This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 9th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we speak with FIRE – the free speech organization that ranked IU the worst public college for free speech in the nation. That’s coming up in today’s featured interview.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Featured Segments:

The Indiana Hoosiers beat Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship game on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Flying above the stadium was a plane displaying a banner saying, “Indiana University hates free speech.” The flyover banner was a part of a campaign by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, to bring more awareness to perceived violations of the First Amendment at IU. Up next, WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Dominic Coletti, student press program officer for FIRE. That interview is coming up next on the local news.

The recently released draft map as part of Indiana’s redistricting efforts have sparked controversy. Lawmakers are convening Monday to decide on a map. Right now, the proposal gives Indiana Republicans 9 out of 9 congressional seats. Currently, the GOP has 7 of the 9 seats. For more insight on this redistricting effort, we turn to WFHB Politics Reporter Camdyn Glover.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 8th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Starbucks employee and union organizer Sophie Lee out at the picket today about employees’ demands. That’s coming up in a feature interview at the bottom half of tonight’s show.

You’ll also hear Jack Stirn, an IU student volunteering at the Shalom Center, a daytime resource center for the unhoused. As local officials clear out homeless encampments today and next Monday, Shalom is playing a critical support role. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Advocates Interrupt Commissioners Meeting Over Evictions of Unhoused

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on December 4th. Advocates for the unhoused spoke out during the public comment portion of the meeting expressing outrage over the county’s recent evictions of at least two encampments in the winter cold. Local resident Shelbie Porteroff condemned the county’s decision to close encampments and urged the commissioners to hold off evictions until the spring.

Resident Ed Doss made an emotional plea to the commissioners to pause evictions during the cold weather.

Another concerned resident Jesse Kogge expressed his frustration in the county’s efforts to evict people experiencing homelessness.

Commissioners’ Administrator Angela Purdie explained the process behind these types of evictions.

Resident Maria Bull warned the commissioners that evicting people experiencing homelessness in the cold weather exacerbates the issue.

Monroe County resident Amara Briscoe said when she moved to Bloomington, she experienced homelessness. She attested to the difficulties of getting into the shelters in town.

Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked the public commenters for attending but added this is a complex issue with public safety concerns in mind. She was interrupted by advocates singing the Beatles song, “Let It Be.”

Following the recess, Thomas closed the public comment portion of the meeting. The next Commissioners meeting will take place on December 11th.

Featured Segments:

Starbucks workers on Indiana Avenue joined a nationwide strike today, protesting what they call unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. Union lead Sophie Lee says baristas make roughly fourteen to fifteen dollars an hour, far below the wage Starbucks advertises. Lee says that workers are asking the community to boycott Starbucks, support picket lines and donate to their strike fund. WFHB News spoke with Sophie Lee at today’s picket.

The plight of the unhoused is an ongoing issue in Bloomington, and the Shalom Center is a primary resource center for local people facing this issue. Today the city is clearing a homeless encampment on Basswood Drive near Twin Lakes Sports Park, and county officials will do the same one week from today at a separate encampment north of RCA Community Park on the south side of town. Jack Stirn is an Indiana University student who lives in Bloomington year-round and volunteers at the Shalom Center. As temperatures drop Jack is hoping donations of time, money, and supplies will help offset the rising demand on Shalom resources. Learn more 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, December 4th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Politics Reporter Camdyn Glover speaks with Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, about her insights regarding the mid-decade redistricting proposal.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson takes a look at an IU sports memorabilia exhibit on display at the McCalla School.

Featured Segments:

This week, Indiana lawmakers proposed a mid-cycle redistricting map that would guarantee the GOP nine out of nine districts in the U.S. Congress. In today’s feature report, WFHB Politics Reporter Camdyn Glover speaks with Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, about her insights regarding the mid-decade redistricting proposal. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

This week, Indiana lawmakers proposed a mid-cycle redistricting map that would guarantee the GOP nine out of nine districts in the U.S. Congress. Redistricting occurs every ten years to redraw congressional districts in order to represent the constituents of that district. Indiana has voted “No” towards this proposal, but state legislation continues to pursue this agenda. If this mid-cycle redistricting does occur, then some Democratic leaders will be voted out, as the assumed goal of the redrawing of districts is to ensure more congressional seats for the Republicans ahead of the mid-term elections. In today’s feature report, WFHB Politics Reporter Camdyn Glover interviewed City Council Member Sydney Zulich for her insight on the mid-cycle redistricting proposal. 

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, City Councilmember Sydney Zulich speaks about Indiana’s redistricting effort with WFHB Politics Reporter Camdyn Glover. That’s coming up in our feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Keeping Holidays Happy” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

RDC Tables Resolution on Host Hotel Incentives Amid Public Pushback

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on December 1st to discuss the Convention Center Host Hotel. The selected developer, Dora Hospitality, says they cannot build the required hotel without city incentives due to high construction costs, the need to build on-site parking, and restrictions that prevent condoizing or charging peak rates during IU sporting events.

Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Jane Kupersmith says the host hotel is necessary because it is aligned with Bloomington’s redevelopment plan.

“The staff and ultimately redevelopment commissioners are not entertaining this project simply because a hotelier asked us to use this property for a hotel. It’s because the convention center is a pillar of our community’s economic development. It will drive our economic development much of it going forward and a proper host hotel is critical to the success of that convention center,” said Kupersmith.

In October, the Capital Improvements Board said there is a large funding gap in the project. To help with the funding, the Redevelopment Commission is considering supporting a resolution to provide the hotel land at lower than market value. Commissioner Dana Kerr explained the resolution is needed to ensure desired hotel quality.

“Because of the gap in the quality of what is wanted by the CIB and the community for the host hotel I would say is you’re not going to get that quality unless there is some incentives available because there the developer can’t make up that kind of expenditure in amount of time that you they’d be running in the red for a long period of time and you’re not going to find a hotel here that wants to run in the red,” said Kerr.

Executive Director Anna Killion-Hanson explained that unlike Posh or the Trades District Hotel, the host hotel must be larger, more regulated and less profitable because it is designed to support the convention center.

The hotel needs 200 beds, full-service amenities, stable convention-rate pricing and the ability to book years in advance, before IU sports schedules are released. Killion-Hanson says these requirements create a financial gap the private market cannot cover on its own.

“There is still a substantial gap that we can’t fill. We have looked to other partners to see if anything else is on the table. We have explored every option possible and we’re hitting dead ends,” said Killion-Hanson.

Kupersmith said passing the resolution would not commit the RDC to giving away the land, it would signal that the redevelopment commission is willing to consider land incentives. The RDC would still have full flexibility later in deciding on leasing the land, discounting it, requiring payment or saying no entirely.

During public comment, City Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith said the council doesn’t want any taxpayer money going towards the hotel.

“There are many more important and urgent community needs than a hotel for the convention center. Uh that’s eight out of nine council members,” said Piedmont-Smith.

Community member Greg Alexander said he was against the resolution.

“First off, uh this seems like a bad way to treat the taxpayers. Um looks like giving $7 million to a private uh business. Um with the twist that we were told that wouldn’t happen. Um, second, it looks like a bad process. Um, do you want to stick your necks out for this boondoggle?” said Alexander.

Another community member Terry Hayes agreed that taxpayer money should not be given to a private hotel.

“I’m in favor of the hotel, but I’m not in favor of giving away the land. Um as someone mentioned earlier, it is a taxpayer money thing and it shouldn’t be just given away,” said Hayes.

The commission voted to table the resolution to allow more transparency with the public. It will be voted on at their next meeting on December 15th.

Feature Report:

This week, Indiana lawmakers proposed a mid-cycle redistricting map that would guarantee the GOP nine out of nine districts in the U.S. Congress. Redistricting occurs every ten years to redraw congressional districts in order to represent the constituents of that district. Indiana has voted “No” towards this proposal, but state legislation continues to pursue this agenda. If this mid-cycle redistricting does occur, then some Democratic leaders will be voted out, as the assumed goal of the redrawing of districts is to ensure more congressional seats for the Republicans ahead of the mid-term elections. In today’s feature report, I interviewed City Council Member Sydney Zulich for her insight on the mid-cycle redistricting proposal.

Up next, “Keeping Holidays Happy” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

It’s Art Walk on WFHB, where Youth Radio members attend local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.

In episode 18 Brynn speaks to IU graduate Sally Harless about their wild animal illustrations and their shift from ink/watercolor to digital, and their love for the flexibility and learning curve associated with digital art.

This episode of Art Walk was recorded at the First Thursday Festival on October 2, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson about her housing priorities in the Hopewell neighborhood following her town hall last night at the History Center. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Episode 106 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Featured Segments:

Overnight, about two and a half inches of snow fell in Bloomington. Temperatures are expected to reach as low as 19 degrees this week. WFHB News took to the streets of Bloomington to ask residents about their thoughts on the wintry weather. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Mayor Kerry Thomson answered questions from residents during her Traveling Town Hall on Monday at the Monroe County History Center, joined by City Councilmember Sydney Zulich and Planning and Transportation Director David Hittle. The town hall focused on housing priorities within the Hopewell neighborhood. WFHB News interviewed Liz Peck about her concerns regarding affordability for seniors in the Hopewell development. We also spoke with Mayor Thomson about  Hopewell housing priorities and how the city prepares for extreme weather conditions. To view the full town hall, visit this link.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 1st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Indiana lawmakers will convene today, moving further along with the redistricting effort happening across the state. Correspondent Camdyn Glover speaks with State Senator Shelli Yoder in today’s feature report.

That’s Laynie Pitts from Royal Encounters, IU students bringing magic to children in hospitals by dressing up as their favorite princesses and superheroes. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Featured Segments:

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 7 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. In times of extreme weather, our most vulnerable populations are impacted the most – particularly people experiencing homelessness. Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Forrest Gilmore, executive director of Beacon Inc., about how they’re preparing for the snowy weather.

Today, December 1st, Indiana lawmakers proposed a mid-cycle redistricting map. This proposal caused a spectrum of reactions from members of the state government as well as citizens. Although it is not unconstitutional, there are a tremendous number of people with varying levels of power who oppose this mid-cycle redistricting. Redistricting occurs every ten years to redraw congressional districts in order to represent the constituents of that district. Indiana has voted “No” towards this proposal, but state legislation continues to pursue this agenda. If this mid-cycle redistricting does occur, then some Democratic leaders will be voted out, as the assumed goal of the redrawing of districts is to ensure more congressional seats for the Republicans ahead of the mid-term elections. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Camdyn Glover interviewed Indiana Senator Shelli Yoder for her insight on the mid-cycle redistricting proposal.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 26th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Executive Director Julio Alonso about how Hoosier Hills Food Bank is preparing for one of its busiest moments of the year, Thanksgiving week. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Ripping off the Fat of the Land” on Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

MCCSC Board Reviews Foundation Update, District Finances and Future of Former Herald-Times Building

The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on November 18th. Foundation Director Cyrilla Helm gave a quarterly update on activities from the MCCSC Foundation.

Next, the Chief Financial Officer Mathew Irwin gave the quarterly financial report detailing current progress and future projections.

Following Irwin’s presentation, Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston presented a new resource for financial information being developed.

Next, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations, Jeffry Henderson discussed potential uses for the Herald Times building which they bought three years ago. Henderson laid out possible uses for the space.

Board President April Hennessey said the building is primarily being used for storage space at the moment for bus parking. Hennessey said if there are any new ideas for the building, the school corporation would need to find alternative spaces for overflow storage.

Before concluding the meeting, Winston shared some positive updates on school athletics.

The next MCCSC meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 16th.

Bloomington City Council Approves Expanded Bedroom Rentals in Owner-Occupied Homes

The Bloomington City Council met on November 19th. The council heard an ordinance that would amend the Unified Development Ordinance of City Code, allowing owner occupied homes to rent out up to three individual bedrooms. Deputy Clerk Susan Stoll walked through the legislation.

Development Services Manager Eric Greulich outlined that this would remove owner occupancy restrictions in the city code.

Councilmember Dave Rollo said he has concerns about the proposal. He said in his view, the city should air on the side of caution.

Rollo introduced an amendment to limit it to one adult per bedroom, saying he believes it would prevent overcrowding. Greulich said there are challenges to this amendment, however.

Rollo’s amendment failed. Ultimately, the council voted 7-2 in favor of the ordinance with Councilmembers Andy Ruff and Dave Rollo voting no. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on December 3rd.

Feature Report:

Hoosier Hills Food Bank is heading into one of its busiest times of the year, Thanksgiving week, at a time where prices remain high and families are feeling the strain. In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Executive Director Julio Alonso about what the food bank is seeing this season and how residents can help.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.

That’s Kaley Smith from South Central Community Action Program. The government shutdown ended without an extension of healthcare tax credits, and Smith says local families are seeing their monthly premiums double or even triple. It’s open season on affordable healthcare, later in the show in a feature interview.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission denied all public offering bids for three blocks of the Hopewell East development.

Bloomington Transportation Commission Addresses Dangerous Intersections

The Bloomington Transportation Commission met on Monday, November 17th.

City engineer Andrew Cibor reported on the intersection of East 17th Street and North Eagleson Avenue, which has seen 2 serious crashes within a 12-month timeframe. In both incidents, pedestrians were struck and seriously injured around midnight and on the weekend of a IU home football game.

Cibor updated the commission on what they’ve done and their plans to make the intersections safer.

Later in the meeting, Laura Gow, a resident of Bloomington, recommended improvements to the College Mall and Covenanter intersection.

Gow described her own experience being hit by a driver 11 months ago while trying to cross the intersection. She asked that the commission make improvements on the intersection, including repainting and signage.

Gow addressed the police and asked that they “perform better in upholding the safety of pedestrians in Bloomington.”

Commissioner Eoban Binder suggested that the staff conduct a new traffic study at the intersection since the last one that was done was in 2013.

Cibor responded to the suggestions, explaining that the city’s study to update traffic signal timing in Bloomington has been delayed.

Commissioner Hopi Stosberg asked how police cite drivers in cases like this.

Bloomington Police Chief Mike Diekhoff said the police do not have specific policies that ticket everyone who breaks a traffic law. Rather, the police are essentially information gatherers for the state.

Stosberg asked if there was a way the police department could work to align with the Safe Streets for All and Vision Zero plans, protecting people who are vulnerable to getting hit. Diekhoff responded that he didn’t think that a traffic ticket will make someone drive safer.

Commissioner Stephen Volan said this accident highlights why the commission exists and requires more research.

Stosberg moved to approve a petition that would examine the intersection and fix it to align with the other greenways in town, including adding a sign saying left turn yield to pedestrians.

The commission approved the motion unanimously.

The Transportation Commission will meet next on Monday, December 8th.

Hopewell East Development Bids Rejected by City Redevelopment Commission

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission met on Monday, November 17th. During the meeting, the commissioners denied all public offering bids for three blocks of the Hopewell East development. Commissioner Dana Kerr says the proposals made were not adequate for the project.

Commissioner Anna Killion-Hanson asked if there was a timeline to share with the public.

The commission rejected all the proposals.

Next, Treasurer Jessica McClellan spoke to the commissioners about Resolution 25-135 regarding the redevelopment commission’s annual spending plan.

Commission member Randy Cassady asked about the flexibility of the plan.

The resolution passed unanimously. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission will meet again on Monday, December 1st.

Feature Interview:

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 24th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Miguel Avila, a representative of Indiana Assistance to Immigrants in Detention, who discusses the impact of immigration detention. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear from Wyatt Lawson from the Community Justice and Mediation Center. Got beef? CJAM can help. Learn how they resolve conflict and how you can become a volunteer mediator later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

CIB Prepares for Possible Breakdown in Convention Center Hotel Negotiations

The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met on November 19th. Board members signaled that the CIB is preparing for the possibility that the city and its preferred hotel developer, Dora Hospitality, may fail to reach an agreement on the proposed Bloomington Convention Center hotel. CIB President John Whikehart explained that the board needs to prepare for the scenario.

Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Anna Killion-Hanson said despite major contributions, a large funding gap still exists. She said the CIB will issue a formal response in early December, adding “we appear to be running out of options.”

President Whikehart clarified that even if negotiations for the Bunger and Robertson site fail, Dora Hospitality remains the officially selected developer.

Whikehart added that many of the features driving up the project’s cost, such as a skybridge, rooftop bar and underground parking, are not required by the C-I-B and could be removed to cut costs.

He said if they removed those features, they could potentially save about 15 million dollars. The board expects a clearer picture of the hotel situation early next month.

The CIB also heard an update on the convention center’s signature artwork project. Assistant Director of the Arts Holly Warren said the city received 180 applications from artists interested in creating the public artwork for the convention center expansion.

The next meeting of the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board will take place on December 17th.

RBB School Board Approves Staff Stipends and Shorter School Year

The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on November 18th. The board started the meeting by congratulating the Edgewood Marching Mustangs on their fourth consecutive state marching band win. Director of Pageantry Derek Latham says the show was called Transient.

Latham says the students responded to the theme in a big way this year, and it paid off.

Moving on, the board heard construction reports on the early childhood center, the field house, the high school renovations, the preliminary school, and the playground. Additionally, the corporation will be undergoing a full roof replacement.

The field house and high school renovations should be sufficiently completed within the next 30 days.

The school board then heard a consideration from Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders to approve stipends for teachers, administrators and support staff across the district.

Sanders says teachers and administrators will receive a 2,000 dollar one-time stipend, and support staff will receive a stipend based on their current pay, duties assigned and number of days worked.

The stipends were approved unanimously.

The board then heard a request from Sanders to shorten the school calendar from 185 teacher days to 183.

He recognized how much time teachers put in, often working into the evenings, on weekends and part of the summer.

The shortened school year was approved. The board continued to hear the Assistant Superintendent’s report from Jennifer Bird, who shared positive updates from across the district.

She highlighted the improvements in PSAT scores over the last three years.

She says the students are scoring 10 percent above the state average, and the percentage of students meeting benchmarks has climbed 10 percent in the past two years.

Bird congratulated both the high school and junior high on the testing improvements.

The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held on December 16th.

Feature Report:

The Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana is currently housing ICE detainees. This decision follows a recent partnership between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Indiana Department of Correction and is part of an effort by the federal government to increase ICE detention capacity nationwide. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Miguel Avila, a representative of Indiana Assistance to Immigrants in Detention, who discusses the impact of immigration detention and policies on immigrants and their families. Avila criticized the initiative to house 1,000 detainees at the Indiana prison in addition to sharing his own personal experience of being detained for nine and a half months, highlighting the psychological trauma and legal challenges faced by immigrants. For more, we turn to Prison Affairs Correspondent Zoe Moczek. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Miguel and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Indiana AID.

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