This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 6th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Tok Is Ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council

The Bloomington City Council held its regular session on February 28th. During the meeting, the council heard a resolution to amend an interlocal agreement between the city and the county for the operation of the Monroe Convention Center as a capital improvement board. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided an overview of the resolution.

Corporation Counsel Margie Rice expanded on the agreement, walking through some background on the initiative.

During public comment on the agenda item, Executive Director for Visit Bloomington Mike McAfee spoke in support of the legislation saying it would promote tourism and economic development for the city.

Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emgee also voiced his support for the resolution.

Executive Director of the Monroe Convention Center Talisha Coppock said she believes the resolution would benefit the interests of the convention center and the greater community. Then, City Councilor Kate Rosenbarger offered a dissenting perspective on the resolution, questioning how relevant expanding the Convention Center would be.

Parliamentarian for the Council Hopi Stosberg said that while she agrees with some of the points made by Rosenbarger, she’s still voting in favor of the policy.

Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith explained her previous view of the convention center expansion and how her views have progressed over the past few months.

The council voted 7-1 in support of the resolution, with Rosenbarger dissenting. The Bloomington City Council will meet for its next regular session tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. Pokral discusses the Solid Waste District’s new name change, their operations, services, programs and events. We turn to Roze for more.

Up next, “The Tok Is Ticking” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits: