This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 11th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of our podcast, Prescription for Healthcare, hosted by Rob and Karen Green Stone. In today’s feature report, we will air Part II. of our interview with T.R. Reid - a long-time correspondent for the Washington Post and chairman of the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana health officials are not expanding eligibility to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at this time. More in today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

1,762 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Wednesday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 26 newly reported deaths.

Indiana’s daily positive cases average has been trending down significantly since its peak of 7,000 in January. The state is still averaging over 1000 positive cases a day, so it’s important to continue wearing your mask and to continue to practice social distancing. This way, we can continue to help keep Hoosiers safe.

Locally, Monroe County saw 43 new confirmed cases yesterday, while Lawrence County reported 7. Brown County reported one new case.

The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana State Department of Health is currently 65 years of age and older.

Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up by visiting ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

***

Bloomington City Council Representative Isabel Piedmont-Smith will be hosting her monthly constituency meeting over Zoom this Saturday, February 13.

The first topic of this month’s meeting will discuss Bloomington’s approach towards the homeless community. The second will cover the master plan for the current IU Health Bloomington Hospital site.

Residents are encouraged to attend this meeting with questions about the topics, or about Bloomington in general.

The constituent meeting will take place Saturday starting at 11 a.m. More details on the meeting can be found on Piedmont-Smith’s facebook page, at facebook.com/piedmontsmith.

Monroe County Commissioners Approve $20K Agreement To Support Beacon Winter Shelter

Monroe County Commissioners approved an Agreement to support the Beacon Winter Shelter for $20,000. Attorney Jeff Cockerill spoke about the agreement during their February 10th meeting.

Commissioner Penny Githens mentioned the shelter operated at maximum capacity within the opening week. Commissioner Julie Thomas mentioned the monetary support would be provided by Coronavirus Aid, relief, and Economic Security Act grant funds.

Covid-19 Vaccine Update: The State Not Expanding Eligibility for Now

 More than 258,000 Indiana residents have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner, says Indiana will not increase the age eligibility to receive a vaccine, as the state is receiving roughly 100,000 weekly doses of the vaccine.

"Nearly 737,000 Hoosiers have received their first dose of vaccine," said Box.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer for the Indiana State Department of Health, provided a breakdown of who has been vaccinated and who will be next-in-line to receive it.

"We are very excited that we have over 50 percent of our 65 to 70-year-old Hoosiers either scheduled or have received their first dose of vaccine,

It’s the second Thursday in February, so that means it’s time for our podcast, Prescription for Healthcare, a deep-dive into healthcare issues hosted by Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.

Today’s program is Part II. of their interview with T.R. Reid - a long-time correspondent for the Washington Post, author of many best-selling books, chairman of the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare and chairman of the board for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Prescription for Healthcare is available online and wherever you receive podcasts.

In the podcast, T.R. Reid gives us a possible solution to a central question we ask all of our guests: his prescription for healthcare. Spoiler alert: it has to do with providing universal coverage. Reid analyzes proposals by the Biden administration and provides his opinion on what amendments we can make to our current healthcare system.

T.R. Reid (Photo courtesy of the New York Times).

"I think this Biden plan, if he can get it through Congress, would fairly quickly lead to just about universal coverage in the United States," says Reid. "It would also probably take away a hell of a lot of business from the private insurers, and therefore they're going to fight it like mad in Congress."

T.R. Reid also discusses some elements of his best-selling books, which include "The Healing of America" and "A Fine Mess - A Global Quest for a Fairer, Simpler, and More Efficient Tax Code."

Find out more in the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare. From hosts Karen Green Stone and Rob Stone, to your good health everyone.

Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 10th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have an update on a bipartisan police reform bill that recently passed through the state House of Representatives. Several weeks ago, WFHB talked to Robin Shackleford, state representative and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. We will feature excerpts from that interview.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment brought to you by Richard Fish.

But first, your local news brief:

The Kohr Administration building, a late art-deco limestone landmark on Rogers and Second street, will receive an historic designation from the City of Bloomington, after the City Council voted in favor of the designation last week. Along with the parking garage, it is the only building that will definitely be spared demolition, as IU Health Bloomington Hospital is set to move to the east side in about a year.

And citing major structural issues with the building that most recently housed the Player’s Pub, the City Council voted against giving it an historic designation. The council’s decision potentially opens the building up to the specter of demolition. And in more demolition news, Brownstone Terrace, a student oriented 232 bedroom apartment complex on 14th Street and Dunn Street will be demolished, and replaced with a new apartment complex, to be called, “The Standard.” The new complex, which required some zoning exceptions, will have over 1,000 bedrooms.

In an email to Bloomington politicians and members of the media, Peter Dorfman, a representative of the group called, “Stop Bloomington Upzoning,” characterized the Indiana State Senate’s recent vote against legislation guaranteeing tenant and landlord rights as a measure which would hasten so-called upzoning in Bloomington. Upzoning is the disparaging term, which the group uses to describe new zoning laws changes. Those changes would allow duplex and triplex construction in central neighborhoods which now mostly consist of single family houses. Bloomington City Council Member Matt Flaherty responded to the email, stating,

“Thank you for sharing your views. I know you have strong feelings about development policy and rental properties. Respectfully, I believe your email is factually inaccurate. While I also dislike the state bill and the intrusion on home rule, I believe your following statements are incorrect.”

Flaherty went on to extensively address those statements. Council Member Isabel Piedmont Smith, responded as well, saying that she agreed with Representative Flaherty’s assessment. Both Council Members are in favor of the Zoning Changes, which they say will spur the development of a desperately needed additional local housing supply. Dorfman, later responded to the email, stating, “Matt's right; my initial reading was wrong.”

2021 Annual Public Safety Report

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton hosted the 2021 Annual Public Safety Report for the year of 2020, on February 9th. Police Chief Michael Diekhoff gave a report for the Bloomington Police Department, which currently contains ninety-two sworn Personnel.

Diekhoff stated, due to COVID-19, overtime costs were also down by almost $200,000, in 2020. He reported a decrease in all categories of crimes against persons, except homicides.

Deikhoff described an increase in reported burglaries, from approximately 350 to 390. He stated, locally, gun use in crimes saw a 52 percent increase.

Deikhoff reported an approximately 15 percent decrease in aggravated assaults. He reported a major increase of client interactions for the Police Social Worker. He spoke of plans to expand the Social Worker program.

Director of Community and Family Resources Beverly Calender-Anderson spoke about support provided to unhoused re...

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 9th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty hosts part two of a panel discussion on the proposed zoning changes in the City's new Unified Development Ordinance. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up, WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson profiles the new superintendent of the Monroe County Community School Corporation.

But first, we turn to Jake Jacobson for today’s local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

1,225 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 67 newly reported deaths.

Locally, Monroe County saw 21 new confirmed cases yesterday. Lawrence County reported 13 new cases, while Brown County reported none.

The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana Department of Health is now 65 years of age and older.

Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up by visiting ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

***

Monroe, Brown and Lawrence Counties are currently under local travel watches, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Each of the three counties has been bumped up to a travel watch sometime overnight between Monday night and this morning.

According to the department of homeland security, a local advisory watch means, “conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.”

Travel should be restricted to only essential travel, which includes travel to and from work as well as travel under emergency circumstances.

***

Monroe County is expected to experience dangerously cold weather this month. From February 8th to February 23rd, area Fire Stations will be opening their doors to serve as warming stations.

These areas will not be able to offer a place to sleep, shower, or eat. However, these locations will let folks who do not have regular access to heat warm up.

The following stations will act as warming stations until February 23rd: Bloomington Fire Stations 1 and 2, the Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters, and the Monroe Fire Protection buildings in Perry, Clear Creak, Indiana Creak, Bloomington, and Van Buren districts.

SB 389 Would Remove Protections for Indiana Wetlands

Indiana builders proposed a bill to end wetland protections in Indiana.

Indiana wetlands used to be mainly protected by the federal government under the US Clean Water Act, protecting over 60 percent of wetlands. However, according to the Indiana Environmental Reporter, due to changes during the Trump Administration, now 80 percent of Indiana wetlands are protected by the state.

The IER reports, the proposed Senate Bill 389 would end regulations on isolated wetlands and remove, “costly mitigation requirements for developers.” Multiple lawmakers behind the proposed bill are known to be members of the Indiana Builders Association, and have ties to the building and development community. However, they claim to have no conflict of interest with the bill, which fundamentally would make building developments cheaper and easier on protected wetlands.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has expressed concern over the proposed bill. In an interview with the Indiana Environmental Reporter he stated, “We need to be confident that any changes in the law avoid harming drinking water quality, increasing the potential for flooding, or hurting the wildlife habitats used by our anglers and hunters.

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 8th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a weekly segment where we ask Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton listener-posed questions on community issues.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Covid-19 cases are trending downward across the state and in Monroe County. However, health experts are warning the positive trend may be short-lived. More in today’s headlines.

But first, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty for today’s local news brief:

COVID-19 Press Conference 

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill stated COVID-19 cases were declining during the February 5th COVID-19 press conference. She spoke of Monroe County cases per 100,000 people.

Caudill mentioned gathering size limits were moved to a maximum of 50 people due to change in health order regulations. However, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reminded community members, the gathering size limit remains at 15 inside city limits. Caudill mentioned demand for the COVID-19 vaccine was not as high in surrounding counties.

IU Health South Central Region Program Director for Community Relations and Outreach Shana Gergis reported, as of February fourth, Bloomington had used approximately 18 thousand 8 hundred vaccines. Caudill mentioned rapid result COVID-19 tests are available at the South Morton Street location for any persons.

Covid-19 Update: Positivity Rate on the Decline

 Cases of Covid-19 are trending downward nationally, statewide and locally. However, health experts say it’s too early for the vaccine to have any substantial effect on the decline of new coronavirus cases.

During Governor Holcomb’s Covid-19 update last week, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box acknowledged the state’s declining positivity rate.

"We continue to see improvement in our positivity rate," said Dr. Box. "We have also seen a decline in the number of Hoosiers hospitalized with Covid symptoms."

Although the latest numbers may look promising, the downward trend is not assured to continue. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns of several new variants starting to spread in the U.S.

"The continued proliferation of variants - variants that likely have increased transmissibility, that spread more easily, threatens to reverse these recent trends," said the new CDC director.

Another possible reason for the decline has to do with record-high cases last month as a result of increased indoor gatherings over the holiday season.

Dr. Todd Ellerin, infectious disease expert at South Shore Health in Massachusetts, warned that the declining positivity rate might be deceiving.

"It's still winter. The virus loves to spread indoors," said Dr. Ellerin. "I'm afraid the darkest days are not over yet."

Dr. Kristina Box said regular Covid-19 safety precautions are still necessary in limiting the spread of the virus, as the state has a limited supply of vaccines to distribute.

"As I've cautioned before, these changes do not mean we are out of the woods," said Dr. Box.

As of Monday, nearly 700,000 people received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Indiana. About 232,000 Indiana residents are fully vaccinated.

However, according to the CDC, not even one-tenth of the U.S. population has been vaccinated. That means we won’t see the true effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine until at least the summer or even as late as fall 2021.

Monroe County Board Zoning Appeals 

 

County Planner Tammy Behrman presented three variances for a storage structure in Bean Blossom Township to the Monroe County B...

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 4th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have an excerpt from our longest-running public affairs program, Interchange - which interviews academics and experts on the questions that shape how we understand ourselves. Today’s excerpt is from last week’s show, How to Be Anti-Fascist. More on that in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment. Today’s segment focuses on reports of people receiving packages they did not order and fake online reviews for those items.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council

The Bloomington City Council deliberated the approval of Economic Development Revenue Bonds and Lend Proceeds for the Renovations of Affordable Housing at Crestmont. Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority Amber Skoby spoke about the project location during their February third meeting.

Skoby mentioned the Housing Authority would maintain ownership of the property, however federal subsidies would be received differently. She mentioned Bloomington RAD two LP would acquire ownership of the housing units to receive tax credits.

Skoby reported renovations would bring units up to code requirements such as handicap accessibility, structural repair, unit modernization, and energy efficiency. She stated resident relocation during renovation would be paid for by Bloomington Housing Authority.

Council members unanimously approved the bonds for housing renovation.

Monroe County Commissioners 

County Attorney Dave Schilling proposed an amendment to the Stormwater System Fee Establishment Procedures during the February third Monroe County Commissioners meeting. He stated the amendment would amend Fee Structure language to compliment the statutory language.

Schilling mentioned the amendment would also allow stormwater fees to be increased with respect to the cost of service. Commissioner Lee Jones mentioned impervious surfaces created an increased demand for stormwater funds.

Jones stated the amendment would bring the county into accord with state statute. Commissioner Julie Thomas mentioned climate change has also impacted the need to increase stormwater fees. She mentioned fees would NOT be increased without reasonable cause.

Thomas said completed projects would benefit all county residents. Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.

Feature Reports:

Up first, we have an excerpt from last week’s episode of Interchange, How to Be Anti-Fascist. This episode revolves around the radical work of Muriel Rukeyser, who authored the Life of Poetry in 1949, which can be called an anti-fascist manifesto.

Host Doug Storm invited Eric Keenaghan, an associate professor of English in the SUNY system at Albany. Keenaghan is currently editing The Usable Truth and Other Selected Prose, a collection that recovers some of Rukeyser’s forgotten or suppressed shorter-form nonfiction including her essays, journalism, activist writings, and lectures.

Interchange is WFHB’s longest-running public affairs program that explores the questions that shape how we understand ourselves. You can find this episode and more online and wherever you get your podcasts.

***

Up next, we have Part II. of Artbeat - a follow-up to an excerpt we aired on Tuesday’s local news. Artbeat is a weekly program, where you hear from artists, activists and educators about their work. In today’s Artbeat, Dr.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition for our podcast Prescription for Healthcare hosted by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone. Today’s guest today is T.R. Reid - a longtime corresponding for the Washington Post and chairman of the Colorado foundation for Universal Healthcare.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Public Library is reopening on February 22nd with limited in-building services. More on that in today’s headlines.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Board of Health 

The Monroe County Board of Health discussed COVID-19 vaccinations during their February second meeting. Monroe County Health Administrator spoke about appointment scheduling.

Caudill mentioned each vaccine vial holds ten vaccination doses. She said the weekly waitlist makes sure not vaccine goes unused.

Caudill mentioned waitlisted individuals are chosen based on the state’s eligibility, and at-risk individuals. Immunizations Coordinator Jaema Kelly reported no severe reactions from any individual getting the vaccination. She mentioned the County Convention Center site has five vaccinators.

Caudill mentioned that volunteers without medical experience are also needed for vaccination clinics.

Bloomington Board of Public Works 

Bloomington Board of Public Works discussed a Memorandum of Understanding with City of Bloomington Utilities for traffic signal construction costs during their February second meeting. Board member Dana Palazzo stated construction would occur at the intersection of 3rd and Lincoln Streets. Engineer Neil Copper spoke about the improvements.

Copper mentioned the project cost about 2 hundred and 28 thousand dollars. Contractor Josh Burns said constriction is projected to begin in June of this year. Board members unanimously approved the MOU.

Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee

Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee reviewed the Waggoner Irwin and Scheele, or WIS, recommendation for the County Fleet and Building Manager position. During their February second meeting, Council Administrator Kim Shell said WIS classified the job as a Professional, Administrative, Technological job in the fifth category.

According to a 2006 WIS classification summary, a PAT five classified job would receive a salary of approximately 33 thousand to 43 thousand dollars. Committee member Marty Hawk stated the County GIS Coordinator position was also ranked as a PAT five position. Commissioners' Administrator Angela Purdie spoke about effects on the approved salary budget.

Purdie clarified approximately one fourth of the job salary could be paid for through the Public Safety Local Income Tax. Committee members unanimously accepted the classification. Council members will take a final vote on the Fleet and Building Manager position during their February 9th meeting.

MCPL Reopens on February 22nd with Limited In-Building Services

The Monroe County Public Library is set to reopen on February 22nd with limited in-building services. Curbside pick-up will no longer be available in this new model

Mandy Hussey, communications and marketing manager for MCPL, spoke to WFHB over the phone earlier this afternoon. Hussey went into detail on Covid-19 safety precautions the library will put into place upon reopening.

“Masks are going to be required even for those who have been vaccinated,” said Hussey.

Hussey mentioned what library patrons should expect when it comes to activities available in the building starting later this month.

“You are able to come into the building and browse the shelves,” she said.

Welcome to the latest edition of our podcast, Prescription for Healthcare, produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.

Our guest today is T.R. Reid - a longtime correspondent for the Washington Post, a best-selling author, chairman of the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare and chairman on the board of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. 

Reid discusses a variety of topics pertaining to healthcare - including the stigma of publicly-financed healthcare. Reid said there is no healthcare system in the world that doesn't have government involvement, even in "capitalist U.S.A." as Reid puts it.

"More than half of the money spent on healthcare in the United States is spent by government through programs like Medicare and Medicaid," said Reid.

T.R. Reid is a longtime correspondent for the Washington Post, a best-selling author, chairman of the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare and chairman on the board of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. (Photo courtesy of the New York Times).

Our guest also looks at how the healthcare system in the U.S. compares with other countries with a larger population. He said Covid-19 revealed the weakness of healthcare in the U.S.

"I think Covid-19 has definitely, sharply demonstrated the shortcomings of America's incredibly complicated and unfair healthcare system," he said.

This podcast episode is Part I. in a two-part series and was recorded in January. Stay tuned for Part II., which will air next Thursday. You can find this program online wherever you get your podcasts.

The backlog shows a 70% increase in cases and a statistical inconsistency. 

By Aaron B. Comforty

 

 

 

Updated: February 11th, 2021

Indiana University Bloomington added more than 3,200 previously unreported positive Covid-19 test results to it’s Covid-19 dashboard website on Wednesday, February 3rd. The batch of unreported cases brings Indiana University’s flagship Bloomington campus’ all-time Covid-19 case count to 7,593, a 70% increase. It remains to be seen whether Monroe County, which is home to the university, will add any of the roughly 3,200 cases to its own case total.

 

Students wait in line to take the rapid "spit test" at a Covid-19 testing site in a university gymnasium. By the start of the 2021 winter semester, a total of 7,083 students had tested positive at the university's Bloomington campus, about 14.5% of the student body.

 

Days before the university published the backlogged cases, WFHB reported that Indiana University Bloomington’s all-time case count stood at about 4,200. Associate Vice President for Enterprise Systems at Indiana University, Aaron Neal, confirmed WFHB's 4,200 cases figure in a February 4th email, noting "We agree that the previously published positive numbers totaled roughly 4,200... The difference between the 4,200 and 7,593 are made of Voluntary Testing Positives... [and] Other known cases – 3,126."

 

The explanation Vice President Aaron Neal provided clarifies where the newly reported cases come from, but the numbers don't seem to add up perfectly. Indiana University Spokesperson, Dr. Chuck Carney, wrote in an email to WFHB, "As you can imagine, building such a project from scratch presents challenges, and changes, such as we have made, can result in finding some things to shore up."

 

Testing site staff  prepare to test thousands of students at an Indiana University Covid-19 testing site in the football stadium parking lot. The university rested much of its fall semester Covid-19 mitigation strategy on its large scale testing operation.

 

On February 3rd, 2021, the university revamped its dashboard to include a number of new sections, features, and statistics. One of them was an "all-time" cases figure. Previously, the university opted to separate the all-time cases figure into three distinct testing categories, in effect obscuring the all-time case count. The university’s approach to its dashboard varied significantly from the State of Indiana’s dashboard, which has had an all-time case count since the early days of the pandemic.

 

Vice President Aaron Neal also indicated that the majority of the roughly 3,200 newly reported cases come from a section titled, “Other Known Cases.” An explanation in the university's Covid-19 dashboard describes the contents of the Other Known Cases section in the following terms, “Students, faculty, and staff are required to self-report all positive COVID-19 test results obtained outside of IU testing mechanisms.” The cases in that section consist of those "outside" positive test results.

Indiana University's Covid-19 dashboard shows statistical inconsistencies in the number of reported cases.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021.

Later in the program, we'll turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, who hosted a panel discussion on the proposed zoning changes in the City's new Unified development Ordinance. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. Stay tuned to hear the first part of our panel discussion series.

Also coming up, we have the latest edition of Artbeat - a weekly program, where you hear from artists, activists and educators about their work. In today’s Artbeat, Dr. Filiz Cicek speaks with artist Korie Pickett about co-owning and running the Bloomington Playground Tattoo studio.

But first, we turn to Jake Jacobson for your local news brief:

1,567 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 65 newly reported deaths.

Locally, Monroe County saw 32 new confirmed cases yesterday. Lawrence County reported 11 new cases, and one new COVID-19 death. Brown County reported one new case.

The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana Department of Health is now 65 years of age and older.

Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up by visiting ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

***

Last year, the federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. Included in the CARES Act was a 120 day prohibition on evictions.

A moratorium on evictions helps protect individuals and families who have lost their jobs due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, ordered a further moratorium on evictions, which lasted until the end of 2020.

Yesterday, the CDC, on recommendation from President Joe Biden, further extended this eviction moratorium through March 31. Hoosiers can find more information on rural development COVID-19 relief efforts online, at R-D dot usda.gov/coronavirus.

MCCSC Must Appoint New School Board Member

The Monroe County Community School Board must appoint a new school board member within 30 days following the death of board member Keith Klein. Klein had served on the School Board since 2009.

According to Indiana Code, if a school board vacancy occurs because of death, then the remaining members must appoint a new individual to the vacant seat. MCCSC has posted a notice of vacancy to their website, and must find a new school board representative for district five. A map district five was attached to MCCSC’s vacancy announcement. Any potential applicant for the vacant seat must reside within district five boundaries.

According to the vacancy notice, all applications are due by February 8th, and must be available on the interview dates of February 16th and 17th. All Applications can be emailed to Karen Butcher at [email protected], or mailed to MCCSC Attention: Karen Butcher.

U.S. Senate Confirms Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to the cabinet-level position of transportation secretary.

Buttigieg is 39-years old, a Harvard graduate, a Rhodes scholar and an Afghanistan war veteran. He made history as the first openly gay executive in the state of Indiana in 2015. Buttigieg unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020 against a field of Democratic challengers, including now-president, Joe Biden.