This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 16th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Professor Jeannine Bell, an expert in policing and hate crimes at Indiana University, about the racially motivated killings of 10 Black residents in Buffalo on Saturday. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. But first, your daily headlines.

Monroe County Commissioners: Covid-19 Levels, Airport Runway Closure and Funding for Homicide Investigation

Photo by Benedict Jones.

At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 11th Health Department Population Health and Outreach Manager Kathy Hewett updated the commissioners on Monroe County’s Covid-19 levels.

Airport Director Carlos Laverty informed the commissioners that the Monroe County Airport runway will be under construction this summer which will lead to some runway closures.

Laverty said that although the runway closures might be inconvenient he is trying to find a way to make the best of the situation by collaborating with the Parks and Recreation Department.

Monroe County Detective Alex Hahn asked the commissioners to approve funding to help identify a skeleton found back in 2004. Hahn said that he received a quote from a well-respected laboratory named Othram for $5,756.

Commissioner Julie Thomas shared her approval of the work Hahn is trying to do.

The commissioners approved the fund request unanimously.

The next meeting will be held on May 18th.

Monroe County Council: Funding for Pre-K School Readiness Program

On May 10th at the Monroe County Council meeting Council President Kate Wiltz took a moment to acknowledge the passing of County Property Administrator Susy Johnson.

Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens asked the councilors to approve funding for a Pre-K School Readiness Program her and council members Peter Iversen and Cheryl Munson have been working on.

Githens said that the kids in the area have been impacted by Covid-19 and that there is a high demand for the program. Smart Start Director Jennifer Myers shared that there are long waiting lists for programs in Monroe County.

Council Member Cheryl Munson added that the program coming together so quickly was thanks to collaboration between organizations, and that there are ideas for other programs to address the long-term problem as well.

Council Member Marty Hawke shared that she was in favor of the program. Hawke said that she has a family member who is a 5th grade teacher who has noticed that their students are not ready for 5th grade yet due to Covid-19 and online learning.

Council Member Trent Decard commented that as a parent he sees the need for this program and that he is in favor of a more long term solution.

The council approved the program with American Rescue Plan Act funding unanimously.

The next county council meeting will be held on June 14th.

Feature Report:

A crowd gathers as police investigate after a shooting at a supermarket, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. Multiple people were shot at the Tops Friendly Market. Joshua Bessex/AP

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Professor Jeannine Bell, an expert in policing and hate crimes at Indiana University, about the racially motivated killings of 10 Black residents in Buffalo on Saturday. We turn now to that interview.

Photo courtesy of Indiana University.

A nationally recognized scholar in the area of policing and hate crime,