This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 21st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Special Events Coordinator for WIUX Audrey Ouillette about the student radio’s Pledge Drive and Pledge-a-Thon. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, learn more about Erik, an adoptable dog at the Bloomington Animal Shelter in today’s edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Monroe County Council Passes 2026 Budget, Expresses Fiscal Caution for Next Year

The Monroe County Council met on October 14th to finalize and adopt the county’s 2026 budget after months of hearings. The budget sits at about 131 million dollars and includes a three percent cost-of-living raise for county employees and elected officials. Councilmembers touted that through the budget process, the county avoided layoffs across all departments.

County Auditor Brianne Gregory told councilors the county’s 2026 budget no longer shows a deficit after months of work to close an 8 million dollar shortfall.

County Councilor Marty Hawke warned that the county should remain fiscally responsible despite the expected surplus. She said just because we have a surplus, it doesn’t mean the county is “sitting here with lots of cash.”

Later in the meeting, Councilor David Henry said that the path to finalize the budget was a difficult one, but he appreciated the county’s efforts to avoid layoffs while balancing the budget.

However, he also expressed that the county needs to stay careful with spending over the next year.

County Councilmember Pete Iversen praised the collaborative nature of the budget, saying the final budget reflects the county’s values.

County Councilor Trent Deckard called the budget process the hardest he’s ever experienced as a member of the county council. However, he praised all parties involved saying it kept county services and jobs intact. Council President Jennifer Crossley said the budget lays the foundation for the county’s financial future.

Councilmembers passed the budget by a 6-1 vote. The next Monroe County Council meeting takes place on October 28th.

Monroe County Women’s Commission Highlights Healthcare Disparity for Women in Indiana

The Monroe County Women’s Commission met on Wednesday, October 15th.

The meeting began with member Julie Haresti briefing the latest news on healthcare services for women in Monroe County.

Haresti stated the current laws that impact women’s healthcare in Indiana, including reproductive healthcare and gender affirming care.

Haresti also relayed information from the Commonwealth Fund, which ranked the state of Indiana number 29 out of 50 for women’s health and reproductive care and found their performance rate “worse than average.”

Haresti noted that this was sourced from 2024 and 2022 and prior which was before the abortion ban in Indiana took effect.

Haresti also expressed the different women’s healthcare services in town currently, including the Monroe County Public library and the store Gather.

Haresti moved on, stating the family leave policies in place for the city of Bloomington and Monroe County and Richland Bean-Blossom County.

For the city, employees have up to six weeks of paid maternal leave.

MCCSC employees currently have eight paid days of parental leave, while RBBSC employees have five. Haresti stated that employees at both corporations can leave unpaid for up to a year and have their job to return to.

Haresti ended by stating that perhaps the Women’s Commission could relay information to county commissioners and suggest potential policy amendments.

Board member Maria Douglas responded that maybe the commission could become an advocacy organization, especially with the schools.

Douglas relayed information on an upcoming American Civil Liberties Union town hall happening on October 23rd at 6 pm at the downtown library auditorium. She relayed information on the event.

Douglas also asked that citizens who received a letter from clerk Brown asking for proving citizenship to register to vote to contact her at [email protected].

Douglas stated that 39 people have received a letter in Monroe County.

Then, Douglas relayed information on the Monroe Conventions Center Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit coming up. The seminar will happen on November 13th from 8 to 4 pm, and is free to the public.

The Monroe County Women’s Commission will meet again on Thursday, November 20th.

Feature Report:

WIUX, the student-run college radio station, is hosting their annual pledge drive this week, which runs from Monday, October 20th to Saturday, October 25th.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Audrey Ouillette, special events director for WIUX and volunteer at WFHB. We turn now to that interview on the Local News.

Up next, WFHB highlights adoptable animal “Erik” – a dog currently at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. Learn more on a new episode of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund coming up next on the local news.

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