This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 27th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger speaks with Dominic Coletti, student press program officer for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, about the group’s recent condemnation of free speech issues at IU. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear from Michelle Moss, coordinator of the Bloomington Volunteer Network, connecting you to local organizations needing your help to make a difference in our community. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Monroe County Election Board Debates Vote Center Hearings, Tables Decision Until December

The Monroe County Election Board met on October 23rd. Monroe County Fleet and Building Manager Richard Crider provided an update on the Showers Project, which will make renovations for early voting.

Crider continued, saying that the county has cleared out a storage unit in Ellettsville and relocated those items into the Showers building. He also suggested that the county should not move the voter registration office until after the primary.

He said that he faced pushback for the delay in relocating the voter registration office until after the primary.

County Clerk Nicole Brown said she’s concerned about not having a centralized location and asked Crider whether or not a tenant was supposed to move into what is now Election Central. Crider said that no one is expected to move into that building while the Voter Registration Office is there.

Republican Board Member Danny Shields asked for further clarification. Crider responded.

County Attorney Molly Turner King said that there’s only a possibility that a tenant could be moving in, outlining that there are no concrete plans at the moment.

Crider said he doesn’t believe this is a factor. However, Clerk Brown expressed concern if a tenant does move in.

Election Supervisor Kylie Ferris said there’s a two-week window of time where they could relocate the Voter Registration office. Crider said he thinks that would add extra pressure to the situation.

Then, the election board revisited a motion made by Board Member Penny Githens on October 2nd for Vote Center Public Hearings. Githens said she would like to amend her motion.

Board Member Shields argued that he believes these hearings are unnecessary.

Githens asked if there was anything that could persuade Shields to change his mind. Shields said his mind has been made up and that his constituents do not want vote centers. Githens said vote centers make voting more accessible and efficient.

Githens continued saying that last year, voters attempted to vote at the wrong polling place; however, their ballots were rejected.

During public comment, a local resident gave testimony speaking in favor of vote centers.

Another Monroe County resident took to the public mic to demonstrate her support for vote centers for accessibility reasons.

Shields held firm that he would not support a hearing on vote centers. Because the motion didn’t receive a second, the election board shut down hearings on vote centers. Clerk Brown said she plans to meet with both party chairs for Monroe County. Shields made a motion to table the item to their December 4th meeting, which passed 2-1. The next county election board meeting will be held on November 6th.

FIRE Condemns IU’s Decision to End IDS Print Operations, Citing Free Speech Concerns

Earlier this month, Indiana University fired Student Media Director Jim Rodenbush and ordered the Indiana Daily Student to cease print operations. The decision drew backlash from students and faculty, among other groups for perceived censorship and free speech implications. One freedom of speech organization in particular, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, condemned the actions of the university and wrote a letter to IU President Pamela Whitten urging her to reverse course.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Catherine Terwilliger speaks with Dominic Coletti, student press program officer for FIRE, about what this decision means for freedom of speech at IU. That interview, first broadcast last Wednesday, is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Bloomington Volunteer Network Connects Residents with Local Service Opportunities on Activate!

Michelle Moss is the coordinator of the Bloomington Volunteer Network, a resource hub connecting volunteers to local organizations needing their help. The Volunteer Network website has free tools nonprofits can use to recruit and manage volunteers. People seeking to volunteer in the community can set up a profile with their specific interests to be matched with opportunities that are a good fit for you. Michelle is here with all the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

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