This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 14th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner reports on the recent push to rename an area near Miller-Showers Park as the “Stadium District.” More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Bloomington City Council Approves 2026 Budget Amid Growing Tension with Mayor Thomson

The Bloomington City Council met on October 8th with approval of the 2026 budget on its docket. This followed weeks of scrutiny and growing tension between the council and Mayor Kerry Thomson’s administration. The 2026 budget for the city of Bloomington totals over 65 million dollars with a 9 million dollar deficit in the general fund. Councilmember Sydney Zulich walked through the three appropriation ordinances pertaining to the city budget.

City Controller Jessieca McClellan told council members that the proposed budget would reduce the projected deficit but would leave some cushion. McClellan said that the city would end up with an estimated 26 million dollars cash balance and a 9 million dollar planned deficit.

During public comment, local resident Eric Ost called for stronger transparency when it comes to the city’s debt.

Also during public comment, Retired Financial Auditor Kevin Keogh urged the council to delay passage of the budget, citing unresolved accounting errors.

Councilmember Flaherty said he would not vote to approve the budget, citing trust issues with the Thomson administration.

Also not in favor of the budget was Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger who says she’s lost trust with the mayor’s office.

Other council members, including Dave Rollo, Isabel Piedmont-Smith and Andy Ruff supported the budget; however, they urged fiscal caution amid state-imposed revenue limits. They praised the administration’s move to provide a 2.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment for city employees.

The council passed the 2026 budget by a 7-2 vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on October 15th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Co-Founder of Heartwork Brewing Aubrey Williams and Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Christopher Emge about naming an area in Bloomington the “Stadium District.” She also features perspectives from residents of the area who pushed back against the proposal.

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