This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 1st, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with Brett Voorhies, who was recently re-elected as the president of the Indiana AFL-CIO - the largest federation of unions in the United States. More coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Julia Vaughn - Policy Director for Common Cause Indiana - about how state lawmakers draw legislative maps every ten years.

MCCSC School Board 

At the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board meeting on October 26th, the board received pleas from parents to ensure the safety of their children from guns at schools after an airsoft gun was reported at Bloomington South High School sending the school into lockdown. During public comment a concerned mother spoke at the meeting about this being the second lockdown at Bloomington South in the last two months.

Another mother spoke on behalf of her son who hasn’t gone back to school since the lockdown. Commenters called for metal detectors at school entrances and clear backpacks.

One parent, Mia Douglas said that there is a lack of communication between the school and the parents about how the school corporation plans to ensure the safety of the students moving forward.

The next MCCSC school board meeting will be held on November 16th.

Monroe County Commissioners 

On October 27th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation John Robertson presented a service agreement with Trailhead Labs for the purchase of a software called Outerspacial. According to Roberston this program would create interactive maps for parks and trails for county residents.

He also noted that out of the fifteen thousand dollar cost, ten thousand dollars would be funded through a Duke Energy Foundation Grant the county has received.

Commissioner Lee Jones supported the program saying it would make the parks and trails more accessible to the public.

The commissioners voted to approve funding for Outerspatial unanimously.

Board of Health Director Penny Caudill updated the commissioners on the Board of Health’s recommendation to extend the county wide Covid-19 Health Regulation.

Commissioner Penny Githens supported the extension of the mask mandate. She highlighted how the regulations have supported the community’s economy as well.

Board of Health Director Penny Caudill shared that she has talked to surrounding counties health departments who would like to have a mask mandate in place, but they do not have the support from elected officials.

The board voted unanimously to approve the Covid-19 Health Regulation Extension.

The next commissioners meeting will be held on November 3rd.

Bloomington Utilities Service Board 

On October 25th at the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting Vice Provost for External Relations for IU Bloomington Kirk White asked how long the backup generator would run if the city ever ran into a power problem so the city can be ready for things like blizzards.

Director of Utilities Vic Kelson said he can get that information for the board in the future.

The next board meeting will be on November 8th.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Up first, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Julia Vaughn - Policy Director for Common Cause Indiana - about how state lawmakers draw legislative maps every ten years. We turn to Shapiro for more.

According to its website, The mission of the Indiana State AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families — to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our sta...