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

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: