This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 13th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, State Representative Matt Pierce discusses the impact of a new law that establishes a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. Correspondent Jorge Casillas has more in today’s featured interview.

You’ll also hear Jake Bruner from Hoosier Hills Food Bank, calling on you to help take the hunger out of poverty, later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines.

County commissioners declare emergency in jail due to overcrowding and extreme heat

By Kade Young

The Monroe County Commissioners held a work session on July 9th. County officials say the jail has reached a crisis point – from overcrowding, extreme heat and deteriorating conditions. Sheriff Ruben Marté says transporting inmates is becoming unavoidable.

“We have to be able to provide a constitutional jail. That is my responsibility, and we are at a point now that is very challenging for us to do that,” said Marté.

Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons maintains they’re struggling to keep inmates cool, fearing the overheating issue may lead to a crisis.

“We can’t even lock inmates inside their cell because it’s it’s 85, 90 degrees inside those cells. It’s 75 to 84 degrees inside the block, depending on the day,” said Gibbons.

Parker says inmate grievances are building toward litigation, making the situation even more dire.

“We’re not just living on borrowed time,” said Parker. “This litigation is coming our way…we are in an imminent situation.”

Gibbons brought up the politics of the new jail. However, in his view – the conditions of the current jail are being left out of the conversation.

“People have talked about what’s going to happen, and not a lot of people are talking about what’s happening, and we refuse to look past the needs of the people inside of that facility,” said Gibbons.

The commissioners approved a resolution by a 2-0 vote declaring an emergency at the county jail. This resolution allows county officials to begin the process of transferring inmates to neighboring jails.

New potential jail locations reviewed by Collaborative Justice Project

By Claire Zeyen

The Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee met on July 9th to discuss the evaluation of five potential jail sites.

The options under consideration include renovating the current jail in combination with the Curry Building; building on a property north of Tapp Road near I-69 at Wapehani Road and Weimer Road; building on a property south of Tapp Road near I-69 and West Tapp Road; building on the Thomson property at 1620 South Rogers Street; and building on the Fullerton Pike property near State Road 37.

Discussion centered on factors including floodways, single- versus multi-story construction, and each site’s proximity to transportation and community services.

Mayor Kerry Thomson suggested the committee focus on treating all five locations as viable options.

“I think they’re all still viable, and I would suggest that we have a conversation about at least how we’re going to prioritize them and and lenses with which we’re we’re looking,” said Thomson.

Before opening the floor to public comment, committee members agreed on a voting process that will require rankings and written explanations for all five proposed sites.

During public comment, Seth Mutchler with Care Not Cages urged the committee to support the group’s preferred location.

“I would ask you all to vote in favor of renovation of the existing Zietlow building with the possible addition of the Curry and Fiscus building,” said Mutchler.

Monroe County Commissioner Jody Madeira then spoke emphasizing the significance of the decision.

“The question isn’t simply where to build or how cheaply it can be built or how quickly square footage can be stacked. It’s what kind of jail we’re willing to build. Monroe County can’t afford to reproduce the failures of the past,” said Madeira.

UPDATE: The committee met earlier today at noon in the Nat U. Hill Meeting Room at the Monroe County Courthouse. Committee members decided to recommend renovating the current facility and expanding services at the Curry building. You can find that meeting on CATS by tapping THIS LINK.

WFHB News will have more coverage of that meeting later this week on the local news.

Featured Segments:

Up next, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider brings you a brief rundown on Indiana news and politics in today’s edition of the Statehouse Roundup. We turn to Schneider for more.

On July 1st, the Indiana Statehouse implemented 17 new laws to the Indiana Code. In an interview with State Representative Matt Pierce, Correspondent Jorge Casillas questions Pierce over the motivation, implementation and the effect of House Enrolled Act 1343. That new law authorizes the Indiana National Guard to establish a specialized military police force empowered to carry out law enforcement duties while on state active duty. An interview with Matt Pierce coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank serves six counties across southern Indiana, working with local agencies to make sure neighbors don·t have to choose between groceries, utilities, or medicine. Associate Director and Chief Administrative Officer Jake Bruner says they distribute between five and seven million pounds of food each year, with at least a quarter of that being fresh produce. Jake is calling on you to help take the hunger out of poverty on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

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