Indiana Senate passes bill strengthening predatory loans; City partners with environmental group to stop invasive plants; Parks director proposes new tree abatement process; School board disputes recent teacher compensation data distributed by State Representative; Construction at Switchyard Park temporarily closes a section of the B-Line trail. FEATURE A new report says that the home building …

Ellettsville officials working to control flooding from Jack’s Defeat Creek; Criminal Arrests Double in Ellettsville; Senate bill curbs the teaching of creationism in schools; House Republican presents new bill opposing “partial birth abortion.” FEATURE News Director Wes Martin speaks with State Senator Mark Stoops as the Indiana legislature approaches the half way point of this …

The Indiana House of Represenatives passed a bill last week which would provide state funded firearms training for teachers in Indiana schools.  House Bill 12-53 would only pertain to schools that allow teachers to carry firearms. Indiana law leaves it up to school boards to decide whether or not employees are permitted to carry firearms on …

Monroe County Commissioner responds to State of the City Address; House bill provides firearms training for teachers; Common Council allocates $800,000 in community development block grants; Monroe Convention Center expansion project poised to begin; Council approves stormwater fee increase. FEATURE Michael Glab talks with district city council candidate Kate Rosenbarger about her campaign goals on …

Mayor’s election campaign post is shared through city’s official account; Russiaville, Indiana tax preparer refuses her services to a lesbian couple; Indiana State Senate Republicans vote to gut hate crimes bill; Monroe County’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative saves the county money;  Monroe County Commissioners discuss the need for smoke detectors in rental units. FEATURE Chris Abert talks about the success of …

Chris Abert says he founded The Indiana Recovery Alliance after walking along the B-Line trail in Bloomington and handing out blankets years ago. The area non-profit is engaged in what Abert terms Harm-Reduction, helping people experiencing addiction work towards QUOTE Any positive change. The Indiana Recovery Alliance exchanges clean needles and paraphernalia, conducts training on how …

Republicans Gut Hate Crimes Bill; MCCSC Hosts Inclusivity Event; CBU Discusses High Credit Card Processing Fees; North Range Road to be Closed for a Month; Public Works Director Urges Clean Recycling. FEATURE Assistant news director Sarah Vaughn speaks with local jazz musician Monika Herzig about her Jazz Girls Day clinics that she hosts around Indiana, …

Local jazz musician Monika Herzig says mentoring is crucial for teenage girls who want to play or sing jazz. That’s why Herzig is in her second year hosting Jazz Girls Day clinics around Indiana. As Herzig explains to Assistant News Director Sarah Vaughan, it’s all about creating a safe space for girls to collaborate, explore, …

Area service providers, including the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, are stocking up in order to cover the so-called SNAP Gap, following the federal government shutdown; The City of Bloomington began an extensive survey of municipal trees, last week; Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton will give his annual State of the City Address, on Thursday night; The Indiana House of …

Residents of Bloomington’s Waterman neighborhood are raising concerns about contaminants in storm-water runoff from JB Salvage. On June 19, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management tested storm-water runoff from the locally-owned automotive scrap metal business. IDEM’s tests revealed levels of the contaminants copper, aluminum, iron and lead were all above EPA benchmarks. Sarah Cahillane was …