This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider covers Governor Braun’s dismantling of DEI, funding cuts to NPR and PBS and a rundown of recent bills passed in the Indiana Statehouse. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear Bloomington Fire Marshal Tim Clapp on why the city is cracking down on house concert venues. With The Pink Poodle on a cease and desist order local concert organizers are getting creative. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Schneider reports on Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in the state. The U.S. Congress also recently passed a rescission package drastically impacting funding for public media. Lastly, Schneider provides a rundown on recent bills passed in the Indiana Statehouse, speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce. We turn to Max Schneider for more.

On the Bloomington music scene there have always been concerts happening outside of traditional public venues – like house shows for example. But last year three popular house show venues shut down after noise complaints from neighbors, and earlier this year the city served a cease and desist order to the popular Pink Poodle house show venue. Promoters are starting to get creative, looking at commercial properties that are unused during evening hours. Correspondent Audrey Ouillette investigates the rise of the Healer DIY space in Indianapolis as a possible model for Bloomington in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

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

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 21st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, you will hear Jeff Linkon from Hillel, the Jewish culture center on the IU Bloomington campus. The U.S. Department of Education recently included IU in its callout of sixty universities under investigation for antisemitism. Hear more about efforts to make Bloomington a safe place for Jewish students later in the show in a feature report.

You’ll also Daniel Schlegel from the Monroe County History Center, connecting the past to the present and future. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, today’s feature:

On Thursday, community members gathered for a protest as part of the “Good Trouble Lives On” national day of action. The protest at the Courthouse Square in downtown Bloomington was led by various community members and activists to honor John Lewis’ legacy and address ongoing social justice issues. Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with protesters and organizers in today’s feature report on the WFHB Local News.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 16th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Paul Helmke – former CEO of Brady Center to prevent gun violence and former mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana – speaks with WFHB about gun legislation in Indiana.

That’s IU baseball head coach Jeff Mercer on a disappointing 2025 season. Can Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jake Hanley help Mercer turn the team around? Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Richland Bean Blossom School Board Considers Major Renovations Across District Schools

The Richland Bean Blossom School Board met on Tuesday, July 8th as part of a preliminary determination meeting surrounding a proposed school project. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders explained the intention of the project.

The project includes various additions, repairs, and renovations to Edgewood High School, including a remodeled roof, construction of additional classrooms, the repairs to the parking lot and tennis courts. Edgewood Junior High, primary school, and intermediate school would receive similar upgrades.

An Underwriter from Stifel Investment Banking Company presented a potential payment plan for the project, sharing the expected toll which it would have on local taxpayers.

The Richland Bean Blossom School Board will meet again in August.

Feature Reports:

Sometimes the Indiana University baseball team looks like one of the greatest squads in the country. Other days, not so much. The 2025 season was a great example – while there were highlights, like IU first baseman Jake Hanley receiving the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award, ultimately the team had a mediocre finish with 32 wins and 24 losses – reaching only the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament. Correspondent Ian Plaskoff gets reaction from head coach Jeff Mercer and analysis from journalist Nick Rodecap in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Now it’s time for Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects Hoosiers. In this episode, Paul Helmke – former CEO of Brady Center to prevent gun violence and former mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana – talks to us about the history of the 2nd Amendment, as well as the role and legal authority of local governments in enacting gun safety measures. We turn now to Part II of our conversation with Paul Helmke on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, “They’re Getting Sneakier” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 15th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Michael Pezzuto, co-creator of “The Reef” house show venue. Bloomington may have a reputation as a party town, but some young people within the local music scene are living a “straight-edge” lifestyle. Learn more later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Paul Helmke – former CEO of Brady Center to prevent gun violence and the last republican mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana – gives us insight into the push for loosening gun laws and the purpose of the 2nd amendment. That’s coming up in Government.exe in the bottom half of tonight’s broadcast.

Monroe County Council Tackles Letter to Statehouse, New Jail and Local Tragedy

The Monroe County Council met on July 8th and heard a request by the Monroe County Commissioners to sign a letter to the state legislature. The council discussed the proposal for over an hour, but did not put it to a vote. During discussion, many council members said they would not vote to sign it.

Commissioner Julie Thomas explained that the draft letter asked state lawmakers to grant Monroe County an exemption from new tax laws in Senate Enrolled Act 1 that restrict funding for the new jail.

The commissioners hoped to send the letter today, July 11th, with signatures from the county commissioners, county council, board of judges and the sheriff.

Council Members raised concerns about the hastiness of the process since the public had yet to have the chance to read and respond to the letter. Also, the state legislative session doesn’t start until January.

Council Member Marty Hawk said the possibility of a new tax made her wary of sending the letter.

Thomas defended the speed of the process, saying it is better for lawmakers to see the letter early so they can review options. She said the county can send it and then work with other counties facing similar problems to write more.

Council Member David Henry suggested the county use the month of July to finalize financial projects and get the number in front of the public.

The council then heard a request from the health department to appropriate more than $422,000 to move 15 positions to a fund to maintain services for tobacco prevention and services for everyone in the community. Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave background information on the request.

Henry expressed frustration over the burden the state is placing on counties over the issue of citizenship.

Hawk said she had concerns about the financial implications of locally funding the program when surrounding counties may not.

Despite concerns, the motion passed 6-1.

During council member reports, Henry took a moment of silence for the July 4th flooding in Texas. The council continued to talk about the success of the Monroe County Fair and the Fourth of July parade.

The meeting closed with Crossley commenting on the lack of local press coverage, saying coverage can be improved. She said news organizations should focus less on government meetings and more on local tragedies, noting the loss of a 14-year-old in the community.

The next meeting of the Monroe County Council will be July 22nd.

Feature Report:

Now it’s time for Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers. In this episode, Paul Helmke – former CEO of Brady Center to prevent gun violence and the last republican mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana – gives us insight into the push for loosening gun laws and the purpose of the 2nd amendment. We now turn to that episode of Government.exe from WFHB’s Youth Radio. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s newscast to hear the second part of an interview with Helmke.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 14th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Cinematic Arts major Evie Mendelsohn talks about an immersive filmmaking class she took this spring, and Suzanne Faulk talks about Opportunity House, the Bloomington Thrift Store run almost entirely by volunteers. 

Additionally, Local Government Meeting coverage includes the Monroe County Realtor’s Stormwater Seminar, and the Monroe County Commissioners meeting.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Local Headlines were written by Ella Cummings and Max Schneider in partnership with CATS, Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Ryan LaPedis in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 9th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear from Katelyn Dunivan from University Players, a student-run theater group that saw their funding cut by 80% this school year – and they’re not the only ones. Find out how some of the hundreds of affected student groups are grappling with the loss coming up next in today’s newscast.

Feature Reports:

A number of student-run activities and events on the IU Bloomington campus were blindsided this school year by funding cuts. In the case of University Players, a student-run theater group, total funding was cut by 80%. Correspondent Harley Babbitt has the story of how some of these groups reacted to the cuts and how they will pivot to save their clubs in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Schneider covers Indiana public colleges gutting over 400 degree programs. Also, Schneider updates you on recent moves made by Governor Mike Braun regarding the IU Board of Trustees. Lastly, the IU Police Department has become the first higher education law enforcement agency to receive accreditation as a unified organization. Correspondent Max Schneider has more.

Up next, we hear from LeRoy McQueen from Thee Vatos Supreme. McQueen will open at WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project, which takes place tomorrow, Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird. That interview, produced by WFHB Correspondent Audrey Ouillette and Music Director Abby Noroozi, coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

And now, “Real Big Lies” 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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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 7th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, you will hear Paul Quigley on using AI to pilot a race car. A team of Bloomington students is already doing it, and later this month they take their car to California to race against other prototypes. More later in the show in a feature report.

You’ll also hear Sharon Roualet, the fairy godmother of Crestmont Park. Sharon signed up for the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program – learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Equipment on Backorder for Broken Handrail on 3rd Street

Last week, the Bloomington Board of Public Works discussed a structural failure of a hand railing on the sidewalk located near West 3rd Street and College Avenue. During public comment, local resident Greg Alexander said he’s disappointed in the perceived lack of pedestrian concern.

Public Works Director Adam Wason responded saying the materials needed by the contractor are on backorder.

The board approved repairs for the hand railing at its April 22nd meeting, contracting with Specialties Company, LLC for 17,500.00 dollars.

 Updates on New Covid-19 Variant, a Grant for Tornado Cleanup and a Contract for Meth Lab Decontamination at County Commissioners Meeting

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on July 3rd. Commissioners heard an update on a new Covid-19 variant, free testing and available vaccines from County Health Administrator Lori Kelley.

Then, Monroe County Stormwater Program Manager Erica Penna provided a rundown on their intention to apply for a grant for the emergency watershed protection program. Penna says the funds would be used for the cleanup effort following the May 16th tornado that swept through the Clear Creek area.

Commissioner Jody Madeira commented that the prevention aspect of the grant would be beneficial. Commissioners Lee Jones and Julie Thomas also expressed their support.

No public comment was given during the meeting. Next, the Commissioners heard a presentation of County Form Number 144, which is a statement of salaries and wages of county employees for 2026. County Auditor Brianne Gregory presented the agenda item.

Then, the commissioners heard an amendment to a contract with Mike Bolten Professional Services. That contract was for testing and decontamination of homes in the county where meth labs were seized by Indiana State Police. Health Administrator Kelley provided a rundown on the amendment, which would make the contract in line with new laws on government spending. Commissioner Thomas expressed frustration with the Statehouse rules but said the commissioners would comply.

The commissioners approved the amendment unanimously. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 10th.

Feature Reports:

Later this month a team of Indiana University students will pilot a race car at an official IndyCar event – but nobody will be actually driving the car. These students aren’t drivers – they’re computer programmers, and they’ve built Indiana’s first autonomous race car. On July 24 the IU Vehicle Autonomy and Intelligence Lab heads to California for the Indy Autonomous Challenge, an opening event for the Grand Prix of Monterey. Correspondent Dylan Rome has the story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

It really bothered Sharon Roualet that her neighborhood park had fallen into disrepair, so she did something about it. Sharon signed up for the City of Bloomington Adopt-a-Greenspace program, becoming a sort of “foster parent” for Crestmont Park on Bloomington’s northwest side. She really didn’t know anything about the invasive plant species that had taken over, but Sharon knew she wanted to be proud of the little park where she walks her dog every day. Learn how you can take care of your neighborhood green space 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, July 3rd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we have two profiles of local people. First, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings profiles Barbara Restle, a 99-year-old woman who grew up in Nazi-occupied Austria. Restle draws parallels from the authoritarianism she witnessed as a child to U.S. politics today. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Music Director Abby Noroozi speaks with Bloomington-based designer Aaron Lowell Denton, who designed the artwork for our upcoming show, WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project, which takes place Thursday, July 10th at the Bluebird.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings profiles Barbara Restle, a 99-year-old woman who grew up in Nazi-occupied Austria. Restle recounts her childhood experiences in Austria, where she witnessed the deterioration of democracy and the rise of totalitarianism. She describes her family’s escape to the U.S. in 1938 and her father’s role in aiding Jewish refugees. Restle draws parallels between the rise of the Nazi regime and the current U.S. political climate under President Trump. She expressed deep concern over the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution and the growing chaos in American politics. For more, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings.

Up next – we hear a segment produced by WFHB’s Music Department. Next Thursday, July 10th, the station will host WFHB Past and Present: 50 Years of the Bloomington Community Radio Project. The show will take place at the Bluebird, and it commemorates 50 years since the station held its first fundraiser in 1975. In this segment, Abby Noroozi, music director at WFHB, spoke with Aaron Lowell Denton who designed the artwork for our poster highlighting the event. For more, we turn to Abby Noroozi.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Political Scientist Jeff Isaac about Indiana public colleges eliminating nearly 20 percent of their degree programs. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

That’s Shelby VanDerMoere from the Bloomington Fire Department, on new training materials for downtown workers to mediate conflict with the unhoused. Do we really need 9-1-1 for this or could we just talk this out? That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Feature Reports:

People who work in downtown Bloomington will soon get access to training on how to de-escalate tense situations involving the unhoused. You might be surprised to hear that such training didn’t already exist, and you might be even more surprised to hear where the idea came from. Correspondent Luke Janke has that story in a special report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Starting July 1st, Indiana public colleges eliminated, suspended or consolidated nearly 20 percent of degree programs. This follows legislation at the Indiana Statehouse that requires programs with small numbers of graduates be eliminated. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with Jeff Isaac, political science professor at IU, about what impact the elimination of these degrees will have for the university and the city of Bloomington as a whole. We turn to Max Schneider for more.

Up next, Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects hoosiers. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Whitehead – associate professor of sociology at IUI, and author of “American Idolatry” gives us insight into how Christian Nationalism connects to free market capitalism and why it seems that more and more legislation is being influenced by this ideology. We now turn to Episode 2 of Government.exe on the WFHB Local News.

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

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 1st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, you will hear Bloomington native Taylor Minnick, a star player on the Indiana University softball team. Minnick just graduated from IU as the softball program’s all-time homerun queen. More from Minnick and head coach Shonda Stanton later in the show in a feature report.

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

But first, your local headlines:

Commissioners Address Public Health, Property Taxes and County Fair Programs

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on June 26, 2025. During department updates, Martha Miller from Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation shared details about the first annual “conservation day” at the upcoming Monroe County Fair.

Next, County Auditor Brianne Gregory made note of recent legislation which will impact property tax reductions.

The board also discussed a service agreement for the Health Department, which would allow them to test and decontaminate homes where meth labs have been seized by the Indiana state police. There are currently 11 homes waiting to receive this treatment. Commissioner Jody Madeira emphasized the importance of this service.

The board voted to pass the agreement unanimously.

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on July 3rd, 2025.

Monroe County Library Board Approves New Bookmobile Vendor

The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on Thursday, June 26th. The meeting was held because there was not a quorum of board members at the previous meeting on June 18th. Library Director Grier Carson began by sharing that the current bookmobile has reached the end of its lifespan.

Carson explained that the steps to begin the building of the new bookmobile are underway. A vendor needed to be approved to build the vehicle. Carson said that library staff was impressed by a vendor called TechOps. The board unanimously voted to approve the bid proposal and purchase agreement for the new bookmobile.

The next meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will take place on July 16th.

Feature Reports:

In recent weeks, a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have left Bloomington residents on edge. Community advocates say ICE’s presence has led to fear, confusion and the cancellation of public events. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with local organizers, legal experts and city officials about the impact and the community’s response to ICE activity in Bloomington. We now re-broadcast that feature report on the WFHB Local News.

The IU softball team made it to the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row this year, but were eliminated on May 17th in the regional finals. Still, it was a historic season for the seniors on the team – Brianna Copeland broke the program’s all-time homerun record, and then star senior and Bloomington native Taylor Minnick broke it again with 45 homeruns. Minnick spoke to correspondent Peter Miller, who also interviews head coach Shonda Stanton, in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

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