This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 9th, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson reports on how live performances have been impacted by Covid-19. Last Friday, the IU Jacobs School of Music delivered its 2019 performance of the Nutcracker virtually. Katherine Patterson has more in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have an excerpt from the latest episode of Interchange - titled “St. Louis: Gateway to Genocide.” In the program, you will hear part one of a conversation with Walter Johnson on his book The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States.

But first, your local news brief:

Indiana has the second most Covid-19 cases per capita out of any state in the U.S. That’s according to the New York Times, which also puts Indiana as having the tenth most deaths per capita of all states in recent weeks.

Indiana State Department of Health data has Indiana averaging almost 6,900 new cases per day. The department’s data indicates that about 65 Hoosiers are dying every day form Covid-19, the disease caused the the Novel Coronavirus. Covid is the leading cause of death in Indiana for the 2020 year.

The number of Hoosiers in ICU beds because of Covid-19 has roughly halved in the past week or two. Likewise, the number of Hoosiers hospitalized because of Covid-19 while still near historic highs, but has gone down to about 3,200.

***

Locally, Monroe County is averaging almost 100 new cases per day. The county has seen over 60 of its residents die because of Covid-19. Since August, Indiana University reports on its website that 4,182 have tested positive for Covid-19 at its Bloomington Campus alone. At this point, Indiana University Bloomington cases have made up roughly 70 percent of all of Monroe County’s cases.

Owen, Green, Jackson, and Lawrence, Counties each reported around 30 to 45 new cases today, Morgan County reported about 75, and Brown County reported one new case. 

IU Health Bloomington is slated to begin vaccinating five-thousand of its healthcare workers in the next week. It is the first round of vaccinations which will affect the region. 

***

Yesterday evening, in a three to one vote,  the City of Bloomington Board of Parks Commissioners voted down a policy that would have essentially banned tents in city parks. The policy was recommended by Parks and Recreation Administrator, Paula McDevitt. It was widely criticized as targeting people experiencing homelessness who have been driven to set up tents for shelter from the winter weather. Parks Board Member Israel Herrera-Cardenas spoke about the urgency of the vote.  

About 225 people attended the zoom meeting yesterday. Citing the mass turnout, homelessness advocates are claiming a small victory after the vote.

Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners Deny Policy Update to Ban Tents in Public Parks

Director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Paula McDevitt proposed a policy update to prohibit camping and makeshift structures. She said the structures violated social use policy during the December 8th Board of Park Commissioners meeting.

McDevitt mentioned social services were contacted to help create plans for people currently inhabiting park campsites. She stated immediate change would not be expected.

One resident of the park campsite said some people cannot get into homeless shelters. They asked the board for a designated campsite area for those people.

The resident suggested collecting community signatures to show support of starting a clean city campsite. Executive Director of Hotels for Homeless Katie Norris said the campsite residents have cleaned up the ...