This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 19th, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman talks to Mayor John Hamilton for our regular Monday segment, A Few Minutes with the Mayor.

Also coming up in the next half hour, you will hear from WFHB Correspondent Jake Jacobson about the importance of community radio during our Fall Fund Drive at WFHB.

But first, your local news brief:

Indiana reported almost 1,600 newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, and the state’s moving average is at an all-time high of about 1,800 new cases per day.

That’s all according to the Indiana State Department of Health. It added 23 Covid related deaths to the state’s tally as well. The health department issued an advisory today, citing what it called, “data issues” for preventing the agency from updating its Covid hospital admissions numbers. Without the updates, there are almost fourteen- hundred Hoosiers hospitalized because of Covid-19.

Locally, Monroe County recorded over 30 newly confirmed cases yesterday. That’s a bit higher than the county’s moving average. Since reporting began, Bloomington South High School has reported that 12 of its students tested positive of the coronavirus. For North High School, that number was 8. Surrounding counties basically saw between zero and 10 new cases.

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Today kicks off the 2020 fall fund drive at WFHB. WFHB broadcasts its local news shows four times a week: Monday through Thursday. But we need your support to keep this program running. Donate online right now. Or call 812-323-1200 to donate or become a subscriber by phone. A WFHB supporter has offered to match your donation dollar for dollar. A generous donation of $72 provides one week of the WFHB Local News. Stay safe and thank you for supporting community radio.

Bloomington COVID Press Conference 

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said cases per hundred thousand people were inching back up. She spoke during the October 16th COVID-19 Press Conference.

Caudill reminded Bloomington city residents of the 15-person gathering limit and reported the Optum Serve testing site to remain open through November. Indiana University Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Kirk White reported student positivity rates.

President of Indiana University Health South Central Region Brian Shockney said region hospitals experienced an inpatient increase. He said positivity rates have risen.

Shockney said Monroe County numbers also saw an increase. County Commissioner Julie Thomas also reminded residents about available financial assistance.

Thomas reported 39 dollars has been allocated to assist local residents. She said one hundred thousand dollars was reserved for the program.

Hoosier Action Town Hall for Indiana’s AG Race

The non-partisan advocacy group Hoosier Action hosted a town hall on Thursday titled “The People’s Lawyer: A Town Hall for Indiana’s Attorney General.”

In the state’s attorney general race, Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel faces off against Republican Todd Rokita.

The Indiana Supreme Court suspended Attorney General Curtis Hill’s law license in May after Hill committed misdemeanor battery against four women. Indiana republican delegates then selected Todd Rokita for the AG race this November.

Both Rokita and Weinzapfel were invited to Hoosier Action’s town hall, but Rokita was unable to join the discussion.

Jonathan Weinzapfel, raised in the Evansville area,