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WFHB Local News – March 16th, 2026
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 16th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, community organizer for Hoosier Action, about Senate Enrolled Act One – which she says will strip thousands of Hoosiers from Medicaid and SNAP benefits. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear IU student Nick Thornburg with Timmy Global Health at Indiana University, the largest chapter of a non-profit working to expand healthcare access in Bloomington and beyond. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
County Commissioners Hear Concerns Over Convention Center Expansion and Seminary Pointe Displacement
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners met on March 12th and discussed the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill provided background on the Convention Center expansion.
He explained that over the course of development, the site of the proposed host hotel and parking lot has expanded to include Seminary Pointe Apartments and surrounding properties. Due to this decision, the county notified tenants that their lease ends on July 7th. Cockerill says future goals include helping them find a new place to live.
During public comment, several Monroe County residents spoke out against this development. Community member Barry Herbers criticized what he sees as a lack of transparency and limited options for those currently living in Seminary Pointe Apartments.
Others, such as Chris Branham, discussed the development as it relates to the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington. Branham emphasized the importance of prioritizing residents over tourists and providing more affordable housing in the area.
Local resident Aaron Comforty also pushed for the possibility of alternative legal interpretations for the restrictions of the innkeeper’s tax.
The transfer of the properties will need to be approved by both the County Council and County Commissioners.
Throughout the meeting, the commissioners also declared a local disaster emergency in light of the recent tornado. This allows the county to utilize state funding options for recovery and was ratified 3-0.
Health Administrator Lorri Kelley shared that there were no increases in COVID-19 illness in the state, despite high flu activity. She also shared that the health department was giving out free combination COVID-19 and flu tests on a walk-in basis between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will happen on March 19th.
Featured Segments:
Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, an organizer with the community advocacy group Hoosier Action, said the policies will likely result in the average person being sicker and poorer. But she said just by talking about it, people can stay informed and engaged — even when it comes to something as complicated as Medicaid. (Abigail Ruhman/IPB News)The Indiana Statehouse wrapped up this year’s legislative session late last month. One bill that passed through the Statehouse was Senate Enrolled Act One – which activists say will strip over 380,000 Indiana residents from Medicaid. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Tracey Hutchings-Goetz of Hoosier Action, about how this policy will impact Hoosiers. Hoosier Action is a non-partisan, community organization whose mission is to create a more equitable state. We turn now to that interview on the local news.
Access to healthcare is a problem in America AND around the world. Timmy Global Health is an Indianapolis-based non-profit that works to expand healthcare access in developing countries like Guatemala and Nigeria. The Bloomington chapter, Timmy Global Health at Indiana University, is the original and largest collegiate chapter. IU student Nick Thornburg is the Director of Service for the local chapter. He’s done blood drives and blanket drives locally, but then also went to Ecuador for a “medical brigade” service project. Nick tells that story, and how YOU can support accessible healthcare for resource-challenged people, on a new episode of Activate, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
(Photo by Dat Nguyen).
On Saturday, Youth Radio reporters Winnie Dong and Dat Nguyen spoke to a person standing on the square with a sign that said “make a longer table, not a higher wall.” That clip is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elena Bai, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Zoe Moczek.
Paige Zuckerman produced today’s edition of Activate!
Winnie Dong and Dot Nguyen contributed to today’s program.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kade Young and Zoe Moczek.
View all episodes
By WFHB Local News
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 16th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, community organizer for Hoosier Action, about Senate Enrolled Act One – which she says will strip thousands of Hoosiers from Medicaid and SNAP benefits. More in today’s feature report.
You’ll also hear IU student Nick Thornburg with Timmy Global Health at Indiana University, the largest chapter of a non-profit working to expand healthcare access in Bloomington and beyond. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
County Commissioners Hear Concerns Over Convention Center Expansion and Seminary Pointe Displacement
Photo by Benedict Jones.
The Monroe County Commissioners met on March 12th and discussed the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill provided background on the Convention Center expansion.
He explained that over the course of development, the site of the proposed host hotel and parking lot has expanded to include Seminary Pointe Apartments and surrounding properties. Due to this decision, the county notified tenants that their lease ends on July 7th. Cockerill says future goals include helping them find a new place to live.
During public comment, several Monroe County residents spoke out against this development. Community member Barry Herbers criticized what he sees as a lack of transparency and limited options for those currently living in Seminary Pointe Apartments.
Others, such as Chris Branham, discussed the development as it relates to the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington. Branham emphasized the importance of prioritizing residents over tourists and providing more affordable housing in the area.
Local resident Aaron Comforty also pushed for the possibility of alternative legal interpretations for the restrictions of the innkeeper’s tax.
The transfer of the properties will need to be approved by both the County Council and County Commissioners.
Throughout the meeting, the commissioners also declared a local disaster emergency in light of the recent tornado. This allows the county to utilize state funding options for recovery and was ratified 3-0.
Health Administrator Lorri Kelley shared that there were no increases in COVID-19 illness in the state, despite high flu activity. She also shared that the health department was giving out free combination COVID-19 and flu tests on a walk-in basis between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will happen on March 19th.
Featured Segments:
Tracey Hutchings-Goetz, an organizer with the community advocacy group Hoosier Action, said the policies will likely result in the average person being sicker and poorer. But she said just by talking about it, people can stay informed and engaged — even when it comes to something as complicated as Medicaid. (Abigail Ruhman/IPB News)The Indiana Statehouse wrapped up this year’s legislative session late last month. One bill that passed through the Statehouse was Senate Enrolled Act One – which activists say will strip over 380,000 Indiana residents from Medicaid. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Tracey Hutchings-Goetz of Hoosier Action, about how this policy will impact Hoosiers. Hoosier Action is a non-partisan, community organization whose mission is to create a more equitable state. We turn now to that interview on the local news.
Access to healthcare is a problem in America AND around the world. Timmy Global Health is an Indianapolis-based non-profit that works to expand healthcare access in developing countries like Guatemala and Nigeria. The Bloomington chapter, Timmy Global Health at Indiana University, is the original and largest collegiate chapter. IU student Nick Thornburg is the Director of Service for the local chapter. He’s done blood drives and blanket drives locally, but then also went to Ecuador for a “medical brigade” service project. Nick tells that story, and how YOU can support accessible healthcare for resource-challenged people, on a new episode of Activate, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
(Photo by Dat Nguyen).
On Saturday, Youth Radio reporters Winnie Dong and Dat Nguyen spoke to a person standing on the square with a sign that said “make a longer table, not a higher wall.” That clip is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elena Bai, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Zoe Moczek.
Paige Zuckerman produced today’s edition of Activate!
Winnie Dong and Dot Nguyen contributed to today’s program.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Kade Young and Zoe Moczek.
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