This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 21st, 2020.

Later in the program, you will hear coverage of the first governor’s debate in Indianapolis. The three candidates for Governor clashed over how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and how to fund schools in Indiana. More on that later in the show.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we talk to a listener to ask why it’s important to support community radio during our 2020 Fall Fund Drive. OR Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment.

But first, your local news brief:

The Indiana State Department of Health reports that new Covid-19 cases approached 1,800 today. The state’s moving average is a bit higher, closer to nineteen-hundred, which is, unfortunately, a record high.

Indiana is averaging about 20 Covid-19 related deaths per day. That’s the most since the beginning of June. About 1,500 Hoosiers are currently hospitalized because of Covid-19 - that’s the highest number since early May.

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Locally, Monroe County recorded fifteen newly confirmed cases yesterday. That’s a bit less than average. Surrounding counties saw between zero and 15 new cases, except for Lawrence County, which saw about 40 cases for the second time in a week.

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Indiana University-Bloomington published new statistics about its Covid-19 testing results this morning. About 80 tests came back positive over the past week.

There are likely more positive tests than positive cases, but we don’t know because the university does not publish how many people test positive, as John Hopkins University recommends, it only publishes how many tests come back positive.

This has the effect of altering the campus’ apparent positivity by making it look lower than it actually likely is. In other words, IU-Bloomington may be painting too rosy a picture of Covid-19 on its campus.

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Board of Park Commissioners

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners Reviewed their 2021 Price Schedule during their October 20th meeting. Administrator Paula McDevitt said the review processes projected revenue streams for the Parks and Recreation General and Non-reverting funds.

McDevitt said the operation division saw no increases. Director Becky Higgins reported on price increases for the recreation program division. She presented a three-dollar flat fee increase for Farmers Market vendor spaces per week.

Higgins said a two-dollar fee would be implemented on most Tuesday Farmers Market vendors. She mentioned Food and Beverage Artisan fees would remain at a point 7 point 5 percent of gross income. Higgins also mentioned booth price changes for Fair of the Arts vendors.

Higgins reported on multiple changes to Switchyard Park rental and permit costs. McDevitt said golf course prices also saw an increase.

McDevitt said final approval will be held in November.

Monroe County Council

Monroe County Councilwoman Kate Wiltz presented the 2021 Elected official salary ordinance to the county council. She spoke during their October 19th budget hearing meeting.

Council member Marty Hawk said the council would n...