This is the WFHB Local News for Friday, June 26th, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Alex Dederer has more on last week’s historic Supreme Court Decision which ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex. Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware, your weekly-consumer watchdog segment.

But first, your local headlines.

The Monroe County School Corporation discussed their reopening and recovery plan during the June 23rd School Board Meeting. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Markey Winston said all teachers will receive training for online schooling. She said there are three key ways students will be present in school.

Winston said the other options include an online academy taught by MCCSC instructors and, what she called “Intermittent Online learning.” She also said that students attending the online academy must commit to at least one semester of online learning. The Intermittent Learning option, on the other hand, would be utilized in response to a significant resurgence Covid-19 cases or as it makes sense on a case by case basis.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations Dr. Andrea Mobley emphasized that any students taking in-person classes must screen for COVID-19 symptoms each morning. She also noted that students must wash their hands before leaving for school and upon arrival, hand-washing breaks will be scheduled throughout the day. Mobley said each school will also increase their sanitation procedures.

Dr. Mobley said that teachers should take advantage of outside-classroom settings as often as possible and she strongly encouraged independent travel to and from school, as opposed to bussing. She noted that MCCSC will still run buses however students must wear masks, sit in assigned seats, take attendance, and ride with the windows open as much as possible. She added that buses will attempt staggered pick up and drop off times. Shifting to from bussing, Mobley affirmed that playground equipment will also be cleaned daily.

Mobley said that in an effort to prevent outdoor transmission, recess times will be staggered. Winston said all students will receive frequent instruction on how to use Canvas, their online learning platform. She said all students will also have access to social Workers or counselors and have lessons on social/Emotional and Equity Lessons. Winston said Normal school year hours will resume on August 3rd.

Kirkwood Avenue will be closed again this weekend. Only pedestrians will be allowed on the street between Kirkwood Avenue and Grant Street.

WFHB News Director Kade Young talked to Bob Costello, owner of Village Deli, Soma Coffee and Laughing Planet Cafe. We turn to Kade Young as he speaks to Bob Costello about the Kirkwood dining experiment.

The Monroe County Council discussed a County Commissioner interlocal agreement with the Township Trustee Association to deliver COVID-19 relief funds during their June 23rd Work Session meeting. County Attorney Margie Rice described how the 100 thousand dollars of funding would be distributed.

Council member Geoff McKim said Nationally a 5th of rent payments were missed. Councilwoman Cheryl Munson said each Township must meet criteria before being rewarded with funds.

Rice said included in the agreement is a reporting requirement for each Township, once a month, to report on the use of funding. She said reports will also promote the availability of funding. County Attorney Margie Rice said the agreement would run through December 31, 2020. Council members unanimously approved the agreement.

Property adjacent to the City of Bloomington’s new Switchyard Park will be transformed into affordable housing and commercial space, according to a city press release.

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will review a pro...