This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 4th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB News provides a rundown of the local primary results in today’s daily headlines. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have your weekly consumer-watchdog segment Better Beware hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.

But first, your environmental news brief:

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has recently proposed adding a new species to the state’s endangered species list. The prairie tarachidia, which is also known as the Prairie Bird-Dropping moth, has the distinctive coloring of its namesake, bird droppings. The moth is an important species because it is a great indicator of the health of Indiana’s habitats, as the moth is vital to the food web. The Indiana DNR currently has over 150 species listed as endangered in the state and plans to add a few more. Ideally, species are delisted once they recover in their natural habitat. The DNR hopes that by adding the moth to the endangered species list, more awareness will be raised and the species could be saved.

This year, the organizers of the Indianapolis 500 have decided to not release balloons during this year’s race. This is the third year in a row without the balloon launch, but the prior reasons were all COVID-19 related. The explanation of this decision for this May is due to the environmental and wildlife impacts that the balloons have. The balloons are known to travel very far, with some ending up in Ohio, and most of them make their way into the ecosystem which can have negative impacts for wildlife. Some species, such as turtles, are known to eat balloons which can lead to suffocation or starvation. Experts have done tests on the balloons launched in the past and have found them to only degrade after four years. Environmental groups have praised this move by the Indy 500 as it helps lower the environmental footprint of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

After almost a year of weekly airings, this is my last Environmental News Briefing. Once I graduate, I’m moving back to my hometown, leaving Bloomington and my WFHB family behind. Thank you for listening to these weekly briefings and I hope they have allowed you to stay informed and knowledgeable about the environment here in Bloomington, in Indiana, and throughout the world. At the current moment, there are plans to continue the segment, with a fellow environmental correspondent stepping up to take the mantle. But for now, thanks again.

Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners

On April 26th at the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting, Director of Parks and Recreation Paula McDevvit asked the board to approve a suspension appeal of a park visitor.

City Attorney Michael Rouker gave the commissioners background information on their ability to issue a temporary park suspension and explained why one has been submitted for resident Matthew Mulligan.

Matthew Mulligan spoke in his defense against the suspension.

Board member Jim Whitlach asked Mulligan if he was at the park that day, and if he did in fact pull in front of Delilah’s car intending to block his vehicle from exiting the park parking lot.

Mulligan said he did not do it.

City Attorney Rouker and Council Member Whitlach asked Clark Delilah a series of questions about his encounters with Mulligan.

The board unanimously approved the suspension of Mulligan from city parks for ninety days. The board will have a special meeting to approve the 2021 annual report draft on May 9th.

Monroe County Primary Election Results

A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).

Indiana held its primary election on Tuesday. In today’s edition of the local news,