This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider covers Governor Braun’s dismantling of DEI, funding cuts to NPR and PBS and a rundown of recent bills passed in the Indiana Statehouse. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear Bloomington Fire Marshal Tim Clapp on why the city is cracking down on house concert venues. With The Pink Poodle on a cease and desist order local concert organizers are getting creative. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Schneider reports on Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in the state. The U.S. Congress also recently passed a rescission package drastically impacting funding for public media. Lastly, Schneider provides a rundown on recent bills passed in the Indiana Statehouse, speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce. We turn to Max Schneider for more.

On the Bloomington music scene there have always been concerts happening outside of traditional public venues – like house shows for example. But last year three popular house show venues shut down after noise complaints from neighbors, and earlier this year the city served a cease and desist order to the popular Pink Poodle house show venue. Promoters are starting to get creative, looking at commercial properties that are unused during evening hours. Correspondent Audrey Ouillette investigates the rise of the Healer DIY space in Indianapolis as a possible model for Bloomington in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, “Phony Local Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.

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