This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 9th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Gloria Bent joins us on Prescription for Healthcare to discuss denial from United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage coverage while trying to save her husband’s life. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Correspondent Elena Bai speaks with two local residents who are organizing a fundraiser for Venezuela following two devastating earthquakes late last month.

Featured Segments:

Now it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone speak with Gloria Bent from Connecticut where she went through a nightmare of care denial from United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage coverage while trying to save her husband’s life. This happened after they were forced out of their traditional Medicare program and into Medicare Advantage coverage by their retirement program. After her husband’s death she became an activist, testified before Congress, and co-founded Connecticut State Employees for Medicare Choice. That’s coming up next on the local news.

On June 24th, two earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing massive damage to infrastructure, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring over 16,000 people. Venezuelan community members in Bloomington are organizing aid and fundraisers in support of those that have been impacted by these earthquakes. Nora Mora and Daniela Cook, two of the organizers of Bloomington Ayuda, a fundraiser that focuses on supporting marginalized communities in the affected areas, came in to talk about their efforts and Organization. We turn to Correspondent Elena Bai for Part II of that interview.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, WFHB hosted a narrative journalism workshop earlier today. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Don’t Click the Bait” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

Featured Segments:

WFHB News hosted a narrative journalism workshop earlier today. The workshop culminated in today’s feature report, exploring the debate over Seminary Pointe, where affordable housing advocates are urging city leaders to reconsider plans to demolish the property for a proposed convention center hotel.

Up next, “Don’t Click the Bait” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

On June 24th, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 occurred in Venezuela, causing massive damage to infrastructure, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring over 16,000 people. Venezuelan community members in Bloomington are organizing aid and fundraisers in support of those that have been impacted by these earthquakes. Nora Mora and Daniela Cook, two of the organizers of Bloomington Ayuda, a fundraiser that focuses on supporting

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 7th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All rallied at City Hall last night, urging city leaders to save Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Volunteer Connection highlighting four ways you can get involved this week, in partnership with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Featured Segments:

On Monday, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All rallied at City Hall, urging city leaders to save Seminary Pointe affordable housing and commercial spaces. Activists are calling on the city’s redevelopment commission to intervene in the planned demolition of Seminary Pointe for convention center expansion. More coverage on the rally coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Up next – Youth Radio reporter Ollie Schnell interviewed photographers Kay Westhues, Kip May and Garry Tutorow at the opening reception of Seeing Cuba, Feeling Cuba at the iFell gallery on Friday, July 3rd. In today’s feature report, we broadcast those interviews. We begin with an interview with Kay Westhues.

Now it’s time for Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and guest co-host Tory Crowe from Beacon Inc. to let you in on four volunteer opportunities across the city, coming your way right now on the local news.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 6th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines Senate Enrolled Act 76, which took effect on July 1st. This newly passed law requires state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear from Heidi Brown from Healing Hands Outreach Center, with a true story of a family fleeing Afghanistan and finding refuge in Bloomington. Learn about the services offered at Healing Hands later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Capital Improvement Board narrows host hotel proposals to two

By Claire Zeyen

The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board held a special meeting on Wednesday, July 1st, to review responses to its request for proposals for a host hotel at the convention center. Of the five proposals submitted, only two—Dora Hospitality and MHG—met the board’s requirements. Deb Kunce of JS Held explained why the remaining proposals were disqualified.

“Concord did not propose the required 200-room hotel or use the site identified in the request for proposals. Garfield failed to provide a site selection, development plan or financial plan, leaving nothing to evaluate against the requirements. Phoenix Downtown submitted a workforce housing proposal instead of a host hotel proposal,” Kunce said.

The board also discussed next steps for the project, including demolition bids and the conclusion of residential leases at the end of August.

Public interviews for the Dora Hospitality and MHG proposals will be held July 8th in the Rogers Room at the Monroe County Convention Center. Dora Hospitality’s interview is scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by MHG at 2:15 p.m.

The Capital Improvement Board is expected to make its final consideration at its next meeting on July 15th.

Utility board discusses new water rates and infrastructure upgrades

By Elyse Perry

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on June 29th.

The Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission passed a drinking water rate increase on June 24th. Board member Amanda Burnham said Bloomington Utilities had to pay the commission nearly $25,000 for a one-time processing fee.

“So this is in addition to legal fees, the state gets funds just for this whole process,” said Burnham.

Board president Jim Sherman added that these fees would not exist if the utility was not under the IURC.

The board moved on to discuss a service agreement with Ivy Tech for CDL training in 2025 and 2026. City attorney Audrey Brittingham explained the agreement.

“Essentially, this is just an agreement with Ivy Tech for them to train our potential CDL employees right now we have a system set up with Ivy Tech, where if we’re having trouble hiring a someone who are into someone into a position that requires a commercial driver’s license, what we can do is we can hire someone and pay for them to get their commercial driver’s license through Ivy Tech’s program, so they have a set price for city employees, that’s listed in there, and we have a set process for Ivy Tech,” said Burnham.

Brittingham said utilities have sent multiple people through the program. She said the agreement is behind.

“It took them a bit to get that approved on their end and signed, and then it’s just taken me a bit to get this onto the public works agenda, and then on this board’s agenda. But hopefully this is this will be it for the 2026 signature process,” said Brittingham.

The board approved the agreement and a similar one for 2026 through 2027.

Next, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson presented a contract with Wessler Engineering for upgrades to Utilities’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.

“What they’re doing is replacing the PLCs, they’re reprogramming it, and for three sites they are removing the radio and putting on cellular systems,” said Hudson.

The contract was approved unanimously. Hudson said he would be back when approval is needed for the next phase.

Then, the board discussed a broken credit card reader at the utilities bulk water station. Until it is fixed, Utilities will pay the credit card fee and add it as a surcharge to the transaction.

The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be on July 13th.

Featured Segments:

Senate Enrolled Act 76 took effect July 1st, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider examines the new law speaking with State Representative Matt Pierce, immigration attorney Christie Popp and Resettlement Director Erin Aquino from Exodus Refugee Immigration. For more, we turn to Max Schneider.

Healing Hands Outreach Center started in a closet at City Church in 2009, helping maybe 50 fifty people that year. Today Healing Hands has its own storefront on the south side of Bloomington, and last year they helped nearly 50,000. Their focus is on basic needs assistance – things like food, clothing, and household items. Healing Hands is open to anyone, and director Heidi Brown says they mostly see people struggling with poverty and housing insecurity. Along the way Brown has witnessed some incredible stories of impact, including a family of refugees from Afghanistan. Brown shares that story 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 2nd, 2026.

In today’s newscast, a federal judge has ordered the release of a Milwaukee Palestinian activist who had been held in ICE custody at the Clay County Jail. An interview with Salah Sarsour’s son coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde looks into how Indiana rugby prepares for its upcoming season.

CIB narrows Bloomington convention center host hotel field to Dora, MHG

By Dave Askins

The field for the Bloomington convention center host hotelier was narrowed Wednesday (July 1) to two development teams. Monroe County’s capital improvement board (CIB) is advancing just two of five proposals, from Dora Hospitality and MHG Hotels, for interviews next week.

The proposals came in response to an RFP issued by the CIB in mid-April.

The selection of two interviewees, which came at a special meeting of the CIB on Wednesday, appears to put the CIB on track by mid-July to choose a hotel developer for the Seminary Pointe block south of the existing convention center.

That further dims hopes that a land swap could be worked out to use the Bloomington redevelopment commission’s (RDC’s) College Square block for the host hotel and preserve Seminary Pointe for use as extremely affordable housing and commercial space, which is its current use. College Square (aka the former Bunger & Robertson lot) is the southwest corner of College Avenue and 2nd Street.

The two proposals selected for interviews are from Dora Hospitality, submitted by Vince Dora and Russ Louderback, and MHG Hotels, submitted by Neal and Sanjay Patel. According to the CIB, those were the only two submissions that met the RFP submission requirements.

Both Dora Hospitality and MHG Hotels submitted proposals in response to the CIB’s original request for proposals two years ago. On Wednesday, CIB board member Jay Baer quipped: “The Groundhog Day nature of this from two and a half years ago was throwing me off … I’ve seen this movie!”

The first time around it was Dora that was selected by the CIB as its preferred hotelier. Negotiations between Dora and the Bloomington RDC over the use of the College Square lot finally foundered in early 2026 after lasting for more than a year.

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: “CIB narrows Bloomington convention center host hotel field to Dora, MHG.”

Featured Segments:

A federal judge has ordered the release of a Milwaukee Palestinian activist Salah Sarsour who had been held in ICE custody at the Clay County Jail. The ruling came days after supporters rallied outside the jail in Brazil, Indiana. Correspondent Kade Young has more.

With Indiana University Rugby being well into its offseason; head coach Luke Gross, and two rugby players in Matthew Chevalier and Peter Drake speak with WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde on how Rugby has played a role in their lives, and how the sport is much more than just a club sport at IU.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 1st, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Senate Enrolled Act 76 takes effect today, requiring state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with State Representative Matt Pierce about what the new law does, who it affects and the legal questions it raises. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Rogues’ Gallery 2” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

Featured Segments:

Today’s headlines include rundowns of several government meetings, including the Ellettsville Town Council, the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission and the city’s Transportation Commission. Tune in to hear a breakdown of all things local government.

Senate Enrolled Act 76 expands cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities while banning sanctuary policies. Correspondent Max Schneider speaks with State Representative Matt Pierce about the legislation and its potential impact.

And now, “Rogues’ Gallery 2” 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 Tuesday, June 30th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington. They discuss the SEEL program which provides grant funding and assistance to install solar panels. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Volunteer Connection in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington.

County Council Funds Sheriff’s Office for ACLU Lawsuit, Advances Tax Abatement

By Claire Zeyen

The Monroe County Council met on June 23rd and heard a request from the Sheriff’s Office for additional funds to hire outside counsel to prepare for an ACLU lawsuit. Sheriff Ruben Marté asserted the need to move quickly.

“We’re moving a very fast pace that we don’t have the luxury to wait,” said Marte.

Much of the discussion centered on whether the county’s insurance would cover litigation and whether the sheriff should reallocate existing funds before seeking a new appropriation. Council Member Kate Wiltz questioned the request.

“You already have a line for this, and you have money for these purposes. I’m just unsure as to why you need an extra appropriation before a lawsuit has been started,” Wiltz said.

The council approved the Sheriff’s Office request for an additional $30,000, 6-1, with Council Member Marty Hawk casting the lone dissenting vote.

Next, the council heard from Scientia, a software and cybersecurity company, seeking a property tax abatement to support a major expansion. Doug McDaniel, the company president, said the company offers high-wage local jobs and long-term careers.

“We currently have 39 employees. Our average salary is just a little north of $105,000 a year, but 90% of our employees are in Indiana. 74% of those are here in Monroe County. The average longevity of our folks is right at five and a half years, and we’ve got quite a few young folks as well,” McDaniel said.

Councilors largely praised the company’s local economic impact, while asking about workforce longevity, benefits and whether any environmental regulations applied to its operations.

The Council voted to advance the Scientia tax abatement request to public notice.

Later, the County Council approved Resolution 2026‑25, restructuring the Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee after its first meeting failed for lack of quorum. County Attorney Molly Turner-King explained the narrowed scope of the subcommittee.

“Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee’s focus shall be on location only at this time,” she said.

The subcommittee is expected to return a recommended jail site in roughly a month.

The meeting adjourned with council members thanking those who assisted with storm cleanup and recognizing the recent Juneteenth celebration. The Monroe County Council’s next meeting is July 14th.

Jail Site Subcommittee Begins Search, Sets July Recommendation Timeline

By Elyse Perry

The Monroe County Collaborative Justice Project Working Subcommittee held its first meeting on June 24th. The expected first meeting lacked a quorum, so the Monroe County Council reduced voting membership from eight to six members.

Currently, the subcommittee has five members because the Monroe County Commissioners have yet to appoint a representative.

The subcommittee’s goal is to evaluate potential properties within Bloomington city limits and recommend one location to the city-county collaborative group.

Deputy Prosecutor April Wilson presented a proposed process for the task.

“With the truncated schedule. I think one of the things we should do is create a site evaluation metrics, identify properties, apply the site evaluation metrics to the identified properties, discuss our findings, and make recommendations. I recognize we only have three weeks,” said Wilson.

Wilson said the council gave the subcommittee one month to find a location.

“Trying to reach that deadline with this process, it seems like we would have to have multiple meetings. I just put some meetings on a calendar, obviously I haven’t checked with anyone’s schedule, so I understand that they might have to be moved,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she hopes the process and pacing will allow the subcommittee to meet its deadlines. Her plan also provided six metrics to judge each property.

The subcommittee agreed to review the proposed metrics before the next meeting. Thomson suggested the subcommittee members submit additions before June 26th.

The subcommittee approved scheduling six meetings through July 13th to finalize its recommendation. It voted to accept public comment during the June 29th and July 6th meetings while also establishing a process for written public input.

The committee moved on to hear County Attorney Larry Allen present a history of the jail property search.

“We looked at Fullerton Pike, and we looked at a property further south. The one further south didn’t get a lot of traction, because it’s so far south, but there was a lot of back and forth, at least the initial meeting between the Fullerton Pike site and the Vernal Pike site. We reached out to the owner of Vernal Pike, and they weren’t interested in selling at that time, so that kind of eliminated that. So that’s how we got to Fullerton. We went through the city council process. City council rejected it,” Allen said.

Allen also explained the history behind the Thomson, Hopewell, Power Lines and North Park sites. The North Park site was denied by the county council in May.

County attorney Molly Turner-King moved onto the properties that design company DLZ identified downtown and on the outskirts of Bloomington.

Turner-King said the properties were considered for their size, location within flood plains and whether they are for sale. She said none of six properties met the stated criteria.

The subcommittee decided to add the Thomson property, the Curry property and the Power Lines property to the list of sites under current consideration.

The subcommittee will meet next on June 29th.

Featured Segments:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington. They discuss the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, we have Volunteer Connection on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. We turn to hosts Aubrey Seader and Annabelle Vosmeier for more.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 29th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Executive Director of Heading Home Mary Morgan speaks with Correspondent Zoe Moczek about Senate Enrolled Act 285, which goes into effect Wednesday. This law bans camping, sleeping or long-term shelter on state and local public land. Advocates say it effectively criminalizes street homeless. Stay tuned for today’s featured interview in the bottom half of our program.

You’ll also hear Bill Baus from the Bloomington Indiana Grotto, the local chapter of a national organization for people who love caves – exploring them, and protecting them. Bill talks about taking you inside Buckner Cave over by the airport later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Featured Segments:

Up next, we have the latest edition of B Square Bites – a collaboration between the B Square Bulletin and WFHB. This next edition is titled “Bloomington drinking water rates set to rise in August.” To read the full article, you can visit B Square Bulletin.

Senate Enrolled Act 285 will go into effect on Wednesday, July 1st. This law will make it illegal for a person to sleep, camp, or take long-term shelter on public land. People who do so could also face misdemeanor charges if they do not leave the area within two days of receiving a warning. Up next, WFHB News correspondent Zoe Moczek speaks with Mary Morgan, the executive director of Heading Home of South Central Indiana, an organization aimed at reducing homelessness and strengthening housing security. Morgan explains how Senate Enrolled Act 285 may impact people experiencing homelessness here in Bloomington and the organizations that are working to provide aid to them. That’s coming up next on the local news.

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time. That’s the slogan of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto, the local chapter of a national organization for people who love caves – exploring them, and protecting them. Bloomington sits atop a karst landscape – that means lots of caverns, sinkholes, and underground streams. These limestone labyrinths make for some exciting spelunking – but it’s not safe to go caving alone and unprepared. Members of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto are volunteers who can teach you about techniques and equipment, safe caving practices, cave science, and good conservation ethics. Bill Baus is a longtime member who was instrumental in reclaiming Buckner Cave from graffiti and litter. Bill is eager to share his love of caving with YOU 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 25th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, we have the latest edition of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the local chapter of the League of Women Voters and WFHB.

You’ll also hear media law expert Anthony Fargo, a member of the task force calling for editorial independence and a sustainable funding structure for IU student media. That’s coming up next on the local news.

Featured Segments:

A task force pondering the future of student media at Indiana University has issued its recommendations. The Task Force on Editorial Independence and Sustainability was launched in November by The Media School at Indiana University after the firing of the director of student media and suspension of print editions of the student newspaper drew outrage on campus and across the nation. In May the task force issued its recommendations including enforceable protections for editorial independence, meaningful student representation in student media governance and a sustainable funding structure that cannot be used to influence or punish editorial coverage. Earlier this month a coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter to IU administrators urging them to act on these recommendations. As Bloomington and press freedom advocates around the country wait to see what happens next, task force member Anthony Fargo sat down with correspondent Carolina Pierce for a feature report. We first aired this feature on June 15th.

In today’s edition of Civic Conversations, Indiana University Professor Jessica Story-Nagy, a political and linguistic anthropologist, discusses how private talk with friends and family can influence voting behavior. She is a research associate and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Anthropology and the Russian and Eastern European Institute.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.

In today’s broadcast, WFHB News speaks with Mayor Kerry Thomson about her recent veto of a city council ordinance that would close Kirkwood Avenue to car traffic. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Runaround When You Run Around” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the local news.

ACLU interviews at Monroe County jail frame $30K legal request, reset for work group

By Dave Askins

The political rift over how to respond to a potential new lawsuit against Monroe County officials over conditions at the jail was a factor in two significant actions at Tuesday night’s (June 23) county council meeting.

On one front, councilors voted 6–1 to appropriate $30,000 in response to a request from sheriff Ruben Marté for his own outside lawyer, as the ACLU of Indiana is preparing fresh litigation over conditions at the county jail. That’s after the ACLU allowed a settlement agreement from a long-running 2008 lawsuit to expire.

The prospect of fresh litigation moved beyond speculation at Tuesday’s meeting, when Marté reported that lead ACLU attorney Ken Falk would visit the jail the next day to interview prisoners as potential plaintiffs in a new legal action.

On another front, the county council tightened up the membership of a joint city-county working group that is supposed to recommend a new jail site, shrinking its voting membership in hopes of avoiding the kind of quorum failure that derailed the group’s first meeting last week. The group will try again to meet on Wednesday (June 24).

County officials have settled on the idea of building a new jail as the solution to addressing overcrowded conditions at the existing facility. A split between commissioners and councilors over a choice of jail site emerged after North Park was twice rejected in a six-month span by the county council.

For the jail site working group, councilors assigned “ex officio” status to the sheriff’s office and the board of judges, which was consistent with clear indications from each that they would not be participating. The move reduced the number of members relevant for quorum from eight to six.

County officials are now trying to protect themselves in a potential new court case, while also finding a place to build a new jail, but without the public participation of the sheriff or the board of judges or, so far anyway, the county commissioners.

The sharpest exchange of Tuesday’s county council meeting came when Hawk suggested the sheriff should simply reallocate money inside his existing services budget within the same category and come back later if he needed to refill other lines. That is a workaround the council often urges departments to use for mid-year, unplanned expenses.

“Maybe what they need is a new line within their services,” Hawk said. “Then they can move it up and down within that, as they choose. We don’t need to do an additional appropriation …”

After a back-and-forth about internal transfers, Hawk tried to simplify her point:

Hawk: Take the line, just say thank you. We’ll put a line in place … ”

A short while later, Marté was candid with his thoughts about Hawk’s comment: “I do not need to be told to be thankful,” Marté said. He added, “That took a very offensive turn there.”

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: “ACLU interviews at Monroe County jail frame $30K legal request, reset for work group.”

Featured Segments:

Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson has vetoed the city council’s plan for a seasonal closure of Kirkwood Avenue to vehicle traffic. Earlier this afternoon, WFHB Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Jorge Casillas spoke with the mayor over the phone to discuss her decision and what’s next for the future of Kirkwood.

(Photos by Aidan Verde)

Up next, WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe takes to Kirkwood Avenue to ask for residents’ opinions on the future of Kirkwood.

Up next, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider brings you a brief rundown on Indiana news and politics in today’s edition of the Statehouse Roundup. We turn to Schneider for more.

And now, “The Runaround When You Run Around” 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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