This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 8th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have an excerpt from tomorrow’s Big Talk - a one-on-one conversation with some of Bloomington’s most fascinating people. Today’s guest is Jamie Sweany, owner of the Juniper Art Gallery. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “AirTag - You're It!” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your Environmental News Brief:

Earlier this month, the Bloomington City Council voted to ban the sale of cats and dogs from local pet stores. This is due to the rise of concern about puppy and kitty mills, which often prioritize the production volume of the animals over their wellbeing. The parent animals are often overbred and the baby animals are often of poor health due to inbreeding. The Humane Society’s branch in the state of Indiana is supportive of this ban and hopes that it will reduce the number of these stores in the area. The ordinance would fine each store $500 per violation once it goes into effect on January 1st of 2023.

BP, a British multinational oil and gas company, has been fined $512,450 from the state of Indiana for air pollution violations occurring at the Whiting Refinery along Lake Michigan. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, each ton of pollution released by the refinery imposes a cost on public health that annually ranges from $360,000 to $830,000. This type of air pollution can trigger asthma and cause other respiratory issues. Besides the fine, BP must also install new carbon pollution prevention devices and consistently monitor soot emissions. There is concern from environmental groups that BP will fail to adhere to the standards despite the fine, and have begun calling for more government oversight to ensure the pollution ceases.

New research from the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science has found that towards the end of the century the Arctic will be warm enough to receive more rain than snow. This study began due to rain falling onto a Greenland ice sheet last August, which stumped scientists as there previously was no metric to measure rain on these ice sheets. Rain can cause melting on ice sheets, and thus lead to ocean level increases. This occurrence will only increase as temperatures continue to rise, even if proper climate precautions are taken.

Local Officials Discuss Covid-19 Response During Joint Press Conference

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

At the Covid-19 Press Conference on December 2nd Board of Health Director Penny Caudill gave an update on the rise in community spread of Covid-19.

IU Health President Brian Shockney reported on the rising Covid-19 cases in the region.

Caudill said that they have learned through contact tracing that there are numerous instances of individuals going to social gatherings with symptoms of Covid-19, and urged residents to get tested before going to gatherings even if they think it could just be allergies.

IU Chief Health Officer Aaron Carroll said that individuals who have been vaccinated might think they don’t have to take as many precautions but warned that there can be breakthrough cases.

The next Covid-19 Press Conference will be held in two weeks to accommodate the new IU Hospital Dedication Ceremony.

Monroe County Health Department Town Hall

At the Monroe County Health Department Town Hall held on December 1st, Dr. Carol Touloukian, Dr. Scot Moore, and Dr. Jason Simmonds shared information and answered questions residents have concerning the Covid-19 Vaccine for children.

Dr. Touloukian explained how the mRNA vaccine works to address parents' concerns over how it would affect their children.