This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Frankfort’s parks department reported another park vandalism incident this week, after multiple instances of this issue over the past year. The city plans to hire someone specifically for nighttime park security. How far would their responsibilities extend, and would this new role help mitigate future issues?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Lafayette’s city budget was presented this month, with raises for city employees and reminders that COVID-19 will continue to impact the financial outlook on a number of fronts in the coming year. What are the spending priorities, and what will local officials continue to watch as they consider where to cut costs?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: West Lafayette’s city council discussed whether to ban the use of facial recognition technology at their meeting on Monday. Some council members raised concerns about the technology's use and its racial bias, while others pointed to it as an important tool of law enforcement. Regardless, Mayor John Dennis has said he will veto the ordinance if it comes to his desk.

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: local governments are finalizing their 2022 budgets and signing off on next year’s salaries. In Crawfordsville, raises are on the way for the mayor, clerk-treasurer, and city council – which raised debate when one council member suggested leaving the council out of the proposed increase. How should city council members be compensated for their positions – and does the pay impact who signs on?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Frankfort is readying its next budget, and weighing the need to cut current costs against future expenditures. How will the city’s upcoming annexation project impact expenses on everything ranging from fire protection to trash pick-up – and how soon should plans be in place?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: local governments are taking steps to encourage employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, offering financial incentives and COVID time off for workers who get the shot. Will these initiatives work to convince reluctant staff members?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: in West Lafayette, a new policy ensures vaccinated city employees will be paid for COVID-19 sick days if they’re diagnosed with COVID or required to quarantine after exposure – but unvaccinated employees will be required to pull from their existing leave. Will this incentivize people to receive the vaccine?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Montgomery County headed into the red this week on Indiana’s COVID-19 metrics map, as statewide daily case counts continue to rise to levels not seen since the start of the year. Local school systems are shifting to remote learning as more and more students test positive for COVID, and reopening plans are being adjusted to allow for mask requirements. What comes next as local officials try to stop a possible surge?

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: tragedy struck in Clinton County Wednesday as two women were shot and killed at a Frankfort factory. How is local law enforcement working to determine what happened, and why? And how does a community cope with this type of violence?