This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 5th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, the Bloomington City Council deliberated on unsafe conditions at the affordable housing development Union at Crescent. More in today’s headlines.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Council Approves Stormwater Update, Debates Salary Raises and Housing Challenges at Union at Crescent

The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday, July 30th. The meeting began with councilmember reports by Council Member Courtney Daily, Council Member Sydney Zulich, and Council President Hopi Stosberg. Stosberg reminded the public about the rules of the road in regards to school bus stops.

Assistant Director for Environmental Programs, Kelsey Thetonia, from the City of Bloomington Utilities Department, presented amendments to the stormwater ordinance Title 13 that she explained are necessary to comply with House enrolled Act 1037.

The amendment was passed unanimously by the council.

Next, Director of Human Resources Sharr Pechac and City Controller Jessica McClellan explained that they are requesting an appropriation of funds from the human resources department budget to be dispersed to different departments. This would allow them to allocate salary increases to select employees.

Records Clerk at the Bloomington Police Department Linda Wear gave public comment, expressing her dissatisfaction with her salary. She explained that she has not had a sufficient pay increase by the City despite holding her position since 2003.

The transfer of appropriations was approved by a 5-3 vote. The council then deliberated about Union at Crescent, an affordable housing development that has struggled with tenant-caused damage. This has contributed to unsafe conditions that have driven out tenants and left the property below the thresholds set by the terms of its tax abatement. Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Jane Kupersmith explained the problems that the apartment complex has faced and the issue of its tax abatement.

Representing the apartment complex, Chief Financial Officer for Annex Group, Sam Hurley, presented on the efforts that they have taken to be compliant with the agreement. He explained that they have increased security measures and cleaning efforts. Ultimately after thorough discussion, the council voted to allow Union at Crescent to keep its reduced tax agreement with the city, finding that Union at Crescent has made reasonable efforts of compliance.

The Bloomington City Council adjourned with the announcement that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 6th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, we hear Part 2 of an interview with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich as he speaks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation. Olsen discussed prairie strips, a conservation practice that integrates prairie ecosystems into 10-20 percent of farmland to improve water quality and soil health.

Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the hour with Eunice Trotter, the Director of Indiana Landmark’s Black Heritage Preservation Program, and Leon Bates, a historian and member of the Indiana Remembrance Coalition. According to the Indiana Historical Bureau, the earliest report of African Americans living in what would become Indiana is from a 1746 report on French settlements, stating that five black slaves accompanied a settlement of forty white men in Vincennes on the Wabash River.

When Indiana became a state, antislavery sentiments dominated, and the 1816 Constitution outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude. Combined with subsequent Indiana Supreme Court rulings in favor of blacks over several decades, slavery was slowly eliminated. Eliminating slavery did not, however, guarantee equal civil rights to African-Americans in Indiana. They did not have the right to vote, serve in the military, or testify in court cases involving white claimants. Black children did not have the right to attend public schools. In addition, after 1831, black settlers in Indiana were required to register with county authorities and to post a $500 bond as a guarantee of good behavior. This is a measure to dissuade African-American settlement. Nonetheless, Indiana became an important part of the Underground Railroad.

Preserving this history is part of the mission for Eunice Trotter when she became the Director of Indiana Landmarks’ new Black Heritage Preservation Program on September 1, 2022. She is a longtime journalist, historian, and community organizer. Trotter brings more than 30 years of experience focused on communications, research, advocacy, and mentorship. In her position, she coordinates a broad initiative to identify, save, and celebrate places significant to Indiana’s Black history.

Leon Bates, a historian and member of the Indiana Remembrance Coalition, has helped to research the lives of unknown Black Hoosiers. He started this quest over a decade ago, after becoming upset with a former deputy mayor who he said claimed Madam C.J. Walker was the only Black person worthy of a statue or monument. Historical markers are one way Hoosiers can get a bite-sized portion of Indiana history. There are over 750 across 92 state counties, including more than 100 in Marion County. But, due to state and federal budget cuts, including 16 layoffs at the Indiana State Library, some local historians say residents could see fewer of these markers around the city and state. And, according to Leon Bates, that means “important stories will go untold”.

Credits:

Andrew Shannon has dedicated his entire career to building community. As the director of the Safe and Civil City Program in the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, Andrew creates public-private partnerships to enhance public safety through programs and events.

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.

In today’s feature report, we will listen to Part 2 with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich as he speaks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation. Olsen discussed prairie strips, a conservation practice that integrates prairie ecosystems into 10-20 percent of farmland to improve water quality and soil health.

And now for your environmental reports:

Feature Report:

And now, in Part 2, we turn to Max Jancich as he talks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation about prairie strips.

And now for some upcoming events:

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaule speaks with two organizers from Off Night Productions, a woman-led theater organization, about an upcoming play next week at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Russians are Coming” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Advocates Oppose $230 million Monroe County Jail Proposal, Urge Investment in Social Services Instead

The Monroe County Council met on July 22nd and heard a series of speakers from local organizations, the community, and advocacy groups opposing Monroe County’s proposed $230+ million dollar new jail. Their main message was that the county should invest in social services, not incarceration.

Stacy Flynn, the executive director of New Leaf New Life, said the organization opposed building a new justice facility and highlighted that the cost of a new jail now exceeds $200 million, compared to $62 million to renovate the current one. She says public safety comes from investing in the people, not expanding jail facilities.

Ken Faulk, the legal director of the ACLU of Indiana who brought the lawsuit in 2008 challenging the constitutional conditions at the jail, says the old jail cannot be fixed to meet constitutional standards.

Representatives from other organizations like Care Not Cages, Exodus Refugee Immigration and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard came forward to voice opposition to the project, specifically funding the construction of the facility versus community-based services.

The issue was not up for a vote, but the council thanked attendees for coming out to speak.

The Financial Coordinator for the Monroe County Correctional Center, Jordan Miller, presented the semiannual report for the jail’s commissary fund. He said 82 percent of spending was for inventory items and equipment purchases, with nicotine products continuing to be the most purchased items.

Miller said staff are looking for more affordable vendors.

Next, the council heard a departmental update from the Monroe County Airport. The airport is about two-thirds of the way done developing their new FAA-required 20-year plan. Colonel Alan Boyd, Vice President of the Monroe County Board of Aviation Commissioners, says the plan includes analysis on aviation trends, community and regional growth and local economic development.

Boyd also mentioned 200 acres of developable land on airport property that could offer opportunities such as drone testing, electric air taxis and collaborations with Ivy Tech, Indiana University, and Crane.

The council then heard requests from the Monroe County Health Department to change funding and staffing due to new state legislation. Administrator Lori Kelley explained that changes to Health First Indiana means the department needs to shift personnel expenses from grant-funded categories to local public health funds.

Kelley says the changes require confirmation of Indiana residency and U.S. citizenship to access some public health services.

Hawk questioned the sustainability of shifting costs into general funds and the effect on future budgets.

The requests to de-appropriate and re-appropriate funds, amend the salary ordinance, and create new positions all passed, with most by a 6–1 vote.

Later in the meeting, the council revisited discussions from the July 8th meeting about a draft letter to state legislators concerning financial restrictions to the justice center project caused by Senate Enrolled Act 1.

County Commissioner Julie Thomas addressed the council and emphasized that while there have been concerns about the location and scale of the proposed jail facility, the goal of the motion was to finalize the letter.

The council agreed on the need for clarity in the letter.

Thomas expressed concern that the letter wouldn’t get sent if the council requires certain data for it.

The commissioners also mentioned organizing a joint council-commissioners meeting to address community concerns around the jail’s design and budget before August 19th when they meet with the project architect.

The next Monroe County Council meeting will be August 12th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaule speaks with two organizers from Off Night Productions, a woman-led theater organization. They discussed the upcoming play Hurricane Diane by Madeline George August 3th through the 5th and the 10th through the 12th at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. We turn now to that interview which aired previously on the WFHB Afternoon Music Mix yesterday.

Up next, “The Russians Are Coming” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits:

There are a lot of scams coming from Russia today, especially on the internet. Regardless of who’s doing them or why, you need to be aware and on the alert for attempts to steal your personal information, break into your credit card accounts, or fool you into helping their swindles. And here’s another warning about the wave of emails from all over that are trying to trick you in to responding.

At 2 p.m. today Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson held a press conference addressing street homelessness in Bloomington. Thomson said that in her view the housing crisis and homelessness are solvable and outlined how the City of Bloomington is planning to continue to address the complex issue.

She walked the city’s current efforts, including hiring a homelessness response coordinator, using a Lilly Foundation grant to add case management staff, modernizing housing enforcement software and addressing housing affordability through lower costs and higher wages.

Thomson clarified the city’s approach to encampments, saying, “We cannot effectively arrest our way out of the homelessness problem,” while acknowledging recent arrests. She also voiced concerns about serving people outside the region, saying Bloomington is “treading water.”

Tune into today’s feature report to hear WFHB’s coverage of the press conference. To view the entire meeting, tap this link.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 29th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News volunteers attended a press conference put on by Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson earlier today on housing and homelessness. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Road Side Petting Zoos” on Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News volunteers attended a press conference put on by Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson earlier today on housing and homelessness. We feature an excerpt from that press conference coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Up next – “Road Side Petting Zoos” 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:

Tune in to learn about animal welfare concerns related to roadside petting zoos, along with actions that can be taken to address issues.

—

Lil BUB’s Lil Show is a co-production of WFHB and Lil BUB’s Big Fund

In tonight’s episode of Bring It On!, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell spend the evening with Marcous Friday to discuss the history of the Black Rodeo in America.

Marcous Friday has been Arizona’s Black Rodeo announcer for more than 10 years. He says the rodeo experience is amazing: “We’re able to showcase African American cowboys and cowgirls, which is very rare.” It is a testament to the resilience of African Americans. “Back in the day when the cowboys couldn’t even compete in the white rodeos, and if they did, they had to go after the rodeo, so they started these all-black associations because they could not go to a lot of the white rodeos,” explained Friday, as he prepared to announce the rodeo in front of a sold-out crowd in Westworld Arena in Arizona.

Regarding the history of rodeos, Jason and Rae Miller share the following: “Rodeos have long been a tradition that often gets associated with Western culture. Despite this, what we have seen on the big screen and in many history books is not the complete story. Many of these pieces of media influence overlooked and marginalized the Black cowboys and cowgirls that were a part of the tradition. Nationwide information about black rodeo events can be found at Black Rodeo USA. For example, the Roy Leblanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo, with a 70-year history, will take place on August 8-9, 2025, in Okmulgee, OK. It is also one of Oklahoma’s longest-running rodeos and one of the largest African-American sporting events in the entire nation.

The black rodeo functions like a traditional rodeo. It’s full of events like bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. It emphasizes the talents, skills, and heritage of Black cowboys and cowgirls. At the same time, the black rodeo celebrates the many cowboys and cowgirls who often got the short end of the stick. Few people have documented their stories like many others in rodeo. Some played significant roles in cattle ranching, cattle drives, and rodeo sports.

Credits: