There have been some big news stories in recent months about workers trying to unionize, particularly at companies like Amazon. Some say the pandemic’s strain on service workers is pushing them to form unions, and one such effort has been happening in Kokomo.

Today we find out why non-teacher school staff in Kokomo are trying to unionize, how the school board has responded, and why Indiana law makes it a difficult process.

Read more reporting on this story right here.

Produced by Drew Daudelin.

Guests:

Heather Jackson

Bus Driver in Kokomo

Ron Richmond

Director of Political Activity and Communication, AFSCME

Kenneth Dau-Schmidt

Carr Professor of Labor and Employment Law, Maurer School of Law at Indiana University

A new book out this fall explores American pop culture in the late 80’s and 1990’s, and argues that there was a common thread connecting the explosive popularity of rap music with the origins of reality TV.

Today we talk to the author of “Who Got the Camera? A History of Rap and Reality” about what this decade tells us about how hip-hop and reality TV have been used–and misused–as vessels for truth-telling.

Originally aired 7/27/21.

Produced by Drew Daudelin.

Guests:

Eric Harvey

Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University

Today we revisit a few of the most interesting conversations we had this week, including an update on Roncalli High School’s federal case involving the firing of a gay guidance counselor, more on the national eviction moratorium, and we find out why many say emergency services across the state are dangerously underfunded.

Produced by Mariam Sobh.

Guests:

Arika Herron

Education Reporter, IndyStar

Amy Nelson

Executive Director, Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana

Andrew Bradley

Policy Director, Prosperity Indiana

Brandon Beeler

Director of Housing Law Center, Indiana Legal Services

Gary Miller

Executive Director, Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association

Nate Metz

President, Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association

Today we talk about what happens when law enforcement are called because someone shows signs of dangerous psychiatric issues.

How do police typically handle these situations, and are there proper protocols in place? And what are hospitals doing to make sure people are getting the help they need?

Originally broadcast May 4, 2021.

Produced by Drew Daudelin.

Guests:

Dr. Diane Reis

Psychiatrist, IU Health

Sgt. Lance Dardeen

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

The Biden administration recently announced an extension to the student loan payment pause until January 2022. What does this mean for Hoosiers with student loan debt?

Today we find out what you need to know about the pause, and get financial tips from an expert about how to pay off your loans.

We also get an update on the federal case involving Roncalli High School's firing of a gay guidance counselor.

Produced by Micah Yason.

Guests:

Arika Herron

Education Reporter, IndyStar

Damian Dunn

Vice President, Your Money Line

Andrew Pentis

Senior Writer, Student Loan Hero

The work done by emergency medical paramedics and technicians has evolved dramatically in recent years. But the resources that go towards EMS in Indiana, like many states across the country, have not kept up with those changes.

Today we talk about the unhealthy state of emergency medical services, especially after a record year for 911 calls, and find out what could be done to get medical workers the support they need.

You can see recent reporting on this from Side Effects Public Media right here.

Produced by Drew Daudelin.

Guests:

Tim Putnam

CEO, Margaret Mary Community Hospital; Past President, Indiana Rural Health Association and National Rural Health Association

Dr. Michael Kaufmann

EMS Medical Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Gary Miller

Executive Director, Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association

Nate Metz

President, Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association

The eviction moratorium has been extended for counties with high infection rates of COVID-19. For Indiana, this means all 92 counties in the state.

Today we talk about what this means for Hoosiers, and learn more about a statewide renters assistance program.

Produced by Micah Yason.

Guests:

Rayanna Binder

Emergency Rental Assistance Program Director, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority

Amy Nelson

Executive Director, Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana

Andrew Bradley

Policy Director, Prosperity Indiana

Brandon Beeler

Director of Housing Law Center, Indiana Legal Services

Today we revisit a few of the most interesting conversations we had this week, including discussions on a dispute over a local union’s giant inflatable rat, what conducting health research is like during a pandemic, and we hear from a couple leading a music school in Indianapolis.

Produced by Mariam Sobh.

Guests:

Justin Hicks

Workforce Development Reporter, Indiana Public Broadcasting

Dr. Lauren Nephew

Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine

Rocky Nash and Preston Nash

Founders, Rock Garage in Indianapolis

The shoreline along Lake Michigan is eroding. Today we talk to a researcher about why it's happening and how it affects Hoosiers who live near the lakefront.

We also learn about honeybees, to find out how we can help protect these important pollinators. And we wrap up with a discussion on why some companies can't decide whether working from home will work for them.

Produced by Mariam Sobh.

Guests:

Tomas Höök

Director, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant; Professor, Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Krispn Given

Apiculture Specialist, Department of Entomology at Purdue University

Rebecca Ellis

Engagement Executive, AlignOrg Solutions

Today we learn about an arts center that opened last year in Huntington, a summer youth gardening program in Indianapolis, and we talk to a couple leading a music school about creating bands and writing songs during the pandemic.

Produced by Micah Yason.

Guests:

Katy Strass

Director, Huntington Arts & Entrepreneurial Center

Phyllis Boyd

Executive Director, Groundwork Indy

Rocky Nash and Preston Nash

Founders, Rock Garage in Indianapolis