This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 9th, 2026.

An Indiana Daily Student investigation found years of documented safety concerns at Bloomington Meadows Hospital. WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with former IDS Co-Editor-in-Chief Andrew Miller about the findings and the six-month reporting effort behind the story.

You’ll also hear from Alex Bruce, senior director of undergraduate admissions at the Kelley School Business. Bruce explains why IU is making it harder to get into Kelley later in the show in a feature report.

Bloomington plan commission wants answers on stormwater before subdivision vote

By Dave Askins

The Bloomington plan commission on Monday night (June 8) declined to take final action on a controversial subdivision proposed for North Dunn Street, instead voting unanimously to continue the case to a required second hearing, which will take place on July 13.

The plan commission had already considered a version of the petition in January.

In front of the plan commission on Monday was a revised proposal, this time for a 14-lot subdivision on 4 acres at 2511 N. Dunn St., where an existing single-family house would be demolished and replaced with 11 single-family residential lots and three common-area lots. The property is zoned R2 (residential medium lot) and the proposal calls for a new public street, stormwater detention, utility work, tree-preservation areas and drainage improvements.

The request was reduced from the earlier 18-lot version with 15 residential lots that was proposed in January.

The proposal in front of the plan commission on Monday was different enough from the January version that it was treated as a fresh proposal, subject to the plan commission’s mandatory two-hearing requirement, unless waived by the commission. Continuing its consideration until July 13 meant the plan commission did not waive the second hearing.

Planning staff had recommended continuing the proposal, citing among other unresolved issues a stormwater review by City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU). Plan commissioners were clear about their expectation that a representative from CBU would be present for the July 13 plan commission hearing.

It was Bloomington’s senior zoning planner Jamie Kreindler and development services manager Eric Greulich who gave the staff report on the proposal to plan commissioners, which included some variances considered in February by Bloomington’s board of zoning appeals. The BZA denied some of the requested variances, which covered smaller lot areas, narrower lot widths and reduced side setbacks.

But the BZA also granted some variances related to the city’s tree and forest preservation standards and riparian buffer requirements. With those variances, the proposed road and stormwater facilities were allowed to proceed as designed.

But some residents have asked for a judicial review of the variances that were granted by the BZA. A hearing on the granted variances in front of circuit court judge Emily Salzmann is set for June 17. Greulich said the city’s legal department has advised that the pending court proceedings do not prevent the plan commission from acting on the petition, though it would limit the petitioner’s ability to proceed with construction.

The commentary from the public mic on Monday night was uniformly against the proposal. Much of the opposition was based on existing stormwater management and flooding issues in the nearby Matlock Heights neighborhood. The remarks from Fritz Drive resident Deirdre Sheets were typical:

The plan to significantly reduce permeable surfaces, remove trees that naturally prevent or mitigate erosion, and leave it up to the homeowners to manage a detention pond all upstream from an area without storm drains and with already existing drainage and flooding issues, to pretend that anything other than the obvious is going to happen, is to participate in a fiction, and it feels like—and I apologize for my language here—but and it feels like giving the homeowners and residents of Matlock Heights a really big middle finger.

That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington plan commission wants answers on stormwater before subdivision vote.”

County Commissioners advance cybersecurity measures, repeal 30-day encampment rule

By Claire Zeyen

The Monroe County Commissioners met on June 4th and approved a three-year cybersecurity agreement to allow ethical hackers to test county networks for vulnerabilities. Monroe County Chief Technology Officer Greg Crohn explained the process.

“For those who don’t know what deep penetration is, basically you’re contracting with a company to act as white hackers to go after your systems, just the same as any threat actor would do to try to discover reveal vulnerabilities in your system, and then bring them up for remediation,” said Crohn.

The agreement was approved unanimously. Commissioners noted that prevention is far less costly than responding to a successful cyberattack.

“Anything that keeps anybody, especially at these core ages, out of the system, especially out of detention, is just so important. For every dollar spent, you can’t even anticipate the amount of return you get. I think this is just so precious,” she said.

Then, the commissioners discussed Resolution 2026-21, which would repeal Monroe County’s 30-day notice policy for homeless encampment removals due to a new state law taking effect July 1.

Officials emphasized the action was required by state legislation and does not represent a change in the county’s overall approach to homelessness.

Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed concern that the law relies on enforcement without providing resources to address housing instability, mental health needs or substance use treatment.

“I know there are a lot of good folks in the community. I know there are a lot of agencies, churches and other well-meaning people involved. I hope they’re able to fill the gap, because beyond being an unfunded mandate, this is a human tragedy. It is horrible to imagine what will happen here in Monroe County and across the state, especially where they may have different kinds of leaders,” said Thomas.

The resolution passed unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will be on June 11th.

NASA announces four-astronaut crew for Artemis III mission

By Ben Sharpe

NASA has announced the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis Three, the next crewed mission in the agency’s Artemis Moon program.

Veteran astronaut and former Marine Corps colonel Randy Bresnik will command the mission. Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, making his third trip to space, will serve as pilot. Mission specialists include Army Black Hawk pilot and astronaut Frank Rubio, along with Coast Guard Commander Andre Douglas, who will be making his first spaceflight after serving on the Artemis Two backup crew.

Unlike Artemis Two, which flew around the Moon earlier this year, Artemis Three is currently planned as a low-Earth orbit test mission. The crew will practice docking operations with the lunar landers and help prepare spacecraft and spacesuits for future lunar landings.

The mission is targeted for launch in late 2027.

Featured Segments:

A months-long investigation by the Indiana Daily Student examined safety and quality-of-care concerns at Bloomington Meadows Hospital, drawing on federal inspection reports, police records and interviews with former patients, employees and families. WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with former IDS Co-Editor-in-Chief Andrew Miller about the reporting behind the project.

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country, but it’s getting harder to get in. New changes to admission policies are narrowing the pipeline for both incoming freshmen and current IU students. Correspondent Oliver Swats has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 8th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Janet McCabe, former deputy boss of the EPA and current policy adviser at the IU Environmental Resilience Institute here in Bloomington. McCabe has strong words for the federal administration she left behind later in the show in a feature report.

You’ll also hear Andrea Kleesattel from Windfall Dancers, talking about the special dance floor they have for classes and rehearsals. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Monroe County election board sends complaints about candidate for clerk to prosecutor

By Dave Askins

Monroe County’s election board voted Thursday, June 4th, to send two separate complaints about county clerk candidate Joe Davis to the county prosecutor. The board concluded there was “substantial reason” to believe he violated state election laws during the May primary’s early voting period.

In the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for clerk, Davis came third in a three-way race, which was won by Tree Martin Lucas.

The three‑member board consists of Nicole Browne, Danny Shields, and Penny Githens. They unanimously agreed to forward both complaints to the Monroe County prosecutor under the state law that governs investigations of alleged election law violations. The prosecutor may in turn refer the matter to the Indiana State Police.

The first complaint, filed by Karen Wheeler, a former Monroe County election supervisor, alleged four categories of violations: campaign signs lacking the required disclaimer; electioneering inside the “chute” (the 50‑foot zone leading to the entrance of the polls); following voters after they cast ballots; and potentially misleading claims by Davis that he was a “practicing jurist at law.”

The second complaint, from voter Carol McGarry, alleged that Davis’s approach to her on April 30 as she arrived to vote was intimidating and amounted to electioneering too close to the entrance.

Davis, who ran in the Democratic Party’s primary for Monroe County clerk and says now that he is attempting an independent run in the fall, denied any legal wrongdoing. He told the board he was trying to clean up the early voting site, improve access for voters, and deliver a fast campaign pitch that emphasized his court experience and his plans to improve accuracy in the clerk’s office. He apologized to McGarry “if you felt intimidated” but maintained that, out of a thousand people he spoke with, she was the only one who complained.

The board stressed that Thursday’s hearing was not a trial, but a screening step required by state law. That step is to decide whether the evidence presented should be referred to the prosecutor. After extended back‑and-forth with Davis about timing, points of procedure, and his desire to cross‑examine witnesses, the board ended the presentations and moved into their own deliberations.

Davis arrived about 20 minutes into the hearing, which started with the board’s adoption of the procedures, and the hearing of Wheeler’s complaint. When he arrived, Davis asked for more time to bring all of his exhibits, which included a shovel, a broom, several 5-gallon pails with dirt, books, and files. Davis also asked for time to review the procedures that had been adopted. Davis complained that the 10-minute timer was on a screen that was not in his immediate field of view.

At one point, Davis exhausted the patience of Shields, who was presiding over the hearings as chair of the election board:

I’m sorry, sir, this poor, poor me stuff is not wearing well with me. I mean, I appreciate what’s happening here, but I’m like: Everybody in here was here at 1:30, OK? You chose not to be, for whatever reason. You know, I go back to some people saying: On time is 10 minutes late. And you make your own choice with that, but you’re truthfully to me, you’re not helping your case right now. You’re just not.

That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Monroe County election board sends complaints about candidate for clerk to prosecutor.”

Bloomington City Council approves letter in support of land swap to preserve Seminary Pointe

By Kade Young

The Bloomington City Council met on June 3rd and approved a letter to the redevelopment commission supporting a land swap between College Square and Seminary Pointe. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith said the land swap could preserve or even add affordable housing in the area.

“There are multiple ways to leverage this property to advance affordable housing and enable downtown residency for those who otherwise could not afford it,” she said.

Councilmember Matt Flaherty said while he supports the letter, he does have some reservations about public subsidies for the convention center.

“My concern here is that we’re not just talking about public expenditure to preserve affordable housing,” said Flaherty, “but we’re also talking about public subsidy for convention center, that’s TIF revenues, and how much is a little bit unknown, because the properties were bought at different times.”

Councilmember Dave Rollo said he wants to leave negotiations up to the redevelopment commission.

“I think, in spirit, I would like to see this negotiation happen. In terms of the specifics, I think it’s up to the RDC to negotiate that, and perhaps they can arrive in the middle somewhere,” said Rollo.

Local activist Bryce Greene spoke on behalf of the group Bloomington Homes for All during the public comment portion of the meeting. Greene addressed Flaherty’s remarks, saying this land swap is unprecedented.

“I think that the this case is exceptional enough that no one can really claim that it’s a precedent for anything that we can anticipate in the future,” said Greene.

Greene clarified why he believes the letter from the city council is important.

“The leases for Seminary Point are set to be extended to August 31st,” said Greene. “Every second that it’s unclear that there’s a solution on the table, more and more of the people and businesses in Seminary Point are making plans to leave.”

Another resident, Barry Herbers, said he’s glad the city is listening to activists and taking the land swap into consideration.

“It’s such a relief to know that there’s people in our government who are as hopeful about keeping that place like thriving and beautiful and communally oriented for people of all different income brackets,” said Herbers.

Housing Solutions Director for Habitat for Humanity Sarah Woolford announced that Bloomington Homes for All will give a presentation on June 20th in support of preserving Seminary Pointe.

“You all will be invited, as well as members of the CIB and RDC, just so all of the decision makers and also people of the public can come and kind of have a presentation of what we hope to bring to the community in regards to this incredible property, and how we envision improving it,” said Woolford.

Matthew, also a member of Homes for All, said he doesn’t want to see people and businesses displaced as a result of convention center expansion.

“As a reminder, like the land that we’re trying to save is considered like super affordable land. We’re talking like 30 to 40% AMI being served just by this land alone, as well as like five, you know, four to five flourishing businesses, nonprofits that really would love to stick around and stay there and keep their communities,” he said.

The letter passed by an 8-0 vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on June 10th.

Featured Segments:

One of our nation’s foremost environmental policy experts returned to Indiana University recently and has strong words for the federal administration she left behind. Janet McCabe was deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from 2021 to 2024. McCabe is currently a senior policy advisor for IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute here in Bloomington, and she says current EPA policy puts business interests above environmental concerns. Correspondent Jack Reeves has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Windfall Dancers is a Bloomington-based nonprofit dance company that believes movement is more than performance. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel says it’s about connection; through classes, workshops, and community collaborations, Andrea invites people of all ages and abilities to move, create, and belong. Learn how to volunteer at Windfall or utilize their programming on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 4th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Bloomington’s Juneteenth celebration returns to Switchyard Park on June 19th. The hosts of our public affairs program, Bring It On, discuss the significance of the holiday and what community members can expect at this year’s event.

You’ll also hear from Christina, an IU student who didn’t know where her next meal was coming from. She’s one of thousands of food-insecure students right here in Bloomington. Learn about a little-known campus food pantry later in the show in a feature report.

The tension between developing a host hotel for Bloomington’s expanded convention center and the city’s affordable housing goals got more airtime Wednesday night (June 3). The city council unanimously approved a new, revised letter to Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC).

The council’s revised letter explicitly gives the council’s support to a less-than-equal land swap on College Square (aka the former Bunger & Robertson lot), in order to preserve the current affordable housing on the Seminary Pointe block. The Seminary Pointe block, south of the current convention center facility, was recently transferred at no cost to the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) by the Monroe County government, which purchased the property for around $3.2 million in 2010 with proceeds from the 5% countywide innkeeper’s tax.

The land swap, which is supported by the CIB, which is overseeing the convention center expansion, would involve transfer of the Seminary Pointe block to the RDC in exchange for the College Square lot. In that scenario, the RDC would immediately transfer the Seminary Pointe block to a community land trust.

Wednesday’s vote to approve the new letter was 8–0. Kate Rosenbarger was not present for the vote.

Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith used her report time at the start of the meeting to read the letter into the record. It marks a shift from an earlier council position statement issued two years ago, in May 2024, that effectively told the RDC not to part with College Square for less than the $6.9 million it spent to acquire the site.

The CIB has identified the College Square site, at 4th Street and College Avenue, just north of the current convention center, as the preferred location for a convention center host hotel. There’s a broad consensus that the College Square location is the best suited one for a convention center host hotel.

The new letter mentions the May 6, 2024 letter, signed by eight councilmembers and another letter from Dec. 15, 2025 signed by four councilmembers, that says the RDC College Square property should only be used for the convention center project, including a new hotel, if the RDC recouped the amount it spent to acquire the site, which was about $6.9 million in two separate transactions—one in 2019 and the other in 2023.

The new letter walks that back:

“We wish to state clearly that we are not opposed to the RDC’s disposition of the site for an amount less than the purchase price, if significant public benefit can be gained, such as the preservation and/or provision of low-income housing.”

This is the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin dot com and look for the headline: “Land swap to save Seminary Pointe housing now backed by Bloomington city council.”

Featured Segments:

As many as 41% of U.S. college students may be food insecure. That means their access to adequate amounts of nutrition is limited or uncertain. On the Bloomington campus there’s a little-known student-only food pantry called Crimson Cupboard, and 7,000 local students rely on it. Correspondent Jack Muniz has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Bloomington’s Juneteenth celebration returns to Switchyard Park on June 19th. On this week’s edition of Bring It On, hosts Clarence Boone and Gloria Howell spoke with Shatoyia Moss, Director of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department, about the significance of the holiday and what community members can expect at this year’s event. Here’s an excerpt from that conversation.

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission took one more step toward the construction of the Hopewell South neighborhood, which the city hopes will introduce more affordable housing to Bloomington. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe took to the B-line trail to ask residents for their thoughts.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Mike Arnold from Indiana Public Media about the ongoing fallout of federal and state budget cuts to public broadcasting.

You’ll also hear from Zach from Rotspot, a sober music venue in Bloomington that is shutting down. Zach vows to continue Rotspot as a no-drugs no-alcohol concert series later in the show in a feature report.

Featured Segments:

Last month local house show venue Rotspot held its last full-tilt rock show. As the tenants graduate and move out, show host Zach vows to continue Rotspot as a concert series, booking shows in different places in Bloomington like Harmony School. Rotspot held a special position in the Bloomington music scene as a strictly sober space – no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking allowed. Correspondent Emma Broach has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, we look at the ongoing fallout of federal and state budget cuts to public broadcasting. Following the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Bloomington’s public radio and television stations, WFIU and WTIU, recently downsized their operations, initiating a series of layoffs last month. In today’s featured interview, Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Mike Arnold, executive director of Integrated Public Media at WFIU and WTIU, about the impact of federal CPB cuts and the future of Indiana Public Media.

WFHB reporters Aidan Verde and Elena Bai took to the streets of Bloomington earlier today to ask residents: “what keeps you in Bloomington?” Hear what people on Kirkwood Avenue had to say, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, “Scams Galore” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with Sam Holdemann and Seth Mutchler, two members of the group Care Not Cages, about the county council’s recent rejection of North Park as a new jail site.

You’ll also hear ROTC cadet Sam Enes on the feeling he gets shooting “Big Jake” – that’s the cannon fired in Memorial Stadium every time IU football scores a touchdown. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Bloomington RDC moves Hopewell South housing from concept towards construction

By Dave Askins

Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) used its regular meeting on Monday (June 1) to push the Hopewell South project out of the conceptual phase and into the mechanics of platting and permitting. In the western corner of the site, the RDC took a step towards getting potential home construction started before year’s end.

A few separate items on the agenda included Hopewell South: acceptance of the city council’s conditions on the planned unit development (PUD); blanket authorization for staff to pursue all necessary plats and permits; and a targeted lot line adjustment aimed at getting a handful of houses started ahead of the main infrastructure work.

Hopewell South is the portion of the IU Health hospital redevelopment project that sits south of 1st Street.

On a unanimous vote, the RDC formally accepted the “reasonable conditions” the Bloomington city council attached to the Hopewell South PUD when it gave its approval of the rezone on May 6.

Assistant city attorney Dana Kerr told commissioners they essentially had two choices: accept the council’s conditions and move forward, or reject them. RDC executive director Anna Killion-Hanson made clear her position on that.

“Please don’t make me do that!” she said.

Affordability, which was the most contentious topic throughout the city council’s deliberations, reappeared during the RDC’s discussion on Monday. The council’s condition requires that at least 35% of all dwelling units in Hopewell South be “permanently affordable,” with a goal of reaching 50%. Within that 35%, at least 15% of total units have to be reserved for households earning at or below 90% of area median income (AMI), and at least 20% for households at or below 120% of AMI.

Killion-Hanson told RDC members that satisfying the council’s affordability condition is “going to be difficult at best,” given the uncertain construction costs. But she said the administration will “do our ‘college try’ on trying to get as many affordable units as possible without creating an additional burden to the RDC.”

The commission ultimately agreed to an amendment to the resolution proposed by RDC member Laurie McRobbie:

The RDC fully intends to comply with the city council’s conditions to the extent they can feasibly be accomplished without significantly undermining the goals of the Hopewell South Project and the PUD.

Infrastructure work for most of Hopewell South is supposed to be completed by spring 2027.

If that basic timeline holds, it would mean several houses in the in the Hopewell South neighborhood could be finished in late 2027.

Killion-Hanson wrote the The B Square: “2027 is going to be a good year for housing supply! It won’t be enough, but it should have an impact!”

That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “Bloomington RDC moves Hopewell South housing from concept towards construction.”

Featured Segments:

Up next, the Monroe County Council rejected the North Park property as a new jail site during last Tuesday’s meeting. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas interviewed two members of Care Not Cages.

This interview was conducted on Thursday of last week, just one day before the ACLU lawsuit expired for conditions at the current Monroe County Jail. As a result of the county not approving the purchase agreement for North Park, the ACLU dismissed its longstanding private settlement regarding jail conditions, clearing the path for new litigation.

Today, we air a portion of that interview. Stay tuned for further coverage from Casillas, featuring perspectives from county officials and members of the public, later this week on the local news.

The popularity of Indiana University football is a relatively new phenomenon, but some IU football traditions go way back. Attend any home game at Memorial Stadium and there is one sound that fans hope to hear, because it means IU has scored a touchdown. It’s the celebratory blast from “Big Jake,” the ROTC cannon. Correspondent Julia Timmering has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 1st, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from the attorney for Jim Rodenbush, the former Indiana University student media adviser who says he was fired for refusing to stop the Indiana Daily Student from printing hard news. Little speaks on WFHB for the first time later in the show in a feature report.

You’ll also hear from Nate Hurr, board president of the Bloomington Center For Global Children. This nonprofit early learning center uses a unique model to teach kids to care for themselves, their community, and their planet. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Featured Segments:

Bloomington Transit is offering free bus rides to passengers starting today through June 7th. In today’s featured interview, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for BT, about the initiative. That’s coming up next on the local news.

Former Indiana University student media adviser Jim Rodenbush says he was fired for refusing to stop the Indiana Daily Student from printing hard news, while attorneys for IU have argued in their legal filings that the case is a simple workplace dispute having nothing to do with freedom of the press. Lawyers for Rodenbush have dropped his federal lawsuit against IU in response to a jurisdictional question, and plan to refile it in state court. Jon Little is the head of the law firm representing Rodenbush, and he speaks with correspondent Patrick Schultz in a feature report that includes some striking and provocative comments from Little.

June is Pride Month, and LGBTQ+ organizations across Indiana are working on building community despite political and cultural challenges. On last week’s episode of BloomingOUT, hosts Melanie Davis and Justin Robertson discussed Pride organizing, political pressure facing LGBTQ+ communities and concerns about legislation affecting transgender students. Here’s an excerpt from that conversation, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

The Bloomington Center For Global Children isn’t your typical preschool. It’s a non-profit, and it’s multilingual – teachers and kids communicate in both English and Spanish. Rather than just babysitting kids, the center teaches them to care for themselves, their community, and their planet. Nate Herr has two kids that go there, and the experience has been so transformative for them that he volunteered to be on the board – in fact he is the board president. The Bloomington Center For Global Children seeks donations and volunteers to support their mission to raise children who are compassionate and capable on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 28th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Jordan Davis, Bloomington’s Food Dude. Whether he’s scooping ice cream at The Chocolate Moose or running Taste of Bloomington and Food Truck Fridays or hosting the No Dishes podcast, Jordan’s got something for you to eat. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, indie-rock musician Phoebe Bridgers will perform tonight at the Buskirk Chumley Theater as part of her pop-up tour. More from people waiting in line to buy tickets coming up next in your daily headlines.

Featured Segments:

Acclaimed indie singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers will play a surprise show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington tonight. Flyers announcing the performance, part of her pop-up tour, appeared around town this morning. Bridgers has won four Grammys for her sophomore album, Punisher, released in 2020. She’s also known for her work in the indie-rock supergroup, boygenius. Bridgers is signed to the Bloomington-based record label Dead Oceans, which operates under the independent label umbrella Secretly Group. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde spoke with fans waiting in packed lines outside the Buskirk-Chumley to hear what residents had to say about the surprise set.

Even if you don’t know who Jordan Davis is, there’s a chance you’ve eaten something he’s connected to. By day he’s running operations at The Chocolate Moose, but he’s also the mastermind behind Bloomington’s two biggest public food events: Taste of Bloomington and Food Truck Fridays, which is up and running for the season tomorrow and every Friday through October in Switchyard Park. If all that wasn’t enough, he also hosts the foodie podcast “No Dishes.” Davis is Bloomington’s Food Dude. Correspondent Ashanti Snodgrass has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, host Jim Allison speaks with Mindy Besaw, director of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art on the IU campus. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Kristen Bodine, being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last month for leading the Martinsville girls basketball team to back-to-back championship seasons in 1997 and 98. Hear their amazing story later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Council rejected the North Park property as a new jail site and justice center during its meeting last night. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.

Monroe County Council Rejects North Park Jail Purchase Agreement

The $11.4 million purchase agreement for North Park as a jail site failed by a 1-6 vote during last night’s Monroe County Council meeting. This likely ends the county’s effort to purchase the property for a new jail site and justice center.

Tuesday’s decision followed months of debate over cost, environmental concerns, transparency and whether county officials properly explored alternative sites.

During public comment, former city councilmember Steve Volan urged the council to reject the proposal and called on the commissioners to resign over how they handled the process.

“If this was the best they had to offer, let their next act be to send a message that might get the ACLU to back off,” said Volan. “Let them do the honorable thing and resign their seats.”

Following public comment, county council members shared their rationale behind how they voted. Councilmember Pete Iversen was the one vote in favor of the purchase agreement. He said while the proposal was unpopular, he believed delaying the decision would not be wise.

“A vote for the affirmative option presents a solution that perpetuates a system that jails too many people,” said Iversen. “We have a viable path forward to end 17 years of stalemate.”

On the other hand, several council members said they could not support moving forward with the proposal after considerable public opposition. Council member Jennifer Crossley said the North Park property had become too divisive for the county to pursue it.

“We are trying to talk about it, whether or not other people really want to come to the table and really want to talk to us about it,” said Crossley.

Council member Trent Deckard shared concerns about the financial uncertainty of the project.

“In October, there was concern at that time. It was unanimous agreement of council not to move forward, and in time we’ve continued to hear opinions from taxpayers regarding this site,” said Deckard. “Ultimately, this evening I will vote the way I voted in October, and I will vote no.”

The council ultimately voted 1-6 to not move forward with North Park as a jail site. The council made another motion to deny the ordinance altogether, which passed by a 6-0 vote. The decision also comes ahead of a May 29 ACLU deadline that could expose the county to renewed legal action over jail conditions.

County officials now face mounting pressure to choose another site for a new jail and justice center, while questions remain about how much time, money and legal ramifications the county has to restart the effort. WFHB News will continue following this story.

Featured Segments:

Spring storms are a fact of life in Indiana, bringing the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds, and tornadoes each year. But researchers say changing weather patterns may mean communities need to rethink how they prepare for severe weather. Up next, WFHB’s Ben Sharpe and IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick take a closer look at Tornado Alley’s recent eastward expansion, what it could mean for Indiana, and how residents can stay prepared.

Two local women were inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last month. Almost thirty years ago local high school athletes Kristen Bodine and April Traylor-Percy led their Martinsville team in back-to-back championship seasons. It sounds like a movie, but this story is true – and correspondent Nate Barrett has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, “Classic Scams 11 – Unholy Trio” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

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You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 26th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, County Councilmember Pete Iversen speaks with WFHB News about the implications of tonight’s council vote on a purchase agreement for the North Park property for the purpose of a new jail and justice center.

You’ll also hear Dave Seastrom of the Indiana Forest Alliance, wary of the state’s promise to protect Hoosier forests. As news breaks of the upcoming expansion of Yellowwood State Forest we’ll hear more later in the show in a feature report.

MCCSC board advances staff reductions, cell phone ban, gets update about online school

By Kelton O’Connell

Last Tuesday (May 19), at its final regular meeting before the end of classes on Thursday, the Monroe County Community School Corporation board took several actions tied to staffing, finances, district policy, and facilities as administrators continued work on a two-year plan to stabilize the district’s budget.

Trustees approved a personnel report that included administrator departures, teacher transfers, and one reduction in force (RIF). The RIF provided one of the tenser exchanges of the night.

Context for the reduction are tight district finances.

MCCSC is just over a year into a two-year plan to reach fiscal sustainability that began in February 2025. The district cites declining student enrollment, reduction in state funding, and increasing payroll expenses as primary causes for projected losses.

Since 2025, MCCSC says it has evaluated spending and staffing and has made staffing adjustments accordingly. The May personnel report approved by the board on Tuesday included the elimination of one administrator position, three administrator retirements or resignations, 76 teacher position transfers, 20 teacher retirements or resignations, one teacher termination, and one reduction in force (RIF).

Losing her position was Hongzhi Wang, who taught Chinese language full-time for MCCSC, splitting her effort between Bloomington High School North (BHSN) and Jackson Creek Middle School. According to the personnel report, William Sanders, who taught Chinese at Bloomington High School South (BHSS) and Batchelor Middle School, will instead teach at the two high schools.

The meeting’s sole comment from the public mic came from BHSN junior Lyle Henry, who said, “I am here to speak out in support of my teacher, Mrs. Wang.” Board president Erin Cooperman cut him off.

Here is the full exchange, which begins at 11:23 in the meeting recording.

Henry: Good evening, my name is Lyle Henry and I am a junior at BHSN. I am here to speak out in support of my teacher, Mrs. Wang.

The guideline Cooperman cited is included on the board’s online public comment form: “Please know, there is no commenting on personnel issues.” The MCCSC bylaw on the topic says that the presiding officer may “interrupt, warn, or terminate a person’s statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant.”

Cooperman told The B Square that she believes discussion of personnel matters during public comment can open the commenter or the board to liability, and that’s why it isn’t allowed. On the topic of not responding to speakers, she said, “I can imagine the philosophy behind not having us respond to public comment directly, that they want to minimize conflict, but that’s just my guess.”

Later during the meeting, MCCSC chief financial officer Matt Irwin presented a financial update. According to his presentation, “significant progress” has been made since December 2024 projections. “We have come a long way,” Irwin said, “and we are taking steps in the right direction.” He said that means the district is starting to look ahead, preparing for expected and unexpected increases in costs that may come in the future.

During the same presentation, MCCSC superintendent Markay Winston said the district has already conducted a thorough analysis of its fiscal situation, spending, and staffing levels, and is continuing to make staffing adjustments and increase efficiency.

According to the presentation, since 2024, there have been about 90 full-time-equivalent (FTE) voluntary resignations and retirements and about 70 FTE position transfers. The district also said that 79% of staffing cost savings were achieved through voluntary attrition and position transfers. The remaining savings can be attributed to position eliminations and terminations.

That was the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between B Square Bulletin and WFHB. To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin and look for the headline: “MCCSC board advances staff reductions, cell phone ban, gets update about online school.”

Featured Segments:

The Monroe County Council will vote tonight on a purchase agreement for the North Park property for the purpose of a new jail and justice center. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with County Councilmember Pete Iversen about what this vote means for taxpayers of Monroe County.

Yellowwood State Forest is growing. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acquired 122 acres in northwestern Brown County to expand Yellowwood. Forest preservation advocates approve but remain wary, given the history of state-sanctioned logging on Hoosier public lands. Correspondent Andrew Price has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 21st, 2026.

That’s legendary composer Hoagy Carmichael, with fond memories of Bloomington – his hometown. Hear more vintage Hoagy audio from IU’s Archives of Traditional Music later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board approved a public art installation for the new convention center. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.

A $400,000 public art installation wrapping the new convention center skybridge in a sweeping, illuminated sculpture was approved by the Monroe County capital improvement board at its Wednesday (May 20) meeting.

The skybridge will connect the existing convention center across College Avenue to the 60,000-square-foot expansion. The construction center expansion is well underway between Walnut Street and College Avenue on the south side of 3rd Street, and is planned for completion near the start of 2027.

On a unanimous roll-call vote, the board approved “A Form of Connection” by Ball-Nogues Studio, lead by Benjamin Ball, following months of public input, community surveys, and a review by a committee and the Bloomington Arts Commission.

Presenting the public art recommendation was CIB member and BEAD (Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District) advisory group chair Galen Cassady. He opened by crediting the network of volunteers and arts leaders who helped shape the process.

Cassady gave special praise to former city assistant director for the arts, Holly Warren. Cassady told the board: “We really would not be here without the leg work that Holly put into this.” Warren, who attended the meeting, received applause from the audience. CIB president John Whikehart underscored Warren’s role when he wrapped up the agenda item, saying to her, “Holly, thank you again so much for your leadership and assistance in all of this—much appreciated.”

The approximately 8,000-pound installation will be fabricated from marine-grade aluminum and attached to the bridge at 14 structural connection points. Integrated lighting will illuminate the faceted surfaces at night. The proposal emphasized digital modeling, custom fabrication, and engineering precision to create what artist Benjamin Ball described as a “one-of-a-kind civic form.”

Whikehart commented on the reception of the selected design among those who reviewed the finalist proposals, indicating it was the most provocative: “If I recall correctly, this particular piece had the most public reaction. Both strongly for and strongly against, which shouldn’t be too surprising—we’re talking about art.”

Bloomington Utilities Board Approves $197K College Mall Sewer Design Study, Retreat Agreement

By Elyse Perry

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on May 18th and discussed the College Mall Road sewer system design study. Capital Projects Coordinator Kevin White explained it.

White said a contract with Commonwealth Engineers for the study will cost $197,461. Engineer Phil Peden said there has been an action plan in the area since 2004 to fix undersized pipes.

Board president Kirk White asked if the area was mostly affected by heavy rain. Peden responded that problems only occur during rain, and it has only been once in the past year.

The board passed the agreement for the design study unanimously. It moved on to discuss a memorandum of understanding with The Retreat at Switchyard that was tabled at the last meeting. Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger introduced the resolution.

Board member Megan Parmenter said the legal team has looked over the M-O-U and she hopes the agreement is holding The Retreat to the board’s expectations.

The MOU was approved unanimously. The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be on June 1st.

Community Rallies Behind Kyra Campbell During Richland-Bean Blossom School Board Meeting

By Ben Sharpe

The Richland-Bean Blossom School Board met on May 19th. Much of the meeting’s public comment period focused on support for the appointment of Kyra Campbell as the next director of the Edgewood High School choir program. Parents, students, alumni, and educators spoke about Campbell’s impact on students and the future of the program.

Community members pointed to Campbell’s history with the Edgewood program and her familiarity with students and families. Jessica Foster said Campbell could help create continuity between programs and strengthen student connections.

Several speakers described Campbell’s mentorship and influence on students’ confidence and personal growth. Andrea Andrews said Campbell had already developed strong relationships with students and families.

Students also spoke about Campbell’s role in helping them develop confidence and leadership skills. Ethan Staggs said Campbell encouraged him to stay involved in choir and helped him believe in himself.

Parents continued to describe the impact Campbell had beyond the classroom. Molly Osgood said Campbell helped her son gain confidence through show choir participation.

The board voted to extend public comment beyond its planned thirty-minute limit to allow additional speakers to finish their remarks.

Public comment continued for nearly the first hour of the meeting, with speakers repeatedly emphasizing Campbell’s leadership, mentorship, and connection to students and the choir program.

The board later approved its consent agenda, AI guidebook, and other classroom items, as well as three new faculty hires. The school board will meet again on June 16th.

Featured Segment:

Hoagy Carmichael is considered one of the most important American composers of the twentieth century. Songs like “Stardust,” “Heart and Soul,” and “Georgia on My Mind” are some of the most influential and enduring tunes in American popular music. Hoagy was born and raised right here in Bloomington and graduated from Indiana University with a law degree, so it is perhaps no surprise that IU’s Hoagy Carmichael Collection represents the largest holding of materials pertaining to Hoagy Carmichael available anywhere in the world. Recently items formerly kept in the Hoagy Carmichael Room in Morrison Hall were moved to the Simon Music Center along with the rest of the Archives of Traditional Music, where you can sit for a spell in the reading room next to Hoagy’s piano. Correspondent Ben Winn has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

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