This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 11th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Rachel Van Tyle, director of legal services for Exodus Refugee Immigration, about recent comments made by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith on the right to due process for undocumented immigrants. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Tamara Loewenthal, artistic director for the Lotus Festival. Find out more about volunteering for Lotus later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Bloomington Mayor Hosts Traveling Town Hall at Morgenstern’s

Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson held a traveling town hall at Morgenstern’s Books and Cafe on Monday, August 4th. Thomson began the meeting by announcing that an updated City of Bloomington website will be launched in 2026, which aims to be more user friendly. The Mayor also recapped some of the most important points from her press conference the previous week surrounding the problem of homelessness.

Thomson also shared that the organization Heading Home has begun a “built for zero” initiative, which aims to reduce homelessness in Bloomington to “virtual zero.” Heading Home plans to reach this goal population by population, addressing homeless veterans first.

The city also plans to crack down on rental codes, ensuring that landlords keep their properties up to safety standards. Next, Thomson spoke about the goal of increasing workforce housing in Bloomington.

The mayor also spoke about the installation of a multi-use path along High street. The path will be installed along the east side of the street, stretching from the intersection from Arden Drive up to Hunter Avenue. She said that storm water infrastructure will be installed along the way, which will require some removal of trees. The city plans to replant these trees, in collaboration with adjacent property owners. Thomson shared that construction dates are still unknown, but will be provided to the public once decided upon.

Next, Thomson discussed the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision to hear an ongoing lawsuit surrounding the annexation of various lands surrounding the City of Bloomington. The mayor shared that, while she fundamentally disagrees with the practice of annexation, the work put into this process already seemed too great to abandon.

Thomson shared that she hopes to properly welcome newly annexed citizens, making them feel a part of the community of Bloomington.

Next, the Director of Utilities for the City of Bloomington Katherine Zaiger addressed the crowd, announcing that all citizens receiving services from the city’s utilities will now receive emergency text notifications. She also announced that work is being done to address a fluoride leak in the water system, stating that the tank responsible for the leak will be relined by 2026.

During the Q&A portion of the meeting, a question was asked about unhoused citizens in public areas exhibiting distressed and threatening behaviors. Thomson responded by assuring that the city is working hard to help these citizens, while also urging citizens to call the Stride Crisis Center in cases of nonviolent individuals.

To view the full town hall, you can visit this link.

Monroe County Election Board Discusses Voter Registration Changes

The Monroe County Election Board met on Thursday, August 7th. The meeting began with County Clerk Nicole Browne’s update. In this, she detailed new laws that have taken effect recently concerning voter registration.

Next, Clerk Browne announced that the democratic party has a newly appointed party chair, Chrissy Gilles. In one of her first official acts, Chairperson Gilles appointed a new member to the Election Board, Penny Githens. Githens introduced herself to the board.

Attorney Dave Schilling then presented a retainer agreement for Barnes and Thornburg to assist the legal department in the federal district court case, challenging Senate Bill 10.

The meeting moved to public comment and County Council Member Jennifer Crossley called for more respect to be given to Clerk Browne.

The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting taking place on Thursday, September 4th.

Feature Report:

At a recent town hall in Terre Haute, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith told attendees that undocumented immigrants “don’t have a right to see a judge,” a statement that contradicts decades of U.S. legal precedent. The comments come as Camp Atterbury, once a resettlement site for Afghan refugees, is converted into a detention center for immigrants. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Rachel Van Tyle, Director of Legal Services for Exodus Refugee Immigration, about what the Constitution actually says regarding due process for undocumented immigrants and how Beckwith’s remarks fit into broader shifts in U.S. immigration policy. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.

WFHB brings Bloomington to the world, but the Lotus Festival brings the world to Bloomington. WFHB and the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation grew up together, with intertwined missions to celebrate and increase cultural diversity. They also share a reliance on volunteers to carry out that mission, and RIGHT NOW is the time to sign up to be a volunteer for the 2025 Lotus Festival. Artistic director Tamara Loewenthal is offering a one-night pass to anyone who signs up, on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

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