This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 11th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Bruce Kettler, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, about grant funding for farmers impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly-consumer watchdog segment. In today’s installment - The Unsubscribe Scam - a new twist on installing malware on your computer or digital device.

But first, your Environmental News Brief:

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has recently released a study that indicates that state recycling goals have not been met. Of the 8.8 million tons of waste collected in 2019, only 19% were able to be recycled, which is far below the 50% goal set by the department. The recycling industry directly supports 8,533 jobs which adds $1.7 billion dollars to Indiana’s economy. The study also concludes that messaging around recycling can be improved through a focus on the economy. By recycling, Hoosiers are not just saving the environment but they are also helping their fellow citizens who work in the industry.

In southern Indiana, citizens have coined a new nickname for a proposed pipeline under the Ohio river as the “pipeline to nowhere”. Texas Gas Transmission LLC, a Kentucky based company, is seeking approval to build a natural gas pipeline under the Ohio river to connect out-of-state fuel to proposed Indiana power plants. This project corresponds to CenterPoint Energy’s plan to build two new-gas fired turbines in Posey County. Citizens Action Coalition, a group in support of renewable energy, believes that the project will set Indiana’s movement away from fossil fuels back a few years. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has not yet approved the project and denied a similar petition in the past.

The final story of the day is about the main takeaways from the recently released United Nations climate report. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that humans have reached a tipping point, and that the world will be unable to avoid some of the most disastrous effects of climate change. This includes widespread droughts, flooding, and heat waves. However, if the world acts with a sense of urgency and aggressively cuts emissions as soon as possible, the report concludes that damage can be limited to the effects of a 1.5 degrees Celsius rise in temperature. Activists urge folks to contact their representatives and tell them to support immediate actions to protect the climate.

Bloomington Commission on Sustainability 

The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability discussed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report. At the August 10th meeting, Assistant Director of Sustainability Lauren Clemens summarized the report, which the IPCC released on August 9th. She outlined the two major take-aways.

Commissioner Kristina Anderson wondered what commissioners could do broadly to help reduce Bloomington’s carbon footprint systemically. Clemens said that the Commission on Sustainability exists as a connection between residents and the City Council. She suggested the commission could use this link to help educate residents.

The next Commission on Sustainability meeting is September 14th.

Monroe County Council 

At the August 10th Monroe County Council meeting, County Counsel Margie Rice talked about the county Health Order. Rice addressed the Ellettsville Town Council’s suggestion that Monroe County health orders do not affect Ellettsville. She said some cities are authorized to have their own health departments, but she does not believe that applies to towns.

Margie added that she believed state law required charter schools, such as Seven Oaks Classical School, to follow county health orders,