravan they are leading to Cuba. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Redevelopment Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.On May 17th at the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission meeting, President of the Commission Richard Martin introduced a discussion of residential TIF funds.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill added more about what TIF districts are for, and how the districts are formed.
Martin described the areas that they are currently considering turning into TIF districts.
Martin said that the amount of taxes collected doesn’t change, but it changes how the county is able to use the taxes.
A Monroe County Resident who attended the meeting asked what affordable housing is. Martin responded, and explained how the county taking care of infrastructure can help make housing more affordable.
Another resident asked if this would impact how much the school system would receive from taxes. Martin said it would not affect the schools since their taxing is separate.
Yet another resident asked how the district would see an increase in value. Marvin explained that it is a long term investment, and that similar bonds have been used successfully in the past.
The Monroe County Redevelopment Commission will meet again on June 21st.
Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall interviewed Pastors for Peace Executive Director Gail Walker about the Peace Caravan they are leading to Cuba. Walker spoke on Sunday May 21st at the Cascades Inn where the – Inter -religious Foundation for Community Organization or IFCO Friendshipment Caravan held a fundraiser. We turn to Roberts-Hall for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cynthia Roberts Hall.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Cynthia Roberts Hall.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We welcomed Miriam Northcutt-Bohmert, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Indiana University, in May. Professor Northcutt-Bohmert shared information from her research on racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in our legal system. In the podcast, Professor Northcutt-Bohmert talked about how our jail system has become the default repository for those with mental illness and substance abuse. She shared how our Monroe County jails are coping with these issues and the various pretrial options and diversion available to those facing the correctional system. Finally, she provides her insight on the new Monroe County proposed jail.
Resilience Productions: Founding Members – Gladys DeVane, Danielle Bruce, and Liz MitchellOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Resilence Productions, of which Liz Mitchell is a founding member. Gladys DeVane and Danielle Bruce, her fellow co-founders, join her on today’s program.
The mission of Resilience Productions is to educate, enlighten and engage the public regarding African Americans’ many unknown and un-celebrated contributions to Indiana’s—and ultimately to our country’s—history. They research, write, and produce live performances inspired by historical events. These productions cultivate awareness and entertain. By recognizing bold and deserving African American men and women, Resilience Productions ensure their legacy will not be forgotten.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 22nd, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Part Three of an ongoing series from Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. He speaks with eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown. More in today’s feature report.
That’s June Taylor from Community Kitchen, a Bloomington nonprofit feeding hungry kids, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else on a tight budget. She’ll explain how YOU can make a difference later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 17th, Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger gave a report on a corridor study being done on College Avenue and Walnut Street.
Beth Rosenbarger explained why they are looking into the corridor study, and highlighted certain aspects that make this necessary.
She outlined what the corridor study parameters are, and clarified exactly what is ‘studied’ when looking at a corridor.
Beth Rosenbarger explained that the process is only just starting, and that it will take at least a year before any decisions are made and put into action.
Rosnebarger also encouraged anyone interested in learning more to attend a walk and talk where she will walk a group around the corridor and talk with them about it.
Council Member Sue Sgambelluri asked Rosenbarger if they could offer more sessions after the typical work day hours. Rosenbarger said she will work on making more of those options available.
Next, during public comment Bloomington Resident and Commission on Sustainability Member Matt Austin asked the council to switch from using Republic trash services to Rumpke when their contract with Republic expires in October.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on May 24th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Part Three of an ongoing series from Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. He speaks with eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown. In today’s installment, they address retrofitting existing structures like the University’s historic limestone buildings, how to source sustainable materials to offset climate change and how construction methods impact indoor air quality.
June Taylor talks about feeding people at Community Kitchen, and not just the homeless – this Bloomington nonprofit also helps hungry kids, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else on a tight budget. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
June Taylor talks about feeding people at Community Kitchen, and not just the homeless – this Bloomington nonprofit also helps hungry kids, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else on a tight budget. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Featured pet: Gizmo
Gizmo is a sweet and rambunctious young cat with boundless energy. According to his current guardian, he loves people and would do very well in a home with room to run. Gizmo wants to play, and because his current living situation with an older resident cat is not working out, he would likely do very well with a young friend to run around with or kids to play with. Gizmo has experienced Feline Idiopathic Cystitis flare-ups, for which he has had surgery to help him stay blockage-free going forward. Gizmo is a beautiful, one-eyed Siamese mix and a charmer. His current guardian has toys, beds, and prescription food to send home with him. If Gizmo sounds like your new buddy, please visit his adoption listing.
Featured topic: Visual impairment in pets
While caring for an animal with visual impairment may seem challenging, simple accommodations can help them easily adapt. Tune in to the episode to hear some tips to help visually-impaired pets live safely and happily.
| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marsalek. Later in the program, we have Part Three of an ongoing series from Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. He speaks with eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown. In today’s installment, they address retrofitting existing structures like the University’s historic limestone buildings, how to source sustainable materials to offset climate change and how construction methods impact indoor air quality. | | And now for your environmental reports:News at IU reports that to build on its legacy of helping its students and alumni contribute to efforts to find solutions to pressing global challenges, the Indiana University Kelley School of Business is establishing the Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability.Nearly 45 professors representing every department at the Kelley School in Bloomington and Indianapolis are actively engaged in research involving environmental and social sustainability. The institute will enable the school to better support and broaden these activities while also offering new courses and educational opportunities for students.“Many companies are increasingly addressing environmental and sustainability issues to better understand the impact of their activity on people and society,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School. Our faculty has been engaged in these issues for a while, and this institute will help us to be better positioned to make a difference.A key to success will be whether this institute can move the legislature toward a more progressive posture.—Norm Holy | | The Public News Service reports Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ignored pleas from environmental advocates who were asking him to veto a bill that gives lawmakers more power over state agencies.To Hoosiers not familiar with the technical language in House Bill 1623, it may be difficult to decode how it applies to everyday life. But Sam Carpenter understood what’s at stake – and was quick to call it a “bad bill.”Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, worried that the legislation could affect people’s health and the environment. He said it creates more paperwork for state regulators dealing with the ash left behind when coal is burned to make electricity, and collected in ponds, “most of them unlined.”“Indiana has one of the highest – if not the highest – number of coal ash ponds in the state, compared to other states in the nation,” he said, and they are leaching toxic metals – mercury, arsenic, lead – into our waterways.However, the bill’s supporters have said it streamlines rulemaking and standardizes government procedures. Carpenter said his group wanted more common-sense regulation, and blamed special-interest groups and a tendency from some who push back against any new law.Carpenter predicted that the legislation will limit regulators’ ability to effectively do their jobs.We’re really relying on federal regulations for Indiana problems, he said. Holcomb signed House Bill 1623 into law Thursday.—Norm Holy | | Indiana Public Media has reported both good news and bad regarding the environment. When the governor approves the state budget, several Indiana environment and conservation programs will see a funding boost. The Hoosier Environmental Council said the legislature appropriated a significant amount of money for land conservation and trails — though a lot less than it had hoped for.Indiana plans to give $10 million to the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust Fund. The HEC said it’s not the $25 million the governor proposed, but it’s still the most the state has ever appropriated to the trust without the help of federal dollars. Lawmakers also earmarked $30 million for trails, though the governor had proposed $50 million.HEC Executive Director Sam Carpenter said a lot of people visited Indiana’s state parks and trails during the pandemic Stay-At-Home orders — and that demand remains strong.“These are investments that help retain and attract talent in Indiana. And I know that’s a big focus for the legislators in the General Assembly as well as for our corporate businesses,” he said.An extra $5 million will go to the Clean Water Indiana program which help farmers and landowners reduce erosion into waterways. A report last year said Indiana had the most polluted rivers and streams of any state — mostly due to runoff from large animal farms.The state also increased fees for motorboats, which will result in an extra $1.2 million for things like improving habitats for aquatic life. At a time when more Hoosiers are getting outside, the legislature has made even more budget cuts to Indiana’s underfunded and understaffed environmental agencies.The funding for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years will be about 3 percent lower than the current budget. Even though the Indiana Department of Environmental Management receives more money now from the state’s general fund, it will be operating with about 11 percent fewer dollars overall.The Hoosier Environmental Council said budgets for state environmental agencies haven’t recovered since the 2008 recession — making it difficult for them to retain employees and ultimately do their jobs.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports the Biden administration on Thursday announced the first regulations to limit greenhouse pollution from existing power plants, capping an unparalleled string of climate policies that, taken together, could substantially reduce the nation’s contribution to global warming. The proposals are designed to effectively eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s electricity sector by 2040.The regulations governing power plants come on the heels of other Biden administration plans to cut tailpipe emissions by speeding up the country’s transition to electric vehicles, to curb methane leaks from oil and gas wells and to phase down the use of a planet-warming chemical in refrigerants. Together with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which is pouring more than $370 billion into clean energy programs, the actions would catapult the United States to the forefront of the fight to constrain global warming.“We are in the decisive decade for climate action, and the president’s been clear about his goals in this space, and we will meet them,” Mr. Biden’s senior climate adviser, Ali Zaidi, said in a telephone call with reporters on Wednesday.The government is not mandating the use of equipment to capture carbon emissions before they leave the smokestack, a nascent and expensive technology. Rather, it is setting caps on pollution rates, which power plant operators would have to meet. They could do that by using a different technology or, in the case of gas plants, switching to a fuel source like green hydrogen, which does not emit carbon.The nation’s 3,400 coal- and gas-fired power plants currently generate about 25 percent of greenhouse gases produced by the United States, pollution that is dangerously heating the planet.It will be interesting to see how Indiana’s lawmakers respond to this challenge. The lawmakers have been busy promoting coal, declaring that natural gas is not a greenhouse gas, and placing barriers to wind and solar.—Norm Holy | | The Indiana Business Journal reports that shipping containers can have a new life. What happens to shipping containers when they return to land after a trip across the ocean? Increasingly, they have become a place to live on both a short- and long-term basis.Eko Solutions offers five container-home models, which are made in Alabama. They range from 320 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom to 1,280 square feet for a two-story model with three bedrooms and one bathroom.Fishers-based Eko Solutions is one company looking to expand its footprint in the container-housing industry, which is growing in Indiana. Homebuilders include Custom Container Builders in Indianapolis and Rock Creek Container in Markle.Globally, the container-homes market is expected to grow from $59 billion in 2022 to $87 billion by 2029, according to Fortune Business Insights.Eko Solutions works to turn shipping containers into permanent housing for people looking for an affordable home and into temporary housing for natural disaster survivors. Since its founding in 2020, Eko Solutions has sold 59 container homes.The company offers five models that range from 320 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom for $60,000 to 1,280 square feet for a two-story model with three bedrooms and one bathroom that costs $165,000.“Across the United States, we see the lack of housing in general as well as attainable housing for individuals to be able to get into,” Eko Solutions President Peter Rodriguez said.Manufacturers like Eko Solutions are permitted to use two types of shipping containers: one-use containers that have crossed the ocean a single time, and wind and watertight containers that have taken seven to 10 trips across the sea.While Alabama allows containers that have been used multiple times, Indiana allows only one-use containers to be repurposed.Over the course of the next 100 years, climate change will create millions, even hundreds of millions, of refugees. Many will leave coastal cities, seeking higher ground.—Norm Holy | | And now…we go to Zyro Roze with Part Three of his interview with Bill Brown of Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute as they discuss how much energy is used in the built environment, embodied Carbon and adaptive reuse of older buildings, sustainable materials like certified timber and the holistic health conditions to consider when building green. | | For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G. | | And now for some upcoming events:A Birdwatching for Beginners class is being offered at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, May 20th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. The hike will include several stops to look for birds. Binoculars and field guides will be available. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | The Indiana Nature Conservancy is offering a Wildflower Walk at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve in Brown County on Saturday, May 20th, from 10 am to Noon. You can celebrate Endangered Species Day while enjoying the hills and ravines and be on the lookout for oak regeneration, wildflowers and songbirds. | | A Kids To Park Day is taking place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 20th, beginning at 4 pm. The day includes an Osprey Watch while the children learn all about Osprey’s. They will practice with binoculars and hike along the lake shore to view an osprey nesting platform. This event is for children ages 6 to 12. Sign up at bit.ly/k2p-2023-osprey. | | A Snared in the Spider’s Web program is planned for Friday, May 26th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Monroe Lake, Paynetown State Recreation Area. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn how spiders spin their webs. Weave your spider web at the craft table and play spider web games. | | Join Indiana native plant expert, David Mow at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 27th, from 1 to 2 pm for a highly informative session on edible plants. Learn how to identify plants, what their uses are, and rules for collecting in Indiana State Parks. |
| And that wraps up our show for this week.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show. |
| For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is EcoReport. |
This week on Kite Line we air a discussion from 2021, in which we speak with prison abolitionist journalists Maya Schenwar and Victoria Law.
We share the first part of our discussion on their recent book, Prison by Any Other Name: Harmful Consequences of Popular Reforms. The book is an in-depth look at the various “alternatives to prison” that are held up as substitutes for incarceration, but which, in many cases, bring surveillance into our homes and communities. The alternatives mentioned in our discussion today – electronic monitoring, probation, court mandated psychiatric confinement or Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOTS), and the sex offender registry – are just a few of the methods critiques in their book.
Law has been on the show before, and you can hear her talk about women’s resistance within prisons here, and on a panel about carceral feminism here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with two organizers about the Bloomington Early Music Festival. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Flipping Outrageous on Better Beware – our weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 10th, Development Services Manager Jacki Scanlan gave an update on Accessory Dwelling Units and Plexes.
Council Member Steve Volan asked if the regulations are too restrictive, and if that is why they have not had a lot of requests. Scanlan responded.
Council Member Matt Flaherty asked a follow up question on what is stopping people from building A-D-Us and duplexes. Scanlan said that the process might be stopping people before they get started.
Council Member Jim Sims asked Scanlan if having the approval process be a by-right permitted use instead of a conditional use permit, would encourage more residents to consider A-D-Us and plexes.. Scanlan agreed that they would probably see more requests if the ordinance was instead a by-right permitted use.
Flaherty said that he is interested in changing the regulations after seeing that the concerns city residents’ had did not come to fruition, and asked Scanlan if she thinks that it would be reasonable to loosen the regulations to enable the building of more accessory dwelling units and plexes.
Then, Council Member Dave Rollo reintroduced an ordinance to amend the traffic calming and greenways program.
Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger offered some clarification on the traffic calming and greenways processes.
The council voted 4-5 in opposition to the ordinance. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on May 17th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Cindy Beaulé speaks with two organizers about the Bloomington Early Music Festival. This interview originally aired as part of Tuesday’s Afternoon Music Mix on WFHB. We turn to Beaulé for more.
Up next, Flipping Outrageous on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Cindy Beaulé.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Rearview Rhonda joined us at I Fell on April 26th for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Production credits:
- Venue Sound Engineer: Nick Romy
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brakenhoff
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- WFHB Post-Production by: Chama Henry
He was named the City of Bloomington Utilities department director when John Hamilton took over as mayor in 2016. At the time, the city’s drinking water delivery system was under fire both locally and nationally for taste and disinfectant-level issues. Since then, under Vic Kelson’s leadership, the Utilities department has refined its water cleansing process. As Lake Monroe ages, the challenges to the department of producing clean, safe drinking water will become greater in the coming decades.
[This edition of Big Talk aired Thursday, May 11, 2023.]
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 15th, 2023.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Bill Brown in the second part of an interview with the eco architect. More in today’s feature report.
Maryann Iaria is flying high on the rush of a live performance with the Monroe County Civic Theater, our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group. They’re about to launch their annual Shakespeare in the Park and we’ll hear all about it later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the May 9th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard a resolution to remove a structure within the public right-of-way at 431 East Wylie Street. Transportation Technician for the City Michael Stewart explained the resolution.
Public Works Director Adam Wason recommended the board not take any formal action and to listen to the parties involved.
Stewart elaborated on the request to remove the structure on East Wylie Street.
During public comment, the resident of the property in question said the shed has been on the property since the 1980s.
A neighboring resident requested that the shed be moved by about six feet saying that she’s unable to access the back of her property as a result of the structure.
Public Works Director Adam Wason asked for clarification on how the nearby resident would use the public right-of-way if the structure were removed.
The board voted unanimously to table the item for a future meeting in order to investigate the resolution further. The Board of Public Works will meet again on May 23rd.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Bill Brown in the second part of an interview with the eco architect. In today’s segment, they discuss the cost benefit analysis of solar energy, addressing the price compared to fossil fuels, financial incentives available, as well as state and federal government policies relating to electrification and the transition to renewable energy. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
In this episode, Maryann Iaria talks about Monroe County Civic Theater, our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group. MCCT is about to launch their annual Shakespeare in the Park production and is currently accepting submissions for a fall series of one act-shows and shorter pieces. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 16th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.On May 8th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting, Envision Ellettsville Member Dan Rarey announced that they will have a meeting on Tuesday, May 16th at 6 p.m. Council President William Ellis commented that he was glad the meeting would be held in the evening.
Next, Town Manager Mike Farmer introduced a presentation from Ziptility. Farmer said they have been working with Ziptility since 2018.
Ziptility C-O-O Jesse Kurth gave a presentation on how the town has been using their software, and what they can use it for in the future.
Farmer said that Ziptility has been a much cheaper option for the town compared to other geographic information systems, or G-I-S software.
Ellis asked if the data from Ziptility would be able to be transferred to a G-I-S software if they ever need to switch to that in the future. Kurth said that it is able to do that.
The Ellettsville Town Council will vote on the water rate increase ordinance at their next meeting on May 22nd.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.In today’s feature report, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro.
Shapiro speaks with Bill Dussault and Stacy Dym as part of a special feature of “Lawyers, Schools & Access.” Stay tuned next week for a new episode and look for the rest of the interview online later this week.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Chrstine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes Lee Hartman to Saturday’s Child on Saturday May 13, from 11am to noon. Join us for the soothing, dulcet sounds of the country folk singer from Fairmount, Indiana. Listen on air or in our audience free of charge in the Monroe County History Center auditorium at 6th and Washington, in Bloomington, as Lee Hartman performs live on Saturdays Child, at 11am, on WFHB.
In this episode, Maryann Iaria talks about Monroe County Civic Theater, our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group. MCCT is about to launch their annual Shakespeare in the Park production and is currently accepting submissions for a fall series of one act-shows and shorter pieces. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Today’s program is a rebroadcast from March 21, 2022:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Dr. Gladys DeVane. She is an author, thespian, playwright, narrator, and co-founder of Resilience Productions.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is William Hosea.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Cynthia Roberts and I’m Frank Marshalek.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Bill Brown in the second part of an interview with the eco architect. In today’s segment, they discuss the cost benefit analysis of solar energy, adressing the price compared to fossil fuels, financial incentives available, as well as state and federal government policies relating to electrification and the transition to renewable energy.
And now for your environmental reports:IndyStar reports on an important development regarding coal ash. The state is allowing AES Indiana to dump more than one million gallons of water contaminated with harmful coal ash pollutants directly into the White River every day, according to Indiana environmental groups who call the approval process a “contradictory shell game.” Indiana regulators recently renewed the utility’s permit for its Eagle Valley plant in Martinsville. The environmental groups claim that the permit violates a federal rule meant to help prevent and clean-up coal ash contamination across the country.
The Hoosier Environmental Council along with the Conservation Law Center is now challenging that permit — arguing that it actually enables the spread of pollution — with the Indiana Office for Environmental Adjudication. “I’m sorry, but pumping contaminated groundwater into the river shouldn’t count as clean-up,” said Indra Frank, the director of environmental health and water policy at HEC. Critics claim the utility is skirting the rules by pumping water contaminated with coal ash from wells installed on the facility to stop the pollution. But then AES Indiana is running that water through the plant’s cooling system before dumping it into the river.
Kim Ferraro with the Conservation Law Center at Indiana University said, “There is a contradictory shell game being played here.” The Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the agency that approved the permit, said the renewal was issued “in accordance with all requirements and provisions of the Clean Water Act” and considered “applicable effluent” limits.
And AES Indiana said it meets all applicable requirements and that it’s “lawfully discharging” under its permit. “AES Indiana, including its Eagle Valley Generating Station, takes pride in its compliance with the environmental regulations and permits,” utility spokeswoman Kelly Young said.
Eagle Valley began operating in 1949 as a coal plant. It produced a lot of coal ash: nearly 3 million cubic yards of the toxic waste. A byproduct from burning coal, the ash contains a dangerous mix of heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as arsenic, boron, lead and mercury. Indiana has the most coal ash ponds of any state in the country, and nearly all of them are leaking into the surrounding waters. This conflict between industry and environment is common in Indiana. Exploitation and profit are the paramount values held by the legislature.
—Norm Holy
IndyStar reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air monitoring near the site of a major fire in Richmond has found multiple toxic substances, including asbestos and hydrogen cyanide, a compound used as a chemical weapon during World War I. The EPA has conducted 24-hour air monitoring and sampling at the site and in neighborhoods surrounding the 175,000-square feet “My Way Trading Warehouse” since the recycled plastics in the building went up in flames April 11. The agency said it found debris containing asbestos in neighborhoods surrounding the warehouse.
The EPA said air monitors detected the presence of hydrogen cyanide, benzene, chlorine, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds within the half-mile evacuation zone. The agency sent the collected samples to a laboratory to learn more about the extent of the contamination. The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency has since lifted the evacuation order for residents living within the evacuation zone, but the chemicals detected by the EPA could potentially cause a series of health problems for residents.
Life expectancies in every Indiana county are available for 2018, and it is clear something has been going on in Richmond for years. The life expectancy in Wayne County is 74.3 years, or about 4 years less than the county average in Indiana. A question that we could not answer is whether plastic was burned at the recycling plant prior to the fire. If plastics were burned, there’s the likelihood that the combustion temperatures were too low to destroy toxic materials.
—Norm Holy
A just-published study predicts increasing risk of extremely high temperatures at many places around the earth. Temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit are even possible. The study by researchers in Britain identifies which places are most at risk. According to the study, these include economically developed places like Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, plus the region of China around Beijing. But they also include developing countries like Afghanistan, Guatemala, Honduras and Papua New Guinea, that are more likely to lack resources to keep people safe. Other areas at particular risk include far eastern Russia, northwestern Argentina and part of northeastern Australia. The study was published last Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. The Earth has experienced temperatures over 120 degrees during the Jurassic Period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Atmospheric carbon dioxide, from volcanic eruptions, was 2-4 times what we have today.
—Norm Holy
The International Energy Agency reports that carbon capture is very attractive to the fossil fuel industry because it makes possible the continuance of burning of fossil fuels. What is the cost of pairing burning of coal plus carbon capture compared to solar or wind? First, it should be noted that carbon capture applications do not all have the same cost. Looking specifically at carbon capture, the cost can vary greatly by CO2 source, from a range of USD 15-25/times CO2 for industrial processes producing “pure” or highly concentrated CO2 streams (such as ethanol production or natural gas processing) to USD 40-120/times CO2 for processes with “dilute” gas streams, such as cement production and power generation. Capturing CO2 directly from the air is currently the most expensive approach. Some CO2 capture technologies are commercially available now, while others are still in development, and this further contributes to the large range in costs. Carbon capture has been practiced at two power plants, and one of those has been shuttered because of the high cost of carbon capture.
Achieving deep emissions reductions in heavy industry (cement, steel and chemicals production) can be challenging for several reasons. But carbon capture is a relatively advanced and cost-competitive option for dramatically cutting the CO2 emitted during the production of these essential materials. It can also be more cost-effective to retrofit carbon capture to existing facilities than building new capacity with alternative technologies. In the case of cement production, where two-thirds of emissions are from chemical reactions related to heating limestone (rather than burning fossil fuels), carbon capture is currently the only scalable solution for reducing emissions. And in the iron and steel sector, production routes based on carbon capture are currently the most advanced and least-cost low-carbon options.
For power generation, solar and wind are much cheaper than carbon capture.
—Norm Holy
The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Nestle came in as the world’s top plastic polluters for five years running, according to Break Free From Plastic’s latest global brand audit report. Since 2018, global cleanups have been carried out by more than 200,000 volunteers in 87 countries to identify the companies with the most plastic waste in the most places. Coca-Cola came in with first place. What is ironic, these findings were revealed as the top polluter at the UN climate change conference COP27 in Egypt where Coca-Cola was serving as a sponsor. Instead of allowing companies like Coke to greenwash their image, governments need to compel polluters to invest in reuse and alternative product delivery systems that avoid the problem in the first place,” said Von Hernandez, Global Coordinator of Break Free From Plastic.
—Julianna Dailey
And now…we go to Zyro Roze with Part Two of his interview with eco architect Bill Brown of Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute on the financial case for how going solar in Indiana saves money and makes sense for families and institutions that chose to think long-term, comprehensively considering the trade-offs involved with conventional utilities versus ultra efficiency, geothermal batteries and renewable power infrastructure.For Eco Report, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org And now for some upcoming events:Hike Trail 5 for an A to Z Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 13th, from 10 to 11 am. As you hike around the lake you will search for all things from A to Z. It will be amazing what you will find. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Enjoy a Wetland Bird Walk with Wild Birds Unlimited on Wednesday, May 17th, from 7:30 to 9 am at the Bean Blossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. Join Ken Keffa and Heather Ray from Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington for a guided nature walk through the wetlands. RSVP to Sycamorelandtrust.org/events. A Birdwatching for Beginners class is being offered at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, May 20th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. The hike will include several stops where you will look for birds. Binoculars and field guides will be available. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The Indiana Nature Conservancy is offering a Wildflower Walk at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve in Brown County on Saturday, May 20th, from 10 am to Noon. You can celebrate Endangered Species Day while enjoying the hills and ravines and be on the lookout for oak regeneration, wildflowers and songbirds. A Kids To Park Day is taking place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 20th, beginning at 4 pm. The day includes an Osprey Watch while the children learn all about Oprey’s. They will practice with binoculars and hike along the lake shore to view an osprey nesting platform. This event is for children ages 6 to 12. Sign up at bit.ly/k2p-2023-osprey.
And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 11th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on a new bailiff for the Monroe County courts and the proposal of a new jail finance committee during the latest County Council meeting. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin expands on the new jail finance committee created by the Monroe County councilors. That’s in today’s feature report.
The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Last week, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” into law.
House Bill 1608 requires a school to, “identify in writing at least one parent of a student, if the student is an emancipated minor, of a request made by the student to change the student’s name or pronoun, title or word to identify the student.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana tweeted, “House Bill 1608 could be used to silence any mention of LGBTQ people, ban books with LGBTQ characters, fire LGBTQ teachers and bar pride flags in classrooms.”
The ACLU also said, “worse yet, HB 1608 forces schools to out trans students, potentially opening these youth up to increased harassment and assault. This is cruel and an invasion of privacy.”
The law goes into effect on July 1st.
Feature Reports:
Photo by Benedict Jones.Up next, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright for her latest coverage of the Monroe County Council. Lambright reports on a new bailiff for the Monroe County courts and the proposal of a new jail finance committee. Lambright has more.
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin expands on the new jail finance committee created by the Monroe County councilors. We turn to Dave Askins for extended coverage on JFAC.
Now it’s time for Voices in the Street produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Brookelyn Lambright, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Voices in the Street is produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
First, we have an update from the Monroe County Coroner’s office.
On May 3rd at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Monroe County Coroner Joani Stalcup gave an update on opioid related deaths in the community this last year compared to previous years.
The statistics show that opioid related deaths are still on the rise. We reached out to the local chapter of Centerstone, a non-profit health system that provides mental health and substance abuse services, about addiction itself, how substance abuse disorder can be stigmatized, and we asked for their proposals on how the settlement money should be used locally to address the issues the coroner raised.
Linda Grove-Paul is the Vice President of Adult Services at Centerstone. Her expertise includes addiction, recovery, substance abuse and mental health. Grove-Paul said substance abuse disorder is often mischaracterized – and that people should think of it as a biological disease. She pushed back against the stigma associated with the opioid epidemic.
We also spoke to the Director of Clinical Development at Indiana Center for Recovery Jackie Daniels who has 18 years of experience working on addiction treatment and prevention related programs. You can learn more about Indiana Center for Recovery on their website: https://treatmentindiana.com/
This concludes our series on the opioid epidemic. Stay tuned for the next edition of Deep Dive, where we investigate IU’s Tree Inventory. Call 802.552.3483 or email deepdive@wfhb.org to share your story, submit feedback and leave suggestions.
Visit the Limestone Post to read Journalist Rebecca Hill’s coverage on the Opioid Settlement Monies.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 10th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of 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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish.
But first, Deep Dive:
Opioid Settlement Money Ep. 3 – Opioid Addiction Recovery Programs and Exhibit E
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed. We reached out to the local chapter of Centerstone, a non-profit health system that provides mental health and substance abuse services, about addiction itself, how substance abuse disorder can be stigmatized, and we asked for their proposals on how the settlement money should be used locally to address the issues the coroner raised. We also spoke to the Director of Clinical Development at Indiana Center for Recovery Jackie Daniels who has 18 years of experience working on addiction treatment and prevention related programs.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured pet: Sugar, a cat at the Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Sugar is a very sweet cat, just over 6 years old. He has diabetes and is very accepting of receiving his insulin each day. When his injections are done, he is usually after pets. To learn more about Sugar or to schedule to meet him, please reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Feline diabetes
Tune in to the episode to learn about diabetes in cats, including: risk factors, prevention methods, symptoms, diagnostic testing, and treatment goals.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 9th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Dark Past Bright Future – a segment highlighting Black history hosted by Liz Mitchell of WFHB’s public affairs program, Bring It On! More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 5th, the council voted to approve an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Between the City of Bloomington and Monroe County. The agreement would create a joint Bloomington and Monroe County Human Rights Commission.
Bloomington Corporation Counsel Beth Cate shared the reasoning behind the joint commission.
Cate explained more about what was included in the agreement with the County. She also said that the agreement would at first be for a three year term which then could be evaluated, and changed as needed.
The council voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
The council also heard a similar ordinance, to amend Title 2 of the Bloomington Municipal Code Entitled Administration and Personnel. The amendment was to create the joint City-County Human Rights
Commission. Cate explained what the amendment would change.
The council approved the amendment unanimously. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on May 10th.
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).On May 4th at the Monroe County Election Board, County Clerk Nicole Browne reported on the unofficial numbers from the primary election.
Board Member David Henry thanked the clerk’s office for how the primary election went.
The board then discussed how to prepare for the hearing of David Wolfe Bender.
They established their template for the hearing, and County Legal Molly Turner King said she could look it over before the hearing.
The Monroe County Election Board will hold the hearing at their next meeting on May 18th at 1 p.m.
Feature Report:
Today, we also have a special Dark Past-Bright Future segment ideally suited for the month of May featuring Garrett Morgan, the black inventor of the automotive traffic control light, and the story of an unsung black race car driver, Fred Patterson. Garrett Morgan was an African-American inventor who invented two very different and important things: the gas mask and the traffic signal.
During his long life, he also became one of the most recognized and respected African-Americans in the country. Frederick Douglas Patterson was the first African American to build motorized cars. The first Patterson automobile, the Patterson-Greenfield, rolled off the line on September 23, 1915.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we interview Richard Master, prominent businessman and producer of the new movie American Hospitals, Healing a Broken System. Medicare for All Indiana screened the Indiana premier of the movie in Bloomington in April. Rep. Matt Pierce attended and addressed the parallels between this movie and Indiana hospitals. You can hear our interview with him in the February and March shows visible below.
In June we will air Part 2 of our conversation with Richard Master, discussing his role in founding Business Leaders for Healthcare Transformation. We will discuss how the business community is the “sleeping giant” that when awakened has the potential to lead the way to universal healthcare.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Chef Lee RosserOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell welcome Chef Lee Rosser.
In a recent Bloom Magazine article, Carmen Siering wrote that for more than 25 years, Lee Rosser was a professional wrestler—a showman with a flair for pageantry, storytelling, and bringing people together. Now, as Chef Lee, he does the same thing using culinary skills gained after stepping out of the ring. He has also been featured in the Times Herald.
Clarence Rosser, who is 51, is from Gary, Indiana, and is the eldest of seven children raised by a single mother. “I grew up in the ’hood, and I wanted a way out,” he says. “Wrestling offered me that.” He started wrestling in the mid-90s, traveling a circuit and making a name for himself as “PT Hustla”. His break came when he met Chef JJ Boston at an autograph-signing event at Victory Field in Indy. Soon, he was promoting himself as “Caterer Lee Rosser Punching You with Flavor” as he took his flair for showmanship from the ring to the kitchen. He joins us to share his story of transformation.
Fred PattersonDark Past-Bright Future: Garrett Morgan and Fred Patterson
Garrett MorganToday, we also have a special Dark Past-Bright Future segment ideally suited for the month of May featuring Garrett Morgan, the black inventor of the automotive traffic control light, and the story of an unsung black race car driver, Fred Patterson. Garrett Morgan was an African-American inventor who invented two very different and important things: the gas mask and the traffic signal. During his long life, he also became one of the most recognized and respected African-Americans in the country. Frederick Douglas Patterson was the first African American to build motorized cars. The first Patterson automobile, the Patterson-Greenfield, rolled off the line on September 23, 1915.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Natalia Galvin.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 8th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown about the environmental considerations involved in constructing energy efficient public libraries that Brown designed for two communities in Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Devta Kidd from the Bloomington Trash Force, a group of volunteers cleaning up litter in neglected parts of the city. May the TRASH Force be with you later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.The Ellettsville Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding a moratorium on certain commercial uses at their meeting on May 4th.
Planning Director Denise Line explained that they want a moratorium to give them time to update their Unified Development Ordinance.
Town Attorney Darla Brown said that the date they had initially set was for October 1st, 2023. She said, however, that they could pick a different date.
Line suggested that since they are already behind schedule, they set the new date to February of 2024. Commissioner Pamela Samples said she thought that was fine.
During public comment Envision Ellettsville Member Dan Rarey asked where the moratorium would take place. Line responded.
The commission voted unanimously to give a positive recommendation to the town council with the deadline changed to February 1st, 2024.
Next the commission discussed a resolution to change how wide driveways can be. Line explained that driveways that are being made right now are too large which violates the width requirements in the town code.
The ordinance would change the width requirements from 22 feet to a maximum of 36 feet. Line added that to be compliant, some driveways are 22 feet across at the road and then increase their width once they are 4 feet onto their property.
Commission Member Dan Swafford asked about what they would do about individuals who have already been fined. Line said that they haven’t fined that many people, because they do comply after being informed they are in violation of the town code.
The commission unanimously approved the resolution to change the width of the driveway from 22 feet to 36 feet at the property line.
The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on June 1st.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown about the environmental considerations involved in constructing energy efficient public libraries that Brown designed for two communities in Indiana. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
In this episode, may the force be with you! The Bloomington Trash Force is a group of volunteers cleaning up litter in neglected parts of the city and they want YOU to help. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate! Is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode, may the force be with you! The Bloomington Trash Force is a group of volunteers cleaning up litter in neglected parts of the city and they want YOU to help. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Later, in today’s news feature, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown about the environmental considerations involved in constructing energy efficient public libraries that Brown designed for two communities in Indiana.
And now for your environmental reports:
In an IU news release, the university announced a new program to build on its legacy of helping its students and alumni contribute to efforts to find solutions to pressing global challenges. The Indiana University Kelley School of Business is establishing the Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability.
Nearly 45 professors representing every department at the Kelley School in Bloomington and Indianapolis are actively engaged in research involving environmental and social sustainability. The institute will enable the school to better support and broaden these activities while also offering new courses and educational opportunities for students.
(quote) Many companies are increasingly addressing environmental and sustainability issues to better understand the impact of their activity on people and society, (end quote) said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School. The faculty has been engaged in these issues for a while, and this institute will help us to be better positioned to make a difference.
For example, enrollment in an undergraduate course on sustainability law and policy has tripled since 2017. New courses in climate law and policy are now offered. Another course on business and poverty alleviation have been introduced in recent years, and more new courses are under development. Kelley also offers a co-major in sustainable business at the undergraduate level.
Thus far, the state government has not interfered with the program. Earlier this year, the Attorney General filed suit to prevent investment of state pension funds into accounts that value social or environmental responsibility.
—Norm Holy
Inside Climate Change reports Congress is once again fighting over the nation’s debt ceiling, the legal limit on how much the United States can borrow. It’s a highly politicized battle that has threatened to paralyze the federal government almost every year for the past decade, with potentially significant long-term consequences for the U.S. economy. Now Republicans want to use it to repeal President Joe Biden’s climate agenda.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has become beholden to a handful of far-right GOP lawmakers, is on a quest to slash federal spending. The California Republican reluctantly agreed to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion for about a year, but not without demanding major concessions from Democrats.
McCarthy’s bill, called the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, would slash more than $4.5 trillion from future federal spending by limiting discretionary funds, eliminating Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and cutting financial commitments meant to revamp the Internal Revenue Service in order to prevent audits of the tax forms of the ultra-rich. It also targets the foundational provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Democrats’ marquee climate law that passed last year.
That bill dedicates around $370 billion to fighting climate change, largely through tax rebates and other government credits that incentivize consumers and businesses to adopt clean energy technologies and electric vehicles. McCarthy’s proposal would repeal the vast majority of those. They include the tax credits for EVs, clean hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel and even the credits that would reward energy providers for building more solar and wind power systems—even more so if they build them in low-income neighborhoods. Basically, McCarthy wants to say climate change is no threat to life on Earth.
McCarthy also slipped the Republican’s energy plan, known as H.R. 1, into his debt ceiling bill. That measure, which passed the House mostly along party lines last month, would speed up the federal approval of energy projects, bolster domestic oil and gas production and limit the ability of states to reject energy projects.
The Limit, Save, Grow Act (quote) would end the green giveaways for companies that distort the market and waste taxpayer money, (end quote) McCarthy said, speaking from the House floor on Wednesday. Goldman Sachs says the savings from ending these green giveaways are as much as $1.2 trillion. What McCarthy essentially prefers is to leave the cost of much of Florida and many other places going under water to future generations.
Despite protests from the State of Texas, the federal government has listed as endangered a rare milkweed plant that monarch butterflies thrive on and is designating miles of critical habitat on the South Texas border that could affect future state border wall development.
The prostrate milkweed only grows within 9 miles of the border in the United States. The plant is integral to the survival of monarch butterflies. In July, the monarchs were listed as threatened species.
Monarch butterflies migrate to this area across the Rio Grande Valley, between Mexico United States every year. So listing the prostrate milkweed on the endangered species list was the right decision.
In the spring, female monarchs will migrate north across the borderlands, and they have to find milkweed to lay eggs on where they die. The prostrate milkweeds are the first species that they’ll come across. The female can lay their eggs on the milkweed and then they die; the new butterflies that emerge from this will continue the migration to points further north. So these really are critically important flowers, and make the entire butterfly migration process possible.
Those pesky squirrels! How do they do it? How can they possibly get to your bird feeder when you have a baffle to keep them out?
Squirrels can sprint along fences; skitter up, down, and around tree trunks; and pull off awe-inspiring feats of agility – like getting into your bird feeder.
Their anatomy is specialized for treetop antics. They have hyperflexible back ankles that can rotate a full 180 degrees, plus they have curved claws. So, by reversing their ankles, they can dig their back claws into a tree’s bark even while descending headfirst.
It’s a rare talent. House cats which are in the same genus, can’t twist their ankles. That’s why cats can’t back down a tree.
lSQuirrels legs are also strong. They can leap more than six feet. The average squirrel is under a foot long, yet they can leap over six times the length of their body.
Squirrels also learn by trial and error. They will keep trying over and over until they figure it out. That’s why they finally figure out how to get into your bird feeder, no matter what you do.
—Julianna Dailey
The Environmental Protection Agency as soon as this week is expected to unveil standards for new and existing power plants, which belch roughly a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, two sources said. The rules will replace former President Donald Trump’s American Clean Energy rule and former President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, both of which were invalidated by courts.
More than a year in the making, the standards should be based on a plant’s potential to reduce emissions through carbon capture and storage technology, according to clean air law experts and industry representatives in talks with the EPA.
Utility companies may need to decide whether they want to build new gas plants with carbon capture technology or zero-emission renewable energy. States would develop plans for bringing their plants into compliance.
Most new gas plants currently do not pay for emitting carbon, so the rules could make it harder for them to compete with solar and wind power. Gas plus carbon capture would always be more expensive than solar or wind.
Biden has pledged that the power business will decarbonize by 2035. According to the Clean Air Act, the standards must be based on “best system of emission reduction,” technologies deemed affordable and technically feasible.
The proposal will reflect two major developments to ensure the rules are legally defensible. One, a Supreme Court decision last July, barred EPA from forcing a system-wide shift in electric generation but allowed it to issue plant-specific rules.
Second, the Inflation Reduction Act created tax credits making carbon capture and hydrogen more affordable and affirmed EPA’s authority to regulate power plants. The law offers more than $100 billion in clean electricity tax incentives, including a 70% increase in credits for each ton of carbon captured and sequestered. This program is in the Inflation Reduction Act because the fossil fuel industries see it as a way to continue burning fossil fuels.
If you’re building a new fossil plant, it needs to control its emissions, said Lissa Lynch, director of the federal legal group at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Existing technology can capture and store approximately 90% of carbon emissions, Lynch said.
—Norm Holy
Feature Report:
And now we go to Zyro Roze and the first part of an interview with Bill Brown of I.U.’s Environmental Resilience Institute on how he harnessed social capital, federal funds and the energy of the Sun to create America’s first certified Energy Positive public library right here in Indiana.
And now for some upcoming events:
- A Morel Mushroom Festival is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 6th, from 10 am to 5 pm. Enjoy a full day of mushroom activities, including classes on how to find morel mushrooms; off-trail hiking to search for morel mushrooms; mushroom arts and crafts and much more.
- Join volunteer Steve for a Wildflower Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 6th, from 3 to 4 pm. You will hike on Trail 5 while exploring all the wildflowers in bloom. This is a moderate, one-mile hike. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
- A gardening class on Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden is taking place on Wednesday, May 10th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Butler Community Park Gardens. Learn about the importance of healthy soils, how to improve your soil and how to test it. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Brown County State Park is hosting a Snake Meet and Greet on Thursday, May 11th, from 4 to 4:30 pm. Go to the Nature Center for an up close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits, the threats they face and how you can protect them.
- Hike Trail 5 for an A to Z Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 13th, from 10 to 11 am. As you hike around the lake, you will search for all things from A to Z. It will be amazing what you will find. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 4th, 2023.
Later in the program, we review the results of this week’s Primary Election in Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Tracking and Stalking on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Commissioners voted on a rezone request at their meeting on April 26th. Senior Planner Drew Myers, presented on the request from petitioner Tim Rolfsen, who is asking for the commissioners to amend the Zoning Map on a property located in Bloomington Township at 4851 North Kinser Pike.
Meyers explained that the petitioner is requesting the rezone to establish a winery on the property. The current zoning on the property is Estate Residential One. Rolfsen is requesting it be changed to Agricultural / Rural Reserve.
Meyers shared that the Plan Commission discussed this rezone request at multiple meetings. He said they did reach a positive recommendation with a vote of 6 to 3. The recommendation was passed with three conditions.
Meyers summarized the main concerns that the staff heard from neighbors in the area who submitted letters of opposition to the winery.
Meyers shared that there was one letter of support, who wrote that they are in favor of the winery, and think it would, “add beauty, community, and enjoyment to our area of living.”
Commissioner Penny Githens asked about the number of events the petitioner would have at the winery, and if the rezone would remain if the property was sold to someone else in the future. Meyers responded.
Githens also added that while driving on Bell Road she understood the residents’ concerns about an increase in traffic due to the small nature of the road.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked how the noise ordinance would be enforced. Meyers said that noise complaints go to the sheriff’s department.
The petitioner, Tim Rolfsen, spoke to the commissioners about the concerns the neighbors voiced in their letters of opposition.
During public comment, Monroe County Resident, Jana Hasty, said that the goals of the winery would always be in opposition to the goals of the homeowners.
Also during public comment, Monroe County Resident Paul Grey said that he has seen Oliver Winery grow over the years, and expects that this winery would be the same.
The commissioners voted to not approve the rezone request, with Penny Githens voting yes, and Commissioners Julie Thomas and Lee Jones voting no.
Feature Reports:
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).Up next, we turn to WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for the Monroe County Primary Election results.
Up next, Tracking and Stalking on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
With a dizzying array of private and public landowners as well as numerous governmental entities all responsible for the water that eventually drains into Lake Monroe from its plus-400 square mile watershed, someone needs to tie all those parties together to work to keep the lake clean. Maggie Sullivan, an environmental engineer, is the watershed coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe. She works to keep farmers, wastewater treatment plants, septic tank homeowners, businesses, the US Forest Service, and many more whose land use activities directly affect the lake, all on the same page. Our conversation with Sullivan is part of the Deep Dive cooperative effort between WFHB News and Limestone Post magazine looking into the quality of the lake’s water now and and in the future. The LP article will run in August with a series of on-air follow-up reports on WFHB.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 77th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Ming Wang and Joanna Kung.
In this episode last episode of the semester, we are joined once again by Jasmina Sagar, with one of our guests from the very first episode of this academic year. For this episode, we talk about her experiences as a freshmen living at the Asian/Pacific American Thematic Community in Teter Hall. How this experience has shaped her and leads her towards her future goals.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Jasmina Sagar
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023.
Later in the program, we continue our investigation into the opioid crisis on DEEP DIVE: WFHB AND LIMESTONE POST INVESTIGATE – looking into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Tracking and Stalking on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB.
Feature Reports:
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
We interviewed Dr. Richard Gunderman who is a Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Philanthropy and Medical Humanities at Indiana University. Gunderman has a background in public health and has taught a couple of courses on the opioid epidemic at IU. Gunderman says he wanted to teach these courses because he became interested in the wide ranging impacts of the opioid epidemic on the American public.
We also talked to Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance Nick Voyles. In an interview last year last year Voyles said that the key to keeping people who use drugs meaningfully connected in their communities is to treat every person regardless of their circumstances or condition, with dignity and respect.
We will continue to look into the Opioid Crisis., next week on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Stay tuned.
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).Up next, we turn to WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for the Monroe County Primary Election results.
Up next, Tracking and Stalking on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
We interviewed Dr. Richard Gunderman who is a Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Philanthropy and Medical Humanities at Indiana University. Gunderman has a background in public health and has taught a couple of courses on the opioid epidemic at IU. Gunderman says he wanted to teach these courses because he became interested in the wide ranging impacts of the opioid epidemic on the American public.
We also talked to Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance Nick Voyles. In an interview last year last year Voyles said that the key to keeping people who use drugs meaningfully connected in their communities is to treat every person regardless of their circumstances or condition, with dignity and respect.
We will continue to look into the Opioid Crisis., next week on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Stay tuned.
From 7 to 9 p.m., WFHB News gave live updates on the mayor’s race from inside the Cascades Inn, where the Monroe County Democratic Party hosted its Primary Election Day watch party. You will hear the WFHB Newsroom provide updates on the race throughout the night and deliver the final results of the local primary, which led to the nomination of Kerry Thomson as the next mayor of Bloomington. To view a complete list of Monroe County’s primary election results, you can visit the county’s website.
Featured pet: Bubby, a cat at the Bloomington Animal Shelter
Bubby is an amazing, affectionate, gorgeous old man. He loves chin scratches and will drool the tiniest bit when he’s really feeling them. If you’re looking for a senior guy who needs a warm bed to rest those weary bones, Bubby is your dude. He is diabetic and will need insulin and monitoring for this condition. Ask shelter staff any questions you may have about this very cool dude!
Featured topic: The Pipsqueakery
The Pipsqueakery is a nonprofit small animal rescue and sanctuary based in Bloomington, IN. They provide care for medically and behaviorally needy rodents, rabbits, and other small animals. They also educate the public on the care of small animals and find forever homes / rescue placement for healthy adoptable animals.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Abe Shapiro, Kathryn Lewis, Grace Romine and Kade Young spoke with voters and poll workers on Primary Election Day. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. But first, your local headlines.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on April 24th, discussed an ordinance on a water rate increase.
Senior Manager at Baker Tilly, Mitchell Eschweiler shared the findings of their study on the water rate study they were contracted to conduct.
Eschweiller shared the history on the cash and investment balances for the Town of Ellettsville.
He said that if the rate change is passed, the average residential user’s cost would go from 24 dollars to 32 dollars.
He shared the next steps if the council wanted to move forward with the water rate increase.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on May 8th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on April 24th, Director Vic Kelson gave a presentation on the Resource Recovery Program Feasibility Study.
Kelson explained that the project is eligible for an Investment Tax Credit that is for projects that have zero emissions.
Kelson gave a summary of the financial feasibility.
He also gave a summary on the benefits that the project could have for the community.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on May 8th.
Feature Report:
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).Today marks Primary Election Day. Local voters had the chance to select the nominees for city council, city clerk and Bloomington mayor.
WFHB News spoke with local voter Beth Ellis at Fairview Elementary School. Next, the newsroom spoke with two poll workers at the Indiana Memorial Union. Then, we heard from two voters at the Sample Gates, Tim Dwyer and Emmett Nolan.
Tune in tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to hear WFHB Correspondents live at the Cascades Inn for the Monroe County Democratic Primary Watch Party.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro, Kathryn Lewis, Grace Romine, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Liz Mitchell and Natalia Galvin, speak with Kerry Thomson. She is the last of three Democratic mayoral candidates that will Bring It On! will interview during the month of April as the mayoral election on May 2 approaches.
Kerry ThomsonKerry Thomson is the Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement. She is the former CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. During her tenure at Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, she grew its mortgage portfolio to six million and added hundreds of thousands in investments.
In 2018, after more than 20 years with Habitat, Kerry was appointed Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement. The Center partners with rural communities on initiatives designed to improve quality of life and invigorate economic vitality. Under Kerry’s leadership, the Center’s reach has expanded into 50 of Indiana’s 92 counties, impacting 20,000 Hoosier lives through 300 different projects.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Natalia Galvin.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 1st, 2023.
Later in the program, we hear Big Talk host Michael Glab speak with all three of the candidates running for mayor of Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Dan Cates from Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as CASA. Right now there is an urgent need for volunteers to stand up for kids who are going through the justice system due to abuse or neglect. CASA has a training this month that will teach you how to do it. More on that later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
During the April 25th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, the board heard a review of a policy pertaining to memorial benches in public parks. Operations Office Coordinator Barbara Dunbar explained the updates to the policy.
Board Member Jim Whitlatch asked Dunbar what the policy would be if the city wanted to withdraw a plaque. Dunbar said they haven’t considered it.
The board approved the updates to both the memorial benches in parks and the commemorative tree program unanimously. They agreed to consider a policy update on plaque withdrawal at a later date.
Next, during public comment, representatives from the Bloomington Football Club and the Monroe County Senior Baseball League Association shared their concerns with the board. Parent and Member of the Bloomington Football Club Kathleen Field urged the board to increase the city’s access to soccer fields.
Parent Richard Field said he’s concerned about plans to convert Field 6 at Winslow Sports Complex to a soccer field.
Board Member Kathleen Mills thanked all parents for voicing their concerns and said the parks department will further consider finding a balance during a work session. The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners will have their next meeting on May 14th.
Feature Report:
Tomorrow marks Primary Election Day. Local voters will have a chance to select the nominees for city council, city clerk and Bloomington mayor. In today’s feature report, we hear Big Talk host Michael Glab speak with all three of the candidates running for mayor of Bloomington.
You will hear brief portions of interviews from Bloomington mayoral candidates Susan Sandberg, Kerry Thomson and Don Griffin respectively. Candidate Susan Sandberg currently holds a position on Bloomington’s City Council. Kerry Thomson was the former CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Monroe County. Right now, she’s the executive director of IU’s Center for Rural Engagement. Don Griffin was deputy mayor for the City of Bloomington from March 2021 until December of last year. He also owns Griffin Realty.
Stay tuned to hear Michael Glab ask each candidate why they’re running for mayor and discover what issues matter most to them. To listen to the full 30 minute interview from each candidate, visit this link.
In this episode of Activate!, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer Dan Cates talks about the urgent need for local people to stand up for kids who are going through the justice system due to abuse or neglect. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Activate! Is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode of Activate!, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer Dan Cates talks about the urgent need for local people to stand up for kids who are going through the justice system due to abuse or neglect. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Susan SandbergOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Susan Sandberg. She is the second of three Democratic mayoral candidates that will Bring It On! will interview during the month of April as the mayoral election on May 2 approaches.
Susan Sandberg has been a City Council Representative At Large for 16 years and has served as a four-time City Council President. She is also a founding member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and previously served as Vice Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party.
Susan has participated in training with Braver Angels, a group that brings people with diverse political views together in respectful and civil conversations. Susan believes that elected officials should learn from and serve all residents of Bloomington. In addition to serving on the Council through 16 budget cycles, she’s served on the Bloomington Utilities Service Board, the Bloomington Plan Commission, the Jack Hopkins Social Services Fund, the Waldron Study Group, and the Development Block Grant citizens advisory committee.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report.
For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey
And I’m Cynthia Roberts
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks green business consultant and Indiana native BRANDON PITCHER about his past work in the hemp industry and his current ECOpreneurial endeavors creating a range of sustainable health products that his company is developing from fungal extracts.
And now for your environmental reports:
The growing divide in life expectancy among Indiana counties is cause for concern. The gap between the state’s higher life expectancy counties and those on the lower end continues to widen.
—Norm Holy
This story appeared in the IndyStar in their coverage of the current legislative session. It reveals that legislators who own construction companies weren’t satisfied with the hundreds of thousand acres of wetland that were removed from protection last year. This year the same contractors are back, wanting more land.
—Norm Holy
Continuing with the previous story about the wetlands in Indiana, only one person testified on the amendment: Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Builders Association, who spoke in support.
—Norm Holy
And, now this update on the wetlands amendment: IndyStar reports that legislation rolling back wetlands protections may have been dealt a fatal blow Thursday after Indiana lawmakers stripped the language out of a sewage and septic system bill for irrelevance.
—Norm Holy
And now, Zyro Roze discusses hurdles to the hemp industry in the United States and how natural ingredients for health products can replace toxic norms while incentivizing forest preservation with Brandon Pitcher of Blue Circle Mushrooms.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org
And now for some upcoming events:
- Cook Medical Annual Electronic Waste Recycle Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 29th, from 9 am to 2 pm at the Cook Profile Park Facility located at 500 N. Profile Parkway in Bloomington. This is your chance to get rid of your old computers, printers or any other electronic devices that no longer work.
- Sycamore Land Trust is celebrating Arbor Day with a Tree Giveaway on Saturday, April 29th, from 10 to 1 pm at Bloomingfoods, both the East and Near West locations. There will be 14 native species to select from.
- Every Wednesday from Noon to 3 pm, enjoy live music by Creekside and Friends at Spring Mill State Park in the Nature Center. Light refreshments will be available as you enjoy nature while listening to music. Take time to lift your spirits!
- A Flora Field Day is scheduled at the Monroe Lake Tailwater off Monroe Dam Road for Tuesday, May 2nd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your floral identification skills using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Bug spray, hat and water bottle are recommended. Sign up at bit.ly/florafield-may2023.
- Enjoy a Full Flower Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 5th, from 8:30 to 10:00 pm. Join the naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of May’s Full Flower Moon.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.
For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey.
And I am Cynthia Roberts
And this is EcoReport.
You’re listening to the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 26th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Rent Me A Car, Baby on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. More following today’s feature.
But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive:
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
In response to the opioid crisis, state and local governments across the country sued the pharmaceutical companies in charge of making and distributing opioids, and held them accountable for the lives they have impacted. This is according to the Indiana Attorney General’s office.
Over the last two years, a national opioid settlement of 26 billion dollars has been reached. The first settlement comes from opioid distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, and opioid manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson. The three opioid distributors will pay 21 billion dollars over the course of 18 years. Johnson & Johnson will pay up to 5 billion dollars over the span of 9 years.
Indiana will receive about 507 million dollars from the settlement. The City of Bloomington will receive about 2 million dollars and Monroe County will receive about 2.6 million dollars over the course of 18 years.
We will continue to dig into the Opioid Epidemic and the National Opioid Settlement, next Wednesday on Deep Dive. Stay tuned.
Feature Report:
Up next, Rent Me A Car, Baby on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 27th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from Hearabouts, Asian American Midwest Radio – done in collaboration with the IU Asian Culture Center and WFHB. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line – WFHB’s public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Public Library
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library meeting on April 19th, President of the Board Chris Harrison wished Human Resources Manager Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy farewell as she retires, and thanked her for her work.
Next, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report. He shared that they are intentionally starting the Southwest Branch with a smaller collection of available materials to check out. This will allow them to purchase more books in the future, and tailor the collection to the patrons’ interests.
Harris asked Director Grier Carson for an update on Indiana legislation that could impact libraries. Carson responded.
Next, Carson gave an update on construction at the Southwest Branch.
Board Member Kathy Loser shared that she has heard residents are excited about the new branch, and that they will be able to walk to the library.
Next, Harrison shared that they are accepting a donation to the Friends of the Library for the amphitheater and a labyrinth at the Southwest Branch. The amphitheater will be named the Hane Amphitheater by the Woods.
The board unanimously approved the donation and naming of the amphitheater and labyrinth.
The next Monroe County Public Library meeting will be held on May 17th.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on April 17th, Director of the Preschool, Heather Kensek introduced a presentation on a clothing and sewing unit two teachers held.
Preschool Teachers Alex Green and Stephanie Nemes presented on the projects they had their students make.
First, Nemes presented on her student’s projects origami and tie dying. She shared the skills that they learned along the way.
Next, Green shared that her class worked on crocheting and quilting.
Nemes said the conclusion of the clothing and sewing project is that preschool is the best.
The School Board thanked them for the work that they did.
The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will take place on May 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from Hearabouts, Asian American Midwest Radio – done in collaboration with the IU Asian Culture Center and WFHB. Today, we hear from Rebecca Valeriano-Flores who works in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. To listen to the full interview, visit wfhb dot org.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Hearabouts.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
We talked to the Executive Director of Indiana’s NextLevel Recovery program, Douglas Huntsinger, about the State’s response to the opioid crisis and how they plan to use the settlement money to address it.
Deep Dive is made in collaboration with the Limestone Post. Local Journalist Rebecca Hill’s story can be found here.
We will continue to look into the Opioid Epidemic and the National Opioid Settlement next week. Stay Tuned.
In this episode of Partisan Gardens, we explore the competing utopias at stake in the struggle to stop Cop City in Atlanta. Cop City is itself a grim utopia, a vision concocted by cops and politicians of a depopulated, fake city that will actually bend to their will. On the other side are the diverse utopian dreams of the movement to defend the Weelaunee forest, which connect that forest to visions of Black liberation, collective care, food autonomy for the surrounding neighborhoods, and a world without police. Underlying all these dreams is the long historical reality of Muscogee inhabitation and stewardship of that land. The effort to defend the forest has helped initiate an indigenous re-migration to the land. This longer history, concealed since the 1830s by white supremacist violence and settlement, is in turn enriching the movement’s idea of what it means to stop Cop City, to win.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 25th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
During council report at the Bloomington City Council meeting on April 19th, Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith shared news from her position on the Solid Waste Management Board. She shared the results of the survey done on the viability of an anaerobic waste digester.
Piedmont-Smith said that she believes the anaerobic digester is a good idea for the city to pursue.
Then, Council Member Kate Rosenbarger shared that a Bloomington Resident David Howard passed away, and shared the impact that he had on the community.
During public comment housing advocate Deborah Meyerson asked the council to address the housing crisis when they consider next year’s budget.
Next, the Council heard from Development Services Manager Jacki Scanlan who asked the council to approve amendments to the Urban Development Ordinance. Some of the changes proposed were mere typos, and some changed phrases like invasive species to prohibited species.
Scanlan explained that they were updating their code on flood plains to comply with Indiana Department of Natural Resources floodplain definition requirements.
The council voted to approve the changes on the four ordinances Scanlan presented to update the Urban Development Ordinance.
The Bloomington City Council will hold a meeting to discuss next year’s budget. The meeting is called the Common Council Budget Advance and will be held on April 25th.
Feature Reports:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Good evening, I’m Abe Shapiro and this is Part IV of Disabulletin’s docuseries Lawyers Schools And Access: The History of Special Education in the United States. Tonight’s installment covers the first parent groups of the United States, who mobilized on behalf of their children in Ohio and Washington respectively.
When we left off we were discussing the case of Golman V Ohio of 1933, in which local student Beldene Golman had been originally excluded from school due to a low IQ, though the was reinstated on appeal by her parents to the Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals. This court ruled that only the Ohio Department of Education rather than the school district, could exclude students with disabilities. However, if the state adapted a rule that students below an IQ of 50 could be excluded, then Beldene could be removed from school due to her disability.
Shortly after winning their case against the Cuyahoga County school board which allowed for their daughter’s reinstatement, the Golman’s helped mobilize parents across the state by establishing a new organization, The Cuyahoga County Council for the Disabled Child on September 17, 1935. According to her book on the history of the organization published in 1970, Council historian Sally Schmidt wrote that the organization had been around informally since 1931, with an operating body of 500 members and prided itself on being “the first organization to work with and for the disabled child living at home with its parents in the community.”
Gary Tonks, president of the Ohio chapter of the disability advocacy organization The ARC of the United States provides a historical look at what the education system was like for children with disabilities in Ohio prior to the council’s founding.
At the same time over 2000 miles away in Washington State, a mass mobilization of parents had come to the surface, unified around a common cause, that of the right of their children with disabilities to be educated alongside non-disabled children. It was now time for their grievances to be heard on the national level.
Since 1890, Washington had made significant progress in special education, albeit with some shortcomings. Although it passed a bill requiring parents to register any child with a disability for school a year after becoming a state, the law was not always enforced, which led to such children being sent to institutions, such as the State Custodial School at Medical Lake near Spokane founded in 1905. However, conditions at this school in addition to its neighbor the Eastern State Hospital (founded in 1907) were appalling,
On October 21, 1935, a year and two months after the Golman case had concluded and a month , a group of parents assembled for a meeting. Disenchanted with the quality of life that their children were receiving at the institutional State Custodial School at Medical Lake, these parents sought reform. This rag tag delegation was led by one James Oakley, whose own son resided at the school and who wanted to provide him along with the children living at the school with forms of entertainment and social resources that were not provided by the state. At this historic meeting, the group declared themselves as committed towards “working on behalf of institutionalized children as the Children’s Benevolent League (CBL). The CBL began to flourish within other communities throughout Washington State. In 1936, the CBL’s expansion exploded, with its articles of incorporation signed in Tacoma on April 15 of that year, officially establishing the CBL. Three months later on June 27, the CBL held its first ever statewide convention and deliberated over the organization’s goals, which would be legislation focused. Fifty delegates from towns throughout the state gathered, qualifying the CBL as a statewide organization. To bring the CBL’s voice to the state government, The CBL’s President Monty Percival ran for the state senate…and won. In the state senate, Percival would be appointed chairman of the State Charitable Institutions Committee and proposed legislation for a second state school for parents on the west side of the state who lived near Tacoma and Seattle and therefore too far from the state custodial school at medical lake.
While the original goal of the organization was to provide resources and improve conditions for children who resided in Washington institutions, it soon became apparent that this a painful choice for parents who felt they were abandoning their children. This change of view by parents resulted in outreach to other organizations throughout the country which included CBL members speaking at major conventions including a notable one in May 1950 sponsored by what was then known as the American Association of Mental Deficiency. Again, Gary Tonks.
But this expansion created some tension between the Seattle and Spokane branches since Seattle wanted to further the CBL’s influence nationwide while the Spokane branch wished to focus on their own children in institutions. This in-fighting would further the split between the two factions as evidenced when members of the Seattle branch won all of the organization’s executive commitee seats at the 1949 convention. This conflict reached its climax on November 20 of that year when, during a meeting between the Seattle and Tacoma regarding the Executive Commitee’s amending the CBL’s constitution to focus on national expansion, Seattle leader Bob Levitt stood up and said;
“More disturbing than the subjects of controversy at this meeting was the lack of cooperation received at all times on all issues from the east side due to the difference of subjective and objective thinking. That is, the west side is interested in the far-reaching ideal of research and pursuing a progressive course towards better care and aid for ALL handicapped children, not only our own in the schools…with or without you we are going to accomplish our purposes as long as we have a prayer in our hearts and breath in our bodies to do so!”
Two years later, the Spokane chapter filed for dissolution of its own chapter but would eventually agree to work alongside the Seattle sect, under the new organization now known as the WARC.
In our next installment, the shift towards the inclusion of children with disabilities continues as parents of the ARC of the United States and its chapters across the country begin a unified set of battles for their children’s right to a public education
Special thanks to Gary Tonks, President of the Ohio Chapter of the ARC of Ohio for his contributions!
Additional information on the ARC of Washington was gathered from Larry Jones’s 2010 book Doing Disability Justice.
*Correction: Washington became a state in 1889 and the Compulsory Education Act was passed in 1890 which required parents to send students with disabilities to the State School for Defective Youth. Something to keep in mind as well about this law: If parents or school district officials did not report on a child’s progress in school, they could be fined up to $200, which would be exactly $6,633.76 in today’s money! https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/1890?amount=200
In today’s episode of Activate, former longtime director of the Bloomington Volunteer Network Bet Savich talks about Friends of Lake Monroe, a grassroots volunteer organization safeguarding the source of Bloomington’s drinking water. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday April 24th, 2023.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores urban permaculture and village building with Mark Lakeman, the eco architect and place maker behind Portland Oregon’s City Repair Project. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Bet Savich from Friends of Lake Monroe. We’ll hear more from her later in the show about grassroots volunteer efforts to protect the source of Bloomington’s drinking water. That’s on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On April 19th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, the Health Department update was given by Administrative Assistant Jaimmie Ford.
Ford also showed the public how to access the resources available on their website.
Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator Christine McAfee gave a department update on the Probationary Advisory Workgroup.
Later, the Commissioners heard from Parks and Recreation Assistant Director John Roberston. He asked the commissioners to approve a service agreement with Graber Post Buildings, Inc.
The commissioners unanimously approved the service agreement.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on April 27th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores urban permaculture and village building with Mark Lakeman, the eco architect and place maker behind Portland Oregon’s City Repair Project, which has inspired communities around the world to transform their neighborhoods into art installations and food forests. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
In today’s episode of Activate, former longtime director of the Bloomington Volunteer Network Bet Savich talks about Friends of Lake Monroe, a grassroots volunteer organization safeguarding the source of Bloomington’s drinking water. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured animal: Brynn, a dog at the Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Brynn is a super loving American Staffordshire Terrier Mix, just under 5 years old. She has been enjoying the play yard pool at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter and splashes around after lounging in the sun. Brynn enjoys both her solo time and playing with pals outside. She has multiple skin issues, and shelter staff can advise on how to help her in the future in a new home. The appearance of her skin has improved with time. She loves to snuggle, but also has an independent personality where she is content to do her own thing.
Featured topic: Canine skin disorders
According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, there are a number of possible skin disorders in dogs, including: allergies, hot spots, flea bites, pyoderma, ringworm, and mange. Tune in to the episode to learn about causes and symptoms of these disorders.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Dakota Curtis & The Dark joined us at Orbit Room on March 8, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Songs:
- “Cry Baby Blues”
- “November Rose”
- “Fistful of Flowers”
- “Boulevards On Fire”
- “Harlan County”
- “Another 5’er”
- “Animal”
Band members:
- Dakota Curtis
- Devin Brown
- Eric Fritz
- Peter Doyle
Credits
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Spence Taylor
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer and MC: Jar Turner
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- Post-production by Jim Lang
On March 28th, 2023, Dallas Ugly joined us for a Firehouse Session interview and performance before their performance at The Blockhouse Bar.
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Jar Turner
Post-Production: Jim Lang
The U.S. was shaken this week by the death of Lashawn Thompson in Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail. He had been moved to the psychiatric ward after being jailed on a simple battery charge. Physically healthy when he was arrested, he was left in a cell infested with bed bugs and other vermin. Michael Harper, an attorney for Thompson’s family, said he had been “eaten alive,” with over 1000 bites on his body. This is only the latest scandal to rock Atlanta-area jails, which hold thousands of people in brutal conditions of neglect.
In order to think more broadly about the context of medical and psychiatric care in prison, we are sharing an earlier Kite Line episode this week featuring a conversation on the subject between Michelle Jones, Anastazia Schmid, and Micol Seigel. Recorded in 2016 while Jones and Schmid were both still incarcerated, we are happy to report that both women have since been released. Jones is one of the authors of the recent book, WHO WOULD BELIEVE A PRISONER Indiana Women’s Carceral Institutions, 1848–1920.
This month our host, Jim Allison, talked to Julie Duhon and Haddie Katz, co-founders of the Tandem Community Birth Center and Postpartum House, which recently opened in Bloomington. Tandem is now offering to change that position by offering birthing services, but preconception support, and prenatal and post-natal care. It also provides gynecological services to all women of all ages. Lactation care is also provided. Together they talked about maternal health in Indiana and Bloomington. Indiana currently ranks 46th out of 50 for maternal health, and in Bloomington, only 20.6% of women receive adequate early prenatal care. One issue with Indiana, says Katz and Duhon, is the significant rural population that does not have this type of care and for whom the closure of rural hospitals has resulted in a lack of access to care. The lack of transportation too, says Katz is a major hurdle to maternal health care.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 19th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Deep Dive: WFHB and the Limestone Post Investigate, where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Travel Trouble on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.
But first, your feature report:
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed.
Over the next several weeks, WFHB News will continue to look into how Bloomington and Monroe County are planning on distributing the funds, and compare how other local governments are managing the settlement fund distribution next week on Deep Dive. Stay tuned.
Up next, Travel Trouble on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. We are looking into the Opioid Settlement Fund, and how the money will be distributed. We talk to IU Researcher Jon Agley, Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance Nick Voyles, and we featured perspectives from other local officials.
Deep Dive is made in collaboration with the Limestone Post. Local Journalist Rebecca Hill’s story can be found here.
We will continue to look into how Bloomington and Monroe County are planning on distributing the funds, and compare how other local governments are managing the settlement fund distribution next week.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/deep-dive-ep-8-for-web.mp3
Welcome to the 76th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we asked Rebecca Valeriano-Flores who works in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, to share her thoughts on the importance of uplifting students of color’s voices through programs like Activate O’Neill, which she created and piloted in the 2023 school year.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Rebecca Valeriano-Flores
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 18th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee announced that local officials will tour county owned property south of Catalent as a potential site for the new jail. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Lil Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee
During public comment at the Community Justice Response Committee on April 17th, concerned resident Marc Haggerty complained about proposed locations for the new jail and the poor conditions of the current jail.
Public Engagement Director for the City of Bloomington Kaisa Goodman announced that a handful of local officials will tour the county-owned Thomson property south of Catalent as a potential site for the new jail. Goodman criticized the lack of city involvement in the committee.
City Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith said she wants to see the committee prioritize treatment rather than incarceration. Smith called out the lack of transparency in the C-J-R-C and said she’d like to see more city involvement.
The committee then heard a presentation from architectural firm D-L-Z regarding the design of a potential new jail. To listen to the full presentation and discussion, visit this link. The next C-J-R-C meeting will happen on May 1st.
Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.On April 12th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith spoke about democracy.
Next, Mayor John Hamilton shared information on the cost of annexation litigation.
Council Member Steve Volan asked Hamilton if city staff can put together a report on the TIF or Tax Increment Financing that the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission uses to invest in projects like Switchyard Park and The Mill. Hamilton responded.
Hamilton said it would take a few weeks to have the staff compile a list of investments they have done over the years.
Next, Innovation Director Devta Kidd gave a report on the Sidewalk Innovation Project.
Kidd explained what the impact of unmaintained sidewalks is, and shared the ideas the community came up with to help solve the problem.
Kidd also shared that they are going to keep researching alternatives to historical sidewalks, and in the meantime make sure that the ones that are in disrepair are addressed. They also talked about putting visual markers on the ground where trash cans should go that would ensure residents do not put their trash cans on the sidewalk.
Kidd also shared that they will start to use alternative materials like recycled plastic instead of cement for sidewalks.
Council Member Dave Rollo asked Kidd about the sample size used to determine the support of the ideas. Kidd responded that the sample size was 20. Rollo suggested that a larger survey be taken to get a better representation on the public’s perspective on the ideas.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on April 19th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Lil Fund. We turn now to that program.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Lil Bub is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Over the next few weeks, Bring It On! will attempt to reach out to candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor of Bloomington: Don Griffin, Susan Sandberg, and Kerry Thomson. Today on Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with former Deputy Mayor and local businessman, Don Griffin, who is running for Mayor of Bloomington.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 17th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) on bills moving through the Indiana Legislature that relate to the ecological health of our state. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Bloomington therapist Li Meuser, from a local coalition called Building a Thriving Compassionate Community. We’ll hear more from her later in the show about this network of individuals and organizations hosting trauma-informed trainings on the root causes of social problems in Monroe County. That’s on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 12th Director Emergency Management Jamie Neibel gave an update on the work they have been doing to provide support after the tornado.
Commissioners Penny Githens reminded residents that they can sign up for the community alert system to be informed of weather related events in the future. Githens said that residents can sign up on the county website under the Emergency Managements page.
During public comment Monroe County Resident David Rubel spoke in favor of Sheriff Ruben Marté, and said he appreciated that they added mattresses to sleep on in the drunk tank.
Also during public comment President of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Eric Spoonmore urged the commissioners to create the Capital Improvements Board in light of legislation proposed at the state level to change the way the Food and Beverage Tax can be used.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on April 19th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from the Indiana State House in a conversation with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) on bills moving through the Indiana Legislature that relate to the ecological health of our state. To hear the full interview, listen on the latest edition of Eco Report Extra.
In this episode of Activate, Tara Green and Li Meuser talk about Building a Thriving Compassionate Community, a network of individuals and organizations hosting trauma-informed trainings and discussions promoting actionable change on the root causes of social problems in Monroe County.
This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode of Activate, Tara Green and Li Meuser talk about Building a Thriving Compassionate Community, a network of individuals and organizations hosting trauma-informed trainings and discussions promoting actionable change on the root causes of social problems in Monroe County.
This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
In this week’s edition of Eco Report EXTRA, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from the Indiana State House in a conversation with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) on bills moving through the Indiana Legislature that relate to the ecological health of our state.
Maloney is the prime emissary of the HEC to the State Legislature and he follows bills and budget considerations as they bounce through the complicated machinations of state government. He voices HEC’s opposition or support for provisions, budget items or entire bills as they make their way through the byzantine process of becoming official policy.
Roze and Maloney discuss which legislation has died in Committee, been watered down or voted down as it travels between the House and Senate or has advanced into law in the Indiana General Session.
They touch upon the constituencies involved, the impact that the quality of life and the environment have on business interests and economic development, the health effects of deregulation and limits on government authority to manage chemical pollution and land use.
They discuss how firefighters and others are being exposed to harmful products like PFAS “forever chemicals”, ways to address lead in the drinking water at day-care centers and preschools as well as the broader community by testing and upgrading infrastructure, legislation impacting wetlands conservation, protecting water tables from coal ash repositories, sewage systems and agricultural run off.
Other issues are explored, like recycling solar and wind technology at the “end of life” of renewable energy equipment, energy audits and efficiency in government operations and buildings as eliminating wasteful government spending, ways to fund initiatives, organizations, programs and agencies.
They discuss the health and scope of the Hoosier Environmental Council and the broader movement to align government, business and society with an ecological ethic, ways to protect the ecosystem and human health, the interests fighting progress in these areas and what it will take to get results and make change.
For further information on the activities of the Hoosier Environmental Council including policy initiatives and Earth Month events, go to www.hecweb.org.
Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.
This episode was hosted by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Good afternoon. This is Eco Report for Friday, April 14th, 2023.
Coming up in this half hour, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council about what’s going on in the Indiana Legislature this year regarding matters directly impacting our Ecosystem.
And now for your environmental reports:
Indiana Legislature Does Bidding of Coal Interests
The Indiana Legislature has done the bidding of the coal interests and made rooftop solar power much less attractive.
Since 2004, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has required the state’s five investor-owned, for-profit utility companies to offer net metering to all electric customers. The policy allowed those customers to sell their extra energy back to utilities at the same rate utilities charged customers for electricity.
A bill approved by legislators in 2017 started to phase out that system, with the official end date landing on July 1, 2022. Now all five investor-owned utilities have been approved for instantaneous metering. The system lets utilities charge customers the retail rate for power they use from the grid. Energy customers send back to the utility is then bought at the lower, wholesale rate.
Add it all up, and the new, lower rates represent some of the most dramatic cuts to net-metering policies in the country, according to Ben Inskeep, program director of Citizen Action Coalition of Indiana, the state’s largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization.
“We really are an outlier in terms of having really terrible rooftop solar compensation policies in place,” he said. It’s much, much worse than many states in the country, and it’s worse than any of our neighbors.
The legislators have amply proven they have no interest in taking the steps necessary to mitigate climate change.
Massive Fire Breaks Out at Recycling Facility in Richmond
Photo courtesy of Michael Conroy, Associated Press.The massive fire that broke out at a Recycling Facility in Richmond Indiana on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of citizens and residents within a half mile radius of the property, was contained to the site. Water from the dousing of the fire was to be contained on the site for treatment.
The Facility , which stored plastic for resale was repeatedly cited by the City of Richmond for the state of the building and grounds as a fire hazard, but ignored those citations according to Richmond Mayor Dave Snow and was recently ruled against in Court.
E-P-A and Health Department officials assured the public that threats from particulate matter could affect the elderly, those with chronic health conditions like C-O-P-D and Asthma, and though the smoke was sure to include carcinogenic compounds, the twenty four hour monitoring equipment did not detect harmful levels in the air and the water supply. The plume of burning plastic could, however,be hazardous to pulmonary health of both people and pets.
Residents were advised that N95 masks would help filter out particulates and advised to not mow debris blown from the site into their yards as it may contain things like Asbestos insulation and other toxic materials.
Richmond is home to some thirty-five thousand people, and folks downwind were advised to close their windows and bring pets inside. Temporary shelters were set up and provisions were being made for hotel rooms as the black cloud crossed the border into Ohio.
EPA Tightens Limits on Mercury and other Pollutants from Power Plants
According to the New York Times, the coal people are not pleased with the latest move by the EPA to tighten limits on mercury and other pollutants from power plants. A new rule would reduce mercury, arsenic, nickel and lead emissions, which the Biden administration said would protect public health.
The Biden administration said that it would require coal- and oil-fired power plants to reduce emissions of several hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems in infants and children. The proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency has two broad policy aims: Reduce dangerous toxins in the environment, while also encouraging the transition away from coal-burning power plants and toward cleaner energy sources like solar and wind.
The proposal sets up a likely legal battle with the coal industry and several Republican-led states, which fought to block a previous effort to regulate mercury under the Obama administration. The Obama-era rule, which took effect in 2012, was credited with reducing mercury emissions by about 90 percent.
However, the EPA found that mercury coming from power plants still posed a risk to human health. So the new rule aims to strengthen the limits for mercury emissions from affected coal-burning power plants by 70 percent. It also would further restrict other toxic pollutants like lead, nickel and arsenic.
Michael S. Regan, the administrator of the EPA, said in a statement that the rule would not be expensive for plant operators to implement because of new technologies that are available for monitoring and controlling of emissions.
“By leveraging proven emissions-reduction measures available at reasonable costs and encouraging new, advanced control technologies, we can reduce hazardous pollution from coal-fired power plants, protecting our planet and improving public health for all,” Mr. Regan said.
The E.P.A. estimated that the health benefits over the lifetime of the rule would be between $2.4 billion and $3 billion, from the prevention of deaths or hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The agency put the estimated cost to the industry of complying with the rule at between $230 million and $300 million.
Helpful Tips for Morel Mushroom Season
Photo courtesy of Indiana Mushrooms.Morel mushroom time is here!
There was a report that someone found over 48 morel mushrooms recently in Brown County.
They are not easy to find. It is advisable to take a friend with you who knows how to find them. If you cannot find someone to help you, then here is how to go about it!
First of all, never eat a wild mushroom unless you are 100 percent certain what it is. Morel look-alikes do exist. And, don’t nibble on raw morels, which have toxins that are destroyed by cooking. If you have a guidebook, take it with you. You never know when you might need it.
Also, you need to learn the species of trees associated with morels. Hunting morels is often a matter of looking up for the right trees rather than in search of a brown thing down in the dirt. People around here tell me that you need to look for old apple trees.
The weather has a lot to do with morel growth. They tend to pop up after a warm, spring rain. Some morels are triggered by fire. So, if you know of a burn site, you might want to check it out.
Good luck with your hunt and happy eating! And don’t tell anyone where you found them!
BP Proposes Carbon Capture and Storage in Northern Indiana
Photo courtesy of NWI Times.The Herald Journal of Monticello reports that British Petroleum proposes carbon capture and storage in northern Indiana.
In a series of open houses throughout the area, BP is bringing information and proposals to county governments and landowners for carbon capture and storage through a process that takes carbon emissions, processes them into liquid form and pipes it thousands of feet underground to be stored “forever.” BP, which has an oil refinery in Whiting, is seeking permission from county board of commissioners to do seismic testing.
The London-based company proposes using the geology in White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Pulaski and Lake counties to store the carbon dioxide from its facilities in Whiting, as well as processing emissions from other manufacturers at depths of at least 3,000 ft in what is called Mt. Simon sandstone, which exists underneath Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
Helpful Tips to Go Native
“Plant the right plants and nature will come,” says Doug Tallamy, cofounder of the conservation project Homegrown National Park. Local wildlife populations have coevolved with their region’s native flora. If you get rid of the plants that animals depend on, the entire ecosystem can fall out of whack. Going native can replace what we have taken.
How you go native, depends on where you live. Both Audubon and the National Wildlife Federation have handy native-plant finders based on zip codes. Talk to your local nursery about what native plants it carries and be sure to ask for straight native, not nativars, which may carry attributes that make them less valuable to wildlife, like nutritionally deficient color and altered blooming times.
Native trees bundle long-lasting wildlife habitat with a host of other benefits, making these a high-impact choice in your yard. Oaks are rewilding superstars. Oaks are wildlife favorites that also sequester carbon, feed pollinators, and support healthy watersheds.
Putting Up Nesting Boxes and Bat Houses on Your Property
Have you ever thought about putting up nesting boxes and bat houses on your property? One of the key aspects of a wildlife habitat is shelter — cavity nesters, such as chickadees, need a safe space to build their nests while dodging predators and the elements. Nesting boxes can also attract various bird species that may not come to your feeders but are searching for a dwelling place.
The same idea extends to bat houses. Female bats need safe places to raise their young. When you provide them with a home, bats will eat mosquitoes, moths, and beetles in your yard and will be less likely to set up shop in your attic. If you aren’t sure about welcoming bats, know that they usually only give birth to one pup a year. And the brush pile you have been meaning to get around to? Plenty of animals don’t use cavities, so that brush is likely a fixture for creatures including sparrows, warblers, and bugs. So, leave it be!
And now for some upcoming events:
Learn about the Beauty of Bluebirds at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 15th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet in the auditorium at the Nature Center for a presentation detailing the amazing life and habits of the Eastern Bluebird.
Join the Indiana DNR for a free guided hike at the Donaldson Cave Nature Preserve at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, April 16th beginning at 10 am. This will be a one-hour hike both on and off the trail. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot. Registration is recommended.
Join the naturalist at Brown County State Park on Thursday, April 20th, from 3 to 3:45 pm for a Wildflower Walk. Learn about late spring and early summer wildflowers as you walk through the Nature Center gardens and woods.
Celebrate Earth Day with a Spring 5K Run or Walk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 22nd, beginning at 8:30 am. The race takes place on paved roads through the park. Register at https://friendsmccormickscreek.org/springrace.
Spring Mill State Park will have an Earth Day Celebration beginning at 10 am on Saturday, April 22nd, a day filled with fun activities, crafts, and hikes teaching you all about the importance of our natural resources.
Feature Report:
And now, we go to Zyro Roze discussing the Indiana Legislature with Tim Maloney of the Hoosier Environmental Council or HEC.
To hear Zyro’s full interview with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director of the HEC, you can find it online as an Eco Report EXTRA.
Volunteer Callout:
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Zyro Roze and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.
Anchors were Cynthia Roberts Hall and Julianna Dailey.
This week, we share the final part of a conversation about policing sex. Micol Seigel talks to Anne Gray Fischer about her book, The Streets Belong to Us: Sex, Race, and Police Power from Segregation to Gentrification. Today, their focus turns to Boston and Atlanta, discussing Boston’s vice district, known as the Combat Zone, and how the police used this zone to attract middle class white people for sexual tourism, while targeting, arresting, and banishing Black women in the area.
On the other hand, there was also a sustained pattern of arresting and banishing Black women in Atlanta, despite the presence of the Black political leadership there. White middle class businessmen created a campaign of sexual policing of Black people. Their group, Central Atlanta Progress Inc., shamed the Black leadership by threatening economic repercussions.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 12th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Who’s Not Who on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.
Feature Report:
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. Last month we looked into problems caused by the Housing Crisis, this month we will share possible solutions. This week, we wrap up our series on housing featuring testimony from Bloomington HAND Director John Zody, Mayor John Hamilton and Director of Real Estate Development for the Bloomington Housing Authority Nate Ferreria. Tune in next week at 5 pm for Deep Dive, where we will start to investigate into Opioid Settlement Fund distribution in Monroe County.
Up next, Who’s Not Who on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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. Last month we looked into problems caused by the Housing Crisis, this month we will share possible solutions. This week, we wrap up our series on housing featuring testimony from Bloomington HAND Director John Zody, Mayor John Hamilton and Director of Real Estate Development for the Bloomington Housing Authority Nate Ferreria. Tune in next week at 5 pm for Deep Dive, where we will start to investigate into Opioid Settlement Fund distribution in Monroe County.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month Karen Green Stone interviews her co-host Dr. Rob Stone to bring us up to date on changes in Medicaid in Indiana, the threat to Medicare from privatization posed by Medicare Advantage plans, and the Indiana premier of the new movie American Hospitals. Healing a Broken System,to be shown at St Mark’s United Methodist Church at 100 SR-46 W, Bloomington, at 7 pm on Monday April 24th.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
Toolkit for protecting your Medicaid coverage
American Hospitals. Healing a Broken System web page and trailer.
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 11th, 2023.
Later in the program, Louisville officials held a press conference following a mass shooting at a downtown bank on Monday. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Criminal Justice Response Committee
The Monroe County Criminal Justice Response Committee met on April 3rd. During public comment Monroe County Resident Audrey Williams shared her concern that the commissioners have not been transparent in their discussions surrounding the architecture firm chosen to design the jail.
Also during public comment, Public Engagement Director for the City of Bloomington Kaisa Goodman shared that city staff met with County Attorney Jeff Cockerill to discuss possible locations for the new jail.
Next, the committee reviewed other jail facilities. County Council Member Pete Iverson shared a presentation on design concepts they thought were well done in the correctional facility in Franklin County, Ohio. The facility they toured was designed by D-L-Z, the firm the commissioners have chosen to design the new jail.
The Monroe County Commissioners asked to meet with Sheriff Ruben Marté at a Monroe County Commissioners Work Session to discuss an E-mail he sent to them asking for complete transparency. Commissioner Penny Githens said she would consider Council Member Jennifer Crossley’s suggestion to further discuss his E-mail at the next C-J-R-C meeting.
The next Monroe County Criminal Justice Response Committee meeting will be held on April 17th.
Louisville Officials Hold Press Conference after Mass Shooting at Downtown Bank
Warning: The following story contains accounts some people may find disturbing, including gun violence and mass shootings. Listener discretion is advised.
On Monday, a 25-year-old man shot and killed five colleagues at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky. Eight others were wounded, two of which remain in intensive care.
The gunman, who purchased an AR-15-style semi automatic rifle on April 4th, was killed by police after an exchange of gunfire.
Louisville officials provided updates yesterday on the mass shooting during a news conference. Interim Chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel gave a rundown on what happened on Monday.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg offered condolences to those who lost their lives and their families.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear condemned the act of violence, saying that mass shootings tear at the fabric of our society.
General Surgeon Dr. Jason Smith of the University of Louisville Health hospital discussed treating the victims.
Kentucky is one of 25 states that allow most adults over 21-year-old to purchase and carry a firearm without a license.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 11,500 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. in 2023. That’s an average of 115 deaths each day.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Professor Marvin Dunn (Emeritus)On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Marvin Dunn, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychology at Florida International University, retiring as the department chairman in 2006.
He has published numerous articles in leading newspapers on race and ethnic relations including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Orlando Sentinel and the Miami Herald. He is the author of the following books: The History of Florida: Through Black Eyes (Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 2016), and Black Miami in the Twentieth Century (University Press of Florida, 1997). He is one of the coauthors of This Land is Our Land, California (University of California Press, 2003) and The Miami Riot of 1980: Crossing the Bounds (Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath, 1984). However, these days, Dr. Dunn has turned his passion for history into a historical immersion experience called “Teach the Truth Tours”.
Several weeks ago, while guiding a group of tourists into Florida’s seamy past, Dr. Dunn was interviewed on MSNBC, by Podcast Producer Trymaine Lee. The Teach the Truth Tour, examines how Black people in Florida lived and died in the face of white supremacist violence. Here to tell us more about his research and these impactful and transformative truth tours is Dr. Marvin Dunn.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Our Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 10th, 2023.
Later in the program, the local chapter of the League of Women Voters hosted a mayoral candidate forum at the Tri North Middle School. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Pealer from the Community Bike Project, a volunteer-run do-it-yourself bicycle shop “re-cycling” hundreds of bikes back onto the streets of Bloomington every year. More from Pealer later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).On April 6th at the second Monroe County Election Board meeting of the week, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave an update on early voting.
During public comment, Local Journalist Dave Askins asked if the Election Board could verify that they received a letter from David Wolfe Bender. Browne responded that she had not personally received a letter from Bender. She said did get a letter from the I-D-S.
Both board members Donovan Garletts and David Henry said that they had received a copy from Browne.
County Attorney Molly Turner King shared that she received two letters that appear to be from Bender and his new lawyer.
Turner King also announced that the proxy Henry had assigned to the matter, Guy Loftman, resigned from the appointment of proxy.
Garletts responded that they should wait to formally receive the letters until they are able to verify the source of the letters. He also shared with the public that Loftman resigned from being a proxy for logistical reasons.
Browne thanked Loftman for his work standing in as proxy.
The Election Board will meet again the day before the 2023 Primary Election, on Monday, May 1st.
League of Women Voters Hosts Mayoral Candidate Forum
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.Last Monday, the local chapter of the League of Women Voters hosted a mayoral candidate forum at the Tri North Middle School.
Bloomington mayoral candidates Susan Sandberg, Don Griffin and Kerry Thomson all attended the candidate forum. They discussed affordable housing, homelessness, climate change and their vision for the city if elected to the mayor’s office.
During her opening remarks, candidate Susan Sandberg – who currently holds a position of Bloomington’s City Council – discussed her credentials in light of the mayoral campaign.
Kerry Thomson was the former CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Monroe County. Right now, she’s the executive director of IU’s Center for Rural Engagement. Thomson said her executive leadership would serve her well as mayor if elected.
Don Griffin was deputy mayor for the City of Bloomington from March 2021 until December of last year. He also owns Griffin Realty. Griffin touted his achievements during his opening statement.
Each of the candidates were asked how they would alleviate the problems facing the city’s unhoused population. Griffin said that a collaboration between the county and the city would be essential in addressing the housing crisis.
Sandberg agreed that partnerships and collaborations would need to be a key element to address homelessness. She brought up the Heading Home initiative through United Way and other community partners as a step in the right direction.
Thomson said the way to solve this crisis is by building more affordable housing. She also reiterated the values of the Heading Home partnership.
In the same vein, moderator Laura Rusk – a student at IU’s Mauer School of Law – asked all three Democratic candidates what their first step would be to address the need for affordable housing. Sandberg responded first.
Then, Thomson responded by acknowledging the complexity of the housing crisis. She discussed her five-point plan on housing.
Griffin then offered his views on affordable housing. He agreed that the 2020 Housing Study would need an update. Griffin discussed the “Missing Middle,” the new Hopewell neighborhood and annexation.
The full candidate forum is available on CATS – Community Access Television Services. To watch or listen to the forum, you can visit catstv.net.
The primaries will happen on May 2nd, and the election will occur on November 7th. Stay tuned for more coverage of the mayor’s race on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Report:
In this episode, Pealer from the Community Bike Project talks about this volunteer-run do-it-yourself bicycle shop “re-cycling” hundreds of bikes back onto the streets of Bloomington every year. We turn now to the latest edition of Activate on the WFHB Local News. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode, Pealer from the Community Bike Project talks about this volunteer-run do-it-yourself bicycle shop “re-cycling” hundreds of bikes back onto the streets of Bloomington every year. We turn now to the latest edition of Activate on the WFHB Local News. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
WFHB welcomes High Street Jack to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, April 8, from 11am to noon for melodic, hard driving, blues rock featuring a fantastic assortment of established musicians. Listen on air or join our audience free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, to the fantastic three-part harmonies of High Street Jack, performing live on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, April 8, at 11am, on WFHB.
Andy Mahler on Protecting Our Woods
Burning Buffalo Springs and Beyond
In this week’s Eco Report EXTRA, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze has a conversation with veteran grassroots activist and former host of WFHB’s flagship public affairs program ‘Interchange’, Andy Mahler, much beloved songster and tree hugger renown in the region for his decades of doggedly defending the environment, building conscious community centered on social justice and seeking harmony with natural ecosystems.
They discuss the recent listening session bequeathed by Senator Mike Braun that was supposed to be a final chance to voice concerns about the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project log and burn plan for parts of the Hoosier National Forest, but turned out to be about the beginning of public input on revising the 2006 Forest Plan on which Buffalo Springs was predicated. They also address the injunction by a Federal Judge halting a prescribed burn in Houston South, a half hour from Bloomington Indiana, over potential effects on the water quality of Lake Monroe, the area’s primary source of drinking water and the possible impact of this injunction on Buffalo Springs and the new plan being drafted for the wider Hoosier National Forest.
They also touch on government policy and financial incentives regarding logging and fire suppression, the differences between the Temperate Hardwood forests of Indiana and the situation out West of massive forest fires which have prompted the outlay of federal funds for prescribed burns all across the country.
They further discuss the diverse communities of organisms that comprise our public forests, threats to endangered species, native flora and fauna, the effects of Climate Change, ways to mitigate the worst scenarios by retaining wildlife habitat, preventing Carbon from being released by disrupting natural sequestration “entfrastructure”, the healing and edifying qualities of being in Nature, the critical importance of protecting clean water sources and the ecosystems which maintain its purity and retain moisture, thereby preventing fire hazards.
They also explore the modern mechanistic paradigm, how to reclaim lost cultural heritage and history, remarking on the legacy of Buffalo Trace, colonial conquest of the biosphere, cultures like the Druids, lessons from ancient Mesopotamian myth and archaic law tablets that regulated deforestation in some of the earliest civilizations and the balance that must be struck to prevent degradation of the human spirit and the livability of the planet for all life and future generations.
Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.
This episode was hosted by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
The music featured in this episode of Eco Report EXTRA:
‘The Song of Buffalo Springs’
by Robert Hoyt
Performed by Wyatt Blankenship (with Andy Mahler leading the crowd chorus)
Performed at a public meeting with Senator Mike Braun at the Orange County Community Center in Paoli, Indiana.
Hello and welcome to Eco-Report.
For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey
And I’m Frank Marshalek
Coming up later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze has an update on developments regarding regional forest protection efforts in a recent interview with Andy Mahler of Protect Our Woods, following a public meeting in Paoli earlier this week with Senator Mike Braun and the US Forest Service where some two hundred fifty people showed up, with the vast majority of those that rose to speak expressing opposition to the Buffalo Springs log and burn forest plan as it currently stands.
And now for your environmental reports:
- Last week we reported on pesticide use in common produce and listed the Dirty Dozen. This week we list the Clean Fifteen, as analyzed by the USDA and FDA. —Norm Holy
- The Indiana Environmental Reporter provides an update on a very old issue: coal ash. News that toxic waste from the recent Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio would be shipped to a landfill in Roachdale, Indiana has rung alarm bells with everyone from local residents to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has ordered testing of the waste for possibly dangerous levels of dioxins. —Norm Holy
- The Indiana Capitol Chronicle reports environmental activists decried the legislative process for a bill introduced in the current session, saying it clearly benefited some of the state’s most powerful while harming the average Hoosier.
—Norm Holy - To our dismay, the Indiana House pushed forward a bill reducing the few remaining state wetlands protections. —Julianna Dailey
- Despite scientists’ warnings, House Republicans passed a bill to boost fossil fuels amidst climate crisis. –Norm Holy
- Indiana resembles Kentucky in many ways. Kentucky is dead last in solar or wind power. Indiana is not far behind. —Norm Holy
- And now, Zyro Roze speaks with Andy Mahler of Protect Our Woods, an initiative of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org
And now for some upcoming events:
- Wildflower Weekend is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 8th, and Sunday, April 9th. Workshops, hikes and fun activities are scheduled each day. To see the full schedule, go to the DNR Calendar website.
Join Anthony at the Donaldson Cave Parking Log in Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm for a Full Pink Moon Hike. You will hike Trail 7 which is 2.25 miles long as you learn the history and folklore of the Full Pink Moon. - Join native plant and fungi guru David Mow for a guided tour of Porter West Preserve in Monroe County on Wednesday, April 12th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a Sycamore Land Turst event. To participate, go to sycamorelandtrust.org to register.
- A Salt Creek Wildflower Hike is scheduled at Monroe Lake at the U.S. Army Corps Overlook on Thursday, April 13th, from Noon to 2 pm. It is one of the best locations to see spring wildflowers in bloom at Monroe Lake. It is especially known for its white-blooming Virginia Bluebells. Sign up at bit.ly/saltcreekflowers-2023.
- Join the Bedford Hiking Club for a 5 or 10 K Volksmarch at Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Saturday, April 15th, from 9 am to 1 pm. Contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 to register.
And that wraps up our show for this week.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.
For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey.
And I am Frank Marshalek
And this is EcoReport.
First, we have our monthly round up of prison disturbances, as compiled by Perilous Chronicle. Afterwards, Angela Davis shares a statement in support of the Stop Cop City movement. And we finish sharing a panel hosted by Haymarket Books on the abolitionist struggle to Stop Cop City. In this section, we hear organizer Kwame Olufemi of Community Movement Builders and journalist Micah Herskind, who walk us through the current state of repression and momentum in the movement to Defend the Atlanta Forest.
You can hear our previous episodes with this panel on our website: kitelineradio.org
She and her husband, Jared Thompson, already own a Bloomington landmark, The Comedy Attic. So when it looked as though another town landmark, the used and rare book shop Caveat Emptor, was about to close, Dayna Thompson stepped in and bought the place. The Thompsons, she jokes, are out to corner the Bloomington market in break-even businesses. Now more than 50 years old, Caveat will remain open for the foreseeable future with a revitalized inventory and a spruced up shop space.
Dayna Thompson and her husband Jared.Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 75th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Ming Wang and Joanna Kung.
In this episode, we interviewed Toyia Moss, the Safe and City Director for Bloomington, to get a fresh perspective on the role of city government within IU, its students, and the community as a whole. Still reeling from the January hate crime on an Asian student, we discuss how to bridge the gaps between students and the community.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Toyia Moss
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Featured animals: Charlie Brown, George, and Rodney
Charlie Brown is a tiger, and George and Rodney are leopards at Exotic Feline Rescue Center. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear their stories!
Featured topic: Exotic Feline Rescue Center (EFRC)
Located in Center Point, Indiana, EFRC provides permanent homes for exotic felines that have been abused, abandoned, or for some reason have nowhere to live out their lives. They also educate the public about exotic cats. Tune in to learn more about their work!
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Today’s hosts of Bring It On!, William Hosea and Dana Black, spend the hour discussing and analyzing the impacts and implications of the first indictment of a former U.S. President, Donald J. Trump with two recurring Bring It On! guests:
Robin WinstonRobin Winston is a political strategist and former State Democratic Party Chair. In 1999, he made history when he became the first African-American to chair a major political party in Indiana. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Winston moved to Kentucky to pursue his education and start a career in business, government, and politics. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where he was elected president of the student body.
-and-
Joseph HoffmannIU Emeritus Law Professor Joseph Hoffman is an award-winning scholar and previous holder of the Harry Pratter Professorship, and past recipient of the Law School Gavel Award. He is a nationally recognized authority on the death penalty, he has also written extensively about criminal procedure and habeas corpus law. Hoffmann is co-author of a groundbreaking book on habeas corpus, Habeas for the 21st Century: Uses, Abuses and the Future of the Great Writ (University of Chicago Press, 2011) (with Nancy J. King). He is also a co-author of one of the leading casebooks in criminal procedure law, Comprehensive Criminal Procedure (Aspen 2nd ed. 2005) (with Allen, Livingston, and Stuntz).
Credits:
Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Dana Black.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 3rd, 2023.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Liz Barnhart from Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, a local food pantry that has grown into so much more as they fight to reduce Bloomington’s seventeen percent food insecurity rate. The national rate is ten point two percent. More from Barnhart later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Community School Corporation School Board Discusses School Safety and Inclusivity
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board met on March 28th. During public comment Reva Doliana asked the board to focus on safety at their schools in light of the most recent school shooting.
Next, Bloomington North High School student Sam Clark addressed the board about LGBTQ+ treatment in the schools.
Later, the board voted on a resolution to recommit to serve LGBTQIA+ students to ensure they have an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment.
Vice-President of the Board April Hennessey spoke in support of the resolution.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The next MCCSC board meeting will be held on April 25th.
Feature Reports:
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.In today’s feature report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. Roze and Linzey discuss the environmental attorney’s background, early career, legal triumphs and current court battles to secure civil rights for Ecosystems by conferring personhood to aspects of Nature under the law. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
Up next, we have Activate! on the WFHB Local News. In this episode, Liz Barnhart from Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard talks about the fight to reduce Bloomington’s 17 percent food insecurity rate. The national rate is 10.2 percent.
Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode, Liz Barnhart from Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard talks about the fight to reduce Bloomington’s 17 percent food insecurity rate. The national rate is 10.2 percent. Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is Eco Report for Friday, March 31st, 2023.
Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. Roze and Linzey discuss the environmental attorney’s background, early career, legal triumphs and current court battles to secure civil rights for Ecosystems by conferring personhood to aspects of Nature under the law.
And now for your environmental reports:
Clean Fifteen and The Dirty Dozen: Pesticides in Produce
Photo courtesy of Blue Book Services.U.S. grocery shoppers take note, EcoWatch is reporting on pesticides in produce. The Environmental Working Group released its 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, with its annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists of the conventional fruits and vegetables most and least likely to be contaminated with pesticides, and this year’s lists have important new additions.
In particular, blueberries and green beans were both added to the Dirty Dozen, with green beans even testing positive for a neurotoxic insecticide called acephate that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already banned.
The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists are based on tests of 47,000 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
This year’s round of tests uncovered 251 different pesticides on almost 75 percent of non-organic, fresh produce sold in the U.S. The worst offenders — rated by the percent of samples with two or more pesticides, the average number of pesticides per sample, //the average parts per million of pesticides found per sample//, the most pesticides found in one sample of the product or the total number of pesticides across all samples — make up the Dirty Dozen.
In 2023, the Dirty Dozen were: Strawberries, Spinach, Kale, collard and mustard greens, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Bell and hot peppers, Cherries, Blueberries, and Green beans.
As a group, the Dirty Dozen tested positive for 210 different pesticides, and at least one sample of each item tested positive for at least 13 pesticides, with some contaminated with up to 23. Strawberries, spinach and the trio of greens have hovered in the top spots for three years in a row. But blueberries and green beans broke with the past when they edged into the last two spots.
The shuffling on the lists partly reflects the fact that the USDA does not test every fruit and vegetable every year. The last time blueberries were tested, in 2014, 81 percent of samples tested positive for pesticides. During 2020’s and 2021’s testing, more than 90 percent of the samples were dusted in detectible pesticide residues.
The two pesticides of greatest concern found on blueberries were phosmet and malathion. These are both a type of insecticide known as an organophosphate. The recently banned chlorpyrifos is another example.
Organophosphates like chlorpyrifos are such a concern because they can be toxic for the brain, harming especially children’s cognitive development. Phosmet, which was found on more than 10 percent of blueberry samples, is currently banned in the European Union. Malathion, which was found on nine percent of samples, is permitted there only in greenhouses.
An organophosphate was also the most alarming pesticide found on green beans, with nearly seven percent of samples testing positive for either acephate or methamidophos, which acephate breaks down into. This despite the fact that the EPA banned acephate for use on green beans in 2011.
Next week we’ll provide the list of the clean 15.
Support WFHB’s News and Public Affairs Department During the 2023 Spring Fund Drive
The WFHB News Department needs your support in light of our 2023 Spring Fund Drive. Make your pledge by calling 812-323-1200 or make a donation through our website to support independent, environmental affairs coverage for South Central Indiana and beyond on WFHB Community Radio.
House Bill 1007 Passes Indiana House of Representatives
A bill that aims to create a statewide energy plan passed the state Senate unanimously on March 21, 2023.
HB1007 requires the state agency that oversees utilities to consider five things in most of its decisions: reliability, affordability, resiliency, stability and environmental sustainability.
The bill also cuts in half the amount of power utilities can buy from the grid during peak demand. That means they’d have to show they can generate about 85 percent of their energy themselves or from contracts with other companies.
It will be interesting to see what happens next. The legislature is promoting small nuclear and carbon capture. They are both very expensive and if adopted, would require a big rate hike. The legislature has been against wind and solar, even though they are both proven and the least expensive options going forward.
Federal Judge Bars U.S. Forest Service from Planned Burns in Hoosier National Forest
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.An injunction Wednesday barring the U.S. Forest Service from beginning planned burns in the Hoosier National Forest this weekend was issued by a Federal Judge.
The US Forest Service was sued by Monroe County Commissioners and the Hoosier Environmental Council and the Indiana Forest Alliance, who stated that the prescribed burns would be occurring near steep slopes that drain into Lake Monroe, one half-hour south of Bloomington. Lake Monroe is the source of drinking water for nearly 150,000 Hoosiers.
Documents submitted to the court contend that these planned burns will “significantly exacerbate the degradation of these waters and threaten public health safety and reactional interests in the Lake Monroe watershed.”
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, who issued the order, stated that the Forest Serviced failed to take a “hard look” at the consequences of the planned burn.
The Forest Service plans to hold three burns covering 3,500 acres of the Hoosier National Forest this year, with up to 13,000 acres over a 10-to-15-year period as part of the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that we reported on last week.
This may have some effect on what might be the final Public Input meeting happening on Monday April 3rd, from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Orange County Community Center in Paoli Indiana, where activists and citizens will have access to public officials including Senator Mike Braun who has set up the event in response to grassroots pressure to reconsider the present Forest Plan, to open up the process and consider preferred alternatives submitted by regional environmental groups.
Feature Report:
And now, let’s listen into today’s feature report as Zyro Roze discusses environmental issues with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.Upcoming Events:
- Learn about Bloomington’s local frogs during the Frog Songs class at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 1st, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Did you know that there are frogs that chirp? Others whistle, croak, ribbit, peep, cluck, bark and grunt. Springtime is a great ime to appreciate the chorus of frog sounds. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
- Learn more about the proposed Buffalo Springs Restoration Project and access Forest Service officials and Senator Mike Braun during a special public input meeting this Monday, April First at the Orange County Community Center, located at 1057 Sandy Hook Rd Ste 2, in Paoli, Indiana 47454. This may be the last opportunity to put forth alternatives and voice opposition to the logging and burning planned for some 13,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest.
- A “Sky Dance” and Twilight Hike will take place at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Friday, April 7th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Join guest hike leader and naturalist, Cathy Meyer for an evening of exploration along the boardwalk trails. A chorus of amphibians will be the backdrop as you search for the woodcock’s famous mating ritual, the “sky dance.”
- Take the Full Pink Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, April 7th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Join the naturalist for a guided night hike around Lake Ogle to learn the history and folklore of the Full Pink Moon. Trail 7 is considered rugged in the dark and will be muddy in spots.
- Wildflower Weekend will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 7th through Sunday, April 9th. Workshops, hikes and fun activities are scheduled each day. To see the full schedule, go to the DNR Calendar website.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Zyro Roze.
Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.
Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey and Zyro Roze compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.
Tomorrow’s April Fool’s Day, so keep your wits about you!
This week we continue sharing a panel hosted by Haymarket Books on the abolitionist struggle to stop Cop City. In this section, we hear Hugh Farrell in conversation with Sarah Haley, a leading historian of Black feminism in the South, organizer Kwame Olufemi of Community Movement Builders, and journalist Micah Herskind. Haley roots contemporary resistance to Cop City within a longer Black abolitionist trajectory, while Olufemi and Herskind walk us through the current state of repression and momentum in the Stop Cop City movement.
Our first parts of the panel are here and here.
You can find out more at: https://defendtheatlantaforest.org/
If you want to watch the panel online, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWwJkxxMuhQ
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 29th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive
You’re listening to the WFHB Local News during our Spring Fund Drive. The WFHB Local News is a volunteer-powered, thirty minute newscast that reports on government meetings, local headlines and daily feature reports. This award-winning news program is a special part of our community – empowering citizens to become journalists and creating an inclusive space for concerned residents to become a part of the local news media landscape. WFHB’s vibrant news department couldn’t happen without you. From programs like the WFHB Local News, to Bring It On, Hola Bloomington, Eco Report, Kite Line and more – funding for the news department comes from listeners like you.
With all of that said, WFHB’s News Department needs your help in order to continue providing a diverse array of news and public affairs programming each and every week for you to learn, become inspired and take action on issues in South Central Indiana. The WFHB Local News needs to raise 200 dollars during this very program to keep this program alive and well on the airwaves. To make a pledge, please call 812-323-1200. Again that’s 812-323-1200. Or you can visit our website and make a donation safely and securely through our website. Thank you for listening and thank you for supporting WFHB Community Radio.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on March 22nd, Director of the Library Grier Carson gave his monthly report.
He also updated the board on the Southwest Branch’s construction. He shared that the construction is on schedule for the grand opening on Friday June 9th.
Next, the board heard from Kyle Wickemyer-Hardy who presented proposed changes to the bereavement leave policy.
Board Member Kari Esarey supported the change to allow staff members to ask for additional time off if needed. She asked for clarification that the five day allotment was per bereavement leave. Wickemyer-Hardy responded.
The board voted to amend the bereavement leave policy unanimously.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on April 19th.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for his archived edition of “Lawyers, Schools, and Access: A Journey through the History of Judicial Decisions in Special Education Part I” on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured animal: Cierra
We’ve featured Cierra before, but she still needs our help! Cierra is a very cuddly and goofy dog, about 4 years old. Although she spends most of her time in a foster home, she’s been waiting for her forever home for over a year. She loves her people, snoozing in the sun, and relaxing on couches. She is an expert at catching a bouncing tennis ball and taking treats gently. Cierra knows just what to do when she hears “outside” and always goes potty in the yard. She does not do well with other animals and can be nervous of new people, especially men. If you’re looking to have a solo dog and willing to spend a couple of minutes letting them warm up to you, meet Cierra. To meet or adopt Cierra, call the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Recent animal hoarding situation
We had the chance to talk with Emily Herr, the Outreach and Behavior Coordinator for the Bloomington Animal Shelter. Shelter staff, with community help, recently seized over fifty dogs from an animal hoarding situation. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn further details about the situation, how it was handled, what community members can do to assist the shelter, and the importance of voicing concerns as well as being kind.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 28th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Ruth Flegmann reported on a protest and march criticizing Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive
You’re listening to WFHB Local News. It’s our Spring Fund Drive here at WFHB, and we need your support to keep local, independent journalism alive and well on the airwaves. WFHB is a training ground for community members of South Central Indiana to gain experience in learning how to produce local news. Community radio is a rare gem, and we are proud to be a community radio station with a vibrant news department. But it costs money to produce a daily local newscast. We need YOUR support in order to keep the WFHB Local News up and running throughout the week.
If you support this kind of independent journalism, please consider donating during tonight’s show. We need to raise 200 dollars during this very program. That goal happens by one donation at a time. So please, give us a call at 812-323-1200. Again, that’s 812-323-1200. You can also visit our website to make a safe and secure donation through our website. Thank you for supporting your community radio station, WFHB.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On March 23rd the Monroe County Commissioners heard from Director of the Planning Department Jackie Nester-Jelen shared with the commissioners that they will be holding focus group meetings for the County Development Ordinance.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve a change order for the Sample Road project. Ridge explained that they tested the soil, and found that they need to switch from lime to cement for stabilization.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked Ridge for an update on the construction at Sample East and Sample West roads, and shared she has received calls from residents asking about when the construction is expected to be finished by. Ridge responded.
The commissioners approved the change order unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 29th.
Feature Reports:
WFHB Correspondent Ruth Flegmann reported on a protest and march criticizing Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination. Flegmann has more.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ruth Flegmann reported on a protest and march criticizing Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination. Flegmann has more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ruth Flegmann.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 27th, 2023.
Later in the program, it’s WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. WFHB News Anchors Deke Hager, Benedict Jones and Grace Romine will be cutting in throughout the program to ask for your support. More coming up in today’s show.
That’s Bloomington animal welfare advocate Cathi Eagan, founder of Canine Express, a volunteer-run nonprofit transporting dogs from overcrowded shelters to places where they can find loving homes. We’ll hear more from her later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community. But first, your daily headlines:
WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive
It’s WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. The WFHB Local News is an award winning news and public affairs program that highlights what’s happening in South Central Indiana produced in large part by volunteers. This kind of programming is rare, but we aim to be a training ground for volunteers looking to learn the craft of radio journalism.
WFHB is one of the few independent sources of news in Monroe County, and we’re proud to carry on the longstanding tradition of news and public affairs for Bloomington, Monroe County, Ellettsville and Nashville.
But, in order to maintain the WFHB Local News four nights a week, we need your support. We need to raise 200 dollars during this very program to meet our goal for Fund Drive. So please, give us a call at 812-323-1200 or visit our website to make a donation. Every amount helps to reach that goal of 200 dollars. Again, call us at 812-323-1200 and make your pledge today. Thank you for your time and thank you for your support!
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on March 23rd the board discussed how they can respond to the claims that a candidate for Bloomington City Council District 6 was running under false pretenses of living in the district.
A previous member of the board, Guy Loftman sat in the place of David Henry for the meeting. Loftman introduced himself and explained that he is serving as proxy for Henry since Henry is the chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party and abstained from the conversation.
Loftman outlined what he knew about the case of David Wolfe Bender. Loftman said that he believes they should open an investigation into it, and have a public hearing where Bender is able to speak.
Loftman suggested that they refer the case to the prosecutor’s office.
Chair of the Board Donovan Garletts asked for clarification on which election codes were applicable. County Attorney Molly Turner King responded.
She shared that the board does not have the ability to fine Bender, but said that they can publicly threaten to penalize him.
County Clerk Nicole Browne said she wanted to ensure the investigation is taken seriously. She suggested they take action to show that someone cannot falsify their residency without facing consequences.
The board set an official hearing date for May 18th to hear from David Wolfe Bender.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on April 6th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Activate! Featuring real people working for positive change in our community. In this episode, animal welfare advocate Cathi Eagan talks about Canine Express, a volunteer-run nonprofit transporting dogs from overcrowded shelters to places where they can find loving homes. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. We turn now to Activate on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode, animal welfare advocate Cathi Eagan talks about Canine Express, a volunteer-run nonprofit transporting dogs from overcrowded shelters to places where they can find loving homes. Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
On today’s Bring It On! broadcast, hosts Clarence Boone and Leila Randle spend the hour with Solange Marcum. Solange provides a very impressive list of cosmetic services while operating under a unique business model as also an instructor & owner of Lash Envy Academy. She joins us this evening to share her remarkable story – a journey to being a successful black businesswoman.
Solange MarcumSolange Marcum is the owner/operator of Lé Esthetics – providing her customers with luxurious spa treatments specializing in customizable eyelash extensions, keratin lash lifts, cosmetic tattooing, Spa Facials, and HydraFacial. As a licensed makeup artist, she offers airbrush and free-hand makeup applications, lash and brow tint, brow lamination, spray tans, waxing, dermaplaning, facials, teeth whitening, teeth jewels, medical peels, body treatments, and more! Lé Esthetics is located at 619 North Morton Street.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Leila Randle.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Featured animal: Posh, a Manx cat currently residing at the Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Posh is a dignified old lady who enjoys getting up in your business, napping next to you, and playing fetch. She is front declawed and diabetic, but she takes her insulin without fuss and is on a special diet. She has no adoption fee! To get this loving girl out of the shelter and into your lap, you may reach out to the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Local hoarding / unauthorized breeding operation
On Friday, March 17, the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control seized 68 dogs and puppies from a hoarding / unauthorized breeding operation. Community members can assist by providing short-term foster care for shelter dogs that have been in the care of the animal shelter. To learn more about the foster program or complete an online application, visit this webpage. Bedding or monetary donations are also needed at this time. Any questions regarding donations can be directed to Bloomington Animal Care and Control at 812-349-3492.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Silvia Josefina joined us at Orbit Room on March 8, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Songs:
- Endless Sea
- Rearview Whisper
- Houseboat on The Thames
- With Ease
- Unruly Water
Credits
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Spence Taylor
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Venue Sound Engineer: Jared Coyle
- Post-production by Jim Lang
In this week’s Eco Report EXTRA, correspondent Zyro Roze gets an in depth update from Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), on the latest developments regarding grassroots activists’ pressure on state officials to rethink the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project to allow more public input, greater agency transparency and fuller assessment of economic and environmental impacts of proposed increases in logging and prescribed burning over hundreds of thousands of acres of Indiana forest lands.
Steven puts forth a call for considering a compromise between the all or nothing options thus far put forth, as IFA seeks to secure bipartisan support for broadening the topics included when planning how to manage public forests in light of climate change, with thought toward endangered species, water quality challenges and local economies built on nature tourism and outdoor recreation. Topics touched on are upcoming events, organizations with campaigns to change the current forest plan, the ecosystem services provided by our state’s remaining forests, preserving wildlife habitat, protecting some of the cleanest water sources left from erosion and chemical treatments, other examples of similar forest management in the region, differences from other areas of the country, and ways for citizens to voice their opposition and get involved in shaping a better framework going forward.
Coming up later in the program, correspondent Zyro Roze gets an in depth update from Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), on the latest developments regarding grassroots activists’ pressure on state officials to rethink the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project.
And now for your environmental reports:
How will Indiana respond to new rules about air pollution? States east of Indiana have complained for years about pollution from Indiana and other Midwest states. —Norm Holy
The Indiana Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund Committee awarded $3,361,120 to nine companies in Indiana to help reduce diesel emissions in its latest round of funding on Feb. 24.
—Zyro Rose
And now, we join Zyro Roze with Rethinking Buffalo Springs with the Indiana Forest Alliance
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org
And now for some upcoming events:
Learn about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 25th, at 10 am in the Nature Center. Watch the birds at the feeders as you learn about Indiana’s birds and how to feed them and not the racoons.
Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Zyro Rose.
Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.
For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey
And I’m Cynthia Roberts
And this is EcoReport.
This week, we continue sharing Haymarket Press’s panel, “the Abolitionist Struggle against Cop City.” In this segment, Stuart Schrader and Micah Herskind fill in the past 40 years of historical context for why the Cop City project is being pushed through specifically in Atlanta. Schrader teaches at Johns Hopkins University and wrote Badges without Borders: How Global Counterinsurgency Transformed American Policing. He speaks about the surprising connections during the 1980s between the local political class, civil rights leadership, and Atlanta’s role in the Guatemalan civil war and genocide of indigenous people. The Atlanta Police Department started training counter-insurgent police in Guatemala and Cop City appears to be a continuation of this tragic history. Herskind, on the other hand, discusses the contemporary context in Atlanta, focusing on the relationship between expanded police funding and broader trends in social cutbacks and carceral expansion targeted at Black people there.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 23rd, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, today WFHB begins our Spring Fund Drive. WFHB News Staff Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider will be live at the WFHB Studio to share more regarding our Spring Fund Drive. But first, your local headlines:
WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive
Today marks the start of WFHB’s Spring Fund Drive. The WFHB Local News is an award-winning, daily news program. Each and every day, we bring you coverage on local government, in-depth news features on topics concerning our community and it’s all done by volunteers who are community members themselves.
Community radio is rare. Community radio stations with news departments are even more rare, and we’re proud to keep around WFHB’s long-standing tradition of a vibrant news and public affairs department. But we need you to keep WFHB’s many local news and public affairs programs on the air.
Keep the community radio revolution alive by making a pledge in support of the WFHB Local News. During today’s broadcast, we need to raise 100 dollars in support of our Spring Fund Drive. Call 812-323-1200 and make a pledge as soon as you can. Again, that’s 812-323-1200. You can also visit our website to pledge your support.
Thank you for listening and thank you for supporting your community radio station, WFHB.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on March 13th, Utilities Engineer Jane Fleig asked the board to approve an agreement with American Structurepoint Inc. for consulting services on a water main relocation project.
Board Member Jeff Enham asked if they would be compensated for the engineering since it is an Indot project. Fleig said they would not be.
President of the Board Amanda Burnham asked for more information on the nature of the project Indot is planning. Fleig responded that they are putting in an exit ramp, and shared their reasoning for it.
The board unanimously approved the agreement with American Structurepoint Incorporated.
During staff reports, M-S-4 Program Coordinator Liz Carter gave a presentation on the city’s M-S-4 program.
Carter outlined the program’s scope. She said they work on education and outreach, active construction, maintenance and construction of green infrastructure, and they investigate complaints from the public.
Carter shared the types of stormwater complaints they receive, and shared how they address them.
Carter explained that a large undertaking has been establishing a way to enforce their agreed upon standards at larger construction sites. Carter credited the work of Assistant Director of Environmental Programs Katherine Zaiger with this milestone for the M-S-4 program.
In her presentation Carter shared more aspects of how the M-S-4 program works to improve stormwater runoff. If you want to know more, you can watch the full presentation on CATS.
After her presentation, Board Member Kirk White asked about utilities taking on the maintenance of the storm drains, and expressed concern that it is a large undertaking. Carter said she expects the department of Public Works to continue to assist them.
White suggested that they work on a plan to help with the transition from Public Works to Utilities.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on March 27th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, Civic Conversations welcomed Michael Lippert, a journalist with the Indiana Capital Chronicle, to discuss the 2022 American Health Rankings Report. In the podcast, Leppert talks to our host, Jim Allison, about where Indiana stands regarding public health in the United States. We turn now to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month Civic Conversations welcomed Michael Lippert, a journalist with the Indiana Capital Chronicle, to discuss the 2022 American Health Rankings Report. In the podcast, Leppert talks to our host, Jim Allison, about where Indiana stands regarding public health in the United States. Overall, Indiana ranks 35th among all fifty-two states but ranks 45th in the nation for public health. In Indiana, we spend approximately $14 per person on public health. Leppert talks about how this ranking comes from a protracted line of policy failures and lack of long-term commitment to the public health of Indiana citizens, saying that failure in Indiana’s public health system is “not a weather event, but a climate event.”
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Artificial Crooks on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.On March 13th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting, the council heard an amendment to the 2023 Salary Ordinance to add a part time park employee. This ordinance would also change the Traffic Safety Education and Enforcement Overtime Rate. Council member Sandra Hash said that some changes were made to the ordinance after the first reading.
Council member Jimmie Durnill explained the changes. Hash confirmed specifics on the salary rate.
Vice President William Ellis asked for clarification on the salary range to ensure the salary was competitive.
The council approved the ordinance unanimously.
Next, the Council discussed an agreement between the Town of Ellettsville and Baker Tilly US LP. Town Manager Mike Farmer informed the council that due to inflation the cost of installing and maintaining their water system has increased drastically.
Farmer explained Baker Tilly’s involvement in the water rate study and the rate case filing.
The council approved the engagement letter with Baker Tilly US LP unanimously.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 27th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have the latest edition of 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. Last month we looked into problems caused by the Housing Crisis, this month we will share possible solutions.
One solution to the housing crisis in Bloomington is to diversify the housing supply. In today’s segment, WFHB News reports on multifamily housing, missing middle housing, the Unified Development Ordinance and more.
WFHB and the Limestone Post speak with Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson and Urban Planner and Housing and Community Development Consultant Deborah Myerson.
Up next, Artificial Crooks on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to 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. Last month we looked into problems caused by the Housing Crisis, this month we will share possible solutions.
One solution to the housing crisis in Bloomington is to diversify the housing supply. In today’s segment, WFHB News reports on multifamily housing, missing middle housing, the Unified Development Ordinance and more.
WFHB and the Limestone Post speak with Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson and Urban Planner and Housing and Community Development Consultant Deborah Myerson.
Deborah Myerson, a planning consultant and housing advocate, says a lot of different tactics are needed to address the housing problem, “and not any one thing is going to do what’s needed.” | Courtesy photoTune in next Wednesday during the 5 p.m. edition of the WFHB Local News as we dive deeper into possible solutions for Monroe County’s housing crisis.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 21st, 2023.
Later in the program, The Bloomington Board of Public Works recently turned down an application by the IU Chapter of the conservative group Turning Point USA for an “All Lives Matter” mural on Kirkwood. More in today’s local headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. But first, your local headlines.
Bloomington Board of Public Works Denies Turning Point USA’s Mural Application
During the March 14th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard a request from Turning Point USA at Indiana University to paint an “All Lives Matter” street mural. City Attorney Michael Rouker gave some background information on the controversial proposal. He said that city staff recommends the board deny Turning Point’s special events application.
Applicant Kyle Reynolds who represents Turning Point USA was given the opportunity to make a comment. Reynolds said that Turning Point USA would sue if the board denied the application.
During public comment, concerned resident Heidi Darling urged the board to strike down the proposal. She described the phrase “All Lives Matter” as a denial to the existence of racial injustice in response to the phrase “Black Lives Matter.”.
Next, Bloomington Bagel Company Owner Sue Aquila offered public comment saying that the mural would be inappropriate and would send an unwelcoming message to people on Kirkwood Avenue. She labeled the proposal as “veiled racism.”
Then, Executive Committee Member of the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP Ruth Aydt urged the board to deny the proposal. She said that the words “All Lives Matter” have been used to shut down important conversations on racial injustice in the United States. She called out Bloomington’s recent history of racial discrimination.
President of the Monroe County Chapter of the NAACP Maqubè Reese said discrimination is still prevalent today. She called out what she believes is the hypocrisy and performative nature of the phrase “All Lives Matter.”
The board voted to unanimously deny the street mural proposal. The Board of Public Works will meet again for their regular session on March 28th.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
As part of our continuing exploration regarding the history of special education, we have covered the critical special education court cases that preceded last January’s supreme court case regarding special education Perez V Sturgis. Our journey so far has taken to the earliest case 1893’s Watson V Cambridge to 1919’s Beattie V Antigo Board of Education before reaching last week’s summary of Goldman V Ohio, one of the first notable victories for a special education student. However, before we move into the mobilization of parents in the 1950s and the tide beginning to turn in favor of students with disabilities, it is critical that we return to the Beattie case of 1919. Although we reviewed the aftermath of Merritt Beattie’s life following his exclusion from the Antigo Public School System, we reached out to Susan Smith Blakely, who not only wrote the source informing us of Merritt’s later life, but whose father knew Merritt going all the way back to when the case was brought to trial in 1919. Tonight, we air her story and perspective as a witness to special education history.
We began by asking Smith Blakely about what inspired her to write about special education back in 1979.
One night in the law library and in the midst of a research session, Smith Blakely stumbled upon a familiar name.
Smith Blakely fondly described what happened next AND EXPANDED FURTHER UPON HER FATHER’S FRIENDSHIP WITH MERRITT…
Along with emphasizing the importance of including human interest stories in legal analysis, Smith Blakely summarized the remainder of her article and gave an overview of the laws which changed how students with disabilities could obtain an education appropriate to their needs. These were passed in the 1970s following a series of court cases which the Disabulletin will explore in future installments of the miniseries Lawyers Schools and Access:The History of Special Education in the United States
Here is Ms.Blakely’s 1979 article on Merritt Beattie’s story!
https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/handle/1811/65107/OSLJ_V40N3_0603.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y
Eco Report Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Kelly Conaway of Drift Botanicals, a green business specializing in a new model; reusable, refillable glass bottles of natural cleaners with an emphasis on safe, organic ingredients and local production. They explore the reasons for avoiding conventional cleaners, including plastic pollution, health hazards and water contamination.
Conaway shares her experience growing up on a lake in Northern Indiana and explains why she started a green cleaning company, detailing the development and practices of Drift Botanicals, the outgrowth of her home cleaning and compassionate decluttering service.
Her tips on Green Spring Cleaning include looking up one’s products on the Environmental Working Group’s ranking information on household chemicals.
In this episode, local business owner Melinda Seader, one of the original “Wonderlab Moms,” reflects on her family legacy of service to Bloomington culture. Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community. This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is a rebroadcast from May 30, 2021:
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, talk about the history of black women in the military. From the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, women have proudly served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as nurses, pilots, engineers, soldiers and other specialties. During World War I, about 35,000 women officially served as nurses and support staff. Nonetheless, many black women also broke barriers while serving in the U.S. Military. These women worked on the front lines or supported U.S. soldiers and civilian employees.
Dr. Alfreda R. CarmichaelCarrying on with this fine tradition of service are two remarkable women of color with whom we have the pleasure of speaking this evening. They are Dr. Alfreda R. Carmichael, who enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a Contract Specialist. While in the military, she deployed to multiple locations, including Iraq’s combat deployment. Dr. Carmichael served as the First Female President of Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 10. She is currently the National Treasurer and National Scholarship Director for National Montford Point Marine Association.
Joining her is Takishia Smiley, who joined the United States Marine Corps, and served 21 years and 5 months as a CWO-3 Supply Operations Professional in automated supply systems and logistic initiatives. She has over 26 years of experience in Supply Chain Management and Distribution Information Management. She is currently the Director at the National Museum of the Montford Point Marine.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 20th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Con-a-way, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning. More in today’s feature report.
That’s local business owner Melinda Seader, one of the original “Wonderlab Moms,” reflecting on her family legacy of service to Bloomington culture. We’ll hear more from her later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Council met on March 14th. During council liaison updates, Council Member Jennifer Crossely shared that she has seen improvements at the jail, and can tell the Sheriff’s department is working on making changes.
Council Member Kate Wilts spoke on her disappointment with the Community Justice Response Committee rapport. Wilts noted that the committee has not been treating each other with the respect they deserve.
During new business, Director of the Monroe County Public Library Grier Carson asked the council to approve of the new appointment to the Board of Trustees.
Council Member Marty Hawke suggested that a county council member be appointed to the library board of trustees as a liaison to better support them.
Council Member Trent Deckard commended the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees for their work, and their leadership with the development of the Southwest Branch.
Deckard supported Hawke’s suggestion to appoint a council liaison, and shared that he would be interested in the position.
The council approved the appointment of Christine Hull unanimously. The Monroe County Council will meet again on April 11th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Conaway, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about her reasons for starting a green cleaning company and what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features local business owner Melinda Seader, one of the original “Wonderlab Moms,” reflecting on her family legacy of service to Bloomington culture. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze..
Today’s edition of Activate! was produced by Chad Carrothers, Michelle Moss, Eavan Hanke, and Leah Corcoran.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On February 22, 2023, David Brown (accompanied by Caleb Hickman and Chuck Roldan) joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed David’s new album water child in technicolor and that week’s release shows at the Orbit Room.
Songs:
- “Atlantis, But Drier”
- “Song #2”
Credits:
- Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chama Henry
- Host: Christine Brackenhoff
- Post-production: Jim Lang and Chama Henry
As the Vernal Equinox approaches and folks begin to clear clutter and refresh their homes, Eco Report correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Conaway, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about her reasons for starting a green cleaning company and what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning…
That’s coming up later in the program.
And now for your environmental reports:
A new invasion is beginning to happen in Indiana.
Purdue University is warning Indiana residents to be on the lookout for an invasive species of worm in their yards this spring.
—Julianna Dailey
The power of the fossil fuel industry is confirmed by the plans in the infrastructure funding. There are billions available for carbon sequestration.
—Norm Holy
Are you thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, but not sure which gives you enough battery to meet your needs? While the EV charging network in the U.S. is quickly expanding, many drivers have been hesitant to make the switch to fully electric vehicles, for fear of becoming stranded with a car that has run out of juice. But a new study hopes to ease those concerns by showing consumers which EVs could work best for their needs.
—Norm Holy
EcoWatch reports the EPA proposes the ‘strongest ever’ standards for keeping coal plant pollution out of U.S. waterways.—Norm Holy
An area the size of Indiana on the north shore of Alaska is possibly the next big petroleum drilling boon. Environmentalists are against the project.
—Norm Holy
And now, we join Zyro Roze discussing green cleaning methods, how to avoid toxic products, and plastic packaging with Kelly Conaway, owner of Drift Botanicals.
-Zyro Rose
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or
e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G.
And now for some upcoming events:
- Come to Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, between 10 and 10:30 am for Snake Talk. With the warmer weather, snakes will be coming out. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn about Indiana snakes while visiting with 2 of the parks resident snakes.
- The popular Cave River Valley Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will be able to explore this beautiful, primitive property managed by Spring Mill. This is a very rugged hike and you will need waterproof shoes and a hiking stick. You will meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot then travel by car to the site. Please sign up a day in advance to 812-849-3534 or go to sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
- Learn about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 25th at 10 am in the Nature Center. Watch the birds at the feeders as you learn about Indiana’s birds and how to feed them and not the racoons.
- Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
- Join a park naturalist at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th from 2 to 3 pm to learn about Creek Critters. Borrow a net and a jar for creek exploration and find small, water-dwelling wildlife. Learn how these creatures affect the health of Indiana’s waterways.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey
Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.
Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show and edited the audio.
For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey and we wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
And I’m Frank Marshalek
And this is EcoReport.
This week we begin sharing a panel hosted by Haymarket Books on the abolitionist struggle to stop Cop City. In this section, we hear from Kwame Olufemi, of Community Movement Builders, and Sarah Haley, a leading historian of Black feminism in the South. Olufemi powerfully situates in the Cop City proposal in Atlanta’s recent history. He juxtaposes popular demands for a Rayshard Brooks Peace Center, named for a 2020 victim of police murder, with the government’s preference for Cop City, an urban warfare training center. The city of Atlanta actively sabotaged the modest peace center plans while pushing through the expensive Cop City proposal despite overwhelming opposition. Haley goes deeper in time to put Cop City in the context of long cycles of anti-Black violence, plantation-based prisons and alleged carceral reforms. Special thanks to Haymarket Books for hosting the panel.
Featured animal: Mountain Girl
Mountain Girl, formerly named Trixie Joe, is a young Great Dane/Anatolian Shepherd mix, currently residing with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. She has been very sweet with all of the shelter staff and quickly became a staff favorite. She can be nervous of loud noises and quick movements. She unfortunately experienced harsh training methods and interactions prior to coming to the shelter, but would do great with someone who understands sensitive dogs that may not have much confidence. She will definitely need a person whom she can look to for guidance. Mountain Girl has a lot of love to give, and with patience and love, there is confidence that she will flourish.
Featured topic: Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding desired behaviors. It is based on operant conditioning, also known as trial-and-error learning. According to the American Kennel Club, it is a very effective training method. Tune in to the episode to learn about how positive reinforcement training works and how it is beneficial.
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Featured animals: Rosemary and Thyme
Rosemary and Thyme are a cute pair of bonded kittens who came from a feral mom, but have gotten used to being around people at the Bloomington Animal Shelter. They’re both still shy and tend to hide with a lot of socialization. They would do well in a home that gives them time to warm up. During the day, they like to act like comfy kittens and curl up and sleep. With patience and time, they can relax, it’ll just take the right adopters who are willing to give these under-socialized kittens the chance that they deserve.
Featured topic: WildCare
WildCare is a nonprofit organization that provides professional care to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife so that they may be returned to the wild. They provide care and rehabilitation services to all native Indiana wildlife species, with the exception of deer, and also strive to help protect the next generation of wildlife through education and community outreach programs. WildCare provides treatment for about 1500-2000 animals per year, and they have taken in thousands of animals since 2001. They also do approximately 75 educational outreach programs, reaching up to 3,000 people every year. WildCare holds permits through the Indiana DNR, USDA, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. They do not receive any state or federal funding and rely only on donor support to save the lives of injured and orphaned wild animals. WildCare has very limited staff and mostly relies on volunteers who generously donate their time.
[source of feature image: WildCare’s Facebook]
—
Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
He turned his successful real estate business into something akin to a service ministry back in 2004. Since then, Don Griffin Jr. has become a key player in the community, serving on numerous boards and even being named deputy mayor in 2021. He encountered a townful of problems, including a flood, the ongoing pandemic, and the usual array of ills and emergencies every city, small or large, must confront. Our discussion with Griffin is the third in our series with the 2023 mayoral candidates.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Update: According to reporting by the Indiana Daily Student, Declan Farley announced late last month that he will be leaving IU.
Protesters gathered for a march and town hall in Bloomington to demonstrate against Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination.
On January 14th, IU student Declan Farley posted a TikTok about harassment he faced on the floor of his dorm, which received over 2 million views. Here’s the audio from the Tik Tok. We would like to give a trigger warning: mention of suicide.
@declanhatcher #indiana #indianauniversity #iu #iubloomington #trans #transgender #queer #ftm #transissues #harassed #transphobia #lgbt #lgbt🌈 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ #🏳️⚧️ #🏳️🌈 #awareness #ftmtransgender #college #student ♬ original sound – e
“I’m making this Tik Tok to spread awareness about the homophobia and transphobia on IU’s campus. IU prides themselves on being a safe and open space for queer students yet ignores issues like these. I hope you will help me spread awareness and demand that IU takes accountability for their actions and the actions of their students and works to protect students like me,” said Farley.
After the protest, Farley expressed his solidarity for other queer people in Bloomington facing oppression and discussed his plans for future action.
“The work here is definitely not done. We’re going to be starting petitions, and if things don’t happen, we’re going to protest again. We’re just going to not stop until things are done,” said Farley.
Farley referred to an incident that took place on January 11th in which an 18 year old Asian student was the victim of an Anti-Asian stabbing on a bus.
Farley expressed his disappointment with the way that Indiana University’s administration handled his situation
“There are other things that are happening on and off campus,” said Farley. “Especially the Asian student being stabbed. Other students on campus that shared their stories tonight, I wanted to give them a chance to speak because the school will not give them a chance to even speak.”
Other protesters also discussed experiences of racist Anti-Asian hate in Bloomington. Deonna, an Asian student at IU spoke about the racism she experienced in sophomore year at Bloomington High School North. She described a supply teacher who constantly humiliated her, demeaned her and gave her white classmates preferential treatment. Deonna discussed the aftermath that experiencing this racism caused her.
“She was being very mean and racist towards me and targeting me a lot. Throughout that year, I didn’t really get a lot of support. So I didn’t really talk about it, and I had to become silenced from it,” said Deonna.
A freshman student at IU named Ella spoke at the Town Hall, describing the homophobic harassment she experienced at McNutt residence hall.
“There was pounding on the door. It was loud enough to rattle the wall, the doors, the doorframe was being pounded so violently that it looked like the door was gonna be forced open even though it’s locked,” said Ella.
Local resident and activist Jada Bee says that hate is not new in Bloomington. She noted that the problems facing the community are systemic and need to be dealt with as such.
“One of the things I dislike a lot about the transitory nature of Bloomington, Indiana,” said Bee. “The history doesn’t get transmitted to you. IU’s not going to give you a welcome packet that says, here are all the hate crimes that we’ve had on our campus, because they want to present this as a safe and open campus.”
Lexi Sacco, an IU student from Indianapolis studying psychology, explained why she attended the protest and march.
“I saw Declan’s Tik Tok, and I really was just disgusted by IU’s way of handling the situation, and I knew that something needed to happen,” said Sacco.
Sacco outlined what this protest meant to her. She elaborated on what she hopes to see as a result of the demonstration.
“I’m hoping that they that administration would take things more seriously and not just brush it under the rug and act like it’s not happening because it’s happening and they really need to open their eyes and see that it is,” she said.
She also touched on what local residents can do to fight back against hate and discrimination.
“I think being educated more on the topics and just how to treat people fairly because I know that a lot of people grew up with parents who are homophobic or transphobic or racist, and I really think that we need to relearn our values,” said Sacco.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 15th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Latest Updates on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Feature Report:
In today’s report, we have 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. In today’s edition of Deep Dive, WFHB News and Limestone Post spoke with Executive Director of Beacon, Inc. Forrest Gilmore, Director of Housing Security for United Way Mary Morgan and IU Campus United Way Coordinator Catherine Blankensop regarding Heading Home of South Central Indiana and the idea of “housing-first” as an approach to address the issue of homelessness in the community. This is the first edition in a four-part series looking at potential solutions to the housing crisis in Bloomington and Monroe County.
Up next, Latest Updates on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to 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. Last month we looked into problems caused by the Housing Crisis, this month we will share possible solutions. In Monroe County, there has been a collaborative effort to address the housing crisis. Both local government and local non-profits have been working together to increase the amount of affordable housing available.
WFHB News and Limestone Post spoke with Executive Director of Beacon, Inc. Forrest Gilmore, Director of Housing Security for United Way Mary Morgan and IU Campus United Way Coordinator Catherine Blankensop regarding Heading Home of South Central Indiana and the idea of “housing-first” as an approach to address the issue of homelessness in the community. This is the first edition in a four-part series looking at potential solutions to the housing crisis in Bloomington and Monroe County.
Mary Morgan, director of housing security for Heading Home of South Central Indiana, says the group is focused on making homelessness “rare, brief and nonrecurring.” | Photo by Jim KrauseRead the full report in the Limestone Post for an in-depth investigative report by journalist Steve Hinnefeld, titled ‘No Silver Bullet’: Advocates, Officials Use Many Tactics on Housing Woes. Tune into the WFHB Local News next Wednesday at 5 p.m. as we dive deeper into possible solutions for Monroe County’s housing crisis.
Gloria Howell and Maqubé Reese are the hosts of today’s show. Throughout March, to commemorate Women’s History Month, each new show will be hosted by women. Gloria Howell is the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Maqubé Reese is an academic advisor with the Groups Scholars Program and consults with incoming Groups Scholars on topics like the courses they should take their first semester, helping guide the first steps of their college experience.
Last Tuesday, the Monroe County Community School Board approved an anti-racism policy, after deciding not to vote on it during last month’s meeting. A student equity ambassador group created last fall helped draft the policy with school administrators. The district also received support from The Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center. Four of the student equity ambassadors were also S.W.A.G.G.E.R. (Students Who Act Generously, Grow, and Earn Respect) award recipients in the 9th-12th grade category. They are Sydney Crossley, Sabrah Wagner, Jael Davis, and Saphyne Franklin. They displayed exceptional leadership in social justice activism by advocating for an anti-racism policy to be included in the MCCSC student handbook.
Jael Davis, Equity AmbassadorRuth Aydt, Monroe Cty NAACP MemberDistrict leaders made several changes to the policy since its first reading in December because of feedback from the community, including changing the policy’s name from a Racial Equity Policy to an Anti-Racism Policy. The revised policy includes a commitment that the district will introduce plans to track and enforce the policy’s objectives as soon as possible. Joining us this evening to unpack the new anti-racism policy are student equity ambassadors Sydney Crossley and Jael Davis. Also, joining us is Ruth Aydt, a concerned citizen who joined the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP in 2018, initially working on a report on Race and Criminal Justice in Monroe County.
Maqubé ReeseGloria HowellCredit:
The hosts of today’s show are Gloria Howell and Maqubé Reese.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 14th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from Bring It On – WFHB’s Black Affairs program – regarding a recently passed anti racism policy in the MCCSC school system. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee
At the Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee meeting, Care Not Cages member Micol Seigel said she wants to see the committee make the current jail livable and up to constitutional standards.
Director of Focus Initiatives Justin Huerta described his experience in the prison system for minor drug charges. He said that he doesn’t believe locking people up is the answer.
President of the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus Nicole Bolden criticized the committee’s conduct during recent meetings, particularly the way Sheriff Ruben Marté and Monroe County Council member Jennifer Crossley have been treated.
Next, the Monroe County Commissioners shared their goals and vision for the committee. Commissioner Julie Thomas said she wants to provide better treatment and reduce recidivism in the criminal justice system.
The C-J-R-C will host their next meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20th.
Feature Reports:In today’s feature report, Bring It On hosts Gloria Howell and Maqubé Reese speak with MCCSC student equity ambassadors Sydney Crossley and Jael Davis. Also joining the conversation is Ruth Aydt, a concerned citizen who joined the Monroe County branch of the NAACP in 2018. Our guests discuss their work on the recently passed anti racism policy at the Monroe County Community School Corporation. We turn now to an excerpt from Bring It On. To listen to the full program visit this link.Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Chantalle LaFontant.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In this episode, longtime community theater volunteer Isadore James Torry talks about his passion for bringing characters to life to tell impactful stories. Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community.This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 13th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze sat down with Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin, both members of the Center for Sustainable Living or CSL, to talk about their efforts to promote renewable energy alternatives and ways to make solar power more affordable and accessible for local low-income households. More in today’s feature report.
That’s longtime local theater volunteer Isadore James Torry talking about his passion for bringing characters to life to tell impactful stories. We’ll hear more from him later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners Hear Covid-19 and Flu Update, Noise Violation
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on March 8th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 rates in the community, and a new at-home flu and Covid test she shared will be available soon.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked if the test would be able to differentiate between the three viruses. Kelley said it can.
During Public Comment Sara Gale Tala shared a noise complaint she has with the Porthole Restaurant. She has struggled to receive assistance with enforcing the noise ordinance, and asked if the commissioners could help.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked County Attorney Jeff Cockerill to speak with her to see what can be done.
Next, the commissioners heard from Director of Emergency Management Jamie Neibel, who asked the commissioners to approve the purchase of a 12-month subscription to Salamander Technologies to help their department keep track of their inventory.
The commissioners approved funding for the subscription unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 15th.
Feature Reports:
WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze sat down with Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin, both members of the Center for Sustainable Living or C-S-L, to talk about their efforts to promote renewable energy alternatives and ways to make solar power more affordable and accessible for local low-income households. SIREN and Solar For All are projects under C.S.L’s umbrella nonprofit. We turn to Zyro Roze for more.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. In this episode, longtime community theater volunteer Isadore James Torry talks about his passion for bringing characters to life to tell impactful stories. Activate! features real people working for positive change in our community.
This segment is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes David T James to Saturday’s Child, March 11, from 11am to noon for a dynamic, genre bending, musical extravaganza featuring an all star cast and extraordinary songwriting. Listen on air or join our audience free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center Auditorium on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, as David T James performs live, with a fantastic band, on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, March 11, at 11am, on WFHB.
Coming up later in today’s feature report, Eco Report correspondent ZYRO ROZE sat down with Woodie BESSLER and Anne HEDIN, both members of the Center for Sustainable Living or C-S-L, to talk about their efforts to promote renewable energy alternatives and ways to make solar power more affordable and accessible for local low-income households.
SIREN and Solar For All are projects under C.S.L’s umbrella nonprofit.
And now for your environmental reports:
- Only Louisiana and Nevada have worse air quality than Indiana. One of the issues that has evolved in Louisiana is whether there is a greater risk of cancer downwind of the refineries. —Norm Holy
There is a comparable story about air pollution along the Ohio River. Of the many contributions to this issue, a publication by The Sierra Club in 2016 stands out. —Norm Holy
Indiana has the 10th highest rate of brain and central nervous system tumors among children in the country, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Considering all ages, according to the CDC, Indiana ranks number 7 in cancer death rates. —Norm Holy - To help increase mussel populations, The Nature Conservancy is partnering with the Muncie Bureau of Water Quality and the Indianapolis Zoo to construct the first mussel-rearing facility in Indiana. —Julianna Dailey
- Landowners, homeowners and farmers in Monroe, Brown, and Jackson counties may be eligible for up to $10,000 to help pay for actions they take to reduce the erosion and pollution that could possibly end up in Lake Monroe. —Carol Kugler, Bloomington Herald-Times
- Reuters reports a federal appeals court on Friday rejected a challenge to a Biden administration regulation requiring reductions in pollution that blows across state lines by power companies that allege the new rule will cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. –Norm Holy
And now, we now join Zyro Roze and his conversation with Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin on the inception and facets of the Center for Sustainable Living solar initiatives
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and an assortment of champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central indiana.
All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or
e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G.
And now for some upcoming events:
- Take a Morning Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5 which is partially rugged. On the hike you will learn the history of the lake and park.
- Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
- The “Going Green” Spring Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Friday, March 17th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Honor St. Patrick’s Day and the upcoming Spring Equinox on a 2.5 mile hike along the Homestead Loop Trail. You will be looking for signs of spring while enjoying the air and beauty of early spring. Sign up at bit.ly/goinggreenhike2023.
- Come to Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, between 10 and 10:30 am for Snake Talk. With the warmer weather, snakes will be coming out. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn about Indiana snakes while visiting with 2 of the parks resident snakes.
- The popular Cave River Valley Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will be able to explore this beautiful, primitive property managed by Spring Mill. This is a very rugged hike and you will need waterproof shoes and a hiking stick. You will meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot then travel by car to the site. Please sign up a day in advance to 812-849-3534 or go to sbelt@dnr.in.gov.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at
M-P-I solar energy dot com.
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Carol Kugler with the Bloomington Herald-Times, and Julianna Dailey
Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.
Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have 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. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Slam the Scam Day on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
On February 28th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting Engineering Department Senior Project Manager Roy Aten asked the board to approve a change Order for the 7th Street Protected Bike Lane Project.
He also asked them to approve change orders for the 17th Street Multi-Use Path East Project.
The board approved both of the change orders unanimously.
Next Project Engineer Patrick Dierkes asked the board to approve a resolution for the Public Need to Purchase Right-of-Way for the Adams Street Sidewalk Project.
Board Member Jennifer Loyd asked about the size of the property the right of way would be. Dierkes responded.
The board voted to approve the resolution unanimously.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on March 14th.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.During the February 25th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation School Board, an MCCSC teacher spoke in support of a proposed racial equity policy during public comment.
Then, local resident Ruth Aydt also spoke in favor of the racial equity policy facing the school board.
Next, President of the Monroe County Branch of the N-A-A-C-P, Maqube Reese supported the policy proposal, saying that it’s an important antiracist initiative.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald offered some background on the policy proposal to the members of the school board.
The racial equity policy passed by a unanimous vote. The next M-C-C-S-C meeting will happen on Tuesday, March 28th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, have 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.
Up next,Slam the Scam Day on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
During a dramatic week of action in the Atlanta forest this past week, hundreds of forest defenders sabotaged a construction site for the unpopular “Cop City” development. Police responded with an act of extreme collective punishment against the entire movement, attacking a nearby Stop Cop City music festival, tasing, beating, and arresting concertgoers at random. 34 people were detained, with 23 being charged with domestic terrorism, just for being present. Maggie Gates, a 25-year old farmer from Bloomington, was tased and arrested and is now facing these charges. People across the country and in Bloomington have mobilized in solidarity, contesting these disturbing charges and extreme police violence. Other media outlets in Bloomington, such as the Herald-Times, have inaccurately reported that the arrests happened at the construction site project. This false statement has been repeatedly debunked, as Gates and the other arrestees were not arrested at the construction site, but rather at the music festival.
The movement in Atlanta remains unbowed, with continuing actions across the city and a large downtown rally organized by Community Movement Builders and Black Voters Matter. Overhanging all of this is the police murder of Tortuguita in the Atlanta forest in January. Police have stonewalled any investigation even as the police narrative has been undermined by emerging facts. Tortuguita’s family released the results of an independent autopsy showing that Tortuguita was sitting crosslegged and with their hands up when police shot them to death. Among more than a dozen other wounds, they were shot in both palms.
You can find out more about the movement to Stop Cop City here: https://defendtheatlantaforest.org/
Welcome to the 74th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Joanna Kung, and Ming Wang.
In this episode, we interviewed Mind Pao-in to gain her perspective on her experiences as a leader on-campus. We also tackled how intersectionality between being an Asian female affects how people think and live out their lives, both in the US and in Thailand.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Mind Pao-in
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
You’re listening to 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. This month we are looking into the Housing Crisis, next month we will address possible solutions.
In today’s edition of Deep Dive, we dig deeper into how the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington leaks to a higher risk that someone could experience homelessness. Tune in next Wednesday at 5 p.m. for a deeper dive into Monroe County’s Housing Crisis where we will start to address possible solutions. Also keep an eye out for the Limestone Post’s next article which will be available on their website on March 15th.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 7th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ruth Flegmann reported on a protest and march criticizing Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on March 1st Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 and flu transmission in the county.
Commissioner Penny Githen congratulated the Health Department staff for their work searching for grant funding to fight opioid issues in the county.
Next, Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge shared that they are starting construction on the Bicentennial Pathway Project this week.
Next the Commissioners voted on a contract with Susan Brackney for communications services. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill explained what services would entail.
Monroe County Council Member Marty Hawke asked what the purpose of the contract was. Cockerill responded.
Commissioners’ Administrator Angela Purdie shared that the position was approved in the budget that passed the Monroe County Council.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 8th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ruth Flegmann reported on a protest and march criticizing Indiana University’s response to recent acts of discrimination. Flegmann has more.
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Ruth Flegmann.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Disabulletin is produced by Abe Shapiro.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This weekend, the disability community lost one of its pioneers and heroes, Judy Heumann. This week, we pause our regularly scheduled docuseries Lawyers Schools And Accessand remember the woman who contributed to the signing of Section 504 and inspired a nation!
Crowded basements and busy Friday night bars filled with the sounds of bass, keys and drums – aspiring local musicians and the cheers of devoted fans watching and dancing along to the beat. Live music is at the heart of Bloomington. A college town enriched in arts and culture, budding with talent and an eager audience desiring to take it in.
Antonio and Kristofer, two brothers, and their primary school best friends, Dan and Jackson are the four founding members of the popular Bloomington alternative band “Mindfully Blind.” An evening playing around with the application “Garage Band” and a guitar Christmas present later, the four guys are booking shows around the area almost every weekend.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Carreon. Instagram: @hannaesthetic.photosThe one year anniversary of the release of the groups first album, “The Wanderer” will be this upcoming March 10th, which the bands accredits as one of their proudest accomplishments.
Mindfully Blind is working on producing their second album. Their songs take inspiration from a wide range of artists.
Being primarily located in Bloomington provides immense opportunities for budding talent like the group Mindfully Blind. Home of a nationally accredited university, Bloomington is full of passionate individuals in entrepreneurship, audio engineering, and instrumental talent that inspire the live music scene.
Mindfully Blind describes the local band and live music scene as a supportive community that yearns for everyone’s success.
Max Defrisco, has been a lifelong musician and guitarist before the formation of his band, Westhead, which came together once he arrived in Bloomington as a student at Indiana University. His folk music takes inspiration from 60s and 70s music, and his poetic lyrics from the trials of his own life as a young adult.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Carreon. Instagram: @hannaesthetic.photosWesthead’s first album, “And Just Like That” released on February 24th, just last year. DeFrisco is working on the second album which, like his first, wouldn’t be what it is today without Bloomington’s supportive community of creative individuals.
Connor McLaren, a third musician and songwriter in the Bloomington scene, similarly grew up in a musical household. He picked up guitar as a child with the support of his brother and father. It was in college that McLaren began to take his aspirations seriously, having the freedom of time and resources to make his dream a reality. It was with his mentor, he recorded his first song and eventually his first album.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Carreon. Instagram: @hannaesthetic.photosMcLaren values the storytelling aspect of his music.
He aspires to bring life to his performances like his idol Todd Snider. McLaren hopes to bring joy to his listeners everyday, for them he is incredibly grateful.
In a town with a rich history of talent, the local music scene blossoms and will continue to grow for many years to come.
Gloria Howell and Maqubé Reese are the hosts of today’s show. Throughout March, to commemorate Women’s History Month, each new show will be hosted by women. Gloria Howell is the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Maqubé Reese is an academic advisor with the Groups Scholars Program and consults with incoming Groups Scholars on topics like the courses they should take their first semester, helping guide the first steps of their college experience.
Last Tuesday, the Monroe County Community School Board approved an anti-racism policy, after deciding not to vote on it during last month’s meeting. A student equity ambassador group created last fall helped draft the policy with school administrators. The district also received support from The Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center. Four of the student equity ambassadors were also S.W.A.G.G.E.R. (Students Who Act Generously, Grow, and Earn Respect) award recipients in the 9th-12th grade category. They are Sydney Crossley, Sabrah Wagner, Jael Davis, and Saphyne Franklin. They displayed exceptional leadership in social justice activism by advocating for an anti-racism policy to be included in the MCCSC student handbook.
Jael Davis, Equity AmbassadorRuth Aydt, Monroe Cty NAACP MemberDistrict leaders made several changes to the policy since its first reading in December because of feedback from the community, including changing the policy’s name from a Racial Equity Policy to an Anti-Racism Policy. The revised policy includes a commitment that the district will introduce plans to track and enforce the policy’s objectives as soon as possible. Joining us this evening to unpack the new anti-racism policy are student equity ambassadors Sydney Crossley and Jael Davis. Also, joining us is Ruth Aydt, a concerned citizen who joined the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP in 2018, initially working on a report on Race and Criminal Justice in Monroe County.
Maqubé ReeseGloria HowellCredit:
The hosts of today’s show are Gloria Howell and Maqubé Reese.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Aubrey Seader (pron. Seeder) of the Community and Family Resources Department at the City of Bloomington.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 6th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. This interview segment is titled Foods or Fads: Do-s and Don’ts. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. But first, your daily headlines.
Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole Tackles CBCI, Traffic Commission Member, Kirkwood Outdoor Seating
On March 1, at the Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael summarized the actions taken thus far by the office of the mayor in creating a non-profit organization, C-B-C-I, to help the city in implementing special work projects.
Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked Deputy Mayor Carmichael about how the C-B-C-I would be financed.
Piedmont-Smith clarified with Carmichael about when the amount of spending by the C-B-C-I would require approval by the council.
The council then moved into a report from the committee of Council Processes regarding the removal of Greg Alexander from Bloomington’s traffic commission.
Councilmember Matt Flaherty delivered the findings of the committee, the first being the withdrawal of the resolution to remove Alexander. Instead, the commission suggested that he should be given time to respond.
Council Member Stephen Volan said that he thinks they need to take their time to establish the process in which someone is removed from a board or commission.
The council withdrew their resolution to remove Alexander, however, a new resolution will potentially be considered at a future meeting.
Next, the council considered a resolution to authorize the renewal of the outdoor dining program in the downtown corridor.
Special Projects Manager Chaz Mottinger shared that they collaborated with Bloomington Engineering to address Trinity Episcopal Church’s concerns about the outdoor seating area blocking off access to their building.
The council voted to renew the expanded outdoor dining program.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on March 8th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. This interview segment is titled Foods or Fads: Do-s and Don’ts. This week, the conversation begins with our guest discussing various vegetable oils and whether or not they are good for you. Zyro Roze has more.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Aubrey Seader of the Community and Family Resources Department at the City of Bloomington. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month is part 2 of our interview with Rep. Matt Pierce D-Bloomington explaining what our state legislature is considering in terms of regulating hospitals and decreasing healthcare costs for Hoosiers.
State Rep. Matt Pierce web site Rep. Pierce’s bill HB 1472
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
Josefa Madrigal entrevista a Beth Rosenbarger con el departamento de planificación y transporte para la ciudad de Bloomington. Ella nos habla sobre los Servicios de desarrollo y Servicios de Planificación. Nos platico sobre la línea siete, el proyector más reciente. También nos dice sobre un futuro proyecto: un estudio de las calles que van al norte y sur de College Ave y Walnut Street. Quieren estudiar las dos calles y rediseñar las calles que reflejan los objetivos de la comunidad.En la segunda parte, Maria Auxi, entrevista a Anna Aleman sobre los servicios de South Central Community Community Action Program (SCCAP) es una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Bloomington, Indiana, que ha servido a personas de bajos ingresos durante más de 55 años. Anna nos habla sobre los servicios que ofrecen, entre ellos el servicio de Educación Infantil. Ella comparte los pasos para la aprobación y las clases que se ofrecen durante el año.
Josefa Madrigal interviews Beth Rosenbarger with the planning and transportation department for the city of Bloomington. She tells us about Development Services and Planning Services. He told us about line seven, the most recent projector. She also tells us about a future studio project on the streets that go north and south of College Ave and Walnut street. They want to study both streets and redesign the streets that reflect the goals of the community.
In the second part, Maria Auxi interviews Anna Aleman about the services of the South Central Community Community Action Program (SCCAP) a nonprofit organization based in Bloomington, Indiana that has served low-income people for more than 55 years. Anna tells us about the services offered, including the Early Childhood Education service. She shares the steps for approval and the classes offered during the year.
Coming up later in today’s feature report, Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter, will discuss the Indiana legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection.
And now for your environmental reports:
- Every year there’s a great opportunity to see thousands of snow geese and sandhill cranes at Goose Pond, located on the south side of Linton. This year’s event was held February 24th and 25th.
- The state of Indiana is now part of a legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection instead of often-more-lenient state regulations.
- The Indiana Environmental Reporter has some good news regarding coal ash pits. Since the state has done almost nothing to force cleanup, the feds may step in. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘plans to‘ possibly close a loophole in pollution regulations could have huge benefits for the state in the fight against toxic coal ash.
- WTIU reports that Indiana could lose the authority to control its air pollution if the state doesn’t increase fees for companies that pollute. Senate Bill 155 aims to keep that authority in the hands of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
- The good news is, air pollution in Indiana — and around the country — has gone down in the past few decades. The bad news is, the fees that companies pay to pollute are what keeps the state’s air permitting program running. With less pollution, it’s struggling to stay afloat.
- Indiana lawmakers heard testimony in support of a bi-partisan bill to establish a statewide climate solutions task force, but the legislation stalled after the chairman of the Senate’s Environmental Affairs Committee declined to call it for a vote.
- Fox 59 reports some of the contaminated material from the East Palestine train wreck is making its way to Indiana. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that two new hazardous waste sites will receive some of the shipments — an incinerator in Grafton, Ohio, and a landfill in Roachdale, Indiana.
- While parts of the West and Northern US have faced winter storms with blizzard conditions and significant snowfall, much of the rest of the country is experiencing a summer-like heat that has never been felt before during the month of February.
- How much has Indiana warmed over the past several years? One measure of change is to refer to plant hardiness zones over time. The zones have been moving north at the rate of 13 miles per decade since 1990. Thus, Bloomington now has a climate like that of northern Kentucky in 1990. The global temperatures are increasing faster than ever and there is every reason to predict that Monroe County will be in a 7a hardiness zone by 2050.
- The New York Times reports Living Carbon, a biotechnology company, hopes its seedlings can help manage climate change. But wider use of its trees may be elusive.
Feature Report:
And now, Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter, will report on the Indiana legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection.
And now for some upcoming events:
“Goose Pond Reads Leopold” will take place on Saturday, March 4th, from 9 to 11 am at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet in the Visitors Center for a free reading of A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold by the Linton Public Library staff. Coffee and tea will be served while you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of Goose Pond.
Enjoy a Bluebird Nesting Box Workshop at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 4th, from 10 am to Noon. While building your box you will learn all about our native Eastern Bluebirds. Advanced registration is required. Contact Sheree Belt at sbelt@dnr.IN.gov.
Take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 4th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. The park naturalist will guide you on a night hike around Ogle Lake while you learn all the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon. Trail 7 is moderate but may be rugged at night. Bring red flashlights for night vision.
Nature is the ultimate zero-waste guide, and you will get to learn as much as possible at the Recycle That! Information session on Sunday, March 5th, from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Winslow Woods Park. You will explore how nature recycles its resources and how we can better recycle our own waste. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take a Morning Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5 which is partially rugged. On the hike you will learn the history of the lake and park.
Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Our feature was prepared and presented by Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter.
Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.
On February 3rd, 2023, Joe’s Truck Stop (Joe Macheret) joined us for a Firehouse Session before his performance at the Orbit Room. We discussed his touring life on the road, his new album, and how his Russian heritage influenced him as a musician.
Songs:
– “Smilin’ At Nothin'”
– “Wishin’ on a Star”
– “Happy Pondo”
– “Grease Fire”
– “Gas Station Sushi”
Host and Coordinating Producer: Abby Noroozi
Engineers: Kirsten Payton and Marty Abaddi
Post-Production: Jim Lang and Chama Henry
From March 4-11th, thousands of people will be converging in Atlanta’s Weelaunee Forest, as part of the abolitionist and environmentalist struggle to stop “Cop City,” a police training facility set to be built over a vast urban forest. Reflecting this unprecedented mobilization, we are focusing on the history and current stakes of the struggle.
For context, we start off with a message from Mekko Chebon Kernell, a Muskogee elder, who recorded this message last summer. Afterwards, we hear more insights from Sarah Alvarez of the Civil Liberties Defense Center. Then, the CLDC’s Lauren Regan walks us through some things to be mindful of- whether in the streets or in the woods.
Following that, we hear Kali Akuno at a teach-in about Cop City, where he explains why this is not a project that is only local in scope- it’s one of national and international consequence. We end this episode with a brief history of The Old Atlanta Prison Farm.
You can find out more about the fight against the replacement of the largest urban tree canopy in the country by the largest police training compound in the country here:
https://defendtheatlantaforest.org/
The Civil Liberties Defense Center has many resources for people who might participate in direct action struggles or who are facing legal repression:
https://cldc.org/resources/
Youth Radio presents this special program brought to you by a partnership with Fairplay and local business Popkorn Kernels With a Twist, WFHB’s Fairplay underwriter from February through March. Fairplay underwriting is a national initiative that encourages community building and greater social justice by connecting independent radio stations and BIPOC owned businesses.
In January the Youth Radio crew stopped by Pokorn Kernels With a Twist to talk to the manager Fred Bennett and owner Dr. Virginia Githiri, to get their perspectives on starting a business, making it through the pandemic inspirational advice for future entrepreneurs, and new flavors of popcorn.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 2nd, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, A-C-L-U of Indiana Director Ken Falk emphasized the need for a new jail to the committee during the latest Community Justice Response Committee meeting. But first, your local headlines:
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
During the February 20th meeting of the Richland Bean Blossom School Board, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin gave his regular report.
Then, Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders delivered his report, providing a variety of noteworthy calendar items for the school system.
The next R-B-B school board meeting will take place on March 27th.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on February 22nd, the Planning Department announced an upcoming meeting on March 23rd from 5:30 – 6:45 pm.
Next, the commissioners heard a presentation from Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator Christine McAfee about the Monroe County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.
The commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about a contract with Yasmin L. Stump Law Group. The contract would be for legal services on an as-needed basis to assist with any right-of-way acquisitions that proceed to condemnation while extending the Karst Trail.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract.
Next the commissioners heard a rezone request from Planning Department Planner Daniel Brown for a parcel located at 7935 West Ratliff Road.
Brown outlined the history of the zoning on the parcel.
The property owner Brandon Powell spoke and explained why he is requesting the rezone.
The commissioners approved the rezone request unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 1st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In this edition, Civic Conversations host Jim Allison speaks with Marcia Veldman, the Indiana State Co-Coordinator for the Citizens Climate Lobby. We turn now to the latest installment of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Bloomington and Monroe County lack sufficient housing, and the reasons are complex, writes Steve Hinnefeld. In his in-depth report on housing, he finds our community struggling with supply, stability, and subsidies, while the deeper housing issues are overlapping and intertwined. | Photo by Jason VestYou’re listening to Deep Dive: Limestone Post and WFHB Investigate – where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. This month, we are looking into the Housing Crisis. Next month, we will address possible solutions.
Last week we looked into how Bloomington lacks the supply of housing units to keep up with the demand of the people living here. This low supply paired with the high demand of the college town, leads to competition over the housing market. Which can lead to people taking what they can get and settling for – or getting stuck in – lower quality housing.
We talked to Bloomington Resident Keelin Walser about her experience renting in town, and a recent mold crisis she dealt with. Walser looked into taking legal action against her landlord, but was not able to find any lawyers in town willing to take her case.
This week we look deeper into the lack of legal recourse tenants have living in Indiana.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 1st, 2023.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Deep Dive: Limestone Post and WFHB Investigate – where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Going Whole Hog on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.
Bloomington City Council – Committee of the Whole Climate Action Resilience Committee
The Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole Climate Action Resilience Committee met on February 21st to continue their discussion on phasing out gas powered machinery.
Chair of the Committee Dave Rollo introduced the discussion and summarized their objectives.
City Attorney Steven Lucas spoke on behalf of Public Works Department Adam Wasson about the department’s machinery.
Parks and Recreation Operations and Development Division Director Tim Street gave an update on the parks and recreation department’s transition to battery powered machinery.
Next, Rollo shared findings from the survey they sent out to learn more about how stakeholders use gas powered and electric machinery.
The Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole Climate Action Resilience Committee will meet again in a month to explore how other cities have implemented similar ordinances and to meet with other stakeholders like M-C-C-S-C, Indiana University, construction companies, etc.
Feature Report:
Bloomington and Monroe County lack sufficient housing, and the reasons are complex, writes Steve Hinnefeld. In his in-depth report on housing, he finds our community struggling with supply, stability, and subsidies, while the deeper housing issues are overlapping and intertwined. | Photo by Jason VestIn today’s feature report, we have Deep Dive: Limestone Post and WFHB Investigate – where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County.
Up next, Going Whole Hog on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 28th, 2023.
Later in the program, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with 2023 mayoral candidate for the City of Bloomington, Kerry Thomson. Thomas has served as executive director for Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement since 2018. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
At the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting on February 23rd, Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña shared a request for a demolition delay at 1017 South Walnut Street. Braña presented her historic research on the house.
The petitioner Michael Bridavsky, explained why he would like permission to do a full demolition of the main house and garage.
Commissioner Allison Chopra asked if the staff had any findings on the building being structurally unsound. Braña said that the staff didn’t have any reports on its structural integrity.
Commissioner Doug Bruce said that he has seen the building degrade over time and would support the demolition.
Commissioner Sam Desollar asked the petitioner to consider donating any salvageable and original materials from the house, to the Historic Preservation Commission.
In response, Bridavsky shared some plans he has for the property.
Chopra added that she was disappointed the designation as historically significant was not applied here.
The commission voted unanimously to waive the rest of the demolition delay waiting period.
The next Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be held on March 9th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab invited all declared candidates for the City of Bloomington’s 2023 mayoral race to appear on the program in weekly installments. This week, we hear a conversation with mayoral candidate Kerry Thomson. Thomson has served as executive director for IU’s Center for Rural Engagement since 2018. Stay tuned to Big Talk and the WFHB Local News for more editions featuring mayoral candidates before the 2023 municipal primary on May 2nd.
Up next, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea, spend the hour with Professor Joseph Hoffman (emeritus) to assess the current state of U.S. politics.
Our current national politics can best be described as a 3-ring circus. Here on Bring It On! we are not at a loss for topics to discuss. There are Trump’s latest legal woes; a proposed “National Divorce” by GOP poster-child Marjorie Taylor Green; the release of over 44,000 hours of surveillance footage of the January 6th insurrection to FOX news by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a couple of U.S. Supreme Court cases addressing social media, and North Carolina election laws. And let’s not forget a multi-billion-dollar defamation lawsuit against FOX news network. Here to help us decipher the legal implications in the political- sphere is Indiana University Law Professor Joseph Hoffman, an award-winning scholar and Harry Pratter Professor of Law Emeritus, and past recipient of the Law School Gavel Award.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is William Hosea.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 27th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on February 22nd, the Planning Department announced an upcoming meeting on March 23rd from 5:30 – 6:45 pm.
Next, the commissioners heard a presentation from Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator Christine McAfee about the Monroe County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.
The commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about a contract with Yasmin L. Stump Law Group. The contract would be for legal services on an as-needed basis to assist with any right-of-way acquisitions that proceed to condemnation while extending the Karst Trail.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract.
Next the commissioners heard a rezone request from Planning Department Planner Daniel Brown for a parcel located at 7935 West Ratliff Road.
Brown outlined the history of the zoning on the parcel.
The property owner Brandon Powell spoke and explained why he is requesting the rezone.
The commissioners approved the rezone request unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 1st.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. This interview segment is titled Foods or Fads: Do-s and Don’ts. We turn now to Part II of that conversation.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Susan Seizer and Leslie Davis. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Susan Seizer and Leslie Davis of Wheelie Women with the Mobility Aids Lending Library (MALL). We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
This is a rebroadcast from July 18, 2023:
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Leon Bates, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pan African Studies, at the University of Louisville, KY. He focuses on Urban History (i.e. Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence), and the Intersection of Race. Today he explores the life and times of Lt. Col. Joseph H. Ward (1872-1956).
Ward was an African American surgeon, hospital administrator, and World War I veteran. Ward established and operated a hospital for black patients when they were barred from treatment elsewhere. He was a medical trailblazer and early American Legion member whose achievements – decades before the civil-rights movement – have been largely forgotten.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
The Hammer And The Hatchet (John Bowyer and Jayme Hood) joined us at Brown County Inn on February 15th, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Credits
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Jar Turner
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Chama Henry
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Venue Sound Engineer: Will Scott
- Post-production by Jim Lang and Chama Henry
LowLanders joined us at Brown County Inn on February 15th, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Songs
- “Screwin’ Up”
- “Oak Ridge”
- “If I Ain’t Done Nothing”
- “The Game”
- “Without a Leg to Stand On”
- “Ramble”
Credits
- WFHB Remote Broadcast MC: Jar Turner
- WFHB Remote Broadcast Engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB Studio Engineer: Chama Henry
- WFHB Local Live Remote Broadcast Producer: Jar Turner
- Venue Sound Engineer: Will Scott
- Post-production by Jim Lang and Chama Henry
Brenda’s Friend (Amy Oelsner & Erin Tobey) joined us at The Bishop Bar on January 18th, 2023 for a Local Live remote broadcast performance.
Songs
- “Freon”
- “En Suite”
- “King of the Doctors”
- “Sub-Creative”
- “Thunder Pillow”
- “House Down”
Credits
- WFHB emcee: Christine Brackenhoff
- WFHB remote broadcast engineer: Jim Lang
- WFHB studio engineers: Mark Richardson and Chama Henry
- WFHB Local Live Remote broadcast producer: Jar Turner
- The Bishop Bar sound engineer: Jared Coyle
- Post-production by Jim Lang and Chama Henry
HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy
Toppled trees can tell the story of a windswept landscape, if only people know how to tune in. Now, researchers are reading the roughness of hillsides to learn about winds blasting in the past.
Unlike Indiana, some states have plans on how to become carbon-free by 2050. According to Inside Climate Change, this is happening with remarkable speed. Most recently, Minnesota lawmakers have passed a bill requiring 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040.
Environmental Action reports the plastics industry and the American Chemistry Council are pushing legislation in Congress that would reclassify incineration as “advanced recycling.” Classifying plastic incinerators as “advanced recycling” would allow them to avoid Clean Air Act requirements, taking an insidious part of our waste disposal and sweeping it under the rug.”
The Audubon Society reports on a recent assessment of bird populations by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative. They have tracked the health of breeding birds in habitats across the nation over the past five decades.
The New York Times reports many American consumers are now eligible to save thousands of dollars when they buy an electric car, heat pump, solar panels or energy-efficient appliances. Those savings kicked in this year as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, major legislation that aims to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
Featured Animal: Mia, a cat currently residing at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Mia is a beautiful, sweet lady who is all about affection. She loves to cuddle up and start her purr box on high. As soon as anyone stops by her kennel, she is up and seeking lots of pets. Mia is FeLV positive and should either be the only cat or live with other FeLV cats.
Featured Topic: What is Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)?
FeLV is an infectious disease among cats. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, FeLV is the most common cause of cancer in cats. It may cause various blood disorders and may cause a cat to be immunocompromised. Although a diagnosis of FeLV can be overwhelming, cats with FeLV can live normal lives for prolonged periods of time. Tune in to the episode to learn about FeLV prevention methods and disease management.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Locutora, Minerva Sosa, entrevista a Anna Mueller, Investigadora Principal, Mundos Sociales y Estudios de Bienestar Juvenil. Ella dice algunos consejos para escuchar cuando alguien comparte información sobre las dificultades que están pasando y nos hablan sobre sus emociones. Ella nos dice las maneras de responder cuando alguien que está compartiendo sus emociones, y comparte sobre las maneras como deberíamos responder.
Host, Minerva Sosa, interviews Anna Mueller, Principal Investigator, Social Worlds & Youth Well-Being Study. Anna shares tips to listen when someone shares information about the difficulties that they are going through and tells us about their emotions. She tells us the ways to respond when someone is sharing their emotions, and shares the ways we should respond.
Earlier this week, Keith LaMar went on hunger strike at the Ohio State Penitentiary. He has faced escalating harassment from administrators and guards as his execution this fall looms and as solidarity momentum builds on the outside. This harassment extends to new arbitrary rules preventing him from wearing spiritually-significant jewelry and systematic interruptions during visits. Keith is on death row due to allegations that he acted as an interracial peacemaker in the leadup to the seminal 1993 Lucasville Prison Uprising. He was seized by guards during the first day of the uprising and was not present during any of the deaths which later occurred. His support crew asks that people call Regional Administrator Eric Lyle at 614-752-1736 and demand that Keith’s demands for respect and safety are met. More information can be found at keithlamar.org.
Also this week, Emily Murphy’s struggle for adequate food in the Atlanta City Detention Center focused attention on the 19 people facing charges for domestic terrorism for their participation in the mass movement to stop the construction of a cop city in the Atlanta forest. Emily is one of those forest defenders who is still being held and has been denied access to vegan food for almost a month. They have not only protested on their own behalf, but have drawn attention to the systemic neglect and abuse all prisoners face in this jail.
As of February 24th, it seems as though protest and a flood of calls from outside have forced the jail to begin providing adequate vegan meals, shifting the struggle to Emily’s release and defeating the state of Georgia’s wider campaign of repression and intimidation. On this episode we hear from Emily and one of Emily’s dear friends. After that, we share an interview we conducted with Sarah Alvarez, a lawyer with the Civil Liberties Defense Center, who powerfully analyzes the fraught charging strategies Georgia prosecutors are using.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 23rd, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine speaks with several local musicians about their process, influences and the local music scene. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we broadcast an edition of Dark Past, Bright Future – a Black history segment produced by Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell.
The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.According to the ACLU, the Indiana House of Representatives could vote as early as today on House Bill 1608 — what people are calling the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Protesters packed the Statehouse this week to demonstrate against the bill which activists are saying would erase LGBTQ people in Indiana schools and out transgender students.
The bill has already passed through the House Committee on Education and just yesterday had its second reading in the House.
On Wednesday, the Indiana House voted to prohibit state funding of the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University’s sexual research institute, after bringing up disputed allegations of child exploitation by the institute’s founder, Alfred Kinsey.
Indiana’s House Bill 1001 is the budget bill, and Representative Larissa Sweet introduced this proposal in an amendment to the bill.
Robert Kinsey published several works on sexual research in the 1940s and 1950s. Kinsey collected survey data with over 18,000 participants. According to the Indy Star, critics accused Kinsey of encouraging sexual experimentation on children, although no evidence has ever been produced and no charges were ever brought against him.
Representative Matt Pierce, who represents the Bloomington area, said in a statement, “Yesterday’s vote to defund the Kinsey Institute based on decades-old, unfounded conspiracy theories shows the House Republicans have been captured by the extreme right wing. Rational decision making in the House is no longer possible with legislators more interested in fighting culture wars or just afraid some crazy person will defeat them in a primary election if they don’t support extreme bills.”
Amendment 2 of the budget bill, which details the defunding of the Kinsey Institute, passed out of the House by a 53 to 34 vote.
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.During the February 14th meeting of the Monroe County Council, local resident Carol Wilson said during public comment that she wants to see improved conditions at the county jail.
Another Monroe County resident Otter Williams offered public comment about the county’s proposal for a new jail.
A third public commenter Renee Miller criticized the county government’s response to the local jail.
The Monroe County Council will meet again for its regular session on March 14th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine speaks with several local musicians about their process, influences and the local music scene. She interviews Bloomington artists Mindfully Blind, Westhead and Connor McLaren. We turn to Romine for more.
Up next, we broadcast an edition of Dark Past, Bright Future – a segment produced by Bring It On’s very own, Liz Mitchell. Mitchell presents a brief history of the story of Madame C.J. Walker’s triumph over adversity to become the first Black woman millionaire in America.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Grace Romine.
Dark Past, Bright Future is produced by Liz Mitchell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She moved to Bloomington in 1997 and quickly established herself as a player in the city. As CEO of the local Habitat for Humanity operation, Thomson gained firsthand experience in housing, capital development, and the interplay between government offices and constituents. She’s been the executive director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement since 2018 and now hopes to win the Democratic nomination for mayor in this spring’s primary.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
You’re listening to the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 15th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young provide the first episode of Deep Dive: Limestone Post and WFHB Investigate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bad Numbers on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, we have Deep Dive: Limestone Post and WFHB Investigate. This week, we look deeper into the quality of Bloomington’s housing stock. One aspect of the housing crisis is that there are not enough units to keep up with the demand of the people living here. This low supply paired with the high demand of the college town, leads to competition over the housing market. Which can lead to people taking what they can get and settling for – or getting stuck in – lower quality housing.
Up next, Bad Numbers on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
Today’s episode was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young, Richard Fish and Jack Lewis.
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. This month we are looking into the Housing Crisis, next month we will address possible solutions.
This week we look deeper into the quality of Bloomington’s housing stock. One aspect of the housing crisis is that there are not enough units to keep up with the demand of the people living here. This low supply paired with the high demand of the college town, leads to competition over the housing market. Which can lead to people taking what they can get and settling for – or getting stuck in – lower quality housing.
Tune in next Wednesday at 5 p.m. for a deeper dive into Monroe County’s Housing Crisis. Visit the Limestone Post to read the full print version of the story.
Image courtesy of Keelin Walser taken on December 27th of her apartment ceiling collapsing.
February holds the holiday of Valentine’s Day, a holiday that is celebrated by many in and in many different ways. This month, Youth Radio took to the streets to ask the residents of Bloomington their thoughts on Valentine’s day past, present, and future.
All interviews conducted by Marty Abaddi
Produced and edited by Miles Petro and Wilder Mouton
Welcome to the 73rd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community, and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Joanna Kung, Ming Wang, and Belle Chatpunnarangsee.
In this episode, we asked Katelyn Wu, Audrey Lee, and Parnasi Bandyopadhyay to share their experiences about helping organize the February 4th rally in support of Asians and Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. Specifically, we touched on topics of inclusivity, equity, connections, and activism.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guests are Katelyn Wu, Audrey Lee, and Parnashi Banyopadhyay
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Good evening, I’m Abe Shapiro and this is a special edition of Disabulletin. Tonight, we continue our report: Lawyers, Schools, and Access: A History of Special Education in the United States as part of our coverage of the recent Supreme Court Special Education Case Perez V Sturgis School District, which will be decided by the end of the court’s term in June. Our topics tonight include:
-What happened to Merritt Beattie after the 1919 Wisconsin Supreme Court Case excluding him from the public school system
You can find out in this 1979 paper from the Ohio State Law Journal! https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/handle/1811/65107/OSLJ_V40N3_0603.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y
Good evening, i’m Abe Shapiro and this is Disabulletin, where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world. Tonight, we continue our adventure in recounting the history of Special Education Law in the United States.
When we last left off, we were in 1919 Antigo Wisconsin, where the state supreme court had upheld the Antigo School District’s decision to remove 13-year-old Merritt Beattie from the public education system due to his disability. Upon further research courtesy of the Antigo Supreme Court Law Library, we have discovered the story inside the final years of Merritt Beattie’s life. In a 1979 Ohio State Law Journal article published by Susan Smith Blakely, following the State Supreme Court’s permitting his exclusion from the Antigo Public School System, Merritt’s parents “hired a private tutor for their son but had to discontinue the lessons because of the expense. Despite the many doors to equal education being shut in his face, Merritt taught himself to read with the help of his family. He went on to have a prominent presence in his community, from helping put up Christmas lights on the main street to becoming an advertising salesman with clients as far as 150 miles from his home. He would often go so far as to walk 10-15 miles a day, hitchhike, and travel via bus. Finally, in 1966, the city of Antigo’s Chamber of Commerce took a step that might be considered a type of reparations. They awarded Merritt a lifetime membership to the chamber, the first honor of its kind for any citizen of the city. One of the most prominent passages that we found in our research was an incident that Blakely’s father was involved alongside his friend, who was none other than Merritt Beattie.
On May 13, 1989, Merritt Beattie died at the age of 84. This broadcast and this coverage are dedicated to his memory.
We now turn ahead the clock once more, this time to Cuyahoga County, Ohio in 1933
Local student Beldene Golman had been originally excluded from school due to a low IQ, though the was reinstated on appeal by her parents to the Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals. This court ruled that only the Ohio Department of Education rather than the school district, could exclude students with disabilities. However, if the state adopted a rule that students below an IQ of 50 could be excluded, then Beldene could be removed from school due to her disability.
Shortly after winning their case against the Cuyahoga County school board which allowed for their daughter’s reinstatement, the Golman’s helped mobilize parents across the state by establishing a new organization, The Cuyahoga County Council for the Disabled Child on September 17, 1935. According to her book on the history of the organization published in 1970, Council historian Sally Schmidt wrote that the organization had been around informally since 1931, with an operating body of 500 members, and prided itself on being “the first organization to work with and for the disabled child living at home with its parents in the community.”
-The case of Beldene Goldman and the 1935 Ohio court case that etched one of the first judicial victories for the Special Education Community https://casetext.com/case/board-of-education-v-state-ex-rel-goldman
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 21st, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Community Justice Response
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.During the February 20th meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, ACLU of Indiana Director Ken Falk urged the need for a new jail to the committee.
Falk explained a lawsuit the ACLU filed in 2008 against the county.
Monroe County Council Member Jennifer Crossley expressed frustration at the lack of effort done by leadership when the lawsuit was filed.
Falk noted that the lawsuit was considered a “private settlement agreement” meaning that it’s not subject to judicial enforcement.
County Commissioner Lee Jones asked what the worst-case scenario would be if a new lawsuit were to be filed. Falk responded.
During public comment, Care Not Cages Sydney Foreman urged the committee to limit the current jail population. She also asked the committee to carefully consider where they choose to construct the new jail.
Also during public comment, local resident Renee Miller advised the committee to listen to inmates when conducting the jail planning effort.
The CJRC will discuss more during their next meeting at 4:30 p.m. on March 6th.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.Now it’s time for Disabulletin – where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a coproduction between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Josefa Madrigal, entrevista a coach de salud, Diana Rojas. Coach Diana Rojas nos dice sobre los principios básicos para una buena nutrición. Escuche sobre las recomendaciones cuando se trata de tener una vida saludable. Escuche de los tipos de alimentos que debería alejarse y entérese del porciento de comida que deberíamos consumir. Por cuestión a nuestra vida ocupada, coach Diana también nos da ‘tips’ para aquellas personas que no tienen tiempo de cocinar pero que si puedan consumir una buena alimentación. Los alimentos que podemos comprar para hacer más fácil, preparar nuestra comida en antipocado en baches, y cambiar los acompañamientos para que sea algo diferente.
Josefa Madrigal, interviews health coach, Diana Rojas. Coach Diana Rojas tells us about the basic principles for good nutrition. Hear about the types of foods you should stay away from and find out the percentage of food we should be consuming. As a matter of our busy life, Coach Diana also gives us ‘tips’ for those who do not have time to cook but who can still consume a good diet. The foods we can buy to make it easier, prepare our food in anticipation of bumps, and change the accompaniments to make it something different.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 16th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, on today’s episode of Voices in the Street, Youth Radio hit the windy streets of Bloomington to ask local residents their thoughts on Valentine’s Day, both on a personal and societal level.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee meeting on February 7th, Committee Member Peter Iverson was elected as Chair. The nomination passed unanimously.
The Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Phil Parker asked the committee to approve the creation of a position to maintain the jail’s facility.
Committee Member Marty Hawke asked Parker about the hours of the position. Parker responded that it would be a full time position for 40 hours. He added that it will require flexible hours.
Committee Member Geoff McKimm asked if they would discuss outlining the role of the Sheriff’s Office and the commissioners to maintain the facility. County Legal Molly Turner King said she was ready to discuss this and collaborate with the Sheriff’s Office.
The committee agreed to continue to work on the position together, finalize it, and send the position to WIS in the next seven days.
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).On February 9th the Monroe County Election Board continued their discussion on the polling sites for the 2023 municipal primary election. The board motioned to recess this decision at their last meeting to wait until they knew whether or not Ellettsville and Stinesville would be involved.
Board Member Donovan Garletts introduced the resolution to approve the polling sites for 2023, without a location in Stinesville.
Monroe County Chief Deputy Clerk Tressia Martin gave updates on the upcoming election in May.
The next Monroe County Election Board meeting will be held on March 2nd.
Feature Reports:
You can hear Prescription for Healthcare with Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone on the second Thursday of each month on the WFHB Local News.Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Representative Matt Pierce representing District 61 Bloomington in the Indiana legislature where he has served since 2002. We talk about health legislation being considered this session that could change the way hospitals set their prices. We will continue the conversation in Part 2 aired next month.
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.Up next is Voices in the Street, with a special segment on Valentine’s Day, produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Voices in the Street is produced by Youth Radio.
This we continue our conversation between Micol Seigel and Anne Gray Fischer about her recent book, The Streets Belong to Us: Sex, Race, and Police Power from Segregation to Gentrification, an account of gender and sexuality’s crucial role in the history and exercise of police power.
[ Here are our previous episodes ] with Anne Gray Fischer on the book
Featured animal: Spider, a cat currently residing at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Spider is a shy guy that may greet strangers with a hiss and a hide, but as soon as he gets a pet, he melts like butter. His foster mom says that he sought out affection after only a day with her. Spider is FIV positive, meaning he has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Spider could easily live happily with other FIV positive cats.
Featured topic: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, FIV is one of the most common infectious diseases of cats. FIV attacks the immune system, leaving a cat vulnerable to many other secondary infections. There is no cure for FIV, but cats with FIV commonly live average life spans. Tune in to the episode to learn about FIV transmission, diagnosing, management, and prevention.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Emily Herr, Outreach Coordinator with the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, joins us to discuss the significance of using positive reinforcement (rather than aversive tools) to train animals, as well as the importance of early socialization. Herr also explains how declawing can cause both physical and behavioral concerns in cats.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Bloomington and Monroe County lack sufficient housing, and the reasons are complex, writes Steve Hinnefeld. In his in-depth report on housing, he finds our community struggling with supply, stability, and subsidies, while the deeper housing issues are overlapping and intertwined. | Photo by Jason VestThis is the first installment of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigative where we look into issues regarding health, housing, and the environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. This month we are looking into the housing crisis, next month we will address possible solutions.
The housing crisis we face is complex but can be broken down into three main categories. First, there is a high demand for rentals since Bloomington is a college town. Second, there is a lack of housing options or “housing supply” due to the 2008 recession which led to contractors and builders leaving the market and the ones that remained focused mainly on luxury homes to ensure a profit. Third, there is a lack of land available for building outside of Bloomington due to the region’s unique karst topography and rural zoning requirements.
According to Bloomington’s 2020 Housing Survey over 60 percent of renting households and nearly 30 percent of owner-occupied households in Bloomington are cost burdened, meaning approximately one-third of their income goes toward their rent and/or mortgage.
Tune in to the full show and visit the Limestone Post to read the full print version of the story.
In February 2023, Civic Conversations Podcast welcomed Marcia Veldman, the Indiana State Co-Coordinator for the Citizen’s Climate Lobby. In the podcast, Marcia shares the origin story of Citizen’s Climate Lobby, an organization with 450 US chapters and 150 international chapters. The Citizen’s Climate Lobby strongly advocates the carbon tax dividend. Because they don’t believe those dumping pollution into our environment should be able to do this for free, the carbon tax dividend, Veldman explained, are fees collected for the cost of burning fossil fuel, and the dividends are the fees collected and returned to Americans to spend as they see fit. When asked if Congress could create an effective carbon tax, Veldman said they should pursue it, but politically, they would not. In a recent conversation with Senator Todd Young, Veldman indicated that Young said a carbon tax would be necessary but politically not feasible. One resource that the Citizen Climate Lobby in Indiana depends on is the Purdue University Climate Change Research Center. Veldman said that they were an excellent resource for specific Indiana climate change information and that they work closely with them. Veldman is seeing some changes this last year, especially the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant climate change legislation to pass in recent years. She applauded Bloomington’s effort to address climate change but says it will be hard to address if state and national politicians don’t help.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 14th, 2023.
Later in the program, Big Talk producer Michael Glab invited all candidates for the City of Bloomington’s 2023 mayoral race to appear on the program in weekly installments. Today, we’ll hear from City Council Member and Mayoral Candidate Susan Sandberg. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a segment done in collaboration with Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On February 8, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners held its weekly meeting. Agenda items included an update from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Phil Parker regarding the maintenance of the county jail.
County Commissioner Penny Githens commented on Parker’s report and outlined what current and future maintenance of the facility would look like and who would perform it.
New business in front of the council this week included the approval of a grant agreement with the Indiana department of health for Opioid rescue kits, an agreement summarized by Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley.
County Commissioner Penny Githens asked Kelley about citizen access to the kits. Kelley responded.
The agreement was approved by the Council unanimously.
The next motion concerned a project between the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Department and J-C-L Aerial Services. The project’s intended goal was to have J-C-L, a company specializing in aerial photography, capture photo and video footage of county Parks during the fall and spring of 2022, which was not successful due to multiple delays. The motion proposed that the agreement be amended so that the project could be successfully completed in the spring. Monroe County Parks and Recreation Assistant Director John Robertson spoke in support of the motion.
Commissioner Githens spoke in support of the motion.
The motion was approved by the board unanimously.
Next up, the council considered a funding request by Riverway Plumbing to replace drain lines at two locations of the County jail. County Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider presented the
motion before the board.
All three commissioners responded positively to Crider’s presentation.
The council approved the request unanimously. Crider returned to the podium to present a funding proposal for repairs to the roof of the Monroe County Justice building.
Commissioner Githens re-affirmed her praise for Crider’s usage of local resources.
The council approved the proposal unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on February 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab invited all declared candidates for the City of Bloomington’s 2023 mayoral race to appear on the program in weekly installments. This week, we hear a conversation with Bloomington City Council member and mayoral candidate, Susan Sandberg. Stay tuned to Big Talk and the WFHB Local News for more editions featuring mayoral candidates before the 2023 municipal primary on May 2nd.
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a segment done in collaboration with Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Michael Glab.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes Russian Cowboy to Saturday’s Child on February 11, from 11 AM to noon for a pulsating performance of punk-country fusion and unique Americana music. Listen on air or join our audience free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center, and check out the WFHB 30th anniversary display while you’re there on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, as Russian Cowboy, perform live, Saturday, February 11, at 11am, on Saturday’s Child.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 13th, 2023.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Health Weighs the Impact of Senate Bill 4
Photo by Benedict Jones.The Monroe County Board of Health met on February 9th. During public comment Monroe County Resident Andrea Ford expressed concern about Senate Bill 4.
Next, Monroe County Resident Ananya Manni asked the board questions about their stance on Senate Bill 4, and if they would be willing to turn down the financial incentives.
Board Member Carol Touloukian responded that she couldn’t answer his questions yet since the board has not discussed it together.
Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave updates on the Future’s Clinic’s initiative to use a free program that will remind clients about their appointment the day before they are scheduled to come in. Touloukian commented that no show rates are a common problem without a reminder system in place.
Kelley also gave an update on lead training for the staff. Touloukian asked if the lead screening would only be available at the Public Health Clinic Pediatricians Group, and expressed concern that children who go to different clinics won’t receive the service.
Interim Manager for Monroe County Public Health Clinic Zara Cortiga shared the outreach they would do to ensure more residents would be able to take advantage of the service.
And finally Dr. Carol Toulokian was re-elected as President of the Board, and Steve Pritchard was elected as Vice-President.
Feature Reports:
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing. This interview segment is titled Foods or Fads: Do-s and Don’ts.
The conversation begins with our guest addressing a question about the ketogenic diet – which involves consuming a lower amount of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat with the aim of helping your body burn fat for energy – and whether this diet can help with epileptic seizures.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Michelle Moss, Bloomington Volunteer Network Supervisor. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Activate is produced by Kirsten Payton and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Michelle Moss, Bloomington Volunteer Network Supervisor. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, guest hosts Liz Mitchell and Gloria Howell spend the hour with Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Martè and Monroe County Councilor and co-member of the Community Justice Reform Committee Jennifer Crossly.
Ruben Martè,Although being sworn in as Sheriff for just a little over a month, two incidents have already occurred within the Monroe County Jail. The most recent altercation resulted in the firing of a correctional officer. In an unrelated matter, Sheriff Martè recently made a graphic and riveting presentation on the deplorable conditions of the Monroe County Jail to the Community Justice Reform Committee.
Jennifer CrossleyCiting the jail conditions, Sheriff Martè stated that his department is not moving too fast in its approach, citing the urgent need to improve the current facility while also investing in a new one. Quoting him now, “When I see something like that, that is throughout the jail, I cannot go slow,” Marté further said. “We have a recipe that can really take off in that jail, if we give them time.” Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Martè, and Monroe County Councilor and co-member of the Community Justice Reform Committee Jennifer Crossley joins the program today to shed more light upon the situation.
Gloria HowellCredits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Gloria Howell.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is Liz Mitchell.
The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Liz Mitchell
HEADLINESIndyStar reports that every year when the list of new bills for the Indiana legislative session posts, Hoosiers may feel dizzy with deja vu.
—Norm Holy
The House Environmental Affairs Committee: 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. You are encouraged to write to them expressing your desire to see changes in Indiana regarding the environment and climate change.
—Julianna Dailey
When coal is burned, it produces a by-product called coal ash. Coal ash needs to be stored somewhere, and Indiana has more coal ash ponds than any other state in the country.
—Julianna Dailey
More than 100 coal ash waste sites, many unregulated, sit just feet from the Great Lakes, raising concerns for nearby communities and the 30 million people who rely on the lakes for drinking water.
—Norm Holy
Inside Climate Change reports that a coal-fired plant near Gillette, Wyoming stands alone in the nation on one measure of economic viability—a positive distinction for that plant, but a damning one for coal-fired electricity in general.
—Norm Holy
Exxon’s annual profit for 2022 reached $55.7 billion, the company reported, with Chevron posting a net profit of $36.5 billion for the year.
—Norm Holy
CNN reported that the nationwide sales of electric vehicles (EV) for 2022 was 5.6 percent of the total market. This represents substantial growth in EV sales.
—Norm Holy
CALENDAR
| The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will be about Wildfire Ecology on Saturday, February 11th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Brown County State Park has its own wildfire burn every year. You will learn about the burn area, wildfire ecology, wildland firefighting strategies and the effect the fire has on the park. The hike is about 3 miles long and very rugged. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. | | Learn how to build your own radio telescope at the Do-It-Yourself Hydrogen Line Radio Astronomy class at the Switchyard Park, picnic shelter from 7:45 to 8:45 pm on Saturday, February 11th. You will be using easily obtainable materials. And, maybe you will get to see the rare “green comet” with your very own telescope. Dress for the weather. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | The 22nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be held Friday, February 15 through Monday, February, 18. All you have to do is count birds for as little as 15 minutes or as long as you want during the 4-day event. Go to the official website at birdcount.org for more information. | | The Community Gardening Organization will have their next gardening class on Planting for a Rainy Day: How to Build Gardens with Stormwater in Mind on Wednesday, February 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. Learn how to beautify your home and provide wildlife habitat while reducing the flow of stormwater into storm drains. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Enjoy a Winter Tree ID Workshop at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, February 16th, from 6 to 8 pm. The White River Forestry Committee will discuss trees in southern Indiana. Learn how to identify trees in winter without the benefit of leaves using form, twigs, bark and branching character. Reservations are required at tdligman@att.net or call Teena at 812-278-0139. |
En celebración del día del amor y la amistad nuestra locutora, Luz López, tiene una conversación con Minerva Sosa, Josefa Madrigal y Sandy López, contribuidora de artículo para el Boletín Comunitario. Nos habla sobre el significado del amor y la Neurociencia. ¡En la segunda parte, tendran preguntas triviales, acompáñenos!
In celebration of the day of love and friendship (Valentin’s Day), our host, Luz López, has a conversation with Minerva Sosa, Josefa Madrigal and Sandy López, an article contributor for the Community Newsletter. She talks to us about the meaning of love and Neuroscience. In the second part, they will have trivial questions, join them!
We start this week’s episode with our monthly round up of prison protests and disturbances, compiled by Perilous Chronicle. After that, we share an Interview with Maru Moro Villalpando of La Resistencia, a project that organizes against the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. Once again, prisoners within the detention center have gone on hunger strike, and Maru returns to the show to continue to shed light on their struggles.
Our previous episode with Maru Moro Villalpando is here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/308-a-great-moment-to-push-further/
We’ve invited all the declared candidates for Bloomington mayor in the 2023 municipal election to appear on Big Talk. First up, long-time Bloomington city council member Susan Sandberg. A self-described FDR Democrat, Sandberg has served during the mayoral administrations of both Mark Kruzan and John Hamilton. Now, she hopes to leave her own mark on the city. Stayed tuned to WFHB and Big Talk for more editions featuring mayoral candidates before the 2023 municipal primary, May 2nd.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 72nd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Joanna Kung and Ming Wang.
In this episode we interview Jasmine Fan, a sophomore at IU, to share her experience about celebrating Lunar New Year in Taiwan and America. In our conversation, we focus on the various traditions and origins that may differ among families and cultures.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, Belle Chatpunnarangsee, and Joanna Kung
Our guest is Jasmine Fan
Our sound engineer is Joanna Kung
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Good evening, I’m Abe Shapiro and this is Disabulletin, where we cover the top stories impacting the disability community across the country and around the world. Tonight, we begin the first leg of an adventure covering the history of Special Education Law in the United States.
This is the next chapter in Disabulletin’s continuing coverage of the recent Supreme Court case Perez V Sturgis. To hear more about the case, you can find our previous episodes on WFHB.Org, just type Disabulletin in the search bar.
Tonight, we take you back to the year 1893. The Chicago World’s fair is in full swing, and on September 20 of that year, Charles and Frank Duryea successfully test the first ever gasoline-powered automobile on the streets of Springfield, Massachusetts. Despite these achievements in technology and national pride, special education is taking a step back an hour and a half away on Pemberton Street in Boston, Massachusetts. In its newly built granite shrine of justice, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts led by Chief Justice Marcus Perrin Knowlton hands down a decision in its latest case, Watson V Cambridge.
The case dates back to 1885 when the plaintiff “was excluded from the schools because he was too weak-minded to derive profit from instruction.” In his decision, Chief Justice Knowlton goes on to write that based on testimony given by the child’s teachers and physicians,
“…he was so weak in mind as not to derive any marked benefit from instruction and further that he is troublesome to other children, making unusual noises, pinching others etc. He is also found unable to take ordinary decent care of himself.“
Although the court did not rule on the city of Cambridge’s request to exclude the student, the final decision was turned over to a jury which was asked, according to Knowlton’s decision, “whether or not the plaintiff’s presence in school was a serious disturbance to the general order and discipline of the school and whether the final decision of a school district was final or could be overturned by a court.”
We do not hear about the Jury’s decision after this, only that it appears the Massachusetts Court gave the final say, stating that so long as the school districts [committees] act in the “good faith” of schools, such a decision was therefore up to them and if “answered honestly…a jury composed of men of no knowledge in deciding education issues should not be permitted to say their answer is wrong.”
In other words, the court ruled that the school district had the final say in all matters. This affirmed the court’s original rulings in a case that took place 23 years prior, Hodgkins V Rockport, which first argued school districts were acting in the good faith of their schools by excluding children who were hindering the functioning of the school.
We now move ahead in time and across the country. We’re in Antigo, Wisconsin in the year 1919. Prohibition of alcohol is ratified by the US Congress and the Paris Peace Conference convenes to discuss the negotiations of Germany post-WWI, spurred on by US President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points and the right of all nations to self-determination. But just as the US congress rejected this philosophy, so too did the Langdale County Municipal reject 13-year-old Merritt Beattie’s right to attend public school alongside non-disabled students. As a graduating senior at Indiana University, I covered the historical timeline of special education law in my History senior thesis, one of the cases cited was Beattie V Antigo Board of Education. Beattie, a 13-year-old student, had been removed from school by the Antigo Wisconsin Board of Education. According to testimony, Merritt lacked the “normal use and control of his voice, hands, feet, and body.” Other challenges included “uncontrollable facial contortions, making it difficult for him to be understood.” The Antigo Board of Education argued that Beattie’s differences created ”a depressing and nauseating effect upon the teachers and school children; that by reason of his physical condition he takes up an undue portion of the teacher’s time and attention, distracts the attention of other pupils, and interferes generally with the discipline and progress of the school.” In spite of those obstacles, Merritt managed to keep up with his classmates from first to fifth grade, after which he was transferred to the City’s school for children who were Deaf or who had “defective speech.” He was then placed back in a public school after five weeks in the fall of 1916, why such a decision was made is not explained.
After a State Education representative visited Merritt’s school and observed him in class, she recommended he be placed back in the deaf program, which he declined. Merritt’s parents appealed this decision to the Antigo Board of Education, which held a meeting to determine if Merritt could return to public school. Despite one member’s motion to reinstate the boy, this was not seconded by the board. A local court then took on the case, where a jury ruled in favor of reinstating Merritt. Justice Walter C. Owen of The Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed the school district’s right to exclude Merritt Beattie writing,
“the right of a child of school age to attend the public schools of this state cannot be insisted upon when its presence therein is harmful to the best interests of the school.” Owen then said the question at hand was who is responsible for deciding whether such a student can be removed, the courts or the School District? Based on Owen citing a state law confirming the school board’s right to transfer students from one department to another for their “good order and advancement” and Merritt’s “presence being harmful to the school’s welfare”, the district had the right to exclude him, even if it was “displeasing and painful to them.”
However, fellow Justice Franz Eschweiler disagreed with his colleague on the grounds that a Jury had found “no evidence that as a fact this boy’s presence did have any harmful influence on the other children.” Eschweiler also argued that the school board had no “exclusive power’ and that such a decision by the board violated the state constitution’s goal to ” secure to every child a substantial and fundamental right to attend the common school.” Therefore, the school district’s right to transfer Merritt was unconstitutional. Regardless of Eschweiler’s disagreement, the court permitted Merritt’s expulsion.
Next week, the scales of justice begin to tip as we travel to the 1930s, where Parents in Ohio began to grow frustrated over their children’s being denied an equal opportunity to education because of their disability, inspiring others across the country to mobilize.
| | ReplyForward |
“We have a lot of politics in Indiana heading into the 2024 cycle,” said Representative Jim Banks and senate candidate.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb was first elected in 2016, taking his spot in the Indiana State House after former Governor Mike Pence left to take on Washington D.C. as Vice President during the Trump Administration. With his second term ending in January 2025, Governor Holcomb will not be on the ballot for re-election next November.
Current US Senator Mike Braun announced in December 2022 he would be running for governor, leaving an open spot for Indiana in the senate. For the first time in several Indiana elections, there is both an opening for Governor and a US Senate Seat for 2024. Several individuals have shared interest in running for Indiana Senate with the new vacancy, but Representative Jim Banks has formally announced his bid for the 2024 election on January 17, making him the only declared candidate.
For the last six years, Congressman Banks has been Indiana’s 3rd District Representative known for his allyship with former President Trump, his work in the Veteran and Education committees, and his conservative approach to legislation. Representative Banks shares with WFHB that he feels he is ready for leadership in the senate.
Rep. Jim Banks talks about the issues he feels everyday Hoosiers care about (photo courtesy of Pulptastic).“I feel called to run for it,” said Banks. “My wife and I and our family, we’re very proud to serve in the house, but the senate seat offers an incredible opportunity to do more for our home state.”
Speculations have circled in discourse of what other Republican candidates will aim to take the vacancy. Former Indiana Governor and President of Purdue University Mitch Daniels was rumored to have interest in candidacy, which has since been denied by Daniels himself at the end of January. Talk of Governor Holcomb running for senate has also permeated, but he shared in a public appearance December of 2022, he was devoting his attention to the upcoming statehouse session, and would quote, “think about the future in the future.”
This seems to be similar within the democratic party of Indiana, who have yet to announce a candidate for the senate race. Blake Hesch, Director of Communications for the Democratic Party of Indiana, shares the party’s approach leading up to the election.
“Stakes are raised for a lot of races in 2024,” said Hesch. “We have a number of candidates that have already expressed their interest for the governor’s race and candidates who are interested in announcing probably sometime in the next couple of months.”
“This year in 2023, Democrats are going to see some great gains in certain communities where we’re running great mayoral candidates and great municipal candidates. That’s what we’ll be focusing on right now, and then gearing up for 2024 in the meantime. So basically, chewing gum and walking at the same time,” he said.
There has been a divide within the American GOP between politicians and voters leaning towards more traditional Republican values and legislation, and others who fall under the term coined as “Trumpism.” With Former President Trump announcing his run for re-election in 2024, future voting patterns of Republicans are unpredictable. The Democratic Party of Indiana feels that candidates who align with Trump won’t perform well.
“What we saw last year in 2022 is that if you were on the political fringe, if you were on the extreme and you aligned yourself with Donald Trump, quite often you did not do well,” said Hesch.
Although the Indiana Dems have yet to announce any candidates, they feel prepared with the issues they stand for.
“Focusing on those issues that everyday Hoosiers care about – the kitchen table issues – often what we call them, is what’s going to bring us success in our race,” said Hesch.
Within the next year, Hoosiers can expect Representative Jim Banks to be traveling around the state campaigning and getting signatures to ensure his name will be on the ballot in the Republican Primary May 2024.
“I’m excited about traveling the state making my case to voters that I’m best prepared to go to the United States Senate and fight for our values and for Hoosiers,” said Banks.
Among the individuals who have already endorsed Congressman Bank’s campaign include Florida Republican Mark Rubio and Former President Donald Trump.
Both Congressman Banks and Indiana Dem’s Blake Hesch encourage Hoosiers to get involved in democracy.
“Those campaigns will start building up, and after the November elections of this year, you’ll see a lot more where you can reach out and get involved,” said Hesch.
To register to vote visit in.gov to ensure you are ready when election day comes.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Chris Jackson and Michael Bird with the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 6th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Discusses Black History Month, Emergency Dispatch Union and Potential Removal of Member from Traffic Commission
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.On February 1st at the Bloomington City Council meeting Council Member Jim Sims shared upcoming events the city is hosting in honor of Black History Month.
City Clerk Nicole Bolden also encouraged council members and community members to attend the events.
During public comment Dispatcher Katie Rog spoke on behalf of the Dispatchers of the Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch Center, she outlined their goals for unionization, and asked the council to support the union.
Also during public comment, Council Attorney Stephen Lucas read a comment submitted in the chat box of the Zoom meeting, shared by local resident Sam Dove about a protest on February 4th.
Next, the Council appointed new members to commissioners, and debated removing Greg Alexander from the Traffic Commission. Council Member Dave Rollo introduced the ordinance.
Council member Steve Volan said the motion should be referred to the special committee on council processes to solicit a recommendation on how to move forward before a council meeting in March. Volan explained his rationale.
Council Member Matt Flaherty commented that he agrees with Volan about “process” and he would support the amendment.
Council Member Susan Sandberg said she supports the initiative to refer the removal of Alexander to the committee, but she acknowledged that she believes harm was done in this incident.
The motion passed unanimously to refer the incident to the special committee on council processes.
The Council will hear the committee’s recommendation at their meeting on March 1st.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on February 8th.
Feature Reports:
We have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line. Kite Line is a public affairs program that covers prison issues around the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB Community Community Radio. You can find all episodes of Kite Line online at wfhb dot org or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Chris Jackson and Michael Bird with the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Activate was produced by Kirsten Payton .
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Malcolm Abrams, Editor and Publisher of Bloom MagazineOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Malcolm Abrams, the editor and publisher of Bloom Magazine. He discusses his passion for publishing Bloom and why he is driven to showcase the diversity and richness that is Bloomington.
Bloom Magazine is a bimonthly culture and lifestyle magazine published in Bloomington. Founded in 2005 by editor and publisher Malcolm Abrams, Bloom is an independent and free magazine, which highlights and promotes inclusion and diversity in every issue. Within its pages, peppered with high-quality photography, readers learn about Bloomington’s, local community, the arts, entertainment, food and wine, fashion and shopping, health and fitness, and business and finance.
This month marks their 100th publication, which is an achievement for an individual with a lengthy career in news and print. Abrams worked for Rupert Murdoch as vice president/editorial director of Murdoch Business Magazines, where he was responsible for twenty publications including Travel Weekly, Meetings & Conventions, and Business and Commercial Aviation. Abrams is also the co-author of “Future Stuff,” and its sequel, “More Future Stuff,” both published by Viking Penguin.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we interview Rep. Matt Pierce representing District 61 Bloomington in the Indiana legislature where he has served since 2002. We talk about health legislation being considered this session that could change the way hospitals set their prices. We will continue the conversation in Part 2 aired next month.
State Rep. Matt Pierce web site Rep. Pierce’s bill HB 1472
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy
A new study of more than 80 refineries raises serious concerns about the wastewater they are pumping into lakes and rivers across the U.S. One of those polluters is BP’s Whiting Refinery in northwest Indiana.
A study found that textbooks’ coverage of climate change expanded from 1970 to 2019, but that the increase was inconsistent and that the books had failed to keep pace with the volume of new scientific research on the topic, especially in the last 20 years.
Inside Climate News reports that scientists have known for years that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world—nearly four times faster, according to a recent study.
After years of research on the Greenland ice sheet scientists reported in the journal Nature that temperatures there have been the warmest in at least the last 1,000 years – the longest amount of time their ice cores could be analyzed to.
The New York Times reports the Biden administration announced Wednesday that it has banned logging and road-building on about nine million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, aiming to settle a two-decade battle over the fate of North America’s largest temperate rainforest.
A news release by the University of Minnesota shows the importance of wolves in maintaining moose populations. Twenty-three percent of collared moose that died in Northeastern Minnesota over the past 15 years were infected with a brain worm parasite transmitted by white-tailed deer.
CALENDAR
| The Brown County State Park Hike Series continues with a “The Lake That Never Was” Hike on Saturday, February 4th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. You will learn about Taylor Hollow Lake, a lake that was started but never finished. The hike is about 2.5 miles long and is very rugged. Lots of steep climbs with ruts and several creek crossings. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. Meet at the Nature Center. | | Take the Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 4th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4 to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. | | Enjoy the next Winter Exploration Hike on Nebo Ridge at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, February 8th, beginning at 1 pm. These hikes include off-trail hiking into lesser-known areas. They are exploratory with no “set” path. The terrain can be rugged and there are no toilet facilities. Sign up at bit.ly/weh-feb8-2023. | | The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will be about Wildfire Ecology on Saturday, February 11th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Brown County State Park has its own wild fire burn every year. You will learn about the burn area, wildfire ecology, wildland firefighting strategies and the effect the fire has on the park. The hike is about 3 miles long and very rugged. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. |
Today’s episode highlights the campaign to close Rikers jail in New York and continues our conversation with Anne Gray Fischer about the intertwined stories of policing, the surveillance of women’s bodies, and the creation of the racialized American ghetto. Both Sy, an organizer against Rikers, and Gray Fischer, extend the histories of control and racial domination back to the middle of the 20th century. Sy connects their work in solidarity with Rikers prisoners to a family history surviving the Holocaust and resisting the Nazis, and Gray Fischer charts how police in the 1940s systematically punished women for transgressing the color line in their sexual relationships.
Here are some of our previous episodes about Rikers Island:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/309-captives-with-jarrod-shanahan-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/310-no-reforming-them-jarrod-shanahan-on-rikers-island/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/258-stick-up-on-rikers-island/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/2324/
Here are our previous episodes on Anne Gray Fischer’s recent book, The Streets Belong to Us: Sex, Race, and Police Power from Segregation to Gentrification:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/337-policing-womens-bodies/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/338-sex-work-at-the-birth-of-the-ghetto/
Youth Radio has been around for almost as long as WFHB itself. The program began with a single young person interested in radio and grew to include, through the years, hundreds of teenagers. Saturday nights are kids’ nights on WFHB with Youth Radio broadcasting from 6 to 10 pm. The WFHB News Department is now in partnership with Youth Radio, helping teens learn how to produce interviews, on the street Q&As, and topical reports. Aja Essex was hired as the first full-time director for the program in December.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
On this week’s episode, we’re doing something a little bit different: featuring two special needs pets who need our help.
Our first featured pet is Star, a sweet senior dog who comes to us from Humane Indiana. She initially arrived at Humane Indiana after she was found abandoned at a farm. Star was adopted quickly, but then returned to the shelter when her adoptive family’s situation changed. Star is friendly and eager to greet visitors at the shelter. She also does well with children of all ages, but it has been really hard to find the right family for Star because she’s a senior gal with some medical concerns. She’s been at Humane Indiana for nearly a year, despite her amazing personality. After a few visits with her vet, it was suspected that Star has chronic myelopathy. She struggles with incontinence and takes ongoing medication to help with her conditions. When meeting Star, you might notice her back legs don’t function normally. But, she still loves to run around, play with toys, and will take any treat you offer her. She has also done well with other dogs and dog play groups during her shelter stay. This sweet, playful girl needs to get out of the shelter so she can be spoiled like she deserves. If you’re interested in meeting or adopting Star, to help her live her best life well into her golden years, please reach out to Humane Indiana or directly to jdietz[at]humaneindiana[dot]org.
Our next featured pet comes to us from our local City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Babs is a 6-month-old Heeler mix puppy. She was born in the shelter then raised in a foster home with her nine siblings. At around 6 weeks of age, Babs and two of her siblings began developing significant medical concerns over the course of a month. They had ulcers in their mouths, growths that would rupture on their bodies, fevers, random lameness of different limbs, and significant pain in various parts of their bodies. The affected puppies all remained much smaller than their litter mates. Babs and her siblings saw numerous vets who performed biopsies, checks, and blood panels in an attempt to figure out what was causing their symptoms. The three puppies were started on prednisone, which helped to keep symptoms mild, but they were still battling significant issues. In late December 2022, Babs’s two siblings passed away. Babs is the sole remaining pup of the three and we are hopeful about receiving a diagnosis for her soon. She’s about 25 pounds, half the size of her healthy siblings. She is very smart with a zesty personality. It is suspected that she may have an autoimmune disease. She is scheduled with a specialist who can help determine this and help with her ongoing care. Babs is in a loving foster home, which will likely become her forever home. She is truly beating the odds with proper care. We’re hopeful she’ll live a happy and long life, and we want to give her that chance. If you’d like to contribute to Babs’s care, you can visit this link. Babs is already so bonded with her foster family and we can’t wait to see her thriving!
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Loida Rodriguez, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist for the American Red Cross of Indiana. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 30th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Mayor John Hamilton and Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren discussed the arts feasibility study released by the city. More in the top half of tonight’s show.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington Historic Preservation
At the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting on January 26th, Chair of the Commission John Saunders was re-elected as Chair, and Sam DeSollar was re-elected as the Vice-President of the Commission.
Next, the commission moved onto reviewing demolition delays. Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña shared a request for a partial demolition at 622 North Washington Street.
The petitioner Barre Klapper explained they will rebuild the house with the same materials.
The commission unanimously approved the release of the demolition delay.
The next partial demolition they reviewed was for a house located at 211 North Grant Street. Colom Braña explained that the staff recommended considering alternative solutions to the demolition.
The petitioner, Mac Matterson shared their plans for the building.
Colom Braña explained what the options the commission has regarding the demolition delay.
Commission Member Duncan Campbell gave his opinion on the partial demolition.
Commissioner Chris Sturbaum suggested that the petitioner try to reuse as many of the original bricks as possible.
The commission unanimously approved the release of the demolition delay for the property on North Grant Street as well.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled for February 9th.
Feature Reports:
Up next, a monthly roundup of prison disturbances as compiled by the Perilous Chronicle. This program was featured on the latest edition of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs at 5:30 p.m. each Friday on WFHB. The program is available online. We turn to the producers of Kite Line for more.
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Loida Rodriguez, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist for the American Red Cross of Indiana. We turn now to the latest installment of Activate on the WFHB Local News.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Activate was produced by Kirsten Payton and Michelle Moss.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea welcome Robin Winston, an accomplished business leader and a skilled political strategist, to talk about Black Americans and the Republican Party.
Five Facts about Black Republicans include:
1) Black Republicans are younger than Black Democrats and White Republicans.
2) Black Republicans have a similar income profile to Black Democrats.
3) As is the case among Black Democrats, roughly half of Black Republicans live in the South.
4) Black Republicans are less likely than Black Democrats to attend Black churches.
5) Black Republicans are less likely than Black Democrats to say being Black is a significant part of their personal identity.
Today, only about one-in-ten Black adults identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. Moreover, in a Pew Research Center survey in October, only 4% of Black registered voters said they would vote for the Republican candidate for the U.S. House seat in their district, while 69% said they would back the Democratic candidate.
Robin Winston joins the program to provide his astute observations on the relationship between Black Americans and the Republican Party. Along with his views on the political horizon in Indiana, he will field some questions pertaining to the circus atmosphere in the US House of Representatives, Donald Trump’s last stand in Georgia and up and coming Democratic talent like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
Credits:
Clarence Boone and William Hosea are tonight’s hosts.
Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is William Hosea.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On November 30th, 2022, Kay Krull joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed the album Saturn in Love, her start in performing as a musician, and what is on the horizon for 2023.
Songs:
- “Viper”
- “How Sweet I Roamed From Field to Field” (cover)
- “In Love For The Last Time”
- “Phoebe”
- “In The Right Light”
Credits:
- Engineers: Chama Henry and Alyssa Gray
- Host: Abby Noroozi
- Post-production: Jim Lang and Chama Henry
On December 7th, 2022, Coot Crabtree & The Roadkillers joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed the formation of the band, the album Dashboard, and Coot’s upcoming gig.
Songs:
- “Georgia On A Fast Train” (cover)
- “The Bluejay”
- “Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes”
- “Over You”
- “Under The Radar”
Credits:
- Engineers: Alyssa Gray and Chama Henry
- Host: Christine Brackenhoff
- Post-Production: Jim Lang and Chama Henry
HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy
With the legislature in session, there are many bills that will impact the quality of life in Indiana. Will the legislature address real problems, or will special interests dominate again this year?
A nationwide comparison of electric utility performance by an Illinois consumer advocacy group found that customers in states that are heavily reliant on fuel oil and natural gas, as in the Northeast and South, tend to pay more than those with larger amounts of carbon-free generation, among other findings.
Midwest Energy says the appeal of electric cars is straightforward: Owners get to save money by skipping trips to the gas station and feel good about doing their part to cut carbon emissions. That’s part of the reason why U.S. sales are currently soaring.
The world remained firmly in warming’s grip last year, with extreme summer temperatures in Europe, China and elsewhere contributing to 2022 being the fifth-hottest year on record, European climate researchers said this week.
America’s greenhouse gas emissions from energy and industry rose last year, moving the nation in the opposite direction from its climate goals, according to preliminary estimates published by the Rhodium Group, a nonpartisan research firm.
A new study published in Science calculated how different degrees of warming would impact the more than 215,000 glaciers that exist outside Antarctica and Greenland.
Inside Climate Change says forests managed by Indigenous peoples and other local communities in the Amazon region draw vast amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, while the rest of the rainforest has become a net source of the greenhouse gas, a new report has found.
A New York Times story provides a fascinating insight into our climate long ago. Eva-Maria Sadowski, a postdoctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum in Berlin, didn’t have a particular agenda in mind when she decided to borrow the biggest fossil flower preserved in amber ever found.
CALENDAR
| The Eagles Over Monroe event returns with a full slate of programs and activities continuing now, and running through Tuesday, January 31st. Each day offers a special event or activity. To learn about all the activities and to sign up, go to the DNR website. | | Learn all about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 28th, beginning at 10 am. Meet in the bird viewing room at the Nature Center to learn about feeding the birds and not the racoons. | | Don’t forget about Whooper Wednesdays at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area this coming Wednesday, February 1st, beginning at 8 am. Walk the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Meet at the Visitors Center and dress for the weather. | | The Brown County State Park Hike Series continues with a “The Lake That Never Was” Hike on Saturday, February 4th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. You will learn about Taylor Hollow Lake, a lake that was started but never finished. The hike is about 2.5 miles long and is very rugged. Lots of steep climbs with ruts and several creek crossing. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. Meet at the Nature Center. | | Take the Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 4th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4 to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. |
En la primera parte Minerva Sosa y Jorge hablan sobre las metas de este año 2023. En la segunda parte hablan y entrevistan a emprendedora Sherly Perez. Ella habla sobre su experiencia viviendo en Bloomington, su familia y amigos.
In the first part Host, Minerva Sosa and Jorge talks about their new year’s resolution. In the second part they interview entrepreneur Sherly Perez. She talks about her experience living in Bloomington, her family, and her friends.
This week, we reflect on the complex lethality of the white supremacist system in the United States, as it has dealt out death to Black people and others whose lives are devalued within this system.
We are responding to the release of the footage earlier this week of Tyre Nichols’ murder by Memphis police, which has led to a profusion of shallow statements by politicians and police chiefs, who seem palpably afraid that this brutal killing might trigger another movement like the 2020 George Floyd Uprising.
But we are also still digesting and mourning the murder by Atlanta police of forest defender, Tortuguita, and the death of IDOC Watch co-founder and Kite Line contributor, Angaza Iman Bahar, in Indianapolis two weeks ago. The movement to defend the Atlanta forest has demonstrated the possibility of militantly responding to police murder while simultaneously challenging police media spin.
It has been harder to immediately challenge Angaza’s death, which is the tragic result of being sucked into street violence, but later in this episode, we share a moving tribute and political analysis made by Angaza’s longterm comrade inside Indiana’s prisons, Shaka Shakur.
Below are links to some of our episodes with Angaza, Shaka, and Max:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/prisoner-perspectives-on-collateral-damage/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/are-prisons-obsolete-part-two/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/policing-los-angeles-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/policing-los-angeles-part-two/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/from-watts-to-minneapolis-the-arc-of-anti-police-protest/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/families-and-prison-part-three/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/support-communities/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/more-kites-from-the-inside/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/two-weeks-into-the-hunger-strike-at-wabash-valley/
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 26th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus outlined their priorities for the 2023 session More coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup:
The Statehouse Roundup
On Monday, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus outlined their priorities for the 2023 session emphasizing a focus on education.
Chair of the IBLC State Representative Earl Harris, Jr. from East Chicago touched on how the caucus aims to close “the achievement gap” through policy.
Harris, Jr. explained several bills filed by the IBLC, including House Bill 1499. This bill would allow qualifying students to be automatically enrolled into the 21st Century Scholars program. He elaborated on this initiative.
Harris, Jr. also highlighted House bills 1571 and 1153 authored by Representatives Robin Shackleford and Gregory Porter respectively. He explained what these bills would do to advance the IBLC’s priorities if passed.
He talked more generally about closing the achievement gap and what long-term benefits he believes the IBLC’s legislative agenda would create.
To learn more about the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, visit this link.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Utilities Service Board meeting on January 17th, Board Member Amanda Burnham was nominated for president of the board, and Board Member Megan Parmenter was nominated for Vice President. The election of board officers was approved unanimously.
Next the board approved the consent agenda. There was only one item on the consent agenda, an approval with Blue Chip Technologies for $15,000 to repair a 25 foot grit screw. The board approved the consent agenda unanimously.
Up next, Director of Utilities Vic Kelson gave his report. He thanked the board members for their work as elected officers of the board.
Kelson also introduced six new Utilities Department staff members.
Parmenter also thanked Board Member Jeff Ehman for his work as president.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on January 30th.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting held on January 18th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the state of the library.
Board Member Kathy Loser asked Carson to talk more about the baking kits, and remarked that it is quite the collection. Carson responded.
Next Carson gave updates on the new South West Branch construction.
Carson asked the board to approve of the recent change orders that have come up during the construction.
Board Secretary Kari Esarey asked what the total of the change orders amounted to. Carson responded they have the funds for the changes, however, that they will need to start being more selective moving forward.
The change orders were approved unanimously.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on February 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Joining us for January 2023 is Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson. Dr. Wilson is the co-director of the Gender Center and Associate Professor of History and Political Science for the University of Indianapolis.
Dr. Wilson speaks with host Jim Allison about women in the state legislature. We turn now to the January edition of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
The Statehouse Roundup is produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In the wake of the contentious 2016 US presidential election, many people around the nation took to their corners and saw those they disagreed with as enemies. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals too often refused to talk with each other and if they occasionally did, the exchanges turned into pitched battles. One group of people, taking their cue from Abraham Lincoln’s “better angels” speech, created a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to de-polarizing politics, fostering civil discourse, and helping people learn to listen to each other. Miles Eddy and Jeff Marks will serve as left- and right-leaning facilitators at Braver Angels of South Central Indiana’s Skills for Bridging the Divide workshop Sunday, January 29th, at the Monroe County Public Library main branch in Bloomington.
Eddy (L) & MarksHosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This week, we continue our discussion of the Supreme Court case heard last Wednesday, Perez V Sturgis school district. The case concerns two laws: the individuals with disabilities Education Act or IDEA, which requires children with disabilities be provided a “free appropriate public education” or (FAPE) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in general.
Miguel Luna Perez of Sturgis Michigan was denied access to a professional sign language interpreter and was instead provided with an effective one over the course of 12 years. I’m that time. parents were falsely told that their son was on his way to graduation, only to receive a certificate of completion instead of a diploma upon completing his senior year of high school.
After receiving the news, the Perez family filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Dept. of Education and the Sturgis school board, on the grounds that the school violated both the Idea and ADA acts.
However, the Sturgis school district offered a settlement to pay for Perez to attend the Michigan School for the deaf and compensate the family’s legal fees, which would satisfy Perez’s lawsuit under the IDEA should the family accept.
The family accepted the settlement but then filed a lawsuit for monetary damages under the ADA, which entitles victims of disability discrimination to do so separately.
The question now is whether by accepting the district’s settlement, the Perez family also forfeited their right to further litigation for monetary damages under the ADA.
Prior to the supreme court hearing last week, the sixth circuit court of appeals ruled that Perez had forfeited his right to sue under the ADA by settling instead of going through the lengthy process of appeals for both claims.
This process is known in legal speak as exhaustion and is mandated by the IDEA, a claim echoed by Sturgis district lawyer Shay Dvoretzky in Last week’s hearing.
On the other side, Perez’s lawyer Ramon Martinez argued that although Perez had settled his claims under the IDEA, he could still pursue his claim for monetary damages separately under the ADA.
Today, we go through some of the most notable moments of the hearing involving exchanges between the supreme court justices and both Ramon Martinez and Shay Dvoretzky. This is a new segment of Disabulletin’s coverage we call Jewels of Justice
Plaintiff Miguel Perez, accompanied by sign-language interpreters, attends oral argument on Wednesday. His lawyer, Roman Martinez, speaks at the lectern. (William Hennessy)Jewel#1 is one that we discussed last week that occurred at the beginning of the Justice question period for Perez’s attorney Ramon Martinez.
In the clip we just heard, it appeared as though Justice John Roberts and Thomas were expressing mutual confusion regarding why settlement claims were different under the ADA and IDEA acts when they could in fact be similar?
But now, we turn to our second gem, in which Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appears to Join Justice Roberts and Thomas on the question of the strange idea that IDEA and ADA damages can go to court at the same time!
“And even — even if it is odd, though, Mr. Martinez, isn’t that exactly what the statute seems to contemplate? I mean, I guess I’m wondering whether or not we’re even in a position to question the notion of dual proceedings, given that at least as I read the statute, Congress is contemplating that you’ll have a situation in which there’s a civil action that’s seeking relief that is not available under the IDEA. So I — I take this to mean that Congress thought that dual actions at least in some circumstances were possible and that was fine.
I think that’s exactly right under the statute.
And I think that the nice thing about the statute is that it doesn’t take away the — the inherent discretion of district courts to manage their dockets in this way. And if you thought or five of you thought that it was important to give some guidance to lower courts and sort of remind them that if they wanted to — to stay parallel proceedings, if you were concerned about that, you could do that. On the other hand, Justice Jackson, I think you are right that the statute does not seem to say that it has to be a stay.
I mean, in — in — in my view — and maybe you can just react to that — isn’t — isn’t what really is going on here that Congress was concerned about people doing an end run around the IDEA in a certain way? That is, you have, you know, a set of facts concerning the denial of a FAPE that could give rise to claims under, let’s say, both of these statutes, the IDEA and the ADA, and, you know, the — the plaintiff is the master of their complaint and can decide which statute to bring it under. And so, in a situation in which the relief that is being asked for is only the kind of relief that is available under the IDEA, maybe Congress didn’t want the person to call that an ADA statute and thereby get around the exhaustion. But, if you’re asking for something else, if your claim is something else, then Congress didn’t have a problem with both of those proceeding in tandem.”
We now turn to the man in the defendant corner on this case, Shay Dvoretzky representing Sturgis.
Our first moment in his exchange with the justices occurred late in the proceedings before Justice Neil Gorsuch, who questioned Dvoretzky on the extent to which Martinez had to fully exhaust his claims under both IDEA and ADA.
And in our final highlight, we find a diamond in the rough that came from our Most Valuable Justice in this Case, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 25th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have “Fake Problems, Fake Reviews” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s Disabulletin.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the January 17th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard a resolution which would update the community special events application. City Legal Larry Allen walked through the resolution before the board.
The board approved the resolution unanimously. Next, Civil Engineer for the City Alex Gray presented a request from J-D-H Contracting for temporary lane and sidewalk closures on North Monroe Street and West Cottage Grove Avenue from January 18th through February 3rd.
The board approved the sidewalk closure with a unanimous vote. Then, during his staff report Public Works Director Adam Wason announced the retirement of Animal Control Officer Vicki Minder.
Board Member Kyla Cox Deckard reiterated Wason’s acknowledgement of Minder’s work offering a personal testimony.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for their regular session on Tuesday, January 31st.
Feature Report:
Disabulletin is a program highlighting disability news across the country and around the world hosted and produced by Abe Shapiro.In today’s feature report, we have Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to Shapiro for more.
Up next, we have “Fake Problems, Fake Reviews” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 24th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation on the poor conditions of the current jail. Plus, local residents spoke out against a new jail during public comment. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – done in collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On January 18th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 levels in the community.
The commissioners heard from Assistant Director of the Planning Department and Floodplain Administrator Tammy Behrman who asked the commissioners to approve an amendment to zoning chapter 803. She said the amendment would clarify the new manufactured home replacement requirements.
During public comment on the ordinance, Monroe County Resident and Redevelopment Commission Member Randy Cassady asked the county to increase their public outreach about the floodplains and encouraged the county to identify and notify the public personally.
Commissioner Lee Jones said that some properties have been experiencing flooding due to development further upstream.
Commissioner Julie Thomas commented on the ordinance as well.
The commissioners unanimously approved the amendment to the ordinance.
Following the vote, Behrman gave a presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program.
Behrman shared how residents can figure out if their property is in a floodplain, and walked through how to use Elevate to see both FEMA and D-N-R flood maps.
Behrman emphasized that although these maps are informative, it doesn’t mean that other land won’t flood. She also said that the number of flood insurance policies have gone down in Monroe County.
Lastly, Behrman explained more about floodplain development permits.
For more information Behrman said residents can reach out to her with any questions.
Commissioner Julie Thomas recommended that residents consider getting flood insurance and shared some personal experience she has had.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 25th.
Community Justice Response Committee
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.During the January 23rd meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation on the conditions of the current jail. Monroe County Deputy Cheif Phil Parker showed images of what the jail looks like now.
Chief Deputy Parker asked three corrections officers why the conditions are so poor inside the jail. Apart from the “it’s always been this way” comment, Parker explained:
Chief Deputy Parker said that people in holding cells are now issued a mat and a blanket. He said the holding cell has since been cleaned and repainted. Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons said that this small improvement was a necessary step in creating a more habitable facility for people who are booked into the jail. Parker reiterated saying that people placed in the jail are in their care and custody and deserve more humane treatment.
The presentation included chilling photographs and videos of how subpar the conditions are inside the facility. Foul water, a pile of debris and offensive graffiti were shown as evidence of the cruel state of the jail at the present moment. Sheriff Ruben Martė said he has been accused of acting too quickly on the new jail initiative. He pointed to graffiti inside the facility that read QUOTE “No N-Words.” END QUOTE
During public comment, Monroe County resident Seth Munchler said he does not believe that incarceration is the answer to the problems facing the county. Munchler said the focus should be on treatment and rehabilitation. He expressed frustration at the Monroe County Commissioners which he perceived as hindering the process of community dialogue in the jail planning effort. He called on Commissioner Lee Jones to be removed as chair of the committee.
Monroe County resident Kyle Dugger made a public comment on Zoom. He applauded Sheriff Martė on communicating the immediacy of resolving the jail’s poor conditions. Dugger said that while he recognizes the problem, he doesn’t believe the answer lies in a new jail facility.
The Community Justice Response Committee will meet next in a hybrid capacity at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 6th.
Lil Bub
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – done in collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone welcomes Bloomington’s Safe and Civil City Director, Shatoyia Moss, and, Indiana University’s Director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture, Gloria Howell to discuss the city’s celebration of black history during February.
Shatoyia MossGloria HowellThe theme for the City of Bloomington’s 2023 Black History Month celebration is “Black Innovation”. The month’s events will celebrate and explore Black inventors, creators, and change agents and how Black innovators changed the way we live through their contributions, from the traffic light to the cell phone. Most people have heard about famous inventions like the light bulb, the cotton gin, and the ironing board. However, there are countless other, often overlooked creators and inventions that make our daily lives easier.
Also, on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center has curated Black History Month experiences centered on the theme: “For the Love of Soul”. A quintessential element of Black culture, “soul” is that “special something” that makes us who we are. It is a particular aesthetic that acknowledges Black brilliance, beauty, and creativity in a multitude of ways.
From the arts and cuisine to intellectualism and community tradition, we are excited to celebrate all the soulful people, places, and things this Black History Month!
Credits:
Clarence Boone is this evening’s anchor.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 23rd, 2023.
Later in the program, during the latest meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Council Member Sue Sgambelluri read a statement in response to the January 11th racially motivated attack in Bloomington. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Condemns Racially Motivated Attack, Further Delays Ordinance
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on January 18th, City Council Member Sue Sgambelluri read a statement in response to the January 11th racially motivated attack in Bloomington.
Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael expressed a similar sentiment on behalf of the mayor’s office.
During public comment, Indiana University student David Wolfe Bender provided a statement denouncing the attack on behalf of IU Student Government.
Next, City Clerk Nicole Bolden expanded on Appropriation Ordinance 22-06, which would place the city’s police and fire department headquarters at City Hall.
Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael spoke in favor of the ordinance.
City Councilman Steve Volan read a report from the committee on public safety headquarters of which he is a member. Council Member Ron Smith asked Volan: if the city acquired the Showers building and rented it out to tenants, what would happen to that revenue? Volan responded that he didn’t know for sure, but he would be open to receive an estimate from the mayor’s office.
Deputy Mayor Carmichael responded with a rough estimate, but she added that it depends on a variety of factors. Smith pressed further.
The council unanimously voted to postpone the decision until next week. The vote is expected to happen at the next Bloomington City Council meeting on January 25th.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board Talks Contingency Learning and Safety Plan, Next Year’s School Calendar and E Learning Days
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on January 17th, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin delivered his staff report.
Next, the school board considered updating the contingency learning and safety plan. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders gave some background on the plan.
The school board approved the contingency learning and safety plan by a unanimous vote.
Next, Sanders outlined the 2023 to 2024 school calendar and the snow makeup day plan.
Sanders explained that the E – learning days are necessary to ensure they have time for parent – teacher conferences and for professional development.
The board approved the 2023 to 2024 school calendar unanimously.
The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held on February 20th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss with the Community and Family Resources Department at the City of Bloomington.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Kirsten Payton and Michelle Moss in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
You’re listening to Activate – narratives from people making positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. Today’s episode features Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss with the Community and Family Resources Department at the City of Bloomington.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network aims to inspire, support, and celebrate volunteerism in the community by connecting volunteers of all ages and interests with opportunities to serve. They invite you to get involved and make a difference by visiting bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov to learn more.
HEADLINESThe Indiana Environmental Reporter says our state has taken small steps toward breaking its heavy reliance on coal and natural gas, but some worry a new bill will slow that transition and keep emission-spewing fossil fuels around for much longer.
—Norm Holy
The Herald-Times recently reported that the Department of Agriculture has approved the first U.S. vaccine to protect honeybees.
—Julianna Dailey
A proposed rule for “soot” could save lives in Indiana. The tiny particle pollution comes from things like cars, factories, and coal plants. It can harm your heart and lungs. Environmental groups say the Environmental Protection Agency could save many more lives with a stricter rule.
—Norm Holy
Renewable energy, climate change mitigation and ongoing efforts to improve statewide water quality are top issues for Indiana environmental advocates in the 2023 legislative session.
—Norm Holy
There are five environmental issues to watch in the legislature as the next session gets underway.
—Norm Holy
Energywire reports that Christmas week’s fierce “bomb cyclone” has put new urgency behind a critical issue for the nation’s power system — how grid owners and operators prepare for extreme weather emergencies.
—Norm Holy
Given that the oceans are greatly overfished, Vgarden, a food tech start-up based in Israel, has unveiled vegan tinned tuna made using pea protein.
—Norm Holy
CALENDAR
| Participate in an Owl Prowl at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, January 21st, from 4:30 to 7 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center to learn about owls; how they hunt at night and why they are important to our ecosystem. Hopefully, you will get to see some Short-eared Owls over the prairie and spend some time calling to the woodland species. Dress for the weather. | | Enjoy the Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, January 22nd, from 11 to 11:30 am. The naturalist will lead a short, ADA accessible hike on a paved sidewalk where you will get to see a vista not accessible by car, walk past an historic gatehouse and learn about the work Friends groups do for Indiana state parks. | | The Winter Exploration Hike will explore the Southfork, Robertson Cemetery area of Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 25th, beginning at 1 pm. These off-trail hiking adventures have no “set” path with plenty of freedom to roam around. The terrain can be rugged and there are no toilet facilities. Register at bit.ly/weh-jan-25-2023. | | The Eagles Over Monroe event returns with a full slate of programs and activities beginning on Thursday, January 26th, and running through Tuesday, January 31st. Each day offers a special event or activity. To learn about all the activities and to sign up, go to the DNR website. | | Learn all about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 28th, beginning at 10 am. Meet in the bird viewing room at the Nature Center to learn about feeding the birds and not the racoons. |
Una repetición de hace un par de años: locutores Lizbeth, Gabriel, Diana y Fernando son estudiantes de la High School North y High School South. Ellos hablan sobre las redes sociales y los diferentes tipos de aplicaciones y plataformas que usan como TikTok, snap chat, instagram, Facebook y más. En la segunda parte hablaron sobre las licencia de manejar, lo que se necesita para obtener una, y la responsabilidad.
A re run from a couple years ago: Hots Lizbeth, Gabriel, Diana and Fernando are students at High School North and High School South. They talk about social media and the different types of apps and platforms they use like TikTok, snap chat, Instagram, Facebook, and more. In the second part they talked about driver’s licenses, what it takes to get one, and responsibility.
Today, we share the tragic news that police killed Tortuguita, a forest defender in the South River Forest in Atlanta on the morning of Wednesday, January 19th.
We have previously covered the movement to protect the Atlanta forest in light of its history as a plantation and prison farm and the future plans to build a vast police training center. Our correspondent spoke with Sarah from the Atlanta Anti-Repression Committee, who filled us in on the state of the movement, this week’s violent police raid on the forest camps, Tortuguita’s death, and next steps.
As she says, the movement’s slogan, that “cop city will never be built” seems more true today than ever before, as an outpouring of grief and anger sweeps the country in the wake of this murder.
We also include a roundup of monthly prison disturbances as compiled by Perilous Chronicle.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 19th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments on the state’s GOP-backed abortion ban earlier this afternoon. More in your Statehouse Roundup.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. But first, your Statehouse Roundup.
The Statehouse Roundup: Indiana Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Abortion Ban Lawsuit
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.The Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments on the state’s GOP-backed abortion ban. The state’s highest judicial body listened to the two opposing sides on whether the abortion ban violates privacy protections.
Right now, abortions are currently allowed in the state after a county judge blocked the law from being enforced last fall. Indiana became the first state to ban abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.
Attorney for the Appellant Thomas Fisher provided arguments on behalf of the state, saying he believes the abortion ban should remain intact. He said that ruling in favor of Planned Parenthood would require a rewrite of the state constitution.
Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana Ken Falk made an argument against the ban as the attorney for the appellee. Falk said Indiana women would suffer if the ban were to remain in effect.
Law Professor at Indiana University Dr. Jennifer Ann Drobac spoke with WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine, offering analysis on the arguments the ACLU made in its two lawsuits.
According to the Associated Press, the 5-member Supreme Court, who were all appointed by Republican governors, does not have a deadline for releasing a decision. The AP reports it could take weeks if not longer to arrive at a decision.
Fire in Apartment Building Downtown
Bloomington Fire Department firefighters put away their gear outside of an apartment complex that had a fire in a unit in the 500 block of North Lincoln Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Herald Times).Yesterday morning the Bloomington Fire Department responded to a fire at 519 North Lincoln, a four-story apartment just off of East 10th street.
According to the Battalion Chief Tania Daffron the fire formed in the attic of the four story apartment building. Daffron said that the investigation as to what caused the fire is still ongoing.
The fire department received calls about the fire at 10:31 a.m. and responded within 3 minutes according to a statement found on their Facebook page. Around 3 p.m. firefighters were still on the scene, but Daffron shared that things were winding down.
There were not any reports of residents being injured, however, according to Daffon there were two firefighters who had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
Daffron also said that although Animal Control was called to the scene there still might be some pets on the loose, and asked residents in the area to keep an eye out for any pets that seem to be misplaced.
Bloomington City Council Continues Monroe Convention Center Discussion
On January 11th the Bloomington City Council heard a report from the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development, John Zody who wanted to inform the council and the public about upcoming American Rescue Plan Act Funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Program.
Next, the council discussed a resolution in response to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners about the Monroe County Convention Center.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas spoke to the council. She explained that although the agreement will not be legally binding, it is a litmus test for the commissioners to know where the council stands on the Convention Center.
Council Member Steve Volan asked Thomas about whether or not the commissioners still support the Food and Beverage Tax in the future. Thomas said that she supports the food and Commissioner Lee Jones who attended over Zoom, agreed they will still need the Food and Beverage Tax for the Convention Center if the plans continue to move forward.
Commissioner Susan Sandberg asked Thomas if the Food and Beverage Tax being eliminated by the General Assembly in future legislation is a concern of theirs. Thomas responded.
Commissioner Ron Smith asked the new Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael, why the city wants to have control over the Convention Center. Carmichael responded, saying that the city does not want to control the project, however they want to get it done in a timely manner, and they think it will be faster if they don’t have to come to joint agreements.
The council voted to override the Mayor’s previous veto on the Monroe County Commissioners ordinance establishing a Capital Improvement Board. The resolution passed with a vote of 8 – 1, with Council Member Kate Rosenbarger dissenting.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on January 18th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we feature an episode of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In this segment, host Jim Allision talked to Steve Hinnefeld about the impact on a community when local news sources die out. We turn now to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Ben Schwartzman was a normal kid: goofy, lovable, talented, confused. As a teen, Ben became a singer-songwriter, performing at coffeehouses and open mics and recording tracks. His dad, Ed Schwartzman, now the owner of BuffaLouie’s and Gables Bagels, attended his performances and encouraged him. Then Ben started descending into an abyss of depression. Psychiatric professionals and medications couldn’t halt his tumble. Many of his song lyrics bore harbingers of what was to come. On October 15, 2007, Ben took his own life at the age of 19. Now Ben’s music lives on through the efforts of “strangers,” as Ed describes them.
The National Suicide Hotline number is 988.
Ed (L) and Ben SchwartzmanHosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Joining us for January 2023 is Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson. Dr. Wilson is the co-director of the Gender Center and Associate Professor of History and Political Science for the University of Indianapolis. She was also recently named one of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty Under Forty. In this podcast, Dr. Wilson talks about the increasing number of women in the legislature in Indiana and nationally. In the podcast, she shares that political ladders and hierarchies are now changing.Once the experience in government of a candidate was an essential attribute for potential candidates. Today, it is no longer a driving force in how politicians are elected. As a result, we see more younger candidates, particularly women running for office. In addition, where politicians were once expected to climb the ladder through local, state, and national politics, an expectation that foreclosed candidacy for many women because of gender barriers has changed. Currently, approximately 28% of women are in the US Congress, even though about 51% of women make up the US population.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 18th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have the Disabulletin – a segment highlighting neurodiversity issues on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington police arrested a 56-year-old white woman in connection with what police are calling a racially-motivated attack. More coming up next in your Social Justice Watch:
Social Justice Watch
Bloomington police arrested a 56-year-old white woman in connection with what police are calling a racially-motivated attack.
Police arrested Billie Davis after she allegedly confessed to the crime, which took place on a public bus on the corner of West Fourth Street and the B-Line Trail. Davis was booked to the Monroe County Jail and charged with a level 1 felony.
According to the police report, the victim was an 18-year-old woman from Carmel. She reported her head was bleeding and was transported to an area hospital for her injuries. In her testimony, the victim explains that she was riding on a Bloomington Transit bus and stood up to wait for her stop. She said that while she was standing, another passenger began to strike her repeatedly in the head, which caused immediate pain. After treatment for her injuries, it was discovered that she had multiple stab wounds to the head.
The IU Asian Culture Center released a statement on the incident, saying “We are outraged and heartbroken by this unprovoked act of violence, but we also worry for the well-being of our community. We should not be fearing for our lives on public transportation. Taking the bus should not feel dangerous.”
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton commented, “We stand with the Asian community and all who feel threatened by this event.”
According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State University in San Bernardino, reported Anti-Asian hate crimes rose 164 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the previous year. To learn more about what you can do to fight violence and racism against Asian Americans, visit stopaapihate.org.
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Council meeting on January 10th, Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté gave a department update and introduced the new jail commander Kyle Moulden. Moulden shared the changes they have been making at the jail.
Moulden informed the commissioners on the number of individuals in the jail, and explained how they plan to address the issue of overcrowding.
Council Member Jennifer Crossely responded to the report, and said it gave her hope that they are working with programs in the community like New Leaf New Life.
Council Member Cheryl Munson also expressed her support for their collaboration with New Leaf New Life.
Marté responded to their collaboration and said the partnership had been set up for a while.
Council Member Pete Iverson thanked the Sheriff’s department for reaching out to Care Not Cages, and asked if the program, Helping Men Recover, is ongoing. Moulden shared that it would be re-starting soon.
The council thanked the Sheriff’s Department for their report on the county jail.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on February 14th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have the Disabulletin – a segment highlighting disability news across the country and around the world on the WFHB Local News hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn now to the latest edition of Disabulletin, which covers a Supreme Court case regarding a Michigan resident. Abe Shapiro has more.
Up next, Free the Slaves on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The Supreme Court met today to hear a case regarding a deaf student Miguel Luna Perez of Sturgis Michigan, who was denied access to a professional sign language interpreter and whose parents were falsely told over the course of 12 years that their son was on his way to graduation, only to receive a certificate of completion instead of a diploma.
The case concerns two laws: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA, which requires children with disabilities be provided a “free appropriate public education” or (FAPE) and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in general. Upon receiving the news, the Perez family filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Dept. of Education and the Sturgis school board, on the grounds that the school violated both the IDEA and ADA acts.
However, before the case could go to trial, Sturgis school district offered a settlement in which it would pay for Perez to attend the Michigan School for the deaf and compensate the family’s legal fees. The family accepted the settlement but then continued their lawsuit under the ADA, which unlike IDEA entitles victims of disability discrimination to sue for monetary damages. The question now is whether by accepting the district’s settlement, the Perez family thereby forfeited their right to further litigation for monetary damages.
Prior to the supreme court, the sixth circuit court of appeals ruled that had Perez not agreed to a settlement, he could have continued his case under the ADA. Because Perez did not go through the two-step process mandated by the IDEA act consisting of informal resolution between parents and the district and administrative review by an impartial hearing officer before going to federal court and instead deciding to settle or “exhaust his claim,” he was not entitled to sue under the ADA, as stipulated by the IDEA Act’s section 1415L.
Plaintiff Miguel Perez, accompanied by sign-language interpreters, attends oral argument on Wednesday. His lawyer, Roman Martinez, speaks at the lectern. (William Hennessy)On behalf of Perez, his lawyer Roman Martinez opened the arguments:
In a surprise twist, the normally silent Clarence Thomas was the first to pose a question expressing confusion about the differences between the ADA and IDEA, Martinez responded by agreeing with Thomas.
On the side of Sturgis, Shay Dvoretzky then presented his arguments
Normally, a judge would grant an exemption as settling the case would have impacted Perez’s ability to sue under the ADA. However, the sixth circuit judge said that because Perez settled prior to proceeding to a full hearing, he had forfeited his claim, as Mr. Dvoretzky also asserted. Justice Thomas asked Mr. Dvoretzky to explain how such cases would be settled prior to the congressional adoption of the IDEA’s section 1415L in 1986 in response to a 1984 Supreme Court case, eliciting a response from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson regarding the section’s text. In response, Mr. Dvoretzky said the section originally focused less on financial relief and more so on helping a student obtain a FAPE.
Mr. Dvoretzky then said the section originally focused less on financial relief and more so on helping a student obtain a FAPE.
Click here to listen to the full Supreme Court proceedings. More on this developing story next week on Disabulletin.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 17th, 2022.
Later in the program, Georgia Representative Park Cannon gave an impassioned speech during the MLK Day Celebration at Buskirk Chumley last night. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – done in collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On January 11th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Commissioner Penny Githens was nominated to be President of the Commission. The nomination passed unanimously.
Next, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 variants in the county.
During public comment, Monroe County Resident, Tamby Wikle-Cassidy asked the commissioners for county assistance with flooding in the Old Clear Creek Valley.
Next, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill asked the commissioners to approve an agreement with E-U Banks and Associates for ongoing Houston South Litigation.
Commissioner Julie Thomas shared her support for the agreement, and asked about whether or not the council had already voted on it. Cockerill said he was not sure and would get back to her.
Commission President Penny Githens spoke about recent updates on the Houston South project, and outlined the reasons why the litigation is necessary.
The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 18th.
Rep. Park Cannon Gives Impassioned Speech During MLK Day Celebration at Buskirk Chumley
On Monday, the City of Bloomington hosted the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at the Buskirk Chumley Theater.
The event featured keynote speaker Representative Park Cannon – a Georgia state representative who is only one of two queer lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly. Cannon is also the youngest member of the Georgia state legislature.
Cannon recently made headlines when she was arrested for knocking on the door of Georgia’s then-Republican governor while he signed a bill which limited voting rights in the state. Cannon recounted the experience during her address encouraging the audience to “keep knocking.”
To listen to the full MLK Day celebration, visit catstv.net.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Disabulletin – a segment highlighting neurodiversity issues – hosted by Abe Shapiro. We turn to that segment.
Now it’s time for Lil Bub’s Lil Show – done in collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Disabulletin is produced by Abe Shapiro.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Animals: Emmi and Tobi at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Emmi and Tobi are a senior pair of bonded cats who have lived together for 10 years. They can often be found cuddled up together, relaxing in their colony room. They are very affectionate, not only with each other, but also with their human friends. Emmi loves to rub up against your legs, and Toby loves to lounge purring loudly while “making biscuits”. Emmi and Toby get along great with other animals, and will blend right in with a new family. Emmi and Toby have been at the animal shelter for a very long time and are looking for a retirement home together.
Featured Topic: Senior Pets
Thanks to better medical care and awareness on the part of pet owners, it’s not unusual for pets to live much longer than ever before. It may be difficult to believe that a pet has reached old age, but most cats and dogs are considered “senior pets” by the time they’re around 10 years old. Although older pets may develop age-related problems, good care allows them to be happy, healthy, and active. Senior pets generally need more frequent visits to the vet, possible changes in diet, and in some cases, alterations to their home environment. Tune in to hear a few things to be aware of with a senior pet to help them live their best lives well into their golden years.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Park CannonFor this year’s Bloomington MLK Day observance the theme is “Keep Knocking!” The January 16 evening keynote speaker, Park Cannon, is Georgia’s youngest State Representative and one of two openly queer lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly. She represents House District 58, which encompasses a diverse cross-section of Atlanta.
The Democratic lawmaker recently made national headlines when she was unlawfully arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol after she knocked on the door to the Republican governor’s office during his signing of SB 202. This restrictive law limits voting rights in the state. Republicans rushed the bill through both chambers of the legislature a few hours before he signed it into law. It has been harshly criticized nationwide for disenfranchising Black voters, is being challenged in court, and is being dubbed “Jim Crow 2.0.”
Tonight Representative Cannon talks about her start in politics and the state of affairs in the State of Georgia. She also shares her reflections on such issues as the Mid- term success of Senator Raphael Warnock and her work with such civic leaders as Stacey Abrams. Finally, as the keynote for next Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re inviting her to share a preview of her remarks.
Credits:
Clarence Boone is this evening’s anchor.
Our co-anchor for this evening is BIO former contributor and proclaimed “Indiana’s Own” Dana Black, who is producer and anchor of “Turn Left”.
Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
WFHB welcomes The Helber Sisters to Saturday’s Child on Saturday, January 14th from 11am to noon for fantastic roots-folk harmonies. Listen on air or join our audience free of charge, in the Monroe County History Center auditorium on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, as Janet and Vickie, along with daughter Alice and special musical guests, perform live! That’s The Helber Sisters on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, January 14th at 11am, on WFHB.”
Welcome to the 70th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Ming Wang and Melanie Castillo-Cullather.
In this special episode we interview Matthew Luo, a sophomore at IU to talk about his experiences as a dual citizen of the US and Taiwan. Our conversation focuses on the how the nations compare and how growing up in two different environments has shaped him.
Credits:
Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, and Molly Cai
Our guest is Matthew Luo
Our sound engineer is Ming Wang
Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Locutora, Maira Auxi, entrevista a Josefa Madrigal coordinadora de alcance latino de la ciudad de Bloomington con el departamento de Recursos Comunitarios y Familias para hablarnos de los servicios que se ofrecen. Además, ella nos deja saber sobre el proceso para hacer una cita de preparación de impuestos en español y que docuemntos debre presentar.
Host, Maira Auxi, interviews Josefa Madrigal, Community and Family Resources Department, Latino outreach coordinator to share about the services that are offered. Also, she lets us know about the process for making a tax preparation appointment in Spanish and what documents to bring with you.
We are pleased to continue sharing a conversation between Micol Seigel and Anne Gray Fischer. Fischer’s powerful book, The Streets Belong to Us: Sex, Race, and Police Power from Segregation to Gentrification, was published in 2022, and is an account of gender and sexuality’s crucial role in the history and exercise of police power. In this conversation, Fischer and Seigel discuss the archive and research at the foundation of the book and its relationship to wider abolitionist organizing. They work through the relationship between sex work and vice policing, aimed primarily at womens’ bodies, along with race, which allowed wide swathes of Black neighborhoods to be treated as red light districts, subject to intensified police surveillance and violence. Fischer shows that vice policing was key to developing the American ghetto, as well as its devastating effects on Black people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 11th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Community Justice Response Committee held their first meeting of the year this week. More coverage coming up in the top half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Phone Privacy on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Community Justice Response Committee Clashes Over Transparency in New Jail Proposal
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.During the January 9th meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones said that the county is no longer looking at Fullerton Pike for a new Monroe County jail.
This comes after the city council denied a proposal to rezone the property for the purpose of building a new jail. Jones said the committee would look at options further into the county rather than the Fullerton Pike location.
Deputy Prosecutor April Wilson asked about a property owned by the county located near Catalent. Jones responded that the county commissioners have “other plans” for that property.
One committee member asked if the county would be more receptive to working with the city to find a new location. Jones pushed back saying the county commissioners believe it would be a faster process to work within the county.
Monroe County Councilor Jennifer Crossley said the committee should be more community focused and be open to working with the city. She called for greater transparency in the committee.
County Commissioner Julie Thomas said that each government entity has their own “lanes” and emphasized that each should act according to their assigned responsibilities.
County Councilor Kate Wiltz expressed frustration that the county council’s voice is not actively being heard in the committee. Jones pushed back against Wiltz’s comment.
During public comment, City Council Member Isabel Piedmont Smith said she was concerned that the city has not been involved in this process.
The city’s Public Engagement Director Kaisa Goodman offered public comment with a similar sentiment asking for the city to have greater involvement in this process.
The next Criminal Justice Response Committee is slated at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 3rd.
Feature Reports:
In today’s program, we have the latest edition of Disabulletin – a segment highlighting neurodiversity issues hosted by WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro.
Up next, Phone Privacy on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Pet: Bonnie at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Bonnie is a bully breed mix dog, just over 7 years old. Once warmed up, Bonnie is a “snuggle bug” who enjoys giving and getting affection. Bonnie is a chill in the house, where she settles right in and enjoys a nap. When the leash comes out, she gets excited and does a whiny dance, as she adores going for walks. Bonnie has gotten along well with another dog and has no apparent resource guarding concerns, nor is she dog-reactive. Bonnie is reliably house trained and sleeps quietly through the night on her dog bed. How she is with cats or children is unknown, but shelter staff suspect a household with adults and older children would be fitting.
Featured Topic: Pit Bulls
Tune in to hear about misconceptions regarding pit bulls, realities about dogs of this breed, and why treating dogs as individuals is important in ensuring suitability as companion animals.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 10th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kayan Tara reported on the latest Community Justice Reform Committee meeting where local officials have hit yet another roadblock in their plans for a new jail.
Tara also attended an event from the activist group, Care Not Cages, who opposes the construction of a new jail facility. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals Hears Zoning Variance on Fairfax Rd. Property
Photo courtesy of Compass Real Estate.At the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on January 4th, Petitioner Renewing Properties L-L-C asked the board to approve a zoning variance for a property located at 8482 South Fairfax Road.
Representing the company, Land Development Services Consultant David Gilman, explained the request is unique in that they are attempting to turn a 10 bedroom home into a rental property which falls in between the zoning guidelines for both tourist homes and hotels.
Gilman shared his findings of fact on the property and the project. He said that the construction would not have any adverse impact on the surrounding neighbors since it would take place inside the house.
Board Member Pamela Davidson questioned if the findings of fact he stated were provided by the petitioners or the staff. He said he provided them.
Chair of the Board Margaret Clements asked the staff if they thought the petitioners had provided factual findings. Planning Department Planner II Anne Crecelius responded and shared the department’s standards for approval.
Vice-Chair Skip Daley asked county legal if they approved this variance if it would establish any precedent for future cases involving temporary rentals. County Attorney David Schilling responded that it would not.
Board Member Guy Loftman was in favor of approving the request.
Chair of the Board Margaret Clements summarized that the property is zoned residential, and explained that is why she does not want to approve the request for fear of changing the character or the area.
Loftman added the use would be similar to if a family was large enough to fill up a 10 bedroom house.
Davidson agreed with Loftman saying the fact that the property was never finished or occupied for 20 years was a good reason to approve the variance.
Crecelius asked the board to specify that the house can not be built any bigger than the existing 10 bedrooms. The board agreed.
The board voted 3-1-1 on passing the use variance, with Margaret Clemens voting no and Dee Owens abstaining. Clements informed the board that at their next meeting on February 1st, they will discuss establishing a consent agenda.
Monroe County Women’s Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Women’s Commission meeting on January 5th Commission Member Susan Hingle gave an update on the ordinance to decrease the number of seats on the commission to seven. Hingle shared that the commissioners will amend the ordinance to increase the number of seats back to its original eleven positions.
Hingle explained that the commissioners changed the ordinance because they heard the commission was struggling to meet their quorum and wanted to help by reducing the number of people necessary to be in attendance down to 4.
However, Hingle says the women’s commission was not informed about the decision, and wanted to ensure that the appointed commissioners would be able to be re-appointed.
Commissioner Jennifer Crossley apologized for the miscommunication, and said she thought the commission had been aware of the ordinance and she would make sure as the liaison between the county council and the women’s commission that the communication would improve moving forward.
Hingle explained how the communication breakdown happened.
Commissioner Maria Douglas explained how the conversation went with Commissioner Julie Thomas during the commissioner’s office hours. She also shared why having a higher number of seats available on the commission is important.
Commissioner Nicki Williamson added that Thomas suggested members of the women’s commission attend the County Commissioners meetings as well to improve communication between the commissions.
Crossley clarified that since Douglas was appointed by the county council and her term ended she will need to be re-appointed.
Commissioner Tiana Iruoje asked about the quorum number they will need to meet once they return to 11 members. Hingle replied saying they will need 6 members to meet quorum.
The next Monroe County Women’s Commission meeting will be held on February 2nd.
More questions remain, tension mounts at first meeting of the year for a new Monroe County jail
Photo by Kayan Tara.The Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee (CJRC) had its first meeting of the year this Monday to address next steps in building a new Monroe County jail. Previous attempts to purchase and rezone land for the build on almost 90 acres of land beside I-69 and West Fullerton Pike failed in December of last year.
The meeting was tense with committee members disagreeing on land availability, level of community collaboration, and other key issues.
District Five Representative Isabel Piedmont-Smith who attended the meeting as a member of the public noted her frustration at the process.
“ I feel like the county commissioners have a roadmap of how they want this process to work, but they haven’t shared that roadmap with. The other committee members or with other people in the public who are very concerned about this,” said Piedmont-Smith.
Commissioners noted their first goal is to identity a new jail location and move forward with land purchase for a new jail.
Members of the committee and the public openly expressed disappointment and frustration at how representatives from the Board of County Commissioners have dealt with the whole process.
While the city’s Public Engagement Director Kaisa Goodman spoke through public commentary time allotted for the end of the meeting, she still feels the community’s voice in this issue remains unheard.
“Public comment doesn’t offer a dialogue and it doesn’t offer real collaboration. It’s hearing, but it’s not being able to follow up or ask questions, and it’s not like an ongoing conversation. So it doesn’t feel sufficient for the amount of work that we have to do. And even if, even if theoretically they responded at the next meeting to some of the comments that were made tonight, that just is a super inefficient process in terms of like finding actual solutions,” said Goodman.
Prior to the meeting, the group Care Not Cages held a “Block Party” outside the Courthouse to protest the Monroe County jail expansion. King Trill, who attended the event, came to represent IDOC Watch, an Indiana organization focused on criminal justice reform.
“They are trying to build a new monstrosity that can attain even more people and deny even more people of freedom, liberty, and an opportunity to pursue a successful life. You know? This is the only industry that I’ve ever seen that people throw so much money into it and continue to expand and continue to grow, but every time you talk to ’em, they say they’re losing,” said King Trill.
The next meeting of the CJRC is set for Jan. 23 at 4:30 p.m.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kayan Tara.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On tonight’s show, we re-air a show from September 24th, 2018. This show features an anonymous Dreamer and Christine Popp of Popp & Bullman Attorneys-At-Law. She is an expert on immigration issues. This is a lead-up to a live interview that we are planning for next Monday to talk with her about her recent trip to Tijuana, Mexico.
CREDITS
Our show’s producer is Clarence Boone, with help from WFHB News Department Director Wes Martin.
Our Engineer is Taiah Wilson
Our Hosts are Clarence Boone and Roberta Radovich.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 9th, 2023.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Christine Herring, Executive Director for the People and Animals Learning Service, about the therapeutic benefit of equine-assisted services. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a new segment titled Activate – first-person narratives from people working for positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Election Board Explains Recount in House District 62 Race
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).On January 5th at the Election Board meeting, Election Supervision Karen Wheeler informed the board on the recount of District 62 ballots between Dave Hall and Penny Githens.
Chief Deputy of Monroe County Circuit Courts Tressia Martin broke down the numbers of the election. Board Member Donovan Garletts asked Martin about the technical portion of the vote margin.
Martin explained how voter errors work and how ballots get adjudicated. Garletts questioned if the vote difference happened during early, mail-in voting. Martin said that could be the case but added it also could be an issue with voters incorrectly filling out straight party tickets on Election Day.
Wheeler said after talking with someone from the state, it seemed that some voters filled out the icon instead of the box for straight party tickets. The state decided to include those ballots in the recount, where the scanners initially rejected them.
Board member David Henry thanked all of those involved with the recount. However, he pointed to 17 missing votes in Brown County as a cautionary tale for future elections.
The recount confirmed Dave Hall’s victory over Penny Githens in the House District 62 race. The next Election Board meeting will be held on February 2nd.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Christine Herring, Executive Director for the People and Animals Learning Service. Herring discusses the therapeutic benefit of equine-assisted services and the unique relationship between humans and horses. We turn now to that story.
Up next, we have a new segment titled Activate – first-person narratives from people working for positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. In today’s edition of Activate, we hear from Josefa Madrigal – Latino Outreach Coordinator with the City of Bloomington.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Activate is produced by Kirsten Payton.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In today’s edition of Activate, we hear from Josefa Madrigal – Latino Outreach Coordinator with the City of Bloomington.
Activate! includes first-person narratives from people working for positive change – done in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we welcome back Wendell Potter, former health insurance company executive turned whistle blower, and author of Deadly Spin, An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR is Killing Healthcare and Deceiving Americans. We discuss the soon-to-be-released documentary American Hospitals – Healing a Broken System, which reveals the economic structure of an industry that is charging outrageous fees while sitting on billions of dollars in accumulated cash.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer is used with permission.
En este programa escuchamos a expertos para hablarnos sobre las emociones. Entérese de temas que son importante para todos. Aprenda de maneras de manejar tus emociones, entérate de la diferencia entre la racionalidad y la irracionalidad. Entre de otros temas como la inteligencia cognitiva, la ira y sus expresiones.
In this program we hear from experts to talk to us about emotions. Learn about topics that are important to everyone. Learn about ways to manage your emotions, find out the difference between rationality and irrationality. Learn other topics such as cognitive intelligence, anger and its expressions.
We are pleased to share the first part of an interview between Anne Gray Fischer and Micol Siegel. Fischer’s powerful first book, The Streets Belong to Us: Sex, Race, and Police Power from Segregation to Gentrification, was published earlier in 2022, and is an account of gender and sexuality’s crucial role in the history and exercise of police power. In this conversation, the first of two we will present on Kite Line, Fischer and Siegel discuss the context of the book and its relationship to wider abolitionist research. They also work through the relationship between vice policing, aimed primarily at womens’ bodies, and race, which allowed wide swathes of Black neighborhoods to be treated as red light districts and subject to intensified police surveillance and violence.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 5th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Care Not Cages Member Sydney Foreman about the group which opposes the construction of the new jail. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we revisit some of the latest Community Justice Reform Committee meeting where local officials have been planning the new jail proposal.
Monroe County Councilor Jennifer Crossley Dissents during CJRC Meeting
Photo courtesy of CATS.The Community Justice Reform Committee met last month to continue their proposal to build a new Monroe County Jail.
At the time, County Councilor Jennifer Crossley said she didn’t feel comfortable moving forward with the Fullerton Pike property after hearing from experts and community members, marking the first tangible sense of dissent with the new jail initiative.
Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones responded that she had heard complaints about the process of building a new jail, but she hadn’t heard many solutions.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Kara Krothe asked Jones why the county couldn’t renovate the current building rather than build a new jail. Jones replied that the current jail has structural problems.
Judge Krothe said the process of building a new jail would take several years. She questioned why the jail couldn’t be improved in the meantime. Jones retorted that ideally, the current jail would be renovated.
During public comment, local resident Sydney Foreman gave testimony on behalf of Care Not Cages which opposes the new jail.
The rezoning of the Fullerton Pike location came before the City Council on December 21st. It was there that the city council unanimously denied the proposal to rezone the property from mixed-use employment to mixed-use institutional. That puts the new jail in a state of uncertainty.
The Community Justice Reform Committee will meet for the first time since the city council denial on Monday, January 9th at 4:30 p.m. in the Monroe County Courthouse.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Care Not Cages.In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Care Not Cages Member Sydney Foreman about the group which opposes the construction of the new jail. Foreman also discusses an event Care Not Cages will host titled Gather Against Monroe County Jail Expansion from 3 to 5 p.m. on January 9th at the Courthouse Square. We turn now to that interview.
Sydney Foreman speaking against the new jail proposal at the latest city council meeting. Photo courtesy of the B Square Bulletin.Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On November 2, 2022, Twice Dark (aka Josh Kreuzman) joined us for a live interview and performance. We discussed the project’s formation, the Fault Line EP, and upcoming events for Twice Dark.
Songs:
- “Fathoms Deep”
- “Deadly Darling”
- “Plague of the Masquerade”
- “Liminal Spaces”
- “Fault Line”
Credits:
- Engineers: Chama Henry and Alyssa Gray, with assistance by Kirsten Payton
- Host and Coordinating Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
On October 28th, 2022, Colleen Green joined us for a Firehouse Session before her performance at The Bishop Bar. We discussed her album Cool, her DIY approach, Cocoa Beach Tapes, and her move back to Massachusetts.
Songs:
– “I Wanna Be A Dog”
– “College Rock”
– “Highway”
Session Host: Abby Noroozi
Engineers: Kirsten Payton and Jar Turner
Coordinating Producer: Christine Brackenhoff
Post-Production: Jim Lang
In this episode, we cover one of nature’s most important land stewards: the beaver.
Beavers can be found in a number of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. When they create dams and lodges, they impound water, which serves as shelter for other animals. Their infrastructure creates wetlands used by many other species, and because of their effect on other organisms in the ecosystem, they are considered a keystone species.
Beavers create water channels to forage through their environment. The backup water they create then spreads across the surrounding landscape, creating complex side channels that support fish habitats. This “bathtub” water also seeps into the ground, allowing underground aquifers to be refilled. Through their daily activities, beavers alter the landscape and create habitats for many other species like fish, aquatic animals and birds, making them an important piece of our natural ecosystem.
The complexes that beavers make can also act as water filters, trapping sediment and filtering out toxins to improve downstream water quality. They also help to slow spring runoff, which buffers the impact of flooding and drought in many places.
Another important thing beavers help with is climate change. As climate change leads to increased frequency and strength of wildfires, the work of beavers has significant beneficial impacts. Beaver meadows can function as firebreaks, and shield plants and animals from high intensity burning. And beaver dams have been shown to reduce the power of runoff and filter out sediment that fills rivers and streams after a wildfire.
Beavers are a crucial piece of land stewardship in many places, including right here in south central Indiana. Our very own Sycamore Land Trust has several beaver dams in Monroe County. Beavers transformed the land they inhabit, as well as bring new life into the areas they live. Sycamore Land Trust has two cameras that watch two different beaver lodges. You can see some of their wildlife footage which includes not only beavers, but bobcats and many other native Indiana animals and birds on their website. If you’re interested in checking out the natural habitats beavers helped create, you can hike Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 4th, 2022.
Later in the program, the Bloomington Board of Public Works unanimously denied an appeal for a noise violation at a property on Washington Street. More in the bottom half of the program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Hostage Video on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB.
But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, “read, learn, connect and create” (Young).At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report.
Board Member and Secretary Kari Esarey remarked that the library is hosting a lot of additional services. Carson responded that the 21st Century Library has a unique role to fill.
Carson also updated the board on the construction of the Southwest Branch, and shared that there has been some public concern about all of the construction going on around Gordon Pike.
Next, Finance Officer Gary Lettelleir gave a budget update. He informed the board that the Department of Local Government Finance turned down the 2023 budget and explained how that would affect the library’s services.
Esarey asked if there was a reason they turned down the budget. Lettelleir said that the budget they submitted increased from 2022 to 2023, and the increase exceeded the maximum growth quotient the State of Indiana set.
The board approved the Board meeting calendar and holiday schedule.
Board Member Nichelle Whitley Wash asked how the days off are chosen. Carson explained that every year they get to decide as a board. He said they want to discuss more about days off for holidays. Wash said she was glad they would be discussing how to go about including the federal holiday, Juneteenth.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on January 18th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the January 3rd meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard an appeal of a noise violation. City Attorney Chris Wheeler explained the alleged violation.
Bloomington Police Officer Thomas Kreuzman gave his testimony about responding to the noise violation.
Wheeler returned to the podium with the claim that the noise coming from the property was unlawful. He walked through his legal rationale.
Public Works Director Adam Wason asked for clarification on the timeline for the appeal. Wheeler responded.
Then, appellant Brandon Sermersheim was given the opportunity to speak and tell his side of the story.
Board Secretary Elizabeth Karon asked whether or not the appellant was notified of a fine on the day of the citation. Officer Kreuzman replied that the appellant was made aware of what to do if he had any questions.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked whether the log of events the board received for the incident listed the details of complaints for the property in question, or if another property received complaints, as well. Kreuzman clarified that a neighboring property also received complaints from the public.
The three-person board unanimously denied the appeal for a noise violation. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on January 17th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board Meeting
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.At the Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on January 3rd, Utilities Engineer Phil Peden asked the board to approve a community development block grant from the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
Board Member Amanda Burnham asked where the Near Westside Waterman neighborhood is located. Peden responded.
Burnham also asked if the work there had already been done. Peden explained that they have only done the design work for it, but have not started any construction which is what the grant will cover.
Board Member Kirk White asked for clarification about whether or not the grant would pay for the project upfront or if they would be reimbursed for it. Peden said they will be reimbursed.
The board approved the grant unanimously.
The next Utility Service Board meeting will be held on January 17th.
Better Beware
Up next, Hostage Video on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 3rd, 2022.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council voted against an ordinance to rezone 87 acres of property on Fullerton Pike for the purpose of building a new jail. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Vetoes Ordinance to Rezone Fullerton Pike Property for New Jail
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.During the December 21st meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council heard an ordinance to rezone about 87 acres on Fullerton Pike for a new jail. City Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan gave an overview of the ordinance.
Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones offered a plea for the county to pursue the rezone request for the new facility saying she wants to see a more “treatment” approach.
County Commissioner Julie Thomas stepped up to the podium to address the transportation concerns regarding the new potential jail site.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill broke down why the county approached the city council to make the map amendment request for the property on Fullerton Pike.
Local resident and member of Care Not Cages Sydney Foreman spoke during public comment, expressing concerns about transportation and construction issues.
Another member of Care Not Cages Micol Seigel spoke in opposition to the rezone request through Zoom.
The Bloomington City Council unanimously vetoed the ordinance to rezone the Fullerton Pike property for the purpose of building a new jail. The city council will meet again on January 11th.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show
Up next, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff
Maqubè ReeseOn today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Maqubè Reese, who is the Associate Director of Diversity Initiatives Kelley School of Business at Indiana University – Bloomington. Maqubè Reese is the founder and CEO of TRIBE Consulting. TRIBE stands for ‘Together, we are choosing to make room for Reconciliation focused on Intersectionality while Building a sustainable Ecosystem of care and responsibility.” Maqubè seeks to provide culturally sensitive, educational and healing-informed services to individuals, groups, and organizations. In 2021 she served on the City of Bloomington’s Commission on the Status of Women and chaired the City’s Black History Month Committee. She also serves on the City’s Board of Public Safety. Currently she is president of the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP.
She is also a committee member for the Women of IU Conference. Her multiple honors include the inaugural IU DEI Luminary Awardee from the IU Bloomington Diversity Equity Multi-Cultural Affairs; the 2022 IU Woman of the Year award from the Delta Sigma Theta Gamma Nu chapter; the 2020 Black Woman Leader Award from the City of Bloomington Black History Month; the Alpha Kappa Alpha Kappa Tau Chapter Black Girls Rock Woman of the Year award, the 2018 Zeta Phi Beta Alumna Community Award., and is involved with Count Us In Indiana, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging diverse voter turnout.
Maqubè Reese was raised on the south side of Fort Wayne, Indiana and is the youngest of 13 children. She is a “proud first- generation college graduate,” she says. Her parents, who Reese refers to as loving and supportive, both died of health complications earlier in her life. “I’ve benefited from going to therapy to get some help through that trauma—not only with grief but trauma as a Black woman,” she says. “Being a Black woman in America is just hard—being Black in America is hard. I don’t understand why it’s so difficult. I just want to live, right? There is definitely deep-rooted, complex, structural, systemic racism that still affects and plagues us today.
“I think about my mom, and the fact that she had 13 beautiful Black kids and brought them into this world. She advocated for us every day, and I can only imagine what that felt like. When I’m advocating for just me sometimes, I’m exhausted.”
Reese came to Indiana University on scholarships through the Group Scholars and 21st Century Scholars programs. She studied human development and family studies, graduating in 2015. She also has a nonprofit management certificate, and an Eli Lilly Philanthropic certificate.
For five years, she worked as an advisor for the Groups Scholars Program. Reese focuses on what she is able to observe, engage, heal, and create. She completed her master’s in social work last year, applying her understanding of mental health to the community work she does and her career, and she works part-time as a therapist for adolescents at Bloomington Meadows Hospital.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, she started a Facebook group called Humanity for the Win, which is a growing, international “space to highlight how humanity succeeds against all odds,” according to its published description. Group members post stories about “how humans are peacefully helping humans financially, spiritually, mentally, and physically… It’s part of my passion to build interconnected community,” Reese says.
Sources: 5 Questions with …Maqubè Reese (Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President, Indiana University Bloomington) and Bloom Magazine.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
HEADLINESThe lead story in the December 18 Herald-Times is headlined as “Cleaner energy options”. The story is about Salesforce, Roche, and Cummins, all calling for more availability of green energy. Maybe they can exert some sway on the legislature, even though that seems very unlikely.
—Norm Holy
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved the dedication of Sycamore Land Trust’s Clemens Place on Clifty Creek in Greene County as a Dedicated Nature Preserve.
—Kate Hammel
Scrub Hub, a part of the IndyStar operation, monitors various environmental issues, and recently published a story on emissions. They found that as a state, we were one of just 10 that emitted nearly half of the country’s carbon dioxide.
—Norm Holy
Why is it that Indiana attracts new industries from out-of-state that aim to place a process in Indiana that could prove to heavily pollute our air? The latest site sits behind parked railroad cars painted in graffiti, where abandoned concrete silos rise from the sandy southern shore of Lake Michigan, a remnant of a former cement plant that helped build the country’s interstate highway system.
—Norm Holy
Investment management firm The Vanguard Group is walking out of the world’s largest climate-finance alliance, marking the coalition’s biggest defection to date as U.S. Republicans step up their threats against firms deemed hostile toward the fossil-fuel industry.
—Norm Holy
Congress has proposed $1 billion to help poor countries cope with climate change, a figure that falls significantly short of President Biden’s promise that the United States will spend $11.4 billion annually by 2024 to ensure developing nations can transition to clean energy and adapt to a warming planet.
—Norm Holy
A ban on goods imported by the U.S. from the Xinjiang region in China, due to concerns over forced labor, has impeded imports of solar panels, putting solar installations in the U.S. on course to drop by almost a quarter this year, according to this year’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report, released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and energy research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie.
—Norm Holy
CALENDAR
| Take your First Day Hike at Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, beginning at 8 am. Meet at the Walls Shelter for this approximately 1-mile hike on a paved trail. You will leave the shelter and return to the shelter. Wear comfortable shoes. | | You can also take a First Day Long Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, from 9 to 10 am. Join the naturalist at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5. It is 1-mile long and partially rugged. You can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at the end of your hike. | | The 10th Annual First Day Trail Run and Walk will take place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, beginning at 3:30 pm. Choose from a 3.7 mile; 2.9 mile; or 1.3 mile course for this untimed, non-competitive run/walk. Ring in the new year as you cross the finish line. Register at bit.ly/firstdayrun2023. | | Whooper Wednesday will continue every Wednesday at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 8th. Meet at 9 am for a morning bird walk to spot Goose Pond resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Dress for the weather. | | Take the Wolf Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, January 6th, 2023, from 5:30 to 7 pm. Hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle to learn the history and lore of the Wolf Full Moon. Trail 7, at night, is considered rugged and is 1.2 miles long. |
Locutora, Luz López, entrevista a Ana Cordero, de El Centro Comunal Latino – CCL, nos informara sobre los servicios y recursos para la comunidad. En la segunda parte, escuchamos a Sandy Lopez, Ana Cordero, y Josefa Madrigal para hablarnos de sus metas y resoluciones para el año nuevo 2023 y como lograr esos objetivos.Host, Luz Lopez, interviews Ana Cordero, from El Centro Comunal Latino, to inform us about services and resources for the community. In the second part, listen to Sandy Lopez, Ana Cordero, and Josefa Madrigal to tell us about their goals and resolutions for the new year 2023 and how to achieve those goals.
December 17th marked two years since the passing of Russell Maroon Shoatz.
He was a founding member of the Black Unity Council, a former member of the Black Panther Party and a soldier in the Black Liberation Army. After twice escaping from prison, and twice being recaptured, Shoatz was held in solitary confinement for more than 22 years. This solitary confinement was controversial — while Shoatz had successfully escaped twice, he actually had an excellent record of behavior within the prison itself. Advocates and Shoatz himself argued that his extended solitary confinement reflected the personal offense taken by prison officials, who were embarrassed both by his ease in escaping, and his sharp critiques of the American prison system.
Shoatz is remembered today as, among other things, a well-respected author. One famous essay, The Dragon and The Hydra, is widely available online. Listeners interested in honoring the anniversary of Shoatz’ passing but unfamiliar with his work may find this essay insightful, short, and accessible, as a history of one important aspect of revolutionary organizing.
This episode we’ll share a previously aired interview with Shoatz, recorded on August 15th 1996, at State Correctional Institution-Greene in Pennsylvania. The interview was originally aired on the Peoples Video Network, and was conducted by Dhoruba Bin Wahad.
WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing, on his popular book ‘Fast Food Genocide.’
They touch upon matters of mental health, chronic disease, poverty, environmental issues, food deserts, regenerative agriculture, the industrial food system, educational reform, life expectancy, recipes for longevity and the myriad benefits of a Nutritarian Lifestyle.
This is a rebroadcast from October 24, 2022:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with William Hosea, Alonzo Johnson, Jim Mitchell, and James Sanders about black men’s everyday contributions to the well-being of society and how they are shaping America’s future based upon the positive values that black men all share.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On September 24th, 2022, Vân-Ánh Võ joined us at the station for a live performance and interview ahead of that evening’s Lotus Festival performance. We learned more about her various instruments and inspiration behind her compositions.
Host: Christine Brackenhoff
Co-producer: Adriane Pontecorvo
Engineer: Kirsten Payton
En el segmento De Mujer a Mujer, la conductora Minerva Sosa, conversa con Marcela Sepúlveda sobre el tema de la mujer y la salud mental. Infórmese sobre los servicios de salud mental que existen en nuestra comunidad. Comparten el estigma que tiene el tema de la salud mental en la población latina/hispana. Escuche las diferentes formas de superar el estigma de la salud mental.
In the segment De Mujer a Mujer, Host, Minerva Sosa, speaks with Marcela Sepúlveda about the topic of women and mental health. Find out about the mental health services that exist in our community. They share the stigma that the mental health topic has in the Latino/Hispanic population. Listen to the different ways to overcome mental health stigma.
This week, we speak again with Isaiah Willoughby. Last time he was on the show, he reflected on being incarcerated due to the 2020 George Floyd Uprising. He was released from prison last March, but he’s now housed once again in SeaTac Federal Detention Center on a parole violation. It took three separate calls to complete this interview: calls in the facility are limited to ten minutes, and prisoners must wait an hour in between each call. Because of this, prisoners line up waiting for their turn to make a phone call. He tells us about his re-entry experience, which are issues with returning to the outside world that many people face after incarceration. He talks about the murder of his friend Manny at the hands of police. The police who killed Manny are currently out on bail, and their trial is set for September 2023. Isaiah ends by explaining his civil case against SeaTac Federal Detention Center.
You can hear the first episode with Isaiah here: https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/296-words-from-an-incarcerated-blm-demonstrator/
Featured animal: Kitty Kitty Meow Meow
Kitty Kitty Meow Meow is an 8-year-old orange tabby cat, currently staying at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. She is incredibly sweet and loves to be pet. Kitty Kitty Meow Meow is blind and mostly deaf. She is seeking a person to love and a couch to cuddle up on. Shelter staff and a veterinarian can help advise on how to care for a cat with sensory deficits. To learn more about taking Kitty Kitty Meow Meow home, please reach out to or visit the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured topic: Fleas and Ticks
It’s a common belief that pets are safe from fleas and ticks once the temperature drops below freezing, but unfortunately, that’s a misconception. Fleas and ticks can pose threats to pets year-round. Although ticks are most active during the warmer months, some species can remain active during colder months. Flea pupae can be nestled into furniture or carpeting for extensive periods of time. For dogs and cats, preventative medication can provide defense against fleas and ticks year-round.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 20th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing, on his popular book ‘Fast Food Genocide. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest installment of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On December 14th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Health Department Lori Kelley gave an update on flu cases and vaccines.
Next, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill on an ordinance to end the county’s Affordable Housing Commission.
Commissioner Julie Thomas explained that the reason for this is not that it is not needed, but rather they are trying to better support local organizations addressing the issue by consolidating the number of players involved.
The commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously.
Next, Cockerill presented an agreement with the Indiana University Board of Trustees that allows the Indiana Institute on Disabilities and Community to implement a survey regarding current and former people incarcerated at the jail.
Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emgee spoke in support of the ordinance, saying the data will help the community and help the commissioners make more informed decisions.
The commissioners unanimously approved the survey.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 4th.
Bloomington City Council
At the December 14th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Attorney Stephen Lucas explained a Resolution 22-20 which would create a Capital Improvement Board to operate the Monroe Convention Center expansion project.
Director of Public Engagement Mary Catherine Carmichael said the office of the mayor would prefer to place the convention centers as a 501-c non-profit, rather than take the Capital Improvement Board route.
Monroe County Attorney Jeff Cockerill stated the county’s preference for a Capital Improvement Board, or C-I-B, saying that the mayor’s office switched positions after the convention center plans were placed on hold during the pandemic.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed interest in moving forward with a C-I-B saying the commissioners thought the city and county were previously in agreement taking this path forward.
The resolution to support a Capital Improvement Board passed by an 8-1 vote, with Council Member Kate Rosenbarger voting ‘no.’ The next Bloomington City Council meeting will happen on December 21st.
Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing, on his popular book ‘Fast Food Genocide.’ We turn now to that interview.
Up next, the latest installment of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a continuation from last week’s program.
The hosts of today’s edition of Bring It On! are Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone. Earlier this fall the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth (CSCY) sought nominations for the 2022 SWAGGER (Students Who Act Generously, Grow, and Earn Respect) Awards. The successful nominee shall have taken action that enhances the lives around them through generous acts, personal growth, and the promotion of respect. The S.W.A.G.G.E.R. (Students Who Act Generously, Grow and Earn Respect) award criteria acknowledges children and youth who have shown commitment to a cause or taken action(s) that has improved their lives and/or the lives of others around them. The award is granted from the Commission on the Status of Children and Youth, whose purpose is to promote connections in our community which empower, enhance and nurture children and youth.
Nominations were accepted from educators, neighbors, friends, relatives, and clergy of students who live or attend school within the Monroe County Community School Corporation area. Youth nominees fell into four school-age grade groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Ultimately, seven young nominees won S.W.A.G.G.E.R Awards. They were selected from among 17 impressive young people, all of whom were recognized for their meaningful and generous acts. In the 9th-12th grade category, awards went to four African American ladies, Sydney Crossley, Sabrah Wagner, Jael Davis and Saphyne Franklin for exceptional leadership in social justice activism by advocating for a racial discrimination justice policy to be included in the MCCSC student handbook.
This evening three of those ladies, Sydney Crossley and Jael Davis, Sabrah Wagner, along with Mr. Isadore James “Jimmie” Torry, Co- Chair of the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth, join Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy
In recent months, utilities have repeatedly raised rates to cover the skyrocketing costs of the coal and gas needed to run their plants as well as the energy they had to buy from the grid when some of those plants unexpectedly shut down.
In a case that could cast a cloud on the Hoosier state’s nuclear power ambitions, higher steel prices and interest rates could drive up the price of electricity at the nation’s first small modular nuclear reactor plant to nearly twice previous estimates.
The New York Times reports that the Biden administration will give three Native tribes $75 million to move away from coastal areas or rivers, one of the nation’s largest efforts to date to relocate communities that are facing an urgent threat from climate change.
We are aware that it is a struggle for polar bears to find food because the Arctic ice is reliable as a place to hunt for fewer months of the year. The bears are spending more months on land than ever before. And the bears are relying on scavenging for food in dumps. This brings them into contact with human pathogens. Polar bears are experiencing a wider array of diseases than ever.
Whole Foods will cease offering lobsters caught in the Gulf of Maine. This seemingly out-of-the-blue decision has caused consternation among lobstermen. The reason for this decision is concern for the remaining 340 right whales.
The heavy hand of the fossil fuel industry is everywhere, including Indiana. The recent COP27 meeting had thousands of lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry, and the huge oil companies had representatives to prevent any real progress.
Wisconsin is one of the states included in a recent report by the Northeast-Midwest Institute that ranked Midwestern states in terms of their progress on environmental justice issues. Among Midwest states, Michigan ranked first, Minnesota second and Illinois third, while Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana ranked lower, in that order. Indiana ranks number 3 over the entire country in terms of the most polluted air and water.
There are now 8 billion of us, according to the New York Times. How does that affect our ability to live within planetary boundaries — and to stave off the worst climate hazards? Actually, what matters most is not how many we are. It’s how we live.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it is proposing to extend protection under the Endangered Species Act to the Lesser Prairie-Chicken.
CALENDAR
| Brown County State Park kicks off their Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Strahl Lake parking lot for a hike on Trail 6 which goes around the Strahl Lake. Dogs must be on a leash. | | Take the Exploration Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center to explore Trails 1 and 2 to learn the history and see all the features of this 1.25 mile area of the park. The trails are considered moderately rugged. | | Join the park naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 18th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make the lake their home. | | Join a morning bird walk at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area for Whooper Wednesday, every Wednesday from the 14th through February 8th, starting at 8 am. You will walk the property to see if you can spot some of the resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes! Dress for the weather. | | Celebrate the Winter Solstice on a Luminary Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 21st, from 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy a relaxing, luminary-lit walk and reflect on the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year! Stops along the way will include different activities. Hot tea and cocoa will be available. Dress for the weather. |
This week, we feature interviews on Life After Lockup from the Kunta Kenyatta Files. Kunta Kenyatta uses YouTube to speak to a range of people in Cleveland, Ohio, often featuring videos shot from the 107 Club, a half-way house and neighborhood hub. He speaks with neighbors, former prisoners, and others, amplifying important voices and preserving memory of key struggles like the Lucasville Uprising. First, we hear him speaking with Mosi Paki about the Lucasville Uprising, and then his friend Porky, who shares his personal reflections on his time inside as a young man in the 1960s.
You can check out more of Kenyatta’s interviews and other videos on Youtube.
Her grown-up passions would become horror and goth films, as well as taste politics and the global rebellions of 1968, but as a young person Joan Hawkins loved creative writing. She got away from it as she advanced in the academic world. Now she’s come back to it with the publication of her new book, School and Suicide. The book is a collection of autobiographical stories, covering her life from age nine through 22. Hawkins at the age of 16 began working at a San Francisco Bay Area crisis hotline and learned how adults are “flawed creatures.”
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 15th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and the WFHB Local News.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council voted to move forward with the Monroe Convention Center as a Capital Improvement Board rather than a 501-c non-profit. More in your daily headlines.
The Statehouse Roundup: Race for Governor, District 62 Recount Update
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.Several candidates have put their name in the running for governor of Indiana. Current Governor Eric Holcomb has two more years before he leaves office — and once his term expires, it’s expected to be a tight race.
This week, U.S. Senator Mike Braun and Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch announced their candidacy for the Republican ticket, both with a focus on education.
“Issues like agriculture, affordable housing, and not to mention the other big issue, education. Education is 52 percent of our budget out of 17 billion a year. Post secondary is another 15 percent, and we got to do better at that. That’s a lot of resources,” said Senator Braun.
“So I’m running for governor because I have a vision for Indiana that will propel our state into the future, and my vision for the future focuses on growing our economy and investing in education, strengthening our families and our communities and then transforming government,” said Lieutenant Governor Crouch.
Eric Doden, the former president of the Indiana Development Corporation, announced back in 2021 that he would run for the state executive office.
When Holcomb’s gubernatorial term limit runs out, the race for governor is expected to be a competitive race, drawing a large pool of candidates – particularly for the GOP.
So far, no Democrats have formally declared their candidacy.
Former State Rep. Christina Hale, Former Mayor of Fort Wayne Thomas McDermott, Jr. and former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick have expressed interest in running for governor, but they have yet to make a formal announcement.
The election for governor of Indiana will take place in November of 2024.
The recount has wrapped up for the District 62 race between Democrat Penny Githens and Republican Dave Hall.
District 62 includes portions of Monroe, Jackson and Brown Counties. The election for state representative was narrow, with Hall receiving only 40 more votes than Githens, before the recount.
Official results won’t be announced until the Indiana Recount Commission convenes next week.
Bloomington City Council Votes in Support of CIB for Convention Center
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.At the December 14th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Attorney Stephen Lucas explained a Resolution 22-20 which would create a Capital Improvement Board to operate the Monroe Convention Center expansion project.
Director of Public Engagement Mary Catherine Carmichael said the office of the mayor would prefer to place the convention centers as a 501-c non-profit, rather than take the Capital Improvement Board route.
Monroe County Attorney Jeff Cockerill stated the county’s preference for a Capital Improvement Board, or C-I-B, saying that the mayor’s office switched positions after the convention center plans were placed on hold during the pandemic.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed interest in moving forward with a C-I-B saying the commissioners thought the city and county were previously in agreement taking this path forward.
The resolution to support a Capital Improvement Board passed by an 8-1 vote, with Council Member Kate Rosenbarger voting ‘no.’ The next Bloomington City Council meeting will happen on December 21st.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and the WFHB Local News. This month on Civic Conversations, we are joined by Kate Cruikshank, Political Papers Specialist for the University Archives at the Herman B. Wells Library. Kate joined the podcast to talk about the 26th Amendment. The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 for all elections, state and federal. We turn now to the December edition of Civic Conversations on WFHB.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Clayton Young reports on rising antisemitism both locally and on the national level. He speaks with Rabbi Sue Silberberg of the IU Hillel Center and Gunther Jikeli, the Erna Rosenfeld Professor of Jewish and Germanic Studies at IU, about a recent anti-Semitic incident in Bloomington. Correspondent Clayton Young has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Clayton Young.
Becky Hill produces Civic Conversations.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
WFHB welcomes Jason Fickel back to Saturday’s Child from the Monroe County History Center stage on Saturday, December 10th from 11am to noon for great music and a rollicking good time! Listen live or join us free of charge in the audience, on the corner of 6th and Washington streets, as Jason, along with an assortment of talented accomplices, treats us to our first opportunity in several years to hear and see him in front of a live Saturday’s Child audience! That’s Jason Fickel & Friends on Saturday’s Child, Saturday, December 10th at 11am on WFHB.”
This week’s featured animal is a little different. Sycamore Land Trust’s nature preserves are home to many native Indiana plants and animals, including the bobcat.
Bobcats are a medium sized wild cat native to North America. Bobcats are largely solitary and rarely seen, due to their ability to blend in with their surroundings and move silently. Bobcat vocalizations are rarely heard by humans. But, in southern Indiana, Sycamore Land Trust is monitoring bobcats living on our nature preserves, using motion triggered wildlife cameras installed along game trails. These cameras have captured multiple bobcat families traveling and hunting together, and even recorded a bobcat mother calling to her kittens to catch up. You can watch the footage at sycamorelandtrust.org/wildlife.
This week’s topic: animal welfare and land stewardship
Land conservation is a critical piece of animal welfare. Often protecting the habitats of many wildlife species, protected green spaces with accessible trails provide places for people to connect with their animals, unplug, and be in nature. In southern Indiana, Sycamore Land Trust has been protecting land, restoring habitat, and connecting people to nature since 1990. Sycamore Land Trust owns and cares for more than 10,500 acres on over 125 protected properties and maintains trails on 13 preserves for free public use. They have accessible nature preserves – some right in the middle of neighborhoods – and they’re a resource to discover new habitats.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
While bobcats are best left in the wild, support for Sycamore Land Trust’s conservation work can be made here.
This month on Civic Conversations, we are joined by Kate Cruikshank, Political Papers Specialist for the University Archives at the Herman B. Wells Library. Kate joined us to talk about the 26th Amendment. The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 for all elections, state and federal. Kate shared that the amendment was created after a long debate about lowering the voting age in response to those men returning from World War II and carried through the Vietnam War. In addition, as his archival papers demonstrate, Kate shared how Indiana’s Senator Birch Bayh was instrumental in the passage of the 26th Amendment. Maintaining those political paper archives, says Kate, is one way to maintain the history of our democracy.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 14th, 2022.
Later in the program, we rebroadcast an interview related to the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project – an initiative that puts thousands of acres of pristine forest at risk. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.On December 7th, at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on the rising cases of Omicron and Influenza.
Commissioner Lee Jones emphasized the importance of getting the flu vaccine this year due to less people having a natural immunity to it.
Kelley responded that there are higher rates of hospitalization from this flu variant as well.
Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked Kelley for the update and commented to the public that it is not too late to get vaccinated.
During public comment Monroe County resident Laurie Borman spoke out against the trees cut down on Gordon Pike asking the commissioners to consider the trees when taking on a project.
The commissioners later heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill who presented an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with The Monroe County Convention Center.
Commissioner Penny Githens said the rate hasn’t been increased since 2014 and agreed it was time.
Journalist Dave Askins asked how the Convention Center Management is funded.
Convention Center Management Company Executive Director Talisha Coppock responded.
The commissioners unanimously approved the Convention Center Management agreement amendment.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 14th.
Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Forest Alliance.Earlier this year, Inside Outdoors hosts Rich Reardin and Don Jordan spoke with activist Andy Mahler from ‘Heartwood.’
This show covered aspects of the Indiana Forest Service project at Buffalo Springs that puts thousands of acres of pristine forest at risk.
Although it first aired in February of this year, it is still timely because the period for public comment ends at midnight on December 19th. We turn to host Rich Reardin for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Rich Reardin.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 13th, 2022.
Later in the program, Monroe County Councilor Jennifer Crossley expressed concerns about the new potential jail on Fullerton Pike during the latest Community Justice Reform Committee meeting. More in the bottom half of the program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Hears Resolution to Update ADA Transition Plan
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.On December 7, the Bloomington City Council discussed a resolution to update the city’s Americans with Disability Act Transition Plan.
Staff Liaison for the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, or C-C-A, Michael Shermis spoke on behalf of the resolution to update the city’s Americans with Disabilities Transition plan.
Former Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility chair Deborah Meyerson expanded upon the benefits of the transition plan for the city.
She provided a summary of the C-C-A and how the council’s accessible transportation and mobility principles were reflected in the plan.
Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger questioned Meyerson regarding the implementation of the principles and proposed some strategies to implement the principles, which Meyerson responded to.
The current Chairperson of the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility Chair Leslie Davis emphasized the importance of a city having an A-D-A transition plan and the willingness of the C-C-A to assist the Bloomington City Council in implementing the resolution.
During Public comment on the resolution, constituent Peter Dorfman inquired about the consequences that could be leveled against the city if it did not follow through with the goals outlined in the transition plan. C-C-A staff Liaison Shermis and Chairperson Davis responded.
Council Member Steve Volan reflected on his past interactions with the C-C-A along with his own experiences with disabilities traveling around the world. He provided next steps for connecting with the Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The City council approved the resolution unanimously. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on December 14th.
County Councilor Jennifer Crossley Says She’s “Uncomfortable” with New Jail Site
Photo courtesy of CATS.The Community Justice Reform Committee met last night to continue their proposal to build a new Monroe County Jail.
County Councilor Jennifer Crossley said she doesn’t feel comfortable moving forward with the Fullerton Pike property after hearing from experts and community members.
Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones responded that she has heard complaints about the process of building a new jail, but she hasn’t heard many solutions.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Kara Krothe asked Jones why the county couldn’t renovate the current building rather than build a new jail. Jones replied that the current jail has structural problems.
Judge Krothe said the process of building a new jail would take several years. She questioned why the jail couldn’t be improved in the meantime. Jones retorted that ideally, the current jail would be renovated.
During public comment, local resident Sydney Foreman gave testimony on behalf of Care Not Cages which opposes the new jail.
The rezoning of the Fullerton Pike location will be on the city council agenda this Wednesday. The Community Justice Reform Committee will meet again on January 9th of next year.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show
Photo courtesy of Sycamore Land Trust.Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Abe Shapiro, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show was produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The hosts of today’s edition of Bring It On! are Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone. Earlier this fall the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth (CSCY) sought nominations for the 2022 SWAGGER (Students Who Act Generously, Grow, and Earn Respect) Awards. The successful nominee shall have taken action that enhances the lives around them through generous acts, personal growth, and the promotion of respect. The S.W.A.G.G.E.R. (Students Who Act Generously, Grow and Earn Respect) award criteria acknowledges children and youth who have shown commitment to a cause or taken action(s) that has improved their lives and/or the lives of others around them. The award is granted from the Commission on the Status of Children and Youth, whose purpose is to promote connections in our community which empower, enhance and nurture children and youth.
Nominations were accepted from educators, neighbors, friends, relatives, and clergy of students who live or attend school within the Monroe County Community School Corporation area. Youth nominees fell into four school-age grade groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Ultimately, seven young nominees won S.W.A.G.G.E.R Awards. They were selected from among 17 impressive young people, all of whom were recognized for their meaningful and generous acts. In the 9th-12th grade category, awards went to four African American ladies, Sydney Crossley, Sabrah Wagner, Jael Davis and Saphyne Franklin for exceptional leadership in social justice activism by advocating for a racial discrimination justice policy to be included in the MCCSC student handbook.
This evening three of those ladies, Sydney Crossley and Jael Davis, Sabrah Wagner, along with Mr. Isadore James “Jimmie” Torry, Co- Chair of the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth, join Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Liz Mitchell and Clarence Boone.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 12th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington residents showed up to a Drag Show at Switchyard Brewery to demonstrate their support after the bar received threatening phone calls about the event. But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the Monroe County Council’s December 6th meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill introduced a request from Oliver Winery for a seven year tax abatement, and introduced the public hearing on the abatement.
During public comment on the tax abatement request, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce member Jim Shelton explained that they want Oliver Winery to expand their business here rather than look elsewhere.
Bloomington Economic Development Corporation Business Development Director Clark Greiner also supported the abatement.
After the public hearing Cockerill shared some additional information on how Oliver Winery plans to hire more employees, and how the council and the winery settled on the 7 year abatement.
Council Member Jennifer Crossley asked about when Oliver Winery would hire the 21 new employees. She cautioned that Bloomington offered a tax abatement to Catalent with the promise of new jobs, and they just recently laid off around 400 workers. Cockerill responded.
Council Member Marty Hawke commented that the winery has become a destination for tourism.
Council Member Trent Deckard said he was supportive of the request, and addressed the concerns of the public that the company would leave Bloomington.
The council approved the request unanimously.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on January 10th.
Concerns About Proud Boys at Drag Show at Switchyard Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Switchyard Brewing Company.On Sunday morning, Bloomington residents showed up to a Drag Show at Switchyard Brewery to show their support after the bar received threatening phone calls about the event.
Residents were concerned that the Proud Boys and other far-right groups would attend the event to harass members of the LGBTQ+ community.
According to Chelsea, a resident who attended the event, she learned about the potential threat online on Tik Tok.
Chelsea said that no one ended up attending the event aside from the large crowd of supporters, who stood outside in the cold during the 2 hour long show.
Switchyard Brewing Company said in a statement, “We are incredibly thankful for and humbled by the strong show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community that we saw today. We are stronger together and to each of you who turned out, spoke out or took a part in today, proved that.”
Feature Report
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond.
Monroe County Government is quickly moving forward with a proposal for a new $60+ million dollar jail to replace and expand the downtown jail. With little input from community members, consultants hired by the county have recommended jail expansion, and the county government has begun the purchase of an 87 acre, $10 million property.
In response to the jail proposal controversy, a group of concerned local community members called Care Not Cages has been speaking up. Supporters want the county to pause the construction process and consider alternatives to expanding incarceration. Kite Line spoke to a member of the group to get some context about recent events. We turn now to a portion of that interview.
During the Community Justice Response Committee meeting last week, several members of Care Not Cages spoke during public comment. We now turn to some of that testimony given in opposition to the proposed jail.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy
The November 29th edition of The Herald-Times has a front-page story entitled “Why did First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington cut trees in Brown County”. The 23-acre property in question is near highway 46 on the way to Nashville and has been owned by the church for decades.
In the November 28th edition of The Herald-Times, the lead story was “What to expect in [the 2023] legislative session”. The topics discussed in the story included “Economy is a question mark”, concerning the uncertainty of where the economy is headed in 2023.
In 1919, Indiana stood as the nation’s number one maple syrup producer boasting vast acres of maple forests. Decades of removing trees, however, made the statewide industry move to the back of the line in scale of production.
IU News reports that among the dozens of presidents and prime ministers from around the world who attended the United Nations’ annual climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was a delegation of Indiana University Bloomington faculty and students.
The cold-water fish, such as codfish, are leaving the Gulf of Maine because the water is now too warm. Similarly, the salmon industry has largely collapsed from California to Alaska because waters are too warm, and because of over-fishing and habitat destruction.
CALENDAR
| Join the naturalist for a unique 1-mile easy hike on Trail 7 at the 4th Annual Candle Lit Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 10th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The trail will be lit up for the night and you will receive hot chocolate and cookies after the hike. Meet at the Tulip Poplar Shelter to learn about the creatures of the night and their winter survival skills. | | Enjoy a Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 11th, from 11 to 11:45 am. This ADA accessible hike will take you past an historic park gatehouse and a vista not available in a car. Learn about the work Friends groups do for Indiana State Parks. | | Explore the construction of the Monroe Lake Dam during a “To Build a Reservoir” History Hike at the Salt Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 14th, from 1:30 to 3 pm. Learn about the geology and topography that made the reservoir possible. Sign up at bit.ly/reservoirhistoryhike2022. | | Brown County State Park kicks off their Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Strahl Lake parking lot for a hike on Trail 6 which goes around the Strahl Lake. Dogs must be on a leash. | | Join the park naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 18th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make the lake their home. |
We turn our focus this week to a local struggle. Here in Bloomington Indiana, Monroe County Government is quickly moving forward with a proposal for a new $60+ million dollar jail to replace and expand the downtown jail. With little input from community members, consultants hired by the county have recommended jail expansion, and the county government has begun the purchase of an 87 acre, $10 million property.
In response to the jail proposal controversy, a group of concerned local community members called Care Not Cages has been speaking up. Supporters want the county to pause the construction process and consider alternatives to expanding incarceration. We spoke to a member of the group to get some context about recent events. After that, you’ll hear excerpts from a recent CJRC meeting… where supporters of Care Not Cages shared various concerns about the jail proposal and the direction of the committee.
Featured Pet: Ceirra, at City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Shelter staff describe Ceirra, a Bully Breed Mix dog, as a “petite potato full of love and snuggles”. She is happiest when she has a lap to curl up on while she gets her back scratched. She seems to be house trained and goes potty right away when it’s her turn to visit the yard. She should probably be a “solo pet” at this time. Ciara is patiently awaiting her forever home and is available for adoption from the Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Featured Topic: Where do you get your pet?
There are many ways to find and adopt a pet: from Craigslist ads, mall pet shops, shelters, rescues, and animal breeders. But not all sources are equal in terms of pet care and ethical standards. It’s important to consider your options before bringing home a new pet. Tune in to the episode to learn more about finding a companion animal from a reputable source.
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Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky
Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
In September of 2022, an Indiana University student burned and vandalized a sacred Jewish object at a student’s home. The object in question, a mezuzah, symbolizes to the outside world the occupants’ relationship with God and their home as a Jewish household.
The article states the Bloomington Police have the suspect in custody, and if convicted, he’s facing a potential of 180 days in jail and a fine of $1000. But will this punishment be enough to deter the next anti-Semitic incident? Gunther Jikeli, the Erna Rosenfeld Professor of Jewish and Germanic Studies at Indiana University, isn’t convinced.
“Unfortunately, this is not a one-off incident,” Jikeli said, “I’ve even seen, personally, swastikas on the sidewalk here in downtown Bloomington.”
The Anti-Defamation League conducts research on trends related to anti-Semetism and is dedicated to combating extremism. In 2021, the ADL found a 34% increase in anti-Semetic incidents since 2020. This statistic includes reported cases of harassment, vandalism, and assaults.
Bloomington is no stranger to anti-Semitic actions and vandalism. In February of 2022, WTHR reported on racist and anti-Semitic messages sent anonymously to members of Jewish Greek life at Indiana University.
“Last year, in particular. . . for our campus, a lot of anti-semitism. . . there were swastikas drawn around town. . . students felt very vulnerable and were really deeply affected. And there was a student who faced harassment on her residence hall floor for being Jewish,” Sue Silberberg said.
Anti-Semitism has a long and branching history, breaching both aisles of the modern political spectrum. Offensive caricatures and stereotypes of Jewish people often find themselves intertwined within popular culture, hence letting outdated attitudes flourish without further exploration.
“Historically, Jews have often been blamed [for running the world],” Jikeli said, “Even from 2000 years ago when Jews have been blamed for killing Jesus, which is a false accusation, but what does it mean? It means that. . . if you believe Jesus to be the son of God, that ‘the Jews’ . . . have killed the son of God, and that could only be the Devil. This demonization has been there for a long time.”
Within modern anti-Semetic discourse, a document that remains unfortunately influential is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum describes it as “the most. . . widely distributed antisemitic publication of modern times. . .[and] entirely a work of fiction, intentionally written to blame Jews for a variety of ills.”
The vandalism of the mezuzah and the trend of anti-Semitism raise safety concerns in the minds of local Jewish leaders. Sue Silberberg of the IU Hillel Center says that anti-Semitic actions have a ripple effect throughout the Jewish community.
“Whenever Jewish students experience any kind of anti-Semitism or hate, it affects us because we’re here as their support, as their home away from home,” Silberberg said.
So how can regular people combat anti-Semitism and religious prejudices? While the answer may be simple it doesn’t stop at the source: radicalization. Instead, Tanenbaum, the center for combating religious prejudice, recommends a more peaceful approach. They recommend actionable practices like calling out hate as it happens and physically talking out one another’s differences with fact-based logic.
Resources for fighting anti-Semitism in your community, along with this story can be found at WFHB.org
For WFHB, I’m Clayton Young.
Resources:
https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Believe-it…or-not-Combating-Extremism-12.3.18-1.pdf
https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Guidelines-for-Conducting-Open-Conversations.pdf
https://tanenbaum.org/about-us/combating-extremism/ways-to-take-action/
https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Five-Ways-to-Combat-Anti-Semitism-NOW.pdf
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/countering-violent-extremism
She thought it might be fun but terribly scary to model in the 2017 Trashion ReFashion Rundway Show. She did it anyway and had the time of her life. Now, Nicki Stewart Ingersoll is a key member of the group of volunteers who put on the annual show featuring fashion designs made of recycled and retrieved materials or clothing that has been re-purposed. The group has put out a call for entries for the April 2023 show.
Hosts Michael Glab amd Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 8th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Clayton Young reports on rising antisemitism both locally and across the nation. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the December edition of Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
The Statehouse Roundup
A Marion County judge blocked for the second time Indiana’s near total ban on abortion. Marion County Superior Judge Heather Welch approved a request to block the ban in a lawsuit which claims the abortion ban places a burden on religious freedom.
IUPUI Professor Dr. Jennifer Drobac explained the First Amendment lawsuit in a recent interview with WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine. (pron. Row-mine)State
The lawsuit claims that the state’s abortion ban violated Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed in 2015 and signed by then-Governor Mike Pence.
Meanwhile, reproductive healthcare resources are still available for Indiana residents. The Bloomington Planned Parenthood office is located at 421 South College Avenue and can be reached by calling 317-205-8088.
Bloomington Board of Public Works Places Moratorium on Special Event Applications, Approves Contract for Traffic Calming
At the December 6th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, City Attorney Mike Rouker informed the board that they need to develop protocols for allowing private art using the public right-of-way policy.
This comes from a lawsuit where the city denied a student’s proposal to install an ‘All Lives Matter’ mural on Kirkwood Avenue near the Sample Gates. Rouker requested that in the meantime, the board should place a moratorium on considering special event permit applications until the policies are revised.
During public comment, local journalist Dave Askins asked how the temporary moratorium would impact Freezefest. Kyla Cox Deckard explained why Freezefest was removed from the board’s agenda. Rouker elaborated that the moratorium could affect Freezefest.
The moratorium on the consideration of special events applications passed unanimously.
Next, the board considered a contract with E&G Paving, LLC for a traffic calming project on Maxwell Lane. Project Manager Sarah Gomez explained the contract.
Askins asked why there was such a disparity between the bids for the project. Gomez responded.
Local resident Betty Rosenagle, who lives nearby Maxwell Lane, asked the board if there was a more descriptive explanation of the project. She also asked why a stop-sign wasn’t considered for the traffic calming project.
Project Engineer Neil Kopper replied to Rosenagle’s question, expanding on the design of the project and the stop-sign issue.
The board unanimously approved the contract with E&G Paving to calm traffic at Maxwell Lane. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for their regular meeting on December 20th.
Feature Reports:
Credit: European CommissionUp next, WFHB Correspondent Clayton Young reports on rising antisemitism both locally and on the national level. He speaks with Rabbi Sue Silberberg of the IU Hillel Center and Gunther Jikeli, the Erna Rosenfeld Professor of Jewish and Germanic Studies at IU, about a recent antisemitic incident in Bloomington. Correspondent Clayton Young has more.
In today’s feature report, we have the December edition of Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interview Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, Communications Director for Hoosier Action, the grassroots activist organization.
Hoosier Action is working to draw attention to the risk for Hoosiers on Medicaid, including the Healthy Indiana Plan, HIP, as the Federal Government looks to end the Covid Public Health Emergency. We turn now to the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Clayton Young.
Prescription for Healthcare is produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 7th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing series of reports on the local news, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. mMore in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Holiday Hazards on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee
The Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee met on November 30th to discuss the next steps to move forward with Climate Action Plan Strategy TL 1-I. Which would phase out gas powered lawn, garden, and off-road equipment.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked if snowblowers would be included in the ordinance. Council Member Matt Flaherty replied and explained what would be included in the ordinance.
Council Member Ron Smith said an incremental approach to implementing the strategy would be best, and suggested that they begin with phasing out leaf blowers.
Flaherty agreed that the leaf blowers would be the easiest to replace, and other machinery might take longer. He added that it would have a bigger impact if they are able to get Indiana University, County Government, the School District, and businesses to follow suit.
Council Member Dave Rollo replied that he believes some businesses would be interested, but he thinks some businesses might see this as the government trying to over-regulate them. He emphasized that they need to offer them incentives to phase out their equipment.
The Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee said they will aim to hold a public meeting to get more input on the strategy mid-February.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.On November 28th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting the council approved the 2023 town council meeting dates, and a new account for the Youth Sports League.
Council Treasurer Sandra Hash explained the reason for the new account.
The council agreed to vote on the ordinance on first hearing, and they unanimously approved the new account.
The council also approved of a separate fund for the next level trails grant.
The council unanimously approved the new fund on the first reading.
Next, they tabled the second reading of the ordinance to fix the salaries for 2023. Hash explained that they need to revisit the Salary Ordinance before passing the ordinance to establish the 2023 salaries.
Hash explained what would change in the Salary Ordinance.
Town Attorney Darla Brown said that since the Salary Ordinance would be significantly different, the ordinance would need to be heard again as a first reading at the next meeting.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on December 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing series of reports on the local news, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue.
Up next, Holiday Hazards on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 6th, 2022.
Later in the program, the Community Justice Response Committee met last night to continue its discussion on the proposed new jail. Several residents spoke out against the proposal during public comment. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, “Vote Here Today,” at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).At the Election Board meeting on December 1st, Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler shared the names of the most recent late CFA-4 filings.
Wheeler explained that first time offenders will not be fined if they attend a meeting and explain why they were late, the second time offenders also get a warning without a penalty, the third time offenders are fined 25 percent of the original penalty, and fourth time offenders are fined 100 percent of the penalty which is a 50 dollar fine for every day a candidate is late to turn in their form, up to 1000 dollars.
Board Member Donovan Garlets said that they should consider being less generous with the penalty forgiveness. Wheeler agreed with him.
Board President Shruti Rhana suggested they consider adopting Marion County’s CFA Filing rules, and asked Wheeler for more information on what Marion’s fines look like.
Wheeler said that in Marion County they give out more fines, whereas in Monroe County they are much more lenient. She explained she doesn’t want to fine people, however, she does want candidates to turn in their forms on time.
Rhana asked on behalf of an attendee who was listening virtually, what the CFA form is. Wheeler responded.
County Clerk Nicole Browne added that the candidates are well prepared to meet the deadlines since the county gives them the information they need ahead of time. She also shared why she believes the deadline should be taken seriously.
The Election Board will consider making the deadline more strict and adopting Marion County’s model and their next meeting on January 5th.
Local Officials Continue Conversation of Proposed New Jail
Photo courtesy of CATS
During the December 5th meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, the joint panel of county and city officials continued their conversation on the new potential jail.
Jail Commander Sam Crowe said the jail programs are not effective for mental health treatment. He said the community should do a better job of providing mental health before someone enters the jail.
County Councilperson Jennifer Crossley agreed, saying the treatment conversation should happen before someone is incarcerated.
Next, Commissioner Jones transitioned to discussion on jail design and construction following the negative recommendation to rezone the Fullerton Pike site by the Plan Commission.
Monroe County commissioner Julie Thomas confirmed that the Fullerton Pike rezone was not included on this week’s city council agenda, further delaying the rezone initiative.
During public comment, Care Not Cages supporter Max Smith said that he has reservations about building a new facility. He said the community should better fund resources we already have, rather than constructing a new facility.
Maggie, another representative of Care Not Cages, explained she has serious concerns of combining mental health and the criminal justice system.
The Community Justice Response Committee will meet again at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19th on the third floor of the Monroe County Courthouse. The committee allows for public comment toward the end of the meeting.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is a rebroadcast from October 3, 2022:
Today’s host of Bring It On!, William Hosea speaks with IU Law School Constitutional Professor Joseph Hoffman about the state of U.S. democracy after the Trump presidency. In summary, today’s show is about a number of legal topics and issues related to former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Several of these involve his perceived and/or alleged attempts to “Make America Great Again” by undermining voting rights, while trying to invoke military actions to usurp the constitution and the recent Presidential election.
Credits:
Today’s host is William Hosea.
Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
Tonight’s Assistant Producer is William Hosea.
Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 5th, 2022.
Later in the program, the Brown County Hour’s Sarah Lyttle speaks with Brown County State Park Manager Doug Baird about a recent fire. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Community Justice Response Committee meets tonight at the Monroe County Courthouse. WFHB Correspondent Kayan Tara recaps the county’s proposal to build a new jail ahead of the meeting. More following today’s feature. But first, your daily headlines:
WFHB Local News Brief
Deputy Mayor Don Griffin announced that he will run for mayor in the 2023 election. Griffin joins City Council President Susan Sandberg and former Monroe County Habitat for Humanity CEO Kerry Thomson for the next mayoral race.
This comes after Mayor John Hamilton indicated that he would not run for a third term back in November.
All three candidates so far have filed paperwork to establish campaign committees. Formal decorations for candidacy won’t happen until January of next year.
A federal judge has ordered that the City of Bloomington needs to reconsider an application for an ‘All Lives Matter’ mural.
According to a lawsuit filed by IU student Kyle Reynolds and the IU chapter of Turning Point USA, the plaintiffs requested an ‘All Lives Matter’ mural to be painted on Kirkwood Avenue near the Sample Gates.
City officials told Reynolds that the city wasn’t considering any more rights-of-way public art projects and would not consider submissions from individuals.
The lawsuit alleges that the city took part in viewpoint discrimination, because the city had previously approved three ‘Black Lives Matter’ murals and did not approve the ‘All Lives Matter’ mural.
The judge’s ruling means that the city has until January of next year to develop a procedure for private parties to ask for approval to use the city’s rights-of-way policies to display public art.
Bloomington City Council
The Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole met on November 30th to discuss ordinances on their first reading. The council first heard an ordinance to appropriate funds from the General Fund into various departments.
Director of Auditing and Financial Systems Cheryl Gilliland, presented on the appropriations, and shared that most departments needed assistance with increased gas prices.
She outlined which departments needed additional appropriations and why they needed them.
The committee voted to recommend the approval of the appropriations with six members voting yes, and three members voting to abstain.
Next, Mayor John Hamilton asked the council to consider an ordinance to approve General Obligation bonds to build and renovate public safety facilities. Hamilton shared the plans to create a joint police and fire headquarters at the Showers Building, along with other fire department building renovations.
Architectural Consultant Deb Kunce presented on the studies the consultants have done to ensure the projects meet stakeholder needs.
Kunce said she has worked on two other police facility renovation projects that have moved the police department into new facilities or added more square footage.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on December 7th.
Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, the Brown County Hour’s Sarah Lyttle speaks with Brown County State Park Manager Doug Baird about a recent fire. This comes from the December edition of the Brown County Hour – an arts and culture program from the hills and hollers of Brown County. Tune in Wednesday at 6 p.m. to hear the full program on WFHB.
The Community Justice Response Committee meets tonight from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Monroe County Courthouse. In recent meetings, the committee has discussed the proposal for a new Monroe County jail. To review the ongoing complications with the potential new jail site, we revisit a report late last month from WFHB Correspondent Kayan Tara.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kayan Tara, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Chuck Wills.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
This month we interview Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, Communications Director for Hoosier Action, the grassroots activist organization. Hoosier Action is working to draw attention to the risk for Hoosiers on Medicaid, including the Healthy Indiana Plan, HIP, as the Federal Government looks to end the Covid Public Health Emergency.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer used with permission
HEADLINESAll Stories By Norm Holy
WFYI reports that the new executive director for the Hoosier Environmental Council hopes to tackle some big issues in his new role. Sam Carpenter said Indiana has several areas of concern when it comes to the environment.
Since its accidental introduction near Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-1990s, emerald ash borer (EAB) has rapidly spread through much of the U.S. and adjacent Canada, leaving millions of dead ash trees in Midwestern states.
The Indiana Environmental Reporter says an Indiana Conservation Officer investigation has resulted in multiple charges, fines, and the first lifetime hunting suspension of its kind in state history for a West Lafayette man, according to an Indiana Division of Natural Resources news release.
The Public News Service reports that nearly all Indiana coal plants are releasing toxins into the local groundwater, according to information released in a new report from two nonprofits, the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice.
The Indiana Environmental Reporter congratulates two Indiana educators who will be honored for their innovative approaches to teaching science at the National Association of Biology Teachers Conference in Indianapolis in November.
CALENDAR
| And now for some upcoming events:Join volunteer Anthony on Saturday, December 3rd, from 1 to 3 pm for a 2-hour, very rugged Cave River Valley Hike at Spring Mill State Park. Meet in the Donaldson Cave Parking Lot to carpool to the off-site property that Spring Mill manages. There is no restroom and you will need to wear waterproof shoes. | | Take the Judah Bridge Hike at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, December 6th, from 10 to 11:45 am. This guided hike will go to the location where the 1884 Judah Covered Bridge once spanned Salt Creek. It was dismantled in 1947. Learn the history regarding the site. Meet at the Paynetown State Recreation Area parking lot. | | A Devil’s Backbone Guided Hike is scheduled at Charlestown State Park on Friday, December 9th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile hike along the Devil’s Backbone which is not open to the public and is offered only as a guided hike in the winter months. Email JBeavin@dnr.in.gov to reserve your space. | | Enjoy a Cold Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, December 9th, from 5:30 to 7 pm. While enjoying the full moon, you will hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle. This is a moderate, 1.2 mile hike. On the hike you will learn the history and folklore of the Cold Full Moon. | | Join the naturalist for a unique 1-mile easy hike on Trail 7 at the 4th Annual Candle Lit Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The trail will be lit up for the night and you will receive hot chocolate and cookies after the hike. Meet at the Tulip Poplar Shelter to learn about the creatures of the night and their winter survival skills. |
We start out with news about the recent execution of Kevin Johnson in Missouri, and a call to strike from Pennslyvania prisoners. Afterwards, we share an interview conducted by James Kilgore, who spoke with Albert Woodfox and Robert King of the Angola 3. After that, we will feature part of Kilgore’s interview with Sekou Kambui, a longtime New Afrikan political prisoner, who reflects on his involvement in past prison strikes.
Woodfox spent more time in solitary confinement than anyone else in the US, and was released shortly before this conversation took place. Woodfox died earlier this year, so we wanted to return to this 2016 interview to honor his memory. Further, all the interviewees share important reflections on past prison strikes, which feel particularly apt given the January strike called in Pennsylvania.
Josefa Madrigal entrevista a interprete y espcialista de registro de Bloomnigton Health, Marcela Sepúlveda, y a la trabajadora social, Lisa Robinson. Ellas mencionan el proceso del enrolamiento para obtener seguro medico. Nos dicen de la imiportancia de obtener un medico de cabezera. Marcela y Lisa nos dicen todos los servicios que se ofrece en la clinica HelathNet.
Josefa Madrigal interviews Bloomington Health interpreter and registration specialist, Marcela Sepúlveda, and social worker, Lisa Robinson. They mention the enrollment process in order to obtain health insurance. They tell us about the importance of getting a family doctor. Marcela and Lisa tell us all the services offered at the HelathNet clinic.
Reproductive health care resources are still available in the right places for Hoosiers in need, despite the current instability as Indiana Legislature became the first in the nation to pass an abortion ban responsive to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade this past June.
Symone Bailey, an 18 year old first year student at community college in a secret relationship which had grown unhealthy, struggled to afford a $15 pregnancy test. When she turned the test stick over, and the small digital screen read “pregnant” she was immediately struck with fear.
Photo by Jenna Watson of the Indy Star.Bailey knew she did not have the resources to carry through with the pregnancy, nor did she want to carry the child of her covert partner.
While the process to abortion was lengthy and traumatic, she wouldn’t have had access to the procedure if it weren’t for the landmark Supreme Court Decision – Roe v Wade – which protected the right to an Abortion for Americans.
Bailey shared her story with the Indy Star after Roe v Wade was overturned June 24, 2022.
Roe v Wade was a landmark Supreme Court Decision in 1973, recognizing that the decision whether to continue or end a pregnancy belongs to the individual, and also served as a legal precedent recognizing the right to privacy protected in the 14th amendment.
In response to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, Indiana became the first state legislature to pass an abortion ban in the United States – Senate Bill 1.
Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction against the ban, regaining temporary access to abortion in the state as Indiana courts mitigate two lawsuits filed against them by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Indiana.
Jennifer Ann Drobac is a law professor at Indiana University, specializing in family, juvenile, and sexual harassment law. She explains the arguments the ACLU is taking in their two lawsuits.
“You have a right to bodily autonomy,” said Drobac, “and SB one ignores that.”
Jennifer Drobac poses for a photograph in the courtroom at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI on Tuesday June 11, 2019.The arguments made by the ACLU is that Senate Bill 1 is in violation of the 14th, 1st, and 9th amendments. The rejection of Roe v Wade, the passing of Senate Bill 1, and the ignorance of the constitutional amendments could impact more than just reproductive health care access.
“The majority decision in Dobbs said there is no right of privacy in the constitution to abortion, because the word abortion is not in the Constitution. Well, neither is the word, marriage, and neither is any discussion of having children,” said Drobac.
State Senator Shelli Yoder represents all citizens of Indiana’s 40th District, encompassing the majority of Monroe County and the Indiana University Bloomington campus. The Assistant Minority Leader was in the state building during the passing of Senate Bill 1, she spoke with WFHB about her experience in the Indiana Congress.
“For many Hoosiers, it was traumatic and to see the hundreds, day after day to turn out in opposition of Senate Bill one, and to have the courage to stand up and share the most intimate details and parts of someone’s personal life and story in front of people who may or may not care, took such courage. It was humbling,” said Yoder.
For Senator Yoder, the heartbreak wasn’t only the day of the bills passing on July 30th, it was for all Indiana women and Hoosiers capable of pregnancy from that day forward.
“At the end of the day, the person who should be deciding is the woman and her health care provider, and those are very difficult, painful, complicated conversations to have,” said Yoder.
While litigation of the ACLU lawsuits are still moving through the courts, Hoosiers still have access to reproductive health care. Local governments in the area are providing ways to make that access less challenging for those in need.
Thursday October 27th, the city of Bloomington announced it will release $200,000 in emergency reproductive health care grants in response to the legal action at the state.
Beverly Calender-Anderson, the director of Community and Family Resources for the city of Bloomington explains how the city is doing its best to provide where they can, and while the grant money doesn’t pay for abortions directly, it can cover a wide range of cost factors such as educational literature, transportation, and post-op exams.
$100,000 in grants have been allotted for the current fiscal year, and $100,000 for the next. For more information contact Beverly Calender-Anderson at andersb@bloomington.in.gov.
The Bloomington Planned Parenthood Office is located at 421 S College Avenue, and can be contacted at (317) 205 8088.
Hoosiers, make sure to get out and vote and educate yourself and others. In the words of Professor Jennifer Ann Drobac:
“Roll up your sleeves, get busy,” said Drobac.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 1st, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine provides an update on Indiana’s abortion laws after an Owen County judge blocked the state’s partial abortion ban. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Catalent announced on Wednesday that it will lay off 400 employees before December 2nd at its Bloomington facility.
More in your local headlines. But first, your Statehouse Roundup:
The Statehouse Roundup
The U.S. Senate overcame a filibuster to advance the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill would codify federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
At least 60 votes were needed to break the filibuster. On Tuesday, the Senate voted 61-36 to pass the bill. 49 Democrats and 12 Republicans voted in favor of the policy. Indiana Senator Mike Braun voted ‘no’ on the measure, siding with the majority of Republicans in the Senate. Meanwhile, Senator Todd Young broke ranks with his party and was one of the 12 GOP Senators who supported the bill.
Senator Chuck Schumer said that the Senate is taking a “bold step forward” by advancing the Respect for Marriage Act.
The bill is expected to reach President Joe Biden’s desk in the coming weeks where it’s expected to be signed into law.
Catalent Layoffs Include 400 Bloomington Workers
Photo by: Catalent BiologicsCatalent sent out notice to their employees that they will be laying off 400 workers before December 2nd. This comes as a shock to the community since the company negotiated with the City of Bloomington back in February for a tax abatement with the promise that they would be expanding and would provide new job opportunities for the residents of Bloomington.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mayor John Hamilton commented on the decision to lay off hundreds of employees at Catalent’s Bloomington location. He said, “My administration will continue to work with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, (BEDC), the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and Catalent and their employees to minimize the impact on those affected by these layoffs. We will also continue working to bring jobs to Bloomington and connect people with those job opportunities.”
According to a report by Kevin Dunleavy on November 30th for Fierce Pharma, Catalent also notified its employees in Maryland and Texas that they will be laying off employees. The email sent to employees in Bloomington and Maryland has similar wording: “During the pandemic, Catalent significantly increased its cost base to continue to meet the needs of our customers and deliver essential products, as well as to meet the needs specific to the pandemic. Given the current phase of the pandemic, the challenging global economic environment, and the need to ensure that Catalent continues to operate efficiently, we have made the difficult decision to reduce or delay some capital expenditure projects and also reduce the size of our workforce in certain areas.”
Catalent’s Bloomington site is set to lose 400 jobs, whereas the Houston site is expected to lay off 77 workers, and at the two sites in Maryland they are expected to lay off a total of 135 employees.
WFHB News reached out to Catalent for an interview. A Catalent spokesperson replied with a statement saying, “Since the start of the pandemic, Catalent’s Bloomington facility has played a critical role in producing the vaccines and therapies that have protected public health around the world. To meet the needs of the pandemic, we added personnel to the facility at an extraordinary rate to ensure that we could meet our commitments, but now the size and structure of our organization needs to match current demands in order to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We will offer severance and job transition support to all impacted employees and will seek to deploy as many as possible to other open roles in the network .Bloomington remains an important part of Catalent’s global network and long-term growth strategy.”
According to a leaked email from Catalent, the company will notify “impacted employees” between November 30th and December 2nd.
Monroe County Commissioners Hear Department Updates, Path4You Sub-Grant Agreement
Photo by Benedict Jones.At the November 30th meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, Health Administrator Lori Kelley provided an update on the county health department.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked if the public can still receive the vaccine for Covid-19. Kelley replied that they can, and she walked through details on how to book an appointment.
Next, Highway Engineer Paul Satterly delivered his report on the county’s highway department. Satterly gave a rundown on the Fullerton Pike project.
Planning Department Director Jackie Nester Jelen said she wanted to make residents aware that the county will hear public input on the Monroe County Consolidated Development Ordinance, or CDO, on December 13th.
During public comment, Court Appointed Special Advocate Jim Shelton made a plea to residents to consider volunteer opportunities at CASA.
Then, the commissioners heard a sub-grant agreement for the Monroe County Health Department. Health Administrator Lori Kelley elaborated on the agreement.
The commissioners approved the Path4You sub-grant agreement unanimously. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will happen at 10 a.m. on December 7th.
Feature Report:
Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly voted to ban abortion in Indiana with limited exceptions. Then, an Owen County judge blocked the state’s abortion ban from being enforced in September. WFHB Correspondent Grace Romine speaks with Law Professor Dr. Jennifer Drobac and State Representative Shelli Yoder about where the law stands now. We turn to Grace Romine for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Grace Romine.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She expected to stay in Paris for a short time, enjoying the sights, the culture, the arts. Then the world changed. It was March, 2020 and Michelle Facos found herself unable to leave the city of lights. The COVID-19 pandemic may have shut the world down but Facos, an art history professor at Indiana University, opened her eyes and ears to take in the Gallic way of life. In her new book, “An American in Pandemic Paris,” she recounts her adventures in love, survival, and contentment, all taking place within a mandated kilometer radius of her temporary home.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
Lilian Lau, a student at Indiana University, discusses a film that will screen at the IU Radio and Television Theater titled “Eternal Spring” from December 2-4.
The film is about a state TV channel in China that gets hacked by members of the spiritual group, Falun Gong. The group attempts to counter the government narrative about their practice.
Lau analyzes how the incident in 2002 is relevant to today – twenty years later – where we see protests in China over the Zero-covid policy and human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in Northwest China.
She also mentioned what she had to go through in order to screen this film at IU and how she was able to organize the screening. She explained why she believes this film is important to show here in Bloomington.
All in all, this film is about the determination to speak up for political and religious freedoms no matter the cost. Lau outlined how this message resonated with her.
More information available at www.theryder.com/film/eternal-spring.
Welcome to the 69th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Ming Wang and Melanie Castillo-Cullather.
In this special episode we interview Matt Walsh, a current senior at the Kelley School about his experiences studying abroad in Thailand at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Our conversation unveils the cultural differences when abroad in Asia and the unique experiences and insights from living among the locals for a semester. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, and Molly Cai Our guest is Matt Walsh Our sound engineer is Ming Wang Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is a rebroadcast from October 10, 2022:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Rashad Nelms, who has have served in leadership and management positions for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 18 years and in more than 21 countries. As an International Executive, Rashad helps clients lead and manage more confidently, operate more efficiently and effectively, increase cost-savings, and strengthen staff recruitment and retention. As a strategic advisor in the UN, he has worked with Fortune 500 senior executives, celebrities, and international philanthropic institutions as part of his work.
He is also a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at higher education institutions across the country on emotional intelligence, leadership, collaboration, management, and more. He is currently on sabbatical from the World Food Program and serve as an Executive-In-Residence with IU. In this role, he helps diversify the university’s faculty and staff hiring, and helps prepare graduate and undergraduate students for the global workforce. He joins the show today to discuss his exciting involvement with the United Nations.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 28th, 2022. Later in the program, the Community Justice Response Committee continued their discussion of the proposed site for a new jail. More in today’s feature report. But first, your daily headlines: MCPL Board of Trustees Discuss Vital Program, Employee Health Benefits
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on November 16th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the library.
Board Member Kari Esarey followed up on his report and asked if the Vital program could be expanded to reach more people on the waiting list. Carson said they can work on getting more volunteer hours for the program.
The board continued their discussion on employee health benefits.
HR Assistant Manager Becky Throckmorton informed the board on the work the managers did in collaboration with J-A Benefits, to assess the library’s health insurance options.
Board Member and Treasurer David L. Ferguson, asked about the Health Savings Account cost over the years and why there has been so much variability.
One staff member explained the reasoning behind the variance over time with the different needs of the staff.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on December 14th. Bloomington City Council Consider Petition To Vacate Alley Next to Johnson Creamery Building
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
On November 16th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, the council discussed the petition from Peerless Development to vacate the alley next to the Johnson Creamery building. Council Attorney Stephen Lucas explained the petitioner’s proposal to give the city a separate alley in exchange for the alley vacation.
Council Member Susan Sanberg asked if there would be any benefit to the public to have the new alley Peerless has proposed, or if there would be any consequences. City Engineer Andrew Cibor responded that he does not think there are many benefits to the public, and said it would add additional work for the city to take care of the new alleyway.
Council Member Steve Volan said that they already have the responsibility of maintaining the current alleyway and that he didn’t see a problem with maintaining the new alleyway since they would be swapping the alleys.
Council Member Matt Flaherty said he would vote to vacate the alley and that his decision was not contingent upon the inclusion of the new alley.
The council voted to approve the petition in the case that the Bloomington Plan Commission approves of the alley swap. The vote was 6 to 1, with Council Member Dave Rollo voting no on the alley vacation.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on November 30th. Community Justice Response Committee Continues Discussion on Proposed Site for New Monroe County Jail
During the November 21st meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones reflected on the negative recommendation for the rezoning of the new jail by the Bloomington Plan Commission. Jones said that the measure now goes to the city council where she hopes it will pass.
One member asked whether the proposed Fullerton Pike property would be ideal for a new jail site. She asked about whether or not an 85-acre property on South Rogers Street would be a better fit, since that property has already been rezoned for conditional use as a jail. Jones replied that the property was considered as an option; however, a contract with Catalent and other plans for the location prevented it from being considered.
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Catherine Stafford added that she believes the new jail should be located within city limits.
Jones responded that the Fullerton Pike property is the main prospect for a new jail. She said that if plans for the site fall through,
This week, we share the second installment of a talk by Dina Alves, an abolitionist researcher and scholar who is currently visiting the US from Brazil. Her talk is simultaneously translated from Portuguese by Micol Seigel. In this feature, she talks about the findings of her interviews with women prisoners in Brazil.
We hear examples of how Black women are more subject to legal persecution, and how, as Alves puts it, Black women in Brazil are last in line for rights, but first in line for punishment.
We regret to report the passing of Linda Greene, long time Kite Line news volunteer. Linda has been with us from the beginning. Since helping us launch in 2016, Linda has collected and written news stories for us. She was always on the lookout for the latest prison news- which isn’t always easy to find. She was an avid listener, and was the first to alert us of an on-air snafu that might need attention. We are grateful for all her help over the years. Rest in Power, Linda.
The complex issues with Monroe County’s current jail, and the task of building a new jail has been looming over county officials’ heads for several years now.
A criminal justice and incarceration study was commissioned by Monroe County in 2019 which detailed the problems with the current jail, notes Monroe County attorney Jeff Cockerill.
"At that point in time, Did the study, of course, and we, we had it going and then of course, Covid hit. And so everything gets delayed a little bit. But we finally got the report back in 2021, the summer of 2021. And it, it covered a lot of areas," said Cockerill.
The report stated the current jail facility is failing, and “cannot ensure consistent and sustainable provision of constitutional rights of incarcerated persons.”
Jordan McIntire is the executive director of New Leaf New Life, a non-profit that supports incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Monroe County. She is concerned a new, bigger jail will lead to more people being incarcerated to occupy the space.
“I don't want there to be a bigger jail with more people incarcerated. But I do think that it's important that if we're going to have jails, and that is the reality that we're living in, that it is able to provide, you know, the constitutional level of safety and care for the folks that are incarcerated," said McIntire.
The road to building a new jail has been fraught with challenges. First with COVID-19 delays and extensive searches for viable areas within city limits to build, to areas accessible by public transport, and issues purchasing and rezoning land — the task of building a new jail seems extremely complex.
“I think that the city and the Plan Commission has to review this versus other uses. But at the end of the day, this is a use that we have to have in the community," he said.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a $10.02 million purchase agreement in July of this year to build a jail on almost 90 acres of land beside I-69 and West Fullerton Pike. But issues behind purchasing and rezoning the land for the jail seem to mount.
By a 6–3 vote this Monday, Bloomington’s Planning Commission supported suggestions, which then sends a negative recommendation to the city council about the Monroe County government’s request for rezoning.
The rezoning is required to convert the ability to build a jail on the property, from mixed-use employment (ME) to mixed-use institutional (MI).
Before Monday’s meeting, Lee Jones expressed the importance of acquiring this land for the prison.
“If they reject it, it still goes to the city council who could vote for it. And Well, I'm very hopeful that they'll understand the acute need and will work with us”
Time seems to be running out. While Monroe County has a purchase agreement for the land, contingent on approval of a rezone— this agreement expires at the end of the year.
“If for some reason that doesn't work out, we have identified a few properties out in the county that could be used and, um, that's what we would have to do. Then we run into more. Transportation problems, which probably could be solved. It might be more expensive. and just access would be much more difficult. But that's, that's what many communities have had to resort to. And if we cannot find land use in the city, that's what we'll have to do.”
There are two more regular meetings scheduled on the city council's calendar for this year.
For now, it seems, the reality of rezoning and building a new jail is still uncertain.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, the hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. They spend the hour with Bill Breeden, Minister Emeritus from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana. He was a minister to Corey Johnson and attended his execution. On January 14, 2021, the federal government executed Corey Johnson, a death-row prisoner who likely was intellectually disabled, without affording him judicial review to determine his eligibility for the death penalty. He was the fifth federal prisoner executed in the transition period between Donald Trump’s defeat in the November 2020 presidential election and the scheduled inauguration of Joseph R. Biden on January 20, 2021.
Bill shared that Corey Johnson was one of the most amazing human beings he had ever known. He had been in solitary confinement for 29 years without a visitor, and was unable to read or write, but was a very peaceful, caring man. In those 29 years of solitary he was never written up by a guard for any infraction.
Bill, a long-time peace activist and prison minister is a past recipient of the Bloomington, Indiana Human Rights Award. This is remarkable considering Bill’s past. Bill professes to have overcome hatred and extreme prejudice to become the humble and loving individual he is today. In reflecting on his life and transformation, he considers himself to be “the luckiest guy on the planet, and he’d be willing to debate that with anyone.”
Credits: Today’s host are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This month, LWV-BMC Civic Conversation Podcast host, Jim Allision, talked to Steve Hinnefeld about the impact on a community when local news sources die out. Mr. Hinnefeld has worked for over thirty years as a reporter and is a former reporter for the Herald Times. Approximately 2500 local, state, and national news sources have been lost. According to Mr. Hinnefeld, losing local news sources can lead to increased polarization, increased government taxes, decreased voter interactions, and many other situations. He also shared information about the growing influence of nonprofit news sources.
HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy The Republic newspaper reports the Bartholomew County Plan Commission in a 5- 2 vote has approved changes submitted by the county commissioners to an ordinance regulating placement of solar fields.
Despite strong opposition from the state's own environmental and natural resource experts, and concerns from the Governor's Office, lawmakers pushed through a bill last year gutting protections for Indiana's dwindling wetlands.
WTHR in Indy reports that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he has been focused on business while spending this week at the U.N. climate conference in Egypt. The Republican governor said that he has talked with corporate and foreign government leaders about the renewable energy investments being made in Indiana by the state and businesses — even amid skepticism among fellow Republicans in the state Legislature over such steps.
Midwest Energy reports that wind has surpassed hydroelectric power as the largest generator of electricity in South Dakota. Last year, over 52% of the electricity generated in the state came from wind turbines.
A story in the New York Times paints a dire picture of where the globe is headed regarding climate change. The story points out that countries around the world are failing to live up to their commitments to fight climate change.
With each fraction of a degree of warming, tens of millions more people worldwide would be exposed to life-threatening heat waves, food and water scarcity, and coastal flooding while millions more mammals, insects, birds and plants would disappear. Long term, it’s looking like ocean levels could rise by 20-50 feet.
The EU’s plans to phase out the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars and vans took a big step forward this week after the European Council and European Parliament came to a provisional agreement on the issue. In a statement, the European Parliament said EU negotiators had agreed on a deal related to the European Commission’s proposal for “zero-emission road mobility by 2035.” CALENDAR
Participate in a Hidden Caves Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 19th, from 1 to 2 pm. Meet Tony at the Oak Ridge shelter to see a couple of off-trail caves that are part of the Hamer Cave System. This is a rugged, one hour hike.
Enjoy a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Sunday, November 20th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Meet at the Nature Center for an up close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits, the threats they face, and how snakes affect your life. You can touch one, if you want to.
The 3rd Annual Monroe Lake Holiday Hiking Challenge begins on Thursday, November 24th, at 7 am and must be completed by Sunday, November 27th, at 7 pm. This is an opportunity to get away from shopping and holiday stress as you explore the beauty of the Monroe Lake Trails. The Holiday Hiking Challenge will be posted on the Facebook Event page on Wednesday, November 23rd, at bit.ly/2022-monroe-hike-challenge.
Learn about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, November 26th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Silence” radio personality, Don Glass will give a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers. Find out what they look like, their behaviors, and some of the issues they face today.
Craft a beautiful seasonal decoration at the “Snowy Pinecone'' Candle Holder Workshop at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, November 27th, from 2 to 3 pm. You will be able to transform a plain mason jar into a votive candle holder with a snow and pinecone theme. You will also learn about pinecone-producing trees. Sign up at bit.ly/candle-nov2022.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 17th, 2022. Later in the program, The MCCSC school board unanimously approved a recommendation to purchase the former Herald-Times property for nearly 3 million dollars. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bring It On’s Clarence Boone and William Hosea speak with several local officials who recently won their elections to discuss the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on November 7th, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson asked the board to approve an agreement with Building Associates Inc. for a filter media replacement project at the Monroe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Hudson outlined what the project would include.
The agreement is set with a not to exceed budget of two million, one hundred and four thousand, and nine hundred dollars ($2,104,900).
Board Member Jim Sherman said it felt like a lot of money and asked if the price was reasonable for the project.
Board Member Amanda Burnham asked if this was the second bid they had received for the project. Hudson said it was and explained that they re-bid the project with a different design since the first bids came in too high.
Hudson said the project is necessary to ensure they make OSEA standards.
Board Ex-Officio Member Jim Sims shared that he is concerned the project could exceed the budget.
City Legal Chris Wheeler responded.
The board approved the agreement unanimously.
The next Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting will be held on November 21st. MCCSC School Board
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
At the November 15th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation board, Director of the MCCSC Foundation Cyrilla Helm gave her quarterly report.
Next, during public comment concerned parent Julie Hood explained that she wants to see a shift in school start times.
MCCSC Teacher Paul Farmer said he’s glad the referendum passed, which will raise taxes to increase teacher salaries. However, he said public schools should have better funding mechanisms so that they don’t need referendums in the future.
Then, the school board unanimously approved a recommendation to purchase the former Herald-Times property for nearly 3 million dollars. According to the school board agenda, the property would be used as a welcome center, meeting room space and a location for building services.
Following the approval, Director of Business Operations John Kenny gave a presentation on the board’s goals and priorities when it comes to funding. He outlined the first funding goal, which is to increase financial capital from local sources through community-approved initiatives.
Kenny walked through how the referendum would increase salaries and wages for teachers. He also explained how funding from the referendum would advance the school district’s strategic plan.
The next MCCSC school board meeting will happen on Tuesday, December 14th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Bring It On’s Clarence Boone and William Hosea speak with several local officials who recently won their elections to discuss the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections. We turn now to an excerpt from WFHB’s Bring It On! Bring It On airs each Monday at 6 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Chantalle LaFontant Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 16th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Pants on Fire on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington Board of Public Works
On November 7th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting the board approved two requests from Gilliatte General Contractors for street and sidewalk closures from November 8th through April 15th of 2023.
Engineering Field Specialist Paul Kehrberg delineated which streets and sidewalks would be affected by the closures.
The board unanimously approved both requests.
Later, Engineering Project Manager Sara Gomez asked the board to approve a contract with Rivertown Construction LLC for the Henderson Street Neighborhood Greenway Project.
Gomez said that out of the four bids submitted, Rivertown Construction submitted the lowest and responsive bid.
Journalist Dave Askins asked if the project would create a protected bike lane.
Gomez explained that it would not be a protected bike lane, but it would still be a raised bike lane with other measures to ensure the bikers’ safety.
The board unanimously agreed to approve the contract. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on November 22nd. Feature Reports:
To conclude today's headlines, have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs at 5:30 p.m. each Friday on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. We turn to Abe Shapiro for more.
Up next, Pants on Fire on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Pet: Elsa at Morgan County Humane Society! Elsa is a Boxer mix, with an estimated age of about 1.5 years. She came to Morgan County Humane Society as a stray, but she knows some basic commands such as "sit", "shake", and "lay down", so it is presumed that she had an owner in the past. While she enjoys being challenged and entertained, such as by figuring out puzzles, she loves to just sit and snuggle. She is a "lap dog" and looking for a home where she can be the only animal. To learn more about Elsa and fill out an adoption application, visit the Morgan County Humane Society website.
Featured Pet: Animals as Gifts With the holiday season upon us, many people may consider giving pets as gifts. If you're thinking of giving an animal as a gift, or even requesting one, tune in to hear a few considerations that can help determine if the circumstances are strong for the animal and recipient alike. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for special needs pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
Tonight, Bring It On! hosts, William Hosea and Clarence Boone, discuss the outcomes of the mid-term elections, locally and nationally. Their guests are the newly re-elected Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne, the newly re-elected Monroe County Councilwoman Jennifer Crossley, and new elected Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté.
Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne
Monroe Cty Councilwoman Jennifer Crossley, Dist. 4
Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté
Credits: Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Clarence Boone. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 14th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro reported on the oral arguments of a recent Supreme Court case involving an Indiana nursing home. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County and City of Bloomington Host Joint Discussion for the Future of Convention Center
Monroe Convention Center opened in 1991 in the Graham Auto Sales building (built in 1923) at the corner of West 3rd Street and South College Avenue. Even then, local tourism officials argued it needed to be larger to attract even medium-size conventions. Now, though, some officials wonder if this is the right time to expand. | Photo by Limestone Post
During the November 9th discussion of the City and County Convention Center, members of the joint discussion sparred over whether to move forward with the convention center as a 501-c non-profit or as a capital improvement board. County Councilor Georff McKim provided his preference for the future of the convention center.
Mayor John Hamilton said he looks forward to the expansion of the convention center, hoping it becomes a 501-c non-profit.
Mayor Hamilton expressed concern about what he perceived as a lack of public notice at the latest county commissioners meeting where the commissioners voted unanimously on an ordinance relating to the convention center.
County Commissioner Penny Githens pushed back against Mayor Hamilton’s comments, saying she believes a capital improvement board would be the best course of action.
Bloomington City Council member Susan Sandberg said she wants to move forward with the proposal for a capital improvement board, because she believes that the process would provide greater transparency.
City Council member Sue Sgambelluri asked the members of the joint meeting how each entity feels regarding whether or not they want to move forward with the convention center as a non-profit or a capital improvement board. County Commissioner Julie Thomas said the commissioners voted 3-0 in favor of a CIB indicating their preference. Thomas elaborated on the perspective of the commissioners.
During public comment, President of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Erin Spoonmore said that either approach would work for the chamber. He applauded the joint members for making progress on the future of the convention center.
The City and County Convention Center Discussion will happen again on an as-needed basis. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro reported on the oral arguments of a recent Supreme Court case involving an Indiana nursing home. We turn now to the latest installment of Shapiro’s report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On November 12, 2022, at 11:00 AM, WFHB’s Saturday’s Child welcomes Busman’s Holiday. Lewison and Addison Rogers, along with a band of merry music makers, will feature tunes from their brand-new release, “Good Songs”.
In the words of music reviewer Stephen Deusner…
A band of brothers hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, Busman’s Holiday are devoted to exploring the boundless possibilities of the human voice. On their inventive, giddily experimental third album, the aptly titled Good Songs, Lewis Rogers and Addison Rogers sculpt their lines rather than simply sing them, deploying an arsenal of techniques and tricks to deliver lyrics about loneliness and connection and joy and fulfillment.
As stated by the brothers Rogers, themselves, “This album had a real life to it before we got here. Like it went through school, and college, and maybe even some grad school. [It] started in Montreal and ended up in Bloomington, ricocheting to Brooklyn on the way.”
Bounce on over to the Monroe County History Center Auditorium in Bloomington and join us live, from 11:00 AM to noon, or tune in to WFHB FM or WFHB.org for Busman’s Holiday on Saturday’s Child!
HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy IndyStar has written an extensive piece on coal ash pits – a topic many environmental groups have complained about for years and years. Yet the state legislature does nothing to change the picture. It’s part of the reason Indiana ranks 48th in air/water quality.
With the end of net metering, which paid customers the retail rate for excess power they generated, utilities have slashed the payback rate. They also changed how that solar output is calculated.
Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced livestock waste treatment technology that dramatically reduces environmental impacts and recovers valuable resources, announced it has broken ground on a small commercial-scale Gen3Tech facility that will be located near Fair Oaks, Indiana.
The Biden administration’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will lease land off the Northern and Central California coast on December 6. In addition to being the country’s first Pacific coast sale, it will also be the first to potentially support a floating offshore wind installation at a commercial scale. CALENDAR
Make a Wreath Out of An Invasive Plant at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 12th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Join naturalist Sheree to make a beautiful wreath out of dried Japanese honeysuckle. Learn about invasive plants while creating your wreath. Register at 812-849-3534 or sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
A Small Garden Planning and Design program will be offered on Wednesday, November 16th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. Now is a great time to plan your garden. Learn the basics of crop planning and garden design. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take a Walk with Lieber at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, November 18th, beginning at 3 pm. Meet at the Canyon Inn to learn about how McCormick’s Creek came to be Indiana’s First State Park, and the man that made it all possible.
Participate in a Hidden Caves Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 19th, from 1 to 2 pm. Meet Tony at the Oak Ridge shelter to see a couple of off-trail caves that are part of the Hamer Cave System. This is a rugged, one hour hike..
Enjoy a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Sunday, November 20th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Meet at the Nature Center for an up close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits, the threats they face, and how snakes affect your life. You can touch one, if you want to.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 10th, 2022. Later in the program, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana Republicans secured every statewide race in the 2022 midterm election. The GOP will retain their dominant supermajority in the Statehouse. More coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
While the red wave faltered on the national level, in Indiana - the GOP won every statewide race. Republicans in Indiana will retain their supermajority in the Statehouse as the midterms draw to a close.
In the U.S. Senate incumbent Todd Young defeated Democratic challenger Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak. Young won about 59 percent of the vote, while McDermott fell short at about 38 percent.
Republican Diego Morales won the Indiana Secretary of State race over Democrat Destiny Wells by about 14 percentage points. Morales faced sexual assault allegations from at least two women. He’s also alleged to be a denier of the 2020 election results. Many predicted the race for secretary of state to be a tight race or even to expect a Wells victory. The results of Tuesday night showed that a GOP candidate with a checkered past could win with relative ease at the polls.
With about 95 percent of the votes in, 10 Democrats have won seats in the state senate, while 40 Republicans were elected to office. According to data from the New York Times, 69 Republicans have gained seats in the state House of Representatives, while Democrats won 28 seats.
Here locally in Monroe County, a report by the news outlet ‘the B-Square Bulletin’ showed that 6.6 thousand ballots missed in the first vote totals, made for a marginal victory for Republican Dave Hall in the House District 62 race. Democrat Penny Githens lost by 37 votes after the missed ballots were counted in District 62, which encompasses portions of Monroe, Jackson and Brown counties.
The Monroe County Community School Corporation referendum, which increased property taxes to raise teacher salaries, passed with approximately 69 percent of the vote.
Three school board seats were up for election this year. In district 1, Erin Wyatt won over her opponents Tabetha Crouch and Byron Turner, garnering about 51 percent of the vote. Ashley Pirani won the District 3 school board seat with 46 percent of the vote. Lastly, Brandon Shurr ran unopposed in the 7th district. Click here to view the updated, unofficial Monroe County results. For statewide races, you can view the official list on the New York Times. Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee met on November 1st to discuss updates to the midpoint hire policy.
Committee Chair Pete Iverson explained what the midpoint hire policy is.
Council Member Marty Hawke said that the Monroe County jail staff expressed concern about salaries, and asked if they could be included in the midpoint hire policy.
Iverson said the policy is for all departments and that they are already included as such.
Council Administrator Kim Shell outlined the ways they have proposed to change the policy, and why the part time hire changes are necessary.
The next Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee meeting will happen on an as-needed basis.
Monroe County Board of Health
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.
At the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on November 3rd, Population Health and Outreach Manager Kathy Hewett updated the board on a collaboration with the hospital to include E-cigarettes in the current tobacco ordinance....
Featured Organization: My Dog Is My Home
The unique bond between people experiencing homelessness and their companion animals is a concept that’s often misunderstood and stigmatized. Mike Bridavsky of Lil BUB’s Big FUND and My Dog is My Home executive director Christine Kim discuss how many pets cared for by people experiencing homelessness are not only very well cared for, but also offer companionship, comfort, motivation, and unconditional love. MDIMH works with existing emergency shelters and housing programs to understand animals as a part of the family unit and part of trauma-informed, person-centered, and low-barrier care. Featured Story: Scott and his dog Scout The story of Scott and his dog Scout exemplifies the importance of preserving the human-animal bond during circumstances of homelessness - and ensuring that every family, regardless of its composition, has the right to shelter and housing. As Scott experienced homelessness for a second time, Scout served as the ultimate symbol of a light shining bright in the darkness. While Scott fought for his survival, Scout was his constant companion and reminder that he was not alone, that he was loved, and that he mattered. Without Scout, Scott says he would not have recovered from addiction or homelessness. Scout represented everything that home is meant to be – love, safety, security. -- Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for special needs pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Kathryn-Anne Alexandria Lewis speak with Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler, several voters and a poll worker in light of Election Day. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest episode of Lil Bub's Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund.
Photo courtesy of the B-Square Bulletin.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Kathryn-Anne Alexandria Lewis spoke with Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler about the voting process on Election Day. We turn now to that interview.
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Kade Young and Kathryn-Anne Alexandria Lewis interviewed several voters at various polling sites in Monroe County including Election Operations, Fairview Elementary and the Indiana Memorial Union. We turn now to a series of interviews with voters on Election Day. To wrap up our Election Day coverage, WFHB News spoke with Clem Ledbetter, a poll worker at the Indiana Memorial Union. We turn now to that conversation.
Up next, the latest episode of Lil Bub's Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young, Kathryn-Anne Alexandria Lewis and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Credit: Dr. Charlie Nelms
On today's edition of Bring It On!, the hosts, William Hosea, Liz Mitchell, and Clarence Boone, spend the hour with Dr. Charlie Nelms to talk about why it is important to vote in the 2022 Mid-Term Elections tomorrow, November 8, 2022.
Dr. Charlie Nelms is a veteran higher education administrator and chancellor emeritus of North Carolina Central University. He makes the case to vote in his most recent monthly column for Diverse Issues in Higher Education, entitled “The Five Reasons Why I Vote, and You Should Too!”, saying: Every year we are told by leaders from both major U. S. political parties and candidates too, that that year’s election is the most consequential ever. In the past, I have considered such assertions to be mostly hyperbole, designed to incite people to contribute financially and to vote for candidates. However, in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election and the violent insurrection by election deniers on January 6, 2021, I have concluded that the 2022- midterm elections may indeed be the most consequential over the past fifty years. In this broadcast, Dr. Nelms joins the program to elaborate more on the points he makes in his October 2022 column.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone, Liz Mitchell and William Hosea. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November, 7th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his story Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Election Day is tomorrow. Coming up next in your daily headlines, we cover your rights as a voter. But first, your daily headlines: November 8th Marks Election Day
Tuesday, November 8th will be Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana Jane Henegar released a statement on Monday encouraging Indiana residents to vote.
Henegar said, “With so much at stake in this election, from abortion access to LGBTQ rights, voting rights, racial justice, free speech and more, we need every Hoosier to vote like their rights depend on – because they do.”
Henegar also reminded Indiana residents of their rights as voters. First, you need to bring a photo ID in order to cast your ballot. Second, it is illegal for someone to intimidate, threaten or coerce you at the voting booth. For voters with a disability each polling place must be physically accessible and have at least one accessible voting machine. Lastly, if you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You have the right to vote.
Henegar stated that there are a lot of misconceptions about who can or cannot vote in Indiana. For instance, if you have been previously incarcerated, you are still allowed to vote in Indiana.
She wrote, “voting is one of the most powerful tools We the People have to hold politicians accountable. We can use that power to protect our rights, each other and our communities.”
If you run into any problems while voting or have any questions about your rights, call 866-OUR-VOTE. Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
On November 3rd at the Monroe County Election Board meeting County Clerk Nicole Browne gave an update on Early Voting. She said that the turnout this year has been lower than expected.
Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler confirmed that the numbers are down and encouraged residents to take advantage of early voting.
Browne speculated that residents might be waiting to vote on election day, but informed the public that if they can’t vote on election day they still can still participate in early voting.
Wheeler commented that the county has a successful set up and that voting only takes about 15 minutes due to the polling site running smoothly.
Monroe County residents were able to participate in early voting at Election Operations until noon today. Voting on election Day begins tomorrow at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. at your local polling site. Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
During the November 2nd meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Lee Jones read a proclamation regarding Operation Green Light for Veterans in Monroe County.
Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley provided updates on Covid-19. Kelley said that while coronavirus rates are stable at the moment, the health department is on the lookout for a winter surge.
During public comment, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Chris Emge commented on the proposed new jail on Fullerton Pike. He also briefly touched on the Monroe Convention Center.
Next, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented an ordinance for an Economic Development Income Tax Capital Improvement Plan. According to Cockerill, a policy would need to be put into place to receive funding to purchase the property for the jail.
The commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously. The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on November 9th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report,
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasted live the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News at 5:20 PM.
Betty Keller MD
This month we interview Dr Betty Keller in Vermont about her exciting work with a summer internship program inspiring medical students across the country. The primary goal of the internship is to cultivate leaders who will fuse a solid understanding of health policy with the basic values of kindness and human decency so that they can transform the U.S. health care system to be on the one hand efficient, and on the other humane.
The PNHP Northern New England Summer Internship
Donate here to support medical students participating in the internship this coming summer.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer used with permission
HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy Early Monday evening, the City of Bloomington Utilities issued a statement regarding hydrocarbon odors coming from the sewage flowing to the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant. A thorough search was conducted and determined the smell resulted from a release of gasoline fuel into the sanitary and storm sewer near a Marathon Gas Station located at 1307 West Third Street.
As reported by Inside Climate News, last week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the headquarters of Our Next Energy, a battery manufacturing startup in Novi, a Detroit suburb.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announced Round 4 of the DieselWise Indiana with Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Option program’s grant funding which will distribute awards ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
A new report identifies 70 bird species that are at a “tipping point,” meaning that their populations have declined so significantly that they could face endangerment or even extinction in the coming years.
The water in the Mississippi River has dropped so low that barges are getting stuck, leading to expensive dredging and at least one recent traffic jam with more than 2,000 vessels backed up.
The Florida citrus industry is bruised from years of hardships, but the farmers cultivating America’s love of the Sunshine State's orange juice are a resilient bunch. Already challenged with a citrus crop yield at the lowest production level since World War II, growers were dealt another blow after Hurricane Ian passed over the heart of the state’s citrus footprint spanning more than 340,000 acres.
Inside Climate Change reports clean energy is seeing a surge of new development all around the world, according to a series of new reports, with electricity produced from carbon-free wind and solar power helping to fill rising global energy demand.
CALENDAR
Take a Devil’s Backbone Hike at Charlestown State Park on Friday, November 4th, from 10 am to Noon. The site is usually not open to the public, but guided tours are available during the winter months and are limited to 12 people per hike. Email JBeavin@dnr.in.gov to reserve a space.
Join the naturalist for an Owl Prowl Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, November 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You will walk through forest and field to learn about the species of owls found in southern Indiana. Learn which habitats they prefer, and what they sound like.
Take a Full Beaver Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 5th, from 8 to 9 pm. The hike is one mile long on Trail 5. You will learn the folklore and history of the Full Beaver Moon.
Learn how to make a handmade raffia basket at the Raffia Basket Workshop at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, November 6th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. You will construct a 5” basket out of natural fibers and learn how to add special touches. Sign up at bit.ly/raffia2022.
Make a Wreath Out of An Invasive Plant at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 12th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Join naturalist Sheree to make a beautiful wreath out of dried Japanese honeysuckle. Learn about invasive plants while creating your wreath. Register at 812-849-3534 or sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
We start this episode with our monthly round up of prison disturbances, compiled by Perilous Chronicle.
You can find out more at perilouschronicle.com.
This week, we share the second part of a conversation between Focus Initiatives’ Jok Huerta and Sincere. Sincere spent 13 years in Indiana prisons, and now organizes in Indianapolis with other formerly incarcerated people. Sincere continues to speak to her experience in a women’s facility in Indiana.
This conversation was hosted by IDOC Watch and Focus Initiatives. Thanks to everyone who helped with the show.
You can hear our first conversation with Sincere here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/328-how-it-is-with-us-women-and-incarceration328/
And a few other previous episodes about similar topics:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/truth-and-trauma-a-conversation-with-anastazia-schmid-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/childbirth-in-prison/
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 3rd, 2022. In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Professor Steve Sanders at the IU Mauer School of Law in the second edition of our special report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 8th. More information on what you will need to bring with you to the polls coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
Tuesday, November 8th marks Election Day. To vote, you will need to bring photo identification. This includes a driver’s license, a passport, a state ID card or a military ID. A public student ID would also work as long as it displays your name, your photo and an expiration date.
Eligible voters in Indiana include U.S. citizens and residents of Indiana. You must be at least 18-years-old to cast a ballot. People who are incarcerated after being convicted of a crime are not allowed to vote. Upon release, rights are restored and you are allowed to vote.
You need to be registered in order to vote. To check your registration, visit indianavoters.com. Here, you can also find your polling place, update your address and more.
More information available by contacting Monroe County Election Central at 812-349-2690 or ljwilson@co.monroe.in.us.
The League of Women Voters is providing non-partisan information to the public on the upcoming election. Vote411, the League's online portal, gives you factual data about candidates, polling places ID requirements and more. More information available at vote411.org.
Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During the October 25th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees M-C-C-S-C Director of Business Operations John Kenny outlined a recommendation to approve the 2023 budget.
The school board approved next year’s budget unanimously. Next, Dr. Debra Prinkert and Dr. Erin Stalbaum gave a presentation about the professional learning equity goal in the school corporation’s strategic plan. Dr. Prinkert explained the equity goal.
Dr. Stalbaum walked through feedback from the community regarding the school system’s goals when it comes to equity in professional learning. She also read feedback from staff on the goal as mentioned in the strategic plan.
Dr. Stalbaum asked the school board how they will engage in continuous training on their roles and responsibilities. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald responded.
During public comment, Bloomington resident Ruth Aydt raised concerns about the new student equity ambassador program. She argued that students were not given a meaningful voice with the program.
The M-C-C-S-C School Board will meet again on Tuesday, November 15th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
On October 25th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting, Engineering Field Specialist Jason Kerr asked the board to approve permits to continue the city wide fiber project.
The board unanimously approved the permits. The board then heard from Director of Public Works Adam Wason who explained why the contract concerning Bird Scooters was pulled from the agenda.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on Monday November 7th due to Election Day falling on the normally scheduled Tuesday meeting time. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of IU Bloomington.
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Professor Steve Sanders at the IU Mauer School of Law in our special report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022. In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Professor Steve Sanders at the IU Mauer School of Law. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, Spying on You on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
The Ellettsville Town Council discussed the Governor Park apartment complex at their meeting on October 24. Representing the Development Company Allied Argenta, Principal Yvonne Delgadillo asked the council members to approve of a Pilot Program which would grant them with a 30 year tax abatement to help the low-income apartment complex.
Council Member Scott Oldham said that he had concerns about the amount of support that Governor Park has required from the Town of Ellettsville. He said that the number of police, fire, and ambulance calls have increased in the last few weeks and wants to make sure that it is addressed before offering more assistance.
Delgadillo responded that his concern about the number of incidents on the premises are valid. She assured him that they are working on addressing the issue with the help of their partnership with Stonebelt and would like to collaborate with the town to ensure that the housing development is sustainable.
Oldham said that since the company is not making any money on the project he is doubtful they will stay for much longer, and is worried things will continue to go downhill.
Delgadillo assured him that they are committed to this development.
Council Treasurer Sandra Hash commented that they already have a 10 year abatement that the council approved.
Town Marshal Mike Farmer said that they have a meeting set up with the developers to address some of these issues.
This was the first reading of the request. The council will make a final vote on the tax abatement request at their meeting on December on the 27th. The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be on November 13th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of IU Bloomington.
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Professor Steve Sanders at the IU Mauer School of Law to begin our special report, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, Spying on You on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
They were the last Big Talk guests before the COVID 19 pandemic hit and our WFHB studios were closed for nearly two years. Now, they're back in that same studio, helping us put a punctuation on the shutdown. The Rogers boys will appear Sunday, November 13th, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as the opening act for another Bloomington institution, essayist and poet Ross Gay. Today, Addison and Lewis explain their songwriting process and how their mom talked Lewis out of becoming a professional cartoonist.
Lewis (L) & Addison Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
Welcome to the 67th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Ming Wang and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
In this special episode we interview Alazapa José Caballero and Kain Eller about the role of indigenous representation on campus and globally. Alazapa and Kain are student advocates at IU and both have a vibrant perspective on how their heritage has impacted them. Our conversation is about the First Nations Educational Culture Center (FNECC) and how indigenous representation adapts to the modern world's new view of indigeneity. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Ming Wang, and Molly Cai Our guests are Alazapa J Caballero and Kain Eller Our sound engineer is Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Featured Pet: Asher, at at City of Bloomington Animal Shelter! Asher is a 2-year-old domestic short hair cat with a big personality. Asher has been at the shelter for nearly a year, as he arrived at the shelter in December of 2021. Shelter life can be stressful for many animals, and this has been true for Asher. For the past few months, he has has been in a foster home because he is overstimulated by life at the shelter. Shelter staff believe Asher has a neurological condition hyperesthesia, based on his behaviors and marked changes that come and go. Without obvious triggers, he will have ‘fits’ that occur body-wide, but primarily on his left side. These instances can consist of twitching ears, multiple body muscle areas twitching at a time, and unilateral whisker flexing. These spells can last over 24 hours. He doesn't harm himself, but he does become hyper-elevated during these times. He can become much more reclusive: hiding in the pantry, sleeping more, and when he interacts, it seems to bring on more of the symptoms. Asher’s care team are currently trying out strategies to help Asher - as well as medication, like gabapentin, to manage symptoms. Asher is under veterinary care and needs a calm and patient family who are willing to continue the care Asher is currently receiving. While he can take a little time to adjust, Asher does do well with people, children, dogs and other cats. Asher is a sweet and fun cat! He’s doing well in his foster home, but is patiently awaiting his forever home. If you’re interested in adopting Asher, please contact the Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Asher - photo source: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Featured Topic: Community Cats
"Community cats" is a term that’s used to describe unowned cats who roam outdoors. Community cats may be feral or friendly, altered or unaltered, and healthy or sick. Many community cats may live in an area together, often called a cat colony, and have a dedicated caretaker who helps get them spayed and neutered and makes sure they have what they need to live safely outdoors. Many well meaning people will trap community cats and bring them to their local shelters. But, this can sometimes cause more harm than good. Many community cats are not adoptable and the shelter environment isn’t the best place for them. The widely accepted best practice to care for community cats is TNRM, which stands for Trap-Neuter-Return-Monitor. This method starts with humanely trapping community cats, getting them the vaccinations they need, having them spayed and neutered and then returning them to where they were found. One way you might know if a cat is a community cat is that their ear may be tipped. This means that the top quarter inch of the left or right ear has been safely, surgically removed, which is often done when a community cat is spayed or neutered. Ear tipping helps you know the cat is spayed or neutered and you don’t need to trap it or bring it to your local shelter; it’s fine right where it is. Most communities have at least one or more groups working in TNRM. You can contact your local animal welfare groups to learn who is doing this work, and if you want to get more involved - consider becoming a cat caretaker or volunteer. TNRM has been proven to be the most humane, efficient way of stabilizing community cat populations and - over time - reducing the number of overall cats in an area. TNRM helps cats live longer healthier lives.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak the playwrights and directors of the 2022 OnyxFest, who are:
Celeste Williams is the writer of “Black Is My Color”. The directors are TaMara E’Lan G. and Manón Voice; Michael Florence is the writer of “Houseless Not Homeless”. The director is Eric Washington; Charla Booth is the writer of “Majesties”. The director is Dena Toler; Gabrielle Patterson is the writer and director of “Your Love Will Be Judged”; Rain Wilson is the writer and the director of “Police State,” and finally; Vernon A. Williams, executive producer of OnyxFest, is the writer of “A Noise in the Attic”. The director is Debora Farrell.
OnyxFest is Indy’s first and only theater festival dedicated to the stories of Black playwrights. OnyxFest is presented by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.), IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, IU School of Education at IUPUI, and the IUPUI Office of Community Engagement in partnership with IndyFringe. The first week’s productions will be at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre (November 3-6) and the second week at the IUPUI Campus Center Theatre (November 10-12).
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with William Hosea, Alonzo Johnson, Jim Mitchell, and James Sanders about black men’s everyday contributions to the well-being of society and how they are shaping America’s future based upon the positive values that black men all share.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with William Hosea, Alonzo Johnson, Jim Mitchell, and James Sanders about how it is to live as a black men in the United States.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Rashad Nelms, who has have served in leadership and management positions for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 18 years and in more than 21 countries. As an International Executive, Rashad helps clients lead and manage more confidently, operate more efficiently and effectively, increase cost-savings, and strengthen staff recruitment and retention. As a strategic advisor in the UN, he has worked with Fortune 500 senior executives, celebrities, and international philanthropic institutions as part of his work.
He is also a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at higher education institutions across the country on emotional intelligence, leadership, collaboration, management, and more. He is currently on sabbatical from the World Food Program and serve as an Executive-In-Residence with IU. In this role, he helps diversify the university’s faculty and staff hiring, and helps prepare graduate and undergraduate students for the global workforce. He joins the show today to discuss his exciting involvement with the United Nations.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today’s host of Bring It On!, William Hosea speaks with IU Law School Constitutional Professor Joseph Hoffman about the state of U.S. democracy after the Trump presidency. In summary, today's show is about a number of legal topics and issues related to former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Several of these involve his perceived and/or alleged attempts to “Make America Great Again” by undermining voting rights, while trying to invoke military actions to usurp the constitution and the recent Presidential election.
Credits: Today’s host is William Hosea. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today's program continues the discussion started last week about the Montford Point Marine Story. Today’s host, William Hosea speaks with Mallorie Berger, Reginald Moore, and Joe Geeter, public relations specialists for the National Montford Point Marine Association.
Credits: Today’s host is William Hosea. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 31st, 2022. Later in the program, police have arrested a man in connection with two murders in Delphi, Indiana. More updates on the Delphi murders in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Dr. Charlie Nelms reads from his essay, “Five Reasons Why I Vote, and You Should Too” ahead of Election Day which happens next Tuesday, November 8th. But first, your daily headlines. Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole Discusses Stop Sign Change
At the Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on October 26th, the council deliberated about a stop sign change on Maxwell Street and Sheridan. The present day situation has a stop sign for those entering Maxwell from Sheridan, however, the proposed change would make it a four way stop.
Council Member Dave Rollo presented the ordinance. He explained why he thinks the intersection change is necessary.
Bloomington Resident, Stephanie Hatton shared her experience driving on Maxwell.
Hatton explained why this intersection in particular needs a four-way stop, and offered suggestions on how to inform drivers that the stop sign is there if they can’t see it approaching due to the hill.
Council member Isabel Piedmont Smith asked Hatton whether stop signs actually slow down traffic. Hatton responded.
During public comment, Resident Greg Alexander said he appreciated Hatton’s presentation. However, he disagreed with the “proposed remedy.” He said every neighborhood in Bloomington experiences this problem and he asked the council why the neighborhood in question would receive preferential treatment.
The council voted 5-1-0 with a ‘do-pass’ recommendation. The Bloomington City Council will take a final vote on the intersection change at their next meeting on November 2nd. Police Arrest Man in Delphi Murders
Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter on Monday announced an arrest in the 2017 killings of two girls in Delphi, Ind. Credit: Michael Conroy/Associated Press
An Indiana man was charged in the murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana.
14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old friend Abigail Williams were found near the abandoned Monon Trail Bridge five years ago.
On Monday, officials with the Indiana State Police and Carroll County announced the arrest of Richard Allen who faces two counts of murder.
Superintendent of the Indiana State Police Doug Carter made the announcement at a press conference earlier today.
Carter said that investigators have “worked tirelessly” on this case, but emphasized that their work is not yet complete.
Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Lezenby reiterated the work that went into the investigation, and he thanked all of those involved.
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said that Allen has entered a not-guilty plea and is being held without bond.
Again, Allen faces two counts of murder. His trial is set to begin in May of next year. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dr. Charlie Nelms
Up next, Dr. Charlie Nelms wrote an essay on the five reasons he votes and you should do. Dr. Nelms will be the guest on Bring It On next Monday, November 7th – the day before Election Day. This comes from that upcoming episode. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES All stories this week by Norm Holy Indiana is often where out-of-state corporations propose to put highly polluting processes. WFYI reports a company that wants to build a coal-to-diesel plant in southern Indiana has hit a roadblock.
Flexsteel Industries Inc. has agreed to a consent decree that requires it to pay $9.8 million for the cleanup of contamination at the Lane Street Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site in Elkhart, Indiana, and to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency for a portion of its past costs incurred at the Lane Street Site.
A new $850 million electric transmission line is planned to connect an area of Mid-Michigan targeted for renewable energy development to the power grid in Indiana. ITC Michigan announced plans for a 110-mile line connecting an electric substation near Mt. Pleasant with a facility in LaGrange County in northern Indiana.
With purple North Carolina poised to play a leading role in next month’s midterm elections, the state grapples with dangerous “forever chemicals” in drinking water, a large legacy of toxic coal ash from coal-fired power plants, polluting hog farms and their waste, destruction of forests and an array of vulnerabilities related to climate change.
NBC News reported the Supreme Court opened its nine-month term by hearing a conservative challenge to the federal government’s authority to regulate wetlands under a landmark environmental protection law, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asking multiple questions on her first day on the bench.
The State of Indiana and Hoosier Mountain Bike Association officially opened two new trails in Brown County State Park on October 7. CALENDAR
Learn all about Animal Tracking Basics and Beyond at Wapehani Mountain Bike Park on Saturday, October 29th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. You will receive instructions and perform exercises that will teach you how to identify signs that wildlife has left behind. Bring drinking water. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Join park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” radio personality, Don Glass, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers at Brown County State Park on Saturday, October 29th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet at the Nature Center to learn what they look like, their behaviors, and some of the issues they face today.
Spring Mill State Park will present a “Scary or Not, Here I Come!” program on Saturday, October 29th, from 7 to 8 pm. The naturalist, Sheree, will meet you at the Activity Center to teach you about three animals that tend to scare us and that are misunderstood.
Join the naturalist for an Owl Prowl Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, November 5th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You will walk through forest and field to learn about the species of owls found in southern Indiana. Learn which habitats they prefer, and what they sound like.
Take a Full Beaver Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 5th, from 8 to 9 pm. The hike is one mile long on Trail 5. You will learn the folklore and history of the Full Beaver Moon.
En la primera parte de la WFHB Hola Bloomington, Josefa Madrigal entrevista a Sara Benham Ph.D., investigadora del desarrollo de lenguaje, con el programa de El Niño Científico. Hace una invitación a la comunidad para participar en la investigación y también hace una invitación para que participen en los eventos que se llevara a cabo en la biblioteca pública. En la segunda parte escuche a Minerva Sosa y Josefa Madrigal mientras conversan sobre las tradiciones culturales que se llevan a cabo dentro de la cultura Latina cuando se trata de la comida, lenguaje, tradiciones, celebraciones entre más. Escucha sobre el día de Halloween y el Día de los Muertos.
On the first part of WFHB Hola Bloomington you hear from Josefa Madrigal interviewing Sara Benham Ph.D., a researcher in language development, with the El Niño Ciencia program. She invites the community to participate in the research and also invites them to participate in the events that will take place at the public library. On the second part she listens to Minerva Sosa and Josefa Madrigal as they talk about the cultural traditions that are carried out within the Latino culture when it comes to food, language, customs, traditions, celebrations and more. Happy Halloween and beginning Day of the Dead!
This week, we share part of a conversation between Focus Initiatives' Jok Huerta and Sincere. Sincere, who spent 13 years in Indiana prisons, and now organizes in Indianapolis with other formerly incarcerated people. Sincere speaks to the experience of arriving and getting settled into prison. She also movingly addresses the frequent abuses she witnessed and experienced. Content warning: sexual abuse and medical neglect.
This conversation was hosted by IDOC Watch and Focus Initiatives. Thanks to everyone who helped with the show.
While studying filmmaking at Columbia College in Chicago, John Duffy envisioned a career making fictional narrative movies, but events got in the way. Duffy watched as the War on Terror, institutionalized racism, and so many other 21st century American ills and missteps compelled him to turn his talents toward uncovering them. His work has focused on the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath and the fallout from the Ferguson, Missouri shooting among others and now his first novel has been published. Alex Ashkin welcomes him to Big Talk.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 27th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Civic Conversations - a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the MCCSC School Board voted to approve the approximate 157 million dollar budget in their October 25th meeting. More in today’s headlines. The Statehouse Roundup: Indiana Secretary of State Race
The Indiana Secretary of State race remains one to watch for the upcoming election cycle. Democrat Destiny Wells faces off against Republican Diego Morales and Libertarian Jeff Mauer.
Morales, who did not participate in the debate earlier this month, faces sexual assault allegations. An anonymous woman in the Republican party came forward saying Morales sexually assaulted her 15 years ago. Another woman also accused Morales of sexual assault, both of which first came to light in an interview published by political writer Abdul Hakim Shabazz.
Morales denies the allegations saying in a statement, “As a husband and father, I understand sexual harassment is deplorable and can leave devastating scars. The claims being made against me are false and I unequivocally deny all of them."
According to the Indy Star, Democrat Destiny Wells slightly outraised her Republican opponent in the third quarter of this year.
Wells’ campaign raised about 330,000 dollars in the third quarter compared to Morales’ 311,000 dollars. However, when it comes to cash on hand, Morales had about 482,000 dollars on hand while Wells had about 299,000 dollars on hand.
In an interview with WTHR, Morales walked through his top priorities as a candidate for secretary of state. Morales, an alleged denier of the 2020 election outcome, cited election security as a top priority.
On the debate stage, Wells said that misinformation on the election process and the lack of voter turnout are two key issues she would address as secretary of state.
Lastly, during the October debate, Libertarian candidate Jeff Mauer said election security and transparency are top priorities of his campaign.
Early voting for the 2022 election has already begun. The race for Indiana Secretary of State will be decided on Election Day on November 8th. MCCSC School Board Approves Budget, Discusses Equity Goals and More
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During the October 25th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting, board members discussed the 2023 budget. M-C-C-S-C Director of Business Operations John Kenny outlined a recommendation to approve next year’s budget.
The school board approved the budget unanimously. Next, Dr. Debra Prinkert and Dr. Erin Stalbaum gave a presentation about the professional learning equity goal in the school corporation’s strategic plan. Dr. Prinkert explained the equity goal.
Dr. Stalbaum walked through feedback from the community regarding the school system’s goals when it comes to equity in professional learning. She also read feedback from staff on the goal as mentioned in the strategic plan.
Dr. Stalbaum asked the school board how they will engage in continuous training on their roles and responsibilities. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald responded.
During public comment, Bloomington resident Ruth Aydt raised concerns about the new student equity ambassador program. She argued that students were not given a meaningful voice with the program.
The MCCSC School Board will meet again on Tuesday, November 15th. Feature Report:
This month, Civic Conversations, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County, welcomed Maggie Sullivan of the Friends of Lake Monroe and Michelle Cohen of the Lake Monroe Water Fund. In the podcast,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Noelle Herhusky-Schneider talked to lifelong Paoli resident Jesse Laws about the Hoosier National Forest Management Plan. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue on Disabulletin. More following today’s feature. Bloomington Climate Action Resilience Committee
On October 18th at the Bloomington Climate Action Resilience Committee meeting, Council Member Matt Flaherty outlined a proposal to decrease air pollution in Bloomington by phasing out gas-powered equipment. Flartey explained that one strategy of the Climate Action Plan is to reduce city wide gas and diesel powered construction, recreation, and lawn equipment.
Flaherty shared what the Bloomington government should consider about the implementation, and pointed out ways they can collaborate with other local entities like Indiana University and Monroe County Community School Corporation in the future.
Flaherty suggested ideas for how they could regulate the gas-powered equipment. He said that other cities have introduced bans on when it is acceptable to use gas powered equipment.
Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley, said the Office of the Mayor is interested in moving it forward, and wants to get the public’s input on how to best regulate gas powered emissions.
The committee discussed holding a public hearing on the ordinance in the near future. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
WFHB News Correspondent Noelle Herhusky-Schneider talked to Lifelong Paoli, IN Resident, Jesse Laws about the Hoosier National Forest Management Plan. Laws has ridden the horse trails in the Hoosier National Forest her whole life and has concerns about how the Forest Service has proposed to log and burn it. Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion HHC and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue
Marion County Corporation of Health and Human services faces a lawsuit from the family of an Indiana nursing home resident, now deceased, who allege his civil rights were violated.
A lawsuit filed by the family of nursing home resident Giorgi Talevski reaches its climax as oral arguments are slated to come before the U.S. Supreme Court on November 8.
The lawsuit filed against the Marion County Corporation of Health and Human Services contends that Valparaiso Care, a nursing home run by HHC, violated Section 1983 of the U.S. Code and the Fair Nursing Home Act by, “chemically restraining” Talevski with powerful and unnecessary psychotropic medications, which resulted in the patient’s “physical and cognitive decline and by transferring Talevski to another nursing home illegally” (WRTV, Oct 19).
The question at hand is whether a private citizen can file a federal civil rights claim for violation of a law regarding federal funding of benefit programs. The court case could eliminate the right for private citizens to sue state or federal governments who withhold benefits including Medicaid.
HHC has said it has nothing to do with the care Talevski received but rather that when people who are part of benefit programs under federal legislation are denied access to those programs, they have no right to sue in federal court, rather such enforcement should be left to the state statutes.
The HHC board allegedly has chosen to pursue the court case Talevski v. Marion HHC without a vote amongst its board. Morgan Daly of the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council asked for each member of the Marion County HHC’s board to be fined and award her attorney fees. Daly hopes that such fines will be an incentive for board members to hold a vote for whether to continue pursuit of the Talevski case.
As the day of oral arguments draws closer,
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 25th, 2022. Later in the program, a federal grand jury indicted Indianapolis Police Sergeant Eric Huxley for violating a man’s civil rights using excessive force during an arrest at Monument Circle last year. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest episode of Lil Bub's Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund. But first, your daily headlines. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on October 19th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report. Carson said the marketing department has been successful with their promotional efforts, and that the Friends of the Library also held a successful book sale.
Next, Financial Officer Gary Lettelleir asked the board to adopt the 2023 Library Budget. He explained how much the library expects to receive from taxes next year.
The board unanimously approved the 2023 budget.
The board then heard from Adult Services Manager Elizabeth Gray who gave an update on the recent work of the Adult Services Department and how they have provided engaging events for the citizens of Monroe County.
Gray shared that the librarians reached more citizens by tabling at local events, and gave examples of how the library has helped patrons on the individual level with both big and small tasks.
Board Member Kari Esarey asked about the partnership with Health Net, and if the clinic was already up and running. Gray said that the clinic is not ready yet, but they are working on it.
Carson added that the lease has been signed and squared away.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on November 16th. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
Three new interns were introduced at the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting on October 18th. The Parks and Recreation Department added: Indiana University Cox Scholar Morgan Wood as their new Data Analyst, Jake Wood as their new Natural Resources Intern, and Thomas Scaer as their new O’Neill Fellow.
Next, Operations and Development Division Director Tim Street asked the board to approve a contract with Mader Design for Griffy Lake Crossing construction. Street outlined what the contract would entail and how it would be funded.
The board approved the contract unanimously.
The board also approved a contract with Winterland Incorporated to rent lights for the Winter Lights December Nights event at Switchyard Park. Community Events Manager Leslie Brinson shared what the contract would include.
The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will be held on November 15th. Indianapolis Police Sergeant Indicted After Kicking Victim in Face
IMPD Chief Randal Taylor discusses the excessive force case during a press conference following the incident last year.
This week, a federal grand jury indicted Indianapolis Police Sergeant Eric Huxley for violating a man’s civil rights using excessive force during an arrest at Monument Circle last year.
The body camera footage shows the police sergeant kicking the victim, Jermaine Vaughn, in the face while he was handcuffed.
Warning: the following footage contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers.
During a press conference following the incident, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor reacted to the body camera footage before showing the public.
The City of Indianapolis, the police department and Chief Taylor face another federal lawsuit from the two police officers who reported Huxley. These two officers claimed they faced retaliation after reporting him.
Furthermore, Huxley faces state felony charges for official misconduct and battery with moderate bodily injury. This suit is pending in court.
Featured Pet: Wobbles, at White River Humane Society! Wobbles is an affectionate and playful kitten - a "teenager" at about 7 or 8 months - with black fur and a small white patch on his chest. In the lobby of White River Humane Society, Wobbles showed calmness and curiosity around strangers. He also has a history of getting along well with other cats and dogs. Before Wobbles arrived at WRHS, he had been injured - presumably by a car. His back hips had been fractured and have healed back, resulting in an abnormal gait. His front leg has some nerve damage, so he can't really feel it and he doesn't really use it. WRHS is seeking a foster-to-adopt situation for Wobbles, as his front leg may need to be removed and he will need to be neutered. If an amputation occurs, Wobbles would need a caregiver to provide post-op care and ensure that he remains an indoor cat. To learn more about Wobbles, you may visit him at WRHS or submit an adoption application.
Wobbles - photos by Christine Brackenhoff Featured Topic: Spay / Neuter Tune in to learn about what it means to spay or neuter a pet, how these procedures help control the pet homelessness crisis, and how spaying/neutering can help a pet lead a longer and healthier life. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for special needs pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 24th, 2022. In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Hannah Gregory, Forestry Director of CanopyBloomington. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Rowan Hesting reports on the latest Climate Action Resilience Committee meeting where officials discussed the city’s climate action plan. But first, your daily headlines. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on October 19th, the council heard from the Assistant Director of Sustainability Lauren Clemens, who presented on the Climate Action Plan. Clemens shared that the city is working on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 16 percent from 2006 to 2018, and is expected to decrease our emissions by another 9 percent by 2030.
Clemens said that in the three years they have been working on the Climate Action Plan, the city has started a total of 112 projects.
These are just some of the goals the city is working on to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Clemens shared that the complete 2022 Climate Action Plan Report is available on the city’s website at Bloomington.in.gov/sustainability.
During the meeting, councilors heard an appropriation ordinance of 100,000 dollars for an emergency reproductive healthcare program to help address the impacts of Indiana’s near-total ban on abortion. Bloomington Corporation Counsel Beth Cate provided background on the state abortion ban.
Cate provided an overview of the ordinance and walked through the current status of the abortion ban.
Director of the Community and Family Planning Resources Department Beverly Calender-Anderson explained how the grant program would be funded and made the council aware of the deadlines for the grant application.
The council voted unanimously to approve the appropriation ordinance. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on October 26th. Feature Report:
Up next, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Rowan Hesting provides coverage on the latest Climate Action Resilience Committee meeting where officials discussed the city’s climate action plan. We turn to Rowan Hesting for more.
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Hannah Gregory, Forestry Director of CanopyBloomington. CanopyBloomington is a social impact organization created to maximize Bloomington's tree canopy and sustainably manage Bloomington's urban forest. We turn to an excerpt of that interview from Big Talk.
Big Talk airs each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. You can find the program online or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Michael Glab. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES All stories this week are by Norm Holy. The proposed “Houston South Vegetation Management and Restoration Project” risked increasing sediment runoff into the South Fork of Salt Creek. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the Forest Service plan.
Inside Indiana Business presented the results of a new report from Advanced Energy Economy which states that the increase in the number of clean energy jobs in Indiana more than doubled the state’s overall job growth in 2021.
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 20 grants totaling more than $250,000 to Indiana-based organizations undertaking a wide range of environmental initiatives across the state, including projects to enhance Indiana parks, protect vulnerable habitats, support clean water, and expand outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. CALENDAR
Enjoy an Autumn Colors Sunset Hike on Saturday, October 22nd, at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Take in views of the “golden hour” when the sun approaches the horizon before setting and lights up the world with fall colors of yellows, oranges, reds and purples. Wear comfortable shoes and bring drinking water. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Spring Mill State Park will host a Spooky Folklore Hike on Saturday, October 22nd, from 8 to 9 pm. Meet Anthony at the Donaldson Cave parking lot for a short evening hike that will include several local folklore stories.
There will be an Autumn Tree ID hike on Sunday, October 23rd, from 2 to 3:30 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. Learn how to identify trees by their foliage and growing features. Dress for the weather. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Learn about our Hidden Heroes: BATS! At McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, October 23rd, beginning at Noon in the Deer Run Shelter. You will enjoy a 1-mile hike while you learn about the lives of our local bats and the important roles they play. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Learn all about Animal Tracking Basics and Beyond at Wapehani Mountain Bike Park on Saturday, October 29th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. You will receive instructions and perform exercises that will teach you how to identify signs that wildlife has left behind. Bring drinking water. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
After the news, we hear from Daniel McGowan, former political prisoner and member of the Certain Days Collective. Daniel’s been on the show before, talking to us about the Certain Days calendar- which is out now.
Later on in the episode, we talk to an organizer with the group Both Sides of the Wall. Alabama prisoners have been striking since September 26th. Prisoners at all 13 prisons in the Alabama department of corrections system went on labor strike, demanding improvement to conditions. This week we speak again with an outside organizer, who gives us updates on the situation. As we hear, the strike is now on hold- but they are still fighting on the inside and out.
Our previous episodes on the strike can be found on kitelineradio.org
Our previous episode about the Certain Days calendar is here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/289-certain-days/
And you can support Both Sides of the Wall here.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 20th, 2022. Later in the program, we have some updates from the Community Justice Response Committee on the potential new jail site on Fullerton Pike. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he would not follow President Biden’s lead to pardon those convicted for simple cannabis possession. That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
President Joe Biden urged governors to follow his lead by pardoning those convicted for simple possession of cannabis.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he would not follow suit with President Biden.
In a statement, Holcomb said, “The President should work with Congress, not around them, to discuss changes to the law federally, especially if he is requesting governors to overturn the work local prosecutors have done by simply enforcing the law. Until these federal changes occur, I cannot in good conscience consider issuing blanket pardons for all such offenders.”
According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Indiana is one of 13 states who have no effective medical cannabis law and one of 19 states that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis. Under the current law, possession of a single joint is punishable by up to a year of incarceration and a fine of up to 5,000 dollars.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana reported that both Black people and white people use cannabis at similar rates. However, Black Hoosiers are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white Hoosiers.
Meanwhile, Governor Holcomb has previously stated that he’s against the legalization of cannabis because it’s federally listed as a Schedule 1 drug. If the federal law changes, Holcomb said he would consider amending the state’s cannabis policy.
According to data from the ACLU, 81 percent of Hoosiers support legalizing cannabis, either recreationally or medicinally.
On Sunday, Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election.
Candidates clashed over reproductive rights, federal spending and cannabis reform during Sunday’s debate.
Senator Young criticized the President Biden administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress during his opening remarks.
McDermott, who is currently the mayor of Hammond, distanced himself from Young by saying he doesn’t accept corporate donations. He also attacked his opponent over abortion rights.
Sceniak discussed his background and described parts of his platform during the opening statement.
Voters in Indiana will decide the senate race on Election Day, which will happen on November 8th. To listen to the full debate, click here. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
The Ellettsville Town Council approved the 2023 budget at their meeting on October 10th.
During public comment, Ellettsville Resident Steve Robertson spoke in favor of raising the salaries of government workers in the 2023 budget. Robertson explained that skilled workers need to be retained and warned that otherwise the town won’t have anyone who can fix a water main break at 3 a.m.
Robertson's comment received a round of applause.
Next, resident and President of AFSCME, a workers union for city employees in Bloomington, Bradley Rushton spoke in favor of the raise as well.
The board approved the 2023 budget with a vote of 3 to 1 with Council Member Dan Swafford dissenting.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on October 24th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
Many of Bloomington's trees have died off or suffered mightily from natural causes, aging, and climate change over the last few decades. While shut-in during the pandemic, Sarah Mincey and Sheryl Woodhouse decided to do something about it. Mincey, an urban forestry professor, and Woodhouse, a businessperson, founded CanopyBloomington in early 2021. The urban canopy is the "umbrella" tree tops provide us, cooling the city off and providing countless environmental, physical, and psychological benefits. The nonprofit's forestry director, Hannah Gregory, joins us to explain exactly why the local tree canopy is so vital.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
For October 2022, Civic Conversations welcomed Maggie Sullivan of the Friends of Lake Monroe and Michelle Cohen of the Lake Monroe Water Fund. In the podcast, Maggie and Michelle share information about Lake Monroe, the water quality, and its impact on the Bloomington economy. Did you know that Lake Monroe produces Bloomington's 15 million gallons per day of drinking water? Or that 1.5 million visitors use Lake Monroe for recreation, fishing, and boating each year? They talked about how their organizations monitor Lake Monroe and work with other stakeholders.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 19th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Disabulletin - a segment on disability and neurodiversity issues. Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his coverage on a lawsuit against the rideshare company Lyft for the alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Internet War Zones on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. Monroe County Council Discusses an Ordinance to Purchase Land for a New Jail
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the October 11th meeting of the Monroe County Council, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill updated the council on an ordinance to purchase land for a new jail.
Council Member Marty Hawk said she’s received pushback from the public on why the council needs to spend a large sum of money on a new jail. Hawk showed concern about the size and expense of the property for the proposed jail site.
Cockerill responded that consultants estimated at least 25 acres would be needed to construct a new facility.
Hawk voiced concerns that her constituents have brought forward, outlining that the process of buying land to build a new jail feels all-too-familiar.
Councilor Geoff McKim disagreed with Hawk saying that he hopes the council moves forward with the ordinance to use government funds to purchase land for a new criminal justice facility.
Council Member Trent Deckard asked Cockerill for clarification on what would happen if the council did not act on purchasing the property.
Deckard offered a follow-up comment saying that he believes the proposed location is the best solution for the council and that he wants to see the council move forward with the ordinance.
Cockerill replied that downtown real estate is hard to come by, and he doesn’t believe there is enough downtown space available to construct a new facility.
The council passed the ordinance 6-1 with council member Hawk voting ‘no.’ The Monroe County Council will meet next for its regular session on November 15th. Bloomington Board of Public Works Votes to Approve Contract with Tool Design Group
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on October 11th, Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger asked the board to approve a contract with Tool Design Group for a corridor study of College and Walnut streets.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked a few questions regarding Tool’s involvement in the Transportation study. Deckard said that she remembered Tool previously offering certain recommendations for the corridor. Rosenbarger explained that Tool did include this corridor in their study, however the Plan Commission has since changed what it is looking for.
Rosenbarger addressed Deckard’s concerns about using Tool for the study, and explained they would be working with different staff members than before to come up with a variety of options and to engage with the community.
Deckard said she would have preferred if a Tool Design Group representative was present for her to ask questions, and said she would abstain from the vote since she was not able to attend the work session.
The board voted to approve the contract with Tool with two votes in favor and one abstention.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on October 25th. Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs.
Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S.
To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to the latest edition of an interview with Attorney ...
On September 24th, 2022, Seffarine joined us at the station for a live performance and interview ahead of that evening’s Lotus Festival performance. We discussed the band's formation and their various musical influences.
Host: Christine Brackenhoff Co-producer: Adriane Pontecorvo Engineers: Kirsten Payton, Chama Henry, and Aidan Scott-Harmon
Welcome to our new episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio with members of the Asian Pacific American Thematic Community! Hearabouts is produced by WFHB and Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
The purpose of this episode is to talk with the board members of the Indian Student Association at IU about their celebration of Diwali in India and on campus. We talk about the customs, traditions, and food that make up the celebration. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our discussion is with Molly Cai, Suraj Malhotra, and Isha Nehl. Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council continued their discussion of the 2023 budget during their latest meeting. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest edition of a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on October 12th, the council discussed the city budget for 2023.
First, they voted to approve the ordinance to establish the salaries for Bloomington police and fire personnel. Council Member Isabel Piedmont - Smith asked what the pay rate increase will be after the police and fire union agreements. Human Resource Director Caroline Shaw responded.
The council unanimously voted to approve the ordinance to establish their salaries.
However, the council was not able to ensure an increase in salary for city employees who are a part of the public services employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees or AFSCME.
Shaw summarized the ordinance to establish the salaries for employees in all of the other departments of the city, including both Non-Union and Union employees.
AFSCME employees have been attending council meetings and making public comments to ask for a raise. Shaw said the office of the mayor is still negotiating with the union, and will make an amendment to the budget once the decision is finalized.
Council Member Dave Rollo asked for updates on negotiations with the AFSCME union employees. Corporation Counsel Beth Cate said they have set up meetings with the union and plan to reach an agreement by mid-November.
During public comment on the ordinance AFSCME employee, Steve Robertson, asked the council to help guarantee AFSCME employees have a reasonable wage. He warned that if they don’t pay their workers enough they will be forced to quit.
Next, Steven French spoke on behalf of his fellow employees, and asked for a higher wage.
Rollo said that the city needs to keep pace with cost of living increases, and shared his experience working during the 2008 recession.
He explained why he will vote in favor of the ordinance due to the limitations of the council's authority in the budget process; however, he hopes the office of the mayor will follow through to increase the contract in their negotiations.
Council Member Matt Flaherty explained further why the council does not have the authority to intervene on their contract, but he outlined what they can do to help.
The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance to establish the salaries of city employees.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on October 19th. Feature Report:
Up next, the latest episode of Lil Bub's Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub's Big Fund. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Featured Topic: What are the differences between shelters, rescues, and humane associations? If you've ever wanted to adopt an animal, you've likely visited a shelter, rescue, or even a local humane association. The words "shelter" and "rescue" are often used interchangeably, with many folks not knowing there are differences between the two. While all humane associations are unique, they often work to address specific issues within animal welfare or provide specific services. Tune in to learn more about these different types of organizations. Featured Pet Story: How the Monroe County Humane Association helped Roscoe
Roscoe – Source: MCHA Rebecca Warren, the Executive Director at the Monroe County Humane Association, joins us to explain what the local nonprofit is, does, and how they operate. She also tells us the story about Roscoe, a terrier mix that came to MCHA in need of urgent and affordable wound care. — Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky Theme music: “A Friend” by Lil BUB
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB’s Big Fund, following the link here.
“Stop the steal,”
“Hang Mike Pence,”
“Fight for Trump,” his loyal followers chanted as the world watched the events unfold in Washington, D.C.
The attempted insurrection occurred on the afternoon of January 6, 2021, following a “March to Save America” Rally hosted by the right-wing group Women for America First, (CNBC, Schwartz). The group got all the proper permits, expecting a crowd of 5000 people, but that number ballooned to tens of thousands when the attendees’ goals shifted from listening to fighting.
The riots that followed Trump’s appearance at the “March to Save America” rally were the result of months of baseless claims declaring the 2020 Presidential Election was rigged to falsely certify Joe Biden’s victory. The Trump campaign spent the previous 2 months vigorously objecting election results in key swing states to no success. This, however, did not stop the soon-to-be former President to prematurely declare victory.
"We were getting ready to win this election. Frankly, we did win this election,” Trump said on Election Night to roaring applause.
Trump’s re-election campaign faced an uphill battle during his administration’s mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic. The administration’s laissez-faire policies regarding Covid regulations assured the public the virus would disappear ‘like magic’, while deaths were multiplying across the country.
"From the very beginning, that minimization … set a tone that reverberated from the highest levels of government to what the average person believes about the virus,” Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said. (Lopez, 2020)
Trump's approval rating was waning and declaring election fraud had worked for him in the past.
"In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," Trump said in 2016.
Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million (Krieg, 2016). Trump peddled election fraud in 2016 and was peddling it again in 2020. Following months of allegations by the President of ballot stuffing and vote dumping, the MITRI corporation found these claims were baseless and concluded voter fraud conspiracies were false (Durkee, Forbes, 2021).
"The claim that Dominion machines artificially inflated results to Joseph Biden, Jr.’s advantage is not supported in the election results data,” the researchers wrote.
Donald Trump undermined the legitimacy of mail-in voting for months and his rhetoric permeated in the minds of his supporters. A December 2020 poll from Quinnipiac University found that 77% of Republicans believed in widespread fraud during the presidential election (Keating, 2020).
The lies spread by former-President Trump through misinformation campaigns and repeated by the Republican establishment created a powder keg of tensions in the United States. Major news outlets confirmed Joseph Biden as President-Elect after a tense counting cycle, but the saga of Trump is not over.
He still has an Ace up his sleeve.
His cult of personality.
On December 19, Trump tweeted his support for the “March to Save America” rally that he would speak at. Trump tweeted,
“Be there, will be wild!” (Petras, Loehrke, Padilla, Zarracina, Borresen, USA Today).
On January 3, an internal intelligence report circulated within the Capitol Police department detailed the need for increased security around the Capitol Building. The intelligence memo explicitly warned of the large group of pro-Trump supporters being partnered with white supremacist movements to target Congress itself.
"The memo concluded that Jan. 6 was shaping up to potentially be a perfect storm of danger because of the size of the expected crowds, the urgency of the group’s mission, the call for demonstrators to bring lethal weapons, the location of the two largest protests in proximity to the Capitol grounds and the fact that 'both h...
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 17th, 2022. Later in the program, Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Commissioners gave an update on the convention center during their latest meeting. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners read a statement in regards to how the Bloomington Office of the Mayor has approached them about the Monroe County Convention Center. Commissioners Penny Githens, Lee Jones, and Julie Thomas spoke respectively.
Next, the commissioners read a statement about the importance of Lake Monroe, and established October 22, 2022 as Lake Monroe Day in the county.
Next, Health Department Director Lori Kelley informed the commissioners about Covid-19 in the county and on a mobile vaccination unit.
Thomas said she was glad to hear there would be a mobile clinic, and thanked Kelley for keeping them up to date on the spread of new variants.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting on October 19th was canceled. Their next meeting will be held on October 26th. Indiana U.S. Senate Debate – Abortion Rights, Federal Spending and Cannabis Reform
Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young, left, speaks during a U.S. Senate debate as Libertarian James Sceniak, middle, and Democrat Thomas McDermott listen, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Indianapolis.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool)
Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election.
Candidates clashed over reproductive rights, federal spending and cannabis reform during Sunday’s debate.
Senator Young criticized the President Biden administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress during his opening remarks.
McDermott, who is currently the mayor of Hammond, distanced himself from Young by saying he doesn’t accept corporate donations. He also attacked his opponent over abortion rights.
Sceniak discussed his background and described parts of his platform during the opening statement.
The candidates were asked about whether the legality of abortion should be determined at the state or federal level. McDermott responded first, saying he supports Roe v. Wade. He criticized Todd Young for voting to approve the Supreme Court justices that led to the overturning of Roe. Senator Young said he supports exceptions for abortion, but he believes Roe v. Wade was not a valid interpretation of the law.
Sceniak said he doesn’t support banning abortions but that he does believe in limiting the procedure. He said, “politicians should not act as physicians.”
McDermott offered a rebuttal criticizing Senator Young for his belief that reproductive rights should be left to the states. He made an analogy to the Civil War saying some rights should be determined by the federal government.
Debate moderator Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis, asked the candidates about their stances regarding cannabis reform.
Wilson asked if the candidates support the legalization or decriminalization of cannabis at the federal level for medical or recreational use. McDermott responded first.
Senator Young said cannabis reform is not his top priority. He brought up other issues such as inflation that he believes are more important.
Sceniak called out the senator for what he believes to be too much spending that contributes to the national debt. Sceniak said he does support cannabis reform. He argued that prohibition has never worked and that he believes legalizing cannabis could help boost the economy.
With inflation and the cost of living on the rise,
On September 16th, 2022, Jim White joined us for an in-studio interview and performance before his show at Orbit Room. We discussed his album Misfit's Jubilee, songwriting influences, the book Incidental Contact, and the artist's upcoming plans.
Songs:
"Wonders Never Cease" "Chase The Dark Away" "God Was Drunk When He Made Me"
Credits:
Engineer: Jar Turner Host: Steve Philbeck
On September 14, 2022, local band Moon Buggy joined us for a live interview and performance. We discussed the band’s formation, their recent gigs, their in-progress album, and what community radio means to the band.
Songs:
"Doreen" "Any Day Now" "Locked in a Groove" "Exit Ramp" "Ask the Clouds"
Credits:
Engineers: Kirsten Payton, Chama Henry, Chad Powers, Alyssa Gray Host: Christine Brackenhoff
HEADLINES All stories written by Norm Holy Indiana received federal approval to begin work on a statewide charging network as more and more electric vehicles hit the roads. The state will invest nearly $100 million over the next five years to build out its EV charging network.
Enrique Saenz of the Indiana Environmental Reporter has summarized plans to address the presence of PFAS chemicals. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of human-made chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products.
What started as a group of high school freshmen itching to make an impact has grown into a state-wide initiative. Now, Confront the Climate Crisis is reaching new heights after winning the President's Environmental Youth Award and being on a prestigious podcast this summer.
The ads regarding a lawsuit about marines drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are shown many times on TV each day. The story of what some scientists call the worst public drinking-water contamination in the nation's history is told in thousands of Marine Corps, North Carolina, and federal documents produced by the EPA investigation of Camp Lejeune water in the 1980s. CALENDAR
Go to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 am to 2 pm for a Trapper Education Course. Learn the ethics, best management practices, necessary skills and some history. At the end of the course you will have your very own Indiana trapping license. Go to https://on.in.gov/goosepondfwa to register.
Take a Full Hunter’s Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Meet Anthony at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a multi-trail, 2-mile night hike to learn the history and folklore of the Hunter’s Full Moon.
We start off this week with a statement, released today, by Alabama Confined Citizens, speaking for people striking behind the walls of the Alabama prison system. We then speak with Elizabeth, who is one of many supporting the strike because they have an imprisoned loved one.
In contrast to official narratives from the Governor and prison officials, Elizabeth emphasizes what she and others have been hearing directly from inside: in response to weeks of work stoppages, prisons have responded with near-starvation rations, lack of access to laundry, frightening medical neglect, and at least one reported case of direct physical violence by guards.
She emphasizes the peaceful nature of the strike, and describes some demands that have emerged from within different facilities. Alabama is one of five states where prison slavery - work without payment, remains legal today - and strikers are demanding reasonable wages for work. She also speaks about other demands, like increased use of the Good Time Incentive Program and the repeal of Alabama's infamous Habitual Offender Act.
We close the show with a recording from Episode 6 of Kite Line: a reading of “Let the Crops Rot in the Fields” an important document published by the Free Alabama Movement in 2015, setting out a strategy for direct economic action against mass incarceration.
Find out more here:
https://libcom.org/article/let-crops-rot-fields
https://freealabamamovement.wordpress.com/
She found her way to Bloomington and a reporter's job at the then-Herald Telephone (now the Herald Times) in 1984. Since then Laura Lane has covered every big news event in town. From her H-T bio: "She covers crime, courts, cars and more, following issues and the struggles and triumphs of people in rural southern Indiana." Lane is optimistic about the journalism profession even as some observers write obituaries for it.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 13th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, which is broadcast live the second Thursday of every month. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, candidates clashed in the Indiana Secretary of State debate this week over election security. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
Early voting started on October 12th and will continue until November 7th. Early voting will take place at Election Operations located at 302 South Walnut Street in Bloomington. Hours for early voting can be found at monroecountyvoters.us. More information available by calling 812-349-2690.
The League of Women Voters is providing non-partisan information to the public on the upcoming election. Vote411, the League's online portal, gives you factual data about candidates, polling places ID requirements and more. More information available at vote411.org.
The Indiana Secretary of State race will be one to watch for the 2022 election cycle. It may be one of the only statewide races Democrats could win during the general election. It’s also a race that could draw in more voters for the Libertarian Party.
Republican candidate Diego Morales missed this week’s Secretary of State debate. Democratic candidate Destiny Scott Wells and Libertarian candidate Jeff Mauer faced off in Monday’s debate clashing over voter fraud and election law.
Mauer said election security and transparency are top priorities for the Indiana secretary of state position in his opening remarks.
Wells said that misinformation during elections and the lack of voter turnout are problems she would address as secretary of state.
The Indiana Secretary of State race will be decided on Election Day, which will happen on November 8th.
Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
At the Election Board meeting on October 6th, Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler shared that it is National Voter Education week, and gave some important information on voting.
County Clerk Nicole Browne explained that the first day of early voting will be held on a Wednesday this year instead of a Tuesday, due to Columbus Day.
Board Chair Shruti Rana asked for clarification of when exactly online voter registration will end.
Browne said that residents have until just before midnight at 11:59 p.m. on October 11th to register to vote.
Next the Election Board heard from the Staff Liaison Council for Community Accessibility for City of Bloomington and Community Family Resources Department Michael Shermis about accessibility at polling sites. Browne gave some history to the board before Shermis spoke.
Shermis explained his job making sure that buildings are to code to ensure that they are accessible. He said there were a few things they had asked the county to address to ensure accessibility at the polling locations.
Member of the Accessibility Committee of the Council for Community Accessibility Lesley Davis spoke about touring the polling locations.
Assistant City Attorney for the City of Bloomington and A-D-A Compliance Officer Barbra McKinney said that the sign was a reasonable compromise.
Browne summarized the decision to use this language that the Council for Community Accessibility asked the Election Board to keep.
The next Election Board meeting will be held on November 3rd. Feature Report:
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, which is broadcast live on the second Thursday of every month.
This month hosts Dr.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 12th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his conversation with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. This is the latest edition of an ongoing series on the WFHB Local News.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
The Bloomington City Council discussed the redistricting maps at their meeting held on October 6th.
Council Member Steve Volan asked the council to ask the Redistricting Advisory Committee to continue to work on the district maps.
Volan also said that the commission’s focus on compactness scores was at the expense of keeping neighborhoods with common interests together.
Volan’s third argument was that the maps did not focus on the Indiana University population when the city is, meanwhile, a college town. Volan shared that according to the census data over the years, the student population is large enough to be considered for its own district. He urged the other council members to ask the commission to take this into consideration.
Council member Sue Sgambelluri said that while she believes students should have every right to participate in the civic process without any obstacles, she didn’t understand why the redistricting maps should address the issue.
Volan responded.
The council voted to approve the new district maps with a close vote of 5 - 4 with council members Sandberg, Sgambelluri, Sims, Smith, and Rollo voting in favor of maps and Flaherty, Piedmont-Smith, Rosenbarger, Volan voting in opposition.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on October 12th. Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On October 6th President of the Ellettsville Plan Commission David Drake started the meeting by holding a moment of silence for Terry Baker who passed away on September 8th.
Commission Member Dan Swafford asked how long Baker had been on the commission. Drake said he had been a part of it for about 20 years.
Commission Member Sandra Hash said he had been there as long as she has. Swafford said he will be missed.
Next the commission heard from Planning Director Denise Line about the voluntary annexation of Cook Incorporated property into the town of Ellettsville.
Line said that planning staff recommend the approval of the annexation to the town council.
Vice-President of Marketing Communications for Cook and Envision Ellettsville Co-Chair Christa Curtis spoke on behalf of the petition and her work to get Cook.
Swafford commented that the annexation was a long time coming.
Drake said there is no downside of Cook being annexed into the town, and explained that the town already has provided its services due to their close proximity.
The commission voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to the Ellettsville Town Council to approve the voluntary annexation.
The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on November 3rd. Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S. To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to the latest edition of an interview with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of the disability rights group Westchester Disabled on Move Incorporated.
Up next, A Dilly and A Celebrity on Better Beware - your weekly consu...
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasted live the second Thursday of every month.
This month we interview Paul Kaczocha, a long time Steel Worker and NorthWest Indiana activist. Paul is the chair of Northwest Indiana Medicare for All and past President of the United Steel Workers of America 6787.
We talk about NW Indiana, how industrial it is, issues with pollution but opportunities for organizing thru the unions, and the congressional race there between the Democratic incumbent Frank Mrvan and a well funded Republican challenger. Mrvan has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor to the Medicare for All bill in the House, HR 1976. NWI Medicare for All conducted a door to door survey/poll in Mrvan's precinct to see whether they supported him to co-sponsor the bill.
Follow NWI Medicare for All on Facebook.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page.
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer used with permission
Featured Pet: Max, at City of Bloomington Animal Shelter!
Max is a playful and sweet tabby cat, just about a year old. When she arrived at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, she had suffered an injury to her hind end that resulted in her tail being amputated. Max has a lingering sensitivity near the injury as well as some urinary incontinence.
At home, Max would need help with bladder expression. It's really easy to do, she tolerates it, and this helps avoid lots of messes! Shelter staff would be happy to teach you how to do this for her. Shelter staff also noted that Max is extremely playful and will chase any and all toys! She's a big talker and loves to interact.
Featured Topic: What does the term "special needs pets" mean?
Tune in to learn about what the term "special needs pets" means, misconceptions about special needs pets, and how proper guidance and care can lead to loving human-animal bonds.
Mike Bridavsky, Lil BUB's "dude", joins us to explain how BUB's multitude of genetic anomalies made her "one of nature's happiest accidents". With their family's care and help of a vet, BUB lived a very happy life and inspired millions of people worldwide.
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Lil BUB's Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB's Big Fund Segment production by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky Audio support provided by Mike Bridavsky
Support for featured pets can be made through Lil BUB's Big Fund, following the link here.
WFHB's Saturday's Child welcomes to the Monroe County History Center stage, Saturday, October 8th from 11am to noon for a live-broadcast performance Listen live or join us free of charge in the audience on 6th and Washington in downtown Bloomington as Kid Kazooey and company take to the stage for a frolicking, rollicking good time. The Ballroom Roustabouts, live on WFHB's Saturday's Child, Saturday, October 8th at 11am at the Monroe County History Center and on your community radio station, WFHB.
Our guest today is musician Bob Mould, known for his involvement in Hüsker Dü, the band Sugar and his solo work. Mould talks about his latest tour, a series of box sets titled Distortion 1989-2019 and his latest album Blue Hearts.
Mould will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. More information about the show can be found here. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Kade Young
In the early hours of September 19th, 2022, 20-year-old IU student Nathaniel Stratton was hit and killed by a drunk driver. The loss of a son, brother, friend and peer sent shockwaves through the community of IU and Bloomington alike. In the wake of this tragedy, Youth Radio took to the streets of Bloomington in the hopes of finding some answers as to what can be done to prevent more accidents like this in the future.
All interviews conducted by Marty Abaddi and Wilder Mouton.
Produced and edited by Wilder Mouton and Miles Petro.
On September 8th, 2022, local artist David Dávila González (of Matixando) joined us for an in-studio interview and performance during our Fall Fund Drive. We discussed the participatory nature of community radio, the history of Matixando's relationship with the station, and Matixando's current happenings in the Bloomington area.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 6th, 2022. Later in the program, we have a brief update on Monroe County’s proposal to build a new jail. This comes from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Voices in the Street, a public opinion feature on the nature of drunk driving, and how it can be prevented. But first, your local headlines. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners heard from Health Department Director Lori Kelley at their meeting on September 28th. Kelley updated the board on Covid-19 rates, available testing in the community, and vaccines given.
Next, the commissioners heard from Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer. Witmer asked the commissioners to approve a contract with Snedegar Construction to make improvements on the Karst Farm Dog Park.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked if this project would be a short term solution or a long term solution.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract to improve the dog park.
The commissioners also heard a request from Chief Deputy Tre ssia Martin who asked the commissioners to approve an agreement with Midwest Presort to help with mailed ballot pickup and metering for the 2022 General Election. The board approved the request.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on October 5th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on September 26, Assistant Director of Utilities James Hall asked the board to approve the 2022 Residential Stormwater Grant Recipients.
Board Member Megan Parmenter said that she was able to be a part of the Stormwater Grant Commission and appreciated the work they did.
Board Member Jim Sherman shared that he noticed many of the applications were from the southeast quadrant of the city, and that three applications were located on High Street. He asked if there was anything about the area that could have caused that trend. Hall responded.
Sherman asked if they would need to increase the grant funding for next year to ensure that the one hundred thousand dollars would go to the projects rather than decreasing the funding to pay for the consulting fees.
Board President Jeff Ehman asked if they had received any applications from residents who were in lower income areas. Hall said that they were working on eliminating the barriers that people may face in order to make the grant accessible to all Bloomington residents.
The board unanimously approved the Stormwater Grant Recipients.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on October 10th. Feature Report:
Up next, we have a brief update on Monroe County’s proposal to build a new jail. This comes from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Tune into WFHB tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. to hear more updates regarding prison issues on Kite Line.
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.
On today’s episode of Voices in the Street, Youth Radio took to the streets of Bloomington to discuss the death of 20-year-old IU student Nathaniel Stratton, a victim of drunk driving. In the hopes of finding some answers as to what can be done to prevent more accidents like this in the future. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky Schneider , in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Youth Radio. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Antonia Matthew lived through air raids, blackouts, rationing, and the absence of her father when she was a small child during World War II. Her father, a major in the British army stationed in Burma, regularly wrote her letters until he was killed in action. She has written an audio play, "Antonia's Home Front," based on those letters and her experiences during the war. The play will premiere in the United States on WFHB's Firehouse Theater, Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 8:00pm EDT.
Matthew (L) & Fish Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 5th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reports on the DeepMay technology bootcamp in Paoli, Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Hard Zelle on Better Beware - your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
On Wednesday September 28, the Bloomington City Council convened to discuss 6 pieces of legislation relating to the 2023 fiscal year. The legislation concerned fixed salaries for city government employees either union or non-union, 2023 tax rates for Bloomington Transportation, the general city budget, and the budget for the management of Bloomington's water utility department.
Mayor John Hamilton outlined three points regarding how he hopes the budget would be transformative for the city.
Hamilton spoke about how he believes the budget supports city government employees.
Council Member Dave Rollo brought up the city’s current inflation rate, and asked Mayor Hamilton about how the proposed budget would affect the paychecks of Bloomington Public sector employees who are members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Union.
Mayor Hamilton provided an update on ongoing negotiations with unionized city employees and expressed confidence in the legislation.
Rollo expressed doubt over whether or not the mayor had answered his question regarding the base pay of unionized workers. Rollo then asked the mayor about the ongoing issue of retention of Bloomington Police officers.
The council then moved into discussion regarding an ordinance fixing the salaries of officers of the Police and Fire Departments for the City of Bloomington in 2023.
Human Resources Director for the city Caroline Shaw presented the legislation and explained the recent changes.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for clarification regarding the change in payment for police overtime salaries. Shaw responded.
During public comment, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce representative Christopher Emgee expressed the chamber’s support for city law enforcement and the importance of officer retention.
Rollo said he would be voting no on the budget based on the budget proposal endorsing the hiring of additional personnel to ensure police officer retention and proposed alternative cost-saving options.
Council Member Susan Sandberg agreed with Council Member Rollo’s concerns and announced she would be abstaining from the vote.
According to state law, the budget will need to be finalized by the end of October. The Bloomington City Council will meet for an adoption of the budget in a special session on October 12th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Deepmay.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reports on the DeepMay technology bootcamp - a 10-day intensive camp in Paoli, Indiana that combines technical rigor and the communal ethos of DIY world-building. We turn to Kay Weinberg for more.
Up next, Hard Zelle on Better Beware - your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kay Weinberg. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the 65th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. In this episode we have a conversation with Mind Pao-In and Rowena Deguzman. Our guests will be talking about their experiences with their names in an attempt to explore the individualized history, culture, and significance behind a name. This episode is produced by Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Ming Wang. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears and our episode editor is Brian Yu.
Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guests are Belle Chatpunnarangsee, Mind Pao-In, and Rowena Deguzman Our Sound Engineer is Michael Sears Our Editor is Brian Yu Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 4th, 2022. Later in the program, the January 6th Committee will meet for its ninth and final hearing next Thursday. The initial date for the hearing was pushed back due to Hurricane Ian which recently hit Florida. Correspondent Clayton Young provides analysis on the January 6th attack on the Capitol in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines: MCCSC School Board
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During the September 27th meeting of the Monroe County Community School Corporation school board, administrators discussed efforts to provide equitable access to transportation. M-C-C-S-C Finance Director Adam Terwilliger said that expanding shuttle services and providing on-time transportation are major goals of the school district.
Terwilliger said the school corporation had inefficient transportation practices, and that moving forward with a plan to improve transportation services would help the school system to meet its equity goals.
He provided some context behind transportation issues that led to multiple delays at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Terwilliger walked through how the school district has made improvements to address the issue.
Terwilliger said M-C-C-S-C conducted a study to evaluate the reality behind the transportation problem. He went over the data found in the study.
One question submitted online asked if the capacity of providing before and after school care meets the current demand. Director of Elementary Education Debra Pinkert responded.
Terwilliger directed parents to a website with more information on the school district’s transportation plan at mccsc.edu/domain/57. The M-C-C-S-C school board will meet again on October 25th. Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on September 27th City Legal Chris Wheeler shared an appeal of a violation located at 530 South Washington Street. Wheeler said the property regularly has trash around that has become a public safety issue and plant overgrowth that has become a public nuisance.
Neighborhood Compliance Officer Rob Council gave the board some background on the violation.
Board Member Elizabeth Karon asked what had prompted the Housing and Neighborhood Development staff to inspect the property. Council responded.
Board President Kayla Cox Deckard said that the appellant informed the board they had removed some of the noxious plants, and asked Council if he had seen any proof of that.
The appellant Joseph Davis spoke explaining how he has acted throughout the process of receiving a violation notice.
Davis asked the board to appeal the violation so he won’t have to pay a fine rather than pay to fix the property.
Board Member Jennifer Loyd asked Council if the HAND staff could provide the appellant with a thorough list of what needs to be done on this property. He said that they don’t normally do that, but it can be done.
The board voted unanimously to deny the appeal and uphold the notice of violation.
The next meeting will be held on October 11th. Feature Report:
Up next, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs at 5:30 p.m. each Friday and is available online or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of NBC News.
The January 6th Committee will meet for its ninth and final hearing next Thursday. The initial date for the hearing was pushed back due to Hurricane Ian which recently hit Florida. To provide a summary of events on the January 6th attack on the Capitol, we turn to analysis from WFHB Correspondent Clayto...
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 3rd, 2022. Later in the program, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County hosted a candidate forum for Indiana House Districts 46, 60 and 62. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines: Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on September 26th, Council Member Scott Oldham introduced a request to the council about the Youth Sports League. Oldham explained that the league has asked the town to take on the responsibility of the league by forming a new league.
Council Member Dan Swafford said he had not heard enough from the Youth Sports League or the School Board to be sure that they truly want the town to take over the league.
In response, Oldham invited the Superintendent of the Richland Bean Blossom School District, Dr. Jerry Sanders to speak.
Swafford asked what Sanders’ role would be in the league. Sanders said the school system would help the parks department by offering up their facilities.
Council Treasurer Sandra Hash reminded Swafford that the board initially came to the town council asking them to make this change.
Next, a volunteer with the Youth Sports League Noelle Conyer spoke in favor of a partnership with the town and the league.
Ellettsville Resident Ron VanEve-ner spoke in support of the town taking on the Youth Sports League.
A former mother - daughter league player Valarie Dewar said that she was disappointed the council was focusing on the what-ifs instead of trying to help the community.
Van Evener added that the change would allow any child who wants to play the ability regardless of whether or not they can afford it.
Town Marshall Jimmie Durnil said that he has spoken with the board and they want to go through with this, and need to soon due to the basketball season starting.
Envision Ellettsville member Dan Rarey spoke, saying that according to the Envision Ellettsville surveys, the community wants more parks and recreation opportunities.
Ellettsville Resident Gerry Hash spoke saying that the sports in Ellettsville made a huge difference in his life.
Council Member William Ellis thanked the public for commenting, and told them that they had changed his perspective on the matter.
The council voted unanimously to direct the Parks and Recreation Board to form and run a Youth Sports League, to seek and identify those individuals as part of an advisory board to run the day to day running of it. The council will direct the Parks Department to take all necessary action that they feel appropriate to continue to run a Youth Sports League in the future.
The council will make a final vote on the 2023 budget at their next meeting on October 10th. League of Women Voters Hosts Candidate Forum for Indiana House Districts 46, 60 and 62
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young). Last Thursday, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County hosted a candidate forum for Indiana House Districts 46, 60 and 62. Indiana House District 46 is currently represented by Republican Bob Heaton who will face off against Democratic candidate Kurtis Cummings in the 2022 general election. The district encompasses areas from Ellettsville to Terre Haute.
Republican Peggy Mayfield represents House District 60 which spans parts of Monroe and Morgan counties. The incumbent will run against Democrat Kathy Thorpe in the upcoming election.
House District 62 is currently represented by Republican Jeff Ellington who announced he wouldn’t seek reelection in the general election. Democrat Penny Githens faces off against Republican Dave Hall in the bid for the District 62 seat.
This past week, we spoke to Swift Justice, who is an incarcerated organizer in Alabama. Thousands of Alabama prisoners began a strike last week to protest poor prison conditions across the state, where prisons are overcrowded, understaffed and notoriously dangerous. Today, Swift Justice speaks about the recent retaliation the strikers have faced. He updates us on the strike’s progress, some of the unprecedented challenges they are facing, and how he is inspired by the people who pushed the idea forward.
You can see the video they mention of Kinetik Justice a.k.a. Robert Earl Council here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN4bg7qX0CU
And the recent video on conditions is here: https://twitter.com/freealamovement/status/1575288754406825985?s=46&t=pJOBT0w9BWPXmxS3AugVcw
We will keep updating our social media with ways to support them, and will continue to share coverage as the strike progresses.
More than a decade ago, preservation developer Cindy Brubaker walked past the old I Fell building on 4th Street every day on her way to work. She dreamed of restoring it to its former glory and transforming it into an arts center. Now the I Fell Gallery anchors the burgeoning arts district just southwest of downtown Bloomington. The Gallery celebrates its 10 year anniversary October 7th and 8th with an exhibit opening reception on Friday evening and a block party with food, music, spoken word, and art all day Saturday.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 29th, 2022. Later in the program, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County hosted a candidate forum for U.S. District 9 candidates last night. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Election Day is November 8th. Indiana residents must be registered to vote by October 11th to participate in the General Election. That’s coming up in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
The Anti Defamation League released the names of over 38,000 people on the Oath Keepers’ member list. The list contained 23 elected officials, military personnel, law enforcement members and first responders in Indiana.
The Oath Keepers are a far-right extremist group in the U.S. with ties to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. According to the ADL report, the Oath Keepers are an anti-government militia movement that focus on current and former members of the military, law enforcement, and emergency services personnel for their recruitment efforts.
Indiana State Representative Christopher Judy showed up on that list. Judy represents Indiana District 83, which encompasses parts of Allen and Whitley counties.
Elkhart County Commissioner Bradley Rogers also appeared on the list. Rogers previously served as the Elkhart County Sheriff. Rogers told the media that he has not been a member of the Oath Keepers in almost a decade.
Rogers said, “I am an advocate for the protection of individual rights and the Constitution as our rule of law – something that the Oath Keepers now stand opposed to. This is why I left the organization those years ago.”
According to the Anti Defamation League, the inclusion of an individual on the Oath Keepers list is not proof that they were or still are an Oath Keeper, that they hold or held all or some of Oath Keeper ideology or viewpoints or that they ever actively participated in Oath Keeper activities.
Election Day is November 8th this year. In order to vote in the General Election in Indiana, you must be registered to vote by October 11th. Early voting then begins on October 12th.
Indiana residents can register to vote online, by mail or in-person.
To register to vote online, visit indianavoters.com. Residents with a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card can use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.
To register to vote or update your current registration by mail or in person, you will need to complete the Voter Registration form on or before October 11th ahead of the 2022 General Election. A link to that voter registration form can be found here.
You will need to return the completed form to Monroe County Election Central at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Indiana 47404. You can also return the form to the Indiana Election Division at 302 W Washington Street, Room E-204 in Indianapolis.
For more information, you can contact Monroe County Election Central by calling 812-349-2690 or emailing ljwilson@co.monroe.in.us. League of Women Voters Hosts Forum for U.S. District 9 Candidates
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
On Wednesday, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County hosted a candidate forum for U.S. District 9 candidates.
Indiana’s 9th Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Trey Hollingsworth. In January, Hollingsworth announced he would not run for reelection in 2022.
Five candidates will be on the ballot for the General Election. The League of Women Voters invited all five candidates in Wednesday’s forum. Democrat Matt Fyfe and Libertarian Tonya Millis were the only two candid...
HEADLINES All stories this week are by Norm Holy A plan to construct in Northwest Indiana one of the largest commercial solar energy systems in the world is likely to remain at least partially unrealized for the near future. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the Aug. 24, 2021, Pulaski Superior Court ruling that halted the portion of the Mammoth Solar project that aims to deploy solar panels across 4,511 acres of Pulaski County farmland.
When ranked on air/water pollution, Louisiana is the worst in the US. Indiana is 3rd worst. Recently, Louisiana activists successfully battled to block an enormous plastics plant in a corridor so dense with industrial refineries that it is known as Cancer Alley. The ruling canceled the company’s air permits.
Wildlife biologists in Vermont have discovered a hopeful sign for the state’s Indiana bat population: One colony, located in Hinesburg, appears to be flourishing.
Inside Climate News reports that with rare, bipartisan support including a phalanx of Republican lawmakers, the U.S. Senate voted 69-27 Wednesday in favor of ratifying a key international climate agreement that will significantly curb global warming and, climate advocates say, could serve as a springboard for further emissions reductions.
Nearly all species of sea turtles are considered endangered, according to WWF. [World Wildlife Fund] Despite this, people have continued to poach them for food, medicine and luxury goods in astonishing numbers.
Millions of imperiled animals are killed each year to buy and sell. This wildlife trade is one of the greatest drivers of the extinction crisis. But at an upcoming international conference, there will be an opportunity to make changes. The conference is a meeting of CITES.
CALENDAR
Learn all about amazing insects at Bloomington’s 10th Annual Bug Fest on Saturday, October 1st, from 10 am to 2 pm at Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University. All kinds of “buggy” activities are scheduled. For more information and to pre-register, go to hilltop.indiana.edu/events-programs-classes/bugfest/index.html.
Take a Tree ID Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, October 2nd, beginning at 1 pm. Meet the Naturalist at the Trailhead for a relaxed, easy hike through the woods to learn how to identify trees based on their leaves.
The Bloomington Gardening Program is offering a program on Collecting and Sowing Native Wildflower Seeds on Thursday, October 6th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Switchyard Park, Picnic Shelter. You will collect native wildflowers seeds for winter sowing and enjoy a demonstration on starting native plants at home. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Go to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 am to 2 pm for a Trapper Education Course. Learn the ethics, best management practices, necessary skills and some history. At the end of the course you will have your very own Indiana trapping license. Go to https://on.in.gov/goosepondfwa to register.
Take a Full Hunter’s Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Meet Anthony at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a multi-trail, 2-mile night hike to learn the history and folklore of the Hunter’s Full Moon.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his conversation with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment with host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your daily headlines. Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
On September 22nd the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission heard a petition from The Kiln Collective who re-submitted their petition for approval for the restoration and vertical expansion of the Showers Brothers Furniture Complex. Senior Project Manager Gloria Colom Braña introduced the request.
Petition Representative Mike Trotzke explained why they did not finish the renovations that were initially approved within their allotted two year period.
Commission Member Sam DeSollar asked about a difference between the old and the new renderings of the building which show the exterior material with wood originally and brick in the new rendering.
Trotzke said that he wasn’t sure about that detail, and he would have to check with the architect. Commission Member Duncan Campbell asked for clarification of what exactly the commission would be approving.
Braña responded.
The commission then revisited DeSollar’s concerns about the wood to brick variation from the original proposal. Commission Member Doug Bruce said that he was glad to see the building being approved, but was also in support of keeping the brick from the original rendering.
The commissioners agreed they would need updated information from the petitioners on the renderings.
DeSollar offered to meet with the petitioners before the next meeting to help.
The commission and the petitioners agreed to extend the petitioner's application another 30 days, so that the commission could hear the petition again at the next meeting.
Their next meeting will be held on October 13th. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On the 21st of September, the Monroe County Commissioners heard from County Council member Geoff McKim about an agreement with the Bloomington Economic Development Commission. McKim said the agreement would enable the commission to provide their services to the County.
Commission President Julie Thomas said she had reservations about the agreement. Thomas explained that the council normally says they don’t have the funds to pay for things she deems as higher priorities.
Commission Member Penny Githens explained that she is not against supporting the Bloomington Economic Development commission, however she said she would prefer to only commit to a one year agreement to see if it benefits Monroe County, and then decide from there if they would like to continue the partnership.
During public comment, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Chris Emge said he supported the agreement.
County Council Jennifer Crossley also spoke in support of the agreement during public comment.
The commissioners approved the agreement with the Bloomington Economic Development commission by a 2-0-1 vote with Julie Thomas abstaining. The next Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting will happen on September 28th. Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his conversation with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. This is Part IV of an ongoing series on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits:
On September 25th, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition voted ‘no’ on strike authorization with a 91 percent majority. The union voted ‘yes’ on setting a future strike date if negotiations with the university fail.
To provide insight into the graduate workers union, WFHB News spoke with Anne Kavalerchik, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition.
She walked through how the university has “caved” in some respects by increasing the minimum stipend, promising to include a periodic increase of wages in line with other Big Ten schools and eliminating some of the mandatory fees for graduate workers. Kavalerchik outlined how the changes played into the conversation of not continuing the strike for the fall semester.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
Kavalerchik explained how she viewed the spring strike, whether or not she believes the university has formally recognized the union and what it would take to continue the strike at a later date.
The grad workers union will host a rally outside the Indiana Memorial Union this Friday from noon to 1 p.m. during IU President Pamela Whitten’s lunch with student leaders.
To learn more about the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, visit https://www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 27th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Anne Kavalerchik, member of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about the union’s recent ‘no’ vote on a strike for the fall semester. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council gave an update on a large-scale rezoning project in Bloomington, and how that may affect development standards for the Hopewell Neighborhood. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on September 21st, Director of Housing Security and “Heading Home” of South Central Indiana, Mary Morgan, reported on the progress the unhoused support and advocacy group “Heading Home” has made in counties around Indiana since her induction in December of 2021. Morgan discussed some of the groups’ initial goals in combating homelessness.
President of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 2487 Bradley Rushton, used his time in public comment to express concern about skilled laborers shifting away from government work into the private sector.
Representative for the Council at-large, Matt Flaherty, discussed some of the benefits of the proposed Resolution 22-17, which consists of a large-scale re-zoning in Bloomington, and how that may affect development standards for the Hopewell Neighborhood.
Next, the council heard from the Citizens Redistricting Commission Chair Alex Semchuck who presented their recommendations for district maps.
Semchuck explained how they decided to district the Indiana University student population due to population density.
The council will continue to discuss the district maps at their next meeting.
The next meeting for the Bloomington City Council is scheduled to be on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on September 21st, Financial Officer Gary Lettelleir presented the 2023 budget hearing.
Lettileir walked the public through the projected assessed value of the Southwest Branch Library, and what that means for the library’s tax rate.
Lettileir said the budget’s revenue is exceeding the budget’s expenditures at this moment.
Board Member Jaime Burkhart asked about the growth rate and staff’s salaries. Lettelleir responded that he expects Indiana Personal Income to maintain this increase in the future.
Letteleir asked the board to approve another 6 million dollars for this year's budget.
The board unanimously approved the appropriation from the rainy day fund.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on October 19th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Anne Kavalerchik, member of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about the union’s recent ‘no’ vote on a strike for the fall semester. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 26th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Woodie Bessler of the Center for Sustainable Living about empowering local residents to “go solar.” More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Safety
At the Bloomington Board of Public Safety meeting on September 20th Police Captain Scott Oldham gave the Police Department’s Report
Oldam shared that they have seen an increase in Fentanyl overdoses and vehicle accident fatality.
Oldham updated the board on expenditures that will be coming in the future.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Safety meeting will be held on October 18th.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
On September 19th at the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting, board members considered a general operating bond. Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin said the bond would help with existing needs in the school corporation.
Bond Counsel Jacob McClellan explained that the bonds would not exceed 5 million dollars. He outlined that board members were undergoing the authorization step for the general obligation bond.
Irwin explained why he believes the bonds are needed for the school corporation.
Managing Director for the Indiana Finance Office of Stifel walked through the school corporation’s financial situation in light of the G-O bonds.
The board approved the bond resolution unanimously. The R-B-B School Board will meet again on October 24th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of the Center for Sustainable Living.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze explores ways to make renewable energy available to Indiana citizens with lower incomes in his conversation with a leader from the initiative devoted to empowering locals to "go solar".
Today, in the second installment of an ongoing series of Feature Reports, Roze speaks with Woodie Bessler of the Center for Sustainable Living, or CSL for short, about the solar projects that operate under CSL's umbrella nonprofit organization. We turn now to Part II of the conversation on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This week, we share the second part of a recorded discussion hosted by the Civil Liberties Defense Center. CLDC has been at the forefront of anti-repression legal work for decades now, working on many of the Green Scare cases, in which the FBI infamously hounded and smashed radical environmental organizing between 2000 and 2008. In this discussion, Chava and Lauren speak with Letha, a long-time supporter for Marius Mason, who is the last remaining Green Scare prisoner. Marius is a former Bloomington resident whose public organizing and clandestine acts of sabotage in the 1990s presaged many of the ecological concerns which have now become global issues as we face climate catastrophe. Marius was harshly sentenced – to almost 23 years in prison – for acts of sabotage against logging, highway construction, water privatization schemes, and corporate genetic engineering. He came out as a trans man while inside and is being held at the federal prison in Connecticut.
Thanks to the CLDC for organizing this important discussion and for all their work.
You can find out more about how to support Marius here: https://supportmariusmason.org/
Here are some of our favorite previous episodes about Marius:
Last Week's Episode: https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/321-marius-mason-the-last-green-scare-prisoner/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/dear-marius/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/ongoing-support-for-marius-mason-and-his-family/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/be-like-water-j11-reflections-on-marius-masons-journey-through-federal-prison/
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 22nd, 2022. Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, an Indiana judge temporarily blocked the statewide abortion ban earlier today. The Statehouse Roundup
The Statehouse Roundup is a brief, weekly segment focusing on Indiana news and politics. Tune in each Thursday during the WFHB Local News to hear a recap on news and politics on the state level.
An Indiana judge blocked the statewide abortion ban on Thursday one week after the law took effect.
The temporary halt of the law came from a lawsuit by abortion providers who argued the policy violates the Indiana constitution.
Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction against the ban effectively placing the abortion ban on hold.
The judge wrote, “there is reasonable likelihood that this significant restriction of personal autonomy offends the liberty guarantees of the Indiana Constitution.”
Indiana became the first state to issue severe restrictions on abortion once the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of this year. The ban was approved by the GOP dominated state legislature in August and was then signed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana said in a statement, “We knew this ban would cause irreparable harm to Hoosiers, and in just 7 days, it has done just that. We are grateful that the court granted much needed relief for patients, clients and providers but the fight is far from over.”
The ACLU said this is a temporary but crucial victory while their lawsuit challenging the ban moves through the courts.
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
Tuesday, September 20th marked National Voter Registration Day – a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy in the United States.
The holiday involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts. Indiana residents can register to vote online, by mail or in-person.
To register to vote online, visit indianavoters.com. Residents with a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card can use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.
To register to vote or update your current registration by mail or in person, you will need to complete the Voter Registration form on or before October 11th ahead of the 2022 General Election. A link to that voter registration form can be found here.
You will need to return the completed form to Monroe County Election Central at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Indiana 47404. You can also return the form to the Indiana Election Division at 302 W Washington Street, Room E-204 in Indianapolis.
For more information, you can contact Monroe County Election Central by calling 812-349-2690 or emailing ljwilson@co.monroe.in.us. Monroe County Women's Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Women’s Commission met on September 15th. Chair of the Commission Nichelle Whitney Wash expressed concern that their commission has not had access to their meeting room, and made a note that they need to have this problem addressed.
Whitney Wash also said the commission needs a secretary and a Vice President.
Next, Whitney Wash introduced the Co-chair of the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women Ashley Hazelrig who shared how the two commissions could work together in the future.
Whitney Wash said the commissions have collaborated with each other over the years.
Next, Whitney Wash suggested that they consider changing the date and time of the meeting in 2023 to accommodate Commission Member J...
Bloomington native Jennifer Raff hit the New York Times bestseller list earlier this year with her first book, Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas. In it, Raff traces the human development of the two continents using DNA science and relying on her own innate curiosity. Reviewers called the book accessible while still scholarly. One reviewer wrote it was "heavy on compassion and light on jargon." Now associate professor in the anthropology department at the University of Kansas, Raff hopes to help foster diversity within the anthropology field.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES All stories this week were written by Norm Holy Getting rid of coal ash ponds continues to be a problem in Indiana. Residents and civil rights organizations in Michigan City are concerned they will face a water crisis if something isn’t done about a power generating station’s leftover coal ash.
The oil company BP has agreed to pay $2.7 million in a settlement over air pollution violations at its refinery in northwest Indiana. The agreement was filed in a federal district court on Thursday and still has to be approved by a judge.
Congressional Democrats presented fresh evidence which they say proves that oil companies are continuing to mislead the public on climate change and undercut global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study has found an alarming loss in forest areas globally, including that global forest area per capita has dropped from 3.5 acres in 1960 to just 1.4 acres per person by 2019, a 60% decline.
In Greenland now, it’s feeling more like July than September. After a fairly cold and wet summer in Greenland, an unusually late heat wave caused extensive melting across the ice sheet — the kind of melt typically seen in the middle of summer. Researchers say it’s the largest melt event to occur in September, according to data sets spanning nearly four decades.
In a move that sets a new precedent for corporate leadership in the age of climate change, billionaire founder of sportswear brand Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard has announced that he is giving away his entire company to fight the climate crisis and safeguard nature.
WGN radio posed the question of how clean is the air and water in our state? CALENDAR
An Autumn Equinox program will take place at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, September 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Learn why the Autumn Equinox signals the official start of the fall season and learn what an equinox is. Meet at the Campground Playground.
Celebrate the arrival of Fall at the Fall Equinox Fire Celebration and Craft event on Saturday, September 24th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at the Lower Cascades Park in the Waterfall Shelter. Learn how to use tree identification to build your best campfire. You will also get to see several fire-starting techniques. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
The Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is having a Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24th from 9 am to 5 pm. You can take the 5-Gallon Bucket Challenge to help clean up the property; drop a line in the water and take advantage of the Free Fishing Day, and spend your time exploring the new trail.
The Indiana Forest Alliance is hosting their Annual Forest-Foraged Feast on Thursday, September 29th beginning at 5:30 pm at the Courses Restaurant and Bakery in Indianapolis. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience and silent auction. Go to the IFA website to purchase tickets.
Learn all about amazing insects at Bloomington’s 10th Annual Bug Fest on Saturday, October 1st from 10 am to 2 pm at Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University. All kinds of “buggy” activities are scheduled. For more information and to pre-register, go to hilltop.indiana.edu/events-programs-classes/bugfest/index.html.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 21st, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Back to Scammer School on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment with host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on September 13th Engineering Senior Project Manager Roy Aten shared the progress on the West 17th Street Multi-Use Path Project.
Next, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley gave an update on scooters in the city.
Crowley said the scooter companies have evolved, and are willing to work with the city.
Crowley explained the scooter team will be meeting in October to discuss renewing the scoot agreements for the next quarter and will be working on implementing more rules and an additional staff position to ensure the scooters are parked in reasonable locations using Geofencing, and ensure the safety of their riders.
Next, City Legal Chris Wheeler asked the board to appeal a violation of bamboo at a property located at 2739 East Briggs Bend. Wheeler said that although they normally recommend the board fine citizens with bamboo on their property due to its status as an invasive species, this particular property has a concrete planter to contain it.
Wheeler said that the staff is following precedent with the bamboo petitions, and recommends the property is monitored to ensure the planter is containing the bamboo.
The board unanimously voted to appeal the notice of violation.
The next board of public works meeting will be held on September 27th. Bloomington Plan Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Bloomington Plan Commission meeting on September 12th, Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan gave her report on the Planning Department. Following Scanlan’s staff report, Commissioner Jillian Kenzie asked if the Planning Department would send out more formal reports to keep the public informed.
Scanlan replied.
Next, the commission discussed an apartment complex University Properties hopes to build next to the football stadium.
Zoning and Long Range Planner for the City of Bloomington Gabriel Holbrow presented an overview of the property.
Hollbrow shared the Planning and Transportation staff’s recommendation to approve the site plan.
Kinzie asked about the sustainability commitment, and if there was any guidance to decide the level of National Green Building Standards and what is required for a project like this
Scanlan responded saying they look to the Environmental Commission for guidance.
The board unanimously approved the site plan.
The next plan commission meeting will be held on October 10th. Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S. To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to Part III of an interview with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of the disability rights group Westchester Disabled on Move Incorporated.
Up next, Back to Scammer School on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television S...
Welcome to the 64th episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. In this episode we have a conversation with Jazzy Sagar, Yong Chen, and Tristan Kai Shore, residents of the 2022-2023 APA-TC cohort. Our guests will talk about their experiences in the APA-TC, what they hope to accomplish this year, and how they're adapting to college life. This episode is produced by Molly Cai and Ming Wang. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears and our episode editor is Brian Yu.
Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guests are Jazzy Sagar, Yong Chen, and Tristan Kai Shore Our Sound Engineer is Michael Sears Our Editor is Brian Yu Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 20th, 2022. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young reports on food insecurity in Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Police Department notified the public earlier today about an armed man in the sewer system. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. BPD Searches for Armed Man in Sewer System
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 20: Police and members of IU Health Bloomington check a suspect who was taken into custody at 6th and Indiana Avenue on September 14, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. Police from several different agencies worked from late morning until late afternoon to catch the man who entered the Bloomington storm sewer system near 1st Street and Walnut Tuesday morning. Police believed the man was armed with a gun. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
Earlier today, the Bloomington Police Department advised residents to avoid the area between First Street to Third Street and Morton Street to Lincoln Street.
This afternoon, BPD tweeted that they were searching the underground sewer system for a barricaded man. Police believe the man was armed with a gun. At the time of this reporting, no shots were reported being fired in this incident.
An update came an hour later saying the police were working with multiple agencies on scene – including the City of Bloomington Utilities Department to determine the underground sewer tunnels that a person could fit in.
At around 2:30 p.m., BPD said police activities remain ongoing and that people south of Third Street to the area of First Street and Walnut may hear loud bangs in the future. Police requested that residents should continue to avoid the area.
Furthermore, people may see smoke emerging from the sewer drains as a result of the bangs, according to BPD. This story is still developing.
UPDATE: BPD says officers underground in the storm sewer made contact with the man believing him to be under the area of Kirkwood Avenue. The man was removed from the storm drain and taken into police custody. Police say he will be transported to an area hospital to be evaluated. Police say downtown roadways that were closed due to police activity will be transported to an area hospital to be evaluated. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on September 12th, Board Member Kirk White asked Director of Utilities Vic Kelson about the cost of carbon used to filter the water. Kelson replied the activated carbon is normally enough to handle contamination however, these last two years have had unusual circumstances.
Next, Jane Fleig asked the board to approve an agreement with American Structurepoint Incorporated to work on Phase 3 of the Fullerton Pike project. This contract would be for additional services not to exceed $35,700.00.
The board approved the contract unanimously.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on September 26th. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
On September 12th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting the council heard from Town Attorney Darla Brown again about the Parks Board Non-Reverting fund.
Council Member Pamela Samples said she was not comfortable with designating the non-reverting fund when they have not discussed what the money would go toward.
President of the Council William Ellis responded.
Town Marshall Jimmie Durnil verified that the money in the fund would not be the town’s.
Samples was still not sure about the fund, and said she was worried about the liability of managing another organization's funds.
Town Manager Mike Farmer spoke to Samples and explained why the town was trying to help the Youth Sports League.
Town Treasurer Sandra Hash said she did have one concern with liability in regards to electronic receipts.
The Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a 1.5 billion dollar investment to fund emergency food assistance. Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks, applauded the investment.
According to the Map the Meal Gap study conducted by Feeding America, one out of every nine Indiana residents faces hunger. One in seven children in the state face food insecurity. The USDA defines hunger as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.
Research from Feeding America shows that people who are food insecure are prone to chronic diseases and adverse effects to their overall health. Data also shows that not having enough healthy food can have serious implications for a child’s development, including chronic illnesses and behavioral issues.
Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director for Feeding Indiana’s Hungry described how the federal aid will impact Indiana.
“We expect the announcement to be made shortly as to when and how much, but we expect to see that start coming through Indiana at the beginning of the new federal fiscal year, which is October 1st,” said Bryant.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank is a regional organization serving six counties across South Central Indiana. It’s a member food bank of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. Executive Director Julio Alonso reacted to the recent announcement of funding from the Biden Administration and the USDA.
“This is very exciting and welcome news for us,” said Alonso. “The downside, of course, is that we won't really start seeing this food until next year, but it is very desperately needed.”
Hoosier Hills Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides over four million pounds of food annually to over 100 other non-profits serving people with low incomes and personal challenges, children, and seniors.
Meanwhile, Weikert Bryant said that food banks in Indiana are confronted with a severe food shortage. She explained how the recent investment aims to address the food supply crisis.
“Food banks, food pantries and families are seeing the same thing across the country where inflation is still impacting food purchasing, and it's certainly impacting our members as they source food.” she said. “We've seen a decrease in food available while we've seen the need continue to stay at pandemic levels.”
Alonso said he sees the food supply crisis first hand at Hoosier Hills Food Bank. He explained that the need to address food insecurity in our region is more pressing than ever in 2022.
“We saw a big spike in demand at the start of the pandemic in 2020, and while that was disconcerting and unfortunate, the positive side of that was that we also saw an outpouring of generosity,” he said. “We and a lot of food banks across the country are struggling to meet that demand, because we're not seeing the same level of support that we did previously.”
Emily Weikert Bryant is the Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, the network of Feeding America food banks in the state of Indiana.
Weikert Bryant explained that there exists a gap between urban and rural communities when it comes to food insecurity. She outlined that gap and explained how funding from the USDA would help alleviate the disparity.
“There's really been a rising focus on rural areas as underserved areas to make sure that for our friends and neighbors in those areas, they're able to access the same programs that you would in more populous areas,” she said.
Alonso described the state of food insecurity here in Bloomington, Monroe County and the surrounding counties that Hoosier Hills offers services to.
“Unfortunately, food insecurity is still a pretty significant problem here, both locally and in our region,” said Alonso. “We're seeing twice as many people come through as we had anticipated, and most of them are indicating that high food prices and high gas prices are really putting a s...
In the September 2022 Civic Conversation podcast, we welcomed Professor Shruti Rana, a professor at Indiana University's Department of International Studies specializing in international law. She holds a degree from Columbia Law School, the London School of Economics and Politics, and UC Berkley. In the podcast, Professor Rana discusses the issues facing our immigration systems today. She responds to the recent shipping of immigrants t Martha's Vineyard, Washington DC, Chicago, and New York City by Texas, Arizona, and Florida governors. She shares how the constant changing of laws and policy impacts the backlog of separation and asylum cases and addresses the issue of how we as a society treat immigrants and how it ultimately reflects upon our community.
Today's host of Bring It On!, William Hosea speaks with Mallorie Berger, Reginald Moore, and Joe Geeter, public relations specialists for the National Montford Point Marine Association. They are here to discuss the Montford Point Marine Story and the upcoming ABC documentary on the subject.
History has largely overlooked the trailblazers who were the first Black men to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, the Montford Point Marines, named after the segregated section of Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where they trained. On 26 August, on the 80th anniversary of when the first Montford Point Marines set foot on the Marine base, ABC Owned Television Stations debuted the trailer of Our America: Mission Montford Point. The documentary special will debut on ABC Owned Stations 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku and Hulu beginning September 20.
Credits: Today’s host is William Hosea. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk about the notable African Americans of Monroe County. This is a special fund-drive edition of the program.
Please suppory community radio by making a donation here.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today's program is rebroadcast from March 21, 2022:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Gladys DeVane. She is an author, thespian, playwright, narrator, and co-founder of Resilience Productions.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Cyrilla Helm, the Executive Director, and Nancy Goswami, the Board Director of the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools (FMCCS), tohelp us better understand the Foundation's mission and activities.
The the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools was founded in 1973. The foundation was organized to provide a Margin of Excellence to the community and its schools that tax funding did not provide.
Cyrilla Helm, Executive Director of FMCCS
The Foundation has enriched educational opportunities for students of the MCCSC. It has funded countless books for school libraries and classrooms, STEM equipment, field trips, the renovation of Honey Creek, professional development for teachers, school transformation projects, the STEM to THEM mobile lab, student scholarships, and more!
Credits: Today’s host is Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today’s show is a rebroadcast from December 27, 2021:
On today’s Bring It On!, hosts, William Hosea and Gloria Howell spend the hour with Drs. Tennisha Riley, James Brooks, and Amrita Myers to help us better understand the mental state of college students in general and how they appear to be coping during a pandemic era.
Dr. Tennisha Riley is an assistant professor in the Counseling & Educational Psychology department with an appointment in Human Development. Her extensive research seeks to expand our foundational knowledge of adolescent emotional development and situate that knowledge within a sociocultural context for Black youth. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University’s Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society.
Dr. James Brooks, assistant professor of Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. Dr. Brooks has expertise in relationship counseling and the impact of race & racism on multiracial families and interracial relationships. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Brooks has worked with students on campus (here at IU and at Tennessee State University) around their mental health needs and has worked with students who are counselors in training to help them.
Dr. Amrita Myers is a renowned Ruth N. Halls associate professor of History and Gender Studies at Indiana University and a consulting editor of the Journal of American History. Amrita is a historian of the black female experience in the United States, and her research interests revolve around issues of race, gender, freedom, and power and the ways in which these constructs intersect with one another in the lives of black women in the Old South. She is also the author of Forging Freedom: Black Women and the Pursuit of Liberty in Antebellum Charleston, 1790- 1860.
Credits: Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Gloria Howell. Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant, and WFHB News Department Director, is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today's program is a rebroadcast from July 25, 2022.
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Bryant Scott, the CEO of Tyscot Records, and John P. Kellogg, who is a Berklee Online music business instructor and the former assistant chair of the Music Business/Management Department at Berklee. Bryant and John are here to educate us on the ins and outs of the Gospel music industry.
John P. Kellogg is also a practicing entertainment lawyer who specializes in the music industry. He has represented clients such as LSG, the O’Jays, G. Dep, and the late Gerald Levert. Bryant Scott heads Tyscot Records, and Tyscot Films, the oldest African-American-owned international gospel record company in the world, Bryant has created opportunities, influenced lives, and launched careers. He is credited for signing and developing major artists including John P. Kee, The GMWA Women Of Worship, Dr. Bobby Jones, Deitrick Haddon, The Rance Allen Group, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Carman, Bishop Noel Jones, Darwin Hobbs, Shirley Murdock, Ann Nesby, and most recently Anthony Brown and Casey J.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today's edition of Bring It On!, the hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. They spend the hour with Bill Breeden, Minister Emeritus from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana. He was a minister to Corey Johnson and attended his execution. On January 14, 2021, the federal government executed Corey Johnson, a death-row prisoner who likely was intellectually disabled, without affording him judicial review to determine his eligibility for the death penalty. He was the fifth federal prisoner executed in the transition period between Donald Trump’s defeat in the November 2020 presidential election and the scheduled inauguration of Joseph R. Biden on January 20, 2021.
Bill shared that Corey Johnson was one of the most amazing human beings he had ever known. He had been in solitary confinement for 29 years without a visitor, and was unable to read or write, but was a very peaceful, caring man. In those 29 years of solitary he was never written up by a guard for any infraction.
Bill, a long-time peace activist and prison minister is a past recipient of the Bloomington, Indiana Human Rights Award. This is remarkable considering Bill’s past. Bill professes to have overcome hatred and extreme prejudice to become the humble and loving individual he is today. In reflec
ting on his life and transformation, he considers himself to be “the luckiest guy on the planet, and he’d be willing to debate that with anyone.”
Credits: Today’s host is Clarence Boone. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 19th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin of the Center for Sustainable Living about empowering local residents to “go solar.” More in today’s feature report. But first, your daily headlines. Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
At the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting on September 8th Senior Project Manager Gloria Colom Braña shared a request from a petitioner to install a fence on their property located on East Atwater Avenue.
Colom Braña said the staff recommends approval of the fence installation. Then, Petitioner Anne Findlay spoke to the commission. She said that she cares for the historical nature of the property, but is resorting to putting up a fence to prevent further damage caused by a group of fraternity members living next door.
Commissioner Member Sam Desollar suggested that they approve a fence which goes all the way around to stop anyone from walking through their bushes.
Petitioner Doug Findlay agreed that it could be an issue in the future, however, he said he would prefer to not install more fencing unless it is necessary. He asked if the additional fencing could be a part of the petition on the condition that the issue persists.
Desollar spoke in approval of the petition with the amendment.
Commission Member Marleen Newman commented that the property next to the petitioners has been a problem for years.
Commission Member Ernesto Castaneda asked if there was anything else they could do, and suggested that the commission write a letter to the city about the trash problem.
Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development Director John Zody responded.
The commission unanimously approved the petition with the amendment that they can extend the fence if needed.
The next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be held on September 22nd. Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board Meeting
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On September 8th at the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board meeting, Board Chairperson Cheryl Munson introduced the new Controller Holly Dewar.
Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Executive Director Tom McGlasson gave his department report.
McGlasson also gave the Landfill Compliance Officer Joey Long’s report since Long was away on vacation.
Munson explained this board meeting was cut short due to the Monroe County Budget Hearing, and said the next meeting on October 13th will be more thorough. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Center for Sustainable Living. Up next, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze explores ways to make renewable energy available to Indiana citizens with lower incomes in his conversation with leaders from two initiatives devoted to empowering locals to "go solar." Today, in the first installment of an ongoing series of Feature Reports, Roze introduces us to Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin of the Center for Sustainable Living, or CSL for short, about the solar projects that operate under CSL's umbrella nonprofit organization. And now, Part One with SIREN and Solar For All, two programs based in South Central Indiana. Stay tuned next Monday to hear Part II of the interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Today's host of Bring It On! is Clarence Boone. He is joined by Danielle Bruce, Gladys DeVance, and, frequent Bring It On! contributor, Liz Mitchell, to discuss their recent productions focused on the experiences and accomplishments of Black Women.
Credits: Today’s host is Clarence Boone. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On Saturday, August 27th, the ninth annual Bloomington Pridefest was held. Ranked as the best college town celebration of pride in the country , the festival was held by Bloomington PRIDE, a non-profit organization committed to to advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. With a myriad of activists, live music, drag shows, local businesses and community members all participating to show their support, it was a celebration representative of the wondrous diversity of identity. As such, WFHB Community Radio was sure to partake in the event, capturing the festivity by interviewing local residents.
All interviews conducted by Marty Abaddi.
Produced and edited by Miles Petro.
This week, we share a recorded discussion hosted by the Civil Liberties Defense Center. CLDC has been at the forefront of anti-repression legal work for decades now, working on many of the Green Scare cases, in which the FBI infamously hounded and smashed radical environmental organizing between 2000 and 2008. In this discussion, Chava and Lauren speak with Letha, a long-time supporter for Marius Mason, who is the last remaining Green Scare prisoner. Marius is a former Bloomington resident whose public organizing and clandestine acts of sabotage in the 1990s presaged many of the ecological concerns which have now become global issues as we face climate catastrophe. Marius was harshly sentenced - to almost 23 years in prison - for acts of sabotage against logging, highway construction, water privatization schemes, and corporate genetic engineering. He came out as a trans man while inside and is being held at the federal prison in Connecticut.
Thanks to the CLDC for organizing this important discussion and for all their work.
You can find out more about how to support Marius here: https://supportmariusmason.org/
You can hear our previous episodes about Marius here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/dear-marius/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/ongoing-support-for-marius-mason-and-his-family/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/be-like-water-j11-reflections-on-marius-masons-journey-through-federal-prison/
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 15th, 2022. Later in the program, the Indiana abortion ban goes into effect today. More coverage on the near total ban on abortion in today’s Statehouse Roundup.
In today’s installment of Voices in the Street, public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington, WFHB’s Youth Radio attended Bloomington’s 9th annual Pridefest to interview local residents. More in the bottom half of our show. The Statehouse Roundup
The Indiana abortion ban went into effect on Thursday consisting of very narrow exceptions including in cases of medical emergencies, incest and rape.
This makes Indiana the latest state to ban abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The ACLU, Planned Parenthood and other abortion care providers challenged the ban in court with hearings set for September 19th.
Ken Falk, legal director for ACLU Indiana said in a statement, “With multiple lawsuits pending in Indiana courts, we remain confident that the courts will see this law for what it is, a flagrant attack on the rights of Hoosiers. This fight is far from over. We’ll continue doing everything in our power to restore abortion access in Indiana as soon as possible.”
Facilities that provide abortion will no longer be able to perform the procedure limiting abortion services for rare exceptions to hospital settings.
If an abortion is performed outisde of the limited exceptions, parties involved are subject to a Level 5 felony punishable by one to six years of imprisonment with a fine up to 10,000 dollars.
In an interview with WFHB, Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, said that the law interferes with basic medical care.
Jennifer Drobac poses for a photograph in the courtroom at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI on Tuesday June 11, 2019.
"Basically this bill is the regulation by law makers of medical care. And it's second guessing doctors and their patients with respect to what medical care can be offered in the state of Indiana," said Drobac.
Dr. Drobac said the policy will hurt Indiana beyond substandard medical care, negatively impacting Indiana’s economy.
"I know that businesses and corporations are probably going to either move their headquarters or consider not having their conventions to here because of this type of overly intrusive regulation of people who become pregnant and their families," she said.
Meanwhile, according to the latest report by America's Health Rankings and the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana ranks 7th among the worst states for infant mortality.
WFHB News will continue to follow the abortion ban and the lawsuit against it as Indiana grapples with a policy that will likely impact the state for years to come. Feature Report:
Protesters gather in the streets outside the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state (Photo by Kade Young).
Earlier this year, Indiana legislators voted to ban abortion with limited exceptions after hours of compelling testimony in opposition to the measure. WFHB News Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider traveled to Indianapolis to speak with protesters on July 25th as the state debated the proposed abortion ban. In light of that ban going into effect today, we revisit this archived feature report from the state capital.
Bloomington residents gather on Kirkwood Avenue for Pridefest, the annual street festival hosted by local organization, Bloomington PRIDE. Photo by Melanie Davis.
Up next is the newest edition of Voices in the Street, featuring public opinion polls from members of the LGBTQ+ community in Bloomington. We turn to Youth Radio’s Marty Abaddi and Miles Petro for more. Fall Fund Drive
WFHB News needs your support during our fall fund drive to serve as a watchdog over those in power and deliver important news and information ...
It’s another week of BloomingOUT! Catch the latest updates on LGBTQ+ news on one of the longest-running LBGTQ+ radio shows in Indiana.
This is a special edition of BloomingOUT in light of the 2022 Fall Fund Drive.
Hosted by Kal Demaree and Kade Young
Produced by Melanie Davis
For the second week of Fall Fund Drive 2022, we feature more music created and performed by guests who've appeared on Big Talk through the years. Last week and this, we've presented music by Amanda Biggs, Busman's Holiday, Henry Leck and the Indianapolis Children's Choir, Jason Fickel and Ginger Curry, Jeff Isaac and the Postmodern Jazz Quartet, Kacie Swierk, Krista Detor, Nick Toth and the Stone Age Institute band, Tom Roznowski, and Travis Puntarelli.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 14th, 2022 Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Shapiro be live in the studio with WFHB News Staff in light of the 2022 Fall Fund Drive. Anchor Benedict Jones' Fund Drive Testimonial
This is Benedict Jones. I’m a volunteer anchor at WFHB Community Radio.
WFHB needs community support for News programs, like the timely and relevant WFHB Local News, which I truly love to deliver to our listeners (that’s you!) 3 times a week for more than 5 years now. We also need support for our ongoing diverse and enriching cultural and music programs, like one of my favorites, Reggae Children!
We need your support, because maintaining an independent voice in local journalism is a rare and special opportunity for the community. The Bloomington community's ability to understand and address important issues is equally as powerful, and WFHB is the outlet that serves a piece of that puzzle for many people.
Your generous monthly donation of 5 dollars, 10 dollars or 20 dollars per month allows us to fund programs like the WFHB Local News throughout the year. Make a donation today by calling 812-323-1200 or visiting this link.
Thank you for supporting WFHB community radio. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on September 7th, Council Member Steve Volan encouraged students to register to vote in Bloomington before the October 11th deadline. Volan said that students spend the majority of their time in Bloomington and should be able to vote for their representatives whose decisions impact them for at least the next four years.
During public comment Friends of Lake Monroe Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan shared with the council findings from their Executive Summary from the Watershed Management Plan they finished this Spring. She also addressed complaints of the smell and taste of the city’s tap water which is sourced from Lake Monroe.
Next Volan presented a resolution to expand transportation services outside of the city to reach Daniel’s Way near Ivy Tech and Cook Incorporated. He said this would help transport workers and commuters since this is a major employment area for the city. Volan elaborated on the resolution.
Volan explained what the cost to the county would be based on Bloomington Transit’s predictions.
Council Member Ron Smith said the project is feasible if the county and the city are able to come to an agreement.
During public comment on the resolution Indiana University Student, David Wolf Bender expressed his support for the resolution.
The council unanimously approved the resolution to express support for the extension of Bloomington transit services to Daniels Way.
The next regular session of the city council will be held on September 21st. Feature Reports:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S. To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to Part II of an interview with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of the disability rights group Westchester Disabled on the Move Incorporated.
Up next, The Old and the New on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider,...
It’s another week of BloomingOUT! Catch the latest updates on LGBTQ+ news on one of the longest-running LBGTQ+ radio shows in Indiana.
This is a special edition of BloomingOUT in light of the 2022 Fall Fund Drive. Hosted by Melanie Davis and Kal Demaree Produced by Melanie Davis
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 Later in the program, we revisit a conversation with Ron Eid, the publisher of the Limestone Post magazine about the importance of community journalism and how The Limestone Post and WFHB have collaborated over the years. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Ruth Fleggman will join WFHB Staff Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young live in the studio for our 2022 Fall Fund Drive. But first, your local headlines. WFHB's 2022 Fall Fund Drive
Before we get to our local headlines, we'd like to take a moment and talk about what community radio means. Volunteer, citizen journalists use their voice in communication with you to deliver stories about harmful policies at the Statehouse, environmental affairs that impact you directly, protests and events happening around South Central Indiana and much more.
We are so incredibly blessed to have programming that’s entirely local in a community that desperately needs an independent voice when it comes to daily journalism. WFHB is that place – that champions independent media and brings you news and public affairs that is nuanced, fair and listener-funded.
So please, we only ask twice a year to open up your wallets and support this radio station that serves a vital need for our community. We don’t air commercials, we are funded by our listeners, but the closest thing you’ll hear to a commercial is this request for donations.
We need to raise 200 dollars during this program right here right now. So please, call us at 812-323-1200 or visit this link to make a donation online. If four callers donate 50 dollars each, we can reach our goal that allows us to bring you the WFHB Local News four nights a week.
Again, that number is 812-323-1200. Thank you for your time and consideration. Bloomington Citizen's Redistricting Advisory Commission
On September 7th the Bloomington Citizen’s Redistricting Advisory Commission finalized their proposal to send to the city council.
Commission Chair Alex Semchuck outlined what the commission had left to complete during the meeting.
Commission Member Kathleen Field asked that the commission add a paper with the formula they used to measure compactness in the final packet. No one else had any additions or corrections.
The commission unanimously voted to approve the final report with the amendment of adding the law article Field recommended.
Council and Administrator Attorney Stephen Lucas explained when the council will look at the proposal and thanked the commission for their work.
Lucas said he will inform the commission when they are scheduled to present their report to the council. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on September 7th, the Commissioners heard from Deputy Director of Emergency Management Justin Baker about establishing disaster staging areas and updating the county’s Multi - Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Commissioner Lee Jones asked how the public can find out about the locations.
Baker said they will post them on social media and let local media outlets know.
The commissioners unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding for the disaster sites.
Baker went into further detail about the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Commission President Julie Thomas asked if the Emergency Management Department could organize a tabletop exercise where key personnel with emergency management roles walk through what to do in a simulated emergency situation.
Baker said they would work on planning one. The Commissioners also approved this request.
Next, Senior Planner Drew Meyers presented a rezone ordinance, with a recommendation of approval.
The Young Trucking Construction Shop located on North Loesch Road, petitioned for their property to be re-zoned from General Industrial to High Industrial.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 12, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Ziva Cooper about the perils and promise of Cannabis use in recreational and medical settings. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we speak with Roze live in the studio in light of WFHB’s 2022 Fall Fund Drive. But first, your daily headlines. 2022 Fall Fund Drive:
Listen – WFHB News needs your support now more than ever to fund our ecosystem of independent journalism. We need to raise 200 dollars during this show. We want to hear from you. So give us a call at 812-323-1200. We have a catcher here who will gladly take your donation over the phone. You can also visit this link to make a donation through our website. Support local, independent journalism today. Thank you for your time and thank you for your support! Feature Report:
WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Ziva Cooper, the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
In the first part of our show today, we revisit Part I of Zyro Roze’s conversation with Dr. Ziva Cooper, Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Her current research involves understanding the variables that influence both the abuse liability and therapeutic potential of cannabis. She served on the National Academies of Sciences Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana that recently published a comprehensive consensus report of the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids.
We turn now to Correspondent Zyro Roze for the first part of a two-part interview with Dr. Ziva Cooper.
Photo courtesy of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
In the second half of our show, we revisit Part II of Zyro Roze’s conversation with Dr. Ziva Cooper, Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
We turn now to Correspondent Zyro Roze for the second part of a two-part interview with Dr. Ziva Cooper. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in Saturday, September 10, at 11am, when WFHB welcomes back Will Scott on Saturday's Child for a find blend of deep country blues and Americana, complemented by a tint of refined folk story-telling par excellence.
Will an International Blues Challenge semi-finalist, has toured from KU to the UK and left behind a trail of impressive accolades in his wake. The Guardian writes, "Once you've heard Will Scott it's hard to forget (his) ...gutsy, blues-tinged voice, distinctive guitar style, and songwriting".
He'll be on stage and on air from the Monroe County History Center Auditorium, where you are welcome to join us in the audience! Masks and proof of vaccination are required.
Alternatively, you can tune in to your FM dial or over the internet on WFHB.org. That's Will Scott on Saturday's Child, September 10, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB... and there is no charge but for the charge you get from the show.
HEADLINES Of Indiana's original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Some types of interior forests are considered to be old growth if they contain trees that are more than 140 years old. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have been selected as National Natural Landmarks. ---Norm Holy Republicans have hardly been vocal supporters of renewable energy or electric vehicles. Yet the U.S. South, a region where the politics lean red, is now primed to greatly benefit from the broader effort to turn America’s economy green. ---Norm Holy A climate study released during one of the hottest summers on record predicts a 125-degree “extreme heat belt” will stretch across a quarter of the country by 2053. ---Norm Holy
The Chicago Tribune reports that if state Rep. Marcus Evans has his way, Chicago will enter the race to build the first offshore wind farm on the Great Lakes. Evans has introduced a bill that lays the groundwork for a proposed wind farm in Lake Michigan, about 10 miles from the shores of the Southeast Side. ---Norm Holy Whether in the form of historic droughts, blistering wildfires, record-setting hurricanes, extreme heat or catastrophic flooding, it’s clear that natural disasters in the U.S. are increasing in frequency and severity. In the face of a changing climate, we need environmental protection now more than ever. But when environmental issues are challenged, will they be protected by the nation’s highest court? ---Norm Holy Corals have developed a sophisticated internal fan system to protect themselves from climate change, a study has revealed. Coral reefs are under threat from coral bleaching, which eventually leads to starvation. Global warming can disrupt the algae on the coral, which gives it its vivid colors, leaving it white, fragile, and more likely to starve. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Enter the world of plants and learn more than just identification at the Wild Edible, Medicinal, Poisonous, and Useful Plants program on Saturday, September 10th, from 1 to 3 pm at the RCA Community Park. Discuss local plants, and how they may be used for food, medicine or tools. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take the Harvest Moon Hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, September 10th, from 8 to 10 pm. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that coincides with the fall equinox. Learn the history and lore of the Harvest Moon as you hike through the park. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Leaf Print Coloring will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 10th, from 11:30 am to Noon at the Lakeview Activity Center. You will join the naturalist to make your own leaf print while learning about how the trees prepare for fall.
The Bloomington Community Gardening program is offering a class on Fall is for Planting Fruit Trees on Thursday, September 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Autumn’s cooler temperatures and shorter days help trees acclimate with less stress. The class will be led by a Certified Arborist. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Have some Fall Fungal Fun at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Sunday, September 18th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Take a hike to find wild mushrooms. Learn how to identify mushrooms, where to find them and how to prepare them for eating. Dress for the weather and be prepared for moderate hiking. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
This year's Fall Fund Drive runs from September 8th through the 18th. As always, we'll be interrupting normal programing to ask you, the listeners and community, for help to keep us on the air for the next six months. So as not to give short shrift to our guests, Big Talk this week and next will feature music created and performed by artists who've appeared on the program through the years. The musicians include Amanda Biggs, Busman’s Holiday, Henry Leck and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, Jason Fickel and Ginger Curry, Jeff Isaac and the Post Modern Jazz Quartet, Kacie Swierk, Krista Detor, Nick Toth and the Stone Age Institute band, Tom Roznowski, and Travis Puntarelli. Enjoy. Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
Shawn Sutton is from Greenville, North Carolina, and she participated in the George Floyd Uprising when it spread there in late May 2020. Shawn was imprisoned due to her participation and has been recently released. Today, she discusses the incident surrounding her arrest and the overall way recent years have shaped her politics.
You can support her re-entry process by sending funds via CashApp at $SeckundChanse1.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 8th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, you will hear from WFHB Correspondents Sade Ajishegiri and Ruth Fleggman in light of WFHB’s Fall Fund Drive. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on August 30th, Engineering Department Project Manager Matt Smethurst requested the board reject the bid for the Downtown Alley Repaving Phase Two Project.
Director of Utilities Adam Wason commented on the cost of the project.
Board Member Jennifer Lloyd asked if the price was higher due to materials or if it was higher across the board.
Smethurst said it was higher across the board, and that the bid was three times more expensive than they had estimated.
The board voted unanimously to reject the bid.
Next the board heard from Senior Project Engineer Neil Kopper about a consulting contract with Butler, Fairman & Seufert Incorporated for preliminary engineering services for the High Street Intersection Modernization and Multi-Use Path Project.
The board approved the contract unanimously.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held on September 13th. Feature Report:
In today’s edition of Prescription for Healthcare, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Dr. Ana Malinow, a pediatrician from San Francisco and activist in the fight to protect Medicare and expand Medicare for All. Prescription for Healthcare is a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 7th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Various and Sundry Scams on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, the WFHB Local News Brief:
7 new cases of monkeypox were reported in Indiana according to the state health department. That brings the state’s total to 179 cases.
Last week, the Indiana State Department of Health launched a new dashboard for the monkeypox virus, showing the number of cases broken down by age group, gender, ethnicity, race and public health district. For more information, you can visit monkeypox.health.in.gov.
Police have arrested a man in a sexual assault case after photographs of the suspect were released to the media seeking public assistance. An 18-year-old woman reported she was assaulted at the Morton Street parking garage after 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 1st, according to a BPD press release.
On Wednesday, September 7th, police arrested Andre J. Hardy, a 27-year-old man from Joliet, Illinois. Hardy was charged with rape, criminal confinement and sexual battery.
Hardy was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet where he awaits extradition to Monroe County.
Bloomington residents have reported a foul taste and smell of the city’s tap water. The main reservoir for Bloomington and Monroe County is Lake Monroe, which is a common source for recreational activities for members of the Bloomington community.
Earlier this year, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald spoke with Sarah Powers, a liminal scientist at Indiana University, who said the foul taste and smell of the water is the result of increased algae blooms in Lake Monroe.
According to the Bloomington Utilities Department, the current taste and odor of the water is not a public health risk.
Residents who have further questions can contact CBU’s water quality team. The 24-hour line is 812-339-1444 or customers can send an alert through the UReport system at bloomington.in.gov/ureport. Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on September 1st, Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler brought up a concern with the amount of time it takes to communicate with late CFA-4 filers. Wheeler proposed the board considers a new system to curb any confusion moving forward.
County Clerk Nicole Browne agreed with Wheeler, and explained why she was concerned with accepting written filing appeals.
Board Member Donovan Garletts suggested they establish clear expectations before the next election.
Browne added that the reason the CFA-4 meetings are held in person is to ensure the candidates take the forms seriously.
Board President Shruti Rana supported Browne’s opinion that they are being too accommodating by accepting written comments.
Browne said that reaching out to individuals was a courtesy not a requirement.
Rana shared what she thinks they should do moving forward.
The board agreed they would revisit the procedure to ensure it is clear what their expectations are before the next election.
The next time the board meets will be on October 6th. Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S.
Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Dr. Ziva Cooper about the perils and promise of Cannabis use in recreational and medical settings, addressing the developments in clinical research and changes in state and federal law, including what the differences are with synthetic cannabinoids, particular natural components on the market, trends of usage and areas of scientific exploration, such as the treatment of depression, pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects and how to ameliorate potential downsides.
Dr. Ziva Cooper is the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids and Associate Professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Department of Anesthesiology.
Photo courtesy of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
She focuses on preclinical and clinical studies on the behavioral and physiologic effects of psychoactive drugs that are of significant public health relevance, including cannabis and opioids. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan in Biopsychology in 2007 in the field of preclinical psychopharmacology.
Over the last ten years she has sought to translate preclinical studies of drug action to the clinic using controlled human laboratory studies to investigate the direct effects of abused substances. Her current research, funded by NIDA and industry contracts, involves understanding the neurobiological, pharmacological, and behavioral variables that influence both the abuse liability and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids (cannabis, cannabinoid receptor agonists, and cannabidiol) and opioids.
Dr. Cooper served on the National Academies of Sciences Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana that recently published a comprehensive consensus report of the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. Dr. Cooper also serves on editorial boards, is President of the International Study Group Investigating Drugs as Reinforcers (ISGIDaR), and is Associate Editor of The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 6th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Ziva Cooper, the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the second and final installment of an interview series on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On August 31st at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Health Department Administrative Assistant Kendra Mood reported that IU Health is hosting a monkeypox vaccination clinic on Miller Drive for those who are known close contacts, those who are immunocompromised or those living with H-I-V.
She said that the clinic will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. For more information or to schedule an appointment, Mood said to call 812-353-3219.
Next, the commissioners read a statement to acknowledge Recovery Month.
Then, Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve various agreements for the Fullerton Pike Phase Three project.
Ridge said that they had 18 parcels to acquire, and the parcels outlined on this meeting’s agenda are the last ones to approve before the project can begin.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked Ridge to plant new trees on the property if possible to replace the trees they will be cutting down.
The commissioners unanimously voted to approve the agreement.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on September 7th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on August 29th, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson asked the Board to accept a bid from Thieneman Construction for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Bar Screen Replacement Project.
The board unanimously approved the bid.
Hudson also asked the board to approve a bid with Greeley and Hansen.
The board also unanimously approved this bid.
Next, Utilities Engineer Phil Peden asked the board to approve a rejection of bids. Peden explained that the bids had all exceeded their budget for the Fritz Terrace North Addition Project, and said they will have to edit the bid before sending it out again.
Board Member Jean Capler asked if the omission is an important item they will need later. Peden replied saying it is something they would like to do in the future, however, they don't have the funds to complete it at this time.
The board approved the rejection of the bids to allow the utilities department to rebid for the project.
Next Utilities Director Vic Kelson presented an agreement with Meridium’s contractor Atlantic Engineering Group. Kelson explained that they are working on a city project, and would like to use the land next to the Blucher Poole Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Board member Amanda Burnham questioned the agreement saying the price for renting the land and the office space is so low it is "highway robbery."
Kelson responded.
Board member Megan Parmenter asked if the rent would bring in any income or if it would at least cancel out the cost of internet services at the facility. Kelson said the agreement is not going to generate any additional revenue, however it will offset the internet bill.
The board voted to approve the agreement 4-1 with Burnham dissenting. Board president Jeff Ehman was not present.
The next board meeting will be held on September 12th. Feature Report:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasted the second Thursday of every month.
In the September show hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with Dr Ana Malinow, a pediatrician from San Francisco and activist in the fight to protect Medicare and expand Medicare for All. This episode was originally aired in November 2021 discussing the threat to traditional Medicare by Direct Contracting Entities (DCEs). We are replaying it this month as we go into the annual open enrollment period for Medicare. These entities called DCEs have been renamed ACO REACH. Listen to the episode to understand what is up.
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Dr. Malinow. Contact her directly at anamalinow@gmail.com. More information on REACH: Drs. Ana Malinow & Ed Weisbart explain the latest threat to Medicare
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page,
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
“If Not Now, Tell Me When” by Carrie Newcomer used with permission
The ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Indiana’s near total ban on abortion, which is set to go into effect on September 15th.
According to the complaint, the lawsuit was filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court here in Bloomington. Lawyers argue that Senate Bill 1 violates a person’s right to privacy and equal privilege protections in the Indiana constitution.
Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement, “Today, we are asking that the court does what Indiana lawmakers didn’t — protect Hoosiers’ constitutional rights. Unless this ban is blocked, patients seeking abortion will be unable to access timely and potentially life-saving care in their own communities. The abortion ban that the legislature rushed through during a special session — nearly immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — is both dangerous and incredibly cruel. We demand more for patients and providers, and we will continue fighting for everyone’s right to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”
Protesters gather in the streets outside the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state (Photo by Kade Young).
Of the five plaintiffs in the case, All Options Pregnancy Resource Center joined the lawsuit. Prior to the suit in early August, WFHB News spoke with Jess Marchbank, the state programs manager for All Options. Marchbank described how All Options has fared since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
"There's a sense of urgency and a sense of fear, and more people know that they can come to us for funding and information. So we've been very busy and a lot of the everyday Hoosiers that I talked to are scared, angry, anxious," said Marchbank.
Once the law goes into effect, facilities that provide abortion will no longer be able to perform the procedure limiting abortion services to hospital settings in the rare exceptions the law outlines. Those exceptions include cases of incest, rape or if the mother’s life is in danger. The complaint alleges that the exceptions are “unworkable because physicians cannot determine when in a pregnancy the exception permits abortions.” If an abortion is performed outside these exceptions, the parties involved are subject to a Level 5 felony punishable by one to six years of imprisonment with a fine up to 10,000 dollars.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he’s willing to defend the law, writing in a statement, “The Left is notorious for fighting to erase all of the progress and protections secured by the pro-life movement. We don’t need the warped opinions of organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood dictating how we do things in Indiana.”
Abortion bans or severe restrictions on abortion have happened in about a dozen states since the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in June of this year.
WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald attended the Bloomington Pridefest on August 27th and spoke with several attendees about what brought them to Pridefest and what their favorite part was. Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald has more.
Up first, we have our monthly round up of prison disturbances, as compiled by Perilous Chronicle.
In celebration of over 300 consecutive weekly episodes of Kite Line, we are revisiting some features from our archive of shows. In this clip from Episode 58, which aired in 2017, we return to the topic of incarceration’s impact on families. From that episode, "We continue our conversation with Ray Luc Levasseur. He is a former underground combatant with the United Freedom Front, which carried out a campaign of attacks from 1975-1984 against South African Apartheid and US intervention in Central America. He spent 13 years in solitary confinement after his capture.
This week, he shares with us his thoughts on the impact of incarceration on families, including his time as a parent both in clandestinity and in prison. He talks about his own experiences, leading to insights about the larger issues facing many families, as millions of children are deprived of their parents in a society with record-high incarceration rates."
You can listen to our previous episodes with Ray Luc:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/lines-should-be-drawn-ray-luc-levasseur-on-fighting-jim-crow-and-surviving-federal-supermax/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/family-values-a-conversation-with-ray-luc-levasseur/
You can read his piece “Family Values” here.
Our conversation with Rick Armstrong, the new executive director for Stages Bloomington Theater Company, aired last week, Thursday, August 25th. Our chat continues this week as Rick tells us about his path to becoming a high school science teacher and youth theater educator.
This edition of Big Talk aired Thursday, September 25th, 2022. Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 1st, 2022. Later in the program, The ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Indiana’s near total ban on abortion More in the top half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, IU Health is hosting a monkeypox vaccination clinic for the high-risk population on Miller Drive. More in today’s headlines. The Statehouse Roundup
The ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Indiana’s near total ban on abortion, which is set to go into effect on September 15th.
According to the complaint, the lawsuit was filed in the Monroe County Circuit Court here in Bloomington. Lawyers argue that Senate Bill 1 violates a person’s right to privacy and equal privilege protections in the Indiana constitution.
Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement, “Today, we are asking that the court does what Indiana lawmakers didn’t — protect Hoosiers’ constitutional rights. Unless this ban is blocked, patients seeking abortion will be unable to access timely and potentially life-saving care in their own communities. The abortion ban that the legislature rushed through during a special session — nearly immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — is both dangerous and incredibly cruel. We demand more for patients and providers, and we will continue fighting for everyone’s right to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”
Of the five plaintiffs in the case, All Options Pregnancy Resource Center joined the lawsuit. Prior to the suit in early August, WFHB News spoke with Jess Marchbank, the state programs manager for All Options. Marchbank described how All Options has fared since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Protesters gather in the streets outside the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state (Photo by Kade Young).
Once the law goes into effect, facilities that provide abortion will no longer be able to perform the procedure limiting abortion services to hospital settings in the rare exceptions the law outlines. Those exceptions include cases of incest, rape or if the mother’s life is in danger. The complaint alleges that the exceptions are “unworkable because physicians cannot determine when in a pregnancy the exception permits abortions." If an abortion is performed outside these exceptions, the parties involved are subject to a Level 5 felony punishable by one to six years of imprisonment with a fine up to 10,000 dollars.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he’s willing to defend the law, writing in a statement, “The Left is notorious for fighting to erase all of the progress and protections secured by the pro-life movement. We don’t need the warped opinions of organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood dictating how we do things in Indiana.”
Abortion bans or severe restrictions on abortion have happened in about a dozen states since the U.S. Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in June of this year. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On August 22nd the Ellettsville Town Council discussed creating a non-reverting fund for the parks and recreation department. Town Attorney Darla Brown explained the technicalities of the fund.
Council members Scott Oldham and Dan Swafford said they were confused about the purpose of the fund. Brown explained that the account was established to accept funds and donations for the parks department.
Swafford asked why the fund would need to be a non-reverting fund instead of being a part of the general budget.
Brown said that the purpose of the fund was to collect donations for the youth sports league.
Council Member William Ellis added that the account would also collect money for other parks projects.
Brown added that the fund was already established as...
HEADLINES Two Indiana groups have joined a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect people and the environment from toxic coal ash in landfills that are no longer being used. ---Norm Holy The herbicide atrazine is making frogs croak — and not in a good way. Because it’s so widely used across the United States for weed control on crops, concentrations of atrazine in many rivers, ponds and streams are so high they can kill amphibians. ---Norm Holy ABC News reports the Environmental Protection Agency temporarily lifted a federal rule for fuel sales in four states in response to a fire last week at an Indiana oil refinery that could affect prices and supply. ---Norm Holy For years, the ambiguous yet contented face of Mr. Trash Wheel has been an icon of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The googly-eyed trash collector has been gobbling up millions of pounds of the city’s river-borne garbage for years and years, and led to the creation of several water-wheel allies like Capt. Trash Wheel, and Prof. Trash Wheel. ---Norm Holy The impact from climate change is having a huge impact on butterflies. Habitat loss and pesticides have long posed a threat to butterflies, but climate change is a new challenge. Some butterflies will not be able to adapt. ---Julianna Dailey Every year, oil and gas operators in New Mexico emit more than 1.1 million metric tons of climate-warming methane, plus 300,000 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds. All of that is about to change. ---Julianna Dailey
CALENDAR
Learn how to identify an owl by its call at the Owl Calls program at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, September 2nd, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center in the Amphitheater. You will look at images of owls and then listen to its call. You will also get to see real owl wings and feet.
Enjoy a program on how to Rekindle the Ancient Fire on Saturday, September 3rd, from 12:30 to 4 pm at the Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter. Learn to find, process and use the parts of a bow-drill. You will also learn knife safety, tree identification, history and techniques. You will get to take your bow-drill home and make your own fires. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Leaf Print Coloring will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 10th, from 11:30 am to Noon at the Lakeview Activity Center. You will join the naturalist to make your own leaf print while learning about how the trees prepare for fall.
Enter the world of plants and learn more than just identification at the Wild Edible, Medicinal, Poisonous, and Useful Plants program on Saturday, September 10th from 1 to 3 pm at the RCA Community Park. Discuss local plants, and how they may be used for food, medicine or tools. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take the Harvest Moon Hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, September 10th from 8 to 10 pm. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that coincides with the fall equinox. Learn the history and lore of the Harvest Moon as you hike through the park. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 31st, 2022. Later in the program, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton presented a 229 million dollar budget to the city council this week. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Red Flags on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Health Discusses Covid-19 and Monkeypox
During the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on August 25th, Assistant Director of Public and Environmental Health at Indiana University Graham McKeen gave an update on IU’s Covid-19 numbers.
A board member asked for clarification on IU’s positivity rate right now. McKeen responded that it’s on-par with the national average.
McKeen offered his help in the wastewater surveillance program, saying it will be “incredibly helpful” in their ability to monitor the virus moving forward.
He also mentioned there have been no reported cases of monkeypox on campus as of last Thursday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 162 cases of monkeypox were reported in Indiana as of August 30th.
McKeen talked about the university’s preparations for the monkeypox virus.
IU Health opened up a lab this week that will serve as the primary testing site for monkeypox in Indiana. Public Health Nurse at IU Health Sally Hudson said they have a nurse available for monkeypox needs.
A board member asked if IU Health is having problems with supply for the monkeypox vaccine. Hudson responded that they do have the vaccine available to meet the current demand, but are looking to increase supply in the near future. She also said they are coordinating with the state for more testing capabilities.
The Monroe County Board of Health will meet again in a hybrid capacity on October 13th. Mayor John Hamilton Proposes 229 Million Dollar Budget to the City Council
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton presented a 229 million dollar budget to the city council this week. According to a city press release, this marks a 29 percent increase over the 2022 budget.
This week, the Bloomington City Council continues to meet over the budget hearings at 6 p.m. On Monday evening, Mayor Hamilton gave some context behind his proposed budget increase.
Next, Hamilton said the budget will be “transformative” and that he hopes it meets the demand the city needs to thrive.
He shared how he believes the 2023 budget meets opportunities and challenges facing the City of Bloomington.
Hamilton said the budget includes a 5 percent cost of living adjustment for non-union employees and a 1,000 dollar bonus to city workers. He expanded on how he hopes the budget allows the city to become an “employer of choice.”
The mayor said the budget would fund nine new public safety positions, including new positions for the police and fire departments.
The proposed budget also contains investments in sustainability and climate mitigation, which includes additional funding for public transportation. Hamilton outlined the proposed investments in Bloomington Transit.
Hamilton also included a 1 million dollar investment to housing and an additional one million dollar economic equity fund to support low-income residents.
The city council met again at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to further hash out the 2023 budget. The city council will continue to consider the budget with a final vote expected on October 12th. To view the full budget proposal, visit Bloomington.in.gov/budget. Feature Reports:
Today, we have the Disabulletin News Briefing - a brief segment on disability and neurodiversity issues facing the nation hosted by WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro.
Up next, Red Flags on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credit: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schn...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 30th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance Nick Voyles about addiction and recovery and how to confront the stigmas associated with them. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up, commissioners discussed the remapping of the six Bloomington City Council districts in the latest Citizens Redistricting Advisory Commission meeting. That’s coming up next in your local headlines. Bloomington Citizens Redistricting Advisory Commission
During the Citizens Redistricting Advisory Commission meeting on August 22nd, Commissioner Amanda Sheridan presented a consideration for a proposed map of the six Bloomington City Council districts labeled Commissioner Map 10.
Another commissioner expressed concern about the continuity of neighborhoods in city council district B-6. Commissioner Sheridan responded.
During public comment, former City Clerk Regina Moore said she had concerns a district contained neighborhoods that did not have much in common with each other. She outlined parts of the district map that are separated by third street, and advocated that they are not grouped together.
Next, the commissioners discussed Public Map 4, which was submitted by local journalist Dave Askins. Commission Chair Alex Semchuck said he’s concerned about the compactness of the proposed map. Commissioner Kathleen Field said she agreed.
Staff Liaison Stephen Lucas said there isn’t an exact standard for compactness and that the statute says districts should be “reasonably compact.”
The Citizens Redistricting Advisory Commission will continue the discussion at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on August 31st. Commissioners said they hope to finalize and adopt the redrawn city council districts at their meeting on September 7th. Bloomington Community Advisory on Public Safety
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Bloomington Community Advisory on Public Safety meeting on August 22nd, the commission discussed a resolution for the city council in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Commissioner Nejla Routsong asked what the resolution would cover.
Commissioner Shelby Ford responded saying it would inform the City of Bloomington what the council can do through legislative action.
Commissioner Renee Miller explained that the legislation will become important as the state starts to prosecute women for having abortions.
The next Community Advisory on Public Safety meeting will be held on October 24th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance Nick Voyles about addiction and recovery and how to confront the stigmas associated with them. To learn more about the Indiana Recovery Alliance, visit Indianarecoveryalliance.org. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
For this episode, we share a candid and generative conversation between Kay and Sarah, shortly after World’s End, Sarah's farm, hosted a week long group retreat. They share reflections on that experience, and the role of farms in hosting urban visitors.
They touch on the strange idea of owning the land, reflecting on the concept of ownership, and how that has driven World’s End Farm to seek a cooperative model. They discuss the transition from a for-profit farming model to a donations-based approach growing food, treating farms as powerful spaces for change.
But there is also a balance to be struck: between prioritizing relationships and valuing respite, between the ingrained pleasure response we get from buying things for ourselves and undercurrent of exploitation in most commercial goods. Their conversation stresses nuance, balance, and being kind to ourselves while striving for a more careful relationship with the world.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 29th, 2022. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Ziva Cooper, the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald attended the Bloomington Pridefest on Saturday and spoke with several attendees about why they attended Pridefest and what their favorite part was. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
At the August 23rd Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting, board members discussed an incentive program for bus drivers. The board has received many complaints from parents about the long bus routes due to bus driver shortages.
Director of Information Technology Adam Terwilliger presented the incentive program with a recommendation to approve one thousand dollar stipends in order to attract and retain bus drivers that have a Commercial Driver’s License.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald thanked bus drivers for their hard work.
During public comment, Bus Driver Kip Shell thanked the transportation department and walked through what it means to be a bus driver.
The school board approved the C-D-L Incentive Program unanimously. The next school board meeting will be held on September 27th. Monroe County Women's Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Women’s Commission meeting on August 24th, Chairperson Nichelle Whitney Wash introduced new members, Tiana Iruoje, Maria Douglas, Nicki Williamson, and Molly Otto.
Commissioner and County Council Liaison Jennifer Crossley introduced herself to the new members and explained why she joined the commission herself.
Whitney Wash explained the logistics of the upcoming Monroe County Girls Coding Camp and its curriculum.
She clarified that the Monroe County Girls Coding Camp is different from the Girls Who Code program. However, the coding camp does use the Girls Who Code’s educational content.
Next, Whitney Wash introduced discussion on a question she often receives from the public.
Irouje responded that she thinks the camp should continue to be held exclusively for those who identify as women moving forward due to the gender disparities that exist in STEM fields.
Whitley Wash added that she agrees that the women’s commission is responsible for helping women, and should stay focused on serving that community.
The commission voted to hold their meetings in person moving forward with the exception of a hybrid accommodation for emergencies. If a commissioner needs to attend via Zoom, they must inform the commission 24 hour in advance to ensure the commission makes a quorum. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Bloomington PRIDE.
WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald attended the Bloomington Pridefest on Saturday and spoke with several attendees about why they attended Pridefest and what their favorite part was. Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald has more.
Photo courtesy of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Ziva Cooper, the Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Her current research involves understanding the neurobiological, pharmacological, and behavioral variables that influence both the abuse liability and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and opioids. She served on the National Academies of Sciences Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana that recently published a comprehensive consensus report of the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids.
We turn now to Correspondent Zyro Roze for the first part of a two-part interview with Dr. Ziva Cooper. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kai Fitzgerald, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider,
This week, Zolo Azania returns to Kite Line. He recently visited Indiana University’s campus, and gave a talk that we began airing last week. On that episode, he reflects on that visit and talks about his history, focusing on how learning to use the law improved his life. The efforts of Azania, his lawyers and supporters successfully freed him from death row and he was released in 2017.
Next, we hear from Don Abdul Roberts, who gave us advice in 2016 on one of our early shows. Don stresses the importance of using legal tools to help people free themselves from the system. As he says, it’s a bourgeois tool with working class implications.
Both Zolo and Don are former prisoners from the Midwest who organized outside and inside the prison walls. Zolo worked within the tradition of the Chicago and Gary Black Panther Party, and Don was a member of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers and Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement. We appreciate their insights into the power of self-education and learning the law to use it against the system.
Our full interview with Don on Habeas Corpus is here.
You can listen to our previous episodes with Zolo Azania here.
He staged plays with his stuffed animals when he was a little kid. Rick Armstrong went on to spend much of his adult life helping young people learn the workings of theater, both onstage and off. Now retired from Martinsville High School, he's taken on the challenge of leading Stages Bloomington Theater Company, a unique program for young people.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES Station WYHI (Terre Haute) reports bee populations are declining. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. And international scientists recently announced the monarch butterfly is perilously close to extinction. ---Norm Holy A new study from the First Street Foundation has shown the coming development of what it called an extreme heat belt across much of the country, including Indiana. With that heat belt, the heat index, which indicates how the air feels from the combination of air temperature and relative humidity, could reach a 125 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one day a year by 2053. ---Linda Greene A fast-growing wildfire, named the McKinney Fire, has grown to more than 52,000 acres in just two days since the beginning of August, becoming California’s largest wildfire in 2022. Two people have been reported dead and nearly 3,000 residents have been asked to evacuate. ---Norm Holy Several Native American tribes are clashing with the federal government over a proposed lithium mine at Thacker Pass, Nevada, which the tribes consider an important sacred site that has cultural, religious and ceremonial significance. The tribes oppose the mine. ---Linda Greene The New York Times reports that a team of scientists has found a cheap, effective way to destroy so-called forever chemicals, a group of compounds that pose a global threat to human health. ---Norm Holy This summer has hit Europe hard with heat waves and drought, and there’s no better gauge for the extremity of the situation than the Swiss Alps, where glaciers have been melting at an unprecedented pace. ---Norm Holy Climate change skeptics frequently cite the 140 year record of global temperatures as too brief to prove that atmospheric carbon dioxide is a factor in defining climate. How about climate over the last 400 million years? ---Norm Holy A local group of the global climate activists calling themselves the Extinction Rebellion has been busy filling the holes in golf courses in southern France with cement to protest golf courses’ exemption from a water ban that has resulted from France’s severe drought. ---Linda Greene Researchers published results in the journal Phys/Org showing that Africa's migratory birds are threatened by changing weather patterns in the center and east of the continent that have depleted natural water systems and caused a devastating drought. ---Norm Holy According to The New York Times, for decades, scientists have pursued a tantalizing possibility for bolstering food supplies and easing hunger for the world’s poorest: improving photosynthesis, the biological process in plants that sustains nearly all life on Earth. ---Norm Holy Inside Climate Change reports that U.S. consumers are expected to save money on their electricity bills under the nation’s first comprehensive climate law—perhaps more than $200 billion over the next decade, economists project. Even utilities are talking about eased prices at the same time they are detailing new clean energy investments. ---Norm Holy Now a new study shows that the happiness people experience inside urban parks is comparable to the happiness people experience on holidays like New Year’s Day and Christmas. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Take a hike on the Trail 3 Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 27th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Tony at the Twin Caves parking lot. On the hike you will learn about and see some plants that used to have or were thought to have medicinal value. The trail is partially rugged.
An Upcycled Speakers program is scheduled for Sunday, August 28th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Drop by the Campground Playground to make a simple speaker for a smart phone out of upcycled materials. You will also get ideas for how to upcycle and reuse items before discarding them.
Learn how to get back into your canoe or kayak at th...
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 24th, 2022. Later in the program, President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he would cancel 10,000 dollars of student debt for those earning less than 125,000 dollars per year. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the Disabulletin - a brief segment on disability issues facing the nation. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the August 10th Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting, board members read a public statement in opposition to the recently passed Senate Bill One. Commissioner Julie Thomas condemned the near total ban on abortion saying she believes the legislation will have many negative repercussions for Indiana residents.
The board of commissioners discussed Ordinance 2022-23 to amend the Monroe County Code regarding the Criminal Justice Response Committee. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill explained the ordinance.
Commissioner Lee Jones said she agreed with the expansion of the committee.
County Commissioner Julie Thomas said she believes this is an important step in communicating with the community when it comes to the county’s criminal justice response.
During public comment, Jim Shelton of Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA, said he hopes the commissioners approve the ordinance.
The board of commissioners approved the ordinance. The next commissioners meeting will be held on August 17th. President Biden Cancels $10,000 of student debt for those earning under $125,000 per year
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he would cancel 10,000 dollars of student debt for those earning less than 125,000 dollars per year. The measure also included an additional 10,000 dollars for people who received Pell grants in college.
WFHB News spoke with Phil Schuman, executive director of financial wellness and education at Indiana University back in May 2022. At that time, President Biden was weighing whether or not he would forgive any more student debt.
During the interview, Schuman walked through how the U.S. amassed 1.6 trillion dollars in student loan debt.
Biden’s latest loan forgiveness announcement only includes federal loans. However, this does not include private loans. Schuman said it’s up to private loan companies to determine what will happen with private loans.
A partisan divide exists concerning student loan forgiveness. Schuman weighed the pros and cons, politically speaking, for Joe Biden eliminating at least some student loan debt. He first mentioned how the elimination of student debt could be beneficial.
Schuman next weighed some of the negative ramifications he believed could be a result of canceling some student loan debt.
Tuition at public colleges and universities were often free or at least more affordable decades ago. Schuman explained why the cost of college has skyrocketed over the years in his view.
Experts debate how eliminating some student debt would impact the overall economy. Schuman walked through some of the economic implications of student loan forgiveness.
The Biden Administration announced it will extend the moratorium on student loan payments until December 31st. Disabulletin: A Brief Segment on Disability Issues Facing the Nation
In a lawsuit filed July 29 between Westchester county based Westchester Disabled on the Move Inc (WDOMI), Lyft officials said the company is exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act and doesn’t have to cater to people with non-folding wheelchairs.
Lyft has been embroiled in the class action suit with WDOMI since 2017, sued the company for failing to accommodate people with wheelchairs that don’t fold. Currently, the ride-sharing company won’t make wheelchair-accessible vehicles (or WAVs) available to passengers with non-folding wheelchairs in areas outside of where Lyft is required by state laws to do so (or “...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Afternoon Music Mix DJ Cindy Beaulé speaks with Rachael Himsel and Michelle Martin-Coleman about Project Stay - a suicide prevention movement. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council discussed a petition to designate the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage as a local historic district. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
Four members of the Bloomington City Council met on August 10th. That’s not enough to meet quorum. Although the Council could not take official action, the four council members present–Susan Sandberg, Jim Sims, Dave Rollo, and Ron Smith–listened to a presentation by Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña. The presentation detailed the petition to designate the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage at 702 and 708 North Rogers Street as a local historic district.
Colom Braña said the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission supported the designation.
Colom Braña described the significance and remarkable history of the church.
Colom Braña said that when it was built, the Bethel AME Church provided community both for longtime Bloomington residents and for Black students at Indiana University.
Beyond its cultural and social significance, the Bethel AME Church is also architecturally notable. Built in 1922, it was designed by local architect John Nichols and constructed from locally sourced limestone. Advisory member to the Historic Preservation Commission Duncan Campbell listed well-known Bloomington buildings built by Nichols.
According to Colom Braña, ownership of the church itself was a powerful symbol. When the congregation paid off the mortgage for the land and the construction, they held a mortgage-burning ceremony.
Congregation member Nancy Cross Harris has been part of Bethel for over thirty years. She said the congregation is still active in worship and in service.
At the end of the meeting, Sims shared his own history with the African Methodist Episcopal church.
All four council members in attendance indicated they would vote in favor of designating the Bethel AME Church and Parsonage as a local historic district. Council president Susan Sandberg said she expected the ordinance to pass. Bloomington Arts Commission
The Bloomington Arts Commission met on Wednesday, August 10th, to approve budgetary spending for the next year and to promote public arts.
Commissioner of BAC Suzanne Ryan-Melamed started off the meeting by approving the minutes from July’s meeting. With the commission in the agreement of approving last month’s minutes, Ryan-Melamed passed it over to Holly Warren.
Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren outlined the budgetary standing of the Commission for the rest of the year. She cited the recent income tax increase as a means to get money to spend on more public arts projects.
BAC’s Public Arts Chair Nick Blandford brought up institutional changes in the Commission’s structure. He discussed the confusion over who occupies certain roles and how inefficient the current process is. Blandford did offer some constructive criticism, however, he praised the leaps forward in diversity the Commission has made.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Arts Commission is scheduled for September 14th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Project Stay's Facebook page.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Afternoon Music Mix DJ Cindy Beaulé speaks with Rachael Himsel and Michelle Martin-Coleman about Project Stay - a suicide prevention movement. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 22nd, 2022. Later in the program, the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office will seek the death penalty against the man who killed Elwood Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz. More in the bottom half of tonight’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Covid-19 Press Conference
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.
At the August 5th COVID-19 Press Conference, local officials updated the community on COVID-19 case levels and offered strategies on how to prevent contracting and spreading the virus.
Indiana University Health President Brian Shockney provided updates about COVID-19 hospitalizations at IU Health Facilities in Bedford, Bloomington and Paoli, stating that the majority of COVID hospitalizations are of vaccinated individuals. Shockney also shared how people can stop the spread of the virus by masking up while in public and to get vaccinated and boosted.
Director of Public Engagement, Mary Catherine Carmichael, discussed city updates and reported consistent results in wastewater testing through the Blucher Poole Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, Carmichael said she expects the influx of students to disrupt the balance and increase contaminant numbers.
Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley informed the panel of the progression of Indiana’s county cases over the course of the summer, stating that Monroe County is now in the ‘medium COVID level.’ Kelley also gave updates on the Indiana Department of Education’s recommendations for schools.
Local journalist Dave Askins asked about the accuracy of Brian Shockney’s statement of the increased rate of vaccinated individuals in hospitals and questioned how it translated to the message of getting vaccinated. Shockney replied that the current vaccine is not specifically targeted to the recent variants but said he is hoping for more effective vaccines in the future.
The next COVID-19 Press Conference will happen on August 19th. Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Council met in their regular session on August 9th. At the meeting, President of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Eric Spoonmore presented the city’s proposal to buy property from the county where the new convention center will be built. He said the project had stalled since 2017, when the county levied a food and beverage tax to fund the new convention center. And he outlined the roles of local governing bodies in moving the new proposal forward.
Deputy mayor Don Griffin described the city’s vision for the exchange.
Member of the county’s Convention & Visitors Commission Mike Campbell and executive director of Downtown Bloomington Inc. Talisha Coppock both said the convention center is unique in its ability to bring in Sunday through Thursday business to downtown Bloomington.
Executive director of Visit Bloomington Mike McAfee said he’s had to turn away ten different groups this year, either because the convention center was too small or wasn’t available on the dates they were interested in. He said a larger convention center was needed to meet that demand.
County council member Cheryl Munson called the food and beverage tax, which was enacted in 2017 to support convention center expansion, a substantial and dependable source of revenue–but she worried the Indiana legislature might end the tax if Bloomington and Monroe County don’t make progress.
Council member Peter Iversen praised the presentation as a sign of collaboration. He said he appreciated that the plan focused on values the city and county have in common, like addressing the opioid epidemic and expanding public transit. However, Iversen also had some questions about the city’s proposal.
En la primera parte Maria Auxi entrevista a Laura Lasuertmer. Ella nos de informacion sobreWomen’s Writting for a Change que es parte de una red nacional de escuelas de escritura que brindan oportunidades para que las personas desarrollen vidas más conscientes a través del arte de escribir y las prácticas de la comunidad. y tambien comenta sobre Common Home Farm.
En la segunda parte, Josefa Madrigal, se encuentra en la graduación de la Academia de Policias de IU. Entrevista por segunda vez a los graduados oficiales y a sus familias de: Mariana Martinez,Marco Bravo y Yamil Adrian Alvarez.
This week, Zolo Azania returns to the show. Azania was on the Kite Line back in 2019, shortly after he was released after surviving decades on Indiana’s death row. He speaks with Jok Huerta, who has been on the show previously, moderating discussion with various Indiana prisoners.
Zolo will be on upcoming episodes of the show, but today he what it was like growing up during his time. He also speaks to how he was radicalized in prison, and what it was like to fight against, as he calls it- the vicious cycle generations end up within. We would like to give a content for brief mention of sexual assault.
This conversation is part of a series put on by IDOC Watch and other organizations, including Focus Initiatives, LTD. We encourage you to check out their projects, which focus on inside/outside prisoner and re-entry support.
You can listen to our previous episodes with Zolo Azania:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/education-in-prison/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/the-arc-of-prison-struggles-in-indiana-a-conversation-with-zolo-azania-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/appealing-the-death-penalty-a-conversation-with-zolo-azania-part-two/
HEADLINES The federal Inflation Reduction Act, according to a story by WFYI, could help Indiana utilities and other businesses to adopt renewable energy like solar — but whether it will encourage Indiana residents to do the same is unclear. ---Norm Holy The Indiana Environmental Reporter said in a press release that the EPA and the State of Indiana filed a complaint in the Southern District of Indiana against Metalworking Lubricants Company, or MLC, for allegedly emitting excessively high amounts of “hazardous” air pollutants that violated the Clean Air Act. ---Norm Holy A mass die-off of ocean plankton is occurring, with 90% gone since baseline levels were established in 1940. ---Linda Greene Inside Climate News reports restoring and protecting beaver and wolf populations and reducing cattle grazing across large tracts of the western United States could be a big part of meeting President Joe Biden’s goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the country’s lands, lakes and rivers by 2030, a new study suggests. ---Norm Holy The climate crisis could exacerbate over 200 infectious diseases in humans, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. The researchers constructed a map of all the climate dangers that could interact with 375 human infectious diseases. ---Linda Greene CBS News reports that in Las Vegas, Nevada, it's come to this: climate change has helped make water ever scarcer, so under a new Nevada law, the grass has got to go. ---Norm Holy In Oak Flat, Nevada, a showdown is under way between the Rio Tinto mining company and the Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Apaches and non-Apache supporters. Oak Flat is an upland at the heart of Arizona that has beautiful peaks and forests and is a favorite area for campers, hikers and rock climbers. Most importantly, it’s the center of the San Carlos Apache tribe’s religion. ---Linda Greene The Smithsonian Magazine featured a story that after years of drought in the Southwest, a stretch of the Rio Grande once flowing through Albuquerque has run dry for the first time in 40 years. Officials warn that the conditions will likely get worse in the upcoming days. ---Norm Holy Norwalk, Connecticut, has passed an ordinance banning pesticides and implementing pesticide-free management of all public spaces throughout the city. The ordinance follows nearby Stamford’s organic community ordinance passed last September. ---Linda Greene Industrial salmon producers in Tasmania, Australia, are killing protected fur seals by detonating underwater bombs called seal crackers. ---Linda Greene Climate change skeptics frequently cite the 140-year record of global temperatures as too brief to prove that atmospheric carbon dioxide is a factor in defining climate. How about climate over the last 400 million years? ---Norm Holy A new study has found that the climate crisis is causing major disruptions to European birds, from shifting their nesting dates to decreasing their chick numbers to even changing their general body sizes. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Cave River Valley Day will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 20th. Events begin at 10 am. There are no restrooms in the Cave River Valley Area of Spring Mill State Park. Bring water, snacks, bug spray and a change of shoes. You will be walking through creek beds. For a list of all the events for the day, go to the Spring Mill State Park website.
See an Eastern Box Turtle during Turtle Time at Brown County State Park on Sunday, August 21st, from 11 am to 4:30 pm. You will get to see it get fed and then take it on a walk. Learn about the unique adaptation these creatures have, what issues they face and how you can help. Meet on the lawn near the Friends Picnic Shelter.
Take a hike on the Trail 3 Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 27th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Tony at the Twin Caves parking lot. On the hike you will learn about and see some plants that use...
On May 2nd, 2022, a draft by the Supreme Court entailing the future of abortion rights was leaked to the public. The newfound opinion of the Supreme Court against reproductive rights inspired anger, fear, and hopelessness in people around the country. In this episode of Voices in the Street, we captured the emotions swirling around the populace of Bloomington.
Tune in or come and join us on Saturday, August 13th, at 11:00am when Saturday’s Child returns with a live audience. We welcome three featured artists from the Bloomington Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano Festival. Ben Toury hails from Paris, France, Cass Hart from Nashville, Tennessee, and Daryl Davis from Silver Spring, Maryland. And they’ll all be on stage at the Monroe County History Center auditorium, where you’re welcome to join us in the audience. Masks and proof of vaccination are required, please. Alternatively, you can tune in to your FM dial or over the internet for Saturday’s Child. That’s August 13th, right here on your community radio station, WFHB. And there’s no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
Locutora, Minerva Sosa, entrevista a Doris Loayza maestra de clase de español, educadora y productora cultural. También tenemos como invitado a Mitch Teplitsky, director de marketing de la librería Morgenstern’s.
Ellos comparten información sobre las actividades que están pasando en la librería Morgenstern’s. La librería tiene diferente eventos como book club, coffee club, música y ahora, ¡La liebreria ofrece sábado de cuentos en español! El 6 de agosto tuvieron el primer sábado de cuento en español. Lectores invitados fueron Serafín M Coronel Molina (lingüista educativo y profesor de la Escuela de Educación de la Indiana Univeresity) y Doris Loayza (profesora de español en la Escuela Harmony). Para mas información pueden visitar https://www.morgensternbooks.com/.
Host, Minerva Sosa, interviews Doris Loayza, Spanish class teacher, educator and cultural producer. We also have as a guest Mitch Teplitsky, director of marketing for Morgenstern's bookstore.
They share information about the activities that are going on at Morgenstern's Bookstore. The bookstore has different events such as book club, coffee club, music and now, the bookstore offers Saturday storytelling in Spanish! On August 6th they had the first Story Saturday in Spanish. Guest readers were Serafín M Coronel Molina (educational linguist and professor at the Indiana University School of Education) and Doris Loayza (Spanish professor at Harmony School). For more information you can visit https://www.morgensternbooks.com/.
Keith LaMar, also known as Bomani Shakur, is a prisoner on Ohio's Death Row. He is facing execution in autumn 2023 after being framed in prison due to his advocacy for other prisoners and his refusal to snitch on others in the aftermath of the 1993 Lucasville Uprising. He has consistently expressed solidarity with other Lucasville prisoners and has engaged in struggles for his rights, especially his ability to communicate with the world outside the prison walls. This week, LaMar went on hunger strike to protest the policies of GTL, a private prison phone provider we have covered before, and prison's denial of phone access. He won his demands on the third day and suspended his strike. We are proud to share these reflections from while he was still on strike, regarding his current situation as well as an entire history of struggles for dignity, communication, and survival.
We close this episode with two other segments from our earlier episodes on LaMar. First, we have his thoughts from our 2016 episode, followed by a statement he wrote in 2019 in response to his execution date being set.
You can learn about his recent jazz album collaboration with Albert Marques, Freedom First, on their website. You can hear our episode on LaMar’s case here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/the-bomani-episode/
There are still young, exciting writers in journalism, even as we tumble headlong into the social media age. Jeff LaFave began work as a reporter for the Bloomington Herald-Times and now teaches feature writing and literary journalism at Indiana University's Media School. Writing news stories can be an art and, as LaFave explains to Alex Ashkin, it's a gift people are born with but it must be nourished and cultivated.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 11th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the third annual WFHB Block Rocker will happen Saturday, August 20th from 5 to 11 p.m. WFHB General Manager Jar Turner discusses what the event entails. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington Board of Public Works
City Legal Daniel Dixon presented an appeal at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on August 2nd. Dixon said the petitioner, Duncan Zero was given a warning for excessive growth on their property.
Zero explained that mowing emits significant CO2 and noise pollution. He said that he did weed his lawn after he got the warning however, he would prefer to have his lawn designated as a meadow status than to be forced to mow it.
Board President Kayla Cox Deckard asked Zero if he had worked with the city on creating a permaculture lawn with acceptable plants.
Zero asked if the murdock, pokeweed and goldenrod are allowed.
Director of Public Works Adam Wasson responded saying that Senior Environmental Planner Linda Thompson can explain the city's rules when it comes to native plants and permaculture lawns.
Wasson suggested that the board table the appeal until Zero has an opportunity to talk to Linda Thompson.
The board unanimously voted to table the appeal.
The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held on August 16th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on August 1st Assistant Director of Environmental Programs James Hall asked the board to approve an agreement with Verily Life Sciences LLC for Covid Wastewater Sampling Program. He explained that Verily would pay Bloomington Utilities $150 (one hundred and fifty dollars) per sample collected.
Board Member Amanda Burnham asked how long the agreement would last. Hall said he did not know their complete timeline yet.
Board Member Kirk White asked how the program would use the sample data as it would put Bloomington in a national database. Hall responded saying they would just be looking to find Covid amounts.
Board Member Jeff Ehman asked if they would be giving up their rights to how the data is used. A Utilities Staff member responded that they would be unable to stop them from publishing the data after it has been sold.
The board approved the agreement unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on August 15th. WFHB Hosts Third Annual Block Rocker
The third annual WFHB Block Rocker will happen Saturday, August 20th from 5 to 11 p.m. WFHB General Manager Jar Turner elaborated on what the event entails.
"We started in 2018 with our first block rocker, and the idea was to have a summer block party with a diverse lineup of performers and various vendors to connect the community with their services," said Turner.
Six local artists will perform at the event – The Dynamics, Wife Patrol, Sumatics, The Matriarch, superlunar and hopedaddy. Turner walked through how the lineup came together.
"We really wanted to find something that represented Bloomington and really promotes diversity and our mission of WFHB," he said.
According to a press release, the WFHB Block Rocker will be a community building event. Turner explained what he means by “community building.”
"First of all, it's open to the public. There's no charge - we've managed to get some funding from the city of Bloomington and some other sponsors," said Turner. "There's no barriers to for with income to attend. We've got a number of nonprofits who will be setting up one of the last free weekends of summer and talk, hang out and see each other. "
He walked through the food and beverages that will be available at the Block Rocker – all from local rest...
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 10th, 2022. Later in the program, we speak with WFHB General Manager Jar Turner about the station’s third annual Block Rocker, which takes place on Saturday, August 20th. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bigger Isn’t Better on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On August 4th at the Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting, President of the Commission David Drake introduced the new Planning Director Denise Line.
Line presented a plat approval request for nine additional lots at Prominence Place.
Commissioner Sandra Hash asked if a water issue in the neighborhood had been addressed.
The petitioner responded that the water was removed.
Valu-Built Construction Project Manager Ernest Xi explained that they are requesting approval to add on 9 lots to create homes within a reasonable price for Ellettsville residents.
Hash asked how many houses have been completed so far. Xi said 15-20 have been finished with 15-20 more under construction.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the preliminary plat approval for nine single family lots in Providence Place.
The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on September 1st. Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
At the Election Board meeting on August 4th, Election Supervision Karen Wheeler shared late C-F-A- 4 Filers requesting a waiver since it was their first time being late.
Bean Blossom Township resident Ronald Hudson explained why he filed late.
The board unanimously waived his late CFA 4 filing.
Next the board voted to waive Phelma Jefferies and Nathan Williamson’s fine since it was their first offense as well.
Then, Wheeler gave updates on the department, and introduced a new staff member, Dominic Thompson.
The next Election Board meeting will be held on September 1st. Feature Report:
Up next, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Jar Turner, general manager for WFHB, about the station’s third annual block rocker, which will take place on Saturday, August 20th. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, Bigger Isn’t Better on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES Midwest Energy reports on a solar project that almost developed by accident. Larry Graham found himself scrambling when a farmer who had been renting a parcel of his land for three decades “kind of bailed out.” Graham figured leasing it for solar panels would be a good fit and started doing research online. ---Norm Holy Researchers are combing far and wide to find solutions to keeping beehives healthy. Work at Indiana University identified a microbe that may help protect honeybees against poor nutrition, which can worsen stresses that cause declining populations. ---Norm Holy The Detroit Free Press reports that the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin have signed an agreement with Michigan to add charging stations and boost electric vehicle use around Lake Michigan. ---Norm Holy The News and Tribune reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Indiana portion of the Louisville area has been formally redesignated to attain the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone. ---Norm Holy On July 28, a group of justice, faith and climate organizations calling themselves Now or Never took a protest against government inaction on the climate crisis directly to Congress—but not in the hall of Congress. Rather, they took it to the Washington Nationals’ ballpark in Washington, D-C, and interrupted the Congressional Baseball Game. ---Linda Greene In 2019, the U-S Government Accountability Office examined the climate-related threats at Superfund sites, the nearly 2000 most contaminated properties in the country, and found that 60% were at risk of climate-related events, including flooding. ---Linda Greene After glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup, atrazine is the most widely sprayed pesticide in the U-S. Much research has documented that atrazine disrupts the endocrine system in humans and animals and is responsible for birth defects, low sperm counts and fertility problems. Atrazine is banned or being phased out in forty-four countries around the world. ---Linda Greene Heat waves are bad not only for people but also for wildlife. Last summer’s record-breaking heat on the West Coast caused baby hawks to throw themselves out of their nests in a frantic effort to cool off. Fish are also suffering. Species that have evolved over thousands of years to live in cool water have died in huge numbers in recent years. ---Linda Greene According to the New York Times, in a twist of fate, Congress is suddenly poised to pass the most ambitious climate bill in United States history, largely written by a senator from a coal state who became a millionaire from his family coal business and who has taken more campaign cash from the oil and gas industry than any of his colleagues have. ---Norm Holy Surreptitiously deflating SUV tires at night as a protest against the large vehicles’ oversized contribution to the climate crisis has spread from the U-K to the U-S. The activists call themselves Tyre Extinguishers, work in wealthy neighborhoods and do their job by jamming a lentil into a tire valve to release the air slowly overnight. ---Linda Greene Inside Climate News reports that despite the risks of building on barrier islands, developers kept constructing homes on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Now, as sea level rises and storms become more frequent and powerful, the famed vacation spot is fighting an increasingly difficult battle to keep from washing away. ---Norm Holy Pembroke, Maine, population about 900, has shot down the Canadian company Wolfden Resources’ plan to open a silver mine in the community. The mine was to be uphill from the wells residents rely on for water and just two miles from the estuary of Cobscook Bay. ---Linda Greene Last year EcoReport reported over 1,000 deaths of manatees in Florida. Unfortunately, another 631 have died so far this year. A dwindling food supply and malnutrition are pushing these iconic sea creatures to t...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 9th, 2022. Later in the program, Indiana University announced that it will increase the minimum stipend and waive mandatory fees for graduate workers. WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Katie Shy, Media Correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On August 3rd at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, various members of the community asked the commissioners to prioritize the Convention Center expansion during public comment.
President of the Chamber of Commerce Eric Spoonmore said that the Chamber of Commerce would like to see meaningful progress on the project.
Spoonmore said that they will be presenting to the Monroe County Council next week and asked the commissioners to attend as well.
Deputy Mayor Don Griffin also commented that he is looking forward to making progress on the Convention Center expansion.
Convention Center Management Company Executive Director Talisha Coppock shared that the convention center has been busy and she expects the trend to continue now that people are vaccinated and ready to network in person.
Next the Commissioners heard from Highway Director Lisa Ridge who asked for various traffic ordinances to be approved.
The commissioners approved the changes unanimously.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on August 10th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Media Correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition Katie Shy about IU’s recent announcement that it will increase the minimum stipend and waive mandatory fees for grad workers. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
Tracy Carson
In the August show, hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with Tracy Carson, who was inspired to organize a statewide March for Medicare for All in Indianapolis on Saturday July 23, 2022. Listen as we talk with Tracy about what inspired her to organize a march and rally far beyond anything she had ever done before.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page,
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
"If Not Now, Tell Me When" by Carrie Newcomer used with permission
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 8th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson reports on the Indiana Department of Transportation’s plan to install a network of electric vehicle chargers with federal funds. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana passed an abortion ban on Friday with limited exceptions. More coming up next in your daily headlines. Indiana Passes Abortion Ban with Limited Exceptions
Governor Eric Holcomb signed a law that would ban most abortions making Indiana the first state to restrict the procedure since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The measure includes limited exceptions including in some cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly or when the pregnant person’s life is in danger.
The law makes abortion a level 5 felony. It also bans abortion clinics such as Planned Parenthood from performing the procedure. Abortions will only be allowed in a hospital setting. Furthermore, doctors can face jail time for performing an illegal abortion.
There are no criminal penalties for women who receive abortions, according to the law. Furthermore, the legislature included 75 million dollars for social service programs for expectant mothers and children.
Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, said the law oversteps in its regulation of medical care.
She said the measure violates the bodily autonomy of pregnant people and forces them into labor – a choice she believes the government doesn’t have the right to make.
Dr. Drobac said the implications of the bill will impact the economy making people less likely to move to Indiana and corporations relocating their headquarters outside of Indiana.
The pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, one of Indiana’s largest employers, announced that this law will hinder its ability to find new talent and said it will look elsewhere to expand its operations.
Governor Holcomb said in a written statement, “Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life. In my view, SEA 1 accomplishes this goal following its passage in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly with a solid majority of support."
Indiana senators voted 28-19 in favor of the bill. The governor signed the near total ban on Friday night. The law will go into effect on September 15th. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
During public comment at the Bloomington City Council meeting on August 3rd, AFSCME workers asked the councilors to ensure proper compensation for all city employees. Local 2487 President Bradley Rushton spoke first.
Next the Bloomington City Council voted on an amendment to municipal code entitled "Vehicles and Traffic." City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced the changes proposed.
Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger explained the changes individually. First she described some of the changes that would be made to the intersections.
Next, Rosenbarger shared about back-in parking and city parking lots.
Rosenbarger said that the Rosehill Neighborhood Parking Permit Zone boundary would be changed to align with the neighborhood boundary.
She also said that pay by phone parking would be added to East 13th street, South Rogers Street, and North Walnut Grove Street, and an administrative towing fee would be added to the code.
The board unanimously approved the amendment.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on August 17th. Feature Report:
(photo courtesy of EVgo Network)
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson reports on the Indiana Department of Transportation’s plan to install a network of electric vehicle chargers with federal funds. We turn to Tilly Robinson for more. Credits:
We launch into this episode with our monthly roundup of prison disturbances, as compiled by Perilous Chronicle. Afterwards, we have audio from a prisoner, Paul Lee, reporting on a massive transfer of inmates back in February from Pontiac, Illinois correctional facility to Centralia Correctional Center due to an ongoing black mold problem, which had been accumulating at the facility for decades.
We close with another highlight from our archive of over 300 shows. We’ve been sharing important segments from previous episodes to celebrate more than 300 consecutive, weekly episodes. This poem is from Phillip Roberts, who was on our show in 2019 for an episode about prison writing programs. Here he is, talking about the moment he saw his toddler daughter after getting out of prison. He follows by reading his poem “Daddy’s Little Princess”.
You can listen to our previous episode with Phillip here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/prisoners-write-prisoners-speak/
You can find out more detail about the prison disturbances we mentioned, along with other research about incarceration in North America at perilouschronicle.com
He went from making old time music to making apple cider in Vermont. Then Sam Bartlett crossed the country serving as cities' and towns' artist-in-residence and "public art instigator." His life took another turn with the publication of several of his Stuntology books. Bartlett creates art along the edges and, so, must make it constantly to survive.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 4th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the future of abortion law in Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we provide a roundup on all the latest government meetings. That’s coming up next in your local headlines. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On July 25th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting, the police and fire pension boards passed unanimously.
Next, an Envision Ellettsville Representative presented an agreement with T-S-W-D-G for an on-call program administration and technical support.
Town Manager Mike Farmer said that the cost of the program would be worth it to help keep the task forces organized.
The representative explained why they chose the sixty thousand dollar cap.
Farmer explained that the city is understaffed to handle what the growing population of Ellettsville needs in terms of Town Planning.
The council approved the agreement between the Town of Ellettsville and T-S-W-D-G unanimously.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on August 8th. Feature Report:
Jennifer Drobac poses for a photograph in the courtroom at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI on Tuesday June 11, 2019.
On Thursday, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to keep exceptions for rape or incest in Senate Bill 1 - a near total ban on abortion in Indiana. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the Senate Bill and what the future of abortion law will look like in Indiana. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES WFIU reported the northern Indiana utility NIPSCO wants to raise rates to clean up coal ash ponds at its Michigan City coal plant. Other utilities in the state may be following suit. Activists say NIPSCO's customers shouldn’t have to pay for what they call an “incomplete” cleanup. ---Norm Holy Pam Roberts, with MC-IRIS, has identified the Callery Pear as the species for the Reduce One Invasive Species Challenge for Bloomington and Monroe County this year. ---Julianna Dailey Law enforcement officers arrested six Congressional staffers after they held a sit-in in Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer’s office peacefully protesting Schumer’s failure to force the Senate to pass climate legislation. ---Linda Greene 165 staffers from federal health and environmental agencies and 75 congressional offices have risen up to urge President Biden to give it his all in the fight against the climate crisis. They’ve written a letter demanding that Biden be more aggressive in his efforts to pass a comprehensive and long-promised climate agenda through the Senate. ---Linda Greene EcoWatch reports on the status of dead zones at the end of July. Midsummer is the time for forecasts of the size of this year’s “dead zones” and algal blooms in major lakes and bays. ---Norm Holy The New York Times reports 100 million Americans from Arizona to Boston are under heat emergency warnings, and the drought in the West is nearing Dust Bowl proportions. Britain declared a national emergency as temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and parts of blistering Europe are ablaze. ---Norm Holy The fact that scientists say nations must quickly cut greenhouse gas emissions or global rising temperatures will reach catastrophic levels does not appear to faze many conservatives. In many ways, elected Republicans mirror the views of their voters. ---Norm Holy According to a class-action lawsuit filed in the U-S District Court for the Northern District of California, Skittles, a popular candy made by Mars, is unfit for human consumption because it contains the food coloring titanium dioxide. ---Linda Greene A new survey of 3,331 scientists studying biodiversity across 187 countries has revealed that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought. As many as 50% of species have been threatened with extinction or driven to extinction since 1500, according to survey results. ---Norm Holy A Congressional subcommittee has called the Seresto flea and tick collar the most dangerous such product on the market. The Canadian government found that 45% of 251 deaths of companion animals were probably or possibly linked to the collars, whereas the EPA found that the figure was 33%. Nearly a 100,000 dogs and cats suffered injury or death linked to the collar. ---Linda Greene Europe is in the midst of a climate-fueled heat wave that has ignited dangerous wildfires from Portugal in the west to Turkey in the East. The fires in 2022 could be one of the continent’s worst years for extreme weather events like drought and wildfire because of the climate crisis, as AP News reported. ---Norm Holy Wild salmon off the coast of Washington state are still recovering from an epidemic of parasites called sea lice that 263,000 salmon caused by escaping from Cooke’s factory fish farm in 2017. ---Linda Greene More than 90 percent of the Great Barrier Reef was impacted by coral bleaching during the Australian summer of 2021 to 2022. This is the conclusion of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which released the results of aerial surveys. This is the fourth mass bleaching event since 2016 and the sixth to occur on the Great Barrier Reef since 1998. ---Norm Holy The U-S Forest Service has just approved a plan allowing oil trains more than a mile and a half long to travel through a protected roadless area in the oil trains in Utah. The goal is to massively increase oil production in the Uinta Basin of Utah and transport the oil...
Photo source: All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff speaks with Jess Marchbank, the state programs manager for the All Options Pregnancy Resource Center in Bloomington. They discuss what All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center is and does, All-Options' experience since the Supreme Court's overturn Roe v. Wade, what the Hoosier Abortion Fund is and how it works, and how volunteers can support pregnant people in our community.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022. Later in the program, a near total ban on abortion passed through an Indiana House committee on Tuesday. The bill now advances to the state’s House of Representatives where it awaits discussion and a final vote. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB Community Radio. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Lake Lemon Conservancy District Board Meeting
Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.
During public comment at the Lake Lemon Conservancy District Board meeting, District Six Resident, Steve Langford said that he doesn’t think residents should have to pay the ten dollar entrance fee.
Chairman Mary Jane Brown said that they can discuss it, but it was the first time they have heard that comment.
District Seven Resident Rebecca Baw said she was frustrated with the board’s decisions.
Board members said that it would not be possible to withdraw unless she went to court.
The next public commenter Sarah Gale Talah, disagreed with Baw, and recommended that they add a parking lot after they finish the dredging project so that people would not have to park on the causeway anymore.
District Manager Adam Casey gave a report on how the firework show went. He said that the show was a success, and that it raised more money than the year.
Casey also gave an update on the dredging project.
The next meeting will be held on August 25th. Medical Professionals Testify Against Near-Abortion Ban in Indiana
Members of the House listen during a special session Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Members of the House voted to pass House Bill 1001.(Jenna Watson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
A near total ban on aboriton passed through an Indiana House committee on Tuesday. The bill now advances to the state’s House of Representatives where it awaits discussion and a final vote.
The Indiana House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code voted 8 to 5 on the measure after nine hours of public testimony.
Labor and delivery nurse Tanley Coreena Morris testified in opposition to the bill on Tuesday at the Statehouse. She said the decision to end a pregnancy is not one state legislators should make.
Dr. Caroline Rouse, an OB-GYN specializing in maternal fetal medicine, pleaded with state lawmakers to let her do her job.
Dr. Christina Francis, an OB-GYN in Fort Wayne, said she wants to see improvements made to this legislation.
Dr. Mary Ott, a pediatrician in adolescent medicine, said this bill takes away autonomy when it comes to reproductive health.
The Indiana House will vote on the bill as soon as Friday. Any changes made by the House will need approval from the state Senate. Better Beware:
Up next, Weirdos from Weirdos on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022. Later in the program, the Indiana House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard public testimony today on the proposed abortion ban bill recently passed in the Senate. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission heard a petition for solar panels on a house in the Prospect Hill Historic District. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
At the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting on July 28th, Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña shared a petition for solar panels on a house in the Prospect Hill Historic District.
The staff recommended the project for approval since the panels would not be visible from the street. Braña read the recommendation from neighbors and staff.
The commission approved the petition unanimously.
Next the commission heard a request to add onto their house at 208 E 16th St.in the Garden Hill Historic District.
Owner of Rogers Remodeling, Noah Rogers said that the house is on a small lot so there is little room to add on with the 15 foot setbacks.
Petitioner Lisa Freeman spoke asking the commissioner to support her
Commission members approved the add on with support for the variance unanimously.
The next Bloomington Historic Commission meeting will be held on August 11th. Bloomington Board of Public Works
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on July 19th, Neighborhood Compliance Officer for Housing and Neighborhood Development Kenneth Liford, asked the board to approve a continuous abatement of a property at 2216 S. Laurelwood.
The board approved the abatement unanimously. The next Board of Public Works meeting will be held on August 2nd. Indiana House Committee Hears Public Testimony on Abortion Ban
Members of the House listen during a special session Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Members of the House voted to pass House Bill 1001.(Jenna Watson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
Earlier this week, the state Senate voted 26-20 in favor of Senate Bill 1 which would ban nearly all abortions in the state with exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger.
On Tuesday, the Indiana House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code took up the abortion ban bill. The committee heard public testimony where Indiana residents shared their concerns regarding the senate bill.
Cassie Ringlespaugh, a family law attorney from Hamilton County, said she’s afraid of the lasting impacts of this bill.
"Choose wisely because your daughters and your granddaughters are watching you. Do not be on the wrong side of history," said Ringlespaugh.
Claire Kaneshiro, an undergraduate student at Princeton University, said the bill limits abortion access for sexual assault survivors.
"This is not freedom. This is not freedom of religion. This is not freedom of myself. You cannot legislate your laws by your God who I do not believe in.," said Kaneshiro.
Reverend Gray Lesene, dean of the Christ Church Cathedral, urged state lawmakers not to take any more action on the senate bill.
"As a pastor and a priest, I will continue to walk the sacred and tender and vulnerable road with the women I serve when difficult reproductive health care decisions need to be made. My colleagues and I will continue to support and counsel them. And if you pass this harmful legislation, we will help them obtain appropriate care out of state," said the reverend.
This morning, the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee amended the companion bill, Senate Bill 2, to give taxpayers a 225 dollar refund and to provide additional support for adoption services. The 45 million dollars toward the Hoosier Families First Fund is now absent from the bill.
In addition,
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 1st, 2022. Later in the program, Indiana Republican Senators passed a bill on Saturday that bans abortions in the state with exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Monroe County Community School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During public comment on July 26th at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting, Concerned mother, Tabitha Crouch shared her concerns with safety for students in schools, and asked the board to put the issue on their agenda.
Crouch also said that her kids are scheduled to be on the bus for an hour and a half every morning. She asked the board to improve the amount of time kids are on the bus, and revisit the school start times.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston asked the board to approve the Bloomington Graduation School Grade Addition.
M-C-C-S-C Superintendent Jeff Hauswald explained why he believes the approval is necessary.
The board approved the request unanimously.
The next school board meeting will be held on August 23rd. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on July 27th.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked her if there was anything they might need to know about Monkeypox since she heard that the United States has the most cases out of any country in the world.
Kelley responded saying that the state is prepared for an outbreak.
Prosecutor and President of the Substance Use Disorder Awareness Commission Erika Oliphant gave the annual report on the commission’s progress. Oliphant said that in 2021 they hosted two Lunch and Learn educational webinars.
Oliphant also shared that they wrote a letter to the Bloomington Office of the Mayor regarding Seminary Park communications.
Oliphant said that they will host a lunch with Sam Quinones on August 30th at 11:30 a.m. for anyone interested in learning more.
Next, the commissioners approved a grant the Health Department received from the Indiana Department of Health. Health Administrator Lori Kelley said the grant is to help lower Indiana's elevated blood lead level threshold.
Githens commented that the grant will have long term benefits.
The commissioners approved the grant unanimously. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on August 3rd. Indiana Senate Passes Abortion Ban with Limited Exceptions
Protesters gather in the streets outside the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state (Photo by Kade Young).
Indiana Republican Senators passed a bill on Saturday that bans abortions in the state with exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger.
State lawmakers voted 26-20 in favor of Senate Bill 1 after nearly four hours of debate. The bill now moves to the House where it awaits a final vote.
Senate Bill 1 received its first reading and was referred to the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on Monday, August 1st. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We are again sticking close to home this week. We share the second part of a panel on the effects of incarceration on families. Max E. Smith, Becky Harris, Stacy Flynn, and Ashley C. Ford speak on their experiences of having incarcerated loved ones or how their time inside affected their family members.
All Indiana residents, they tell us about the stigmas people face when they have family inside as well as the financial burden placed on families. As one panelist mentioned last week, sometimes the pain families endure is justified as an extension of the punishment for the incarcerated person, a cruel way to legitimate the burden placed on the shoulders of family members.
WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff spoke with Dr. Alison Case, a family medicine provider based in Indiana. She is also an abortion provider and leads the Indiana chapter of the Reproductive Health Access Project. Following the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade and facing the special session of state lawmakers in Indiana, Dr. Case discusses her concerns regarding restricted access to abortion care. Photo source: Twitter
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 28th, 2022. In today’s feature report, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider spoke with Board Member of the Indiana Forest Alliance Lora Kemp about a timber sale at the Owen-Putnam State Forest and what can be done about it. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana Senate Republicans move forward with a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state. That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. The Statehouse Roundup
Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state.
On Tuesday, the Indiana Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee voted 7 to 5 on Senate Bill 1 — which would ban abortions except for rape, incest and where the mother’s life is in danger. The bill passed out of committee after over 50 people gave testimony in opposition to the bill.
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Indianapolis on Monday to meet with lawmakers about the bill.
"The President and I take seriously our work that is about protecting the health, the safety and the well being of the women of America, and that includes the women of Indiana," said Vice President Harris.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse on Monday to protest Indiana’s proposed abortion ban.
WFHB News attended the protest outside the Statehouse and spoke with several demonstrators to capture how they feel regarding the state’s proposed ban on abortion.
"I mean, because this is a Republican state, I'm expecting what I think most people are expecting I'm expecting this bill to pass and that abortion will become not legal anymore, except in those cases. I think a lot of people are dreading that, but I think it would be foolish of me to assume otherwise," said Katherine, a protester from Floyd County in Southern Indiana.
Protesters gather in the streets outside the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in the state (Photo by Kade Young).
The bill now moves to the Senate floor where it’s expected to pass. Senate Republicans have indicated they hope to pass the bill by Friday. Monroe County Public Library
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on July 20th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report.
Carson shared that the Southwest Branch construction is on track. Carson said that he meets with the general contractor and the architects at the site every other Thursday to stay informed with the construction process.
Board Member Nichelle Whitney Wash asked if there was any update on a landscaping issue that had been brought up at their last meeting. Carson said it had been resolved.
Next Carson presented the draft of the 2022 Compensation Study, and asked the board to approve the draft.
The board of trustees voted unanimously to approve the draft.
The next meeting will be held on August 17th. Feature Report:
On July 12th, the Division of Forestry put a timber sale up in the Owen-Putnam State Forest. The decision to do so came after many members of the public spoke out in opposition of the timber sale.
The Owen-Putnam State Forest is in Spencer, Indiana. It is a 10 minute drive down the road from the more commonly known McCormick’s Creek State Park. According to the Chair Person of Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest and Board Member of the Indiana Forest Alliance, Lora Kemp, the tract of land the timber is for sale on is near the Rattlesnake Campground, which she says is valuable and worth saving.
WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider spoke with Kemp about the Timber sale and what can be done about it. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider,
She asked her husband, a neurosurgeon, what he might want to do as an alternative to the pandemic-stressed medical field. Samantha Eads at the time was a nurse practitioner working toward her doctorate in Integrative Health. Her husband said he dreamed of owning a bookstore. Two weeks later Rick Morgenstern put out the call for investors in the second incarnation of his eponymous bookstore. "It was serendipitous," Sam Eads says. She now works full time at Morgenstern's and considers the store a healing place.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES The Energy News Network reports Indiana solar installers knew their customers would be worse off when new, reduced rates for surplus solar generation took effect on July 1. ---Norm Holy The Black residents of the Grays Ferry section of c are grappling with the aftermath of the shutdown of the 150-year-old Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery, which once was the East Coast’s largest, covering 1300 acres. An explosion in June 2019 destroyed the refinery, which closed shortly afterward. ---Linda Greene The New York Times reports that North America's monarch butterfly has been classified as c by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s most comprehensive scientific authority on the status of species. ---Norm Holy CALENDAR
Learn about Mammals of the Sky at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, July 29th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Meet Naturalist Emilie at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn about our insect- devouring, flying mammals in Indiana and help debunk some myths about our bat friends.
Join our DNR Forester, Travis Dunn, for a trip through the woods at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, July 30th, from 10 am to Noon. Learn about Indiana forests and how they are managed for wildlife. Meet at the Thousand Islands North parking lot. Bring bug spray and water. Go to the DNR website for information on how to register.
The much loved Flora Field Day is coming up on Tuesday, August 2nd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Moores Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. You will practice with a naturalist on your flora identification skills using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Copies will be available. You will learn proper use and application of an ID key, which opens the door to identifying thousands of species. Bring bug spray and water. Register at bit.ly/florafield-aug2022.
Drop by and listen to Owl Songs at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, August 5th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Meet at the Campground Playground to listen to the calls of Indiana’s Owls, then see if you can match the call to the correct owl. Learn about owl habitats and much more.
A Natural Rope and Plant Cordage program is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at the Wapahani Mountain Bike Park. This hands-on workshop will help you identify, find and process plants into cordage. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 27th, 2022. Later in the program, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Indianapolis on Monday to meet with lawmakers about an Indiana abortion ban recently passed out of committee. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Sim Swapping on Better Beware - your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. But first, your local headlines: Richland Bean Blossom School Board
On July 18th at the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting, Ready Schools Coordinator Jamie Miller spoke about a grant R-B-B received called the Three-E Grant which stands for Exploration, Engagement and Experience.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin shared the 2023 budget calendar with the board.
Next Irwin asked the board to approve the curriculum associates quotes.
The board approved the program quotes unanimously.
The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held on August 15th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
At the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting on July 18th, City Legal Larry Allen updated the board on the IU Health Parcel purchases near the new hospital site.
Housing and Neighborhood Development Director John Zody added that the HAND department handed out door hangers to inform nearby residents and businesses about the changes.
Next, Deputy Mayor Donald Griffin presented on resolution 22-49 to approve a purchase agreement for a property at 320 West 8th Street.
Griffin explained what they still need to work on before turning the space into Public Safety Headquarters.
Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked if the total square footage would be used for the Public Safety Headquarters or if it could be used for more departments.
Griffin responded saying that they don’t expect it to be solely for the headquarters, however he thinks that the lack of space for the police station is a priority.
Commission member Cindy Kinnarney asked Griffin to speak to the necessity of purchasing the property. Griffin responded.
The commission approved the purchase agreement. The city council will have to approve it before it is finalized.
The next Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on August 1st. VP Kamala Harris Speaks with Indiana Lawmakers on Abortion Ban
Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state.
On Tuesday, the Indiana Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee voted 7 to 5 on Senate Bill 1 — which would ban abortions except for rape, incest and where the mother’s life is in danger. The bill passed out of committee after over 50 people gave testimony in opposition to the bill.
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Indianapolis on Monday to meet with lawmakers about the bill. Here’s what Vice President Harris had to say.
The bill now moves to the Senate floor where it’s expected to pass. Senate Republicans have indicated they hope to pass the bill by Friday.
Visit this link to hear WFHB News coverage on the protest at the Statehouse in Indianapolis on Monday. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider , in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
For this episode, we finish sharing an ambitious two-part interview with Doug, a life-long deserter, commune-dweller, and bioregionalist organizer currently living in western Canada. Doug is interviewed by his nephew, a contributor to a militant network of communes in the region.
Doug continues to share invaluable recollections on the experience of living underground and in exile in Canada and Sweden, while refusing US military service in the Vietnam war, the different horizons of the counter-culture in North America and Scandinavia, and the origins of the bioregionalist movements. We are excited to share the interview due to the many lessons and resonances Doug’s reflections offer for today’s collective efforts at reinhabitation and resistance.
We encourage you to listen to the first half of the interview here: http://www.partisangardens.org/podcast/june-2022-learning-from-bioregionalism/
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 26th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson reports on the redistricting of six Bloomington city council districts. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku provides a rundown on local, state and global news stories in the WFHB Sports News Briefing. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
On July 18th at the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting, Conservation and Energy Resource Manager Nolan Hendon gave an update on the city’s solar panels.
Next, Director of Utilities Vic Kelson updated the board on the Utility Department’s upcoming work.
Kelson also warned that they are seeing an increase in Covid-19 virus in the wastewater, and an increase in toxic algae in the water supply.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on August 1st. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
During public comment at the Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on July 20th, a Bloomington resident David Wolfe Bender and student at Indiana University spoke out against anti-semitism in the community.
The Council debated Peerless Developments request for the city to vacate the alley behind the Johnson Creamery building.
Corporation Counsel Beth Cate summarized the negotiations that have taken place so far.
Cate explained that Peerless recently offered a deal to put in a new alley in exchange for the right of way of the current alley where they would like to build their apartment complex.
Peerless Development Founder Michael Cordaro said that the new alley would be just outside of the historic district.
The council decided that they did not have enough time to consider Peerless’s new offer, and tabled the vote until their next meeting.
The next council meeting will be held on August 3rd. Feature Report:
Map of Bloomington council districts (Photo courtesy of Bloomington Chamber of Commerce).
The City of Bloomington Citizens’ Redistricting Advisory Commission invites Bloomington residents to design and submit maps to determine the boundaries of six Bloomington city council districts. For more, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson.
Up next, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku provides a rundown on local, state and global news stories in the WFHB Sports News Briefing. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Tilly Robinson. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Bryant Scott, the CEO of Tyscot Records, and John P. Kellogg, who is a Berklee Online music business instructor and the former assistant chair of the Music Business/Management Department at Berklee. Bryant and John are here to educate us on the ins and outs of the Gospel music industry.
John P. Kellogg is also a practicing entertainment lawyer who specializes in the music industry. He has represented clients such as LSG, the O’Jays, G. Dep, and the late Gerald Levert. Bryant Scott heads Tyscot Records, and Tyscot Films, the oldest African-American-owned international gospel record company in the world, Bryant has created opportunities, influenced lives, and launched careers. He is credited for signing and developing major artists including John P. Kee, The GMWA Women Of Worship, Dr. Bobby Jones, Deitrick Haddon, The Rance Allen Group, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Carman, Bishop Noel Jones, Darwin Hobbs, Shirley Murdock, Ann Nesby, and most recently Anthony Brown and Casey J.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 25th, 2022. Later in the program, demonstrators gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse earlier today to protest Indiana’s proposed abortion ban. WFHB News speaks with several protesters. More in the top half of today’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff speaks with Jess Marchbank, the state programs manager for the All Options Pregnancy Resource Center in Bloomington. That’s coming up in the bottom half of our program. Demonstrators Gather Outside Indiana Statehouse to Protest Indiana’s Proposed Abortion Ban
Demonstrators gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse on Monday to protest Indiana’s proposed abortion ban.
Indiana is among the first states to consider a ban on abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade. Abortion bans are expected to happen in about half of U.S. states.
WFHB News attended the protest outside the Statehouse and spoke with several demonstrators to capture how they feel regarding the state’s proposed ban on abortion.
Katherine, a protester from Floyd County in Southern Indiana, walked through her reasoning for attending the protest. Indiana Senate Republicans introduced a bill that would ban abortion ahead of a special session that took place at 1 p.m. Senate Bill 1 would ban all abortions in the state except in cases of rape, incest or where the mother’s life is in danger.
Katherine gave her reaction to the senate bill.
She said that due to the Republican supermajority in Indiana, she expects the bill to pass with little opposition in the Indiana General Assembly.
Katherine said that abortion rights are in jeopardy in the state. She described how the recently introduced legislation made her feel.
Diana and Jasmine came to the protest to let their legislators know that they do not support their rights being taken away from them.
Diana and Jasmine explained how they felt when they learned that Roe v. Wade had been overturned.
Diana said that although she is glad that Indiana has included exceptions for rape, incest, or if the mothers life is in danger, she is not hopeful they will protect the rights of all women.
Next, we spoke with Diamond, who said she came to the protest to meet like minded people and to speak out against a bill that would impact her personally as a woman.
WFHB News spoke with two protestors, K.K. and Aiyla, both from Indianapolis. Here’s what they had to say.
Indiana Senate Republicans said that they hope to take a final vote on Senate Bill 1 by Friday. Then, if passed, the bill would go to the House for consideration. If passed in the House, the abortion ban would go into effect on September 1st. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of All Options.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff speaks with Jess Marchbank, the state programs manager for the All Options Pregnancy Resource Center in Bloomington. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Our feature was produced by Christine Brackenhoff. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We are sticking close to home this week. We share the first part of a panel on the effects of incarceration on families. Max E. Smith, Becky Harris, Stacy Flynn, and Ashley C. Ford speak on their experiences of having incarcerated loved ones or how their time inside affected their family members.
All Indiana residents, they tell us about the stigmas people face when they have family inside as well as the financial burden placed on families. As one panelist mentions, sometimes the pain families endure is seen as an extension of the punishment for the incarcerated person, a cruel way to justify the burden placed on the shoulders of family members.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 21st, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson takes a look at the blue-green algae blooms in Lake Monroe. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana Senate Republicans introduced a bill to ban abortion in the state prior to a special session on July 25th. That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup. Statehouse Roundup
Indiana Senate Republicans introduced a bill that would ban abortion ahead of a special session that will take place on Monday, July 25th.
Senate Bill 1 would ban almost all abortions in Indiana except in cases of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is in danger. If passed, Indiana would be among of the states with the greatest restrictions against abortion.
Senate Republicans have introduced a companion bill that would allocate 45 million dollars to support pregnant women and families.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Republican from Martinsville, spoke Wednesday regarding the bill leading up to next week’s special session.
“First, of course deals with abortion after the US Supreme Court decision in Dodge vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This decision allows the state to determine its own policy on abortion. And I acknowledge that in doing so it opens arguably the most difficult, polarizing issue that we face in a generation. I understand the passion that exists on both sides. Nevertheless, it is our job in the Indiana General Assembly to chart a course for Indiana and determine what our position is on this extremely difficult issue,” said Bray.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (Photo courtesy of Indiana Citizen).
Indiana Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, a Democrat from Indianapolis, criticized the proposed bills, saying Indiana residents should be concerned that this is an outright ban on abortion.
“I think this is a clear indication that we're in trouble, and that the state of Indiana has determined that it's time to take a step back in regards to women's health. While I did have a chance to peruse some of the information in the proposed bills that are opening up. There were two glaring issues that I think the citizens of the state of Indiana should be very concerned about. One is that this is an outright ban on abortion. There are no time period exceptions for abortion under this legislation. In addition, the rape and incest - you're going to ask a woman to admit on an affidavit that is supposed to be confidential, but there will be no penalties. Listen to this: for the male who actually committed that rape or incest. That is a step back on protection for women. Last but not least, if you notice in the schedule, the Health Committee is no longer going to receive this piece of legislation. The Health Committee in the Senate has six females on the committee out of 12. This legislation will go to rules, which is run by the leader and President Pro Tem Bray has one female, the author of this legislation. That is factual and that is clear that women at the start of this discussion will have very little if any voice. I find it hard to stand here as a male having this discussion with you about abortion, because it's not a decision that I would ever have to make for myself. But for those women here in the state of Indiana, who are watching who understand what this means, this is not a step in the right direction,” said Taylor.
Senator Greg Taylor (Photo courtesy of Indiana Democrats).
Lawmakers will meet at the Statehouse for the special session on Monday. The Senate bills are expected to be voted out of committee by Tuesday afternoon.
Public testimony will be heard at 1 p.m. on Monday and again from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.
Monday: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022ss1/committees/rules_and_legislative_procedure_4700
Tuesday: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022ss1/committees/rules_and_legislative_procedure_4700
It's an oddity in a college town: a bar/music venue that shies away from an undergrad clientele. In 2009, Steve Westrich was emerging from a traumatic romantic breakup and decided to try his hand at a new, risky business. Also unhappy with his career to that point, he wanted to open the kind of bar he'd like to hang out at. His father encouraged him, telling him he was young enough to rebound even if the endeavor failed. Now,13 years later, the Bishop is a Bloomington institution.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES SAVIC, a chemical manufacturing giant tied to one of the world’s richest royal families, the one in Saudi Arabia, operates the SABIC Innovative Plastics facility in Mount Vernon, Indiana. The plant spews toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases into the surrounding community. ---Linda Greene In a finale to a Supreme Court term that radically reshaped American law, the court throttled the U.S. government’s power to act on the climate crisis. ---Norm Holy The Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina is aptly named: the residents live in fear of developing cancer because the area is massively contaminated with a family of nine thousand chemicals in the class per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or P-F-A-S. ---Linda Greene The U.S. is beginning to expand the scope of wind-generated power, in this case, with offshore wind turbines. The only existing offshore towers are off Block Island, located at the eastern end of Long Island. Offshore wind power is common in Europe. The U.S. is holding its largest offshore wind sale yet off the coast of New York and New Jersey. ---Norm Holy A study by a unit of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup and other products, in over 80% of urine samples taken from over 23,000 people in the U-S. Scientists called the findings disturbing and concerning. ---Linda Greene According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, solar energy prices have fallen over 70 percent in the past decade. New solar installations have grown, but there is growing resistance in some communities because the panels are often placed on productive agricultural land. ---Norm Holy We have an update on a story we aired recently on a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of public land, Nevada’s Green Basin, by giving them away to the U-S Navy and private developers for bombing, mining and industrialization. We are now pleased to report that the U-S House of Representatives Rules Committee has rebuffed the proposal. ---Linda Greene Twice during the last week, Texans were asked to cut back their energy use, including turning up the thermostats on their air conditioners during a scorching three-digit heat wave, to avoid blackouts as the state’s power grid operator struggled to satisfy a surging demand for electricity. ---Norm Holy July sixteenth marked the 77th anniversary of the Trinity atomic bomb test in New Mexico, and New Mexicans, led by the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, commemorated it with a town hall and candlelight vigil in Tularosa. The event memorialized those who died of cancer resulting from exposure to the radioactive fallout from the explosion. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
A Fossils at the Falls Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park is scheduled for Friday, July 22nd, at Noon. Learn about the ancient origins of the park’s landscape through a closer look of features unveiled by the forces of water. The hike meets at the Canyon Inn entrance.
Join the Indiana Raptor Center for an exciting evening with some of Indiana’s predatory birds at Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 23rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm. See multiple live raptors, hear what threats they face, and learn about how you can help and appreciate these incredible animals. Seating is not provided. Bring your own chairs or blankets.
Learn all about our Marvelous Mushrooms on a hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, July 24th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center front patio. On the hike on Trail 2, you will learn about mushrooms and why they are important. Find out which ones are poisonous and which ones are good to eat.
Participate in a Kayak Recovery Workshop on Sunday, July 24th, from 1:30 to 4 pm at the Paynetown Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. This workshop is for people who have basic kayaking skills but can’t figure ...
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 20th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks to a local researcher who hopes his head trauma study will make high school football safer. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Fraud Newsreel on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Health
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on July 14th, Clinic Manager Lori Terrell gave an update on the Public Health Clinic.
Incoming Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 rates in Monroe County.
Health Department Director Penny Caudill added that Monroe County is in a medium level of transmission due to a slight increase in hospitalizations.
The board then continued to discuss the 2023 budget. Caudill explained that they analyzed the last three years worth of expenses to see what the average costs were to help predict future expenses. She shared that the amount spent on fuel increased over the three year period, and they could consider budgeting more for fuel in the future.
Caudill also said that environmental health supplies saw an increase as well.
The board voted to approve the 2023 budget with flexibility for salaries to increase.
The next Board of Health meeting will be held on August 25th. Feature Reports:
WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks to a local researcher who hopes his head trauma study will make high school football safer.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks to a local researcher who hopes his head trauma study will make high school football safer. We turn now to that feature report.
Up next, Fraud Newsreel on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Onyi Afoaku Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Head trauma in sports like football has been a growing concern in the sports world. This has been partially fueled by the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease resulting from too much head trauma.
There have been numerous studies on the effects of head trauma in sports. For Dr. Kei Kawata, a professor in Indiana University’s School of Public Health, a 3.1 million dollar grant he received in 2020 has enabled him to study the effects of subconcussive head impacts, impacts that do not cause symptoms like headache and light sensitivity, on local high school football players from Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, and Mooresville High School.
According to Dr. Kawata, awareness of CTE began when Dr. Bennet Omalu published a paper on his findings with Pittsburgh Steelers football players in 2005. Since then, close to 300 cases have been published and more have been diagnosed. When CTE first began to get exposure, it was feared that every athlete who played football had it. However, Kawata explains that this is not the case.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
"The earlier study has tested on so many athletes that were concerned about maybe potential CTE. That’s why family members donated their brains," said Dr. Kawata.
Parents have shown concern about the research on head trauma in sports like football. Kawata says that participation in high school football has been affected by this.
“It is declining. So, the decline is consistent, not just the past couple of years. It’s been declining over the course of a decade," he said.
Kawata’s research looks to find out what number of hits is safe for high school football players by using technology to track the number of subconcussive hits they take and measure the effects.
Kawata first tested the effects of subconcussive hits in an experiment where he used a jugs machine to shoot soccer balls at soccer players’ heads while they performed heading exercises. After 10-20 hits, Kawata’s team saw differences in blood biomarkers, eye tracking and some balance measures. This showed them that changes were measurable. After soccer, football was the next logical step.
“So we applied that into football because football at that time [had a significant] concern about concussions, CTE, and maybe competitive impacts. We transitioned this laboratory model into this field, human study," said Kawata.
There are several different tools that Kawata’s team uses when compiling data. One is a helmet sensor that tracks frequency and magnitude of head impacts. There’s also a patch that can be placed behind the ear to detect head movement. According to Kawata, the best tools they have are special mouthguards with three devices implanted in them. First, there is a sensor that detects when the mouthguard is in use. This prevents any false readings. Then, there is an accelerometer and a gyroscope to detect the direction of the force applied to the subject.
“Those two different sensors, accelerometer and gyroscope. They can detect linear head motion," he said.
According to Kawata, there are factors that cause an athlete to be at higher risk for serious brain trauma. The frequency and magnitude of head impacts is the most obvious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also published a study that found if a football player is younger than 14, they are at higher risk for brain disease down the line. Also, female athletes are said to be more affected by head trauma because their neck muscles are not as strong and stiff. Kawata talked about the kinds of effects he has seen while researching this topic.
“If you sustain a lot of head impact in a really short time, and you’re exposed to 20 hits in a matter of five to ten minutes, that’s really a lot of head impact in a short time," said Dr. Kawata.
The study Kawata’s team is conducting has just finished its first year.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 19th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff spoke with Dr. Alison Case, a family medicine provider based in Indiana. Dr. Case is also an abortion provider and leads the Indiana chapter of the Reproductive Health Access Project. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, a 20-year-old gunman used a rifle to kill three people and injure two others before he was shot dead at a mall in Greenwood, Indiana. But first, your local headlines. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on July 11th, Town Manager Mike Farmer asked the council to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Envision Ellettsville.
Town Attorney Darla Brown went over the documents the council received and walked them through the various subjects.
Council Member Pamela Samples expressed concern that they received 35 pages to read, and suggested that any vote be tabled until the next meeting to give everyone time to go through the new information. She asked Farmer if there would be any consequences for postponing the vote. Farmer said that he didn’t see a reason to postpone.
Council Member Dan Swafford added he was concerned that they don’t have enough staff in the planning department to start the Envision Ellettsville projects.
Council Member Scott Oldham said that although he agreed with Samples and Swafford that he didn’t want to vote on any of the finer details, he would like to agree to the overall partnership with Envision Ellettsville.
President of Ellettsville Main Street Lisa Cisco asked the council to approve the M-O-U and explained why they wanted it to be voted on at this meeting instead of tabling the vote.
The council voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Envision Ellettsville with a 3-0-2 vote with Samples and Swafford abstaining due to their concerns about the time constraint.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on July 25th. Three People Died After a Shooting at the Greenwood Mall
Emergency personnel gather after a deadly shooting Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Greenwood Park Mall, in Greenwood, Ind. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)
A 20-year-old gunman used a rifle to kill three people and injure two others before he was shot dead at a mall in Greenwood, Indiana.
During a press conference on Monday, Greenwood Mayor Mark Meyers offered words of condolence following the shooting at the Greenwood Mall.
Coroner Mike Pruitt identified the four lives lost in the tragic shooting.
Chief Jim Ison of the Greenwood Police Department walked through the weapons recovered from the incident – all of which were purchased legally.
Chief Ison provided a timeline of the shooting and shared details about the bystander who killed the shooter.
Authorities said on Monday that there was no clear motive for the shooting. Following the incident, four people were shot - one of which was killed - at an unrelated vigil in a park nine miles north of Greenwood. Feature Report: Photo source: Twitter WFHB Assistant Program Director Christine Brackenhoff spoke with Dr. Alison Case, a family medicine provider based in Indiana. She is also an abortion provider and leads the Indiana chapter of the Reproductive Health Access Project. We will learn more about the state’s abortion laws following a special session of state lawmakers on Monday, July 25th at the Indiana Statehouse. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Christine Brackenhoff. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Leon Bates, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pan African Studies, at the University of Louisville, KY. He focuses on Urban History (i.e. Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence), and the Intersection of Race. Today he explores the life and times of Lt. Col. Joseph H. Ward (1872-1956).
Ward was an African American surgeon, hospital administrator, and World War I veteran. Ward established and operated a hospital for black patients when they were barred from treatment elsewhere. He was a medical trailblazer and early American Legion member whose achievements – decades before the civil-rights movement – have been largely forgotten.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Leon Bates, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pan African Studies, at the University of Louisville, KY. He focuses on Urban History (i.e. Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence), and the Intersection of Race. Leon has conducted extensive research on Racialized Violence. Several weeks ago, he joined us to discuss lynching in Indiana. He joins us now to discuss his research on national police-action shooting deaths of Blacks.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 18th, 2022. Later in the program, we have an excerpt from Big Talk - a one-on-one conversation with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people - on WFHB. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Council meeting on July 12th.
Council Member Peter Iverson gave an update from the Convention and Visitor’s Center Board. He said that the convention center has been successful lately but does not have enough space to meet demand.
Dave Shilling asked the council to approve additional funding for the Legal Department’s Litigation and Litigation Deduction Lines.
The council voted to approve the appropriation of funds with council member Marty Hawke voting no, and Council Member Geoff McKim abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
The next meeting will be held on August 9th. Bloomington Arts Commission
Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren gave an update on the Bloomington Arts Commission’s financial status and the Art Feasibility Study at their meeting on July 13th.
First Warren outlined how much the commission has spent, and how much is left for the Fall grant cycle.
Warren shared findings of the Art Feasibility Study done by Trahan Architects. Warren said there were three main takeaways Trahan found from the focus groups and surveys.
Commission Member Nick Blandford commented that although Indiana University has the facilities he did not think IU would be willing to share their performance spaces with the public.
Warren said that the Office of the Mayor wanted Trahan to look into the Convention Center to attract more people to town, and to introduce them to Bloomington’s art scene. She emphasized that there are no final decisions to be made yet.
The next Bloomington Arts Commission meeting will be held on August 10th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
A Young Steve Higgs On The Beat.
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from Big Talk - a one-on-one conversation with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. This comes from an “encore” presentation of Big Talk where host Michael Glab speaks with reporter, photographer, author and journalism instructor Steve Higgs. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Michael Glab. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
We recently marked our 300th consecutive episode, and in honor of that we have been airing our favorite selections from previous shows. As we approach the upcoming 4 year anniversary of the most recent National Prison Strike, we wanted to air these calls from two prisoners inside South Carolina, who risked their own safety to send us messages about the conditions people were facing in their facility. From that episode:
The National Prison Strike is on its second week. Shutdowns have been confirmed in five Florida prisons, with new strike activity in Georgia, California, and Maryland. Although information is slow to come in, we know of a hunger strike in Indiana, commissary boycotts in South Carolina, and solidarity demonstrations across the country.
This week, we hear statements from two prisoners who spoke to us from within the South Carolina prisons. They give us some insight into how the prisoners in their area are participating in the strike in the form of commissary boycotts, and give statements of solidarity with prisoners in other facilities on strike. They give us information about the aftermath of the incident at Lee Correctional Institution, and we hear more about the conditions they face while on lockdown.
In response to the riot at Lee Correctional Institution, a network of imprisoned organizers called Jailhouse Lawyers Speak called for the National Prison Strike, both to fight against the deplorable conditions that exacerbated the prisoner-on-prisoner violence, but also to productively redirect anger towards collective action against the prison system.
HEADLINES The Indiana Department of Health has adopted an emergency rule increasing what it considers elevated levels of the neurotoxin lead in children’s blood and has initiated family education and case management for children with lead in their blood. ---Linda Greene WTIU reports that Indiana households have more energy insecurity than all but seven states in the country. That’s according to a survey released this week by the Energy Information Administration. Nearly 30 percent of Hoosier households surveyed in 2020 said they forgo food or medicine to pay their utility bill, have received a disconnection notice or keep their homes at unhealthy temperatures to save money. ---Norm Holy Last year, the world pumped 36.3 metric gigatons of carbon pollution from fossil fuels into the atmosphere, a record high. This pollution was largely driven by a surge in energy production in China, which produced about a third of the world’s total energy-related carbon pollution. ---Norm Holy IndyStar reports that homeowners in southern Indiana will see their electricity bills rise, again, in the coming years after the state approved a utility’s request to build a new power plant — one the utility says will rarely operate. ---Norm Holy U-S Representative Mark Amodei, Republican of Nevada, has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would destroy 750,000 acres of public land, Nevada’s Green Basin, by giving it away to the U-S Navy for bombing, mining and industrialization. The land giveway would grant the Navy full or partial control of the land, including over 300,000 acres to drop bombs. ---Linda Greene To make major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, people need to quit eating meat and dairy. In terms of lowering emissions, in fact, plant-based alternatives to meat cause far larger cuts than other environmentally friendly efforts, according to the Boston Consulting Group, one of the world’s largest consultancy companies. ---Linda Greene A company called Fortress Energy wants to build new floating liquified natural gas, or LNG, terminals off the coast of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has deemed the project incomplete, unstable and hazardous. Grand Isle is a vulnerable barrier island that was ground zero for climate crisis–supercharged Hurricane Ida. ---Linda Greene In a 6 to 3 ruling, the nation’s highest court ruled that the Clean Air Agency does not empower the EPA to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants without prior Congressional approval. ---Norm Holy The European Commission has proposed a new law that would cut pesticide use in half by 2030 and completely ban the use of these chemicals near schools, playgrounds and hospitals. The proposal is part of a larger set of goals to reverse biodiversity loss and restore 20% of land and seas by the end of the decade. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Spring Mill State Park is hosting a Full Buck Moon Hike on Friday, July 15th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Meet Anthony at the Donaldson Cave parking lot for an adventurous hike under the Full Buck Moon. Learn all about full moon lore and history. This will be a rugged, two-mile hike.
Brown County State Park is hosting their annual Snakefest on Saturday, July 16th, from 11 am to 5 pm. View a variety of snake species, both native and non-native. Learn about the habits of these amazing creatures. See a timber rattlesnake feeding, and pet some non-venomous snakes.
Bring your own kayak to a Kayak Outing at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, July 16th, from 3 to 6 pm. The Goose Pond naturalist will lead a guided tour of the wetland, pointing out various species of plants and animals. Meet at the Thousand Islands North Parking lot. Bring everything you will need, including life jackets. To register, go to the Goose Pond website.
A Fossils at the Falls Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park is scheduled for Friday,
Tune in on Saturday, July 9, at 11:00am, when WFHB welcomes Oso Blues as Saturday's Child presents a soulful, solo, subtlety-southern blues performance.
Oso grew his blues roots in Austin, Texas and has regaled audiences with his songwriting and performing talents throughout the South. His contribution to the music community also includes producing the record of a Chicago Blues Hall of Famer and cofounding the Cosmic Songwriter's Club in Bloomington.
The show is brought to you over the air as it happens this month. We will not have an in-house audience, but please grab your favorite morning beverage, some bagels and smears, kick back and tune in to your FM dial or over the Internet for Oso Blues on Saturday's Child. That is July 9, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB...And there is no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
On June 10th, 2022, Griffin Swank joined us for an in-studio interview and performance before his show at Stable Studios. We discussed his album Hubble Space Parade, new single "Fly On Over", and how he became connected with Forever Fest.
Songs:
"Park Bench" "Every Little Sound" "Fly On Over"
Credits:
Engineers: Jar Turner and Chad Powers Host: Christine Brackenhoff Post-production by Kirsten Payton
This week on Kite Line, we return to Atlanta’s proposed “Cop City”- a police training facility set to be built over a vast urban forest. People from across the city and the country have been organizing against its construction, which would make it the largest police training facility in the United States. People have been organizing protests in the streets, call-in campaigns, and holding down an ongoing occupation in the forest itself.
For our coverage this week, we hear from Sasha Tycko, an anthropologist living in Atlanta. Sasha tells us about the Old Atlanta Prison Farm, a defunct facility whose ruins exist on the proposed site of Cop City. Sasha has been researching and exploring the forest where the prison farm was, and tells us about its history and what the site represents on a broader level.
Our previous episode about Atlanta's Cop City can be heard here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/304-atlantas-cop-city/
On June 3rd, 2022, 81355 (pronounced "bless") joined us for an in-studio interview and performance before that evening’s Granfalloon Festival show at The Bluebird. We discussed the band's formation, their album This Time I’ll Be of Use, and how Kurt Vonnegut ties into their inspiration.
Songs:
Capstone Hard 2 Find Bright Side of the Sun
Credits:
Engineers: Kirsten Payton, Jar Turner, Marty Abaddi, Wilder Mouton, and Mark Hood Host: Christine Brackenhoff Post-production by Kirsten Payton
On June 1st, 2022, The Matriarch joined us for a live interview and performance. We discussed the band's formation, their recently-released debut single "Best Wishes", and recent shows in the area.
Songs:
"Drunk and Lonely" "Lost Cause" (Billie Eilish cover) "Best Wishes" "Shut Up Kiss Me" (Angel Olsen cover) "A Story Untold"
Credits:
Engineers: Kirsten Payton, Ilze Ackerbergs, and Chad Powers Host: Christine Brackenhoff Post-production by Kirsten Payton
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 7th, 2022. Later in the program, Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Dr. Gina Forrest who has conducted extensive research on Sundown towns in Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, concerned parents discussed school safety measures during the latest MCCSC school board meeting. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines: Monroe County Community School Corporation School Board
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
During public comment at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting on June 28th, many parents spoke about school safety and asked the board to take more action.
First Elizabeth Bullock shared that she has asked the board to improve their school’s safety plans by arming the security officers before and wants to make sure the board takes actionable steps to protect the students.
Concerned parent Maria Douglas agreed saying she would like to see the board increase school safety measures.
Dr. Markay Winston gave an update on the Anti-Racism Policy development after students spoke out at their last school board meeting.
The next M-C-C-S-C School Board meeting will be held on August 23rd. Richland Bean Blossom School Board
During public comment at the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on June 20th, a concerned parent asked the board to rewrite the policy regarding attendance during finals week.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve changes to the 2022-2023 classified handbook. Irwin explained that it is a yearly renewal and that they work with Ferguson Law to ensure the handbook is current with the law and board policies.
Board Member Brad Tucker thanked Irwin for his work on the handbook and asked him how it would be shared with staff.
Irwin responded.
Board President Dana Robert Kerr thanked Ferguson Law for their help reviewing the handbook and other contracts on the agenda.
The board approved the handbook changes unanimously. The next meeting will be held on July 18th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
In today’s feature report, Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Dr. Gina Forrest who has conducted extensive research on Sundown towns in Indiana. Dr. Forrest graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Behavior, focusing on Health Inequities. She was a former Chief Diversity Officer with the Indiana Supreme Court. We turn now to that excerpt from Bring It On. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Clarence Boone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES Indiana’s state insect is a lightning bug. In 2018, after years of campaigning by Hoosier elementary students, the Indiana legislature and Gov. Eric Holcomb proclaimed the Say’s firefly as the state’s bug. Not only is this species of firefly native to Indiana, it also is named after a Hoosier who discovered it: Thomas Say. ---Norm Holy The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, reports that developers of a proposed solar energy farm in northeastern Bartholomew County are pledging to incorporate what would be the largest “pollinator garden” in the county, providing vital habitat for butterflies and bees, which are essential for food and vegetation. ---Norm Holy WISH-TV reports that electric companies will keep a close eye on how much power is going across the grid. As extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency, a growing need exists to prepare the electric grid for a volatile future. ---Norm Holy Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer/Monsanto’s carcinogenic weed killer Roundup, is closer than ever to being banned. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals voided EPA’s interim regulation review decision approving the continued use of glyphosate. ---Linda Greene Solar power is about to become much more expensive for Hoosiers as a state policy meant to help boost the renewable energy in the state expired on July 1st. Once that deadline passed, Indiana utility customers are no longer allowed to participate in what is called net metering when they install solar panels on their roofs. ---Norm Holy Energetic grassroots resistance in the Pacific Northwest has defeated dozens of new large-scale fossil fuel projects in Oregon and Washington. In the last ten years, about fifty-five coal, oil and natural gas projects have been proposed for Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. A recent study by the Seattle-based Sightline Institute noted that over seventy percent of them have gone down the tubes. ---Linda Greene The Descendants Project, an organization that advocates for descendants of enslaved people, took U-S Representative Raul Grijalva, Democrat of Arizona, on a tour of river parishes that environmental racism has long imperiled. ---Linda Greene A worldwide movement is growing to stop the proposed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, or EACOP. A project of the huge French oil company TotalEnergies and other transnational corporations, EACOP would carry 200,000 barrels of oil a day from western Uganda to export terminals almost 1500 kilometers away on the Tanzanian coast. ---Linda Greene The Pacific nations of Palau, Fiji and Samoa recently announced support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Palau launched the new Alliance of Countries Supporting a Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium at an official side event at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. ---Linda Greene Recently climate activists blocked the entrance to the International Monetary Fund’s Paris office and demanded that leaders of wealthy countries attending the G7 summit in Germany cancel the debts of poorer and less-industrialized nations, called the Global South. Some of the activists glued their hands to the office doors; others sat down with their arms locked inside tubes to make it harder to move them. ---Linda Greene The New York Times reports that within days, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court has handed down a decision that will severely limit the federal government’s authority to reduce carbon dioxide from power plants — pollution that is dangerously heating the planet. ---Norm Holy The New York Times reports the Biden administration is throwing out the definition of “habitat” for endangered animals, returning to an understanding that existed before the government under President Donald J. Trump shrank the areas that could be protected for animals under threat of extinction. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Bloomington Parks and Recreation will have a hike on Saturday, July 9th,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 6th, 2022. Later in the program, Pam Raider of the Brown County Hour interviews author Rachel Perry about her new book Painter of the Dunes. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program. Also coming up in the next half hour, Cutting the Cost of Gas Part 5 on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your local headlines. Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On June 29th at the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, Vice-Chair Skip Daley asked the board to draft a letter to the Board of Commissioners requesting an expedited appointment to the board of Zoning Appeals. The motion passed unanimously.
County Attorney David Shilling presented a resolution for review that the board had previously approved on September 1st, 2021.
Shilling explained that the board needed to decide whether or not to continue to grant the Bedford Recycling Center their Conditional Use request. Attorney Dustin Plumber spoke representing the Bedford Recycling Center.
Board Member Guy Loftman asked Plumber if the Bedford Recycling Center meets the policy definition of a solid waste collection facility.
Loftman said that he understands the argument that the Recycling Center is technically still contracting with residents to pick up their recycling materials, however, the intent of a recycling center says that they are supposed to pick up solid waste.
The vote to vacate the September 1st Conditional Use decision failed 2-1 with Daley saying there wasn’t enough evidence that the original decision was unlawful. Since the vote failed to pass, the board will hear it again at their next meeting.
The next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held on August 3rd. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners met on June 28th. Sports Facility and Program Manager Dee Tuttle asked the board to approve a contract with Carpets Plus Colortile for a flooring project at the Frank Southern Ice Arena Facility.
Tuttle said that the original carpet was installed in 2009 and has been worn down by thousands of ice skaters every year. The board unanimously approved the carpet installation.
Urban Forester Erin Hatch asked the board to approve the re-appointment of George Hegeman to the Tree Commission. Hatch explained that he was previously appointed to the commission, and is a valuable member thanks to all of his experience.
Board member Jim Whitlatch commented that there were a lot of qualified candidates for the Tree Commision.
The board approved Hegeman’s reappointment unanimously.
Board President Kathleen Mills shared that it is Hatch’s last week as Bloomington’s Urban Forester. Mills thanked her for her work and wished her good luck at her new position in Colorado.
The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will be held on July 19th. Shooting at Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.
A gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens more during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
On Monday, a 21-year-old man was taken into custody. The following day, he was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.
According to Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the high-powered rifle used in the shooting was purchased legally.
“The rifle was purchased in Illinois, and the information we have thus far is that it appears to have been purchased legally by Crimo,” said Covelli. “During the attack, we believe that Crimo fired more than 70 rounds from this rifle into the crowd of innocent people.”
Lynn Street, Washington bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, attended the Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park. She described what she saw.
“While people were running I did walk towards where they were running from.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 5th, 2022. Later in the program, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with IU Cinema Director Alicia Kozma. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku provides a rundown on local, state and global news stories in the WFHB Sports News Briefing. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on June 29th, President Julie Thomas read a statement on behalf of the commissioners, signed on to a local public officials statement on the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
The commissioners shared a proclamation about the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Commissioner Penny Githens said that from now on June 28th will be recognized as Pride Day in Monroe County.
Thomas also shared a proclamation making June 29th 2022 as Eric Evans day in honor of Director of Technical Services Eric Evans who is leaving his position. According to Githens, Evans was hired in 2013 and helped the county get through a variety of obstacles.
Commissioner Lee Jones said that Evans was an integral part of the switch to the Zoom meetings to keep county business going during the pandemic.
Next the commissioners approved a request from the Parks Board to fund a “Painting in Nature” Program. Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation John Robertson presented the agreement with Sarah Ericson
Commissioner Jones asked if there would be an age limit on the program. Robertson said that it would be open to everyone. The commissioners approved the funding unanimously.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on July 6th. Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
At the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission meeting on June 30th Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña presented a petition to move the house located at 701 West 4th Street in the Greater Prospect Hill Historic District.
Braña shared that the petitioner, Peter Haralovich wants to move the house to the back of the property and to construct a new house in its place.
Braña commented that this is a solution they have come to after many months of discussion.
Haralovich explained what his goals are for the house and the property.
The commission voted to approve the petition unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on July 14th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have an excerpt from Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs at 5:30 p.m. each Friday on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts. We turn now to a roundup of prison disturbance as compiled by the Perilous Chronicle.
In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with IU Cinema Director Alicia Kozma. Big Talk is a public affairs program featuring interviews with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. The program airs at 5:30 each Thursday and again on Friday at 11:30 on WFHB. We turn now to an excerpt from Glab’s interview with IU Cinema Director Alicia Kozma.
Up next, WFHB Sports Correspondent Onyi Afoaku provides a rundown on local, state and global news stories in the WFHB Sports News Briefing. We turn to our sports correspondent for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our feature was produced by Michael Glab. The WFHB Sports News Briefing was produced by Onyi Afoaku. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
In the June show, hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with Dr. Earle Robinson, Jr. and Rebecca Robinson who tell us about making the documentary The Color of Medicine, the Story of Homer G Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Robinson talks about the Great Migration. For reference, please read The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page,
Medicare for All Indiana is the Indiana Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Leon Bates, who is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pan African Studies, at the University of Louisville, KY. He focuses on Urban History (i.e. Education, Housing, Labor, Medicine, Policing, Violence), and the Intersection of Race. Mr. Bates has conducted extensive research on Racialized Violence. In particular, he has focused on lynchings in Indiana.
Officially, Indiana has 21 cases of reported lynching, and one lynching survivor, James Cameron, Jr. In the 1940s he would late found three chapters of the NAACP and later served as Indiana's State Director of the Office of Civil Liberties. In 1988, he also founded America's Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee. Cameron is the only known survivor of a lynching attempt in the United States.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today's hosts of Bring It On!, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, celebrate Juneteenth by welcoming Vernon Williams, Rain Williams, and Ms. Latrice. They are here to discuss their play, “Democracy Hypocrisy: The Red, White, and Blues of Freedom”.
The production comes between two iconic national celebrations of “liberation”, Juneteenth and Independence Day, offering an exhilarating and authentic portrayal of the Africana experience through spoken word, dance, music, song, and drama. The play is directed by Ms. Latrice.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This week, we share the final part of a conversation about Rikers Island between Bella Bravo and Jarrod Shanahan. Shanahan is a writer, activist, and professor of Criminal Justice based in Chicago. He has previously appeared on Kite Line to discuss mass incarceration and the George Floyd rebellion. We are speaking again today about his new book Captives: How Rikers Island Took New York City Hostage.
Captives recounts the last seventy years of New York politics from the perspective of the city’s jails. Shanahan’s research began when he himself was awaiting a sentence he knew would land him on the island. His observations and experiences of Rikers’ violence during his short-stint there became the foundation for this history of mass incarceration and the accompanying triumph of neoliberalism. Shanahan shows that historical controversies are always about the present too. So while Captives tells the story of how Rikers Island—and the social order it represents—came to be, it bears many lessons for those struggling against prisons and jails today.
We encourage you to listen to last week’s episode with Jarrod as he gives some of the history of Rikers as a prelude to this week's reflections on systemic challenging facing abolitionists.
Our previous episodes with Jarrod are here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/309-captives-with-jarrod-shanahan-part-one/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/282-carceral-nonprofits/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/281-twice-stolen-wealth/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/the-crisis-behind-a-hot-american-summer/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/george-jackson-and-the-legacy-of-revolt/
Thanks to Jarrod and Bella. Jarrod’s book is available through Verso Books.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 30th, 2022. Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Bring It On - Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, today the Supreme Court voted to limit the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. This blow to climate change mitigation efforts could lead to more air pollution and a warmer climate. WFHB Correspondent Bode Hoover shares some findings from a recent air purification study that individuals might be interested in learning more about in light of today’s Supreme Court decision. The Statehouse Roundup
Indiana lawmakers pushed back the special session to discuss taxpayer refunds and abortion from July 6th to July 25th.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade case — which now leaves the legality of abortion up to the states.
Erin Wittern, a spokesperson for the Indiana House Republicans, said in a statement, “In light of the historic Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, legislative leaders are anticipating a multi-week special session versus one or two days. Due to this extended session and to minimize logistical issues, leaders worked with the governor to push the start date to July 25th.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has previously stated that he is pro-life, and said the state will address the abortion issue in short order. He said in a statement, “we have an opportunity to make progress in protecting the sanctity of life, and that’s exactly what we will do.”
Right now, abortion is still legal in Indiana. For more information about Planned Parenthood in Bloomington, call 317-205-8088 or visit planned parenthood dot org.
Over a dozen new laws passed by the Indiana Statehouse will go into effect on July 1st. Among these new policies — House Bill 1296 repealed the law requiring people to receive a license to carry a handgun in the state. All in all, this means that people don’t need a license or permit from the state of Indiana in order to have a handgun.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter had previously come out against the law saying that it could make it hard for police to determine who is legally allowed to carry a gun.
People barred from owning a handgun under the old law are still barred from owning a handgun under the new law.
Lastly, a new law that bans transgender females from competing in girls school sports will go into effect on July 1st. House Bill 1041 was authored by Representative Michelle Davis, a Republican who represents District 58.
Late last month, the Indiana General Assembly overrode Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto effectively banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams.
Holcomb previously claimed the ban was unnecessary and expressed concern the policy would leave the state vulnerable to lawsuits.
However, the House overrode the governor’s veto with a 67-28 vote, while the Senate voted 32-15 to overturn the governor’s objection to the law.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, at least 18 states have introduced restrictions on transgender sports participation in recent years. Richland Bean Blossom School Board
During public comment at the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on June 20th, a concerned parent asked the board to rewrite the policy regarding attendance during finals week.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve changes to the 2022-2023 classified handbook. Irwin explained that it is a yearly renewal and that they work with Ferguson Law to ensure the handbook is current with the law and board policies.
Board Member Brad Tucker thanked Irwin for his work on the handbook and asked him how it would be shared with staff.
Irwin responded.
She begins her second year leading one of the nation's premier repositories of film and video. Alicia Kozma has studied, researched, written, and taught about films and other media since she was a teenager. She has focused on labor in media -- who works in movies and TV and what their working conditions are -- as well as gender both in front of and behind the camera. This Fall, Kozma will release a book on one of her favorites, "exploitation" filmmaker Stephanie Rothman, a one-time protege of Roger Corman. Kozma promises exciting events and personal appearances in.the coming season, which begins in mid-August.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES According to research by the Environmental Resilience Institute, average temperatures in Indiana will rise by 5-6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. The research also concluded that between 2004 and 2018, an average of 702 deaths occurred per year from extreme heat in the U-S. ---Linda Greene Ships traversing the Saint Mary’s River at the Ontario, Canada–Michigan border between Lake Superior and Lake Huron recently came to a temporary halt when a spill of 5300 gallons of oil occurred. ---Linda Greene Climate change is pushing the world’s oceans toward a mass extinction event, according to a new report published in Science late last month. The authors, Princeton’s Justin Penn and Curtis Deutsch, contend that without swift steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of all marine species could vanish over the next three centuries, with dire consequences for the rest of life on Earth. ---Norm Holy More and more people are accepting the concept of reforestation as an important tool for fighting climate change. More than 100 countries have placed a priority on planting trees. Currently, worldwide 15 billion trees are being cut annually, and 5 billion new trees are either planted or come from natural propagation. ---Norm Holy The Westinghouse Electric Corporation, which massively contaminated the Bloomington area with PCBs and went bankrupt trying to construct four nuclear reactors in South Carolina and Georgia, is busy making nuclear deals in Ukraine despite the war there. ---Linda Greene According to the Atlantic magazine, for the past month, a heat wave of mind-boggling scale and intensity has gripped South Asia. More than 1 billion people in India and Pakistan have endured daytime highs of 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. ---Norm Holy Wells Fargo Bank is the world’s second largest financier of fossil fuel projects. Last year it financed $46 billion in energy projects. The day before the bank’s annual shareholders’ meeting, a group of climate activists chained themselves to an antique stagecoach in a museum gallery that’s part of the bank’s headquarters complex in San Francisco. ---Linda Greene Led by Louisiana, a group of Republican-led states urged the Supreme Court to revive a federal judge’s February ruling that temporarily stopped the Biden administration’s use of a metric known as the “social costs” of planet-warming gases to quantify the climate costs and benefits of regulatory actions. ---Norm Holy On June 7, members of Extinction Rebellion DC, a local chapter of the global climate movement, donned hazmat suits and gas masks to disrupt a legislative session of the Washington, DC, city council. They demanded that the council halt Washington Gas’s plan to spend $4.5 billion on new methane gas pipes to bring the fossil fuel into people’s homes in the district for cooking and heating. ---Linda Greene A study published in the journal Weather and Climate Dynamics reinforces the growing consensus that the hurricane threat to vulnerable coastal communities will keep increasing. The research shows global warming has contributed to a decisive increase in Atlantic Ocean hurricane activity in the last 40 years and doubled the chances for extreme seasons like 2020. ---Norm Holy In a blow against the climate crisis, ten climate activists from Extincion Rebellion have glued themselves to the doors of a European Commission building in Brussels. Twenty-five activists, from Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Italy and other European countries, took part in the action, imploring the EU to do more to ameliorate environmental harms and to criminalize ecocide, the intentional and systematic destruction of ecosystems. ---Linda Greene Shares of Rivian Automotive Inc opened at a record low recently, down 14%, after a report that early investor Ford would be selling a part of its stake in the electric-car maker. Rivian's shares were trading at $24.77,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 29th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Cutting the Cost of Gas: Part Four on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
Before approving the consent agenda at their Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on June 21st,
Board Member Jim Sims asked Director of Utilities Vic Kelson to explain why certain contracts were set with “not to exceed” prices instead of having set values.
Kelson explained that often the jobs can require more or less work and having the amount set as “not to exceed” gives them more flexibility.
The board also voted to approve an agreement with Overlook on 46, for increased contribution to the utilities at a development which decided to add more units to their design.
Utilities Engineer Phil Peden presented the contract.
Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson shared that when the change was made he informed the City of Bloomington Utilities.
The board approved the contract with Overlook on 46.
The next board meeting will be held on July 5th. Bloomington Board of Public Works
On June 21st at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting Director of Public Works Adam Wason introduced a new Board Member, Jennifer Loyd.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard introduced the resolution to remove the structure at 2607 North Walnut Street.
Housing and Neighborhood Development, Neighborhood Compliance Officer Mike Arnold shared the history of the staff’s involvement with the property.
The property owner was unable to attend in person and was represented by Attorney Vince Taylor who spoke in favor of the order to remove the structure. Taylor said that if the building is torn down his client would lose about one million dollars, but understands that it is necessary.
Taylor explained that the property owner wants to demolish the building but is unable to find a contractor on such short notice, and is looking to add a fence until then.
Property Owner Miss Chow talked over Zoom confirming that she wants to remove the structure.
City Legal Chris Wheeler commented what the city staff’s preference would be in regards to removing the structure.
The board unanimously voted to approve the resolution to uphold the order to remove the structure.
The next board of public works meeting will be held on July 5th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The full program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jennifer Drobac poses for a photograph in the courtroom at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI on Tuesday June 11, 2019.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. We turn now to Part Two of that interview.
Up next, Cutting the Cost of Gas: Part Four on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.
This month, we begin sharing an ambitious two-part interview with Doug, a life-long deserter, commune-dweller, and bioregionalist organizer currently living in western Canada. Doug is interviewed by his nephew, a contributor to a militant network of communes in the region.
Doug shares invaluable recollections on the experience of living underground and in exile in Canada and Sweden, while refusing US military service in the Vietnam war, the different horizons of the counter-culture in North America and Scandinavia, and the origins of the bioregionalist movements. We are excited to share the interview due to the many lessons and resonances Doug's reflections offer for today's collective efforts at reinhabitation and resistance.
If you're inspired by this interview and would like to support contemporary initiatives in that region, we would suggest you check out the fundraiser for the Gray Coast Guildhall.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 28th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young spoke with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Commissioners discussed a high transmission of Covid-19 on the local level; however hospitalizations remain low. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on June 22nd, Health Department Director Penny Caudill gave an update that although Covid-19 transmission is high it remains stable with a low level of hospitalizations.
Caudill also informed the commissioners that monkeypox is spreading, but that there are only two reported cases in Indiana as of June 17th.
During public comment Bloomington Chamber of Commerce member Christopher Emgee thanked the commissioners for their work, and highlighted specific projects the chamber of commerce was glad to see.
Chief Technology Director Eric Evans asked the commissioners to approve an agreement with Softchoice for $41,370.
The commissioners approved the request unanimously.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on July 6th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
At the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting on June 21st the commissioners approved a contract to begin the demolition of the Hopewell neighborhood.
Engineering Project Manager Matt Smethurst informed the commission that the lowest bid for demolition was from Renascent.
Project Engineer Patrick Dierkes shared what buildings would be a part of this contract for the first phase of the demolition.
The commissioners unanimously approved the contract with Renascent.
The next Bloomington Redevelopment meeting will be held on July 5th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young spoke with Dr. Jennifer Drobac, Professor of Law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 27th, 2022. Later in the program, Indiana University hosted a panel of legal experts in light of the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, protesters gathered for a demonstration and march in support of abortion rights. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines: Protest and March at Courthouse over Roe v. Wade
Protestors gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse on Monday in support of reproductive rights (Young).
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized the constitutional right to abortion.
Demonstrators gathered for a protest and march at the Monroe County Courthouse on Monday to speak out against the recent ruling.
Ashley Culbertson, a protestor and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said she’s not surprised by the Supreme Court decision.
"I mean, we knew that it was unpopular before we saw mass demonstrations across the country just to the leak. I think that it's not too surprising that this court, who would rule this way in the first place, does not care about the mass demonstrations that we saw in the streets and the mass public reaction against it. It's very clear that they do not care about what is popular with the American people that they do not care about it being a democratic process," said Culbertson.
She said the ruling will impact generations to come – especially low-income and traditionally marginalized communities.
"I think that it's really going to hit those communities the hardest," she said.
Abortion is still legal in Indiana at the moment. However, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb called for a special session of the state legislature on July 6th.
Culbertson speculated as to what she believes the state will decide next Wednesday. She also called out religious-affiliated pregnancy centers in town.
"I am really nervous that they are going to be anti-choice, anti reproductive rights in their decision that they will ban it across the state of Indiana. We've already seen the crackdown that they have done on abortion clinics while it was still federally protected. So I think that that's just gonna get worse," said Culbertson.
Culbertson walked through what went into the organization of the protest and march.
"We knew that we have the ability and the resources to be able to organize something like this where you're able to get this amount of people to one place who all agree on an issue," she said.
A core council member of Black Lives Matter Bloomington said that BLM B-Town is organizing a fundraiser for reproductive support. For more information about the organization, visit this link. IU Hosts Panel of Experts on the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Indiana University hosted a virtual press conference on Monday featuring experts to answer questions on the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Experts commented on various angles of the decision and what it means for reproductive rights in the United States.
Jennifer Drobac, professor of law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI, commented on the recent decision.
Professor Jody Madeira of the IU Mauer School of Law gave her initial reaction to the Supreme Court ruling.
Professor of Law and Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute India Thusi said the SCOTUS decision will lead to harmful outcomes.
Associate Professor at IU’s McKinney School of Law Aila Hoss discussed the Supreme Court ruling from her area of focus.
Professor Drobac outlined how Indiana’s abortion laws are currently constructed and weighed how they might change after a special session of the Indiana General Assembly on July 6th.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced on Friday that his office will not prosecute abortion-related cases if Indiana’s Republican supermajority at the S...
This week, Bella Bravo speaks with Jarrod Shanahan, a writer, activist, and professor of Criminal Justice based in Chicago. Shanahan has been on previous episodes, discussing mass incarceration and the George Floyd rebellion. We are speaking today about his new book Captives: How Rikers Island Took New York City Hostage.
Captives recounts the last seventy years of New York politics from the perspective of the city’s jails. Shanahan’s research began when he himself was awaiting a sentence he knew would land him on the island. His observations and experiences of Rikers’ violence during his short-stint there became the foundation for this history of mass incarceration and the triumph of neoliberalism. Drawing upon C.L.R. James, Shanahan sees that historical controversies are always about the present. So while Captives tells the story of how Rikers Island—and the social order it represents—came to be, it bears many lessons for those struggling against prisons and jails today.
About Shanahan:
Jarrod Shanahan is a writer, activist, and educator based in Chicago. He works as an assistant professor of Criminal Justice at Governors State University and is the author of the Captives: How Rikers Island Took New York City Hostage. Shanahan and his frequent collaborator Zhandarka Kurti have previously appeared on Kite Line discussing mass incarceration and the 2020 George Floyd uprising. They are the authors of States of Incarceration: Rebellion, Reform, and the Future of America’s Punishment System. Along with Geert Dhondt, they are editors of Hard Crackers: Chronicles of Everyday Life and Treason to Whiteness Is Loyalty to Humanity, a forthcoming collection of Noel Ignatiev’s essays.
Previous Kite Line episodes with Shanahan:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/the-crisis-behind-a-hot-american-summer/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/george-jackson-and-the-legacy-of-revolt/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/281-twice-stolen-wealth/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/282-carceral-nonprofits/
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 23rd, 2022. Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Statehouse will reconvene for a special session on July 6th to tackle the governor’s tax refund proposal. However, the special session may also discuss the future of Indiana’s abortion laws. That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup:
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb called on the Statehouse to reconvene for a special session on July 6th.
The special session aims to tackle the governor’s proposal to send out 225 dollar payments to all Indiana taxpayers drawing from the state’s budget surplus.
In a statement, the governor said, “This is the fastest, fairest and most efficient way to return taxpayers’ hard-earned money in a time of economic strain.”
However, the session would not be limited to only the topic of the governor’s tax refund plan. The Republican-dominated legislature could take action toward abortion restrictions depending on how the U.S. Supreme Court votes on a case that could end nationwide abortion access.
According to the Associated Press, in the next week or so, the Supreme Court will rule on a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks. An early, leaked draft of the court’s opinion showed that the justices voted to strike down Roe v. Wade and give the states the authority to regulate abortions.
The AP reported in March that 100 of the 110 GOP legislators signed a letter asking the governor to call them back in a special session if abortion is, “wholly or partially overturned.”
The second case of monkeypox was identified in Indiana after a Gary resident contracted the virus. The case was confirmed Sunday after testing on Saturday.
Last weekend, the Indiana State Department of Health sent out a press release detailing the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is rare and does not spread easily between people with close contact. The CDC says that the threat of monkeypox to the general U.S. population remains low.
Symptoms of the virus include flu-like symptoms in addition to a rash that can look like pimples on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body. The virus spreads through direct contact with the infectious rash, sexual activity and touching items that previously came into contact with the rash. Pregnant people can also spread the virus through the placenta.
According to Gary Health Commissioner Dr. Roland Walker, the patient has been isolated and has reached out to close contacts. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said to check with your healthcare provider if you have any new signs of symptoms.
As temperatures climb to 90 degrees and higher this week, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute reports that extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the US.
The ERI says that over the next 30 years, average temperatures in Indiana are projected to rise about 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit due to climate change.
According to the ERI, that means, “the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves are expected to increase across the Midwest.”
Some groups are more vulnerable to effects of extreme heat, including people experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, communities of color and people who suffer from health conditions, such as heart disease or mental illness.
For more information on how communities can prepare for extreme heat, you can visit eri.iu.edu.
And that’s all for your Statehouse Roundup. Up next, we have some coverage on the latest Monroe County Library Board of Trustees meeting. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library,
On Friday June 10th, concerned Southern Indiana residents met to discuss how to protect the Hoosier National Forest from a logging and burning project the Forest Service announced back in October 2021.
The group, Save the Hoosier National Forest, opposes the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project, and wants to make sure the forest is protected for future generations and to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider spoke with Forest Activist and Paoli resident, Andy Mahler, about the meeting.
HEADLINES Members of the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District board received an update from chairman Doug Peine about the closure of a Duke Energy coal ash pond in southern Indiana. Peine said the Hoosier Environmental Council filed a lawsuit over the closure of the ash pits at the Gallagher Power Plant in New Albany, along the Ohio River. ---Norm Holy The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, a power grid that serves much of the Midwest, is at high risk of not being able to meet demand this summer. This year, MISO will have 2.3% less capacity than last summer together with a 1.7% increase in demand. ---Linda Greene The New England Journal of Medicine is expanding its coverage of the intersection of climate issues and public health, starting with a series on fossil fuel–-driven health harms. ---Norm Holy The latest greenwashing scheme the plastics industry has devised is called chemical recycling. The industry’s solution to its own pollution, a process promoted by the plastics industry as reducing plastic waste, is an environmental health risk that will make the plastic waste crisis even worse. It spews toxic pollution into the atmosphere and generates large amounts of hazardous waste. ---Linda Greene Disposing of the millions of tons of plastics produced annually is a huge problem. Many plastics require centuries in landfills to degrade. Polystyrene is one type of plastic waste that also takes up a lot of space. The New York Times reports there is a larva that can digest polystyrene. ---Norm Holy Congress is considering legislation that would authorize more subsidies for ethanol, a gasoline additive, and biofuels. The misleadingly named Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Act of 2021, H-R 1542, is likely to go to a vote soon in a larger food and agriculture committee package. ---Linda Greene As the world seeks to respond to an energy crisis prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasingly dire warnings about runaway climate change, the EU has announced a new plan to get off Russian fossil fuels and speed the transition to renewable energy. ---Norm Holy Scientists have discovered a pernicious new pollutant on the beaches of the Canary Islands. They call it plastitar because it’s a blend of microplastics, plastic particles less than five millimeters long, with tar from oil spills. ---Linda Greene In 2021, the International Energy Agency warned that in order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, no new oil and gas fields or coal mines could be developed. Now, a study published in Environmental Research Letters goes even further: In order to meet the 1.5 goal, we will have to abandon nearly 40 percent of “developed reserves” of fossil fuels. ---Norm Holy Wildlife-killing contests, in which people receive cash or other prizes for killing the smallest, largest and the most carnivores on public lands, are legal in the U-S except in Washington, Maryland, Arizona, California and four other states where grassroots activists have halted them. The Center for Biological Diversity is urging Congress to pass legislation that would ban the killing contests on the more than 500 million acres of public lands nationwide. ---Linda Greene The Manatee Center and allies sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to force it to protect manatees and sea turtles from Florida’s water pollution. More than half of last year’s 1,100 manatee deaths in the state were caused by starvation after algal blooms killed off the seagrass the animals eat. ---Norm Holy Native American tribes are demanding that U-S Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland revoke the permits for the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada and that House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raul Grijalva investigate the crimes being committed at Thacker Pass against Native American tribes. ---Linda Greene
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts reported on a rally in Washington, D.C. over the weekend organized by the Poor People’s Campaign. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the third installment of Cutting the Cost of Gas on Better Beware - our consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
The Bloomington City Council discussed the agreement with Meridium at the June 15th meeting.
Council Member Kate Rosenbarger asked why Meridium, a Paris-based company, was a better option than their current internet provider. Director of IT Rick Dietz responded.
Council member Matt Flaherty asked whether the network and TIF district would extend into the county and also how annexation would play into that conversation. County Counsel Beth Kate responded saying that if the annexation doesn’t go through that Monroe County would have to vote and approve of the Meridium expansion.
Attorney Bradley Bingham responded in regards to the TIF district question.
During public comment Chamber of Commerce member Christopher Emge spoke in favor of a high speed fiber optic network, however, cautioned that a contingency plan should be made in case Meridium ever goes bankrupt or is bought by another company.
The council voted 8 -1 to approve the contract with Meridium.
The council also voted in favor of establishing the People’s Bank Building on Kirkwood as a Historic District.
The council will vote on whether or not to vacate the alley behind the Johnson Creamery Building at their next City Council meeting which will be held on July 20th. Monroe County Council
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On June 14th at the Monroe County Council meeting Financial Director Brianne Gregory asked the council for another full time position to help the Auditing department.
Next, Highway Director Lisa Ridge asked the council to approve additional funds for gas due to the increasing costs.
Council member Marty Hawke commented that although spending more money on gas is necessary, it also means that there is less money to fill the potholes.
Council President Kate Wiltz asked if there are any vehicles that use fuel alternatives in the highway department’s fleet. Ridge said that the vehicles they have typically use diesel.
The council unanimously approved the appropriation of funds.
The next council meeting will be held on July 12th. Thousands Show Up in Washington for Antipoverty Rally
Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 18th for the ‘Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly on Washington and to the Polls.’
The Poor People’s Campaign, an antipoverty campaign organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1968, organized the rally.
According to a press release, this weekend’s protest intended to, “address a broad range of issues affecting the country’s 140 million poor and low wealth people – including access to health care and housing, systemic racism, the climate crisis and rising militarism.”
WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts reported on the Poor People’s Campaign protest gathering audio from speakers and interviewing attendees.
Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharris is the Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. She is the Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and teaches at Union Theological Seminary. Theoharris spoke at the protest calling on lawmakers to fight poverty, not the poor.
Shailly Gupta Barnes is the Policy Director at the Kairos Center. She coordinated and edited the Souls of Poor Folk: Auditing America report ...
It has been 50 years since Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination from schools and educational programs receiving federal funding, was passed. Now that the landmark legislation has been around for half a century, it begs the question: where are things now?
In the year 2022, women’s collegiate athletics are still looking for equal funding and support. Female college athletes are also looking for better exposure to showcase their skills. Unfortunately, they are doing so in a society that is still behind when it comes to its views on the importance of women’s athletics. While society plays catch up, Indiana University is taking steps to make sure its women’s sports teams are well supported.
For many young women, sports are not just a game, but they are vehicles that foster healthy growth and development for young women and girls everywhere. According to Lauren Smith, a professor at Indiana University’s Media School who specializes in sports media, sports offer positive benefits to young girls on and off the field.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
“There have been so many studies out there that talk about the benefits of sports for girls and young women with respect to confidence, mental health, and life building skills,” Smith said. “Female athletes end up being more confident, they feel better about themselves overall, they do better in school. So the benefit of sport, period, is definitely unmatched for women. With respect to IU’s [Women’s] Excellence Initiative, it seems like they’re taking those foundational things and helping to build those skills into areas other than just sport with respect to leadership training, with job training so that student athletes can take those skills, that confidence, those leadership skills and translate them into a real, practical experience that will continue to benefit them once they are no longer athletes."
Title IX was meant to provide equal opportunities for men and women in collegiate sports. However, Smith points out that there is still work to be done. “Title IX was implemented for opportunity. If you’re looking at Title IX you’re looking for equal opportunity for men and women in sport, that women are not limited by their gender; they are not punished by their gender. So overall, Title IX is supposed to support that equal opportunity. Does it? No. There have been a couple studies that have come out in the past couple months that show, despite being 50 years into Title IX, funding is still not equal. Universities across the country are still falling short of the mandates of Title IX. Even though that law is there, the opportunities still are not," said Smith. Even with such a law in effect, there is still a disparity between the amount of opportunity and funding. Smith says that women’s athletics have not gotten the opportunity to make up ground in comparison to their male counterparts.
“I don’t know that they’re necessarily left behind. I don’t know that they’re not being given the opportunity to catch up," she said.
Women in collegiate sports are going up against more than just a gap in opportunities that women receive as opposed to men. Part of the problem stems from the attitudes of the public as well. According to Pew Research Center, 46 percent of women compared to 29 percent of men believe Title IX has not gone far enough to increase opportunity for women in sports. According to Smith, this is more obvious to women because they are the ones affected.
“I think female athletes look around in their own athletic departments and they see what the men get and what they get and they can tell with their own eyes that those opportunities are not equal," said Smith.
Another significant statistic that the survey found was that 61 percent of Americans said that funding in men’s and women’s sports should be equal. A sizable portion, 21 percent, said that the funding should be based on the money brought in by the team.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 21st, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks with Director of Development for the IU Women’s Excellence Initiative Anne Crawford in Part II of a two-part series. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Indiana Environmental Resilience Institute says that over the next 30 years, average temperatures in Indiana are projected to rise about 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit due to climate change. That’s coming up next in your Local News Brief:
As temperatures climb to 90 degrees and higher this week, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute reports that extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the US.
The ERI says that over the next 30 years, average temperatures in Indiana are projected to rise about 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit due to climate change.
According to the ERI, that means, “the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves are expected to increase across the Midwest.”
Some groups are more vulnerable to effects of extreme heat, including people experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, communities of color and people who suffer from health conditions, such as heart disease or mental illness.
For more information on how communities can prepare for extreme heat, you can visit eri.iu.edu.
The Indiana State Department of Health has identified the first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana on Saturday.
According to ISDH, the patient remains isolated, and health officials are working to identify anyone the patient may have had close contact with while infectious.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box says, “The risk of monkeypox among the general public continues to be extremely low. Monkeypox is rare and does not easily spread through brief casual contact. Please continue to take the same steps you do to protect against any infection, including washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and check with a healthcare provider if you have any new signs or symptoms.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 113 Monkeypox cases have been identified in the U.S. Visit cdc.gov to learn more about the monkeypox outbreak. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On June 13th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting Town Manager Mike Farmer asked the council to approve new water emergency contingency plans.
The board approved the contingency plan unanimously.
The fire department requested approval for three new vehicles. Fire Chief Kevin Patton explained that they originally intended on purchasing new vehicles three years ago but due to demand they were unable to.
Board member Scott Oldham suggested using leftover funds from the fire department’s budget last year.
Council member William Ellis said that he originally thought that they could use funds from the rainy day fund, but realized it might be better to hold off spending the funds because of rising gas prices.
The council approved the fire department’s request to purchase three vehicles.
Oldham started a discussion about having their own fueling stations for the town to save money by buying in bulk.
He also said it would be nice to have the peace of mind that there will be gas if there are ever shortages at consumer gas stations. Mike Farmer said that the project would not likely save the town much money, but that having gas reserved would be worth it, and that they could look into it.
The next council meeting will be held on June 27th. Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Citizens Advisory Committee
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On June 16th at the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, Executive Director Tom McGlasson informed the committee that the South Walnut Facility will start accepting waste tires, and will be able to accept credit or debit cards for payment movin...
On May 25th, 2022, Rearview Rhonda joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed the history of the band, their EP studio release, and upcoming plans.
Songs:
Ready To Go Earworm Toxic Domestication Time Bomb Turn Up The Radio
Credits:
Engineers: Kirsten Payton, Ilze Akerbergs, and Chama Henry Host: Abby Noroozi Post-Production: Kirsten Payton
On May 18th, 2022, Kid Kazooey & The Ballroom Roustabouts joined us for a Local Live in-studio interview and performance. We discussed what the band has been up to, stories behind some of their songs, and the history of the band.
Songs:
The Fish on The Roof of The Courthouse Charlie Bird and JoJo Vera WFHB
Credits:
Engineers: Jim Lang, Kirsten Payton, Chama Henry, and Chad Powers Host: Abby Noroozi Post-Production: Kirsten Payton
Josefa Madrigal y Grecia, entrevistan a Mariana Martínez, Marco Bravo y Yamil Adrián Álvarez, primera generación estudiantes de Indiana Univeristy y hablan sobre sus experiencias en la universidad al igual que sus experiencias en la Indiana University Police Academy. ¡Escucha el progama completo!
Josefa Madrigal and Grecia interview Mariana Martinez, Marco Bravo and Yamil Adrian Alvarez, first generation Indiana University students, they talk about their college experiences as well as their experiences at the Indiana University Police Academy. Listen to the full program!
Interview with Maru Moro Villalpando of La Resistencia, a project that organizes against the Northwest Detention Center. In this conversation, Maru passes a kite along on behalf of immigrants housed in the facility. As they point out, facilities like this are “black boxes” where extra effort must be taken to shed light on conditions inside.
Maru discusses some of the previous actions, including multiple hunger strikes, that detainees have carried out to protest issues such as poor food quality, lack of medical care, and poor sleeping conditions. More recently, a lack of clean facilities led them to protest their conditions, as workers were unable to clean the detention center due to Covid. One of the recent demands of the hunger strike is that more measures be taken to stop GEO guards and ICE officers from bringing Covid into the facility, which already became an ongoing hotspot during the pandemic.
They also discuss the rapidly expanding digital prison system, predatory companies trapping immigrants into unintentional prison. This digital prison system now monitors not only those in ICE proceedings, but their family and household members as well.
They didn't become farmers until they were in their fifties. Now, Juan Carlos Arango and Robert Frew are all in. Their Sobremesa Farm just outside New Unionville, northeast of Bloomington, provides them and their customers with nutritious food grown using sustainable permaculture practices and it is a destination for vacationers, campers, and visitors from around the world who want to learn about small farming and true organic growing.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 16th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with Forest Activist and Paoli resident, Andy Mahler, about the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, 53 percent of high school graduates attended college in 2020 - which is 12 points down from 2015. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. 53 percent of high school graduates attended college in 2020 - 12 points down from 2015
Less high school seniors are attending college in Indiana at record numbers.
According to data from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, 53 percent of high school graduates attended college in 2020 - which is 12 points down from the numbers in 2015.
Allison Kuehr, Communications and Public Relations Manager, for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, gave her initial reaction to the recently compiled data.
In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kuehr explained why the number of high school graduates attending college has experienced a downward trend in recent years. She said the pandemic has allowed people to question the value of higher education.
21st Century Scholars are more likely to go to college than statewide average. Eighty-one percent of 21st Century Scholars go to college, compared to the statewide average of 53 percent. Kuehr explained the 21st century scholars program and why it incentivizes students to attend college.
As seniors weigh what they intend to pursue after graduating high school, Kuehr offered some words of advice to someone who may be on the fence about attending higher education. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
On Friday June 10th, concerned Southern Indiana residents met to discuss how to protect the Hoosier National Forest from a logging and burning project the Forest Service announced back in October 2021.
The group, Save the Hoosier National Forest, opposes the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project, and wants to make sure the forest is protected for future generations and to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider spoke with Forest Activist and Paoli resident, Andy Mahler about the meeting. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 15th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks with Professor Lauren Smith, a sports media scholar at the IU Media School about Title IX and opportunities for women’s college athletics. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly-consumer watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission voted on a contract with Meridium at their meeting on June 6th. Director of IT Rick Dietz presented on the Bloomington Meridiam project to install a fiber optic cable that would provide high speed internet in the city .
Commissioner Cindy Kinnarney asked about the financial sustainability of the investment. Meridium representative Nick Philips responded.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the contract with Meridium. The city council will hear about the project at their next meeting.
The next Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on June 20th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
On June 6th at the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting , Utilities Project Coordinator Nancy Axsom presented a contract for the Extension of water and sewer lines with Somo Development Company.
Board member Jean Capler asked about the wording in the contract about remonstrances against future customers. Axsom responded.
The board unanimously approved the contract with Somo Development Company.
Director of Utilities Vic Kelson informed the board that there are currently seven vacant positions which he hopes to fill as soon as they find qualified candidates.
The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on June 21st. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Onyi Afoaku speaks with Professor Lauren Smith, a sports media scholar at the IU Media School about Title IX and opportunities for women’s college athletics. This is Part One of a two-part series on the WFHB Local News. Stay tuned for Part II where our newest sports correspondent will speak with Anne Crawford, Development Director for the IU Women’s Excellence Initiative.
Up next, Cutting the Cost of Gas, Part II, on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Onyi Afoaku. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in on Saturday, June 11, at 11:00 am, when WFHB welcomes Kazooey on Keys as Saturday’s Child presents a rollicking yet intimate, solo performance.
He’s been performing on many instruments for many audiences in many forms for more than 25 years and he’s made many appearances on Saturday’s Child through the entirety of that time. This month for the first time on Saturday’s Child, Kazooey turns to his musical roots with a fingertip tingling trip to the acoustic upright piano.
The show is brought to you over the air as it happens this month. We will NOT have an in-house audience, but please grab your favorite morning beverage, some bagels and smears, kick back, and tune in to your FM dial or over the Internet for Kazooey on Keys on Saturday’s Child. That’s June 11, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB… And there’s no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 14th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Allison Kuehr, Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, about record lows in terms of high school seniors pursuing higher education. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Election Board gave an update on voter registration during their June 9th meeting. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Monroe County Election Board
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," outside Monroe County Election Central at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Photo by Kade Young).
At the Election Board meeting on June 9th the board heard from individuals who filed their CFA-4 forms late.
Chair of the Monroe County Young Democrats, Anna Abernathy presented on behalf of the organization, and explained they filed their form late due to the treasurer at the time being new.
The board will vote on whether or not to waive their fine at their next meeting.
Next, Mary Van Devander spoke explaining that she is running for Washington Township Trustee for the first time and did not understand that she would have to file even though she hadn’t received any donations.
The board moved to waive the fine since it is her first offense.
Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler gave an update on voter registration, and asked the board how they would like to handle addresses that are not permanent residences.
Chair of the board, Shruti Rana said that she agrees that the rule to treat people uniformly is important.
Wheeler added that the election board is not responsible for verifying that the information is correct when individuals fill out their voter registration, and that trying to verify all of the addresses would be nearly impossible.
Rana said since residents are signing a legal document the Election Board should rely on that instead of trying to police it themselves to ensure everyone is treated equally.
The board voted unanimously to establish that they will accept the information filled out on the affidavit as sufficient and won’t require extra verification moving forward.
The next Election Board meeting will be held on August 4th. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Allison Kuehr, Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, about recently released data showing 53 percent of high school graduates attended college in 2020 - which is 12 points down from the numbers in 2015.
Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Dr. Gina Forrest
In today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Gina Forrest. She has conducted extensive research on Sundown towns in Indiana. Dr. Forrest graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Behavior, focusing on Health Inequities. She was a former Chief Diversity Officer with the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sundown towns, also known as sunset towns, gray towns, or sundowner towns, are all-white municipalities or neighborhoods in the United States that practice a form of racial segregation by excluding non-whites via some combination of discriminatory local laws, and intimidation, or violence. The term came from signs posted that "colored people" had to leave town by sundown. The same process also created entire sundown counties and sundown suburbs. The practice was not restricted to the southern states, with New Jersey and other northern states being described as equally inhospitable to black travelers until at least the early 1960s.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 13th, 2022. Later in the program, we have an excerpt from Partisan Gardens - our latest public affairs program devoted to food justice. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council heard from the Historic Preservation Commission about the historical designation of a property located on Kirkwood. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines: Bloomington Council Committee of the Whole
At the Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on June 8th, Historic Preservation Program Manager Gloria Colom Braña, presented on the Bloomington National Savings and Loan Association building located at 200 E Kirkwood Ave.
Colom Braña asked the council to designate the building as a historic district to protect it from demolition.
The property representative from Studio 3 Design, Tim Cover shared that the owner of the property would prefer to tear down the building and start from scratch. Cover said that the building across the street, which is now a CVS, has more of the historic qualifications than the bank.
Colom Braña said that the historic preservation commission has been talking with the owner, and is aware that they would prefer to demolish the building and start from scratch, however, after researching the building she wanted to give the council all of the information available to make a decision on the matter.
Council member Jim Sims asked about the criteria the preservation committee has for the designation, and asked for information on whether or not there were racial restrictions at the property.
Colom Brana said that she would research it before the next meeting.
The council will discuss the designation of 200 E Kirkwood Ave. at their next meeting on June 15th. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On June 8th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Health Department Director Penny Caudill asked the commissioners to approve the continuation of funding of the Baby and Me program until September.
Caudill explained that the funding was initially provided by the National Association of County and City Health Officials and was then taken over by the Indiana Department of Health. According to Caudill the Indiana Department of Health is looking into other programs and will not be funding the Baby and Me program moving forward.
The commissioners unanimously voted to approve the funding of the program until September.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill asked the commissioners to approve an emergency declaration to address the cleanup of a property that he said is a public health issue. According to Cockerill, people experiencing homelessness set up an encampment that is "unsafe" due to hazardous materials being left on site. At last week's meeting the commissioners approved of the cleanup of the camp, but more action is needed to get the work done.
Facilities Manager Greg Chrohn shared pictures of the site and explained to the commissioners why he believes the cleanup is necessary. According to Crohn, they found "thousands of needles," and want to ensure they get any needles that might have been missed in the undergrowth.
Crohn asked the commissioners to approve of the re-seeding of the property, to make the area into a greenspace so that people will be visible to deputy’s in the future and to dissuade anyone from sleeping there.
The commissioners approved the emergency declaration unanimously.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on June 15th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from Partisan Gardens - our latest public affairs program devoted to food justice. This comes from a program titled the Neighborhood Planting Project. The producers of Partisan Gardens spoke to Nick and May of Recalcitrant Seeds who launched the Chicago Neighborhood Planting Project late last year.
Escucha a la productora de la WFHB Hola Bloomington, Josefa Madrigal, mientras abre el programa. Y a nuetra locutora Maria Auxi Viloria entrevista a Maritza Alvares y a la nueva directora de El Centro Comunal Latino, Ana Ximena Cordero. Ellas hablan sobre los diferentes evento que se aproximan este mes de junio. En la segunda parte, escuchamos a Josefa Madrigal por parte del Departamento de Recursos para la Comunidad y Familias - Coordinadora de Alcance Latino de la Ciudad de Bloomington sobre los diferentes servicios que ofrecen.
Listen to, Josefa Madrigal, WFHB Hola Bloomington, producer as she opens the program. And our host, Maria Auxi Viloria interviews Maritza Alvares and the new director of El Centro Comunal Latino, Ana Ximena Cordero. They talk about the different events that are coming up this June. In the second part, we listen to Josefa Madrigal from the Department of Community and Family Resources - Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington about the different services they offer.
This week we return to our conversation between Baye Sylvester and Focus Initiatives’ Jok Huerta. Both formerly incarcerated in Indiana, they described the circumstances that brought them to prison in a previous episode. In this segment, they talk about the way the prison system strips people of their humanity- and the struggle to retain one’s sense of self.
You can hear our previous episodes with Jok and Baye:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/300-bargaining-in-bad-faith/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/305-the-problem-of-politicization/
His advice to aspiring filmmakers: "Choose subjects that you can’t stop thinking about and that you’re really passionate about." Mitch Teplitsky arrived in South Central Indiana five years ago and when he discovered the town of Spencer and Owen County, he couldn't stop thinking about them. Now he's working on a documentary about the area. He's passionate about the people he's met there, people from a wide range of cultures and lifestyles. His shooting schedule runs through this coming fall's annual Spencer Pride Festival. The story of Spencer and Owen County's people, he believes, is one of revitalization and hope.
[Image: IDS/Alex Deryn] Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 8th, 2022. Later in the program, Bring It On’s Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell interview officials from the Monroe County Community School Corporation. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On May 31st, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission held a special session to discuss a partnership with Meridiam, an international public infrastructure developer. According to Assistant City Attorney Larry Allen, Meridiam would install a fiber optic cable that would provide high speed internet in the city which he said has been a goal of the mayor since 2016.
Allen explained that they originally had negotiated with Wyyerd but the company was bought by another company and the deal fell through. However, some staff connections from the negotiations led them to working with Meridiam, and he says they have been working earnestly to secure a deal.
Allen said that Meridiam would build a gigabit speed fiber optic network, and the city would create a Tax Increment Financing District, otherwise called a TIF district, named the “Bloomington Meridian Economic Development Area. A TIF district is when municipalities allocate future property tax revenue from a defined area toward its economic development.
Allen explained why the TIF District would be necessary for the project.
The Plan Commission and the City Council will hear the presentation and vote on the contract in the future.
The next meeting will be held on June 13th. Feature Reports:
Up next, in this month’s edition of the Brown County Hour, the program welcomed Rich Reardin and Don Jordan from WFHB’s long standing public affairs program, Inside Outdoors. Listen to the full show of the Brown County Hour tonight at 6 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio. We turn now to that interview.
In today’s feature report, Bring It On hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with members of the MCCSC administration about a number of topics. Namely, a wrap-up and closure on the 21-22 academic year. We turn now to an excerpt from that interview.
Up next, Cutting the Cost of Gas on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Clarence Boone and Chantalle LaFontant. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 7th, 2022. Later in the program, Phil Schuman, Executive Director of Financial Wellness and Education at Indiana University, walks through what student loan forgiveness would look like as President Joe Biden faces pressure to eliminate at least some of the 1.6 trillion dollars in student loan debt in the U.S. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council continued their discussion about the vacation of the alleyway behind the Johnson Creamery Building. That’s coming up next in your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on June 1st, Founder and Executive Director of My Sister’s Closet, Sandy Keller received the 2022 Human Rights award. Keller was nominated by staff members and individuals who she has helped in the store for her work in the community. Keller said a few words after receiving her award.
The council continued their discussion about the vacation of the alleyway behind the Johnson Creamery Building. The petitioner, Peerless Development, needs the right of way of the alley to continue their work on the site. The city has been working on negotiations with them, because the land is public property and to vacate it, the decision must be in the interest of the public.
Corporation Counsel Beth Cate suggested to the council that Peerless pay for the installation of artwork on the Johnson Creamery Building to memorialize the historic nature of the smokestack. Peerless Development however, does not want to have to pay the city for the alley vacation, saying that they don’t have the funds and that they weren’t aware that the alley hadn’t already been vacated by the city when they started their site plans.
Corporation Counsel Beth Cate explained that if the decision on the alley vacation is delayed, it would have a cascade effect on other issues. Council Member Dave Rollo asked if affordable housing had been considered in the negotiations. Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson answered, explaining that the city is not allowed to force a development to have affordable housing the city can only incentivize it.
Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked if there would still be a connection between the b-line and the alley. Petitioner Michael Cordaro responded.
During public comment Bloomington Resident, Greg Alexander said that although he doesn’t support Peerless Development, he does want to have more housing options in Bloomington.
The council voted to postpone their decision until June 15th or until Peerless Development receives a response from their Title Company.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on June 8th. Expert Explains Student Loan Forgiveness Pressure Facing President Biden
President Joe Biden campaigned on a plan to forgive at least some of the 1.6 trillion dollars in student loan debt. He’s now facing pressure to follow through on that campaign promise.
President Biden has forgiven almost 19 billion dollars of student debt through existing loan forgiveness programs, and he has placed several extensions on the pandemic moratorium on student loan payments.
However, his campaign promise to forgive up to 10,000 dollars per person of federal student loans has yet to come.
Phil Schuman, Executive Director of Financial Wellness and Education at Indiana University, walked through how we got here when it comes to the student debt crisis in the United States.
It’s still up in the air whether or not Biden will forgive any student debt. Schuman debated the number of ways the president could forgive at least part of student loan debt.
A partisan divide exists concerning student loan forgiveness. Schuman weighed the pros and cons, politically speaking, for Joe Biden to consider eliminating at least some student debt.
In today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell are delighted to speak with members of the MCCSC administration about a number of topics. Namely, a wrap-up and closure on the 21-22 academic year; upcoming graduations; and a discussion on a November 8th referendum ballot question that will request an 18.5 cent operating levy aimed at 1) increasing teacher and certified teacher salaries, and 2) funding for special programs like Special Education, STEM and Performing Arts. Joining us for this discussion are MCCSC Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Markay Winston, and Assistant Director of Business Operations, Adam Terwilliger.
Dr. Jeff Hauswald
Markay Winston
Adam Terwilliger
Credits: Today's hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 6th, 2022. Later in the program, the Indiana General Assembly overrode Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto effectively banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. In today’s show, we feature audio testimony from concerned Indiana residents. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have an excerpt from BloomingOUT - our LGBTQ+ Affairs Program, tackling the anti transgender sports law. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On June 1st at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Commissioners heard from Facility and Fleet Manager Greg Crohn, who asked them to approve funding for an HVAC system at election central.
Crohn shared that since the building used to be the former Napa Autoshop, its HVAC system isn’t adequate for the election equipment and for future storage. The $9,615 (nine thousand six hundred and fifteen dollar) unit would help maintain the ballot room’s climate.
The commissioners approved the purchase of the HVAC system.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill shared that they have received complaints about an encampment where people experiencing homelessness have settled. He said that they are going to evict the individuals.
Commissioner Julie Thomas commented that it is a difficult situation, but that they have to keep everyone safe.
The commissioners approved the contract with BioOne Indianapolis to clean up the encampment.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on June 8th. Monroe County Criminal Justice Response Committee
Committee members discussed their vision for a new facility during the June 1st Monroe County Criminal Justice Response Committee meeting.
Committee member Lee Jones mentioned that changing the name of the jail could help in carrying out their vision.
Committee member Jennifer Crossley said she agreed with the name change and that she hopes the committee will help redefine criminal justice.
The committee agreed to discuss actionable steps to develop a more equitable criminal justice response at their June 22nd meeting. Anti Transgender Law in Indiana
Late last month, the Indiana General Assembly overrode Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto effectively banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams.
Holcomb previously claimed the ban was unnecessary and expressed concern the policy would leave the state vulnerable to lawsuits.
However, the House overrode the governor’s veto with a 67-28 vote, while the Senate voted 32-15 to overturn the governor’s objection to the law.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, at least 18 states have introduced restrictions on transgender sports participation in recent years.
Bloomington Pride Board Chair Janae Cummings spoke to legislators inside the Statehouse earlier this year in opposition to House Enrolled Act 1041.
“There are no examples of boys pretending to be girls to gain an unfair advantage and requiring trans girls to compete on boys' teams effectively excludes them from playing at all, and it devastates me to imagine the moment where we have to tell any of them that we live in a place where they aren't allowed to play. This aggressively cruel legislation discriminates against children, and it is simply unconscionable,” said Cummings.
Athlete Angie Martinez testified to the general assembly saying that the law seeks to discriminate against transgender girls and sends the message they are not welcome in schools.
“I've been an athlete all my life from school sports all the way to the women's semi pros. I've had the honor and privilege to play alongside girls and boys, some who happen to be trans, and I have value for my teammates and competitors alike. Because to me, that's what sports is about. I don't consider trans girls, trans women to be a threat. I'm insulted at the fact that this bill and these ...
For this week's episode,Bella Bravo spoke with Johana Bhuiyan, a journalist and author of a powerful series of articles about immigrant surveillance. She covers the vast program called “intensive supervision appearance program” which purports to be “humane alternative” to immigration detention.
Managing the program on behalf of ICE is BI Inc, a subsidiary of the Geo Group, one of the US’s largest private prison corporations. They note the many similarities between this method of “monitoring” immigrants and what we know as e-carceration, or electronic monitoring systems used for probation, parole, and house arrest.
You can read Bhuiyan's articles that explore this topic more in depth:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/23/us-immigration-isap-surveillance
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/07/us-immigration-surveillance-ice-bi-isap
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/08/us-immigrants-isap-ice-bi-ankle-monitor
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/14/us-immigration-surveillance-isap
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/14/immigration-advocates-alternative-to-detention-lawsuit-ice
Our monthly round-up of prisoner disturbances is compiled by Perilous Chronicle.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the May 27th edition of Kite Line - WFHB’s public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Voices in the Street - a public opinion poll in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio. But first, your local headlines. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on May 23rd Council Member Pamela Samples presented Fire Chief Mike Cornman with a plaque to thank him for his service to the Town of Ellettsville.
Attorney Darla Brown presented a lease agreement between the Town of Ellettsville and Richland Township to allow Healthnet to use Marcy Lane Lewis Park for a mobile clinic.
Clerk Treasurer Sandra Hash expressed concern that there were not a lot of details yet.
Brown responded saying that they discussed at a previous meeting Police Chief Jimmie Durnil and the Street Department could get involved to work out the details.
The council unanimously voted to approve the lease to allow Healthnet to use Mary Lane Lewis Park.
The next council meeting will be held on June 6th. Feature Report:
Up next, we have an excerpt from the May 27th edition of Kite Line - WFHB’s public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. We turn now to a segment from “The Problem of Politicization.”
Kite Line airs at 5:30 p.m. each Monday. To listen to the full program and all previous editions of Kite Line - click here or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.
Up next, WFHB’s Youth Radio took to the streets to ask Bloomington residents about the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft leak over Roe v. Wade. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Mia Beach. Youth Radio is produced by Wilder Mouton and Marty Abaddi. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 1st, 2022. Later in the program, we have a segment from Bring It On titled “Dark Past, Bright Future” hosted by Liz Mitchell. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Finding It on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington Utilities Service Board Discusses Security Fee and Incoming Traffic at Water Treatment Plant
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on May 23rd, Board Member Megan Parmenter asked for more information about the security fee for at the Dillman Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Director Utilities Vic Kelson responded to her question explaining that they pay Bruce Wilds Security to monitor incoming traffic at the plant.
Board Member Kirk White asked if the service will be automated in the future.
Kelson said that an automatic system is in the works, and this position is temporary.
Kelson added that the reason they have decided to have a guard at the gate is due to warnings from Homeland Security and American Water Works Association.
Utilities Staff Chris Eagan said that the contract is set to expire in September of this year.
The board unanimously approved the contract with Bruce Wilds Security, set not to exceed $24,480.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on June 6th. MCCSC School Board Hears Public Comments on Racial Discrimination Within School Corporation
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
A group of Black students discussed racial discrimination and bullying during the May 24th Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting.
Sabrah Wagner, a student at Bloomington High School North, called out racial discrimination at MCCSC.
Another student discussed racial discrimination policiies within the school corporation during pubic comment.
Bloomington High School South student Sydney Crossley recalled experiencing racism at the school corporation as early as elementary school.
Developmental psychologist Tannisha Riley said these students’ concerns are valid and that the school system should help students to better shape their identities.
School board members thanked the students for sharing their perspectives and pledged to address the issue through policy changes.
The next MCCSC Board of Trustees meeting will take place on June 13th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have a segment from Bring It On titled “Dark Past, Bright Future” hosted by Liz Mitchell. In this month’s edition, Mitchell writes about Black women in the military in light of Memorial Day. We turn now to Dark Past, Bright Future.
Up next, Finding It on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Liz Mitchell. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. Later in the program, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Cole Nelson, a graduate student at the IU Media School and member of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
On May 25th, the Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole discussed a request to vacate an alley segment downtown. Senior Zoning Planner, Eric Greulich, presented on the development of the Johnson Creamery, and shared the site plans of the Petitioner and Founder of Peerless Development, Michael Cordaro.
Corporation Counsel Beth Cate said that in exchange for the Right of Way vacation, the Corporation Council recommends the council ask Peerless Development to provide a few things in return.
Cate outlined the reasons the administration is recommending that they ask Peerless for the funds to make a public art installation to commemorate the Johnson Creamery Smokestack.
Cate explained that to vacate a public parcel the decision must be made with the public interest in mind. Petitioner Michael Cordaro spoke saying that Peerless Development does not have the additional funds to meet the demands that Cate suggested.
The council will hold an official vote on the alley vacation request at their next meeting on June 1st. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 25th, Board of Health Director Penny Caudill said that the county is currently at a low level of community spread. She noted that the rate of transmission is relatively high but the number of hospitalizations has remained low. Caudill also said that there has been an increase in Covid-19 vaccinations.
Caudill also addressed monkeypox, and the public health issue of gun violence.
Highway and Transportation Director Lisa Ridge asked the commissioners to approve a matching grant with INdot for Highway Paving Projects. Commissioner Penny Githens commented on Ridge’s work to make the repaving of the roads more routine.
Ridge responded saying that they take a lot of factors into account to predict when roads will need to be repaved, however, weather conditions like freezing and thawing can adjust the plans.
The commissioners approved the matching grant unanimously.
The commissioners also approved three other Highway paving projects presented by Ridge.
During Public Comment Monroe County resident Travis Spearbock asked Ridge if the work being done on Lynch Road was going to patch up potholes or if they would be doing a full paving project.
Ridge said that they are doing prep work now, but will be doing a full paving job on the road.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on June 1st. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Big Talk Logo. In today’s feature report, Big Talk producer Michael Glab speaks with Cole Nelson, a graduate student at the IU Media School and member of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition. Nelson talks about the life of a paid grad student and his wish for the union to be recognized. We turn now to that interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Michael Glab. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the ...
In today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk about the history of black women in the military. From the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, women have proudly served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as nurses, pilots, engineers, soldiers and other specialties. During World War I, about 35,000 women officially served as nurses and support staff. Nonetheless, many black women also broke barriers while serving in the U.S. Military. These women worked on the front lines or provided support to U.S. soldiers and civilian employees.
Dr. Alfreda R. Carmichael
Carrying on with this fine tradition of service are two special women of color whom we have the pleasure of speaking with this evening. They are Dr. Alfreda R. Carmichael, who enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a Contract Specialist. While in the military, she deployed to multiple locations, including Iraq's combat deployment. Dr. Carmichael served as the First Female President of Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 10. She is currently the National Treasurer and National Scholarship Director for National Montford Point Marine Association.
Joining her is Takishia Smiley, who joined the United States Marine Corps, and served 21 years and 5 months as a CWO-3 Supply Operations Professional in automated supply systems and logistic initiatives. She has over 26 years of experience in Supply Chain Management and Distribution Information Management. She is currently the Director at the National Museum of the Montford Point Marine.
Credits: Today's hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Tonight’s Assistant Producer is Liz Mitchell. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This week we return to our conversation between Baye Sylvester and Focus Initiatives’ Jok Huerta. Both formerly incarcerated in Indiana, they described the circumstances that brought them to prison in a previous episode. In this segment, they talk about the way the prison system responds to politically-engaged prisoners. When prisoners become conscious and organized, the prison ramps the level of repression. As you’ll hear Baye and Jok discuss, prisoners who educate themselves are viewed as a threat to the system that confines them.
This conversation was part of the Prisoners Speak Out Series, hosted by IDOC Watch and Focus Initiatives.You can listen to their previous conversation here.
https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/The-Color-of-Medicine-June-Prescription-for-Healthcare-segment.mp3
Welcome to Prescription for Healthcare a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
In the June show, hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with Dr. Earl Robinson, Jr. and Rebecca Robinson who tell us about making the documentary The Color of Medicine, the Story of Homer G Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Robinson talks about the Great Migration. For reference, please read The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.
For further information go to Physicians for a National Health Program
Follow Medicare for All Indiana on our Facebook page
On Monday, the Bloomington Faculty Council passed two resolutions calling on the IU Board of Trustees to provide a pathway to unionization for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers.
The first resolution passed with nearly 84 percent of the faculty council vote, and it insists that graduate students would not face retaliation by the university for striking. The second resolution instructs the IU administration to create a pathway for union recognition for the IGWC-UE.
Katie Shy, PhD student in English and media correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, walked through the significance of these two resolutions.
"One of the major turning points this semester, was the provost threatening to fire all striking graduate workers," says Shy. "And this resolution really responds to that move, and asserts that departments are the one equipped to evaluate if a grad worker should be reappointed."
According to their web page, the Bloomington Faculty Council is “an elected policy-making body responsible for exercising faculty authority on the Bloomington campus."
Shy explained what support from the Bloomington Faculty Council means for the grad workers.
"This is as strong of a message as we can send to the board of trustees that the Bloomington campus is ready for the Grad Workers Coalition to represent grad workers," said Shy.
The Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition went on strike from April 13th through May 9th. Shy described her major takeaways on how the strike played out,
"Although we haven't seen the material improvements that we're still fighting for, we're in a really strong position heading into the fall to keep working on each other's behalf," she said.
The board of trustees has yet to formally recognize the union. Shy speculated what it will take to finally gain the recognition they’re looking for.
"It's really hard to say with any degree of confidence, but we're hoping that this extremely strong message from the faculty vote will really push the board of trustees to begin that process of either recognizing our union straight out, or giving us that Union Election where we can democratically express our will to be represented," said Shy.
The graduate workers postponed the strike earlier this month with plans to begin the strike again in the fall. Shy talked about what’s next for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition.
"We have this strike deadline of September 26 2022, and we're really hoping that we'll be able to enter into a constructive dialogue with the administration before then, but also really excited about the strength of our membership and the strength of the next collective action," she said.
If you would like to hear more about the strike, WFHB News conducted a series of interviews and field recordings featuring more voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in a segment titled Strike Mic.
Compost Up, Downtown was brought to Bloomington in April to combat food waste. Restaurants are one of the largest sources of food waste, which lead the City of Bloomington to partner with a local composting company to create a new composting program, according to Andrea Conway, CEO and owner of EarthKeepers, a Bloomington Compost Corporation.
“Helping restaurants reduce food waste reduces the amount of waste that our community sends to the landfill,” Conway said. “Food waste generates Methane when it is sent to the landfill, and Methane has a climate-warming potential 25 times larger than CO2. This Methane affects us all, so we all benefit from mitigating Methane generation.”
The new composting program Compost Up, Downtown provides free trials of composting services for eligible restaurants and food-service businesses located in the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District. “The Compost Up, Downtown program is an economic development initiative that aims to support Restaurants by covering the initial costs of setting up a composting system and tracking their food waste with the goal of reducing the amount of food waste that they generate and as a result save money,” Conway said. The City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is partnering with EarthKeepers for this program.
Andrea Conway, CEO and owner of EarthKeepers, a Bloomington based compost corporation (Courtesy photo).
According to Conway, EarthKeepers has been providing composting services for the city since 2018. “EarthKeepers is a Bloomington-based Benefit Corporation that provides composting drop-off and collection services by subscription to the Bloomington and Monroe County community,” Lauren Clemens, Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington said. Conway said since EarthKeepers is incorporated as a benefit corporation, it allows them to prioritize the well-being of their community over making a profit. In addition, EarthKeepers is both women-owned and minority-owned. “The women/minority-owned certification is a way to signal that we are inclusive and diverse,” Conway said. “The benefit corporation structure signals that we care about our community.” “Helping restaurants reduce food waste reduces the amount of waste that our community sends to the landfill,” Conway said. “Food waste generates Methane when it is sent to the landfill, and Methane has a climate-warming potential 25 times larger than CO2. This Methane affects us all, so we all benefit from mitigating Methane generation.” According to the City of Bloomington’s website, to participate in this program, eligible participants must complete the application and submit it by the deadlines listed on their website. Once a business is approved to participate, EarthKeepers then performs a waste audit at their site. Those participating in the program will be provided with sorting posters, bin labels and more educational materials on composting. “Through this program, participating food-service businesses receive a waste audit, assistance in setting up compost collections, and three months of compost collection,” Clemens said. The program incentive is valued at $5,000 per restaurant and is funded through appropriation as part of the Recover Forward Initiative. Through 2023 this program will offer a three-month composting trial period for 16 places total.
The first cohort of this program started in April and includes Nick's English Hut, Osteria Rago, the Bloomington Convention Center and Southern Stone. “We are very happy to have iconic Bloomington restaurants in our first cohort,” Conway said. “This really helps set the example and starts the culture change. The program is going very well so far. The reports that we receive from kitchen staff confirm our predictions: composting is not difficult, and it can improve a kitchen's efficiency significantly.”
The owner of Nick’s English Hut and Osteria Rago, Gregg Rago,
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 26th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abby Prywitch reports on “Compost Up, Downtown” - a new composting program meant to curb food waste in restaurants and food-service businesses. More in the top half of our program. But first, your daily headlines. Monroe County Plan Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On May 17th at the Monroe County Plan Commission meeting, Director of Planning Jackie Nester Jelen presented a rezone request for a property in Benton South Township on Kings Road. Jelen said that the area is currently zoned Estate Residential and the petitioners are asking for it to be rezoned to Agriculture Rural Reserve.
Jelen explained the petitioner’s case and gave the commission information on the current zoning requirements.
Jelen said that the property owned by Life Is Better On The Farm LLC, is in a minor subdivision. She said that there were letters of support for the rezone, however, there was a letter of Commission member Geoff McKim asked if the petitioner is planning on turning the barn into a residential unit. Jelen said that she did not believe they intended to at the time.
Petitioner Jason Voorhies spoke explaining why they would like to have the designation of Agricultural Rural Reserve and addressed the neighbor’s concerns about potential parties.
McKim asked whether there are any protections for nearby residents if the property is sold in order to prevent any future owners from renting it to individuals who would use the property for parties.
The Historic Board of Preservation approved the rezone with the condition that within two years the barn and other structures on the property be made into a Historic Preservation designation. During public comment many concerned residents spoke against the petitioner's request.
Commission President Margaret Clements said that since so many of the neighbors who would be affected have spoken in opposition she will vote against the rezone request.
The commission will have a second hearing for the petition at their next meeting on June 21st. Feature Reports:
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Abby Prywitch reports on “Compost Up, Downtown” - a new composting program meant to curb food waste in restaurants and food-service businesses. We turn now to that report.
In today’s feature report, we present an excerpt from Bring It On - a weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African American community. This comes from the May 2nd episode titled “Reparations for Bloomington African Americans.” Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Clarence Boone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Earlier this spring, people across the eastern half of the US organized neighborhood planting projects in order to widely distribute and plant food-bearing trees. Their motivations are diverse, and we'll hear from a range of them in this episode, but these tree-planters are often hoping to build a more verdant, autonomous, resilient, common life in the face of growing climate chaos and the frailty of capitalist supply chains. The Nacogdoches Food Forest, one of the early models for the Neighborhood Planting Project, specifically sought, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, to create perennial abundance in order to better welcome refugees over the coming decades. For this episode of Partisan Gardens, we spoke to planting project organizers about their experiments with large scale tree distribution in seven different cities. Some of these projects are brand new, others are on their fifth year, but we'll be excited to continue reporting on their efforts over the coming years.
If you want tips on starting something like this on your own, please visit neighborhoodplantingproject.org to learn more about the various projects like this across the country and email us to ask follow-up questions about starting your own planting project. We have an article in a recent issue of the online newsletter Territories, called “Rooted in Community: Lessons from Bloomington’s Neighborhood Planting Project”
You might remember an episode we previously aired called “Carbondale Spring”. It is a profile of Carbondale, Illinois' food autonomy projects, and it won an award for Best Radio Documentary from the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists. Recently, our friends at another Bloomington-based podcast, In This Climate, visited Carbondale to talk to them about these initiatives. We want to encourage you to check out their episodes about where the Carbondale Spring is two years later. Please visit https://climatepodcast.indiana.edu and give it a listen.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 25th, 2022. Later in the program, the Bloomington Faculty Council passed two resolutions calling on the IU Board of Trustees to provide a pathway to unionization for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers. More in the bottom half of tonight’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB Community Radio. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington Plan Commission
At the Bloomington Plan Commission meeting on May 16th, Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Jackie Scanlan presented an update to the fee schedule, which she said hasn’t been updated since 2013.
Scanlan noted changes that would be made and explained why they came to those numbers.
Commission Member Karin St. John said that although she doesn’t like raising the prices for people she appreciates the staff's work to ensure that the prices are reasonable.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the new Fee Schedule.
The next Plan Commission meeting will be held on June 13th. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on May 18th, Director Grier Carson gave an update on library services this month.
Board Secretary Kari Esarey commented on the report, sharing that she was surprised to see the number of daily visitors at the library.
Board Member Nichelle Whitney Wash asked Carson for an update on the staff’s morale after they received a complaint about issues in the workplace. Carson responded.
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 15th. Bloomington Faculty Council Calls on IU to Recognize Grad Workers Union
On Monday, the Bloomington Faculty Council passed two resolutions calling on the IU Board of Trustees to provide a pathway to unionization for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers.
The first resolution passed with nearly 84 percent of the faculty council vote, and it insists that graduate students would not face retaliation by the university for striking. The second resolution instructs the IU administration to create a pathway for union recognition for the IGWC-UE.
Katie Shy, PhD student in English and media correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, walked through the significance of these two resolutions.
"One of the major turning points this semester, was the provost threatening to fire all striking graduate workers," says Shy. "And this resolution really responds to that move, and asserts that departments are the one equipped to evaluate if a grad worker should be reappointed."
According to their web page, the Bloomington Faculty Council is “an elected policy-making body responsible for exercising faculty authority on the Bloomington campus."
Shy explained what support from the Bloomington Faculty Council means for the grad workers.
"This is as strong of a message as we can send to the board of trustees that the Bloomington campus is ready for the Grad Workers Coalition to represent grad workers," said Shy.
The Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition went on strike from April 13th through May 9th. Shy described her major takeaways on how the strike played out,
"Although we haven't seen the material improvements that we're still fighting for, we're in a really strong position heading into the fall to keep working on each other's behalf," she said.
The board of trustees has yet to formally recognize the union. Shy speculated what it will take to finally gain the recognition they’re looking for.
"It's really hard to say with any degree of confidence, but we're hoping that this extremely strong message from the faculty vote will really push the board of trustees to begin that process of eithe...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 24th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Katie Shy, media correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about two recently passed resolutions by the Bloomington Faculty Council calling on the IU administration to provide a pathway to unionization for the IGWC. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission discussed a study on the cost of development in Monroe County in their latest meeting. That’s coming up next in your local headlines. Monroe County Redevelopment Commission
Photo by Benedict Jones.
On May 18th at the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission meeting Commission Member Richard Martin introduced a speaker who presented on the cost of development in Monroe County.
The research on development in Monroe County was originally done in 2019, which Steve describes has changed since his original findings.
The presenter shared that on Monday he read an article in The New York Times about the issue, pointing out that the housing development decrease post 2008 occured nationally as well. He shared that the article recommended 3 things local governments can do to help.
He said that the interest rates on development make the cost of developing more expensive than the residents in the county can afford.
The next Monroe County Redevelopment meeting will be held on June 15th. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 18th Council Member Steve Volan shared during his report that he has joined a nation wide entity called Coalition Against Bigger Trucks that aims to reduce the size of vehicles allowed on public roads.
Planning Department O’Neill Fellow Ben Sharaf gave a report on the Bloomington Habitat Connectivity Plan.
Sharaf said that their goal is to connect the three areas of green spaces around the city with green corridors by engaging with public land owners. He will be graduating soon and will not be able to keep working on the project, however he hopes that the next O’Neill Fellow will continue with the next steps.
Sharaf also said that they will need to update existing information. He said that since they started the project in 2011, the green spaces in some areas have improved and decreased in others. He recommended that aerial imaging be taken soon to get a picture of what the city currently looks like in terms of wildlife connectivity.
The next meeting will be held on May 25th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Katie Shy, media correspondent for the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition, about two recently passed resolutions by the Bloomington Faculty Council calling on the university to provide a pathway to unionization for the IGWC. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
LaToya Williams, Wealth Management Advisor
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with LaToya Williams, a wealth management advisor at Old National Bank. She serves her clients by helping them reach and exceed their financial goals. She is dedicated to understanding the unique needs of her clients and developing personalized strategies that focus on their big picture goals and values rather than a one size fits all approach.
From understanding how important a credit score is to learning strategies to improve and correct inaccuracies in your score, African Americans must learn how to take care of their financial future! To do so, we have invited a wealth management advisor, LaToya Williams, to join us and advise us on the basics of short and long-term financial planning.
Credits: The hosts of today’s show are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 23rd, 2022. Later in the program, Dave Seastrom of the Brown County Hour speaks with Stori Snyder, director of the Brown County Public Library, about their new solar project. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond, but first your daily headlines. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners held a special session on May 9th to discuss approving parks general obligation bonds. Director Paula McDevvit said that it is recommended that the commissioners approve the bonds.
Operations Development Director Tim Street and Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger, presented the projects that the bonds would fund.
McDevvit explained that the commissioners are the final piece to approve the bonds.
City Controller Jeff Underwood explained the priority order of the park bonds.
The park commissioners unanimously voted to approve the general obligation bonds.
The next meeting will be held on May 24th. Monroe County Commissioners
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 18th Board of Health Director Penny Caudill shared that cases of Covid-19 are still in the low advisory category, but warned that we are on the verge of reaching medium advisory levels.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented that there was a Covid-related death in the community recently and said that everyone should get vaccinated.
Next, the commissioners heard from Deputy Director of Emergency Management Justin Baker about a grant the Monroe County Emergency Management Department received from the Duke Energy Foundation.
Commissioner Julie Thomas asked about the alert residents received informing the public that sirens will be running at different times to check for repairs, and asked how much longer they can expect to hear them.
The commissioners approved the acceptance of the grant money unanimously.
The commissioners also approved funding for additions to the Karst Farm Greenway project, and for furniture in the new Highway garage office. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
In today’s feature report, Dave Seastrom of the Brown County Hour speaks with Stori Snyder, director of the Brown County Public Library, about their new solar project. We turn now to that segment.
Up next, Seastrom shares some thoughts on solar power in a segment on the Brown County Hour. This segment reflects on the interview Seastrom conducted with Stori Snyder of the Brown County library.
The Brown County Hour airs on the first Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. and again the following Wednesday at 6 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio. The program is available online and wherever you get your podcasts. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dave Seastrom and Chuck Wills. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This week on Kite Line, we return to Atlanta’s proposed "Cop City"- a police training facility set to be built over a vast urban forest. People from across the city and the country have been organizing against its construction, which would make it the largest police training facility in the United States. People have been organizing protests in the streets, call-in campaigns, and holding down an ongoing occupation in the forest itself.
First, we hear a statement from an Indigenous organizer about the impact such a facility would have. Afterwards, we share a press conference that was called earlier this week by the Atlanta Solidarity Fund in response to a violent police raid on the occupation earlier this week. Even before that, at a demonstration last Saturday, peaceful protestors were brutally arrested. As you’ll hear one Atlanta resident say, they feel this is an attempt to demoralize a vibrant and diverse movement that is led by local community members against the replacement of the largest urban tree canopy in the United States, by the largest police training compound in the United States.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, discuss the results of the recent Bloomington primaries in the context of the upcoming November General Elections with Ruben Marte and campaign managers William Hosea and Nicole Brown.
The results of the Bloomington Primaries are in. As for black candidates vying for nominations, here are the results:
For the democratic primaries for the Indiana Ninth Congressional District, Matthew Fyfe bested African American candidate Isak Asare by 27 percentage points. In the Democratic primary for Monroe County Sheriff, Ruben D. Marté is the winner. He will face Republican Nathan Williamson in the November general election. Marté received 48 percent of the vote and beat four other Democrats for the nomination: Troy Thomas, finished second, followed by Joani Stalcup, Angie Purdie, and Steve Hale. Running unopposed in the Democratic primary race for Monroe County Council, District 4 was incumbent Jennifer Crossley (D). And, running unopposed in Democratic primary race for Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk was incumbent Nicole Browne.
Credits: The hosts of today’s show are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Ashley Pirani, who is a candidate for County Council District #3. In February, leaders from Monroe County’s Black community discussed the possibility of reparations for historic racial injustices during the annual State of the Black Community Address.
The Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance and Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus held the fifth annual event over Zoom. Members of the caucus’s Reparations Committee spent the fall of 2021 researching the county’s history of racial injustices and presented some of their findings during the event. IU professor Valerie Grim, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Indiana University Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, shared that while the research was in its preliminary stages, the February discussion was intend to initiate a dialogue concerning whether there are experiences and encounters in Bloomington and Monroe County that meet a reparation standard. According to committee member Ashley Pirani, just 1 percent of Bloomington’s Black population owns a home. She said areas of Bloomington that had racially restrictive covenants have average home values well over the city average, while neighborhoods with historically higher populations of Black residents have houses that usually sell below city average. As for what reparations would look like, the committee hadn’t gotten that far. Ashley Pirani, who is a candidate for County Council District #3, discusses what this all means in more detail.
Credits: The hosts of today’s show are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today’s show is a rebroadcast from March 29, 2021.
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts William Hosea and Liz Mitchell are joined by Alderwoman Rue Simmons of the City of Evanston to discuss the city’s decision to offer reparations to its Black residents.
On March 22, 2021, the City Council of Evanston, Illinois voted 8-1 to distribute $400,000 to eligible Black households. The reparations are for the effects of years of discriminatory housing practices and will be distributed in the form of up to $25,000 per household for repairs and home down payments.
The discussion about paying reparations to Black Americans for years of sustained racist oppression has gained new life during the recent calls for social justice. Evanston is planning to use 3% of marijuana sales taxes to fund reparations. Other cities, like Amherst, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Asheville, North Carolina; Iowa City, Iowa; and Burlington, Vermont, have begun establishing committees to study how to properly provide compensation.
Special Feature – Dark Past, Bright Future The show ends today with Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell presenting a brief history of the story of Madame C.J. Walker’s triumph over adversity to become the first Black woman millionaire in America in a special segment called, Dark Past, Bright Future. This semi-regular segment features accounts of African-American accomplishments in U.S. history that oftentimes get overlooked.
Credits: Today’s hosts are William Hosea, Liz Mitchell, and Clarence Boone. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today’s show is a rebroadcast from March 29, 2021.
On tonight’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts William Hosea and Liz Mitchell are joined by Alderwoman Rue Simmons of the City of Evanston to discuss the city’s decision to offer reparations to its Black residents.
On March 22, 2021, the City Council of Evanston, Illinois voted 8-1 to distribute $400,000 to eligible Black households. The reparations are for the effects of years of discriminatory housing practices and will be distributed in the form of up to $25,000 per household for repairs and home down payments.
The discussion about paying reparations to Black Americans for years of sustained racist oppression has gained new life during the recent calls for social justice. Evanston is planning to use 3% of marijuana sales taxes to fund reparations. Other cities, like Amherst, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Asheville, North Carolina; Iowa City, Iowa; and Burlington, Vermont, have begun establishing committees to study how to properly provide compensation.
Special Feature – Dark Past, Bright Future The show ends today with Bring It On’s Liz Mitchell presenting a brief history of the story of Madame C.J. Walker’s triumph over adversity to become the first Black woman millionaire in America in a special segment called, Dark Past, Bright Future. This semi-regular segment features accounts of African-American accomplishments in U.S. history that oftentimes get overlooked.
Credits: Today’s hosts are William Hosea, Liz Mitchell, and Clarence Boone. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell, spend the hour with Aziz Lisa. She is a singer described as saucy, smooth, sensual and most of all empowering.
Aliza Lisa embodies a musical style that is a unique blend of R&B, Soul and Jazz. Her vocals are similar to Jill Scott, Chaka Khan and Anita Baker. In a short period of time, she has made a name for herself sharing the stage with some of the most notable names in the industry, performing background vocals for Barbra Streisand (choral ensemble) and El Debarge. She has opened in concert for the legendary Nancy Wilson, Erykah Badu, Eric Benet, Mint Condition, Amel Larrieux, Musiq Soulchild, Kindred Family Soul and more.
Her music is refreshing with lyrics that are uplifting! Her music has received airplay on Chicago radio and iHeart radio. Her songs 'Resilient', Sunrise' and 'Know Your Worth' are accompanied by music videos on YouTube.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Locutora,Minerva Sosa, entrevista a invitada Perla Benitez mientras comparten con nosotros sobre sus experiencias sobre el Hill Top Garden y para hablarnos sobre sus experiencias sobre el proceso sobre las Jicaras. Tambien comparten otros eventos que hay en nuestra comunidad!
Host, Minerva Sosa, interviews guest Perla Benitez as they share with us their experiences with Hill Top Garden and also share their experiences with the Jicaras process. They also share other community events that are happening around our community!
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 19th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB’s Youth Radio took to the streets to ask Bloomington residents about the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft leak over Roe v. Wade. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Civic Conversations - our monthly podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. All coming up in today’s edition of the WFHB Local News. Feature Reports:
Voices in the Street. Photo: Chris Hack, 2019.
Up next, WFHB’s Youth Radio took to the streets to ask Bloomington residents about the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft leak over Roe v. Wade. We turn now to that segment.
Now it’s time for Civic Conversations - our monthly podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with Joe Lee, the author of Forgiveness: The Story of Eva Kor, Survivor of Auschwitz Twin Experiments. We turn to host Jim Allison for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Becky Hill. Voices in the Street was produced by Wilder Mouton and Marty Abaddi. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Now more than a half century old, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra continues to provide South Central Indiana with professional-quality symphonic music. When conductor Alejandro Gómez Guillén came aboard, he pledged to diversify the orchestra and broaden its playlist and has done so. The BSO concludes its 52nd season with two performances of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" Sunday, May 22, 2022. The two performances, 3 and 7 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, will be sandwiched around a GALA-ctic Party fundraiser at 4:30pm at The Mill on North Madison Street. Gómez Guillén talks about his love of astronomy and Holst's personification of the mythic gods after whom the planets were named.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 18th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Phil Schuman, Executive Director of Financial Wellness and Education at Indiana University, about the student debt crisis in the United States. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Teach Your Children on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On May 9th at the Ellettsville Town Council President of the Senior Housing Board Jeff Bishop asked the council to allow the Senior Citizens New Housing Development to pay the sewer hook-on fee they initially agreed to.
Bishop explained that when they started construction they did all of their permitting and got their quote for the hook-on fee, but due to supply chain issues they are only just now setting up their water and realized that the cost has increased from what they originally had budgeted for.
Town Manager and Utilities Operation Manager Mike Farmer explained to the council how hook-on fees are calculated.
Council Member Pamela Whitten noted that they would be setting a precedent by approving this request, and asked the council if they would be treating everyone else this way in the future. Farmer said that they should.
The council approved the change to revert it to the original price unanimously.
The next town council meeting will be held on May 23rd. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Phil Schuman, Executive Director of Financial Wellness and Education at Indiana University, about the student debt crisis in the United States. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, Teach Your Children on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Saturday, an armed 18-year-old white man killed 10 people and injured three others at a Buffalo, New York grocery store. Almost all of the victims were Black. A manifesto written by the shooter who traveled more than three hours to commit these egregious acts, reveals the attack was racially motivated. Police are now investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
Professor Jeannine Bell, a nationally recognized scholar on the subject of policing and hate crimes at the IU Mauer School of Law, says she’s not surprised by the tragic incident.
“It's a tragedy, but I'm not surprised by it - in part because I'm a hate crimes scholar and I've watched incidents happen around the country in recent years, and this is sadly more of what's to come,” said Bell.
In her expert legal opinion, Bell says that the shooting provides a textbook example of what constitutes a hate crime.
“This is absolutely a hate crime,” said Bell. “Hate crimes are crimes motivated by bias on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. So, this is a classic hate crime, and we know this in part because of the defendant's manifesto and live streaming of the event.”
The shooter had visited white supremacist websites prior to the incident and was an adherant to the so-called Great Replacement Theory.
According to the National Immigration Forum, the Great Replacement Theory states that, “welcoming immigration policies — particularly those impacting nonwhite immigrants — are part of a plot designed to undermine or “replace” the political power and culture of white people living in Western countries.”
Bell touched on the rise of white supremacy and how these hateful viewpoints have the ability to thrive in today’s media landscape.
“First of all, it's important to note that the great replacement theory is something that's not new. It's a long, old white supremacist approach and view. So it's something that's not new but the current environment with respect to social media, the space for these views, has absolutely allowed the views to proliferate and adherents of these extreme views to find each other,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.
Bell speculates that rulings like the not guilty verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and other dog-whistling to white supremacists by elected officials and media personalities have emboldened white supremacists to commit the atrocious act seen in recent days.
Bell explained that this sort of apathy toward white supremacist violence sets a harmful precedent that normalizes hate.
“The result in the Rittenhouse trial and the not guilty verdict in that context and the dog whistle by politicians and by individuals, as part of the media absolutely suggest to extremists, that their beliefs are acceptable and that they should go out and continue to express views and do things in keeping with views that are really counter to American ideals of inclusivity,” said Bell.
The United States has a long history of white supremacist violence. Bell described the similarities and differences in the form of white supremacy seen today versus white supremacist violence in the days of Emmett Till or other racially motivated killings seen in the past.
“One big difference is that in the past, mob violence was a huge force. Lynchings, for instance, often involved entire communities watching present as black bodies lay swinging from ropes,” she said. “Now, white supremacists whose organizations may be sued and bankrupted by lawsuits have adopted a lone wolf approach to violence such that they say this is our ideology, but you are to engage in this behavior on your own.”
Bell says she’s not sure what can be done when it comes to policy or even on a societal level, to prevent such horrifying acts from happening in the future. However, she says addressing the issue is the first step in any tangible change moving forward.
“We don't know whether we can prevent them,
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 17th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with nationally-recognized scholar on hate crimes and policing Professor Jeannine Bell of the IU Mauer School of Law, about a racially-motivated shooting in Buffalo, New York that left 10 people dead. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro brings you headlines from around the country and around the globe regarding neurodiversity issues. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
At the Bloomington City Common Council meeting on May 11th Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan asked the board to approve technical corrections to the Unified Development Ordinance. Scanlan outlined what some the changes would be.
She also explained how the changes would be used to help incentivise both sustainable and affordable development.
Council Member Sue Scambelluri asked if they have received any feedback from developers about the incentives. Scanlan responded.
Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson added that they are responding to development trends.
The council voted to pass the ordinance changes unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on May 18th. Bloomington Commission on Sustainability
At the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability meeting on May 10th, Council Ex-Officio member Matt Flaherty shared that the city council approved a Local Income Tax Increase and explained what that means for Bloomington’s Climate Action Plan.
Commission President Joseph Wynia asked how the Local Income Tax is distributed to the city, when the Local Income Tax is for the whole county. Flahery explained that they look at population numbers to decide the percentage of the income tax they receive.
Next Assistant Director of Sustainability Lauren Clemens gave a presentation on the Climate Action Plan to inform the new board members what the commission has been working on and what they will be working on moving forward.
The next commission meeting will be held on June 14th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have the Disability As Ability news briefing with Abe Shapiro - a segment devoted to the headlines surrounding the disability community. We turn to Correspondent Abe Shapiro for more.
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.
In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with nationally-recognized scholar on hate crimes and policing Professor Jeannine Bell of the IU Mauer School of Law, about a racially-motivated shooting in Buffalo, New York that left 10 people dead. We turn to Young for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. The Disability as Ability News Briefing was produced by Abe Shapiro. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 16th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Professor Jeannine Bell, an expert in policing and hate crimes at Indiana University, about the racially motivated killings of 10 Black residents in Buffalo on Saturday. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines. Monroe County Commissioners: Covid-19 Levels, Airport Runway Closure and Funding for Homicide Investigation
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 11th Health Department Population Health and Outreach Manager Kathy Hewett updated the commissioners on Monroe County’s Covid-19 levels.
Airport Director Carlos Laverty informed the commissioners that the Monroe County Airport runway will be under construction this summer which will lead to some runway closures.
Laverty said that although the runway closures might be inconvenient he is trying to find a way to make the best of the situation by collaborating with the Parks and Recreation Department.
Monroe County Detective Alex Hahn asked the commissioners to approve funding to help identify a skeleton found back in 2004. Hahn said that he received a quote from a well-respected laboratory named Othram for $5,756.
Commissioner Julie Thomas shared her approval of the work Hahn is trying to do.
The commissioners approved the fund request unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on May 18th. Monroe County Council: Funding for Pre-K School Readiness Program On May 10th at the Monroe County Council meeting Council President Kate Wiltz took a moment to acknowledge the passing of County Property Administrator Susy Johnson.
Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens asked the councilors to approve funding for a Pre-K School Readiness Program her and council members Peter Iversen and Cheryl Munson have been working on.
Githens said that the kids in the area have been impacted by Covid-19 and that there is a high demand for the program. Smart Start Director Jennifer Myers shared that there are long waiting lists for programs in Monroe County.
Council Member Cheryl Munson added that the program coming together so quickly was thanks to collaboration between organizations, and that there are ideas for other programs to address the long-term problem as well.
Council Member Marty Hawke shared that she was in favor of the program. Hawke said that she has a family member who is a 5th grade teacher who has noticed that their students are not ready for 5th grade yet due to Covid-19 and online learning.
Council Member Trent Decard commented that as a parent he sees the need for this program and that he is in favor of a more long term solution.
The council approved the program with American Rescue Plan Act funding unanimously.
The next county council meeting will be held on June 14th. Feature Report:
A crowd gathers as police investigate after a shooting at a supermarket, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. Multiple people were shot at the Tops Friendly Market. Joshua Bessex/AP In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Professor Jeannine Bell, an expert in policing and hate crimes at Indiana University, about the racially motivated killings of 10 Black residents in Buffalo on Saturday. We turn now to that interview.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
A nationally recognized scholar in the area of policing and hate crime, Professor Jeannine Bell has written extensively on criminal justice issues. Bell’s research is broadly interdisciplinary, touching on both political science and law, and relying on her empirical expertise. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Tune in on Saturday, May 14, at 11:00 am, when WFHB welcomes Saturday’s Child stalwarts par excellence the VLF Duo, for a groovin’, grand gig.
The VLF Duo mixes up jazz, soul, and blues into an instrumental groove stew. Funk-master Park Law studied bass with Victor Wooten and has toured extensively in rock and soul bands. Guitarist Jason Fickel has performed with Jason & Ginger and the WFHB Firehouse Rounders, and has also provided live guitar accompaniment for silent films at the IU Cinema.
The show is brought to you over the air as it happens this month. We will NOT have an in-house audience, but please grab your favorite morning beverage, some bagels and smears, kick back, and tune in to your FM dial or over the Internet for the VLF Duo on Saturday’s Child. That’s May 14, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB… And there’s no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
This week, we hear the first part of the recent webinar ‘USA vs. Jessica Reznicek: fighting the criminalization of Water Protectors’. The webinar description reads:
“Since the No-DAPL movement, dozens of states have passed critical infrastructure laws that increase criminal penalties for anyone taking action against destructive fossil fuel projects. In 2017, 80 Republicans and 4 Democrats asked the Justice Department to prosecute Jessica Reznick and the valve turners as terrorists. Last year, the justice department answered the call and applied a terrorism enhancement to Jessica’s case, doubling her sentence. In this webinar you will hear the voices of those standing up against the criminalization of climate action.”
The moderators of the April event were Charlotte and Leoyla Cowboy. Speakers in this segment include Nizhóní Begay and Jaden Cowboy from the Water Protector Legal Collective, Cindy Spoon and Cherri Foytlin from the L’eau Est La Vie anti-pipeline campaign, and Monty Hollywood & Alex from the Campaign to Free Jessica Reznicek.
We’ll share the rest of this webinar in future episodes. A full video recording is also available online here. You can hear our previous episodes about Jessica’s case here.
To learn more about her case, you can watch the campaign’s latest video or visit supportjessicareznicek.com
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 12th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a podcast collaboration between WFHB Community Radio and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Board of Health reports a slight increase in Covid-19 wastewater samples. That’s coming up in your daily headlines. Monroe County Board of Health
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on May 5th, Assistant Vice President of Indiana University Kirk White updated the board on an increase in Influenza-A and Covid-19 numbers on campus.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said there was an increase in Covid-19 detected in the wastewater testing process. Caudill assured the board will continue to monitor the increased presence of Covid-19 in wastewater samples.
Despite the increase in wastewater samples, Caudill said the hospital numbers are still low. The board agreed to continue the discussion of Covid-19 response during its next meeting on June 9th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On May 2nd at the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody shared that HAND will host a tenant resource fair on Saturday May 21st.
Zody also reminded the public that there are requirements for maintaining lawns to a maximum height of eight inches or less.
Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley presented an agreement with Buskirk Chumley Theater Management Incorporated. He explained that they have worked with them for many years and so they would like to approve a three year contract.
City Legal Larry Allen spoke in support of the contract and said that the B-C-T Management partnership has been stable.
The board approved the contract unanimously. The next commission will be held on May 16th. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
The Bloomington City Council heard a report from the Commission on the Status of Women at their May 4th meeting.
The Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women presented a Capstone Project Report on Gender Equity in Bloomington. Elizabeth Gribbins, Christina Samons, and Adam Shifriss presented the report. Gribbins introduced the study.
Adam Shifriss gave some policy recommendations and key data points on the report, focusing on employment and pay.
Gribbins shared what the council and commission can do to address the wage inequity.
During public comment Bloomington Resident Hue Cramer spoke about the environmental hazard of gas leaf blowers.
The council held its final vote on modifying the Monroe County Local Income Tax rate. Council member Dave Rollo expressed concern about the timing of the increase in local income tax.
The council voted unanimously to increase the local income tax by 0.64%. The tax increase would also apply to all of Monroe County, because the local income tax rate is decided by the Monroe County Local Income Tax Council - of which the Bloomington City Council makes up a 56.7 percent majority.
The next city council meeting will be held on May 11th. Feature Report:
You can hear Prescription for Healthcare with Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone on the second Thursday of each month on the WFHB Local News.
In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a podcast collaboration between WFHB Community Radio and Medicare for All Indiana. Hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Joey Ballard - a third-year medical student at the IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis and outgoing president of Students for a National Health Program or SNAHP. We turn now to that segment. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.
HEADLINES According to the Tribune, Seymore’s newspaper, Community forums are set to learn about the newly published Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan and how people can help protect and enhance water quality in the lake and its tributaries. ---Norm Holy The Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor, a proposed new-terrain highway in southern Indiana, has joined the Sierra Club, Indiana Forest Alliance and Hoosier Environmental Council to issue a joint statement condemning construction of the highway. ---Linda Greene With his climate agenda stalled in Congress, President Joe Biden has managed to win billions in federal spending for one pillar of his platform that is gaining increased attention globally: carbon capture. ---Norm Holy Environmentalists are demanding that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, issue a stop work order on the Mountain Valley Pipeline, or MVP for short. For the last eight years communities in West Virginia and Virginia have been fighting this 300-mile-long fracked gas pipeline proposed by Equitrans. ---Linda Greene The Environmental Protection Agency released a draft white paper recently that gives the public a glimpse into the possible requirements the agency might include in a highly anticipated new rule that seeks to rein in climate-warming emissions from natural gas power plants, the nation’s leading source of electricity. ---Norm Holy From East Africa to Mongolia, fences are going up quickly to contain livestock and prevent people from crossing borders. More and more studies are showing that those fences have a negative impact on wild animals, from hindering migrations to increasing the genetic isolation of threatened species. ---Linda Greene America’s major cities have played a key role in the clean energy revolution and stand to reap tremendous benefits from solar energy. As population centers, they are a major source of electricity demand and, with millions of rooftops suitable for solar panels, they have the potential to be major sources of clean energy production as well. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
Join the naturalist at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, May 14th, from 1 to 3 pm to learn about Wacky Water Critters. Explore the world of macro-invertebrates. This hands-on activity will use dipping nets, magnifying glasses and dichotomous keys to collect, examine and study aquatic insects. Go to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area website to register.
Meet with the naturalist at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 14th, from 9 to 10:30 pm for a Full Moon Hike. Meet at the Lake Strahl parking lot, and learn why the May moon is named the Flower Moon, plus learn where the term “Blood Moon” comes from.
On Saturday, May 14 and Sunday May 15th from 10 AM to 12 noon on both days, learn basic boater safety and paddling tips from a Canoe instructor before a Find It Scavenger hunt, at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Collect points for a chance to win a prize. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Enjoy a Night Paddle at Griffy Lake Preserve on Monday, May 16th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Experience peace and serenity on Griffy Lake during the Full Moon. Watercraft, paddles and jackets are provided, but you should bring a flashlight. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The next Nature Sounds performance on Friday, May 20th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, will have the nature topic Buzzin’ Bees. Sam Bartlett will be on banjo while you learn all about bees. The event will take place at the RCA Community Park in the large shelter. Bring your own seating.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 11th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel speaks with Landon Yoder, a professor at Indiana University, about how climate change will impact Indiana’s agricultural sector. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Springtime Scams on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines. Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
Photo by Benedict Jones.
At the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on May 4th the board heard from Sands & Sands LLC for a use Variance for a Tourist Home or Cabin Use on their property on Lake Lemon.
Planner and G-I-S Specialist Anne Crecelius explained that the site has been running as a tourist home or cabin without proper permits. She said that the county has had an ongoing court case since September 24th, 2021 to enforce the zoning ordinance.
Crecelius said that they have received both letters of support and remonstrance from community members about the use of the property, and that the staff recommends the board denies the use variance.
Board member Dee Owens asked the staff why there is a limit on the number of rooms that the zoning ordinance allows for.
Director of Planning Jackie Nester-Jelen explained that since the site contains an existing residential structure it would be considered mixed-use to have a tourist home or cabin, and that in the rural areas they limit the number of guests because of the septic system limitations.
Petitioners Tom Sands and Robert Sands spoke on behalf of their request to have a tourist home on their property.
Tom Sands spoke saying they maintain their septic tank, and said they are willing to limit the number of guests from six to four if need be.
A neighboring resident Sarah Gale Tahla spoke in support of the variance. She explained that she has been in the same position as the Sands and that she believes the septic tanks they have are more than sufficient to handle the amount of use they receive.
Board member Margret Clemmens said that she would support the variance due to hearing about the community’s support.
The board members voted unanimously to approve the use variance. The board will have their next meeting on June 1st. Feature Reports:
Protesters gather at the courthouse lawn in support of abortion rights. (Young)
Up next, we revisit a story from yesterday’s news regarding a protest and march over the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft leak regarding Roe v. Wae. We turn to WFHB News Director Kade Young for “Community is Truly Our Last Line of Defense: Bloomington Residents Demonstrate Support for Roe v. Wade.”
WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel provides an understanding of how climate change will impact Indiana in the future.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel speaks with Landon Yoder, a professor at Indiana University, about how climate change will impact Indiana’s agricultural sector. We turn now to that report.
Up next, Springtime Scams on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Nathaniel Weinzapfel. Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Climate Change in Indiana by WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: In 2022, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that urgent steps were needed to be taken in order to limit the warming of the planet to under 1.5 degrees Celsius, which would require an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the world. While the subject of climate change may seem distant to some, even the state of Indiana has begun to notice the effects. In order to properly understand how climate change will impact the state, WFHB presents “Climate Change in Indiana” a multi-part series first providing background about climate change before addressing how Indiana is likely to be impacted. Researchers have rigorously studied what Indiana’s future will entail, and these stories cover the likely outcomes and provide some specific context. Time is of the essence, so a knowledgeable foundation about climate change in Indiana may help spark future action.
Episode 1: Mock Climate Change Debate Episode one, the Mock Climate Change Debate with Professor Ben Kravitz, a climate scientist and assistant professor at Indiana University. The Professor and I went back and forth with myself portraying a climate denier asking him questions or making statements that are skeptical of climate change. The Professor, with his prior experience with climate change skeptics, was able to explain why common climate myths are incorrect. Ideally, you listeners out there can understand his arguments and hopefully be able to debate your relatives more effectively at the next family gathering! Now without further ado, here is the Q&A. Q&A Section: I'm going to ask the professor questions that a climate change denier would say or comments, they would say, so that we can see how a climate scientist would respond so that you listeners at home can be able to tell your relative why they're wrong. So….
I'll do my best.
For this first one it is. So it was such a cold winter, there was a big snowstorm at the beginning of February, surely global warming can't be happening if it is still so cold.
Well, winter is always going to be cold. We're not talking about winter, suddenly becoming summer. And also, one of the most important words in the phrase global warming is global. A snowstorm in one place doesn't necessarily mean anything. What we're looking at is large scale changes over a long time period, which is what's happening under global warming, and how those changes might affect individual locations.
And so when it comes to global climate, some people say the climate is always changing. The Earth goes through a series of warming and cooling periods. There was a cooling period during the medieval times. Would it be possible that right now we're just going through a warming period?
So it's absolutely right that the Earth's climate has always changed, and we've gone through warming and cooling periods. And in fact, the periods that we've gone through in the past, the warming periods, some of them have been a lot warmer than what we're experiencing now. So that's not the issue. Usually those warming periods take 10s of 1000s or hundreds of 1000s of years or some major event like a huge volcanic eruption or a meteor hitting the Earth, we're not seeing any of that. What we're seeing is very rapid changes in a very short period of time. And also, we have a mechanism for it like we understand the physics of what happens if you put large amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. We've known about that since the mid 1800s. This is 19th century science. Right now, that's what we're seeing, we're seeing the effects that we might expect from doing those sorts of things. So I mean, science doesn't prove anything, it is always possible that this could be due to natural causes, and not due to humans. But I'd say the chance of that is very, very small. And there is no evidence supporting it,
Bloomington protesters gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse on Monday to “defend Roe v. Wade” and “demand legal, free, accessible reproductive healthcare for all.”
The demonstration comes after a leak surfaced of an early Supreme Court ruling that has the potential to overturn the landmark case legalizing abortion nationwide.
Ashley Culbertson, a protester and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, says she felt compelled to protest because of the draft leak and the “inaction” of politicians for failing to solidify reproductive rights.
“I mean, obviously the leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion and also the inaction of the Democratic Party who likes to put themselves as the party that champions women's rights in this country, but under the current administration, we see that they have the presidency and a majority in the House and Senate, but they were not able to pass the Women's Health Protection Act due to Joe Manchin and due to just like a lack of consistency within the Democratic Party. We have the right wing in this country that is hell-bent on taking away the rights of women, but there's supposedly this other major opposition party in our country that does very, very little to stand up for our rights except using them as slogans whenever they are going to campaign,” said Culbertson.
She says if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it will hurt not only women but other marginalized groups, as well.
“I hope they know what they're doing and how much it's going to hurt women and non-binary people and trans men in this country, just anyone with a uterus how harmful it's really going to be and that this position where they call themselves pro life is absolutely not pro life in any sense that it is just anti abortion. And we know that being pro life leads to more complications during abortions being practiced. We know that this is just not the solution if they actually cared about limiting abortions because we know that banning them does nothing to limit the actual amount of abortions that are performed,” she said.
Protesters gather at the courthouse lawn in support of abortion rights. (Young)
Culbertson was the opening speaker at the protest. Speaking from a megaphone, she called out the nation’s highest court and policymakers for even considering to overturn abortion policy in the U.S. “Neither the church nor the state has the right to tell us what to do with our bodies, and we will stand up and we will fight back. We will take to the streets like we are today to show the Supreme Court that what they're doing is unpopular, and to show the Democrats that not passing the Women's Health Protection Act is unpopular. Community is truly our last line of defense,” said Culbertson. 13 states in the U.S. have trigger ban laws in place to prohibit abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Indiana is not one of those states.
However, many speculate that Indiana’s Republican supermajority would move quickly to ban abortion if the Supreme Court overturns nearly half a century of legal precedent.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 10th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Ashleigh Ewald - writer, advocate and podcaster in an ongoing interview series. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News Director Kade Young reports on last night’s protest and march over abortion rights. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council Approves LIT Increase
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
The Bloomington City Council heard a report from the Commission on the Status of Women at their May 4th meeting.
The Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women presented a Capstone Project Report on Gender Equity in Bloomington. Elizabeth Gribbins, Christina Samons, and Adam Shifriss presented the report. Elizabeth Gribbins introduced the study.
Adam Shifriss gave some policy recommendations and key data points on the report, focusing on employment and pay.
Gribbins shared what the council and commission can do to address the wage inequity.
During public comment Bloomington Resident Hue Cramer spoke about the environmental hazard of gas leaf blowers.
The council held its final vote on modifying the Monroe County Local Income Tax rate. Council member Dave Rollo expressed concern about the timing of the increase in local income tax.
The council voted unanimously to increase the local income tax by 0.64%. The tax increase would also apply to all of Monroe County, because the local income tax rate is decided by the Monroe County Local Income Tax Council - of which the Bloomington City Council makes up a 56.7 percent majority.
The next city council meeting will be held on May 11th. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on April 25th, the council decided between two bids they received for help updating the town’s personnel policy. Treasurer Sandra Hash recommended that the council approve a contract with New Focus. Hash said their bid was less expensive and that their references had positive things to say.
Council member Scott Oldham said that he was in favor of her recommendation.
The council approved the contract unanimously. Town Marshal and Chief of Police Jimmy Durnil introduced their candidate George Robinson for the position of Assistant Chief Deputy.
The council approved the appointment of George Robison as Chief Deputy unanimously. He was sworn in by Hash directly following the vote.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on May 2nd. Feature Reports:
Protesters gather at the courthouse lawn in support of reproductive rights (Young)
Up next, WFHB News Director Kade Young covers last night’s protest at the Monroe County Courthouse over abortion rights in a story titled “Community is Truly Our Last Line of Defense” - Bloomington Residents Demonstrate Support to Defend Roe v. Wade. We turn to Young for more.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Ashleigh Ewald - writer, advocate and podcaster about how Generation Z is changing attitudes on climate change and cultural shifts. We turn to Roze for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our features were produced by Kade Young and Zyro Roze. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 9th, 2022. Later in the program, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to covering prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their strike against Indiana University. But first, your daily headlines. Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 4th County Assessor Judy Sharp addressed the public’s concern about the increasing property value assessments.
Sharp explained that the property value assessments are law. Commissioner Julie Thomas commented
Treasurer Jessica McClellan reminded the public of the approaching tax deadline, and gave suggestions for how and when to pay them.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented on the price of sidewalk repairs after Payroll Advisor Jordan Miller read off the claims docket.
GIS Coordinator Jared Eichmiller presented the request to purchase more licenses for Geographic Information System Software for county staff in the amount of $7,350.
The commissioners approved the request unanimously. The next meeting will be held on May 11th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On May 2nd at the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody shared that HAND will host a tenant resource fair on Saturday May 21st.
Zody also reminded the public that there are requirements for maintaining lawns to a maximum height of eight inches or less.
Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley presented an agreement with Buskirk Chumley Theater Management Incorporated. He explained that they have worked with them for many years and so they would like to approve a three year contract.
City Legal Larry Allen spoke in support of the contract and said that the B-C-T Management partnership has been stable.
The board approved the contract unanimously. The next commission will be held on May 16th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their strike against Indiana University. We turn now to that segment.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Ashleigh Ewald about how Generation Z influences attitudes on climate change and cultural changes. We turn to Roze for Part Three of an ongoing interview series. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line and Strike Mic are produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades. Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
Today, the Bloomington Faculty Council is holding an regency session for the first time since 2005, when its No-confidence voters to the firing of IU president Adam Herbert. This meeting was triggered by a petition of more than 200 faculty in response to the Indiana Grad Workers strike. Many hundreds are inside, possibly clearing the 800 person quorum for a no-confidence vote. We are sharing the perspective of two grad organizers on the context and stakes of this meeting and will share updates on what went down inside tomorrow.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
In celebration of recently completing 300 consecutive episodes, we are airing some of our Kite Line crew’s favorite clips from our archive of hundreds of episodes. After we hear a round up of prison disturbances as compiled by Perilous Chronicle, we play a clip from episode 119, in which Talila Lewis (TL) describes some of the challenges to being Deaf in prison.
Afterwards, we return to Renford Farrier, a Canadian prisoner who we heard from last week. Last week, we heard the beginning of his story. This week, he finishes up by talking to us more about his struggles to get released. Farrier was given a life sentence for killing a man, and he believed he’d be out on parole after 10 years. Now, it’s been 30 years, and Farrier is still inside.
Something common between this conversation and the one we heard with TL is misconceptions about the experience of others. Farrier talks about the false perceptions of the Canadian prison system- namely that people think that Canadian prisons are somehow nicer and less racist than in the US. He walks us through how he initially understood his sentence to be ten years, but in practice, each time he comes up for parole he is denied. The life-10 sentence is misleading, since many prisoners do not get paroled after ten years, given that in order to do so you need to basically have a spotless record inside. To make matters worse, when they actually are paroled, it’s nearly impossible to stay out. The parole system is so controlling that parolees are often accused of parole breaches, landing them back inside while they await a parole board’s decision.
As a Black prisoner, Farrier feels like he’s been unfairly denied parole repeatedly, and talks to us about his feelings leading up to his next parole hearing- which is at the end of this year.
Thanks to Renford Farrier for sharing his story, to Perilous for their headlines, and to everyone who helped with the show. You can find out more about the recent prison disturbances at perilouschronicle.com
You can listen to our shows about being Deaf and disabled in prison here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/being-heard-prison-and-the-deaf-community/
You can find out more about Renford’s case, hear other interviews he has given, and learn how to support him at: https://www.freefarrier.ca/
Locutoras, Minerva Sosa y Josefa Madrigal, entrevistan a miembros de la comunidad durante el evento del 5 de mayo y la 5º aniversario del camión de comida de Pili.
Hosts, Minerva Sosa and Josefa Madrigal, interview members of the community during the May 5 event and the 5th anniversary of Pili’s food truck
On April 6th, 2022, local musician Tim JW Baker joined us for an in-studio interview and performance in support of our spring fund drive. We discussed Tim's solo album Little Words, the band SoundR LampN, and why community radio matters to Tim.
Host: Jar Turner Engineer: Spence Taylor
HEADLINES Because of the abundance of ruffed grouse, Grouseland was the name given by William Henry Harrison to his mansion in Vincennes. Even as recently as 1980, there were a good number of grouse. Their numbers dropped and by this century there were few survivors. ---Norm Holy Fifty years ago, the U.S. passed the Clean Water Act with the goal of ensuring “fishable, swimmable” water across the U.S. by 1983. Now, a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project finds the country has fallen far short of that goal. ---Norm Holy According to Professor Brian J. MacGowan, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, the reason we rarely, if ever, see quail anymore is because of loss of habitat. ---Norm Holy Local residents, tribes and businesses are demanding completion of an environmental impact statement, or EIS, for a 750,000-square-foot wood-processing mill that Charlotte, North Carolina–based Huber Engineered Woods proposes to build one mile outside the Leech Lake Reservation in Cohasset, Minnesota. ---Linda Greene Over 60% of the world’s consumer goods, almost $14 trillion worth of products from computers to fruit, are transported in huge containers on ships. The average ship can carry over 20,000 containers filled with goods. ---Linda Greene According to a new report by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels on U-S coastlines will rise an average of ten to twelve inches by 2050. ---Linda Greene The National Butterfly Center in Texas that stood up to former President Donald Trump’s border wall is now shuttering indefinitely because of harassment from right-wing conspiracy theorists. ---Norm Holy When the tide is right, an ink-colored water spreads like a shadow across the aquamarine Indian River Lagoon. The dark water represents one of the most startling symptoms of what silently is killing the 156-mile lagoon, an estuary on Florida’s east coast that is among the most biologically diverse on the continent: nutrient pollution. ---Norm Holy Brooklyn, New York, residents and environmentalists are protesting the construction of a seven-mile north Brooklyn gas pipeline. They claim the pipeline violates their civil rights by bypassing white neighborhoods and going through neighborhoods with Black residents and other residents of color. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
A Wild Tea Time demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th, from 10 am to 10:30 pm at Brown County State Park. Learn what plants make suitable teas, any historical uses for those teas, and take some to try.
Meet at the Fall Overlook at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 7th, at 3 pm to learn about the Snakes At The Falls. Find out which creatures are slithering near the creek and swimming after minnows. You will find out the snakes are not venomous.
It’s Morel Mushroom Time and Brown County State Park is having a Morel Mushroom Festival on Saturday, May 7th, and Sunday, May 8th, from 11 am to 11:30 pm. You can join the naturalist to learn about how they grow, how to identify them and where they are likely to be found. Lots of activities are scheduled for the weekend.
Join the naturalist at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, May 14th, from 1 to 3 pm to learn about Wacky Water Critters. Explore the world of macro-invertebrates. This hands-on activity will use dipping nets, magnifying glasses, and dichotomous keys to collect, examine and study aquatic insects. Go to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area website to register.
Learn basic boater safety and paddling tips from an instructor before a Canoe Find It? Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May 14th, and Sunday, May 15th, from 10 am to noon on both days at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Collect points for a chance to win a prize. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
In the late afternoon of Saturday, April 30, a dozen members of the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition picketed a major donors' dinner at the IU auditorium.
They were joined by several community supporters including a union steamfitter and a member of the Monroe County Education Association. The dinner celebrates IU donors who contribute at the one, five, and 10 million dollar levels.
Today, we are sharing audio from the demonstration, which was aimed at reaching donors and letting them know that their contributions are not reaching IU classrooms via instructors' wages.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades. Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 5th, 2022. Later in the program, we have an excerpt from Interchange – The Knowledge of Power: Graduate Worker Exploitation at Indiana University. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals met late last month to discuss a sidewalk on a property on West Seventh Street. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals
At the Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on April 21st, Planning Development and Services Manager Jackie Scanlan presented a petition for a sidewalk variance on a property located at 935 West 7th Street.
Scanlan shared that the petitioners were informed of the sidewalk standards when they were building the house and that it was included in their site plans.
Scanlan said that city staff visited the site and deemed that it would be feasible to include a sidewalk. Scanlan shared why this property having a sidewalk is important for the future of sidewalk connectivity in the area.
The petitioner Patrick McAleer presented to the board explaining why they are requesting the variance.
The board voted to postpone their decision on the sidewalk variance to consult with the city staff again.
The next meeting will be held on May 26th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we feature an excerpt from Interchange - our public affairs program devoted to answering the questions that shape how we understand ourselves. This excerpt comes from the live broadcast last Tuesday where host Doug Storm interviewed members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition who have been on strike for almost a month.
Storm welcomes Three PhD candidates at Indiana University: Marina Mecham is in the History Department, Anne Kavalerchik is in the Sociology and Informatics Departments, and Nathan Douglas is in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. The conversation begins with host Doug Storm asking our guests about IU President Pamela Whitten’s doctoral thesis. We turn now to an excerpt from Interchange on WFHB. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Doug Storm. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
She went from shoeing horses to playing a key role in preserving and administering Indiana's art history. Rachel Perry's new book, Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Virgil Dudley, was published by the Indiana Historical Society Press late last year. Dudley's oils depicting the state's spectacular sand dunes off the southeast shore of Lake Michigan helped bring them widespread attention. The dunes are now Indiana's first national park.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 4th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News provides a rundown of the local primary results in today’s daily headlines. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have your weekly consumer-watchdog segment Better Beware hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your environmental news brief:
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has recently proposed adding a new species to the state’s endangered species list. The prairie tarachidia, which is also known as the Prairie Bird-Dropping moth, has the distinctive coloring of its namesake, bird droppings. The moth is an important species because it is a great indicator of the health of Indiana’s habitats, as the moth is vital to the food web. The Indiana DNR currently has over 150 species listed as endangered in the state and plans to add a few more. Ideally, species are delisted once they recover in their natural habitat. The DNR hopes that by adding the moth to the endangered species list, more awareness will be raised and the species could be saved.
This year, the organizers of the Indianapolis 500 have decided to not release balloons during this year’s race. This is the third year in a row without the balloon launch, but the prior reasons were all COVID-19 related. The explanation of this decision for this May is due to the environmental and wildlife impacts that the balloons have. The balloons are known to travel very far, with some ending up in Ohio, and most of them make their way into the ecosystem which can have negative impacts for wildlife. Some species, such as turtles, are known to eat balloons which can lead to suffocation or starvation. Experts have done tests on the balloons launched in the past and have found them to only degrade after four years. Environmental groups have praised this move by the Indy 500 as it helps lower the environmental footprint of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After almost a year of weekly airings, this is my last Environmental News Briefing. Once I graduate, I’m moving back to my hometown, leaving Bloomington and my WFHB family behind. Thank you for listening to these weekly briefings and I hope they have allowed you to stay informed and knowledgeable about the environment here in Bloomington, in Indiana, and throughout the world. At the current moment, there are plans to continue the segment, with a fellow environmental correspondent stepping up to take the mantle. But for now, thanks again. Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners
On April 26th at the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting, Director of Parks and Recreation Paula McDevvit asked the board to approve a suspension appeal of a park visitor.
City Attorney Michael Rouker gave the commissioners background information on their ability to issue a temporary park suspension and explained why one has been submitted for resident Matthew Mulligan.
Matthew Mulligan spoke in his defense against the suspension.
Board member Jim Whitlach asked Mulligan if he was at the park that day, and if he did in fact pull in front of Delilah’s car intending to block his vehicle from exiting the park parking lot. Mulligan said he did not do it.
City Attorney Rouker and Council Member Whitlach asked Clark Delilah a series of questions about his encounters with Mulligan.
The board unanimously approved the suspension of Mulligan from city parks for ninety days. The board will have a special meeting to approve the 2021 annual report draft on May 9th.
Monroe County Primary Election Results
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
Indiana held its primary election on Tuesday. In today’s edition of the local news, WFHB will give you a rundown of the results for races of local issues. There were some contested county-wide races on behalf of the Democrats. However, all GOP candidates for county office ran unopposed.
Welcome to the 63rd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. In this episode we have a conversation with Hearabouts producer and co-host Andrew Pace. We reflect on the 2021-2022 school year and discuss thoughts and feelings about graduation. We also engage in a discussion on identity development and adoption. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guest is Andrew Pace Our Sound Engineer is Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News has special coverage on the 2022 Indiana Primary Election which takes place today. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council continues its discussion on raising the Local Income Tax. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Bloomington City Council Continues Discussion on Increasing Local Income Tax
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
On April 27th the Bloomington City Council continued their discussion on raising the Local Income Tax.
Council member Kate Rosenbarger asked the mayor about how reducing the proposed Local Income Tax rate would affect the budget - if it would affect the budget as a whole or eliminate funding for specific programs. Mayor John Hamilton responded.
During public comment Russ Skeeba shared that he was against raising the Local Income Tax. Skeeba said that the community is too divided to make any decisions.
Council member Jim Sims commented that the council has a tough decision to make when so many people want different things, and shared what he would like to see funding for.
The council will vote on the Local Income Tax at their next meeting on May 4th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works Approves Street Closure Request from CBU
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on April 26th the board heard from Engineering Public Improvement Manger Emily Herr about accepting East Short Street into the city’s inventory.
The addition was approved unanimously. The board also approved a street closure request from the City of Bloomington Utilities for East Queens Way and the intersection of South Montclair Avenue from April 27th 2022 until May 18th 2022.
Engineering Field Specialist Paul Kehrberg shared that the work will be done between 9 to 3, and said that the street will be open in the evenings. Board president Kayla Cox Deckard asked if arrangements have been made for the residents on the street to ensure they will have access to their driveways during that time.
Kehrberg said that he will make sure that Bloomington Utilities coordinates with them. The board approved their request unanimously. The next meeting will be held on May 10th. 2022 Indiana Primary Election
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).
Indiana’s primary election is today - Tuesday, May 3rd. The results of the 2022 primary determine the party nominees for the general election in November.
Hours for polling places in Monroe County are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but if you are in line by 6 p.m. you will still have the opportunity to cast your ballot.
Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler says that she believes the primaries are more important than you think for both political parties in the United States.
At around 12:30 p.m. Wheeler said the voter turnout has been slightly slow. However, she says the turnout looks somewhat similar to the last midterm primary.
She provided essential information voters need to know for this year’s primary election.
Wheeler talked about the importance of exercising your right to vote and what that means to her.
Tom Henderson has worked the polls at Binford Elementary for about a decade. He said voter turnout seemed low at around 1 p.m. but he said he hopes to see more voters before the polls close.
Henderson, who is a volunteer at WFHB Community Radio, gave his input on the importance of primary elections.
Prior to the election, Monroe County Election Central pushed out the message that more poll workers were needed. Henderson said that he was glad to see local people step up, but that he would like to see more people working the polls.
Henderson discussed why he believes the right to vote is essential for any democratic form of government.
All in all, Henderson thanked voters for coming out and exercising their right to vote in th...
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 2nd, 2022. Later in the program, Indiana’s primary election begins tomorrow, Tuesday, May 3rd. More information on where, when and how to vote and some information on local races in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 27th, Monroe County Sheriff Brad Swain updated the commissioners on how the sheriff’s office has been implementing the software Lexipol to electronically keep track of their policy documents and procedure manuals.
Swain said that they also have been using the program to send out training bulletins that the officers are expected to keep up to date on.
Swain said that Lexipol has been a beneficial program for the Sheriff’s department.
Commissioner Penny Githens said she was very pleased the program has been so useful. She also asked how much the program will cost moving forward since it was initially funded using grant money.
Swain said that he was not sure about the exact figure, but said he can provide it in the future. The next commissioners meeting will be held on May 2nd. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
On April 25th at the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting, Capital Projects Manager, Daniel Hudson shared bids for the Monroe Water Treatment Plant Filter Rehabilitation Project.
According to Hudson the bid from Michelin Stark is for $3,256, 845. And the bid from Building Associates is for $2,304,700.
Board member Kirk White asked how much the department originally expected the bids to cost. Hudson said that their estimates were much smaller than the bids they received.
Hudson said that the department staff will bring their recommendation to the next board meeting in two weeks. The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on May 9th. Indiana Primary Election Information A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young). Where, When and How to Vote Indiana’s 2022 primary election begins tomorrow, Tuesday May 3rd. Early voting for the primary ends at 6 p.m. tonight on May 2nd.
Polling times are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. but if you are in line by 6 p.m., you will still be able to cast your vote.
To vote on election day, you will need a valid form of identification issued by either the state of Indiana or the U.S. government.
In order to find out where to vote, meaning your designated polling place, visit indianavoters.in.gov. Indiana House District 62 Indiana House District 62 will be a race to watch during this election cycle. Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens and outgoing Sheriff Brad Swain have announced their candidacy for the Democratic primary. They will face either Dave Hall or Greg Knott - candidates for the Republican primary - in the General Election come November.
The Democratic and Republican challengers will not face off against an incumbent - as former District 62 Representative Jeff Ellington announced last year that he will change his residency to Bloomfield in order to run for the House District 45 seat. According to the Indy Star, the recently-passed redistricting maps show that the once reliably red House District 62 will now become more competitive.
The new maps exclude Martin, Davies and Greene counties while gaining Brown County, more of Monroe County and parts of Jackson County. Monroe County Sheriff's Race Another race of local interest - the Monroe County Sheriff’s race. Current Sheriff Brad Swain has served two terms in office and by Indiana law he is not permitted to run for another term.
Five Democratic candidates have put their names in the hat for the primary, including Steve Hale, Ruben Marte, Angie Purdie, Joani Stalcup and Troy Thomas.
by Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has been extended to encompass all of April, in what has been aptly named Earth Month. In celebration of Earth Month there have been a series of news stories airing throughout the week focusing on how Indiana is likely to be affected by climate change. Researchers have rigorously studied what Indiana’s future will entail, and these stories have covered the likely outcomes and provided some specific context. This is the fifth and final episode of the series based around an interview with Jesse Kharbanda, the Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, an organization that supports sustainable farming, modernizing transportation, transition to greener energy, and protecting the health of Hoosiers. The interview was conducted by former WFHB Environmental News Correspondent Ryan Fields, who has generously provided the content of his excellent conversation with the Executive Director, and adapted for this story. Climate Change Protest Statehouse News Report: Speaking out about climate change, at a Climate Action event held at the Indiana State House today, more than 100 members of the group "Confront the Climate Crisis" gathered to discuss the importance of taking care of the planet. It's centered around support for two pieces of legislation that are sponsored by Republican State Senator Ron Alting, one is a resolution to acknowledge the problem of climate change. The other would create a climate and environmental justice task force. Senator Alting says he proposed the legislation because what he's seen happened to the environment during his own lifetime. Response to Climate Change & Outreach in Indiana: For many Hoosiers, there is a sense of urgency. Over the last few decades, the effects of climate change have been forewarned and some areas of the state have already begun to take notice. Farmers have indicated that there has been a change in seasonal weather patterns impacting the crop yields and altering the timing of planting and harvesting. Bloomington residents have experienced “once in a century floods” and all Indiana residents have faced the hot summers that have become more frequent. Many Hoosiers have started to take action. Earlier this year, students from every region of the state met with Republican State Senator Ron Alting in support of his bill to tackle climate change issues in Indiana. Despite the support, the state government has not indicated that they will hear the legislation, and supporters believe that Indiana has not properly understood the threat to the environment, economy, and the health of Hoosiers that climate change can pose.
Despite this, there are many environmental groups across the state who hope to change the trajectory of Indiana by changing the perspectives of Hoosiers and providing an understanding about climate change. This would generate support for proper responses and actions that could protect the state. One such group is the Hoosier Environmental Council. For 39 years, the Hoosier Environmental Council has been hard at work, advocating for Indiana to become a “better place to live, breathe, work, and play” . The organization hopes to encourage Hoosiers to become more environmentally conscious and understand the possible climate solutions and pathways forward that Indiana could take. Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda has, throughout his career, been passionate about expanding the tent of people who are concerned about the environment and climate. One such method of doing so is reaching out to people who otherwise may be apathetic to environmental issues. Mr. Kharbanda explains why three communities, the faith, public health, and business,
Last week, marked our 300th episode!
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing clips of our favorite moments from our archive of shows. The following story is from Mark Cook, one of our all-time favorite guests on Kite Line. In this gem, Cook, a founding member of the Walla Walla Black Panther Party, tells us the story of using stolen materials from prison work to construct a printing press for the distribution of radical materials across the prison. Made from simple kitchen and household items, they created a paper that informed prisoners of various actions and shared gossip about prison officials.
Afterward, we share a call from a Canadian prisoner named Renford Farrier. We will air more of this conversation next week, but for now, Farrier introduces us to himself and his case. You’ll hear some similarities with what Baye Sylvester talked about last week- the way that plea deals and faith in the system can confuse and intimidate prisoners and their families into accepting unfavorable charges.
Special thanks to both Farrier and Cook. We will hear more of Farrier’s story next week.
You can hear the full episode with Mark Cook here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/recalling-past-struggles/
More of Mark’s interviews with us are here:
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/out-again-everything-continues-more-stories-from-mark-cook/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/mark-cook-reflects-on-solidarity-across-the-walls/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/if-you-care-grow-your-hair-prison-rebellion-strategies-from-the-1960s/
https://www.kitelineradio.org/podcast/communication-is-a-human-right-more-reflections-from-mark-cook/
by Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has been extended to encompass all of April, in what has been aptly named Earth Month. In celebration of Earth Month there have been a series of news stories that began last week focusing on how Indiana is likely to be affected by climate change. Researchers have rigorously studied what Indiana’s future will entail, and these stories will cover the likely outcomes and provide some specific context. This is the fourth episode of the series, focusing on the future of severe weather in Indiana based around an interview with Dr. Cody Kirkpatrick, a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at Indiana University. Extreme Weather News Reports Segment: And we begin at six o'clock with an I-Team 8 investigation and a warning about Indiana's electric grid this winter. A new report suggests that a major winter storm could lead parts or all of the state without electricity. This is a big deal.
We're joining you from Kilroy’s tonight, right on Kirkwood Avenue here in Bloomington. And as you can see, there's still a lot of cleanup happening here from those floodwaters last night. Those with Kilroy's tell us they're hoping to open by Tuesday.
It's tomorrow that our severe weather threat moves in. Check this out. Almost the entire state of Indiana is in that enhanced risk. That's a level three out of five. That means severe weather is going to be likely and this threat is going to be an overnight threat that makes it even more dangerous.
And the cold is stretching across the Midwest. The mayor of Indianapolis urged residents to stay indoors. “Even 10 minutes of exposure may very well be harmful.” Extreme Weather: Among the effects of climate change most publicized are extreme weather events. While it is still difficult to pinpoint how climate change might have impacted a singular historical event, scientists have found that overall, the planet is likely to experience an intensification of heat waves, droughts, storms, and winter weather. These more extreme variations in the weather of Indiana pose quite a danger to the state. Severe weather events can increase the amount of illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations and lead to billions of dollars worth of damages to local communities state-wide. Essential services, such as emergency response vehicles, water supplies, and electricity could also be temporarily disrupted during these events. Overall, if climate change continues, this increase in severe weather events could harm Indiana and its Hoosier residents. Heat Waves: In the previous episode, heat waves were discussed in regard to its impact on Hoosier farmers. To reiterate the findings, heat waves are projected to become more common due to climate change. Overall, summers in Indiana will be hotter. It is predicted that the number of days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit could last for about two and a half months on average during the summer months. While for many people this just means they will stay inside more or head to the pool, these events can actually be quite deadly, as Dr. Kirkpatrick describes:
“Here in Indiana, I think a lot of people don't consider heat waves as severe weather or as a type of extreme weather. But on average, in the United States, heat causes the most fatalities, the most weather related fatalities every year. Greater number than tornadoes, than flooding, and hurricanes on average, every year. And with warmer temperatures that we know are occurring, and are going to continue to occur, you can, with those warmer temperatures, evaporate more water into the atmosphere. So our heat index values, the measure that we use for how uncomfortable it is on a summe...
WFHB Host: Josefa Madrigal, interviews Pili about their 5th year anniversary, she is inviting you to participate at their 5 de Mayo festivities free of charge for families! Don't miss out on the Taco and Burrito eating contest. They will celebrate 5 de mayo on May 5th at the Mill between 10 & 11th street. They will have a taco & burrito eating contest, Latin Music, traditional performances and a live Mariachi band.
Second part: WFHB Host, Luz Lopez, interviews Perla Benitez about her experiences of her residing in Bloomington, IN. She shares the history of May 5, the importance of it, and why it is celebrated. Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5, which commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Mexico, town of Puebla in 1862. To clarify, it is not the Mexican's Independence Day. El dia de la Independencia Mexicana se celebra el 16 de Septiembre.
Locutura de WFHB: Josefa Madrigal, entrevista a Pili sobre su 5to aniversario, ¡te invita a participar en sus festividades del 5 de Mayo sin costo para las familias! No te pierdas el concurso de comer tacos y burritos. Celebrarán el 5 de mayo el 5 de mayo en The Mill entre calle 10 y 11. Habrá un concurso de comer tacos y burritos, música latina, bailables tradicionales y una banda de mariachis en vivo.
Segunda parte: Nuestra locutora de la WFHB, Luz López, entrevista a Perla Benítez sobre sus experiencias de residir en Bloomington, IN. Ella comparte la historia del 5 de mayo, su importancia y por qué se celebra. El Cinco de Mayo es una celebración anual que se lleva a cabo el 5 de mayo, que conmemora el aniversario de la victoria de México sobre el Imperio francés en la Batalla de México, pueblo de Puebla en 1862. Para aclarar, no es el Día de la Independencia de México. Mexican's independence day is celebrated September 16th.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
By Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has recently been extended to encompass all of April, in what has been aptly named Earth Month. In celebration of Earth Month there have been a series of news stories that began last week focusing on how Indiana is likely to be affected by climate change. Researchers have rigorously studied what Indiana’s future will entail, and these stories have covered the likely outcomes and provided some context. This is the third part of the series focusing on how Indiana’s agricultural sector and Hoosier farmers are preparing for climate change, with a featured interview with Professor Landon Yoder, an assistant professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. WRTV Indianapolis News Reports Segment: Take a look at the heat that we're seeing in the forecast that we will continue to see today. triple digit heat we've seen seven days so far this summer, and that triple digit heat will continue possibly into some areas for today. Alright, so yesterday one on one that is record breaking heat a record set back in 1887. So a 125 year old record was broken yesterday…
Eventually a high of 93. It'll be a steam bath out there with heat index values that will range anywhere from 105 to maybe even 110 degrees at times throughout the course of the afternoon and into the early evening hours…
Farmers tell me it is a dire year for apples, pears, plums, basically any tree fruit and there are a lot of Apple farmers right in our state. Some say this year. They've lost everything…. Crops & Livestock: As any person living in Indiana has known for the last few years, our summers have been getting warmer. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report has found that the average worldwide temperatures will likely exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius in 20 years. The number of days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will become increasingly common in Indiana, with a possibility of two and half months of summer being at or higher than 90 degrees. Evidently, every year it seems that our local news stations are reporting on the latest heatwave to hit the state, often warning Hoosiers to keep cool and stay safe. One group of people who are being hurt particularly hard by the warm temperatures are the farmers of Indiana.
According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana is ranked 10th in the nation in our total agricultural production, with quite a lot of diversity in the sector, ranging from pumpkins to turkeys and apples to popcorn. Someone who knows quite a bit about Indiana Agriculture is Indiana University Assistant Professor Landon Yoder, who has spent many years researching the intersection between agricultural production and climate change, specifically how farm management practices impact water quality and crop output. His expertise has aided in the promotion of conservation practices in many farming communities to better maintain crops and livestock in response to abnormal weather related events. Professor Yoder provides background on farming in Indiana over time and how farmers are experiencing climate change:
“So I think our farm sector has been pretty similar for a while over decades. There are responses to climate change. So you know, corn, soybean, and wheat, winter wheat tend to be the three biggest row crops. And then you're looking at a lot of hog farms and particularly concentrated animal feeding operations along with that. So that approach to farming has been around for decades, going back to the 1970s, where there was a big push the USDA Secretary at the time, under Nixon said, you know, we want farmers to get big or get out.
In March of 2022, students from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship participated in the MOTH Project, an event in which they tell personal, true stories under the guidance of English teacher Rachel Bahr. This version is 52 minutes, and the audio was edited by Youth Radio Coordinator Wilder Mouton.
~Note~ only stories aired on Youth Radio are included in this recording.
Indiana University boasts some 10,000 graduate students, fully one quarter of whom are paid employees helping to teach undergrads among other tasks. More than 1700 of the paid grad students have signed union cards in the last six months. The Indiana Grad Workers Coalition is affiliated with the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America. The University so far has refused to recognize the union. Cole Nelson talks about the life of a paid grad student and his wish for the union to be recognized.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
By Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has been extended to encompass all of April, in what has been aptly named Earth Month. In celebration of Earth Month there have been a series of news stories that began last week focusing on how Indiana is likely to be affected by climate change. Researchers have rigorously studied what Indiana’s future will entail, and these stories will cover the likely outcomes and provide some specific context. This is the second episode of the series, with this one being based around another discussion with Professor Ben Kravitz, a climate scientist and assistant professor at Indiana University, who helps explain why we know climate change is occurring that will allow us to explain specifically the relationship between climate change and Indiana. NBC News Report Segment: From horrific tornado damage…
“It just looked like a battlezone”
…to historic flooding…
“You couldn't see anything but water. nothing but water”
…and raging wildfires…
“Got everybody out. But it's heartbreaking”
The UN's latest most in depth scientific report on climate change warns the dangers are immediate and growing more acute. History of Climate Science: Climate science and the general knowledge we have about climate change didn’t begin with the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The history of the scientific field goes back about two centuries ago, when French physicist Joseph Fourier first proposed the idea that Earth’s atmosphere acted as a greenhouse, and allowed the planet to remain consistently warm. Irish scientist John Tydall would later begin to determine what the composition of the greenhouse was through laboratory experiments in the 1860s. These tests found that compounds related to coal, including carbon dioxide and methane, were excellent sources to absorb energy from the sun. Three decades later Svante Arrhenius discovered that the decreases and increases in global CO2 levels could cool and warm the planet respectively. However, the connection between these discoveries and the growth of the industrial world was not made until the 1930s when British engineer Guy Stewart Callendar realized that average temperatures in the United States had warmed since the industrial revolution, and that the Earth as a whole is likely warming.
Modern climate science has its origins in the founding of the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii which began to record atmospheric CO2 levels consistently since 1958. The information gathered at the observatory is depicted in the most famous of climate diagrams, showing CO2 levels rising every year since the record began. This is called the Keeling Curve.
Professor Kravitz & Climate Modeling: The Kneeling Curve and the climate models that followed all sought to understand the relationship between global average temperature and the different impacts humans have on the global climate. Professor Kravitz knows this topic all too well. His 15 year career began by solely focusing on math, before becoming interested in atmospheric science and how equations can be used to predict weather and understand climate change. The professor explains exactly what his area of focus is when it comes to climate change.
“I tend to be really interested in the physical climate. So basically, the way I describe it is when you push the Earth system, how does it respond? We call that radiative forcing and climate response. I'm interested in feedbacks. I'm interested in exploring the Earth as a system and how we can get strange responses when we do things that seem like they wouldn't elicit strange responses. And just sort of poking around and trying to figure out how the Earth system works.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
On Sunday, April 10th, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 28th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel concludes his series on how climate change impacts Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. But first, your local headlines. Bloomington City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
During public comment at the Bloomington City Council meeting on April 20th, resident Greg Alexander shared his concerns about apartment complexes that are being proposed isolated from the neighborhoods and without access to sidewalks and public transportation.
Bloomington resident Sheryll Walter asked the council to add a four-way stop to the intersection between Sheridan and Maxwell that she said is unsafe due to the increase in the volume of traffic and the speed on the road.
Council members Piedmont-Smith, Flaherty, Rollo, and Rosenbarger sponsored a resolution to support the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition. Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith presented the resolution.
The council voted unanimously in support of the graduate workers. The next city council meeting will be held on May 4th. Monroe County Public Library
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
On April 20th at the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, audiences heard from Dr. Vernon Kintro about the Healthnet Homeless Initiative. The Healthnet staff asked to host clinics at the public libraries. He said that they would like to start a clinic at one site as a pilot program and expand from there.
Healthnet Nurse Practitioner Abbey Wons clarified how the clinic would operate.
Social Worker Mellissa Virgis explained why they chose to meet the community at libraries.
Virgis also said that they are in contact with the Shalom Center and Wheeler mission so that they are not providing overlapping services.
Board member Nichelle Whitney Wash asked if the patients being referred to other practices would be guaranteed assistance due to the current lack of healthcare available.
Dr. Kintro said that they will keep working with a patient until they are able to get help from medical specialists. He also said that they are able to use their connections with Health Net to call in favors if patients need urgent help.
The board will hear from them again before they are asked to vote on the partnership. The next board of trustees meeting will be on May 18th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. We turn now to that segment.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel features an interview with Jesse Kharbanda, the Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council. This concludes Weinzapfel’s series on how climate change impacts Indiana. We turn to Nathaniel Weinzapfel for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Nathaniel Weinzapfel. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This month’s Partisan Gardens is all about the Farmer’s Almanac, specifically the 2022 Earthbound Farmer’s Almanac. Our listeners are probably familiar with the old farmer’s almanac, with its planting charts, weather forecasts and random tidbits of folksy wisdom and jokes. It’s an artifact of an earlier time, probably not the first place our listeners go to decide what to plant or when to plant it.
The Earthbound Almanac, on the other hand, is situated in the present moment. Last year, we dedicated an episode to their first almanac- and we encourage you to listen to that, too. The book’s back cover reads:
This is a Farmer’s Almanac for the end of the world. We glimpsed one such world emerging after the storm last Summer, as people in the darkened city gathered around generators and grills to share the brief abundance from their thawing freezers. The crises all around us, and the attempts by the ultra-rich to flee the Earth entirely, make clear that none of the reigning institutions will make any effort toward our survival. The way forward, out of this mess, will mean charting a new course informed with Black and Indigenous knowledges developed through generations of struggle against land theft and enslavement. We will have to work together -- constructing and re-constructing the ability to sustain and care for each other. This almanac is for developing the necessary knowledge, infrastructure and practices.
In a moment when so many are refusing exploitative work, whether by striking, quitting, slacking, calling in sick or “lying flat”, it feels both more urgent and more possible than ever to reclaim the joy and value of our work as meaningful. The old farmer’s almanac presented conventional wisdom. This almanac is a place for experimentation, for finding new forms and retrofitting old ones, for sharing stories of lived efforts toward a collective exit from this colonial nightmare, this separateness from the Earth.
So for today’s episode we’re taking you on an audio tour of the almanac – less like an audio book and more of an interpretation and an exploration based on the almanac. We will have a few readings from the book, some tarotscopes, along with a couple brief interviews with some of the authors of those pieces.
The Almanac hopes to be back next year, so if you’re excited to contribute to future issues, send pitches to lobeliacommons@protonmail.com with “2023 Almanac:” and the pitch topic in the subject by July 31st, 2022. Thank you to all the contributors who sent in and read their pieces from the almanac for us. You can get a copy of the almanac and find out more by going to emergentgoods.com. Thanks to Xiamara Chupaflor for the tarotscopes. Thanks to Lyn Rye for our theme music.
HEADLINES Some Northern Indiana residents remain skeptical that communities in the area will be free of contamination from toxic coal ash despite a renewed commitment by government agencies and one of the state’s biggest energy companies to clean up polluted sites and transition to renewable energy sources. ---Norm Holy IndyStar has issued report cards, and it’s not looking good for Indiana lawmakers. A new scorecard that grades Indiana legislators based on their votes in support of or against various environment-related bills has been released. In it, nearly two-thirds received a D or an F. Among them: the chairs of the House and Senate Environmental Affairs committees. ---Norm Holy Inside Climate News reports that as the coal industry has collapsed in Kentucky, companies have racked up a rising number of violations at surface mines. Internal documents show State regulators have failed to bring a record number of them into compliance. ---Norm Holy One of President’s Biden’s key campaign promises was not to drill for oil and gas on federal lands. However, the U-S Department of the Interior has announced a plan to do so. The department intends to auction off drilling leases on 225 square miles in nine states—Alabama, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah. ---Linda Greene Recently we reported that over a thousand scientists from around the world who are deeply concerned about the climate crisis and about governments’ and corporations’ inaction on it committed acts of civil disobedience on April 6th in protest. Protests resumed on April 13th in London. Over two dozen scientists glued scientific papers and their own hands to the windows of a U-K government building (the U-K Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). ---Linda Greene The Biden administration wants the EPA to approve the sale of E15, an especially dirty type of fuel that its opponents say is far dirtier than plain gasoline and contributes to smog. E15 is a blend of gasoline and up to 15% ethanol, a plant-based fuel. ---Linda Greene For storm-battered residents of the Caribbean, the Southeast and the Gulf Coast, new research on hurricanes is rarely good news, with recent studies showing trends toward stronger storms that intensify suddenly near the coast and maintain their strength longer after hitting land. ---Norm Holy Federal health officials are closely watching a highly lethal type of bird flu that’s devastated poultry farms along the East Coast and the Midwest in recent weeks. There are no signs the strain of avian influenza poses a danger to people yet, but experts are on the lookout for potential mutations of the virus that could make it more of a threat. ---Norm Holy The wildly misnamed federal program called Wildlife Services, part of the U-S Department of Agriculture, just announced that it killed some 405,000 native animals last year. ---Linda Greene We may tend to think of evolution as something that happens slowly over millions of years, but that’s not always the case. When a population of a particular species changes, there can be a variety of possible causes, including climate change and human pressures on a particular ecosystem, such as overfishing. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
The Daisy Days Native Plant Sale will be at the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead on Saturday, April 30th, from 11 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday, May 1st, from 1 to 4 pm. The sale specializes in native perennials.
The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting a bird feeder cleaning fundraiser on Saturday, April 30th, at Bloomington Hardware in Bloomington from 9 am to 2 pm. Keeping your bird feeders clean is one way of preventing the spread of disease.
The Flora Field Day at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. This is your chance to work on your flora identification skills. The naturalist will teach you the proper use and application of...
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 27th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel continues an ongoing series on how climate change impacts Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their ongoing strike against Indiana University. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
“The Caviar King”, otherwise known as David Cox, the once infamous illegal poacher of paddlefish along the Ohio River, has once again made headlines as his relative has been sentenced in federal court for the illegal harvesting of paddlefish. Joseph Schigur must serve five years probation for catching paddlefish and cutting them open to take their eggs. These fish are considered threatened under Ohio law, and only commercially approved fishing of them is allowed in the parts of the Ohio river controlled by Indiana and Kentucky. Since Joseph caught the fish in Ohio and brought them to Indiana, he violated the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits the illegal transportation of wildlife if said wildlife was illegally caught in the state it was taken from. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service released a statement thanking the investigators who had been working to stop the greed of Joseph and similar illegal wildlife traffickers.
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt of the Southern District of Indiana recently ruled in favor of environmental groups who have spent four years fighting a proposal to log and control burn areas of the Hoosier National Forest close to Lake Monroe. The proposal, called the Houston South Project, wanted to restore oak and hickory trees to the forest after the logging and burning. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners and the Hoosier Environmental Council were concerned that rainfall following the burns could lead to more sediment entering the Lake Monroe watershed and potentially contaminate Bloomington’s drinking water supply. While Judge Pratt did dismiss claims that endangered species, such as the Indiana bat, would be impacted, the environmental groups have considered this ruling as a success, and the health of the lake protected.
Across the ocean, the country of Italy has recently voted in its country’s parliament to include protections for both animals and the environment in the nation’s constitution. This section of the constitution, titled Article Nine, previously protected the natural landscape and heritage of the country, but the new amendment would manade that the country QUOTE “protect the environment, biodiversity, ecosystems and animals in the interest of future generations” UNQUOTE. The World Wildlife Fund’s chapter in Italy was supportive of the change, due to the protections it now enshrines into the nation’s most important document. Other areas of the world, including Argentina in 1994 and the Alaska State Constitution have included similar environmental preservation amendments into their constitutions. Feature Reports:
Photo courtesy of ABC News.
WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro reported on a shooting at Kalao Rum Bar over the Little 500 weekend. We turn to Shaprio’s report.
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their ongoing strike against Indiana University. We turn now to that segment.
WFHB Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel continues an ongoing series on how climate change impacts Indiana. In today’s feature report, Weinzapfel tackles Indiana’s Severe Weather Future with IU Professor Dr. Cody Fitzpatrick. We turn now to that segment.
Up next, Solar Good News on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. Host and producer Richard Fish says solar energy is really on the way, and more prevalent locally than most people know. Fish breaks down how to find out if it will benefit you, without spending a dime and how to stay away from any scammers and swindle...
By Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: *This story originally aired on Earth Day, April 22nd. First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. In celebration of Earth Day today, WFHB presents a mock climate change debate with Professor Ben Kravitz, a climate scientist and assistant professor at Indiana University. The Professor and I went back and forth with myself portraying a climate denier asking him questions or making statements that are skeptical of climate change. The Professor, with his prior experience with climate change skeptics, was able to explain why common climate myths are incorrect. Ideally, you listeners out there can understand his arguments and hopefully be able to debate your relatives more effectively at the next family gathering! Now without further ado, here is the Q&A. Q&A Section: I'm going to ask the professor questions that a climate change denier would say or comments, they would say, so that we can see how a climate scientist would respond so that you listeners at home can be able to tell your relative why they're wrong. So….
I'll do my best.
For this first one it is. So it was such a cold winter, there was a big snowstorm at the beginning of February, surely global warming can't be happening if it is still so cold.
Well, winter is always going to be cold. We're not talking about winter, suddenly becoming summer. And also, one of the most important words in the phrase global warming is global. A snowstorm in one place doesn't necessarily mean anything. What we're looking at is large scale changes over a long time period, which is what's happening under global warming, and how those changes might affect individual locations.
And so when it comes to global climate, some people say the climate is always changing. The Earth goes through a series of warming and cooling periods. There was a cooling period during the medieval times. Would it be possible that right now we're just going through a warming period?
So it's absolutely right that the Earth's climate has always changed, and we've gone through warming and cooling periods. And in fact, the periods that we've gone through in the past, the warming periods, some of them have been a lot warmer than what we're experiencing now. So that's not the issue. Usually those warming periods take 10s of 1000s or hundreds of 1000s of years or some major event like a huge volcanic eruption or a meteor hitting the Earth, we're not seeing any of that. What we're seeing is very rapid changes in a very short period of time. And also, we have a mechanism for it like we understand the physics of what happens if you put large amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. We've known about that since the mid 1800s. This is 19th century science. Right now, that's what we're seeing, we're seeing the effects that we might expect from doing those sorts of things. So I mean, science doesn't prove anything, it is always possible that this could be due to natural causes, and not due to humans. But I'd say the chance of that is very, very small. And there is no evidence supporting it, that we've been able to discover.
Professor Ben Kravitz.
And even if global warming were occurring, wouldn't warming be better? There would be less cold waves, more areas of the world, such as the north would be more habitable, there'd be better growing seasons, stuff like that?
Well, I think you'd have to ask the people who live in the north if they think it would be better, because better has a different meaning for everybody. So it is true that areas in the north would get warmer, but areas everywhere would get warmer, the tropics are already pretty warm. So if they get warmer, it might get to the point where people can't live there anymore.
Here are the opening paragraphs of an article in the Guardian from March 30 of this year:
Thousands of graduate student workers around the US at private and public universities have gone on strike over the past few years, from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University to public state universities in California.
Graduate workers at even more colleges have organized unions in spite of staunch opposition from their administrations. Among the most pressing unifying themes among graduate student workers organizing unions and holding protest actions and strikes is the low pay, an issue plaguing graduate student workers around the US.
In the US, graduate workers take on jobs such as helping teach courses, assisting with research projects and performing often vital clerical tasks that help run academic institutions.
Included in this group are the members of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition who voted to Strike on April 13 and have recently re-authorized the strike with 95.7% of those voting approving the action.
In our first segment we’ll offer more context on this as it has been building for several years, and in our other two segments we’ll be taking a close look at the graduate dissertations of IU’s new president, Pamela Whitten, and Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Eliza Pavalko - this will provide us with perhaps some ironic framing of these University leaders' positions on workers’ rights.
GUESTS Three PhD candidates at Indiana University: Marina Mecham is in the History Department, Anne Kavalerchik is in the Sociology and Informatics Departments, and Nathan Douglas is in Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
RELATED Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (thorough information and donation links) US graduate students protest against low pay while universities profit from their work Indiana University Graduate Workers Are on Strike and Demanding Union Recognition - interview with Cole Nelson State Timing of Policy Adoption: Workmen's Compensation in the United States, 1909-1929 by Eliza K. Pavalko (American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 95, No. 3) - paywall
RELATED Interchange Episodes Stacked Crooked: Renting Rooms In the Humanities Ghetto The Public University in Crisis: An Interview with Michael Burawoy The Mask of the Public Good: What the University Costs Authority and U: On the Anti-Democratic Campus The Business of Blaming the Worker
MUSIC Loose Fur, Born Again in the USA "The Ruling Class" "Wanted" "Thou Shalt Wilt" "Stupid as the Sun"
CREDITS Host: Doug Storm Studio Engineer: Kade Young Executive Producer: Kade Young
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 25th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel speaks with Professor Ben Kravitz, about climate modeling and climate skepticism in an ongoing series about climate change in Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. But first, your daily headlines. Bloomington Board of Public Works
On April 12th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting Assistant City Attorney Daniel Dixon requested the board approve the partial demolition of the Johnson Creamery Smokestack.
Dixon informed the board that the City Council and the Historic Preservation Committee already approved the partial demolition, and explained the board’s involvement in the decision.
Board member Beth Hollingsworth asked when the demolition would begin.
Dixon said that AT&T still has equipment on the top of the smokestack, and they are waiting to hear back from them about when that will be removed before they can begin.
President of the Board Kyla Cox Deckard asked for clarification if the property owner would then be responsible for maintaining the height of the smokestack at 60 feet moving forward. Dixon said that they would.
Before calling the final vote Deckard thanked the City Staff, City Council, and Historic Preservation Commission for the diligent work they did.
The board voted unanimously to approve the Unsafe Order to Repair. The next board meeting will be held on May 10th. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
At the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting on April 18th, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody shared that commissioner member David Walter passed away.
Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley noted that the drone show at the Mill was a successful event.
Neighborhood Services Program Manager Angela Van Rooy presented on the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program. Van Rooy said that HAND received three applications for this funding round in 2022.
She shared the applications they recommended to receive the grant funding were for Arden Place Neighborhood Association, the Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association, and the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association.
Commission member Randy Cassady asked if the outdoor fitness equipment the Arden Place Neighborhood Association wants to install would need to be maintained by the city parks department, and if the cost of that was calculated into the grant amounts. Van Rooy responded.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the distribution of the Neighborhood Improvement Grants. The next meeting will be held on May 2nd. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. We turn now to that segment.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel speaks with Professor Ben Kravitz, about climate modeling and climate skepticism in an ongoing series about climate change in Indiana. We turn to Nathaniel Weinzapfel for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Nathaniel Weinzapfel. Strike Mic is produced by Mia Beach and Hugh Farrell. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
On March 30th, 2022, local artists Millaze and Hunter Nico McKenzie joined us for an in-studio interview and performance following the release of Millaze's album Front Matter. We discussed the new album, the recent launch party, and what community radio means to the artists.
Songs:
Scream / 529 / Spine White V-neck Frontispiece ISBN-EDGE-OF-THE-BED The Make the Story Move Edition Title Page: The Dialectic
Host: Christine Brackenhoff Engineers: Spence Taylor and Kirsten Payton
Locutora, Minerva Sosa, entrevista a invitada para hablar sobre sus experiencias viviendo en Bloomington. Además, nos habla sobre sus experiencias participando en eventos comunitarios de la ciudad de Bloomington!
Host, Minerva Sosa, interviews a guest to talk about her experiences living in Bloomington. In addition, she tells us about her experiences participating in community events in the city of Bloomington!
Welcome to the 300th episode of Kite Line.
Over the upcoming weeks, we will be sharing some of our favorite moments from our archive of shows, but we encourage you to go to our website, kitelineradio.org, to browse the other 299 episodes and find some favorites of your own. On our end, we will be sharing moments that the Kite Line team have found memorable, moving, and informative.
But this week, we still have some brand-new content. We share with you a conversation between Jok Huerta from Focus Initiatives and Baye Sylvester. They talk about Sylvester’s decades-long term in prison, and about the childhood that helped lead him there. They talk about how the prison system often bargains with people facing intimidating sentences, getting them to plead to serious charges, or to charges they didn’t commit.
We would like to thank our hometown radio station, WFHB, for all their support over these 300 episodes. Kite Line is entirely volunteer-based, and the folks at WFHB helped us expand into a show that’s aired across the U.S. We remain committed to helping amplify the voices of people affected by incarceration, and invite you to keep joining us.
Please check out IDOC Watch and Focus Initiatives to find out more about their programming.
Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped us get to 300 consecutive episodes!
Welcome to the latest edition of Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition - in light of their strike against Indiana University.
Today’s episode of Strike Mic will feature Michael Martin, professor at the IU Media School and former director of the Black Film Center, who spoke to picketers earlier this week. The audio from this segment was recorded by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
Welcome to the April edition of Civic Conversations - your monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB.
In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with Professor Ranjan Rohatgi who was a member of All IN for Democracy's Citizens Redistricting Commission. Rohatgi is Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Computer Science at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The conversation spans redistricting and representative democracy as a whole. It begins with host Jim Allison asking our guest about the redistricting of the U.S. Congress. Rohatgi explains how the process has transformed into a partisan remapping of congressional districts.
"In 33 states, the job of drawing district lines falls to exactly the people you wouldn't want in charge of it - which is the state legislature itself," says Rohatgi .
Furthermore, he touched on how this idea of gerrymandering - meaning the manipulation of boundaries to favor one party or class - impacts Indiana.
"In Indiana, the General Assembly - the state house and state senate - gets to draw the lines for their political allies or foes who represent Indiana," he says.
Find out more from Professor Rohatgi in this month's edition of Civic Conversations - a podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 21st, 2022. Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - your monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB. Today, our topic is gerrymandering.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition - in light of their recent strike against Indiana University. But first, The Statehouse Roundup
The 2022 Indiana Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 3rd. To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old by the time of the next general election.
For Monroe County residents, the former NAPA Auto Parts building at 302 South Walnut Street was selected as the site for early voting.
All residents have the option for early in-person voting until Monday, May 2nd. Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays from April 5th through April 29th. During two Saturdays - April 23rd and April 30th - hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on in-person early voting, visit Monroe County voters dot us or call Election Central at 812-349-2960.
To cast an absentee ballot by mail in the 2022 primary election, you must complete an application by 11:59 p.m. twelve days before May 3rd.
Voters must personally mark their own ballots and sign their name to the completed security envelope and have one of 11 approved reasons to vote by mail. Covid-19 concerns are NOT among the reasons to vote by mail.
Voters can download and complete an application at indianavoters.us or call Monroe County Election Central at 812-349-2690. To pick up an application in-person, you can visit Election Central at 401 West Seventh Street.
Indiana House District 62 will be a race to watch during this election cycle. Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens and outgoing Sheriff Brad Swain have announced their candidacy for the Democratic primary. They will face either Dave Hall or Greg Knott - candidates for the Republican primary - in the General Election come November.
The Democratic and Republican challengers will not face off against an incumbent - as former District 62 Representative Jeff Ellington announced last year that he will change his residency to Bloomfield in order to run for the House District 45 seat. According to the Indy Star, the recently-passed redistricting maps show that the once reliably red House District 62 will now become more competitive.
The new maps exclude Martin, Davies and Greene counties while gaining Brown County, more of Monroe County and parts of Jackson County. To learn more about the House District 62 candidates in this year’s primary, visit the League of Women Voters’ voter guide at vote411.org/ballot.
Another election of local interest - the Monroe County Sheriff’s race. Current Sheriff Brad Swain has served two terms in office and by Indiana law he is not permitted to run for another term. Five Democratic candidates have put their names in the hat for the primary, including Steve Hale, Ruben Marte, Angie Purdie, Joani Stalcup and Troy Thomas.
Nathaniel Williamson stands alone as the only Republican challenger. Whoever wins the primary will determine who will face off in the General Election.
To watch a Community Access Television Services forum between the five Democratic candidates, click here. Feature Reports:
Now it’s time for Civic Conversations - your monthly podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB.
In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with St. Mary’s Professor Ranjan Rohatgi who was a member of All IN for Democracy's Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The topic for tonight’s show – gerrymandering. We turn to host Jim Allison for more.
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition - in light of their strike against Indiana University.
HEADLINES In April, not only do we get to celebrate Earth Day, but we also get to celebrate Arbor Day on April 25th. This will mark the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day. It all began back in 1855 with a man named J. Sterling Morton, who was an early settler in the Nebraska Territory ---Julianna Dailey A solar farm at Shakamak High School is going to save the school over $1 million in the next 12 years. That is guaranteed money after it connects to the Duke Energy power grid. ---Norm Holy Over a thousand scientists from around the world who are deeply concerned about the climate crisis and about governments’ and corporations’ inaction on it committed acts of civil disobedience on April 6th in protest. ---Linda Greene The elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker had apparently last been seen in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas in 2004, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported, but it was still determined to be extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year. ---Norm Holy Cancer Alley is an area that ranges from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is so called because it contains over a hundred chemical plants and oil refineries, and the residents are diagnosed with cancer at rates almost fifty times the national average, according to the EPA. ---Linda Greene This month, the world’s largest wildlife overpass — the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing — will begin construction across a multi-lane highway at Liberty Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains. ---Norm Holy Scientists recently detected microplastics in human blood for the first time. More recently, scientists found that the roots of crops can harbor microplastics, which can move up in the parts of the plants we eat. ---Linda Greene Responding to both the climate crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany unveiled a major package recently to speed its transition to renewable energy. The goal of the new plan is for Germany to get at least 80 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve almost 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. ---Norm Holy Carrying a banner that proclaimed "Manchin: Stop Burning Our Future for Profit," on April 9th hundreds of protestors in Grant Town, West Virginia, blockaded a coal plant that burns coal waste from a company that right-wing Democratic Senator Joe Manchin’s family owns. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
The 37th Annual Spring Wildflower Foray is scheduled at Monroe Lake, Brown County State Park and other locations beginning on Friday, April 22nd, at 9 am and running through Sunday, April 24th, at 5 pm. Almost all of the programs require advance registration. For a full event schedule, go to the Indiana DNR website.
Celebrate Earth Day at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 23rd, from 10 am to 4 pm. Meet Wyatt Williams at the Spring Mill Inn for a one-mile hike through the Donaldson Cave Preserve. All kinds of activities, such as making bird feeders, fishing, learning about recycling and much more, will take place all day.
During Earth Week there will be a debris clean-up along the Jackson Creek Trail and in Sherwood Oaks Park on Sunday, April 24th, from 2 to 4 pm. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Sign up at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting a bird feeder cleaning fundraiser on Saturday, April 30th, at Bloomington Hardware in Bloomington from 9 am to 2 pm. Keeping your bird feeders clean is one way of preventing the spread of disease.
The Daisy Days Native Plant Sale will be held at the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead on Saturday, April 30th, from 11 am to 4 pm and on Sunday, May 1st, from 1 to 4 pm. The sale specializes in native perennials.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 20th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of their strike against Indiana University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Solar Scams on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your Environmental News Brief
Nathaniel Weinzapfel Hoosiers have begun to head out into the woods to hunt for the morel mushrooms found throughout the forests of the state in the springtime. These mushrooms typically bloom from April to May, and have attracted a sizable number of Hoosiers excited to eat the forest treat. The Indiana Morel Mushroom Progression Facebook group has organized yearly hunts for the mushrooms and have combined the events with environmental cleanups to improve the quality of Indiana’s forests. Hunters are encouraged to carry two bags with them while they are in the forest: one for mushrooms and another for trash. Many woods in the state have sizable amounts of trash, so cleaning up while searching for the fungi is a great way to help the environment. Mushroom hunters love this time of year as it gets them outside after winter and the feast afterwards brings Hoosiers together.
This week, the Biden Administration reversed a move by the Trump administration that removed regulations found in the National Environmental Policy Act. This new rule will require federal agencies to take into account the environmental impacts that could be related to their actions, including climate change factors. The previous administration removed the regulations because they required a lot of time and limited some projects from being created due to environmental concerns. However, critics of the Trump Administration’s move believed that this would allow federal agencies to downplay the environmental justice concerns. The change by the Biden Administration will reinstate these environmental justice decision making factors. This represents a significant step in the Biden Administration environmental agenda.
Recently there has been a major win in the world of wildlife conservation. An endangered Sumatran rhino gave birth to a new baby in an Indonesian sanctuary last month. This species of rhino is extremely endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching for their horns. The World Wildlife Fund has stated that there are only 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the world. This new baby has increased the rhino population at the Indonsenisan sanctuary to eight, and represents the potential that the species may recover in the future. Monroe County Commissioners
Noelle Herhusky-Schneider During public comment at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 13th, county resident Ron Thompson said that he thinks more people should know about the Smart 9-1-1 service that is available to residents.
Executive Director of Area 10 Agency on Aging, Chris Myers asked the commissioners to approve a grant for public rural transportation. Myers shared that the grant would help fund new buses.
Myers said that they are also short on bus drivers.
The commissioners approved the grant unanimously. The next meeting will be held on April 20th. Air Quality in Schools
Bode Hoover Have you ever been stuck behind a bus or truck with a big plume of smoke coming out the tailpipe? If so, then you can probably imagine that horrible smell right now. Now imagine there are 30 buses doing the same thing. That’s what thousands of students and faculty in Indiana schools face every day.
A 2013 study found that air pollution outside schools is often much greater than in nearby communities. The culprit was attributed to idling school buses and cars. Addressing outdoor sources of air pollutants is crucial for improving indoor air quality because these pollutants enter schools through ventilation systems, windows, and doors. Transportation and nearby activities such as ca...
Earlier today, more than 200 grad workers rallied in the Ballantine Hall courtyard.
Bloomington’s own country musician, Peter Oren, performed for the pickets, playing tunes and talking about his experience with Occupy Bloomington and earlier waves of campus struggle.
We are also sharing the words of Carven Thomas, the former president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union at the old GE plant here in Bloomington. Thomas spoke to picketers at Sample Gates on Monday. The audio of Thomas’ speech was recorded by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.
Furthermore, We are airing audio of the Ballantine picket today courtesy of Ollin Garcia Pliego.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
Welcome to the 62nd episode of Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. In this episode we have a conversation with current IU students Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Ana Lim. Our guests discuss significant and important lessons they took away during their first year at IU. We also engage in a discussion on orientalism, its history and the impact that it has in the current era.
Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guests are Belle Chatpunnarangsee and Ana Lim Our Sound Engineer is Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
Earlier today, Indiana Grad Workers voted on whether to continue their strike into a second week. 967 voted yes to continuing and 27 voted no, a 97.3 percent majority affirming the struggle.
The strike is now authorized to last through April 27th - when another vote will take place - unless the administration agrees to negotiations. Hundreds of people turned out to picket lines yesterday and today as well.
Today on Strike Mic, we are airing audio from yesterday morning's picket line rally at Sample Gates. Undergraduates spoke out in solidarity with their grad instructors, while grad workers contributed their perspectives on the role of graduate labor in the university.
This audio for this segment was produced by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 19th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition - in light of their strike against Indiana University. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council continues its conversation of increasing the local income tax. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines. Bloomington City Council of the Whole Discusses Local Income Tax Increase
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
The Bloomington City Council continued discussing the Local Income Tax at their Committee of the Whole meeting on April 13th. Mayor John Hamilton presented on the proposed Local Income Tax increase. He explained that the increase in revenue from the Local Income Tax would fund four categories: public safety, climate change preparedness and mitigation, equity and quality of life for all, and essential city services.
City Controller Jeff Underwood warned that the budget is scrupulous as it is, and without adding additional revenue they might be forced to make budget cuts they don’t want to make.
Council member Isabel Piedmont Smith asked how the Economic Equity Fund would be distributed. Mayor Hamilton responded.
Piedmont-Smith said that she is still concerned that constituents won’t know how to access the funds even if they are set aside.
Council member Jim Sims was in favor of increasing the Local Income Tax, and said that he thinks the council will be able to reach a consensus on the amount.
The council will have a public hearing on the Local Income Tax on April 20th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board Approves Contract
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on April 11th Jane Fleig and Assistant Director of Engineering Brad Schroeder presented on behalf of Utilities Engineer Jane Fleig who was unable to present due to technical difficulties.
Board member Amanda Burnham asked if the inspection would require any street closures. Schroeder said that the inspection would take place underground so no street closures would be necessary.
Board member Megan Parmenter asked about how long the culvert should have lasted in an ideal scenario, and if there was any warranty on it. Schroeder responded.
The board unanimously voted to approve the agreement with Donohue and Associates. The next meeting will be held on April 25th. Feature Report:
Earlier today, Indiana Grad Workers voted on whether to continue their strike into a second week. 967 voted yes to continuing and 27 voted no, a 97.3 percent majority affirming the struggle.
The strike is now authorized to last through April 27th - when another vote will take place - unless the administration agrees to negotiations. Hundreds of people turned out to picket lines yesterday and today as well.
Today on Strike Mic, we are airing audio from yesterday morning's picket line rally at Sample Gates. Undergraduates spoke out in solidarity with their grad instructors, while grad workers contributed their perspectives on the role of graduate labor in the university. This audio for this segment was produced by Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomingtonian. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Jeremy Hogan, Hugh Farrell and Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the latest edition of Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the recent strike at Indiana University.
Today for Strike Mic, we spoke with Zara Anwarzai, a graduate worker and organizer with the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition. She summed up the state of the strike so far and talks about IGWC's next steps given the administration's unwillingness to negotiate.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 18th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the recent strike at Indiana University.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond Monroe County Solid Waste Management Discusses Feasibility Study
On April 14th the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors meeting was held in conjunction with the Citizens Advisory Committee to discuss a Resource Recovery Program Feasibility Study.
Director of the Solid Waste Management District Tom McGlasson explained the goal of the meeting is to get the Citizens Advisory Committee’s input on the study before the board makes a final decision.
Chair of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Citizens Advisory Committee Joseph Wynia spoke expressing concern over the financial aspect of the study.
Director of Bloomington Utilities Vic Kelson explained why collaboration is important now during the study, rather than just waiting until the Anaerobic Bio Digester is being built.
The vote to enter a memorandum of Understanding between the City of Bloomington Utilities and Monroe County Solid Waste Management District on the Anaerobic Digester Feasibility study passed, contingent upon legal council the district has yet to receive. The two organizations will meet again on April 21st to continue discussing the study. Ellettsville Town Council President Steps Down from Position
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on April 11th President of the council Pamela Samples announced that she will step down from her position.
Vice President William Ellis will serve as president moving forward. Council member Trevor Sager was nominated for Vice President. The nomination passed unanimously.
In other town council news, the council discussed increasing the rates and charges for water services. Town Attorney Darla Brown outlined why the rate increase is necessary.
Council member Dan Swafford asked what the fee rates would be after the increase. Utilities Director Jeff Farmer responded it will be six dollars and thirty three cents per thousand gallons.
Council member Scott Oldham said that the information should be made available on the town website for the public to see. The council will vote on the ordinance at their next meeting. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online at wfhb dot org or wherever you get your podcasts.
Up next, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the recent strike against Indiana University over high fees and low wages.
Today for Strike Mic, we spoke with Zara Anwarzai, a graduate worker and organizer with the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition. She summed up the state of the strike so far and talks about IGWC's next steps given the administration's unwillingness to negotiate. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Locutoras, Minerva Sosa y Josefa Madrigal, entrevistan a miembros de la comunidad Latina sobre sus experiencias participando en el Festival Internacional de Artes y Comida de la ciudad de Bloomington!
Hosts, Minerva Sosa and Josefa Madrigal, interview members our Latino community about their experiences participating in the City of Bloomington International Food and Arts Festival!
Eric King is an anarchist prisoner who was arrested in September 2014 after he carried out a solidarity action to support the Ferguson Uprising. We speak again today with his lawyer, Lauren Regan, about the harsh violence and repression he has faced in prison, culminating in trumped-up charges of assaulting a guard, charges which he just defeated in court. In further retaliation for his court victory, he is now being moved to a maximum-security facility with only two years left on his sentence. This week, Regan describes the recent incident of abuse King suffered at the hands of guards. She tells the story of the trial itself, highlighting the pattern of guards closing ranks in moments like this. Regan points to the broader picture of what motivates guards to lie, and what makes people often want to believe authority figures instead of their peers.
His supporters are requesting that people call the Mid-Atlantic Bureau of Prisons Regional Office and request answers about why he is being punitively transferred. Check out his support page for more information.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 14th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Strike Mic - voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the latest strike on campus. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly podcast collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. Today, our hosts welcome guest Fran Quigley - a clinical professor at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Monroe County Board of Health Provides Update on Covid-19 Vaccinations
On March 31st at the Monroe County Board of Health meeting Public Health Nurse Amy Meek gave an update on Covid-19 vaccinations.
Indiana University Vice Provost of External Relations shared that cases of Covid-19 are low enough that they will suspend mandatory testing for unvaccinated individuals. He also said that they are adding vending machines to make voluntary testing kits more accessible.
Executive Director of Indiana Recovery Alliance Nicholas Voyles gave an update on the program’s work in the community.
Board member Carol Touloukian commented on what Indiana Recovery Alliance is able to do for Monroe County.
Voyles responded saying that she is right that there is a need for more services to be available.
The next board of health meeting will be held on May 5th. Feature Reports:
Now it’s time for Strike Mic - voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the latest strike on campus. We turn now to that segment.
You can hear Prescription for Healthcare with Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone each month on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly podcast collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. Today, our hosts welcome guest Fran Quigley - a clinical professor at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. We turn to host Karen Green Stone for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Mia Beach. Prescription for Healthcare was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
The first day of pickets, April 14th, kicked off with strong showings of hundreds of people at multiple locations across campus. Picket groups converged at points ranging from Sample Gates at the western edge of campus to the School of Education in the east. Professors, organizers, poets, and musicians contributed with words and songs, while at other points, sound systems blared labor movement classics and pop hits. Undergrads streamed out of Ballantine at the noon walk-out, and a roving bicycle picket spread awareness across campus. "Base camps" established by organizers under portable awnings distributed information, water, and snacks to participants and passersby. We spoke to protesters at the pickets and at the walk-out to provide a glimpse into what's happening on campus. Strike organizers say that pickets will continue tomorrow, Friday April 15, and Monday, April 16- and are likely to continue past that, pending a strike re-authorization vote on Monday evening.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
HEADLINES The Friends of Lake Monroe report that in response to a suit filed by Monroe County officials and other plaintiffs, a ruling by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana found that the US Forest Service violated federal law when deciding to log, burn and apply herbicides to thousands of acres of the Hoosier National Forest that drain to Monroe Reservoir. ---Norm Holy The Indiana Department of Transportation has teamed up with Purdue University to develop concrete pavement that allows drivers to wirelessly charge their electric vehicles while they’re driving. ---Norm Holy MATS, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, was a federal rule whose aim was to remove all the air toxics, not only mercury, from coal-fired power plants. Such plants are the worst of the worst industrial polluters. ---Linda Greene Recent studies have detected microplastics in human fecal and blood samples, but now a study just published in Science of the Total Environment has found miniscule plastic particles no larger than sesame seeds deep in the lungs of living people, demonstrating that people are inhaling microplastics from the air. ---Linda Greene A unique new study has found that the secret to better coffee is really in control of the birds and the bees. In the study, researchers found that when birds and bees joined forces to protect and pollinate coffee plants, the result was coffee beans that were bigger, more abundant and of better quality, reported the University of Vermont. ---Norm Holy Two ice seal species in Alaska have recently won habitat protection. Bearded and ringed seals depend on Arctic sea ice for their survival—ice that’s melting because of the climate crisis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has acknowledged as much and has decided to protect critical habitat for these animals in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. ---Linda Greene When was the last time you saw a pheasant in the wild? Pheasants were once a common sight in Indiana; now, the remaining small population is found in the northernmost counties. A major factor is there are few large fields of high grass anymore. ---Norm Holy Commercial ships are dumping oil illegally in European waters as many as 3000 times a year or more, according to Lighthouse Reports. That much dumping equates to approximately eight spills per day. Each spill is about the size of 750 football fields. Hundreds of ships have dumped oil in the ocean around Europe since 2020. ---Linda Greene The vast Mississippi River watershed contains famously fertile soil, making the cropland of the American Midwest some of the most valuable and productive in the world. The watershed is also projected to flood more frequently and intensely as the climate warms, meaning more of that prized farmland will end up underwater more often. ---Norm Holy As reported by The New York Times, for the first time since satellites began observing Antarctica nearly half a century ago, SCIENTIST said an ice shelf has collapsed on the eastern part of the continent. The collapse of the 450-square-mile Conger ice shelf in a part of the continent called Wilkes Land occurred in mid-March. ---Norm Holy On March 25th, tens of thousands of young people around the world mobilized for a climate strike, demanding that world leaders take action to halt the environmental damage that humans are causing and that’s fueling the climate crisis. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
The Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Shorebird Hike on Saturday, April 16th, from 8 to 10 am. As you walk along the shore you will learn about shorebird habitats and their needs. Be prepared for muddy conditions. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shorebird-hike-goose-pond-fwa-tickets-310494085167.
Have fun with a slingshot on Saturday, April 16th, from 1 to 2 pm at Sherman Oaks Park and experience a fun way to plant native seeds with a slingshot in your backyard.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 13th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Strike Mic - Voices from the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition in light of the recent strike. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald breaks down the mistreatment of animals in the dairy industry. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
Purdue University’s College of Agriculture and the Indiana Maple Syrup Association have formed a team and received a $500,000 dollar grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to revitalize the maple syrup industry that was previously prevalent throughout the state. Prior to the first World War, Indiana was the largest state producer of maple syrup, with Vermont’s industry and few others overtaking Indiana’s after the war ended. The overall goal of the grant is to promote education about the production of maple syrup so that it might encourage owners of maple forests to get into the maple-syrup market or lease off their trees to prospective syrup enthusiasts. The President of the Indiana Maple Syrup Association has said that he hopes that through the grant, Hoosiers gain an understanding of the history of the syrup industry in our state and that every Hoosier will have “maple syrup in their refrigerator."
An invasive ant species that possesses a painful stinger has been found in the state of Indiana for the first time. The Asian needle, which has primarily been in southern states, has recently traveled north, in part due to its ability to ride out the cold months in people’s homes. For most people, the ant’s sting would only be extremely painful, but for people with allergies to insect stings from bees or wasps this could pose a new challenge, as the sting can be lethal without an EpiPen. While other invasive species have taken hold in the state, such as the Asian carp or the gypsey moth, the Asian needle is the one that poses the biggest threat to people.
Climate change and the associated rise in global average temperatures are likely to be resulting in birds altering the timing of their reproductive cycles. The Journal of Animal Ecology found that bird species in the Chicago area are on average laying their eggs a month earlier than normal. Using both historical and modern data, the researchers discovered that out of the 72 bird species of focus, a third of them laid eggs 25 days earlier than they did a century ago. This is likely due to temperatures becoming warmer sooner than they did in the past. The problem that exists for birds in this position is that they become at risk for “false springs” which are abnormally warm periods that are followed by the remaining coldness of winter. This can trick the birds into thinking it is finally warm, which can lead them to lay eggs without the necessary foods being available yet. A similar study found that the body size of birds has been decreasing due to global warming. For researchers, birds offer some of the first cases of how species will respond biologically to climate change. Monroe County Commissioners
On March 30th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting County Chief Deputy Clerk Tressia Martin asked the commissioners to approve updated 2022 primary election day polling sites.
Martin explained that other options in the area were either previous polling sites that did not want to host again or they were not compliant with the Help America Vote Act.
The commissioners approved the update to the polling sites unanimously. Martin also asked the board to approve funds not to exceed $2,353 for a primary election advertisement
Commissioner Julie Thomas said that she thinks the advertisement is especially helpful for students.
The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously. Feature Reports: Up next, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers strike began today.
On the first day of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers strike, organizers postponed picketing due to inclement weather conditions.
However, while it rained WFHB News spoke with several demonstrators to provide a glimpse into what students and faculty have to say.
Everyday that we can, WFHB’s Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
On Sunday, April 10, a 97.8 percent affirmative vote by IU graduate workers set into motion the largest indefinite strike Bloomington has seen in decades.
Everyday that we can, WFHB's Strike Mic will bring you to the frontlines of this movement, allowing you to understand the issues and the action through the voices of the participants themselves.
The graduate workers strike will begin tomorrow unless the administration unexpectedly agrees to come to the table and negotiate. The Bloomington Faculty Council have, on an emergency basis, added the strike to their agenda this afternoon. Mass picketing will launch tomorrow morning at 10 am and the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition has invited all community members to attend.
WFHB will continue to air updates as the strike unfolds in the coming days. You can learn more at www.indianagradworkers.org.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 12th, 2022. Later in the program, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition will organize a strike tomorrow. During tonight’s news, we will feature the voices of graduate students in light of the strike. More in the latest installment of our segment, Strike Mic.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some arts news - WFHB DJ Cindy Beulé speaks with Abi Zagel of the Arts Alliance Center. That’s coming up after the feature report. Monroe County Election Board Talks Early Voting
At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on April 7th, Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler gave an update on how early voting has been going.
Former Board member Hal Turner stood in for Board Member Donovan Garletts who was unable to attend.
County Clerk Nicole Browne shared information in response to an anonymous call Garletts received regarding the proper way to write disclaimers on campaign signs.
The board recessed until the next Election Board meeting scheduled for May 5th. Ellettsville Town Council Discusses Police Vehicles, Lawn Mower Purchase and Flood Report
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
On March 28th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting, Town Marshal Jimmie Durnil asked the council to approve the disposal of Surplus Property for the Police Department.
Durnil explained that a vehicle’s engine broke down.
Council member Dan Swafford asked how they sell the vehicles, and if the system is successful.
Durnil said that they sell them on eBay, and that there are often people waiting to bid on them. The council approved of the disposal unanimously.
The council also approved of a 2022 Ferris lawn mower purchase for the Public Works Street Division. Water and Wastewater Utilities Operation Manager Mike Farmer gave an update on the permits needed to start the Vine Street Project.
Farmer said he thinks they might be able to start digging by October. Next Farmer gave a flood report.
At the next Ellettsville Town Council meeting, council members will discuss Updating the Personnel Policy. Bloomington Utilities Service Board Approves Water Rate Adjustment
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on March 28th Board Member Kirk White shared the Financial Subcommittee’s recommendation for the Water Rate Adjustment.
Board member Amanda Burnham asked for clarification on how the adjustment would affect the budget. Director of Utilities Vic Kelson responded.
He said it would only affect rate payers by reducing the rate by 1.16 percent. The board approved the water rate adjustment unanimously.
The next board meeting will be held on April 11th. Feature Reports:
Up next, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers will organize a strike on Wednesday, April 13th. WFHB gathered field recordings from members of the student-led union in our latest segment, Strike Mic - an update from local residents working to highlight the voices of Indiana University students and staff. We now turn to Strike Mic.
Up next, WFHB DJ Cindy Beaulé spoke with Abi Zagel of the Arts Alliance Center during today’s Afternoon Music Mix. We turn now to an excerpt of that conversation. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Mia Beach and Kade Young. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young. Anchors are Benedict Jones and Nathaniel Weinzapfel.
On April 10th, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers opened a virtual strike authorization vote. The strike vote was tallied on Monday afternoon with 97.8 percent voting in favor.
1,031 total votes were cast with 1,008 voting in favor of striking and 23 voting against it. That means a strike will proceed from April 13-15.
WFHB News volunteers spoke with several organizers behind the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition about their demands for better working conditions and lower fees.
Nora Weber, a fourth-year Ph.D student in sociology at Indiana University, gave some context behind why this is happening now.
Weber explained how the grad workers coalition came together, the reasons behind the looming strike and how the movement has garnered support from students, faculty and outside organizations.
“We love our work,” says Weber. “We also believe that we shouldn't be having to take out loans and choose between just to cover basic needs. We shouldn't be having to take on three extra side jobs just to cover food and rent.”
Elizabeth Williams, a fifth-year student in philosophy at IU, discussed low wages and the high cost of living in Bloomington.
Williams says she has to work three extra jobs to make ends meet. She walked through how her experience as a grad student informs her calls for better wages at the university.
“With rising inflation and rising housing costs - even though we've had these recent raises from the College of Arts and Sciences in response to organizing - that's good,” says Williams, “but it barely makes a dent in the actual problem and disparities there.”
Annalise Caine, a second year MFA student in playwriting at IU’s theater department, discussed her experience as a graduate student and why she joined the graduate workers coalition.
Caine explained how she believes the strike would benefit all students and faculty at the university.
“Although this is going to improve working conditions for the grad workers specifically, this also provides an opportunity for undergraduates and faculty to have more access to the university's resources,” said Caine. “I can speak to the theater faculty in particular, they've been fighting for better wages for us for years now, and the university hasn't budged.”
One organizer spoke on conditions of anonymity. They discussed why they believe workers need a union. They complained about how salaries are not enough to make a living in Monroe County and that a union helps to hold the university accountable in this regard.
“Graduate workers need a union in order to hold the university itself accountable, in order to ensure that additional groups around the university and around the community that surrounds IU are also in the process of decision making. While the university has offered us raises today, there's no guarantee that tomorrow they won’t take them away,” says the source.
The strike will begin at 10 a.m. and a student walk-out will take place at noon on Wednesday. The strike will continue until Friday, April 15th. WFHB News will continue to provide field reporting and interviews with demonstrators about the strike throughout the week.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 11th, 2022. Later in the program, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers voted overwhelmingly in support of a strike, which is set to happen later this week. WFHB News spoke with several members of the organization in light of recent headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton proposed to increase Local Income Tax during last week’s city council meeting. More coming up in your daily headlines. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On April 4th at the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission Meeting, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody suggested that the amount of money the redevelopment commission offers for emergency home repairs be increased permanently due to the rising costs for construction materials.
Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley gave an update on the retail spaces available at parking garages.
Zody asked the commissioners to approve the increase of emergency home repair funding for a mobile home.
The board approved the increase unanimously. The next meeting will be held on April 18th. Mayor Hamilton Proposes Local Income Tax Increase to City Council
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
On April 6th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, Mayor John Hamilton presented his proposal to increase the Local Income Tax.
Hamilton said that Monroe County currently has a low Local Income Tax compared to surrounding counties, and that the proposed zero point eight five five percentage increase would put Monroe County in the middle; with three counties with a higher income tax and three with a lower income tax.
Council member Jim Sims responded to the mayor’s proposal saying he agreed a new revenue source is needed, but also warned that other costs have increased in the community as well.
During public comment Peter Dwarfman responded to the mayor’s presentation and asked the council to ensure the rate is feasible for all residents.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on April 13th. Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 6th, the commissioners approved a grant the Health Department received from the Indiana Family Health Council.
Monroe County Board of Health Director Penny Caudill explained the Future’s Grant is a $15,000 (Fifteen thousand dollar) grant for the Future Family Planning Clinic.
Commissioner Julie Thomas said this grant is made possible because of the hard work of the health department.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented an agreement with Fox Construction for highway garage relocation.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge explained that it will be better to have everyone in the department under one roof. Thomas said that it was not easy to relocate a department, and noted that the project has taken a lot of time and work.
The motion to approve the contract with Fox construction passed unanimously.
The commissioners also heard from Ridge about a contract with Yasmin L. Stump Law Group for the Fullerton Pike Stage three project. The contract amount is yet to be determined.
The commissioners approved the contract unanimously. The next commissioners meeting will be held on April 13th. Feature Report:
On Monday, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers strike authorization vote passed overwhelming in favor of the strike. WFHB News volunteers spoke with several organizers behind the Indiana University Graduate Workers Coalition about their demands for better working conditions and lower fees. Credits: Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Mia Beach, Kade Young and Abe Shapiro. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Tune in on Saturday, April 9, at 11:00 am, when WFHB welcomes Otto and the Moaners, the original ramblin’ country blues project of big-lunged, “folkslinger” Matt Lundquist.
The band is ever shifting between a down-to-the-root acoustic outfit and a wild hearted electric caravan. With a voice seasoned by a thousand campfires, Lundquist sings for the freedom of every soul in this great land, including you.
The show is brought to you over the air as it happens this month. We will NOT have an in-house audience, but please grab your favorite morning beverage, some bagels and smears, kick back, and tune in to your FM dial or over the Internet for Otto and the Moaners on Saturday’s Child. That’s April 9, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB… And there’s no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
Eric King is an anarchist prisoner who was arrested in September 2014 after he carried out a solidarity action in support of the Ferguson Uprising. We speak today with his lawyer, Lauren Regan, about the harsh violence and repression he has faced in prison, culminating in trumped-up charges of assaulting a guard, charges which he just defeated in court. In further retaliation for his court victory, he is now being moved to a maximum-security facility with only two years left on his sentence. Regan speaks about the impunity- the wall of silence- that guards enjoy while viciously attacking prisoners.
His supporters are requesting that people call the Mid-Atlantic Bureau of Prisons Regional Office and request answers about why he is being punitively transferred. Check out his support page for more information.
This was our last show, dedicated to Don Jordan, 'Buddy Bill' Moser, Phil Rambo, John Ward, D Alan Bronnenberg, and all those who were guests on our show throughout the years. Also all our main sponsor/underwriter throughout the years, Morrison's Appliances and Service (now closed).
I want to thank WFHB for their support of the show, and in turn, we want to mention to the public to support WFHB in any way you can. If you're on this site, please take time to push the red 'donate' button and give what you can to make sure that WFHB continues to serve the area with great music, news, and public affairs programs like this one.
Thank you, Rich Reardin Inside Outdoors producer since 2002
On March 29th, 2022, local band Busman's Holiday joined us for an in-studio interview and performance in support of our spring fund drive. We discussed what they've been up to over the past couple years, what community radio means to the band, and their upcoming concert plans.
Songs: 1) "Hey Margarita" 2) "Love Is Perfect Kindness" 3) "Only Ones"
Host: Christine Brackenhoff Engineer: Spence Taylor
Civil rights attorney, law professor, and now an author, Dan Canon has delved deeply into America's assembly line justice system in his new book, "Pleading Out." He's found that rather than truth or justice, the system values speed and ease. He suggests that legislators create many useless laws that criminalize huge swaths of the population, overwhelming the courts and forcing prosecutors and defenders to push defendants, often innocent or guilty of minor crimes, into agreeing to inappropriately lengthy prison sentences.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
HEADLINES The Hoosier chapter of the Sierra Club issued a report grading Indiana legislators according to their votes for or against various environment-related bills. Nearly two thirds of the legislators received a D or F, including the chairs of the House and Senate environmental affairs committees. ---Linda Greene As reported in the Seymour newspaper, The Tribune, the Lake Monroe Water Fund recently hired Michelle Cohen as its executive director, the organization’s first employee. The organization is the first water fund in Indiana and only one of approximately 48 worldwide, according to a news release from board President Jane Martin. ---Norm Holy According to the Center for Biological Diversity, "Besides being cornerstones of biodiversity, old forests on federal lands play an essential role in fighting climate change. . . . Mature and old-growth trees capture vast amounts of carbon pollution, storing it for decades while living and even after their natural deaths if they’re left in the forest." ---Linda Greene A new invasive ant species is described in a report by the North Carolina Extension office. This is an ant with a powerful sting. Though first reported in the United States in the early 1930s, the ant, commonly known as the Asian Needle Ant, has only been recognized as a pest here since 2006. ---Norm Holy For the first time, scientists have found microplastics in human blood. They detected the miniscule particles in nearly eighty percent of the people tested, as reported in the journal Environment International. ---Linda Greene A New York Times story illuminates how Joe Manchin sacrificed the environment to become rich. On a hilltop overlooking Paw Paw Creek, 15 miles south of the Pennsylvania border, looms a fortress-like structure with a single smokestack, the only viable business in a dying Appalachian town. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
A Wildflower Weekend is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 8th; Saturday, April 9th; and Sunday, April 10th. On Friday from 5 to 7 pm you will hike the park and some off-site secluded places. Take home plants and wildflowers, courtesy of the Friends’ Group. Go to the McCormick’s Creek State Park website to get a detailed schedule.
Nature Sounds will present an acoustic musical performance and educational nature presentation on the Nature topic: Wind. The wind holds a powerful influence over our senses. Come and enjoy an evening of melodic woodwind music at the Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter on Friday, April 8th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your own seating.
Enjoy a runway show featuring designs made from refashioned garments and unwanted materials at the Trashion Refashion 2022 Show on Sunday, April 10th, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 7 pm. The show is promoted by the Center for Sustainable Living and Plato’s Closet.
Today we present Part 2 of the Producer’s Choice Awards - The Poetry Show. Poetry - Many might turn away at even the mention of the word, but to do so would miss out on work that reveals humans grappling with the great questions of their moments.
Today we feature four poets who help us see our own predicaments - one who shows us we contain multitudes; one whose life and writing was always antifascist; one who challenges expectations of female submissiveness; and one who interrupts the falsifications of narrative structures.
Those poets are Fernando Pessoa, Muriel Rukeyser, Sylvia Plath, and Thalia Field - and we’ll hear from them in that order.
I. We did two shows on Pessoa’s life and work with our guest, translator and biographer Richard Zenith. This segment centers on Pessoa’s notion of cultural imperialism, but begins with a discussion of his most famous poem, "Autopsychography."
II. This segment comes from "How to be an Anti-Fascist” which centers on Muriel Rukeyser’s 1949 book The Life of Poetry. Our guest is Eric Keenaghan - and we’ll hear two clips of Rukeyser as well.
III. This segment comes from "Fixing the Stars" and our guest was Heather Clark, author of the new biography of Plath called Red Comet, published by Knopf. In the following selection we’ll also hear Plath read from her work ("Lady Lazarus" and "Mushrooms").
IV. This segment comes from our show "Captivating Fictions" with our guest Thalia Field - an experimental novelist, essayist, and poet - modes of writing that are often combined in any of Field’s texts. Field reads "Crossroads" from Bird Lovers, Backyard, and "HI ADAM!" from Personhood.
Links to programs excerpted: Presenting Pessoa: 1915 The Presence of Pessoa – Part Two with Richard Zenith How to Be Anti-Fascist: Muriel Rukeyser and The Life of Poetry Fixing the Stars: Sylvia Plath at the Edge of Sight Captivating Fictions with Thalia Field (Extended)
MUSIC - All of today’s music is by jazz drummer and composer Max Roach. "Man from South Africa" (Percussion Bitter Sweet) "Conversation" (Deeds, Not Words) "Tender Warriors" (Percussion Bitter Sweet) "Deeds, Not Words" (Deeds, Not Words) "Mendacity" (Percussion Bitter Sweet)
CREDITS Producer & Host: Doug Storm Executive Producer: Kade Young
Welcome to the 61st episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
In this special episode we interview Dr. Jung H. Pak. Dr. Pak is a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and for Global China issues and also serves as Deputy Special Representative for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. She has held senior positions with the National Intelligence Community in the US. We have a conversation on background experiences, career selection, the impact of international events on members of the AAPI community as well as the field of national intelligence and international affairs.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guest is Dr. Jung H. Pak Our Sound Engineer is Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is a rebroadcast from April 5, 2021:
In today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and William Hosea tackle the little covered topic of Black people in Nazi concentration camps. During the Nazi era and the Second World War, many Black German citizens were persecuted, deported, and ultimately killed by the Nazis as they did not fit the ideology of the ‘Aryan master race’.
When the Nuremberg Laws were introduced in 1935, they originally only applied to Jewish people. However, they were soon extended to include Black people. Black people and those of mixed heritage were subjected to forced sterilization from 1937, after which they had to sign agreements that they would not marry or have sexual intercourse with those of German blood.
Unlike Jewish people, disabled people, and people identified as “gypsies”, Black people were not systematically targeted for mass killing. Nevertheless, all Black people were persecuted under the Nazis, but their individual experiences differed widely. Here to educate us on Blacks in Nazi Germany are Dr. Robbie Aitken, Professor of Imperial History at Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom, and Liz Mitchell, our Bring It On! producer of Dark Past, Bright Future.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea. Our show’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone. Our Assistant Producer is William Hosea. Our Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
On March 10th, 2022, Barrie joined us for an in-studio interview and performance before that evening’s performance at The Bishop Bar. We discussed her new album Barbara, her eclectic collection of instruments, and what what it's like to be back on-the-road.
Songs: 1) "Quarry" 2) "Frankie" 3) "Jenny"
Host: Abby Noroozi Engineer: Jar Turner Post-production: Wilder Mouton
WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.
This interview was aired as a five-part series of Feature Reports as part of an ongoing collaboration between WFHB Local News and Eco Media Center of Monroe County.
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.
Roze and Linzey discuss the environmental attorney's background, early career, legal triumphs and current court battles to secure civil rights for Ecosystems by conferring personhood to aspects of Nature under the law.
They discuss legal history, the origins of forms of personhood for non-human entities, early Rights of Nature cases, jurisdictional considerations, tribal courts and Treaty law, state governmental control over local decisions, pending cases to protect rivers and other litigation brought by Native American tribes to protect salmon and wild rice. Co-produced by Kade Young of WFHB News and Zyro Roze of E•MC²
Don Jordan and Rich Reardin
‘Inside Outdoors’ engineer, host and Inside Outdoors executive producer is Rich Reardin
WFHB executive producer is Kade Young
For our show this week, Micol Seigel talks to Abby Cuniff. Cuniff is a reporter who recently published an article about arsenic contamination in Kern Valley State Prison in California. In this conversation, they talk about the prevalence of arsenic in California’s Central Valley- including in its prisons.
She also describes the impact of the PLRA- The Prison Litigation Reform Act- a law Congress put in place in the 1990s, which was designed to decrease the incidence of litigation within the court system. This law was put into place to undermine the ability of jailhouse lawyers to file lawsuits addressing their cases and conditions.
Cuniff details some of their research, and highlights the neglect many prisoners faced when their health problems began to surface.
Special thanks to Abby and Micol. You can read Abby’s story on Truthout.
Thanks to Perilous Chronicle- check them out at perilouschronicle.com
HEADLINES Plastic, literally, has become part of us. We ingest the equivalent of one credit card of plastic a week. ---Julianna Dailey Plastics are a plague on land and sea. Plastic production is expected to almost quadruple by 2050. Per capita, plastic consumption is 2.5 times higher in industrialized countries than in non-industrialized ones. ---Linda Greene What are you doing at home to cut down on the use of plastic? If you are recycling, keep in mind that most compostable plastic is not recycled. It goes into a landfill or incinerator. ---Julianna Dailey 61 new electronic vehicle charging stations are coming to various cities across Indiana by 2023. Construction is anticipated to start this year in Rochester, according to an official with Duke Energy. ---Norm Holy March 22 was World Water Day, which goes back to 1992, when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development declared it so. A core focus of the day this year was to advance the Sustainable Development Goal Number six: water and sanitation for all by 2030. ---Linda Greene A bat previously believed extinct is now back from the dead. Researchers announced March 8th that they had spotted Hill’s Horseshoe Bat for the first time in 40 years. ---Norm Holy People concerned about water quality in the U-S are asking the public to contact their U-S representatives to urge them to co-sponsor the Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability Act, known as the WATER Act. ---Linda Greene CALENDAR
The 2022 Monroe County Master Gardeners Association Garden Fair is planned for Saturday, April 2nd, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Switchyard Park. Admission is free, and there will be more than 30 exhibitors.
Learn how to make a Birdhouse Weaving at the Upper Cascades Park in the Lion's Den Shelter on Saturday, April 2nd, from noon to 1:30 pm. You will use willow branches to make bird houses for songbirds migrating back to southern Indiana.
A Volkswalk will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 2nd, from 9:30 am to 2 pm. Meet in the lobby of the Spring Mill Inn for the volkswalk hikes. There will be a 10K and a 4K hike offered. The trail goes by streams, sinkholes, caves and a small lake and includes Trail 3, 5 and parts of Trail 4 and 2. You may register in advance at http://my.ava.org/
Nature Sounds will present an acoustic musical performance and educational nature presentation on the Nature Topic: Wind. The wind holds a powerful influence over our senses. Come and enjoy an evening of melodic woodwind music at the Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter on Friday, April 8th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your own seating.
A Wildflower Weekend is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 8th, Saturday, April 9th, and Sunday, April 10th. On Friday from 5 to 7 pm you will hike the park and some off-site secluded places. Take home plants and wildflowers, courtesy of the Friends’ Group. Go to the McCormick’s Creek State Park website to get a detailed schedule of the weekend.
The graffitist formerly known as Tom Cat Spray has erased the line between art and day-to-day life. Part 1 of our conversation with Ebbinghouse aired Thursday, March 24, 2022. Part 2 aired Thursday, March 31, 2022
Ebbinghouse and a model wearing one of his Trashion Refashion designs. Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This month, we spoke to Susanne Wengle, a professor at Notre Dame who researches post-Soviet political and economic transformation in Russia. Her second book is Black Earth, White Bread; a Technopolitical History of Russian Agriculture and Food. We were eager to hear her perspective on the history of agriculture in Russia and Ukraine and the current war's ripple effects on food systems around the world.
Wengle's book, Black Earth, White Bread; a Technopolitical History of Russian Agriculture and Food is available here.
In today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Eric Love, discuss the nomination of Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit since 2021, as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Joining them in this discussion are the Honorable Valeri Haughton of Circuit Court, Division II (Seat 6), and the Honorable Geoff Bradley, Monroe County Circuit Court, Division I (Seat 9).
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson received her commission as a United States Circuit Judge in June of 2021. From 2013 until 2021, she served as a United States District Judge, and until December of 2014, she also served as a Vice-Chair and Commissioner on the United States Sentencing Commission. Prior to her four years of service on the Sentencing Commission, Judge Jackson worked for three years as Of Counsel at Morrison & Foerster LLP, with a practice that focused on criminal and civil appellate litigation in both state and federal courts, as well as cases in the Supreme Court of the United States. Before joining Morrison & Foerster LLP, Judge Jackson served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the appeals division of the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia. Before that appointment, Judge Jackson worked as an Assistant Special Counsel at the Sentencing Commission and as an associate with two law firms (one specializing in white-collar criminal defense, and the other focusing on the negotiated settlement of mass-tort claims). Judge Jackson also served as a law clerk to three federal judges: Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States, Judge Bruce M. Selya of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and Judge Patti B. Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Judge Jackson is currently a member of the Judicial Conference Committee on Defender Services, as well as the Board of Overseers of Harvard University and the Council of the American Law Institute. She also currently serves on the board of Georgetown Day School and the United States Supreme Court Fellows Commission. Judge Jackson received a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1996, where she served as a supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review. She received an A.B., magna cum laude, in Government from Harvard-Radcliffe College in 1992. (from U.S. Court of Appeals website)
Judge Geoff Bradley
Judge Valeri Haughton
Before winning the election in 2020 to Monroe County judge, Geoff Bradley (D) was a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office, a position he's held for 14 years. He serves on the board of the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival.
Valeri Haughton (D) was unchallenged for her seat in the 2020 election. She has served 3 terms, a total of 12 years, as a judge. Prior to her election in 2008, she was a deputy prosecutor in Monroe and Marion counties.
Credits: Hosts Clarence Boone and Eric Love. Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.The Assistant Producer is William Hosea.The show's Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.The Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today we’ll hear four clips from four shows that weave together ideas of slavery, imperialism, and ideological and environmental pollution. Each clip is about ten minutes long.
Those shows are: Slavery’s Imperial Skein: Knitting Together the Capitalist Empire with guest Zach Sell Spreading Global Freedom, or the Divine Right to Traffic Drugs, Guns, and People, with guest Mark Driscoll Revolutionary Parallels: Zhang Taiyan and Anti-Imperialism with guest Viren Murthy And The Poison Makers: On Liberal Modernity with Robert Stolz
I. In our June 15 show, “Slavery’s Imperial Skein” with Zach Sell, we asked if the brutal practices of US white settler colonial agriculture, which is to say the slave plantation, could be transplanted across Britain’s colonial empire in the wake of the US Civil War and Black emancipation without actual enslavement? The answer “troubled” the rapacious Imperial imaginary.
II. In "Spreading Global Freedom, or the Divine Right to Traffic Drugs, Guns, and People" we begin by unpacking what Mark Driscoll calls an ugly phrase for an ugly phenomenon, "Climate Caucasionism," and then we’ll hear about a minstrel show put on by the historically decorated US national hero Commodore Matthew Perry aboard the ship named the Powhatan - not quite the Pequod of Melville’s Moby Dick, but in the same spirit one assumes.
III. In "Revolutionary Parallels: Zhang Taiyan and Anti-Imperialism" Viren Murthy discusses what might be described as a positive form of nationalism - anti-imperial nationalism - specifically mobilized to fight off the ideological invasion of so-called Western powers.
IV. In "The Poison Makers: On Liberal Modernity” - about the life and work of Japanese philosopher, politician, and social activist, Tanaka Shozo, we talk about the problem of industrial scale pollution and the modernizing state, and how Tanaka Shozo discovers that the liberal state cannot (and does not care to) protect individuals “freed” from feudalism when capitalist industrialism poisons every aspect of natural life.
MUSIC "Jaipur" - Amancio D'Silva "London Bridge Is Falling Down" - Count Basie "Truth" - Art Bears "Cuyahoga" - R.E.M. "The Song of Investment Capital Overseas" - Art Bears
CREDITS Producer & Host: Doug Storm Executive Producer: Kade Young
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 28th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with educator, author and Rights of Nature attorney Thomas Linzey in Part 4 of an ongoing series on the local news. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on March 23rd, Health Department Director Penny Caudill gave an update on Monroe County’s Covid-19 status.
She said that Monroe County is in the blue advisory category.
Caudill also shared that the Gravity testing site will be closed during the month of April.
Next, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Troy Hatfield asked the commissioners to approve a grant the probation department and Indiana University received to fund research strategies to decrease the chances of a client breaking parole and in turn reducing the amount of time someone will spend in prison.
The Probation Department is receiving $170,000 in total grant funding provided by Arnold Ventures. Hatfield said that the grant completely funds the program.
The commissioners approved the grant unanimously. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 30th. Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals
On March 24th at the Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan shared a petitioner's request for a variance from tree preservation standards. Scanlan said that the property has approximately forty four thousand square feet of tree canopy which is required under the Urban Development Ordinance.
The petitioner worked with Bloomington Transit to add bus stops throughout the site which Scanlan said would be beneficial to the city. However, in doing so they would need to remove more trees than the current code would allow.
Scanlan said that the petitioner proposed a two to one mitigation plan to offset the tree removal. Scanlan said that the department recommends approving the tree preservation variance.
The board approved the request unanimously. The next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held on April 21st. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. The conversation begins with our host asking our guest whether any Rights of Nature cases will make their way to the Supreme Court. This is Part Four of this ongoing series on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Hosts: Don Jordan and Rich Reardin
‘Inside Outdoors’ engineer, host and Inside Outdoors executive producer is Rich Reardin
WFHB executive producer is Kade Young
Last week, the Indiana Grad Workers Coalition announced preparations for a strike vote in early April. This step was provoked by IU administrators, who have stonewalled recognition of a grad workers union, despite the supermajority of IU grad workers who have signed union cards. This sequence, including recent grad workers’ protests at the IU Board of Trustees meeting, reminded us of the last time IU went on strike in 2013. Today, we are sharing an Interchange episode covering the lead-up to that strike, originally aired on March 5, 2013. Two undergraduate organizers, Sam Harrell and Tucker Lang, describe the political context and strategy of that strike movement, which was borne out of anti-student debt protests and the Occupy Wall Street movement. In 2012, undergraduates took over the IU Board of Trustees meeting and turned their back on the trustees, using Occupy-based methods of non-hierarchical communication to conduct an assembly exposing the tragic cost of high student debt loads. Later that year, mass assemblies called for a strike in the spring of 2013, eventually catalyzing undergrad and grad picket-lines, a sick-out strike by staff, and the occupation of Woodburn Hall by hundreds of students and faculty members. As the two interviewees describe, the strike was a method to bring together wide-ranging discontent at IU, from anger about tuition hikes, to the staff wage freeze, to the historic underrepresentation of Black students. Some of the demands have shifted since 2013, yet we are glad that Interchange was able to preserve some of the reflections from that struggle in order to put them into dialogue with the contemporary grad workers movement. Here is WFHB’s news director emeritus Joe Crawford, interviewing Sam and Tucker. https://wfhb.org/news/interchange-samantha-harrell-and-tucker-lang-strike-at-indiana-university/
This week, we share Isaiah Willoughby's story. He’s been on the show before, talking about his incarceration due to actions on behalf on the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Today, he walks us through the events leading up to and after his arrest, including the police murder of his neighbor in Seattle and his participation in the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest. Willoughby details hazing by guards, being placed in isolation, and other discrimination he has faced while inside, which he feels is directly related to his arrest as a BLM protester.
Our previous episode with Isaiah is here.
For years, few if any people knew who Tom Cat Spray was. The individual worked overnights, spraying colorful, provocative graffiti around downtown Bloomington. Tom Cat Spray eventually was revealed to be artist David Ebbinghouse. His street and wall work were only a small part of his vivid, lively portfolio of creative pursuits that included jewelry making, fashion design, sculpture, installation, performance and situation art, silkscreen and much, much more. Ebbinghouse's goal is to guide the viewer toward a broader understanding of what art is. This edition of Big Talk is Part 1 of our chat with him. Part 2 will air Thursday, March 31st, 2022.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 24th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights in Part Three of an ongoing series. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald reports on an outbreak of avian influenza in Dubois County, Indiana. Bloomington City Council By Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on March 23rd the council heard a resolution to establish the Johnson Creamery building as a historic district. Director of the Bloomington HAND Department John Zody said he has concerns about the stability of the Johnson Creamery site and that it may not be repairable. The ordinance was originally slated on the council agenda for a first and second reading; however, a majority of the council agreed to delay talks of historic designation to their next meeting. The council also voted to opt back into the state’s Opioid settlement. In 2021 the council opted out of the settlement because it was not a good deal, however Bloomington Corporation Counsel Beth Cate presented the new settlement and recommended that Bloomington should rejoin the state’s settlement. She said that the funds would be paid out over a number of years, and that the settlement is a good deal. The city council will have a Committee of the Whole meeting on March 30th where they will further discuss the Johnson Creamery site. PFAs or 'Forever Chemicals' By Bode Hoover
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS or “forever chemicals”, are the subject of recent scrutiny. These synthetic organic compounds have been used in everyday products since the 1940s including common brands like Scotchguard, Teflon, L’Oréal, Mac, Ulta, and CoverGirl. They are used to make non-stick and waterproof products ranging from cookware to personal care products and textiles. Their presence is widespread. In fact, PFAS has been detected in the blood of approximately 97% of Americans and was even detected in breast milk. The 2019 movie, Dark Waters starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Billott, drew much attention to this issue. Robert Billott, the attorney responsible for bringing these chemicals to light by pursuing legal action against manufacturer DuPont de Nemours, Inc., recently visited Indiana University thanks to efforts by Professor Marta Venier at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Community Public Water Systems (CWS) will be tested for PFAS. This project started in February 2021 and will continue through May 2023 in three phases. Phase two, when Community Water Systems serving less than 3,300 people is tested, is set to conclude in December 2022. The latest released results are for samples collected in August 2021. PFAS was detected in treated drinking water in two of the CWS tested: Charlestown in Clark County and Morgan County Rural in Morgan County. PFAS was also detected in untreated water at Hartford City Water Works in Blackford County andAurora Utilities in Dearborn County. The detected levels were below the unenforceable EPA Health Advisory Level of 70 ppt but there are currently no maximum contaminant levels (MCL) established by the EPA. PFAS are environmentally persistent, enabling them to accumulate in wildlife and people. Once they enter your body, it is impossible to remove them, meaning multiple exposures to small quantities will build up over time. Many studies have shown that exposure to PFAS has adverse health effects including liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, obesity, hormone suppression, high cholesterol, and cancer. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the PFAS Action Act of 2021 which would require the EPA to categorize PFAS as hazardous substances and clean up Superfund s...
HEADLINES Now that the legislative session is over, what was directed at the environment? The Indiana Environmental Reporter has given its assessment, which has been edited for length. Only the major issues are included in this summary. ---Norm Holy U.S. oil and gas companies are using Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to push back against the Biden administration’s climate agenda. ---Norm Holy U-S Postal Service vehicles constitute a third of the government’s fleet, but Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump donor and appointee, has announced plans to spend up to $11.3 billion on approximately 165,000 new gas-powered delivery trucks over the next decade. ---Linda Greene Concerned about the environmental and human toll from Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, over 1,000 organizations and individuals from more than 75 countries released an open letter expressing their solidarity with the people of Ukraine. ---Norm Holy For decades, fossil fuel companies have used public relations, or PR, firms to fabricate their image, protect their reputation, greenwash their activities and spread disinformation to the public. These PR firms operate in the shadows but are a key element of Big Oil’s success in deceiving the public and stopping progress on climate action. ---Linda Greene In 2018, Boulder, Colorado, sued two fossil fuel companies for damages and adaptation costs resulting from the climate crisis. The companies in question were ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy, which owns the state’s only refinery. The co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Boulder County and San Miguel County, estimated that the damage would cost them over a $100 million by 2050. ---Linda Greene The cost of natural gas went up 24 percent in February as compared to the year before, and electricity went up by nine percent, The Guardian reported. This means that customers are seeing some of their highest electricity bills in years, The Wall Street Journal reported. ---Norm Holy CALENDAR
McCormick’s Creek State Park will be hosting an Amphibian Outing Kickoff on Friday, March 25th, from 7 to 9:30 pm and on Saturday, March 26th, from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. You will join the naturalist and experts from the Hoosier Herpetological Society to learn all about amphibians. On Friday you will meet at the well-known amphibian pond. The kick-off will have hikes, talks, displays and kids’ activities.
Enjoy an evening excursion at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual, the sky dance, on Saturday, March 26th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Learn about the Woodcock’s migration, habitat needs and how the Indiana DNR is working to conserve the American Woodcock. Meet at the Main Office.
Learn who might be visiting your backyard and how to read the signs animals leave behind at the Animal Tracking Basics and Beyond class at the Wapehani Mountain Bike Park on Saturday, March 26th, from 12:30 to 2 pm. Get a better understanding of the basics of animal behavior and how it relates to survival strategies. Bring drinking water, and wear sturdy boots. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
YOU can be what goes bump in the night! Explore the trails under the cover of darkness on this Know The Night night hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, March 26th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. As you move through the park, you will listen carefully for signs of nocturnal wildlife. Guides will provide headlamps. Meet in the parking lot. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Welcome to the 60th episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears and episode editor is Brian Yu.
This is the second episode of a two part installment for Women’s History Month, featuring the voices of AAPI women warriors of Indiana. On this episode, young Pacific Islander activists, Dana Taborn and Leilanu Jackson of IU’s Pacific Islander Student Association will be on the show. Our guests will talk about what Women’s History Month means to them, the challenges, and the fulfillment that their advocacy work brings and the important issues facing AAPI women today.
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guests are Dana Tarborn and Leilanu Jackson Our Sound Engineers is Michael Sears Our Editor is Brian Yu Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights in Part Two of an ongoing series. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, More Phony Phoners on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature report. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
According to a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project, Indiana has the most polluted rivers out of any state in the country, with over 25,000 miles of river being contaminated and not suitable for human activities. The report was created to mark the 50th year anniversary of the signing of the Clean Water Act, which hoped to have clean rivers across the United States in ten years. While many scientists and environmentalists still hope to reach this goal, there are many problems hindering it in Indiana. The state suffers from an overabundance of bacteria and nutrients in the water coming from agricultural sources. This occurs because agricultural runoff is barely regulated by the Clean Water Act. Steps are being made to raise awareness concerning this issue. The one area that Indiana exceeds in includes its water testing facilities, which tests more water than any other state, hoping to ensure clean drinking water for Hoosiers.
Last week’s fire at a Walmart Fulfillment Center in Plainfield, Indiana is likely to have led to contaminated pollutants affecting the air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that there was a high level of fine particulate matter in the form of microscopic dust or soot. This has the potential to be stuck inside the lungs if inhaled. Residents near the fire have been warned to wear N95 masks and gloves when cleaning up any of the fire debris nearby. These contaminants can cause breathing problems and possibly lead to cancer. The EPA has stated that there has not been any sign of the fire affecting water quality. Federal investigators have yet to determine what exactly caused the fire or what allowed it to spread so fast throughout the distribution center.
On a positive note, four Bengal tigers, housed in cramped cages for almost two decades as a part of a circus act, have been rescued by Four Paws International, an animal welfare organization, in the country of Argentina. The tigers, which had never touched grass or seen the sky, were finally able to live at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. While they are still in a fenced off enclosure, it represents the closest thing to a natural habitat for these majestic creatures. This group of tigers, once approved for release by a veterinarian after a few more months of study, will be free to move into a mega enclosure and thus be able to live as close as possible to how their natural habitat counterparts do. Richland Bean Blossom School Board
At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on March 21st, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve a grant called the Build, Learn, Grow Child Care Stabilization grant.
He said the F-S-S-A or the Family and Social Services Administration, awarded the Richland Bean Blossom School district a 131,000 (one hundred and thirty one thousand) dollar grant that they intend to use to install an outdoor playground at the preschool.
President of the board, Dana Robert Kerr commented that the staff’s ability to find and apply for grants is important to help fund special expenses.
They also approved the Intermediate School fourth grade class trip to Conner Prairie. The board approved the motion unanimously. The next school board meeting will be held on April 18th. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald speaks with Virgil Sauder, the Director of the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control about a new pet ordinance.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel reports on a fire at a Walmart distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana. Bloomington Redevelopment Extends Contracts for Hopewell Site and Trades District Tech Center
At the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting on March 21st, commissioners discussed the redevelopment of the old hospital site. Commission member Randy Cassady proposed to extend a contract with J.S. Held to find adequate developers for the Hopewell neighborhood.
Crowley clarified that this contract would help to ensure that developers propose projects that fit within the city’s master plan for the former hospital site.
The commission voted unanimously to extend the contract with J.S. Held.
The commission also discussed a contract with Axis Architecture for design work on the new Trades District technology center. Crowley, provided some background knowledge on the agreement.
One commission member asked what the timeline looks like for the agreement. Crowley replied that there will be a gap in funding that the commission should prepare for.
The resolution passed unanimously. The next Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on April 4th. The Truth About Pet Breeding in Bloomington By Kai Fitzgerald
Bloomington City Council voted in late December to prohibit the sale of cats and dogs from local pet shops. Ordinance 21-45 to amend Title 7 would fine each store $500 per violation taking effect January 1st of 2023, in a hope to allow local pet shops to adapt to the ordinance, mainly affecting local shops “Anthony’s Pets” and “Delilah’s Pet Shop.”
Virgil Sauder, Director of City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control, speaks with WFHB News regarding the contents of Bloomington Ordinance 21-45.
One of the complications or concerns with this ordinance was its timing. It was possible if the ordinance was immediate the current animals were going to be dumped or disposed of with haste in order to comply with the sudden policy. To combat this, the City Council voted to postpone the enactment of the policy until January 1st of, 2023. Luckily, this allowed enough time for these businesses to rethink their business and marketing strategies. The owner of Delilah’s Pet Shop has spoken at Bloomington City Council meetings this past year, speaking out against this ordinance. Sauder goes on to discuss the specificities of this issue.
Pet breeding has only been a widespread practice within the last 100 years. In fact, humans created breeds as a means to entertain the wealthy in Victorian England. Beforehand, dog and cat breeds were nonexistent. Pet breeding is the genetic selection for specific characteristics within the animal that are considered desirable. This often leads to breeders -including puppy mills- to breed within the family. This means that most purebred animals are actually a result of inbreeding. This causes these animals to have very little genetic diversity, making it difficult for them to fight off genetic disease or infection. In fact, the average lifespan of a bulldog (a common purebred dog in modern-day) is seven years due to the breed’s inability to combat disease and infection. Now while most animal shelters or humane societies are either required to spay or neuter their animals or to simply prevent more strays, pet shops -at least in Bloomington are not required to do so. Virgil elaborates on this.
This can cause overpopulation in mills and shops, leading to more strays and less available space in shelters.
Most non-shelter animals or purebred animals are a result of years of inbreeding, leading them to have mutated genes that disfigure particular “desirable characteristics." For example,
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Dr. Gladys DeVane. She is an author, thespian, playwright, narrator, and co-founder of Resilience Productions.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Troy Harris, Candidate for Monroe County Sheriff
On today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak to Troy Thomas and Ruben Marté, who are the two African-American candidates for Monroe County's crowded primary election field for sheriff.
Troy Harris was born in Bloomington and still calls it home today. Troy has served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and is currently a member of the Moose Lodge. As part of the Lodge, Troy assists in raising money for organizations in Monroe County, including the Bloomington Animal Shelter, Shop with a Cop, Life Designs, Middle Way House, and many more.
Upon graduating from Bloomington North High School, Troy joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer in the county jail. A few years later Troy joined the Patrol Division, becoming the first African American patrol deputy in the history of Monroe County. Troy has risen through the ranks of the Sheriff’s Office from patrol deputy to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He has led the Detective Division and Patrol Division. As part of the Patrol Division, Troy was an integral part of modernizing the Field Training Officer program, moving from paper forms to a digital solution. Throughout his 26 years with the Sheriff’s department Troy has worked to modernize the department as policing and community needs evolve. In addition to his work with Monroe County, Troy has trained hundreds of officers across the state as an instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Ruben Marté, Candidate for Monroe County Sheriff
Ruben Marté is a 31-year veteran with the Indiana State Police and currently serves as a Captain in the Office of the Superintendent. His previous assignments include the Legal Office, the South Zone Area Captain for the Criminal Investigation Division, Records Division Assistant Commander, Lieutenant of the Criminal Intelligence Section, and Special Investigation Section, which encompasses the Vehicle Theft Unit, White Collar Crime Unit, Cybercrime Unit, and Crimes Against Children. Captain Marté also developed and commanded the Indiana State Police Security Threat Group Unit, which monitors and controls gang activity occurring at special events in Indiana. This past year, Captain Marté, who is bilingual in both English and Spanish, was appointed as the first Equity and Inclusion Officer of the Indiana State Police.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
from The Herald-Times (June 19, 2021)
Bring It On!'s host Clarence Boone spends the hour with sisters Briah and Taylor O'Neal, who are African-American junior competitive tennis-playing sisters and now children's book authors. As reported in The Herald-Times on June 19, 2021, Briah and Taylor started playing tennis when they were 3 and 4 years old. They were inspired by Venus and Serena Williams to start playing tennis. They are currently competitive junior tennis players who attend Bloomington High School South students.
In 2019 the sisters had published Serve It to Me, Too (The O'Neal Sisters Tennis Adventures), the first of three volumes of children's books, which Briah wrote and Taylor illustrated. As brand ambassadors for Justice girls clothing, they were sent to Justice's headquarters in Ohio in April 2019 for a brand ambassador summit. There they heard keynote speakers; some of whom were young authors. The experience inspired them to write about their own experiences and journey as African-American girls playing the white-dominated sport of tennis.
With the help of their parents, Briah and Taylor found a publisher for their children's books, and they became published authors in November 2019. Throughout the hour, the sisters talk about what inspired them to write their first book and what continues to drive them today as they continue their journey as competitive junior tennis players. Foremost, the sisters want to spread a message of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and, thus, the book ends with the young girl Deja, the main character, saying "Serve it to me, too".
Credits: Today’s host is Clarence Boone. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 21st, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on March 14th, council member Scott Oldham presented a contract with Axon Enterprises to buy new supplies for the police department.
Oldham shared that the police department needs to update its body-worn camera system, including an upgrade of digital storage for body cam footage.
Oldham said that the tasers currently used by the police department are outdated and need replacing. He elaborated on the proposed contract and why he believes the council should move forward with it.
One board member asked for clarification on how the council would fund the initiative. Oldham responded that the council would need to establish a special appropriation of 25 thousand dollars for the tasers alone. About 57 thousand dollars would be allocated to update body-worn cameras.
The council approved the five-year contract with Axon unanimously. Bloomington Board of Public Works
On March 15th at the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting Vice-President Beth Hollingsworth thanked all of the workers who have been filling potholes.
Public Works Director Adam Wason shared a sign and maintenance agreement with Covenanter Neighborhood Association.
The board approved the agreement with a passing vote, with one board member abstaining from voting due to their position on the Executive board for the neighborhood association.
The board will meet in-person again on March 28th. Bloomington Commission on Sustainability
The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability held a special session on March 16th to address climate change inequities.
Co-chair of the commission Neejla Routesong gave a presentation on the Just Transition Movement.
Routesong shared that there are seven principles that the movement upholds. One is that the transition away from polluting industrial jobs should be replaced by meaningful work. She also said that the movement calls for localized food production.
To hear all of the principles, you can listen to her presentation archived on the Community Access Television Services website. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Thomas Linzey, senior legal counsel at the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, about his roots as an environmental attorney, his early life and career and what inspired him to be environmentally-conscious. This is Part I of an ongoing series on the WFHB Local News. Stay tuned for Part II coming later this week on the local news. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This week, we speak with Dan from Michigan Abolition and Prisoner Solidarity. MAPS is an exemplary grassroots abolitionist group, which arose out of the 2016 National Prison Strike and, specifically, the Kinross uprising in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Dan lays out this history, and gives us an inventory of COVID-19 in Michigan prisons, based on a zine of prisoner reflections and reports which MAPS recently released. The pandemic was inflamed inside Michigan prisons by both negligence and repression, but prisoners have organized in response both on an everyday level for the sake of survival as well as carrying out major protests and revolts.
You can check out MAPS here.
You can read about the Kinross Uprising on Perilous Chronicle.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 17th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly podcast collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. Today, we welcome guest Michael Lighty - president of Healthy California Now and a consultant with the National Union of Healthcare Workers. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, 24 residents in two of Bloomington’s proposed annexation areas, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to appeal annexation in Areas 1A and 1B. More in the top half of tonight’s show. Bloomington Historic Preservation Approves Petition in McDoel Gardens
On March 10th at the Bloomington Historic Preservation Committee meeting the committee approved a petition to add on to their house in the McDoel Gardens Historic District.
Program Manager Gloria Colom presented on behalf of the petitioners Barre Klapper and Springpoint Architects.
Commissioner member Sam DeSollar shared that he appreciated seeing this house again and how they have worked to establish the new additions while keeping the historic designation of the house.
The board approved the addition unanimously. The next meeting is scheduled for March 24th. Monroe County Public Library
Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young).
On March 8th the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees held a special session to hear from Associate Director Grier Carson, the candidate for the Director's position.
He presented on how he would fulfill the role of Director following the retirement of Marylin Wood. He was asked what some of the greatest opportunities are for the Monroe County Public Library.
Carson said that technology has changed the way we communicate and get information. He said that the library should not only offer online platforms but experiences.
The board will have their regularly scheduled meeting on March 23rd. MCRAA Challenges Annexation in Court for Areas 1A and 1B
24 residents in two of Bloomington’s proposed annexation areas, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to appeal annexation in Areas 1A and 1B.
According to the complaint filed with the Monroe County Circuit Court, county residents also petitioned for declaratory judgment and for damages.
In a phone interview with WFHB News yesterday, Margaret Clements, President of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation, discussed how county residents are preparing for the battle in the courts.
Late last month, Monroe County Auditor Catherine Smith announced the final tally of remonstrance waivers. Five of the seven proposed annexation areas reached the 65 percent threshold required to void annexation.
Areas 1A and 1B did not reach the 65 percent threshold needed to cancel out the annexation, but they did receive over 51 percent, which is enough to appeal annexation in court.
Over the past year, Clements went door-to-door rallying county residents to file remonstration waivers and avoid annexation. She talked about the grassroots effort she undertook on behalf of the MCRAA.
Defendants in the legal action include the City of Bloomington, Mayor John Hamilton, County Auditor Catherine Smith and the Bloomington City Council.
Plaintiffs include the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation along with about two-dozen property owners. The plaintiffs are represented by the law firm Bunger and Robertson.
Clements outlined what’s next for the county residents against annexation.
To listen to the full interview with Margaret Clements, visit this link to yesterday's news. Feature Report:
You can hear Prescription for Healthcare with Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone on the second Thursday of each month on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly podcast collaboration with Medicare for All Indiana. Today, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone welcome guest Michael Lightly -...
WME3tv's Nexus with Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Emily Hamilton, Senior Research Fellow of the George Mason University Urbanity Project. This interview was aired as a five part series of Feature Reports as part of an ongoing collaboration between WFHB Local News and the Eco Media Center of Monroe County.
Roze and Hamilton discuss a range of issues relating to Urban Planning and Housing Policy, touching on Market Urbanism, land use zoning, urban density, "missing middle housing", transportation infrastructure, the "15 minute city", walkability, sustainability, incentives and impediments for developers, recourse and options for renters, local, state and federal policy, conflict arbitration, migration due to climate change and ways that Hamilton's background shaped her views on how to provide greener and more affordable housing.
Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of George Mason University.) Credits: Co-produced by Kade Young of WFHB News and Zyro Roze of E•MC²
HEADLINES Two IU groups, Concerned Scientists at IU and Advocates for Science, recently sent a letter to the university administrators asking the university to analyze how it affects the climate, to commit to becoming carbon neutral by a specific date, and to create a climate task force to realize that plan. ---Linda Greene A story in the IndyStar has good news for Hoosiers who wish to install rooftop solar. After six years of pushing — and repeatedly falling short — a bill that makes it harder for Homeowners Associations to prohibit residents from adding solar panels to their homes finally passed. ---Norm Holy WISH TV reports the Indiana Supreme Court has overturned part of a Duke Energy rate increase approved in 2020. The state’s highest court says Indiana law does not allow Duke to raise rates to cover costs that had been previously incurred. Duke asked the state for a rate hike to cover more than $200 million in costs related to shutting down coal ash ponds. ---Norm Holy To combat plastics, world leaders, environment ministers and other representatives from 173 countries have agreed to create a legally binding treaty on single-use plastics covering the full life-cycle of the material, from production to disposal. ---Linda Greene The Indiana Environmental Reporter is calling attention to the reality that the world is running out of time to undertake the rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions needed to reduce the severity of multiple climate hazards, such as increased flooding and heat, according to a major new report. But despite this and previous warnings, Indiana’s government is working to prolong the life of fossil fuels rather than to seriously decrease the state’s significant greenhouse gas output from fossil fuel emissions. ---Norm Holy The European Union has banned the class of four pesticides called neonicotinoids because they kill bees, butterflies and other insects. The U-S EPA, in contrast, is on the verge of reapproving those pesticides for use on U-S farmland for another fifteen years even though the agency has acknowledged that the pesticides entail "ecological risks of concern, particularly to pollinators and aquatic invertebrates." ---Linda Greene The IndyStar reports that when AES Indiana’s Eagle Valley natural gas plant started operating four years ago, it was touted as state-of-the-art and one of the most efficient plants in Indiana. But disconnected wires and ruptured pipes have conked out the plant for what will be close to 14 months — nearly one-third of its life. ---Norm Holy The Indiana Environmental Reporter says the Environmental Protection Agency hopes states like Indiana will use new greenhouse gas inventory tools to reduce their emissions. ---Norm Holy The top five oil and gas companies in the U-S are making enormous profits and aren’t paying taxes on them. In fact, since the Paris climate accord was signed in 2015, they’ve received money back from the Internal Revenue Service. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
Take A Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, March 18th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Join Anthony at the Spring Mill Inn front patio for an adventurous hike on Trail 3, which is 2.5 miles long and quite rugged. You will learn why the March Full Moon is called the Full Worm Moon.
The Woodpecker Wander Hike will take place at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 19th, from 10 to 11:30 am on Trail 5. You will be looking for Indiana’s 7 native species of woodpeckers. The hike is 1.5 miles long and is considered rugged, with creek crossings.
There will be an Invasive Plant Hike and Pull at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, March 24th, from 11 am to Noon. Hike with the Naturalist while discovering the difference between native and invasive plants. You will help the naturalist by pulling invasive mustard. Meet at the Pool parking lot.
McCormick’s Creek State Park will be hosting an Amphibian Outing Kickoff on Friday, March 25th,
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. Later in the program, the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation filed a petition to appeal annexation in Areas 1A and 1B. WFHB News speaks with Margaret Clements, the president of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation, in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Cyberwarfare and Homegrown Ripoffs on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your Environmental News Brief
The Environmental Resilience Institute’s Resilience Cohort based at Indiana University is a program that has been working towards planting more trees and other vegetation across the state in response to climate change. Indiana’s cities and towns, with their massive amounts of concrete and lack of vegetation, have lended themselves towards climate change effects being more common. These surfaces allow large amounts of flooding and more heat retention on the Earth’s surface. The planting of trees helps mitigate these effects by having their roots strengthen the soil and absorb more moisture. Their canopies help shade and keep the temperature cooler. Over 30 local governments across the state have begun participating and new trees have begun to pop up everywhere.
A shocking discovery from the Smithsonian Magazine has found that over a third of all the animal feed originating from Singapore contains endangered shark meat. The researchers found that the ingredients listed as just “fish”, “ocean fish”, or “white fish” have been the sources of the shark meat. While shark meat is not dangerous towards pets, most owners would be surprised that their cats and dogs were eating endangered animals. A study published last year in the Nature journal found that global shark and ray numbers have decreased by over 70 percent since 1970. The Smithsonian researchers support clearer ingredient labeling that allows owners to better choose the right food for their pets and reduce the harm done to shark populations.
President Biden’s hopes for the appointment of his Federal Reserve nominee Sarah Bloom Raskin have tanked since last week as Senator Joe Manchin announced that he will not vote to confirm that candidate. This is due to Raskin’s belief that financial regulators should have the ability to prepare for the economic fallout that would be caused by climate change. Moderate Republicans and Manchin have cited their belief that all energy sectors, both renewable and nonrenewable, should be financed and supported. This is a major blow to one of the tenets of Biden’s environmental platform that seeks to encourage government agencies to understand how the increasing amount of extreme weather events and the transition to renewable energy could impact the financial stability of the country.
PFAs or ‘Forever Chemicals’ Face Scrutiny
Per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals,’ are the subject of recent scrutiny. These synthetic organic compounds have been used in everyday products since the 1940s including common brands like Scotchguard, Teflon, L’Oréal, Mac, Ulta, and CoverGirl. They are used to make non-stick and waterproof products ranging from cookware to personal care products and textiles. Their presence is widespread. In fact, PFAS has been detected in the blood of approximately 97% of Americans and was even detected in breast milk.
PFAS are environmentally persistent, enabling them to accumulate in wildlife and people. Once they enter your body, it is impossible to remove them, meaning multiple exposures to small quantities will build up over time. Many studies have shown that exposure to PFAS has adverse health effects including liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, obesity, hormone suppression, high cholesterol, and cancer.
The 2019 movie, Dark Waters starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Billott, drew much attention to this issue. Robert Billott,
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 15th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze concludes his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Stay tuned to hear Part Five of the conversation in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Commissioners approved funding for converting paper records to a digital platform. But first, your local headlines. Monroe County Commissioners Approve Funding for Digitizing Records
On March 9th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Recorder Eric Schmitz presented an agreement for renewal with Computer Systems Inc.
The commissioners approved the perpetuation of funding. Schmitz also asked the commissioners to approve a contract with US Imaging which will help with the digitization of all of their records.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked if this work digitizing the records would make the documents searchable with character recognition. Schmittz said that it would.
The commissioners also approved an ordinance presented by Highway Director Lisa Ridge to make a No Trucks location between West Leonard Springs Road and May Road to keep traffic contained to the highway. The next commissioner meeting will be held on March 16th. Monroe County Council Gives Update on Annexation Results
At the Monroe County Council meeting on March 8th Auditor Catherine Smith gave update on annexation results
Council member Marty Hawke said that the process of remonstration has brought community members in the county together.
Council member Jennifer Crossley asked if the individuals in areas 1 A and 1 B would have to pay to file themselves. Smith said that they would.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge gave an update on road work being done and requested approval of funds to be transferred to finish construction.
Council member Hawke commented that the roads on some streets have so many potholes that people have been damaging their vehicles. Ridge explained why the potholes are such a prevalent issue right now, and how they have been filling them in given the weather constraints.
The next County Council meeting will be held on April 12th. Feature Report:
Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of George Mason University.)
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze of the Eco Media Center of Monroe County concludes his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Roze asks our guest about a range of issues - mainly focusing on affordable housing. Stay tuned to hear Part Five of this series on the WFHB Local News.
The conversation begins with the host asking Hamilton about how her personal background informed her views on housing and urban development. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Welcome to the March edition of Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County .
In today’s segment, host Jim Allison speaks with Lisa Marie Napoli, director of the Political and Civic Engagement or PACE, at Indiana University. Napoli also founded Voices for Democracy and Civility.
The topic for this month’s segment is the Indiana Civic Health Index program. Napoli touched on the basis of civic health.
"Civic health reflects the degree to which citizens participate in their communities from local and state governance to interactions with friends or family," says Napoli.
Photo courtesy of Indiana University.
She also discussed the Indiana Civic Health Index - a biennial report that aims to gauge the state's civic health. The Indiana Civic Health Index was first published back in 2011, and the index is now on its fifth edition.
Hear the full interview in the March edition of Civic Conversations. Stay tuned next month to hear an episode focusing on mathematically drawn redistricting maps.
Civic Conversations airs each month on the WFHB Local News at 5 p.m. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, citizen-led organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all citizens in the decisions that impact their lives.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 14th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Stay tuned to hear Part Four of the conversation in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines: Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
At the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody asked the board to approve an increase in funding for a rehabilitation project for a home on East Hunter Avenue. He said that they discovered foundation damage while they were renovating, and it exceeds the amount of money that was initially set.
A commission member asked about the price of the foundation as she was concerned it could be more than 5,000 dollars.
Program Manager for HAND, Cody Toothman responded to the concern about the amount of the additional fees. The commissioners approved the additional funding unanimously.
Next, Director of Economic & Sustainable Development Alex Crowley presented an agreement for a Sustainability Consultant for the Legacy IU Health Hospital Site
The board approved the resolution unanimously. The next Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on March 21st. Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
At the Utilities Service Board meeting on March 10th Director of Utilities Vic Kelson gave an explanation of how the meeting is currently set up now that they are back in-person.
Assistant Director of Operations Tom Axsom asked the board to approve an agreement with Potomac Service.
Kelson also brought up in New Business a Memorandum of Understanding with Monroe County to share the cost of a feasibility study.
He said the study would cost about 129,000 dollars and would be evenly split between Monroe County and the City of Bloomington. Kelson said the Solid Waste Management District Board will still be discussing the study at their next meeting in April.
The next Utilities Service board meeting will be held on March 28th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of George Mason University.)
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze of the Eco Media Center of Monroe County continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Roze asks our guest about a range of issues - mainly focusing on affordable housing. Stay tuned to hear Part Four of this ongoing series on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
HEADLINES Citizens’ and environmental groups are urging Hoosiers to try to stop HB1209, a carbon capture and sequestration bill introduced in the 2022 Indiana General Assembly that threatens property values, health, water supplies and the environment. ---Linda Greene NPR reports that Indiana lawmakers amended a bill to remove incentives for adopting state guidelines on where wind and solar farms can be located. Money from renewable energy projects would have boosted revenues for rural counties and townships. ---Norm Holy Indiana cyclists are pushing for new protections for people who share the roads with cars. A bill currently before the Indiana General Assembly would classify pedestrians, cyclists and road workers as vulnerable road users and ensure that drivers who injure or kill anyone in that category face legal repercussions. ---Linda Greene The Indiana Environmental Reporter has discovered that the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. will be responsible for cleaning up soil contamination at individual residences within the Town of Pines Groundwater Plume Superfund site in Porter County, Indiana, the Environmental Protection Agency announced last week. ---Norm Holy The Indy Star reports that AES — the global parent company of AES Indiana, formerly known as Indianapolis Power and Light — announced plans to leave coal behind by 2025. This announcement is accelerating AES’s schedule and would make the company one of the first to go coal-free. ---Norm Holy Some of the people most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis are people whom few people think or care about: people incarcerated in the country’s jails, prisons and detention centers. A comprehensive analysis in the Intercept reveals that the climate crisis disproportionately harms incarcerated people. ---Linda Greene For the first time in 4 years, scientists have seen an uptick in the number of monarch butterflies migrating from the United States to Mexico. As of mid-December, the butterflies covered 1.13 hectares of forest, up from an all-time low of 0.67 hectares last year. ---Norm Holy
CALENDAR
If you have been cooped up all winter and want to get out, you can bring your dog and participate in a Winter Hike Series Dog Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 12th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Meet at the Ogle Lake Parking area to hike around the lake on Trail 7. Most of the trail is moderate. Make sure your dog is on at least a 6-foot leash while in the park.
For all you coffee drinkers out there, plan a trip to Spring Mill State Park for a Coffee With Cardinals program on Saturday, March 12th from 10 am to Noon. Join Anthony in the lower lobby of the Spring Mill Inn to see and learn what comes and goes from the backyard birding habitat. Enjoy coffee and cookies!
Take a Winter Exploration Hike at Lucas Ridge on Monroe Lake on Tuesday, March 15th, from 10 am to Noon. These winter exploration hikes are off-trail hiking into lesser known areas of Monroe Lake. There is no “set” path, and you are free to roam around. Keep in mind there are no toilet facilities. Registration is required by March 13th at bit.ly/weh-mar15-2022. The hike begins at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Area on T .C. Steele Road.
Take a Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, March 18th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Join Anthony at the Spring Mill Inn front patio for an adventurous hike on Trail 3, which is 2.5 miles long and quite rugged. You will learn why the March full moon is called the Full Worm Moon.
Enjoy a hike on Trail 5 at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 19th, from 10 to 11:30 am, and look for Indiana’s 7 native species of woodpeckers. The Woodpecker Wander Hike is 1.5 miles long and is considered quite rugged with creek crossings.
Jan Bell has been performing in the area since 2014, splitting her time between Brown County and Brooklyn, NY. Since the pandemic, here on a more regular basis (while still producing the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival back NYC, which she founded in 2015). Jan was featured on the Brown County Hour in 2021, and opened for Sierra Ferrell at Hi Fi Indianapolis last Fall.
Most recently played the Brown County Inn with long-time friend of New Orleans days- Bloomington local Opal Fly. Upcoming Springtime solo shows at Nashville House, Ferguson House, Hill Folk Music Series in the round Songwriters at Brown County Inn, and People's Park in Bloomington in June.
"Jan Bell, a latter-day Loretta Lynn from Yorkshire coal-mining background...whose roots still show!" - The Times London, UK
This week, we share a conversation with Brian Dolinar. He has been on the show before, speaking about Parole Illinois. In this episode, he talks about Guardian RFID, a company that produces handheld devices that allow jail guards to do headcounts for inmates electronically via scanning. As he explains, various technologies are being used to expand the carceral net. He go on to talk about the use of government funds, including the CARES Act to expand the various forms of e-carceration.
Dolinar believes this is not a coincidence, but an intentional effort to refund the police in the wake of the George Floyd protests. He offers important insights into covert ways of shoring up police budgets using federal money.
You can read his article in Truthout here.
WFHB News Director Kade Young joins host Michael Glab to discuss recent Bloomington news stories. WFHB citizen journalists have covered a series of demonstrations at Indiana University protesting the invasion of the Ukraine, the city's pilot Leaf Program, the IU decision to end its student mask requirement, the decrease in COVID cases in Monroe County, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton's state of the city speech, affordable housing in the proposed Hopewell neighborhood, the rejection of annexation by five of the seven areas targeted for it, and the county's early voting sites for the May 3rd primary.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 10th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage on the early voting site at 302 South Walnut Street during the latest Monroe County Commissioners meeting. More in today’s headlines. But first, The Statehouse Roundup:
Indiana Statehouse Representative Sue Errington co-authored legislation on the House Enrolled Act 1079. This Act concerns what is legally defined in Indiana’s rape laws to include that an act of rape is an incident in which someone has “disregarded the other person’s attempts to physically, verbally, or by other visible conduct refuse the person’s acts.” Representative Errington has spent the past three years fighting for Indiana rape laws including the definition of consent in 2019 and the authoring of a consent bill in 2020. Errington in her speech commented that there are still more changes that need to be made. Errington said, “The original House bill version included language about rape by deception that was dropped in the final bill, and we need to monitor whether the language that passed will be interpreted by judges and juries."
In other news, both the Indiana House and Senate have passed the vote for the elimination of the requirement of a permit to carry a handgun as part of Indiana’s gun laws. This means that anyone above the age of eighteen in the state can legally carry a handgun, excluding convicted felons, minors, those with mental illness and anyone dishonorably discharged from the military. The state Senate voted 30 to 20 in favor of eliminating the permit requirement. The law will not go into effect until it is signed by Governor Eric Holcomb. Governor Holcomb hasn’t made a statement on whether or not he will sign the bill. If Governor Holcomb chooses to veto the bill, then it will go back to the House and Senate. The purpose for the permit requirement in the past had been to help reject applicants attempting to carry a handgun with the previously mentioned exclusions. Another purpose for the permit requirement is for police officers to know when they’ve stopped someone that could carry a firearm. Governor Holcomb signing this bill would take away this protection for police officers. An action stated by State Police Superintendent Doug Carter as “a vote against law enforcement." Monroe County Commissioners Discuss Early Voting Site
A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at Monroe County Election Central (Young).
On March 2nd at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Facility Manager Greg Crohn asked the commissioners to approve multiple construction projects to ensure the early voting site at 302 South Walnut Street is accessible. Crohn asked the commissioners to approve the installation of electric door openers and ADA push buttons.
The commissioners voted to approve the project unanimously.
Crohn also asked the commissioners to approve the cleanup and painting of the building’s exterior, and the installation of an awning on the side of the building to protect voters from the elements. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve these requests.
Chief Deputy Treasurer Elizabeth Sensenstein gave an annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration report. Commissioner Penny Githens asked why there was a jump in claims in 2021. Sensenstein explained that it was relatively consistent.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held as a hybrid model on March 9th. Monroe County Election Board Plans for Upcoming Election
At the Election Board meeting on March 3rd County Clerk Nicole Browne updated the board on 2022 Satellite Voting.
Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler explained the upcoming election polling sites for the public.
The election board approved the polling times.
Welcome to the 59th episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
During Women’s History Month, we will feature the voices of AAPI women warriors of Indiana. On this episode, we will hear from leaders of the Indiana chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), Katherin Chi of Indianapolis, and Michelle Waugh Dahl of Franklin, Indiana. In part 2 of this series, airing on the March 23, young Pacific Islander activists, Dana Taborn and Leilanu Jackson of IU’s Pacific Islander Student Association will be on the show. Our guests will talk about what Women’s History Month means to them, the challenges, and the fulfillment that their advocacy work brings and the important issues facing AAPI women today. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our guests are Katherin Chi and Michelle Waugh Dahl Our Sound Engineers are Andrew Pace and Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 9th, 2022. Later in the program, we revisit a report from WFHB Correspondent Sade Ajishegiri on local protests over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Increasing Gas Mileage” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has announced a new plan that will reduce the negative effects of a waste oil recycling plant on the southside of Indianapolis. The plant, run by Metalworking Lubricants Co. had previously been cited as a creator of air pollution and being the source behind a foul smelling odor that lingers over the nearby residential areas. Neighbors reported natural gas smells and found that the air quality was so poor that people couldn’t spend time outside. Metalworking Lubricants had previously violated air pollution laws, and five operating tanks at the facility are reported to be directly pumping pollution into the air. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management plans to scrub the operating tanks in an effort to improve odor and reduce pollution.
Reports of toxic algae have increased over the last few years and have caused severe harm to midwestern pets and their families. For example, a couple visiting Lake Centralia in Illinois last summer with their pet golden retriever were shocked when, after drinking from the lake, their dog, Zeus, began vomiting and having seizures. Sadly, Zeus passed away while being driven to emergency veterinarian care. The couple also suffered from negative effects, including vomiting, severe liver damage, and gastrointestinal issues. Stories like Zeus’ have become more common as fertilizer runoff into lakes increases and temperatures become warmer due to climate change. The lake they were visiting was found to have high levels of the toxin called microcystin, at around 41,000 parts per billion. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s heath guideline is around 8 parts per billion. Midwestern states have historically not tested recreational water bodies often enough, due to a lack of funding. However, the U.S. EPA has pledged to send federal grants to state agencies that should allow them to test water bodies more.
Earlier this week, the United Nations Environmental Program announced a new resolution signed by over 170 nations that hopes to begin the process of stopping the world’s plastic pollution. The resolution, titled “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” hopes to be the first step towards an enforceable plan to end plastic waste. This is a result of the acknowledgement of the United Nations that plastic provides a lot of benefits to modern society, and manufacturers are highly unlikely to independently stop producing plastic at any time soon. The United Nations view this resolution as necessary to begin the transition away from single use plastics and reduce microplastic pollution. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town council meeting on February 28th Fire Chief Mike Cornman shared an amendment to the Ellettsville Town Code to Clarify Paid Time off Payout Eligibility.
Council member Scott Oldham asked about why there is a wide disparity between the levels of payout. Cornman responded.
Oldham still didn’t agree with the current payout eligibility and said it should be equitable across the board.
Town Manager Mike Farmer stepped in to try and explain the confusion about the amount of payout employees could receive.
Clerk Treasurer Sandra Hash explained why there is a difference between staff members.
The Ellettsville Town Council considered having a flat cap for the number of paid time off hours staff can accrue. The council agreed to revisit the issue at the next meeting. Feature Reports:
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 8th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Stay tuned to hear Part III of the conversation in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Artbeat - your monthly segment where host Dr. Filiz Cicek interviews artists, activists and educators about their work. Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on March 3rd, Director of Innovation Devta Kidd, introduced a report on the Leaf Program, a two year pilot program aimed at improving Bloomington’s leaf collection.
Special Projects Manager Michael Large gave the council an overview of the program. He told the council that they provided education and support to 22 households. Their goal was to increase citizens’ ability to compost their leaves, use them as mulch, and decrease their dependence on the street vacuum.
Kidd explained the results of the program and shared that the pilot was successful. It was recommended that the program be applied on a larger scale.
During public comment Bloomington resident Conor Bickle asked the council to revisit the city’s noise ordinances due to loud construction waking him up in the morning.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on March 23rd. Feature Reports:
Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of George Mason University.) In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Roze asks our guest about a range of issues - mainly focusing on affordable housing. Stay tuned to hear Part III of this ongoing series on the WFHB Local News.
Beatrice Capote Up next, we have Artbeat - your monthly segment where host Dr. Filiz Cicek interviews artists, activists and educators about their work. In today’s segment, IU Professor Beatrice Capote talks with Dr. Filiz Cicek about her Afro-Cuban roots, coping with the isolation during the pandemic with the art of movement, and her upcoming dance performance with J. Lorand Matory from Duke University & Drum Performance at the The Gayle Karch Cook Center in Maxwell Hall on March 25th, 4-6pm. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young. Anchors are Sofia Fitzgerald and Kade Young.
Last week, dozens of people again showed solidarity with the nation of Ukraine in their ongoing battle against Russia.
IU students, professors, and Bloomington residents alike came together for the second time in the past two weeks to spread awareness of the Russian-instigated war in Ukraine, marching from the Showalter Fountain down to the Sample Gates, where blue and yellow flags flew high and clear voices sung the national anthem: Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished.
Ani Abrahamyan, treasurer of the Ukrainian Studies Organization at IU responsible for organizing the protest, expressed her frustration at the territory conflicts preventing nations from claiming their sovereignty.
"I would just like to say it's not a conflict, it's an outright war," said Abrahamyan. "It certainly makes it much more difficult with each subsequent war to deal emotionally and mentally with this."
She feels that Bloomington residents are doing a good job in spreading awareness of the war.
"The one thing that can and needs to be done is just the continuation of spreading the information, making sure we call things by the right names and trying to attend, educate and attend events organized to shed light on the war," she said.
Having been displaced from the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh at an early age, she doesn’t have to imagine what so many Ukrainians are going through right now. But she wants them to know how important it is to have hope.
"The struggle for freedom is one of the most noble struggles in the history of humankind, and the most important thing is hope. Even when things don't look like they're going to get better, we have to have hope, because that helps us to continue existing, promoting our culture and educating our children. So just don't give up, have faith and hope," said Abrahamyan.
Kystyna Lopez, a physics graduate student from the Chicago area, knew the words to the national anthem by heart. She understands the importance of bringing awareness of the invasion close to home.
"It has such extreme implications, that it's something that people should be aware about and care about, because it will affect them, sooner or later in a much more direct way," said Lopez.
She said that this Russian-Ukrainian war is something that even U.S. citizens should pay attention to.
"I think the the level of threat this poses is something that we need to be very critically aware of," she said.
Lopez said it’s important to keep up the awareness and the momentum.
"It will be very easy for this to be something that people care about for a short time and it goes on and and people forget about it," said Lopez. "Not letting it die, I think is important, especially because this is not the beginning."
Tatiana Ford, a native Ukrainian who moved to Bloomington just a few years ago, expressed her pain at her inability to help her family members who are now stuck in her hometown.
"My native town is Mykolaiv , which is destroyed right now. And I have my mother and my niece who are hiding in a bomb shelter for seven days," said Ford. "What actually is going on right now: it's just destroying of nation, culture and cities and all infrastructure; including TV towers, including energy supplies, water supplies, television, military bases, even civilian airports."
She thinks that Western governments should do everything they can to protect Ukraine.
"Truly, I think they are afraid to take part, because if they take part it will be actually a third world war," says Ford.
She believes Russians, too, must take responsibility.
"I think that the population of Russia is 145 million. If they all stand up against the war, it will work," she said.
Ford said the only hope against dictators like Vladimir Putin is the truth.
"The best help against information war, it's to show world the truth. We have kids in the hospital right now who don't have legs and arms. We have 16 kids dead,
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 7th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Stay tuned to hear Part II of the conversation in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your local headlines: Monroe County Board of Health Rescinds Local Mask Mandate
On March 3rd at the Monroe County Board of Health meeting Indiana University Vice Provost of Communications Kirk White informed the board that IU students will no longer be required to wear masks. He said they will still be advised to wear masks if they would like to protect themselves from the virus.
Carol Touloukian asked whether or not the students in the medical school will be required to wear masks.
White said they will be watching out for an increase in Covid-19 cases when students return from Spring Break.
Director of the Health Department Penny Caudill shared that the Gravity testing site will be phased out by April 30th as the state prepares for a more endemic phase response. Caudill informed the board that the state will have more mobile testing units available in the future.
Caudill also updated the board on Monroe County’s current Covid-19 status. She said that the transmission level has decreased significantly.
The next Board of Health meeting will be held on March 31st. Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on March 1st, Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren asked for approval to close Fourth Street for the Parks and Recreation International Food and Art Festival on April 10th.
Adam Wasson asked for clarification on the street closure listed on the application. It was confirmed that Fourth Street would be closed between Dunn Street and Grant Street.
Board Member Kayla Cox Deckard mentioned that the event would be free to the public.
The motion to approve the road closure passed unanimously.
The next board of public works meeting will be held on March 15th. Feature Report:
Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of George Mason University.)
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze continues his conversation with Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at George Mason University. Roze asks our guest about a range of issues - mainly focusing on affordable housing. Stay tuned to hear Part II of this ongoing series on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
En este segmento escuchara a Josefa Madrigal hablar sobre eventos e informacion relacionados con los servicios que ofrece la comunidad local, Bloomington Indiana.
In this segment you will hear Josefa Madrigal talk about events and information related to services offered by the local community, Bloomington Indiana.
We begin this episode with our monthly round up of prison disturbances, generously compiled by Perilous Chronicle. Afterwards, we share a piece by IU graduate student Kayan Tara about the death of Malik Ali Malik, who died during a police chase in Bloomington last spring.
Then, we return to the topic of long-term prisoner Leonard Peltier. Leonard Peltier is an American Indian organizer who has been imprisoned for 46 years. Now 77, he is suffering from a variety of illnesses exacerbated by his long imprisonment, including diabetes, partial blindness, and an aortic aneurysm. He recently was infected with COVID. A member of the American Indian Movement, Peltier participated in the communal defense of the Pine Ridge reservation in 1975, which had been overrun with police and FBI agents, along with government-backed paramilitaries. He participated in a shootout that led to the deaths of two FBI agents and another Native militant, but denies firing on the feds. He was found in Canada in 1976 and extradited based on false testimony. Today, he is the focus of a renewed effort to secure his release, with nine members of congress signing onto a letter requesting clemency. The question of whether Peltier will die in prison currently hangs in the balance so we are sharing this overview piece from the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.
You can find out more at: https://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
and at Perilouschronicle.com
Thank you to Perilous, Kayan, and everyone who contributed to this show. Kite Line is comprised entirely of volunteer efforts, so if you want to help us- please reach out via our email address or social media.
Three of Bloomington's most respected arts organizations -- the Cardinal Stage Company, the Bloomington Playwrights Project, and the Pigasus Institute -- have agreed to a merger, creating one of the largest arts entities in the state. The new mega-organization -- its name will be announced at an April 23rd fundraiser -- will continue to stage new and established plays, sponsor outreach and education programs, and will take control of the Waldron Center. The Cardinal's Kate Galvin, BPP's Chad Rabinovitz, and Pigasus's John Armstrong join host Michael Glab on this week's program.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 3rd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Sade Ajishegiri reports on recent, local protests over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, one week ago - Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton gave his seventh annual state of the city address. That’s coming up in your local headlines. Bloomington Parks and Recreation Board
At the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Board meeting on February 22nd City Landscaper Joanna Sparks presented a contract with Eco Logic for vegetation management at Switchyard Park.
President of the Board Kathleen Mills asked if the management of invasive plants is an ongoing task that could presumably go on forever, or one that has an end date.
Sparks replied saying that invasive species removal is an indefinite task, but that the amount of maintenance needed should decrease after the native plants are more established.
The board approved the contract with Eco Logic unanimously.
The board also approved a contract with Davey Resource Group for the Bicentennial Bond Tree Project. Urban Forester Erin Hatch presented the contract to the board.
The next board meeting will be held on March 22nd. Mayor John Hamilton Gives 7th Annual State of the City Address
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton gave his seventh annual State of the City Address last Thursday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
To start off the speech, Mayor Hamilton offered a moment of silence for Ukrainian residents who are facing Russian invasion.
Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Monroe County mask mandate is set to expire on Friday, March 4th.
During the State of the City, Hamilton reflected on the pandemic, saying he’s “hopeful” despite not knowing whether we’ve seen the worst of Covid-19.
Hamilton touted the economy of the city - pointing to the new hospital site and investments made by Catalent in the last year.
The mayor also touched on housing - an issue on which he has faced backlash previously.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the median gross rent of the city remains at 917 dollars per month with annual per capita income at nearly 24,000 dollars per year.
Census bureau data shows the city’s poverty rate at 35.3 percent with the national average at 11.4 percent.
According to the city’s 2021 Community Survey published last summer, affordable housing ranked the third least-liked aspect about the city of Bloomington.
However, Mayor Hamilton says he hopes to expand affordable housing with the redevelopment of the old hospital site.
According to the city, Hopewell will contain retail, residential and office spaces with a “range of affordable housing in the area."
According to the master plan for the redevelopment of the site, the city pointed to “public support” for its inclusion of affordable housing units.
Mayor Hamilton praised the Bloomington City Council for a variety of perceived successes - including updates to the zoning code, the climate action plan, the Recover Forward budget and annexation.
In January, the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation announced that they have enough petitions to successfully remonstrate. As the mayor outlined, a county auditor is currently counting the remonstration waivers. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of WRTV.
Up next, in our feature report, WFHB Correspondent Sade Ajishegiri reports on recent local protests over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We turn to Ajishegiri for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Sade Ajishegiri. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
IU Professor Beatrice Capote talks with Dr. Filiz Cicek about her Afro-Cuban roots, coping with the isolation during the pandemic with the art of movement, and her upcoming dance performance with J. Lorand Matory from Duke University & Drum Performance at the The Gayle Karch Cook Center in Maxwell Hall on March 25th, 4-6pm.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022. In today’s feature report, we have a teaser from Big Talk where host Michael Glab covers the recent announcement of Cardinal Stage, the Bloomington Playwrights Project and Pigasus Institute joining together for a three-way merger. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Bake Those Cookies” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
The City of Bloomington announced this week that over $800,000 dollars will be spent planting trees at over 300 locations throughout the city. The city hopes that the new trees will improve air quality, provide more shade, and mitigate the occasional flood. Similarly, the sites chosen are in lower income areas, as historically higher income areas are often the sole benefactors of new city landscaping. The locations chosen have been listed on the City of Bloomington’s website. The planting will begin in April.
A recently passed Indiana Senate Bill is likely to entice solar and wind businesses to the state. Senate Bill 411 establishes a new development center focused on renewable energy within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation that lists whether counties are commercially ready for renewable energies or not. This process is entirely optional, as it allows counties that want to attract renewable energy companies to do so and counties that want to keep solar and wind out can do that. The bill has support from both environmental organizations and electric utilities as they view it as a way for companies to reliably begin construction on new projects without the risk of individual counties passing laws against renewables. The bill has been modified by the Indiana House and is now making its way once again through the Indiana Senate before reaching Governor Holcomb’s desk.
A rare moment occurred at the United Nations Climate meeting last week when the head of the Russian delegation apologized to the participants, specifically those from Ukraine, for Russia’s invasion of the country. This occurred during a virtual meeting of delegates from 195 nations seeking to finalize a new report about how climate change will impact parts of the world in the coming years. The head of the Russian delegation, Oleg Anisimov, a scientist at a St. Petersburg hydrological institute admits that there is no justification for the current war in Ukraine. His Ukrainian counterpart, Svitlana Krakovska, spoke as well, and highlighted how fossil fuels are an important factor that caused Putin to invade. Krakovska stated that the Russian dependency on oil exports, and Ukraine’s newfound abundance of oil and relative location to Russia’s buyers in the west, may have partially led to the invasion. These reasons were also cited for being one of the causes of Russia’s invasion into Crimea in 2014. Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioner meeting on February 23rd Journalist Dave Askins asked about construction at early voting sites, and if everything will be finalized before early voting in April.
Facility Manager Greg Crohn answered that he believes it will be.
The commissioners heard from the Assistant Director of the Planning Department Jackie Nester Jelen, about a scrap metal processing facility that would require a zoning ordinance change.
She said the facility would be to reuse iron, steel, or nonferrous metal. Nester Jelen shared that the plan commission recommended the approval of the ordinance 7 to 0.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked about whether the ordinance allowed melting appliances like refrigerators and freezers that have freon in them. She explained she is concerned about chemicals going into the groundwater and recommended a concrete pad to contain any spills. Jackie Nester Jelen said that the commissioners can add amendments and get them approved by the Plan Commissio...
Today, we begin a new segment on WFHB dedicated towards shining a light on an often overshadowed community in our nation, those who are physically and mentally diverse. The purpose of this new feature is to feature one guest each week who will inform our audience about the latest trends in the Disability Rights community and how they have contributed to strengthening this group's voice in challenging and changing political and social perceptions. As someone on the Autism Spectrum, I believe it is important that with the recent awareness of acceptance for Neuro and physical diverse individuals, one must use a multitude of outlets to drive this trend forward. It is my hope that through this program, we can inspire and provide a voice for a group whose populous must be taken into account. So together, let's begin this journey of discovery and appreciation with an individual who smashes the concept of disability and molds it into ability.
Haley Moss is a pop artist, lawyer, and renowned disability rights advocate.
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at three-years-old, her parents were told she would be lucky to have one friend, make it through high school and take the test for her driver's license. A lot of people on the spectrum do not go to college, or are unemployed, or do go and may not succeed. She was one of the ones who thrived.
After graduating from the University of Florida in 2015 with a Bachelors of Arts and a Bachelors of Science in Criminology and Psychology respectively, Moss attended Law school at the University of Miami, graduating in 2018. A year later, Moss was sworn into the Florida bar, making history by becoming the first openly Autistic female attorney in the state.
On January 10, Haley Moss took her oath to become a practicing attorney in Florida. She is the first openly autistic lawyer in the state. Courtesy Haley Moss.
Today, Haley is a sought-after speaker who speaks about autism, diversity and inclusion, women on the spectrum, neurodiversity in the workplace and more.
She is the author of four books Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About and A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About, The Young Autistic’s Independence Guide, and Great Minds Think Differently.
She has also contributed articles commenting on current disability rights issues to news outlets including HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Elite Daily and The Mighty and can be heard as one half of the podcast Spectrumly Speaking, a podcast featuring autistic women who are leaders in their respective fields.
Last month, our Youth Radio correspondents took to the streets and interviewed members of the Black community here in Bloomington to get their perspective on the importance of Black History Month.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 1st, 2022. Later in the program, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor - a regular segment where we pose questions to Bloomington’s mayor. Today, Deputy Mayor Don Griffin will stand in for Mayor John Hamilton. More in the bottom half of the program. But first, your local headlines. Parents Speak Out Against the Mask Mandate at MCCSC Board Meeting
Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.
On February 22nd at the Monroe County Community School Corporation board meeting, some parents spoke out against the mask mandate. The school corporation had originally decided to make masks optional 30 days after March 4th, when Monroe County’s mask mandate is set to expire.
Parents made public comments against the additional 30 day period, and asked the board to lift the school’s mask mandate when the county does.
Concerned parent Grant Herd said enforcing the masks beyond the March 4th deadline does not make sense.
Miss Kirby, another parent, said that the school board was enforcing the mask mandate because they were afraid of Covid-19 themselves, not on behalf of the students' well-being.
Another mother said that her son asked her to speak at the school board meeting about the extra 30 days.
The board debated when to lift the mask mandate with votes split 4-3, but decided to make masks optional starting on March 4th. According to an MCCSC Covid-19 update, masks will still be required on buses, but students will no longer have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with Covid-19.
The next MCCSC School Board meeting will be held on March 22nd. Feature Report:
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.
Up next, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor - a regular segment where we pose questions to Bloomington’s mayor. In today’s segment, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with Deputy Mayor Don Griffin about the role of a deputy mayor, the housing crisis and annexation. All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze. A Few Minutes with the Mayor is produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
In today's edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and Maqubé Reese, welcome guests Nordia McNish and Teyaqua Davis, two resilient women of color.
While it is true that our past can shape us, it does not have to define us. Life experiences can be traumatic, but they can be overcome and serve us in positive ways. As Jesse Jackson would often say in his days of civil rights advocacy, “I am somebody!” And the late Maya Angelou penned in 1978, “Out of the huts of history’s shame, I rise. Up from a past, that’s rooted in pain, I rise.”
The stories of this evening’s guests, Nordia McNish and Teyaqua Davis, exemplify how women of color have endured, persevered, and overcome obstacles on their way to achieving success.
Credits: Today's hosts are Clarence Boone and Maqubé Reese. Bring It On!’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 28th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Emily Hamilton - a senior research fellow and Director of the Urbainity Project at George Mason University - about affordable housing. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel reports on environmental groups’ meeting with IU President Pamela Whitten to discuss environmental goals for the university. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee
The Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee met briefly on February 21st to discuss how the committee will proceed when meetings return in-person.
Council Administrator Kim Shell explained what the guidelines are for when the meetings resume in the building.
Council member Marty Hawke stated her preference for the committee meetings to be held at noon while staff members are already at work.
The committee approved the electronic attendance policy for public meetings. The next Personnel Administration Committee will be held next month. Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission discussed the development of IU Health Bloomington Legacy Hospital Site at the February 21st meeting.
Project Manager Deb Kunce gave an update on the site’s redevelopment.
The redevelopment process is ongoing. The commission agreed to discuss more updates in the future. The next meeting will be held on March 7th. Environmental Groups Meet with IU President Pamela Whitten
Photo Courtesy of the Sunrise B-Town Instagram Nathaniel Weinzapfel A new development has risen in the story WFHB has been following concerning the Sunrise Movement of Bloomington, which has been insisting that the IU Foundation divest from fossil fuels and reinvest into sustainable energy. Along with the IU Student Government and the Students for a Green New World, Sunrise met with IU President Pamela Whitten and IU Foundation President JT Forbes on February 9th to discuss their goals.
The meeting began with students, members and supporters of the numerous organizations involved taking turns discussing the importance of sustainability on campus, the need to become carbon neutral, and the overall desire for a climate action plan. IU President Pamela Whitten announced during the meeting that she was assigning Tom Morrison, the Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities, to lead a, “planning group for our action plan." However, there were no strong details provided, and the only commitments made were to smaller changes such as driving electric cars. President Whitten did not mention who would be members of the planning group and there was no set timeline provided for the group to work towards. This left many students feeling frustrated as they saw no formal commitment to the development of an aggressive and long-term climate action plan.
The Students for a Green New World organization was disappointed by the university’s response, as they see a long-term climate action plan as the only step forward with a chance of success. The organization also stated that the administrators during the meeting spent, “much of their time questioning student commitment, praising IU’s previous climate action, and avoiding or redirecting students’ questions. Members of the Sunrise Movement of Bloomington were also disappointed. Another moment of the meeting involved Sunrise Bloomington," asking IU Foundation President JT Forbes directly if there is an actual, tangible plan to divest from fossil fuels. His response was to falsely state that Sunrise Bloomington needed more collaboration between students, members of the public, and faculty before the IU Foundation considers divestment. This ignores the multiple resolutions passed since 2014 that have called for divestment, including a resolution in the IU Student Government that passed unanimously ...
In this week’s episode, we air the final part of a conversation between Jok from Focus Initiatives and Rodney Jones, known as Big R. Big R was a witness to the beating that sparked the 1985 Pendleton prison uprising here in Indiana. In previous episodes, they discussed the circumstances that led up to the beating, including a gang of white supremacist guards, called the Sons of Light, who perpetrated abuses throughout the facility. This week, Jok starts out by reading part of a former prison guard’s statement- giving insight into this racist secret society that was at the root of the beating that was the catalyst for the riot.
John Cole Jr. (known as Balagoon) has been on the show before:
Episode 245: Harsh Debts
Episode 246: Even When You're Right, You're Wrong
This conversation is part of a series put on by IDOC Watch and other organizations, including Focus Initiatives, LTD. We encourage you to check out their projects, which focus on inside/outside prisoner and re-entry support.
IDOC Watch has written several articles about the prisoners involved in this uprising and its aftermath:
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2021/9/27/2018-court-order-for-resentencing-of-indiana-political-prisoner-christopher-naeem-trotter
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2022/1/28/long-term-indiana-political-prisoner-balagoon-speaks-on-the-1985-uprising-at-pendleton-cf-and-his-pending-sentence-modification
You can read about the 1985 uprising in DOWN: Reflections on Prison Resistance in Indiana.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 24th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with Shatoyia Moss, Safe and Civil City Program Director, about this weekend’s upcoming Black History Month Gala Celebration. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a new edition of Voices in the Street - a public opinion poll from members of the Black community in Bloomington done by WFHB’s Youth Radio. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council
On February 16th at the Bloomington City Council meeting Mayor John Hamilton spoke in favor of incentivizing Catalent to invest in the Bloomington community.
Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley recommended the council approve a tax abatement which would encourage Catalent to choose its Bloomington facility over other sites.
Council member Kate Rosenbarger brought up concerns about the housing crisis and increasing population density.
Crowley said that the Urban Development Organization is looking into the housing situation, and rethinking some aspects of the UDO to encourage more affordable housing in the future.
Council member Steve Volan asked why Bloomington is being asked to be the sole provider in the tax abatement when surrounding counties would benefit from the additional income tax.
Crowley said that the company is located within Bloomington’s jurisdiction, and he did not think it would be feasible.
Volan responded saying that the City of Bloomington would have to pay for the infrastructure needed to make this expansion possible.
Council member Sue Sgambelluri explained that she grew up in Gary, Indiana and saw the effects of the steel mills shutting down. However, she said that Catalent has "consistently under promised and over delivered in what they have done."
Council member Jim Sims said that he would support the abatement. He was in favor of dealing with the issue of growth rather than the issue of decline.
The city council will have a public hearing on the tax abatement at the next meeting on March 2nd, and will then have a final vote following the hearing. The City Will Host Black History Month Celebration This Weekend
The City of Bloomington will host the 2022 Black History Month Gala Celebration on Saturday, February 26th at 6 p.m.
According to Shatoyia Moss, Safe and Civil City Program Director for the Community and Family Resources department, the event will be held over Zoom video conference with e-reservations available in advance through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
In a phone interview with WFHB, Moss discussed the role she played in the organization of the event.
“My role is to focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, cultural events for the city and also the community,” says Moss. “So I get to partner with local organizations as well as look nationally at what other communities are doing for Black History Month, and bring some of those celebrations to our own community.”
Moss walked through what event goers can expect at the upcoming gala celebration. She says it may look different than years past.
“They'll be able to tune in at 6 p.m. where we'll be featuring our outstanding Black leaders of tomorrow, which is an award that is given out by the Commission on the Status of Black Males, as well as our 2022 Living Legends recipient this year. We'll also be having some trivia, some music or some options, we'll have a live DJ and host so it's going to be a really great time,” says Moss.
As Moss outlined, the theme for the event is “Black Health and Wellness.” She explained what that theme means to her.
“Black health and wellness is very crucial, especially in this state,” she said. “There's just so much history there. And it's gotten overlooked, obviously, through the years, and this year, we were able to really shine a light on some of those, those black contributors.”
Again,
Welcome to this month's edition of Prescription for Healthcare - a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.
In the February edition of the show, hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with award-winning journalist Suzanne Gordon about how the healthcare system when it comes to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Suzanne Gordon is an award-winning journalist and author. She has written for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and more (Courtesy photo).
Gordon writes about healthcare delivery and healthcare systems. She authored "Wounds of War: How the VA Delivers Health, Healing and Hope to the Nation's Veterans." Her new book on a similar topic comes out in July.
During the interview on Prescription for Healthcare, Gordon explained the VA as a healthcare system - which she admits, very few people understand how it truly works.
"The VA has three sub-agencies - the largest is the Veterans Health Administration - which is the second largest healthcare system in the country and the only, really, single-payer system in the country," says Gordon.
Listen to the full interview with award-winning journalist Suzanne Gordon to hear our guest explain how the VA delivers healthcare and much, much more.
To your good health, everyone. Stay safe and wear a mask.
This month, we're excited to share our conversation with David Holmgren, author of the recent RetroSuburbia and co-author of the landmark 1978 book, Permaculture One, with Bill Mollison, which launched the international permaculture movement. Drawing on permaculture principles of recognizing existing patterns and incorporating them into design, Holmgren is calling for a bold and improvisational approach to the problem of the suburbs. Rather than start with a mythical blank-slate for perfect ecological construction, he sees rich possibilities in retrofitting suburban space, opening it up to distributed, small-scale food production and new forms of life.
In this episode, we discuss the crises we all face, what it means to write from a specific place, the power of speculative fiction for imagining alternative futures, and concrete visions for transforming suburbia. This is a deeply terrestrial proposal, based on practical experiences in Australia, and which will develop via widespread experimentation, playing with patterns, and hacking suburban forms. Holmgren speaks generously as a fellow practitioner and designer, not a policy maker with ready-made solutions applicable globally. We are pleased to offer some of the prompts and visions he shared with us for experimenting in suburbia.
They are offering a pay-what-you-can model for the book, Retrosuburbia: The Downshifters Guide to a Resilient Future. You can find it at retrosuburbia.com
Our theme music is by Lyn Rye
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022. Later in the program, the Monroe County Democratic Party elected Shruti Rana as vice-chair after a resignation last winter left the office vacant. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
Across the state, farmers have been reporting cases of a highly lethal bird flu called H5N1 in turkey populations. The outbreak has been occurring globally but the first confirmed case in Indiana was on February 9th in Dubois County, but has since spread to a farm south of Bloomington and in Greene County. The total number of turkeys impacted is estimated to be around 103,000 birds, with many of them having to be euthanized to contain the spread. There are a total of 28 poultry farms in the state that are in a form of quarantine, and are going through massive cleaning operations to help stop the spread of the bird flu. Indiana is one of the largest poultry producing states, and if the flu spreads the amount of chicken eggs, turkeys, and ducks in supermarkets and restaurants could decrease nationwide.
Southwestern Indiana was recently the center of attention on an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” which is the most listened to podcast in the world, with an average of 11 million listeners per episode. The host, Joe Rogan, was discussing air pollution with world-renowned climate scientist Andrew Dessler when the topic came up about pollution caused by coal-fired power plants. According to the discussion, the city of Evansville, Indiana has the worst air quality in the country primarily due to seven coal-fired power plants located around the city. This portion of Southwestern Indiana is often cited as a sacrifice zone, in which people suffer respiratory issues due to power plants. There are signs that this statistic is changing, as more coal-fired plants are being shut down or changing to alternative sources of energy.
Recently, residents of the city of Lake Tahoe, California have been terrorized by the infamous “HANK THE TANK”. Weighing at 500 pounds, Hank is an extremely large and overweight black bear who no longer fears humans and thus has the courage to break into dozens of homes to feast on leftover pizza. Despite breaking into 28 homes, he has not harmed a single person. His passion for eating processed food and avoiding the fruits and veggies has caused the bear to become a social media sensation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking to capture Hank, as despite his friendly nature, it is too dangerous to have bears living alongside humans. The Bear Education Aversion Response League is an organization that is working towards finding an animal sanctuary for Hank the Tank to live at once the California DFW is finally able to capture the notorious black bear. Monroe County Board of Commissioners Talk Funding for Service Agreements
On February 16th at the Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting Assessor Judith Sharp, asked the commissioners to approve funding for service agreements with Midwest Presort, which she hires to handle the mailing of personal property assessment forms.
Sharp shared that Indiana changed the Business Personal Property Tax requirement to be eighty thousand dollars rather than forty thousand dollars.
Sharp explained that although this is convenient for businesses, the burden of property taxes then falls upon the shoulders of the homeowners.
Commissioner Penny Githens asked Sharp what they can do to push back against the shift away from taxing businesses. Sharp responded.
The next county commissioners meeting will be held on February 23rd. Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees Discuss Future Plans
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on February 16th Director Marylin Wood gave an update on the librar...
Welcome to the 58th episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
In this episode we have a conversation with Dr. Gloria Howell, the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University Bloomington. During this episode we have a discussion on Black History month, the importance of celebrating heritage months and implementing cross-cultural community building programs on both the local and national scale. Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather Our conversation is with Dr. Gloria Howell Our Sound Engineers are Andrew Pace and Michael Sears Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
When speeds surpassed 100 mph in a car chase on April 17, 2021, a supervisor called off the chase of 39-year-old Malik Ali Malik. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to arrest Malik on outstanding warrants issued by the Monroe Circuit Court.
However, moments after the chase was called off, a deputy who spotted Malik in a 2021 Kia Sportage began to pursue him at speeds of about 70 mph on the 50-mph, two-lane highway.
The speeding SUV struck a tree head on four seconds after veering off Ind. 45 onto Dinsmore Road in Bloomington, Indiana. The car burst into flames. It is likely Malik died instantly due to hypoxia, which is when there is lack of oxygen to the lungs. This was caused by the flash fire that consumed Malik’s vehicle upon impact.
WFHB spoke with Malik’s family on how they have been coping almost one year after the accident happened.
“We weren't together, but I talked to him like 20 times a day and obviously he's a consistent part of our life because we have the kids. He was a really good guy. Not saying he didn't make mistakes, but he was a really good guy,” says Barbara, mother of Malik’s two biological children, Malik, aged 14, and Aaliyah, aged 11.
Malik was also father to Beyoncé, Barbara’s 18-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Even though she and Malik were no longer together, Barbara noted they were amicable co-parents. Losing Malik meant she no longer had that support for her children.
Barbara says it’s hard to watch the dashcam footage of the incident, especially once the car had blown up. Five minutes after a deputy reported in a radio dispatch that the car was on fire, it was reported that the vehicle had exploded.
Barbara was especially struck by the moments after the car caught fire and Officer Moxley still had his gun drawn for a few minutes before putting it away. Barbara and Beyoncé felt it was obvious at that point that the person in the car either needed immediate help or had not made it.
“Somebody had approached Officer Moxley and said there's no way he's alive in there. And he was like, ‘Oh, no, he's not.’ But his gun was still drawn,” Barbara says. “But he was like commenting on how, yeah, he could smell him. ‘Hey, you can smell it. Can you smell him?’”
Beyoncé, who adds that the footage was difficult to watch, contemplates whether race was a factor in the way the situation played out.
“Not a single Black or African-American person commented on [the situation],” Beyoncé says. “I think that if he was white and the same situation happened…if they saw someone burning in a vehicle, they would have at least attempted to [help the person] But I just feel like to them, he was dangerous.”
Barbara adds that in her view, Malik was expendable to the police.
“Clearly, his life was expendable in their eyes and not to us, not to our family,” Barbara says. “He took very good care of his children, not everybody does that,” Barbara continues.
She also noted that the police should not have continued to pursue Malik in a residential area, where the crash ultimately took place.
Beyoncé was eager to clarify that they do not mean to defend Malik’s decision to run from the police, but that the outcome should never have happened.
I think a lot of people think that with how we feel about everything that happened, we're saying that he should have been running from the police. I don't think that he should have been running from the police. I wish he would have pulled over, obviously,” Beyoncé says. “But given the fact that his car was on fire and multiple police were out of their cars with their guns drawn…I can't even imagine what would have happened if he had pulled over. I feel like it kind of maybe even ended up the same way.”
Malik Ali Malik (Photo courtesy of USA Today).
Almost a year after the incident, Beyoncé still has a lot of frustrations and unanswered questions.
“For me, it's like why if they saw him outside of the car ...
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kayan Tara speaks to family members of Malik Ali Malik - a man who died in a car chase with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office one year ago. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Sofia Fitzgerald discusses the impact sharks have on coral reefs. But first, your local headlines: Covid-19 Press Conference
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.
On February 10th at the Covid-19 Press Conference Health Director Penny Caudill shared that Monroe County is still in the red advisory category, but says that the rate of community spread is expected to steadily decline.
IU Health President Brian Shockney shared that although the number of hospital patients has been declining, patients are staying longer due to their symptoms.
Shockney said that the hospital is hoping to have room in the near future to continue surgeries that had to be postponed due to the high numbers of Covid-19 patients.
Indiana University Chief Health Officer, Aaron Carroll said that cases on the IU Bloomington campus are declining with a positivity rate in the single digits. He shared that there is only one student in the personal isolation unit.
Carroll also shared that IU is offering students twenty dollars in Crimson Cash to incentivize students to get their booster shot.
The next Covid-19 Press Conference will be held on February 25th. Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates. At the Utilities Service Board meeting on February 14th the board heard from Director of Bloomington Utilities Vic Kelson about a memorandum of understanding between the Lake Monroe Water Fund and the City of Bloomington Utilities. Kelson said the M-O-U is for Bloomington’s financial contribution to watershed projects. IU Vice Provost of Communications Kirk White asked about who administers the Lake Monroe Water Fund. Kelson replied saying that the board is composed of many different stakeholders. The board approved the request unanimously. The board also approved a M-O-U between Bloomington Utilities and the Parks and Recreation Department to finalize each other's roles at the Miller Showers Park. The next board meeting will be held on February 28th. The Real Killers: Humans and Overfishing
The overfishing of sharks can cause a trophic cascade that impacts the health of our coral reefs causing them to bleach and further damages our aquatic ecosystems.
Sharks are a flagship species. When they are killed or fished, it causes an imbalance in the marine food web. Less high-level predators, like sharks, cause an increase in mid-level predators, like snappers. These mid-level predators then over-hunt herbivores like parrotfish. These herbivores eat algae - so a decrease in the fish population would thus cause an increase in aquatic algal blooms, which significantly affect coral health. The parrotfish are pertinent to coral health because they eat the algae that would otherwise overwhelm young corals on reefs that are recovering from natural disturbances. This algae then overwhelms the coral reefs, furthering coral bleaching and causing a crisis of aquatic health.
Ph.D. recipient Jonathan Ruppert spoke with his alma mater the University of Toronto News Department on this issue, where he explains the relationship coral reefs have with sharks, “The reefs provided us with a unique opportunity to isolate the impact of overfishing of sharks on reef resilience and assess that impact in the broader context of climate change pressures threatening coral reefs…. Individual reef sharks are closely attached to certain coral reefs. This means that even relatively small marine-protected areas could be effective in protecting the top-level predators and allowing coral reefs to more fully recover from coral bleaching or large cyclones which are increasing in frequen...
This is a rebroadcast from September 20, 2022:
Today on Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Boone and William Hosea, speak with James T. Averhart, the National President at Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., and Joe Geeter, the former Present and current National Director of Publications at Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. Dr. James Averhart, Jr.
Joseph H. Geeter, III
Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. is the organization for The Montford Point Marines Memorial. It is dedicated to the legacy of nearly 20,000 African-Americans who served in the Marine Corps but trained in the segregated training facility known as Montford Point Camp in Jacksonville, NC from August 26, 1942, until the camp was decommissioned on September 9, 1949. The memorial tells the story through architecture and sculpture. The memorial is located within the LeJeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, NC.
As of June 25, 1941, racial discrimination in the defense industry or in government was prohibited with the signing of Executive Order 8802 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Owing to the threat of strike and a march on Washington, D.C. by the first African-American labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and the need for more recruits to fight WWII, President Roosevelt desegregated the armed forces and the federal government.
President Averhart, and former president Greeter, of the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. explain more about the grand history of Montford Point and the role of African American soldiers in WWII.
Credits: Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and William Hosea. Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. Our assistant producer is William Hosea. Our consultant & WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Don Jordan, 'Buddy Bill' Moser, Rich Reardin, and D Alan Bronnenberg
‘Inside Outdoors’ engineer, host and Inside Outdoors executive producer is Rich Reardin
WFHB executive producer is Kade Young
In this week’s episode, we air the second part of a conversation between Jok Huerta from Focus Initiatives and Rodney Jones, known as Big R. Big R was a witness to the beating that sparked the the 1985 Pendleton prison uprising here in Indiana.
This conversation is part of a series put on by IDOC Watch and other organizations, including Focus Initiatives, LTD. We encourage you to check out their projects, which focus on inside/outside prisoner and re-entry support.
IDOC Watch has written several articles about the prisoners involved in this uprising and its aftermath, which we will share on our website:
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2021/9/27/2018-court-order-for-resentencing-of-indiana-political-prisoner-christopher-naeem-trotter
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2022/1/28/long-term-indiana-political-prisoner-balagoon-speaks-on-the-1985-uprising-at-pendleton-cf-and-his-pending-sentence-modification
We will are more of the conversation next week. In the meantime, you can read about the 1985 uprising in DOWN: Reflections on Prison Resistance in Indiana.
Locutora, Maria Auxi, entrevista a Maritza Alvarez directora de el Centro Comunal Latino. Ella comenta de los recursos comunitarios que se aproximan. Entérese de los eventos en nuestra comunidad, oportunidades para la comunidad interesada en la vacuna contra el covid-19. Escuche consejos de cómo vencer las enfermedades y cuidar de nuestra salud, nutrición y la actividad física. Conoce los hábitos para cuidar tu mente y mantener una buena calidad de vida.
Miércoles 23 de febrero 3pm-7pm en Ivy Tech Community College. ¡Evento para toda la familia! ¡Transporte gratuito! 28 de febrero, El Centro Comunal Latino ofrece tutoría en persona para los niños/as ¡Health Net ofrece cubre bocas N95! ¡2 de marzo, Programa de nutrición llamar a Maritza! ¡21 de marzo programa de recoger los alimentos en el vecindario Heatherwood! ¡Citas de preparación de impuestos!
Host, Maria Auxi, interviews Maritza Alvarez, director of El Centro Comunal Latino. She comments on the community resources that are coming up. Find out about events in our community, opportunities for the community interested in the covid-19 vaccine. Hear tips on how to beat disease and take care of our health, nutrition, and physical activity. Know the habits to take care of your mind and maintain a good quality of life. Wednesday February 23rd 3pm-7pm at Ivy Tech Community College. Event for the whole family! Free transport! February 28, The Latino Community Center offers in-person tutoring for children Health Net offers N95 mouth covers! March 2, Nutrition Program call Maritza! March 21 Heatherwood Neighborhood Food Drive! Tax Preparation Appointments!
HEADLINES On February 9th Sunrise Bloomington, along with IU Student Government, Students for a Green World and other student groups, met with IU president Pamela Whitten, Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities Tom Morrison and IU Foundation President J. T. Forbes to discuss divestment from fossil fuels among other action steps to decrease the university’s role in exacerbating the climate crisis. ---Linda Greene Indiana legislators are putting Hoosiers on a dangerous path, refusing to listen to urgent concerns about climate change and the need for greater access to renewable energy. Instead, they are pursuing false, dangerous and expensive schemes on behalf of special interests. ---Norm Holy A bill to ensure that Nebraska ethanol plants can qualify for state tax incentives for building carbon-capture facilities is running into opposition from a leading environmental group. The Indiana legislature is advocating a similar situation. ---Norm Holy Judge Rudolph Contreras voided oil and gas leases on over 80 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico, stating that the Interior Department "acted arbitrarily and capriciously in excluding foreign consumption from their greenhouse gas emissions" and thus neglected to consider the significant climate impact of such leases. Judge Contreras said the Interior Department was required to consider those climate impacts under the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act. ---Linda Greene
CALENDAR
Spring Mill State Park will host a Full Snow Moon Hike on Friday, February 18th, from 8 to 9 pm. Meet Anthony at the Spring Mill Inn front patio for a fun nighttime hike, and learn the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. This is a one-mile hike that is partially rugged.
Learn about Snake Lore and Mythology from Around The World at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, February 18th, from 2 to 3 pm. Even though snakes are not slithering around during the winter, they are still present in our lives. Meet at the Nature Center to find out more about the fascination people have for these mysterious creatures. This is an indoor event. Please wear a mask.
Brown County State Park continues its Winter Hike Series with a one-and-a-half-mile round trip hike to the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp area on Saturday, February 19th, from 11 am to 1 pm. The trail can be rugged in places. You will learn about the CCC and what they did and all about the Deserter’s Cave. This is a fun hike!
The Nebo Ridge Trail Hike will be the next Winter Exploration Hike at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, February 22nd, from 10 am to noon. This will be an exploratory, off-trail hike with no “set” path. The terrain may be rugged, and there are no toilet facilities. Please dress for the weather. Register by February 20th at bit.ly/weh-feb22-2022.
It’s that time of year when the sap is starting to flow. Take a Maple Syrup Made Easy hands-on workshop at the RCA Community Park small shelter on Saturday, February 26th, from noon to 1:30 pm. Learn tree identification, equipment, collection and sugaring techniques. The program is held outdoors, so dress accordingly. Register by February 22nd at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
He touched countless students' lives and hearts while teaching at Bloomington High School North. Steve Philbeck realized he had a calling back when he was a kid and he was assigned to help a less fortunate classmate. He studied urban planning in college but found the lure of teaching irresistible. Philbeck also hosts a Thursday overnight program on WFHB.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 17th, 2022. Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration with WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. Today, our hosts welcome several community voices on our health system. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News. Feature Reports:
Now it’s time for Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration with WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In today’s episode, host Jim Allison welcomes community voices for health. Our guests include Liz Grenat, Executive Director of the Community Justice and Mediation Center and Project Lead for Community Voices for Health, and Terry Amsler, the Program Director Emeritus of the Institute for Local Government's Public Engagement Program and adjunct professor with IU O'Neill School.
We turn to our host Jim Allison for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Our feature was produced by Jim Allison and Becky Hill. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 16th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Sofia Fitzgerald speaks with Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan and Liminal Researcher Sarah Powers about issues with the Lake Monroe Reservoir. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Virtual Unreality” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment with Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
Late last month, police investigated the conditions at an alpaca farm near Owen County, Indiana and discovered multiple malnourished animals including horses, chickens, dogs, and alpacas. Overall, there were a total of 28 dead alpacas found on the property. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health sent a registered veterinarian to find out what the conditions were like on the farm and the veterinarian found them to be unacceptable, thus causing the police to get involved. SuPaca Farms LLC had never been under any scrutiny previously, and it is currently not understood how conditions got so bad on the farm. The Owen County Prosecutor is looking over the medical records and police reports before determining whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Cleveland-Cliffs, the owner of the steelmaker ArcelorMittal plant along a tributary of Lake Michigan, must pay $3 million for the environmental damages done when the plant dispelled millions of gallons of cyanide laden wastewater into a nearby river. The contamination resulted in 3,000 dead fish floating along the river, caused a shutdown of all public beaches including the Indiana Dunes, and closed a nearby water-treatment plant, thus directly affecting the drinking water supply. The plant had previously violated environmental laws over 100 times and did not notify environmental agencies when the cyanide, with an estimated amount of 25 times the permitted levels, was sent into the environment. Activists believe that this will send a message to big polluters to be more careful about what they are pouring into our state’s lakes and rivers.
A brand new discovery has brought excitement for the world’s understanding of marine ecosystems. Oceanographers found a pristine coral reef off the coast of the island of Tahiti that had never been seen before. Surprisingly, the reef has been completely unaffected by human activity, including from sources such as pollution or ocean acidification. Scientists are rejoicing because of how important coral reefs are to oceans, as they are home to a quarter of all marine species, and without them, many would go extinct. Similarly, humans depend on the reefs for food and income, with reefs contributing billions of dollars to economies around the world. This discovery has encouraged researchers to continue searching in unlikely places to find even more hidden reefs. Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on February 14th, council members discussed the future of sick leave and time off payout for staff.
Council member Scott Oldham suggested that the council look into alternatives to unused paid time off. Clerk Treasurer Sandra Hash replied to his questions.
Hash responded saying that the Town of Ellettsville doesn’t have enough funding saved up to pay out staff members for their unused paid time off.
Oldham said that he wasn’t trying to bankrupt the town, but that they should consider adjustments moving forward.
The council also heard from Utilities Operation Manager Mike Farmer about increasing the sewer connection fee from fifteen hundred dollars to twenty five hundred dollars.
The board will vote on the fee increase at the next Ellettsville Town Council meeting which will be held on February 28th. Feature Reports:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Sofia Fitzgerald speaks with Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan and Liminal Researcher Sarah Powers ab...
Recently, there have been complaints from Monroe County residents regarding the foul taste of tap water within their homes. The main reservoir for Bloomington, IN and Monroe County is Lake Monroe, which is a common source for recreational activities for members of the Bloomington community.
To learn more about this issue with the lake, WFHB News spoke with Sarah Powers, a liminal scientist at Indiana University.
“It's good to have a nice, diverse community of algae. They're the basis of the food chain, very critical. It's just when we have the nutrients start to exceed some point, they can grow in over abundance. And as we're seeing warmer temperatures later into the summer, we're starting to increase the amount of total algae,” said Powers.
With many local complaints regarding the tap water in Bloomington, watershed experts and professionals, including Sarah Powers, set out to Lake Monroe to test its waters for what might be the source of this issue. From what this data could find, the lake and its watershed have been experiencing larger algal blooms in its waters since September of 2021, likely causing the foul taste in its tap water.
Sarah Powers is a liminal scientist at Indiana University. Photo courtesy of IU Bloomington.
Sarah Powers elaborates on how she and her team obtained this data and what it means for Lake Monroe.
“We sampled in the lake in the summer of 2020. We also did stream monitoring into the lake once a month for a year,” said Powers. “I don't think they found a huge amount of change over time, but there are still potential issues in those areas to improve.”
While this doesn’t make the drinking water toxic or harmful, it still presents an issue for residents who perhaps can’t afford to have their water filtered, or those who would be forced to purchase bottled water - which is less heavily regulated - instead of utilizing their home’s tap water.
The algal bacteria found in Lake Monroe is what is known as cyanobacteria. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cyanobacteria is a microorganism also known as blue-green algae in fresh-water ecosystems that can produce harmful algal blooms or toxins. They have the ability to harm aquatic ecosystems, drinking water supply, and people who come in close contact via recreational activities such as swimming or fishing.
Sarah Powers further explains why this form of cyanobacteria is posing a threat to Lake Monroe’s reservoir and watershed.
“As we see increases in temperature, longer summers fluctuations in the amount of rainfall, it changes the amount of algae,” said Powers. “Historically, it was more of a July-August problem; now it's lingering into September-October, where we're seeing longer blooms.”
Luckily, Friends of Lake Monroe, a local non-profit dedicated to the protection of the lake, has developed a management plan to address the issue of growing cyanobacteria in Lake Monroe. This management plan is a long-term goal to prevent Lake Monroe from producing any excess algae and continue to keep Bloomington’s water source clean and healthy. Because of the nature of this plan and the lake, this plan won’t see any noticeable changes for at least a decade or so.
Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan and her team at Friends of Lake Monroe created this watershed management plan in which she expands on in more detail.
Maggie Sullivan is the watershed coordinator for Lake Monroe. Photo courtesy of IU Bloomington.
“We gathered all that data together and created this watershed management plan that lays out a 20 year action plan for how we protect and improve water quality in the lake,” said Sullivan. “One of the things that was driving this process of why we felt this was important is the increasing occurrence of harmful algal blooms.”
Because the City of Bloomington has not declared any official warning regarding the algal blooms in Lake Monroe, one can assume that these blooms have not reached th...
On today's edition of Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone continues the conversation about COVID-19 with Penny Caudill, health administrator for the Monroe County Health Department and former “2021 – Bloomington Woman of the Year”, and Shelli Yoder, Indiana State Senator for District 40 and a former Miss Indiana and a Miss America 1993 contestant. Today's focus is on COVID-19 vaccination rates and booster shots.
In trying to explain low vaccination and booster rates compared to other industrialized countries, the New York Times offers the following: “The United States has a vaccination problem. Moreover, it is not just about the relatively large share of Americans who have refused to get a shot. The U.S. also trails many other countries in the share of vaccinated people who have received a booster shot.
The vaccinated-but-unboosted more closely resemble the country as a whole. Millions of Americans have already received two vaccine shots — eagerly, in many cases — but have yet to receive a follow-up. The unboosted span racial groups. One answer is that medical care in the U.S. is notoriously fragmented nor equitably service all communities. There is neither a centralized record system, as in Taiwan, nor a universal insurance system, as in Canada and Scandinavia, to remind people to get another shot. Many Americans also do not have a regular contact point for their health care. As a result, preventive care — like a booster shot — often falls through the cracks.
Today’s host is Clarence Boone. The show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today's show is a rebroadcast from December 27, 2021:
On today’s Bring It On!, hosts, William Hosea and Gloria Howell spend the hour with Drs. Tennisha Riley, James Brooks, and Amrita Myers to help us better understand the mental state of college students in general and how they appear to be coping during a pandemic era.
Dr. Tennisha Riley is an assistant professor in the Counseling & Educational Psychology department with an appointment in Human Development. Her extensive research seeks to expand our foundational knowledge of adolescent emotional development and situate that knowledge within a sociocultural context for Black youth. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University’s Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society.
Dr. James Brooks, assistant professor of Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. Dr. Brooks has expertise in relationship counseling and the impact of race & racism on multiracial families and interracial relationships. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Brooks has worked with students on campus (here at IU and at Tennessee State University) around their mental health needs and has worked with students who are counselors in training to help them.
Dr. Amrita Myers is a renowned Ruth N. Halls associate professor of History and Gender Studies at Indiana University and a consulting editor of the Journal of American History. Amrita is a historian of the black female experience in the United States, and her research interests revolve around issues of race, gender, freedom, and power and the ways in which these constructs intersect with one another in the lives of black women in the Old South. She is also the author of Forging Freedom: Black Women and the Pursuit of Liberty in Antebellum Charleston, 1790- 1860.
Credits: Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Gloria Howell. Bring It On’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. The show consultant, and WFHB News Department Director, is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
Today on Bring It On!, host Clarence Boone speaks with Shatoyia Moss, director of Safe and Civil Cities for the City of Bloomington, and Gloria Howell, director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center on the Bloomington campus of Indiana University, about Black History Month.
The foundations of Black History Month started with Daryl Michael Scott, Professor of History at Howard University, in Chicago during the summer of 1915. An alumnus of the University of Chicago, Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington, D.C. to participate in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation sponsored by the state of Illinois. Thousands of African Americans travelled from across the country to see exhibits highlighting the progress their people had made since the destruction of slavery. On September 9, 1915, Woodson met at the Wabash YMCA with four others and formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
As early as 1920, Woodson urged black civic organizations to promote the achievements that researchers were uncovering. In 1924, they responded with the creation of Negro History and Literature Week, which they renamed Negro Achievement Week. The 1960s had a dramatic effect on the study and celebration of black history. Before the decade was over, Negro History Week would be well on its way to becoming Black History Month. Since the mid-1970s, every American president, Democrat and Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the Association’s annual theme.
Credits: Today’s host is Clarence Boone. The show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone. The assistant producer is William Hosea. Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young. The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant. The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of a Few Minutes with the Mayor - a biweekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. More in the bottom half of our show.
Also coming up, police officers in Owen County have found animals at a local alpaca farm to be extremely malnourished. WFHB Environmental News Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel has more later in the program. Monroe County Commissioners
On February 9th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Board of Health Director Penny Caudill shared information on the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect individuals from contracting Covid-19.
During public comment the commissioners heard feedback from county resident Angela Northcut about the mask mandate.
Caudill replied saying that there are lots of factors that play into the Covid-19, and recommended that community members with questions should attend the Board of Health meeting.
The commissioners applauded the work of the Highway Department and Emergency Management staff, saying that they handled the winter storm emergency remarkably. Commissioner Penny Githens pointed out that the Director of Emergency Management Kate Petroline and several highway road crews were working twenty-four hours straight. The commissioners approved an agreement with Clark Excavating LLC. for the demolition of surplus property. Facility and Fleet Manager Greg Crohn explained that the structures set to be demolished are too worn to salvage.
The next County Commissioner meeting will be held on February 16th. Monroe County Council
At the Monroe County Council meeting on February 8th, County Auditor Cathrine Smith, gave an update on the annexation remonstration process. Smith explained that they are still counting the numbers, and double checking certain parcels of land that had previously received waivers from the city.
Council member Jennifer Crossley gave an update from the Women’s Commission about the number of vacant positions,
Next the council heard from the prosecutor's office about appropriating funds toward a High Tech Crime Unit in partnership with Indiana University. Prosecuting Attorney Erika Oliphant outlined what a High Tech Crime Unit would entail.
The council approved the appropriations unanimously. The next county council meeting will be held on March 8th. Feature Reports:
Photos from SuPaca Farms supplied by Owen County Sheriff’s Department Police officers in Owen County have found the animals at a local alpaca farm to be extremely malnourished. WFHB Environmental News Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel has the story.
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington. Up next, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor - a biweekly segment where WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider poses questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Nathaniel Weinzapfel and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young. Anchors are Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Tod Wicks.
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 14th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in Part Three of our new weekly segment, Disability as Ability. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Some Residents Divided Over the Mask Mandate at County Board of Health Meeting
At the Monroe County Board of Health meeting on February 10th, Director of Bloomington Utilities Vic Kelson, gave the board an update on the Wastewater sampling program.
Kelson gave an explanation of how to access the data using the City of Bloomington Open Data Portal.
The board then discussed Monroe County’s mask regulation, and whether or not it should be extended.
Board member Mark Norell said that although masks are effective, there are other factors that the board should consider in making their decision for the community.
Norell added that although he believes Monroe County is almost out of the woods with the Omicron variant he is still concerned about the high rates of hospital occupancy, and that healthcare workers are worn out.
During public comment concerned mother Angela Northcut, asked the board to reconsider the mask mandate.
A community member Mr. Miller advocated for the individual’s choice to wear masks or not.
The board agreed to recommend that the county commissioners rescind the mask mandate when the governor’s executive order expires on March 4th.
The next board of health meeting will be held on March 3rd. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The full program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
On January 10, Haley Moss took her oath to become a practicing attorney in Florida. She is the first openly autistic lawyer in the state. Courtesy Haley Moss
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in our new weekly segment Disability as Ability. This is Part Three of the interview. Credits: Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young. Anchors are Don Geyra and Kade Young.
Tune in on Saturday, February 12, at 11:00 am, when WFHB welcomes Kade Puckett for an exciting excursion into fast-paced, fine fingerpicking.
Kade is a third-generation guitar picker with deep Indiana roots and an even deeper relationship with the fine art of finger-style guitar playing. His engaging and exciting delivery of driving melodies will leave you entertained and energized.
The show is brought to you over the air as it happens this month. We will NOT have an in-house audience, but you can grab your favorite morning beverage, some bagels and smears, kick back, and tune in to your FM dial or over the Internet for Kade Puckett on Saturday’s Child. That’s February 12, at 11am, right here on your community radio station WFHB… And there’s no charge, but for the charge you get from the show.
Don Jordan, 'Buddy Bill' Moser, Rich Reardin, and D Alan Bronnenberg
‘Inside Outdoors’ engineer, host and Inside Outdoors executive producer is Rich Reardin
WFHB executive producer is Kade Young
NOTE:
Our guest today is activist Andy Mahler from 'Heartwood' This show is covering aspects of the Indiana Forest Service project at Buffalo Springs, that put's thousands of acres of pristine forest at risk.
Please contact: Kevin Amick
kevin.amick@usda.gov Ask him for more information about the Buffalo Springs project, and make sure to mention your opposition to the logging, clear cutting, burning, and spreading pesticides on our forests anywhere in Indiana.
Also contact Senator Mike Braun. (BRAUN CLICK HERE) Please make sure to mention your opposition to the logging, clear cutting, burning, and spreading pesticides on our forests anywhere in Indiana.
Welcome to the 57th episode Hearabouts: Asian American Midwest Radio. Hearabouts is produced by Indiana University’s Asian Culture Center in collaboration with WFHB. We ask critical questions about identity, culture, community and shared assumptions. This episode is produced by Andrew Pace and Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our sound engineer is Michael Sears.
Lunar New Year/ Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is a celebration that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar in February. Lunar New Year is celebrated amongst many regions and cultures around the world, each with its own traditions, practices and meaning surrounding the holiday. With Lunar New Year in mind we wanted to talk about celebrations and traditions. Though every Asian culture is unique with a variety of their own customs, their focus on spending time with family and loved ones is a commonality during such celebrations and all year round. In this episode, we take some time to reflect on celebrations and traditions growing up. Joined by two current IU students Win and Kristian, this episode features a discussion on family and community gatherings, the role that identity plays amidst these holidays and the longstanding traditions that shape who we are today.
For more information on Lunar New Year celebrations, check out:
Top 3 Famous Chinese New Year Stories: the "Nian" Monster Lunar New Year's Traditions and Superstitions, Explained How Southeast Asian Countries Celebrate Chinese New Year Lunar New Year origins, customs explained
Credits: Hearabouts is produced by ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather. Our conversation is with Kristian Buenconsejo and Win Bejrsuwana. Special thanks to Hannah Lorenzo and Belle for researching for this episode. Our Sound Engineers are Andrew Pace and Michael Sears. Our theme music is “Eternal Youth” by Rude
In this week's episode, we air the first part of a conversation between Jok Huerta from Focus Initiatives and Rodney Jones, known as Big R. Both men share stories of their own incarceration, and describe life in a Maximum Restraint Unit. As Big R puts it, when you leave general population for the MRU, “you’re in a whole different place now.”
Big R talks about growing up in Indiana, contrasting it with the daily life of Indiana prisons. Later, in talking about the "tight grip of the MRU," he lays the groundwork for understanding the the 1985 Pendleton prison uprising, as he was a witness to the beating the sparked the revolt. We will air Big R's recollections of the '85 uprising next week.
This conversation is part of a series put on by IDOC Watch and other organizations, including Focus Initiatives, LTD. We encourage you to check out their projects, which focus on inside/outside prisoner and re-entry support.
IDOC Watch has written several articles about the prisoners involved in this uprising and its aftermath:
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2021/9/27/2018-court-order-for-resentencing-of-indiana-political-prisoner-christopher-naeem-trotter
https://www.idocwatch.org/blog-1/2022/1/28/long-term-indiana-political-prisoner-balagoon-speaks-on-the-1985-uprising-at-pendleton-cf-and-his-pending-sentence-modification
We will are more of the conversation next week. In the meantime, you can read about the 1985 uprising in DOWN: Reflections on Prison Resistance in Indiana.
In the last decade, he turned the long-time WFHB interview program, Interchange, into something more in line with his personal vision. Doug Storm stepped forward from a group of five Interchange hosts back in 2013 and has been a mainstay on Firehouse Broadcasting ever since. Doug has decided the time is right to step away from his role as the brains and voice behind the program. He leaves big shoes to fill.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 9th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Emily Weikert-Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, who urges state lawmakers to vote no on House Bill 1354. The bill would make it harder for residents to receive SNAP benefits. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, “Security Programs” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment with Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your Environmental News Brief:
Earlier this week, Sunrise Bloomington, a well known climate activist organization, held a rally insisting that the Indiana University Foundation divest all money that is invested in fossil fuels. This represents the next step in the ongoing and multi-year push to have the IU Foundation not support the fossil fuel industry and perhaps invest in cleaner energy sources. A petition from October saw over 1,300 signatures from students and members of the community in support of the actions of Sunrise Bloomington. Other student-led groups, such as the IU Student Government, have taken their own environmental initiatives as well, with the organization releasing its Carbon Neutrality Resolution that aims to have the university be carbon neutral after the next two decades. This has allowed both organizations to have a sit-down meeting with the new President of IU, Pamela Whitten and perhaps result in a change in IU policy.
Drive Clean Indiana, an organization that seeks to promote energy efficiency in automobiles through an emphasis on alternative and sustainable fuels, has recently been awarded $1.8 million from the Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund. The fund was a result of a settlement between the Volkswagen Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice after it was found that actions by the Volkswagen Corporation were in direct violation of the federal Clean Air Act and were not meeting the established standards. The money will go towards building 42 sustainable non-road vehicles, specifically vehicles used in construction, at airports, or for agricultural reasons.
For the first time, researchers in New York have found that wild white-tailed deer on Staten Island are carrying the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus. Further studies have shown that deer across 15 other states are also harboring the virus, including Indiana's neighboring state of Illinois. This is one of the first documented cases of the Omicron variant being passed onto wild animals from humans. At the current moment, there is no evidence to say that the deer can give the virus back to humans, but researchers warn that a potential mutation among the virus in the deer population could enable a jump to humans in the future. Based on lab results, the researchers found that many of the deer sampled already had antibodies from the virus, and thus it is possible for deers to be reinfected. It is recommended that humans continue to avoid spending time with wild animals. Monroe County Council Recaps Remonstration Process
At the Monroe County Council meeting on February 8th, County Auditor Catherine Smith gave an update on the annexation remonstration process. Smith explained that they are still counting the numbers, and double checking the parcels of land that submitted remonstration applications that had previously received waivers from the city.
Council member Jennifer Crossley gave an update from the Women’s Commission about the number of vacant positions on the commission.
Next the council heard from the prosecutor's office about appropriating funds toward a High Tech Crime Unit in partnership with Indiana University.
Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Erika Oliphant outlined what the Tech unit would entail.
The council approved the appropriations unanimously. The next county council meeting will be held on March 8th. Feature Report:
In today’s feature report,
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 8th, 2022. Later in the program, ACLU Indiana filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Todd Rokita, claiming he violated the first amendment when he barred a journalist from covering his press conferences. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the producers of BloomingOUT tackled House Bill 1041 - a bill would ban transgender women and girls from participating in K-12 school sports that match their gender identity. ACLU Indiana Sues Attorney General Todd Rokita
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Todd Rokita after he barred a journalist from attending his press conferences.
ACLU of Indiana’s lawsuit alleges Rokita violated the first amendment when he disallowed state government and politics reporter Abdul-Hakim Shabazz to cover the AG’s public briefings.
In a statement, Shabazz said, “This goes to the heart of the First Amendment and our U.S. Constitution. If Attorney General Rokita can ignore this and ban me from his news conferences then he can do it to anyone in the press corps and that can't be good for democracy and transparency.”
Shabazz has covered Indiana politics since 2004, working for news outlets such as WRTV, the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Business Journal. Currently, Shabazz is the editor and publisher of Indy Politics dot org - a site he has owned and operated for over a decade.
Meanwhile, Rokita issued a statement that Shabazz is not a “real journalist” - labeling him as a “gossip journalist.” According to the lawsuit, elected officials often hold press conferences that only allow credentialed journalists to attend. The Indiana Department of Administration issues credentials by assigning press passes to journalists.
The complaint says Shabazz has a media badge issued by the state department of administration - credentials he received years ago, which have never been voided or suspended.
In 2018, Shabazz moderated the Republican debate for U.S. Senate. Todd Rokita, one of the candidates running at the time, objected to Shabazz moderating the debate. The lawsuit alleges that Rokita said the debate should be moderated by conservatives, not “liberal media figures.” Nonetheless, Rokita’s objections proved unsuccessful as Shabazz moderated the debate.
Then, in October of 2021, AG Rokita announced he would host a press conference regarding a lawsuit filed by his office to challenge robocalls made to Indiana residents. The press conference only allowed credentialed journalists to attend.
Shabazz claimed he RSVP’d for the public announcement, because he thought it was newsworthy for his audience. Shabazz says that shortly before the press conference began, a staff person employed by the office of the Attorney General denied Shabazz’s entry when he presented his press badge.
ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk said in a statement, “Blocking a journalist from attending a press conference because one does not agree with their reporting is a clear violation of the First Amendment. A free media function as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government actions or wrongdoings.” Ellettsville Plan Commission
Photo courtesy of Elletsville.
At the Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting on February 3rd, David Drake was re-elected as the president of the commission unanimously. Dan Swafford was unanimously appointed as Vice President.
The Plan Commission then heard from petitioner Doug Duncan, who asked for permission to build five self-storage buildings at 5050 West State Road 46, next to the Ellettsville Fire Department.
The land is zoned C-3 Commercial, and storage units are permitted in this area.
Director of Planning and Development Kevin Tolloty explained how the proposed development fits in with the Plan Commission Criteria.
Petitioner Duncan told the commission that the storage unit and the land around it will be d...
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 27th, 2022. Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in Part Two of our new weekly segment, Disability as Ability. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from our public affairs program, Kite Line. More following your daily headlines. Bloomington City Council Analyzes the Effectiveness of City Boards and Commissions
On February 2nd, at the Bloomington City Council meeting, City Consultant Jonathan Ingram from the Novak Consulting Group presented the findings on the effectiveness of city boards and commissions structure.
Ingram explained the observations they noticed while watching the boards and commissions meetings, and talking to members.
The consulting firm found that the combined efforts of city staff to support the boards and commissions totals to around four hundred and ninety eight hours a week.
Ingram recommended more onboard training for members of the boards and commissions when they are appointed, consolidating some of the similar boards and commissions, and hiring a staff member specifically dedicated to boards and commissions.
Particularly important, he noted, that there needs to be someone in charge of the applications and paying attention to which boards and commissions have vacant positions.
Ingram suggested that the commissions are focused on a holistic goal rather than their niche subtopics.
Council member Sue Sgambelluri asked about the outcome of public input in other cities Novak Consulting has recommended consolidating certain boards and commissions.
Ingram replied saying that it is important that the public has an opportunity to engage, and the citizens know how to do so. He said that since Bloomington already does a good job at that, it just needs to maintain it.
The next city council meeting will be held on February 9th. Feature Reports:
Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.
On January 10, Haley Moss took her oath to become a practicing attorney in Florida. She is the first openly autistic lawyer in the state. Courtesy Haley Moss.
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in our new weekly segment Disability as Ability. This is Part Two of the interview. We begin the conversation on the topic of ableism in standardized testing.
Stay tuned for next Monday to hear the third and final part of the interview. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young. Anchors are Don Geyra and Nicki Stewart-Ingersoll.
We open this episode with our monthly collection of prison disturbances, generously compiled by Perilous Chronicle.
Afterwards, we share a conversation between Daniel McGowan and Brian Whitener about the Certain Days calendar. The Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar is a joint fundraising and educational project coordinated between outside and inside organizers in the US and Canada. Its founding members Herman Bell, Robert Seth Hayes and David Gilbert were welcomed home from prison in 2018 and 2021. Today, McGowan talks about the history of the project, his own experiences with prisoner support, how the calendar supports folks on the inside, and some of the challenges to long-term organizing. McGowan reflects on his time inside following his arrest for Earth Liberation Front actions and emphasizes the importance of supporting grassroots movement organizations.
Find out about Certain Days, including how to order, its history and information on how to write to political prisoners here.
You can find out more about Perilous Chronicle here.
Don Jordan, 'Buddy Bill' Moser, Rich Reardin, and D Alan Bronnenberg
‘Inside Outdoors’ engineer, host and Inside Outdoors executive producer is Rich Reardin
WFHB executive producer is Kade Young
BloomingOUT tackles (heh) the controversial and harmful bill, HB1041, in the Indiana Statehouse. It has since passed the Housse and moves on to the Senate to be reviewed and hopefully die. Melanie Davis and Justin Robertson are hosting. Guests are Kit Malone - Legislative Strategist for the ACLU in Indiana, Jeanne Smith - Owner of Bikesmiths &founder and president of the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana, Nathaniel Clawson - Treasurer of Spencer Pride and proud parent of 3 including a trans daughter, and Deb Pardue - Clinical Therapist/owner of Transitions Counseling Services. All testified at the House Education Committee meeting on Monday, Jan 24th to oppose the bill.
The discussion ran long, and this is the second part of it. You can contact your state senator and tell them to kill this bill. Find your legislator HERE or if the link doesn't work, Copy/Paste into your browser: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/
She's spent her entire adult life teaching kids and encouraging them to read books. Kathy Loser began her working life as a school teacher and then moved into library science. For more than 30 years, she oversaw the library at Bloomington High School North. For the last few years, she's served on the Monroe County Public library board. She has passionate opinions about the current wave of book banning and restrictions in schools and public libraries around the nation.
Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington's most fascinating people.
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 3rd, 2022. Later in the program, residents of Central Indiana are hunkering down to avoid the current winter weather conditions. WFHB Environmental News Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel explains some interesting information about the storm. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Music Expo happens this weekend and will feature vinyl records, live music and more. In today’s program, Executive Director of Visit Bloomington Mike McAffee talks about the upcoming music expo. But first, your local headlines. Local Officials Discuss Pandemic Response at Covid-19 Press Conference
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.
At the Covid-19 Press Conference held on January 28th, IU Health President Brian Shockney, said that the IU Health South Central Region has just had the second highest number of patients on record since the start of the pandemic. He also asked community members to seek out the proper level of care to keep the hospital beds available for those patients who need them the most.
Indiana University Vice Provost of Communications Kirk White reported on the rate of cases of Covid-19 at IU, and announced that they have made masks available to the public.
Indiana University Chief Health Officer, Aaron Carroll answered a question on whether or not the cold weather could affect at-home Covid-19 tests if they are left outside for an extended period of time.
Mayor Hamilton answered a question from Journalist Dave Askins, about whether or not the sanitation department has made changes to allow them to keep working despite the city reporting higher numbers of employees testing positive.
The next Covid-19 Press Conference will be held on February 11th. Bloomington Utilities Service Board Talks About FOG Program and Covid Sampling at Wastewater Plant
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
On January 31st at the Utility Service Board meeting, Assistant City Attorney Christopher Wheeler asked the board to approve updates to the rules, regulations, and standards for the City of Bloomington Utilities.
The Fat, Oil, and Grease Program also known as the FOG Program ensures restaurants and businesses know how to properly dispose of their fat, oil, and grease waste. He said that the rules are not new, however, they are making changes to make sure they are easier to find.
The board approved the changes unanimously.
Director of the Utilities Department Vic Kelson gave a brief update on the Covid samping at the wastewater plant.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on February 14th.
Residents of Central Indiana are Hunkering Down to Avoid the Current Winter Weather Conditions
Nathaniel Weinzapfel Hope all you listeners are staying safe and warm out there! As of writing this story, I’m sheltering in my home on the north side of Bloomington, working virtually today. Out my window I can see the peaceful falling of snow in my backyard, with red cardinals interrupting the sea of white.
Coming from a meteorological background, this storm is of particular interest to me. To begin, it is the first significant winter storm of the season. This is of no surprise considering how varied the weather has been in Bloomington. According to information from the National Weather Service’s historical database of Bloomington weather, this last December was warmer than average, especially around Christmas time. While January was slightly colder than average, in terms of precipitation, it was very dry compared to an average year. In total, the amount of snow during the winter months was 0.5 inches in December and 1.2 inches in all of January. To put this in perspective, this winter storm has already doubled the combined total of the 1.7 inches from December and January, and snow continues to fall. Predicted snow depth is likely to reach the ranges of 5 to 7 inches.
HEADLINES This year, the Indiana General Assembly had three bills introduced that are dedicated to addressing climate change - two of which were youth-led and authored by Senator Ron Alting, a Republican from West Lafayette - and yet declined to hear any of them. ---Norm Holy The Indiana Legislature seems to be looking to squelch every effort to improve the environment. According to WTIU, the latest effort involves an Indiana bill that could change the way trial court judges look at the facts when they review decisions by state agencies. ---Norm Holy The Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance in Canada has reported that last summer’s heat dome over western North America significantly increased Canadians’ anxiety about the climate crisis. ---Linda Greene One of the biggest concerns about the transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy is whether or not it is possible to build up the necessary infrastructure in a sustainable way. A lot of attention has focused on the increasing demand for rare-earth minerals like lithium and cobalt, but a new study shows that there are environmental implications to the use of common metals as well. ---Norm Holy People’s utility bills are funding anti-environment lobbying. Electric and gas utility companies, many of which cling to dirty fossil fuels instead of embracing the transition to renewable energy, are forcing their customers to finance anti-environment trade groups. ---Linda Greene Radio station WLDS in Illinois reports that a renewable energy transmission line expected to stretch from Kansas to the East Coast is now attempting to get regulatory approval in Illinois. Invenergy Transmission has begun the process to get state regulatory approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission for its proposed Grain Belt Expressway transmission line. ---Norm Holy Previously we reported that Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which consists of 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, was under dire threat from two federal mining leases that Twin Metals mine held. The company’s aim was to establish a sulfide-ore copper mine adjacent to the Boundary Waters. Today we have good news: the Biden administration just canceled the leases. ---Linda Greene Opponents of the planned large solar farm north of Gaston packed the regular meeting of the Delaware County Council recently and won both sympathy from council members and a promise they would look at rescinding the tax abatement the council approved for the project last year. ---Norm Holy Indigenous people are reclaiming hundreds of acres of California redwood forest of which they were dispossessed by European settlers forcing them off their land. The nonprofit Save the Redwoods League has granted ownership of 523 acres on the Lost Coast, which includes 200 acres of old-growth redwoods, to the Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, made up of a nonprofit group of ten tribes. ---Linda Greene Endangered salmon have returned to streams 30 miles north of San Francisco for the first time since 2004. ---Norm Holy Over sixty U-S organizations have released a joint statement urging elimination of the nation’s land-based nuclear missiles, known as intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. The statement warns that the weapons are a huge waste of funds and, more critically, an existential threat to humanity. ---Linda Greene The Detroit News reports General Motors Co. plans to invest $6.5 billion in two Michigan sites and create 4,000 jobs in the state, according to a meeting agenda and two sources familiar with the situation. ---Norm Holy President Biden pledged to phase out the federal government’s leases for fossil fuel extraction, yet in its first year his administration approved more permits for oil and gas drilling on public lands than the Trump administration did in 2016, during Trump’s first year in office. ---Linda Greene CALENDAR
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022. Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a biweekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Phony Job Offer on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your weekly Environmental News Brief:
The nearby city of Crane, Indiana had a special moment last week when navy veteran Robert “Angel” Lange released “Christmas” , a bald eagle, back into the wild. The bird was injured in November due to a puncturing of her wing likely caused by a stick or due to an encounter with another bald eagle. The mating season of bald eagles occurs from December through February, so Lange hopes that by releasing Christmas near where she was found she will be able to find a mate. Bald eagles represent a conservation success story for Indiana, as they were extirpated, or extinct in the state, from 1890 until the first mating pair successfully created a nest near Lake Monroe in 1991. After being released, Christmas hobbled around on the ground before once again gaining the confidence to take off into the sky.
A new study is out that may impact how Hoosiers use their kitchen appliances. The Stanford University study has determined that natural gas cooking stoves have a high potential to leak the dangerous greenhouse gas methane even when the power is off. The researchers measured methane concentrations from numerous gas cooking stoves throughout California and were shocked to find that around 80% of all the emissions occur when the stove is not being used. This is bad news due to the potency of methane, and its ability to trap 86 times more warmth in the atmosphere when compared to carbon dioxide, with 20% of the Earth’s warming being attributed to this gas. Methane is also a byproduct of cattle farming, as cows produce the gas through their digestive system. Based on this stove leaking research, climate activists are urging Americans to switch to electric stoves whenever they need a new stove.
The Washington Post recently published a report that offers some good news when it comes to the tackling of the climate crisis. If solar panels were to be installed on top of large big-box stores such as Kroger, Walmart, and Target, then the stores could meet half of their electrical needs through solar energy, and create enough power equivalent to 8 million American homes.
Normally, the empty rooftops serve no purpose, but with new advancements in solar panel technology, over two thirds of the rooftops could generate solar energy. Similarly, the report also notes the untouched potential of solar panels in parking lots. These solar rooftops for parking would provide shade for cars and also generate electricity. This development is already catching on in states such as New Jersey and California, with its potential to succeed in states throughout the US. Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on January 26th, County Attorney Margie Rice explained a contract with E&B Paving for construction related to the southern section of the Karst Farm Greenway.
Commission member Lee Jones said she was glad to see the trail network get better and better. The commissioners voted to approve the contract unanimously.
The commissioners also approved changes to a grant to the Monroe County Humane Association. The funds were initially intended to be used for an additional vehicle, however, due to the supply chain challenges they have deceived to use the grant money to make security upgrades at the E. Susan Bartlett Emergency Center.
Rice added that she thinks the program is a valuable resource for county residents that more people should be aware of.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on February 2nd.
When Rasul Mowatt first shared his work on this book with me I immediately thought of it as “The Book of Interchange.” Its investigative breadth seemed to run on a parallel track to this program, and in fact, many of the books and authors cited by Rasul have appeared on the program. Of course, this is no surprise as we are after the same quarry - that entity or ideology that has us bound to structures and systems that bleed the life right out of us for the sake of a very small number of people. I have called it property or capitalism, patriarchy or misogyny, monarchy or democracy, white supremacy or religion, militarism or industrialism, individualism or liberalism, and so on…and we’ve done show after show on these topics.
But here we are, finally, and perhaps conclusively: it turns out all these particular “control systems” devised by humans can be subsumed under “the state” and to paraphrase a 12th century philosopher, “The State” is an infinite sphere, the center of which is everywhere, the circumference nowhere. In these 4 episodes of "The State Made Visible" the center is in the city.
Mowatt tells us that “the modern city’s schema combines the empty city freed of indigeneity; the closed city of restricted access; the colonial city with planned congregations of the racial “Other”; the imperial city renovated with racial and gendered city splitting; the Stateless-beyond-city of the rural and through ‘hood abandonment; the dead city that is prison; the revanchist city of gentrification; and the possibilities of the old, walled fortress city and the new, selective private city. All of these combine to yield the eventual production of the apartheid city of confinement and restrictive order.”
In this final episode we’ll focus our attention on the disposability of populations - of course this is a constant throughout this tour of the city in history. Our centerpiece is the partial meltdown of Detroit Edison’s Fermi-1 nuclear plant on October 5, 1966. Fermi-1 was permanently shut down in 1972, but its successor, the 1,100-megawatt Fermi-2, went online in 1988 and is still operating. Does the location of this nuclear plant reveal Detroit as a disposable city, full of disposable people?
We begin with the construction of acceptable violence - by both police and vigilantes - protecting property and the family while making the home the most dangerous place to be.
GUEST Rasul A. Mowatt, Ph.D., is just a son of Chicago and a subject of empire, while dwelling within notions of statelessness, settler colonial mentality, and anti-capitalism. He also functions in the State as head of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State’s College of Natural Resources.
RELATED The State Made Visible – Part One Here There Be Dragons: Part Two of The State Made Visible Architecture or Revolution: Part 3 of The State Made Visible
MUSIC "Up Against the Wall" (instrumental) - Group Home "Bucktown" by Smif-N-Wessun "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson "A Toast to the People" by Gil Scott-Heron "Wrap Your Troubles in a Dream" by Louis Armstrong ID - "Amerika" by Moodymann
CREDITS Producer & Host: Doug Storm Executive Producer: Kade Young
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. Later in the program, we spoke with Executive Director of Visit Bloomington Mike McAffee about the upcoming Bloomington Music Expo, which happens this weekend. League of Women Voters Host 2022 Legislative Update
On January 22nd the League of Women Voters held a Legislative Update where Senators Shelli Yoder and Matt Pierce shared the work that they have been doing for this legislative session, and answered questions from Monroe County and Brown County residents.
Senator Matt Pierce gave a summary of how the legislative session has gone so far.
He also said that he has seen an attitude shift in the General assembly whereBl it seems to be all about rights and no responsibilities.
Senator Shelli Yoder gave a run down on the bills she has been paying attention to thanks to the survey her district members filled out.
County resident Margaret Clements asked the senators about involuntary annexation, and if there are any bills to help protect citizens from it in the future.
Yoder responded saying that she is aware of the amount of work Clemmens has put in.
Pierce added that the city giving out waivers to developers rather than the future owners of the property has made the fairness of the annexation process difficult.
Resident Anne Hedan asked about the bill on Solar Net Metering and what the senators think about the prospect of it being passed.
Pierce said that he was not optimistic about individuals benefiting from the bill, and that he thinks utility companies will see most of the profits.
Yoder explained she wasn’t as familiar with the Solar Net Metering Bill but was concerned about the proposed project for Nuclear Energy in Indiana as she thinks the nuclear waste produced is difficult to safely store, and that there are a number of things that could go wrong.
The senators answered more questions from community members that you can listen to by going to the CATS website where the full meeting is recorded.
Indiana’s legislative session will continue until mid March. Feature Reports:
WFHB News Director Kade Young spoke with Executive Director of Visit Bloomington Mike McAffee about the upcoming Bloomington Music Expo happening this weekend. We turn to Kade Young for more. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.