Noon Edition

Families in the United States – and around the world – are having fewer children for the first time in history.

And it’s not because of the usual suspects - war, famine and pandemics. Now, it’s more economic and societal reasons that are causing people to have fewer or no children at all.

According to a U.N. report, people in the U.S. and most countries around the world are not having enough children to maintain a stable population. In many cases, populations are already declining.

Every major country in the Americas is below the replacement rate of 2.1. The U.S. is currently at 1.63.

“A silent demographic shift is underway, and its consequences will be felt across generations,” said Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, a University of Pennsylvania macroeconomist who studies how poor countries develop.

Watch: Fernández-Villaverde’s keynote address: “The Demographic Future of Humanity.”

The Trump administration has been pushing efforts to boost fertility rates as communities deal with the realities of declining populations. Those can lead to school closures and fewer youth in the workforce.

But the decision to not have children can be empowering, leading to greater freedom – both economically and societally – for young couples.

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the impact declining birth rates can have on society, why fewer people are choosing to have children and how communities are planning for a smaller workforce.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0812 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].
You can also record your questions and send them in through email.

Guests

Jennifer Barber, Professor of Sociology, IU College of Arts and Sciences

Justin Garcia, Executive Director, The Kinsey Institute

Matt Kinghorn, Senior Demographic Analyst, Indiana Business Research Center

In April, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order saying the state would no longer participate in its climate action plan. It comes after the federal government announced it was eliminating programs to combat climate change.

Braun said the state’s climate plan was filled with policies that result in "worse economic and environmental outcomes for Hoosiers."

Read more: Indiana will no longer move forward with its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Climate advocates said the plan would improve Hoosiers’ quality of life, create jobs and add more clean energy to the state’s power grid.

The loss of state and federal support for climate action plans means the role of adjusting to climate change falls on local municipalities in Indiana.

In April 2021, the City of Bloomington adopted its Climate Action Plan. The goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% (below 2018 emissions levels) by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the decision by the federal and state governments to end their support for climate plans, what it means for Hoosiers in the long run, and how local governments are picking up the slack.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].

Guests

Shannon Anderson, Director of Advocacy at Earth Charter Indiana

Therese Dorau, Assistant Director for Climate Policy & Implementation, Environmental Resilience Institute

Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington

It’s summer, which means travel time for millions of Americans.

Deloitte’s travel survey for this summer found that, despite a declining confidence in the economy, more than 53 percent of Americans planned vacations this summer, up from 48 percent in 2024.

However, surveys say that Americans are being more frugal with their vacation budgets, traveling domestically instead of internationally, opting for cheaper hotels and driving instead of flying.

And while airline travel is often iffy with delays and connecting flights, travelers are getting a break from the Transportation Safety Administration. Just this week, the TSA announced it would no longer require airline passengers to remove their shoes during the screening process.

But the large numbers of travelers are leading to issues with over-tourism, where overcrowding and congestion are negatively impacting vacation destinations. It’s forced some national parks in the U.S. to require timed entry passes, cities not allowing massive cruise ships to talk and overt resentment by locals against tourists.

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the busy summer travel season, expenses, issues on the road and in the skies and what you should look for when booking your vacation.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.

Guests

Mark Cramer, Owner, Blue Mind Travel

Christina Griffiths, Manager of Public Affairs, AAA Hoosier Motor Club

David Smiley, Senior Lecture, IU School of Public Health - Bloomington

https://www.ipm.org/show/noon-edition/2025-07-09/how-to-make-the-most-out-of-summer-travel

Deloitte’s travel survey for this summer found that, despite a declining confidence in the economy, more than 53 percent of Americans planned vacations this summer, up from 48 percent in 2024.

Summer arrives this weekend, and Hoosiers will be spending time in their gardens trying to make sure vegetables and flowers are flourishing. Grasses are growing and weeds are kept at bay. 

Questions about gardening are popular on Noon Edition: 

When is the best time to plant? What grows well in shade and what needs full sun? How do I prepare the soil, and how much should I mulch? What should I be doing this time of year, and how do I even get started? 

If you're wondering about your roses, your tomato plants, or your oak leaf hydrangea, you've come to the right place. 

On this week's Noon Edition, we have three experts lined up to talk about gardening in Indiana, and to answer your specific questions.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].

Guests

Eryn Cusack is a master gardener and the Communications Director for the Monroe County Master Gardeners Association.

John Orick is the Purdue Master Gardener State Program Coordinator. He has a decade of experience in the golf course maintenance industry and holds two degrees in Turfgrass Science.

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is a master gardener, recently inducted into the Garden Communicators Hall of Fame. She is also a former garden columnist for the IndyStar.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a flurry of decisions as the 2024-25 term comes to an end this month. 

A number of the cases reflect the societal battles playing out across the country and affect millions of Americans. 

The court will be weighing in on whether gender-affirming health care for children under 18 is protected by the equal protection clause of the Constitution or if states are free to ban care for youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria. 

Read more: Supreme Court case could impact transgender health care in the Midwest 

Birthright citizenship, which the court in the past has said is guaranteed under the 14th amendment, is back in front of the court. It’s part of a wider case about the legality of national injunctions after 22 states sued to block President Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship. 

Another key decision revolves around states’ ability to bar Medicaid funds from being used at Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. The case stems from an executive order signed by the governor of South Carolina. A Planned Parenthood patient sued, saying the order violated her right to choose medical care. 

Read more: Trump administration cuts Title X funding to Planned Parenthood 

The court will also issue decisions on cases involving racial gerrymandering, online age-verification and whether parents can opt their children out of school lessons that include LBGTQ+ topics.  

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the possible impacts of these decisions and the role of the Supreme Court in today’s political climate.  

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].  

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.  

Yvette Butler, Associate Professor of Law, IU’s Maurer School of Law 

Steve Sanders, Professor of Law, IU’s Maurer School of Law 

Earlier this week, Indiana Governor Mike Braun fired the three alumni-elected members of Indiana University’s Board of Trustees and installed three of his own picks.

In a last-minute amendment to the state budget this session, Braun was granted control of all nine of IU’s trustees by the general assembly. Previously, six were named by the governor and three were selected by alumni.

One of the fired trustees, Vivian Winston, had just one month left in her term.

Read more: Braun defends move on IU trustees while terminated members speak out

The move was more of what critics see as government overreach of the university.

Last month, IU and other state schools closed their offices of diversity, equity and inclusion after being threatened with a loss of funding. And, due to cuts at the federal and state level, IU is looking to cut $100 million from next year’s budget, while also freezing in-state tuition for the next two years.

Read more: As threats to DEI grow, students, community members fear what could be lost

Indiana University isn’t alone among schools facing pressure from the government to eliminate anything related to DEI, curb antisemitism on campuses and protect free speech. The Trump administration threatened to pull $400 million from Columbia University and most recently has had an on-going feud with Harvard.

Read more: Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over ‘Improper Government Intrusion’

On this week's Noon Edition, we will discuss moves by the state and federal governments to regulate higher education institutions and their responses – and lack of – to it.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected]. You can also record your questions and send them in through email.

GUESTS

Sarah Brown, News Editor, The Chronicle for Higher Education

Michael O’Brien, Managing Partner, 1816 Public Affairs Group

Russ Skiba, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Education

Thousands of graduating high school seniors are getting ready to take their next steps into young adulthood.

Most of them were in middle school when a public health emergency was declared because of COVID-19 in Indiana, closing schools, restaurants, and public gatherings.

The 2025 cohort saw President Donald Trump elected to office in 2016, when they would have been about 9 years old. Some of them voting age now, saw the nation re-elect him this year.

The 2025 high school graduating class, born in 2006 and 2007, is seeing increased discussion around AI use, concerns of a coming recession, and progress in gene therapy treatments.

Renewable energy is rapidly on the rise, and renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time just a couple years ago.

The Harvard Youth poll notes shifting priorities for younger generations: fewer say they want to have children. And about 19 percent trust the federal government to do the right thing most of the time.

This week we’ll talk with graduating high school seniors about their plans and expectations.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].  

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.

Gage Shrader, Columbus East High School

Fallyn Conway, Martinsville High School

Sara Carmona, Bloomington High School South

Karter Kikendall, Columbus East High School

Indiana will once again be the center of the auto racing world this weekend. The Indianapolis 500 is a sellout, which means nearly 400,000 people will be in the stands and the infield for what’s called the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’

Motor sports are a big business in Indiana. A recent study shows the Indianapolis motor Speedway alone generates more than one billion dollars in economic activity and supports more than 8,500 jobs.

This is not a one-race, May-only deal. There are about 50 racetracks in the state that host races every weekend in the summer.

Read: Race fans hit the gas as new owners of Bloomington Speedway

On this week's Noon Edition, we will kick off Memorial Day Weekend with a look at the traditions, culture and economic impact of motor sports in Indiana.

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].  

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.  

Andy Baker, director of the IU Motorsports Studies Program

Curt Cavin, Senior Manager, Editorial IndyCar

Gerry Dick, president of Inside INdiana Business

Pat Sullivan, Bloomington Speedway announcer

The papal conclave took less than two days last week to do something it had never done before – select a pope born in the United States. 

Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has been the head of the Catholic church for a little more than a week. 

Read more: Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV? 

The 69-year-old pope spent much of his career as a missionary in South America. He served as a bishop in Peru. Most recently, he led the Vatican office for bishop appointments and is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms. 

However, some Catholics, especially in the U.S., viewed Pope Francis’ reign as too liberal, because of his support for issues like LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. 

Read more: Indiana religious experts reflect on legacy of Pope Francis 

It’s unclear what Pope Leo’s views on LGBTQ+ rights are, but groups such as the College of Cardinals have said he is likely to be less supportive than Pope Francis. 

However, before becoming pope, Cardinal Prevost spoke out critically about the Trump administration’s deportation of immigrants and treatment of the poor. He also took exception with an interview by Vice President J.D. Vance that suggested a hierarchy of God’s love. 

Read more: IU expert says international background will help first US pope 

On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the election of an American pope, what that means for Catholics here and abroad, how he will influence direction of the church and how religion has become so intertwined with politics.  

Join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to [email protected].  

You can also record your questions and send them in through email.  

Guests  

Father Patrick Hyde, priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Center 

Constance Furey, Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University 

David Lantigua, Associate Professor of Theology and Co-Director of Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at Notre Dame