This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaule speaks with two organizers from Off Night Productions, a woman-led theater organization, about an upcoming play next week at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Russians are Coming” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Advocates Oppose $230 million Monroe County Jail Proposal, Urge Investment in Social Services Instead

The Monroe County Council met on July 22nd and heard a series of speakers from local organizations, the community, and advocacy groups opposing Monroe County’s proposed $230+ million dollar new jail. Their main message was that the county should invest in social services, not incarceration.

Stacy Flynn, the executive director of New Leaf New Life, said the organization opposed building a new justice facility and highlighted that the cost of a new jail now exceeds $200 million, compared to $62 million to renovate the current one. She says public safety comes from investing in the people, not expanding jail facilities.

Ken Faulk, the legal director of the ACLU of Indiana who brought the lawsuit in 2008 challenging the constitutional conditions at the jail, says the old jail cannot be fixed to meet constitutional standards.

Representatives from other organizations like Care Not Cages, Exodus Refugee Immigration and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard came forward to voice opposition to the project, specifically funding the construction of the facility versus community-based services.

The issue was not up for a vote, but the council thanked attendees for coming out to speak.

The Financial Coordinator for the Monroe County Correctional Center, Jordan Miller, presented the semiannual report for the jail’s commissary fund. He said 82 percent of spending was for inventory items and equipment purchases, with nicotine products continuing to be the most purchased items.

Miller said staff are looking for more affordable vendors.

Next, the council heard a departmental update from the Monroe County Airport. The airport is about two-thirds of the way done developing their new FAA-required 20-year plan. Colonel Alan Boyd, Vice President of the Monroe County Board of Aviation Commissioners, says the plan includes analysis on aviation trends, community and regional growth and local economic development.

Boyd also mentioned 200 acres of developable land on airport property that could offer opportunities such as drone testing, electric air taxis and collaborations with Ivy Tech, Indiana University, and Crane.

The council then heard requests from the Monroe County Health Department to change funding and staffing due to new state legislation. Administrator Lori Kelley explained that changes to Health First Indiana means the department needs to shift personnel expenses from grant-funded categories to local public health funds.

Kelley says the changes require confirmation of Indiana residency and U.S. citizenship to access some public health services.

Hawk questioned the sustainability of shifting costs into general funds and the effect on future budgets.

The requests to de-appropriate and re-appropriate funds, amend the salary ordinance, and create new positions all passed, with most by a 6–1 vote.

Later in the meeting, the council revisited discussions from the July 8th meeting about a draft letter to state legislators concerning financial restrictions to the justice center project caused by Senate Enrolled Act 1.

County Commissioner Julie Thomas addressed the council and emphasized that while there have been concerns about the location and scale of the proposed jail facility, the goal of the motion was to finalize the letter.

The council agreed on the need for clarity in the letter.

Thomas expressed concern that the letter wouldn’t get sent if the council requires certain data for it.

The commissioners also mentioned organizing a joint council-commissioners meeting to address community concerns around the jail’s design and budget before August 19th when they meet with the project architect.

The next Monroe County Council meeting will be August 12th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaule speaks with two organizers from Off Night Productions, a woman-led theater organization. They discussed the upcoming play Hurricane Diane by Madeline George August 3th through the 5th and the 10th through the 12th at the Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. We turn now to that interview which aired previously on the WFHB Afternoon Music Mix yesterday.

Up next, “The Russians Are Coming” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits: