This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 9th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, we have the second half of a discussion between Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Delaney Barber – Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council. More in the bottom half of tonight’s show.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Dodgier Than Ever on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 1, 2023. At the meeting, the board approved a noise permit for the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival’s event, Lotus in the Park. Director of Public Works, Adam Wason shared more details about the noise permit request.

The Board of Public Works also approved Indiana University’s event, the Student Involvement Fair. Wason shared the permit request.

The board approved a noise permit request from the City of Bloomington Utilities for nighttime construction on Fountain Drive. Assistant Director of Utilities James Hall presented the request.

At the last Board of Public Works Meeting, the board tabled a discussion on a sidewalk closure at 2038 N. Walnut Street. Engineering Department Public Improvements Manager Maria McCormick updated the board on the closure request.

The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on August 15, 2023.

Feature Report:

Up next, Dodgier Than Ever 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, August 8th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright touches on the impact of redistricting on Indiana’s 2024 election, speaking with Executive Director of Common Cause Indiana Julia Vaughn. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.

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

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Council and Monroe County Commissioners Joint Session

The Monroe County Council and Monroe County Commissioners held a joint meeting on August 3rd.

First, Baker Tilly Manager Jennifer Carmack reported on general requirements of American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA state fiscal recovery funds.

Next, Mary Morgan gave an update on Heading Home which receives ARPA funding.

Morgan explained that they are working with landlords to incentivise them to accept section 8 housing vouchers.

Morgan also shared information on the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund.

Commissioner Penny Githens highlighted the work Heading Home has done to house veterans..

The council and commission also discussed other projects that could receive ARPA funding, and how to select other projects that could receive funding as well. The Commissioners and Councilors agreed to meet again in the near future to continue to discuss project funding.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright touches on the impact of redistricting on Indiana’s 2024 election. Lambright speaks with Julia Vaughn, the executive director for Common Cause Indiana – a nonpartisan organization that works to promote open, ethical, and accountable government for Indiana residents. We turn to Lambright for more.

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

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 7th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a canceled city council budget meeting from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.”

That’s Stephanie Shelton from Cancer Support Community of Indiana. Shelton says forty thousand Hoosiers will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. She needs volunteers to help support people affected by cancer through local events and programs. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee

The Monroe County Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee met on July 31st. At this meeting, they discussed investments the County Council can make to reduce the number of community members entering the justice system.

Committee Member Jennifer Crossley discussed possible solutions to reducing the number of people entering the county’s justice system.

Committee Member Jennifer Crossley also proposed solutions such as supportive employment, family and peer support groups, and investing in community groups and organizations. During the meeting, Centerstone Adult and Family Services gave a presentation discussing their work in intervention services, addiction prevention, and psychiatric care.

JFAC also heard from Marilyn Grimes with Courage to Change Sober Living.

During public comment, Monroe County Resident, Denny Wise, shared their disapproval with the construction of a larger county jail.

JFAC will meet again on August 7, 2023.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a canceled city council budget meeting from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” Dave Askins has more.

WFHB News is proud to partner with The Media School at Indiana University to offer internships and volunteer opportunities in broadcast journalism. Last month The Media School hosted the High School Journalism Institute, drawing hundreds of students from all over the country to Bloomington for a week of intense workshops. WFHB hosted the podcasting workshop, where students produced new episodes of Activate!, our weekly feature spotlighting people for positive change in our community. Every Monday during the month of August you get to hear their work.

This week’s episode was produced by Ellie Broscow and Anthony Navarro. Ellie lives in Oakland, California where she produces her own podcast called “Teens in the Bay.” Anthony is from Chicago and you’ll hear his voice in the intro to this week’s episode of Activate!, featuring Stephanie Shelton from Cancer Support Community of Indiana. Shelton says forty thousand Hoosiers will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year. She needs volunteers to help support friends and neighbors with cancer through local events and programs. That’s on a new student-produced 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, August 3rd, 2023.

This week, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Jeremiah Frei Pearson, Harriet Lowell and Representatives from Westchester Disabled On The Move in their lawsuit against the rideshare company Lyft on a lack of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles or WAV’s. That’s coming up in today’s edition of Disabulletin.

Also coming up in the next half hour, on Tuesday, a federal grand jury charged former U.S. President Donald Trump with four felony counts for Trump’s alleged interference with the 2020 election.

The Statehouse Roundup

By Brookelyn Lambright

Don’t Say Gay Bill Not Blocked

A federal judge has denied the ACLU’s request to delay HEA 1608, which prohibits the instruction of human sexuality in kindergarten through third grade. The bill would also require teachers to notify parents if their child prefers to use a different name or pronoun in the classroom.

The ACLU first filed the lawsuit on behalf of Kayla Smiley, a teacher at Indianapolis Public Schools. Smiley worried books in her classroom containing LGBTQ topics might be prohibited under the new bill. According to the lawsuit, Smiley places stickers and pins on her water bottle in support of the LGBTQ community, and she is unsure whether these objects will violate the bill.

If teachers are found in violation of the bill they could have their teaching licenses suspended or revoked.

Federal Judge James Patrick Halon said in his opinion that the lawsuit had a “heavy burden” to prove the bill violates Smiley’s First Amendment rights.

 Mike Pence speech at Indiana State fair

Yesterday, August 2nd , Former Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech at the Indiana State Fair. Pence is in the running for the 2024 Republican Presidential nominee. Pence launched his presidential campaign this June. So far, Pence has focused on issues related to the economy and inflation.

Throughout his speech, Pence criticized Bidenomics, President Joe Biden’s plan to improve the U.S. economically. Pence said the Biden Administration spent an unnecessary amount on COVID.

Pence said, “We all know that inflation is a man-made problem, and that man’s name is Joe Biden. We don’t have to live like this anymore, and I believe that the next president of the United States needs to make tackling inflation and reducing the burden of inflation on working families their number one economic priority.”

Pence also introduced his four step plan to improve the U.S. economy and reduce inflation. Step one includes fiscal responsibility by ending excessive spending in D.C. , ending Biden’s student debt relief program, limiting non-defense spending, and reforming Social Security and Medicare. Step two includes reforming the Federal Reserve by reducing the amount of money printed by the Federal Reserve, and appointing new members to the Fed. The third step focuses on bringing jobs back to the U.S. to lower the cost of goods. The fourth and final step would unleash America’s energy by reopening pipelines thereby lowering the cost of energy.

After delivering his half-hour speech, Pence ended it saying he has faith that God will heal America. Pence’s Christian beliefs have been a large factor in his campaign thus far as he tries to appeal to Christian, working-class voters across the country.

Trump Indictment

On Tuesday, August 1st, a federal grand jury charged former U.S. President Donald Trump with four felony counts for Trump’s alleged interference with the 2020 election. The felony counts include: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

The indictment says Trump along with six co-conspirators crafted a campaign to overturn President Biden’s win in the election.

Former Vice President Mike Pence tweeted, “Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. Our country is more important than one man. Our constitution is more important than one man’s career.”

In regards to January 6th, the indictment says, “When advisors urged the Defendant to issue a calming message aimed at the rioters, the Defendant refused, instead repeatedly remarking that the people at the Capitol were angry because the election had been stolen.”

Trump is set to appear in court today to begin his trial. In total he is facing 78 charges in three separate criminal cases.

Monroe County Community School Corporation

The Monroe County Community School Corporation School Board met on July 25th. The school board voted to approve Resolution 2023-15, a resolution to initiate amendments to the M-C-C-S-C governing plans.

Also, during the meeting, Lucas Calhoun, the new principal of the Bloomington Graduation School introduced himself.

The M-C-C-S-C School Board will meet again on August 22, 2023.

Feature Report:

This week, Abe Shapiro speaks with Jeremiah Frei Pearson, Harriet Lowell and Representatives from Westchester Disabled On The Move in their lawsuit against the rideshare company Lyft on a lack of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles or WAV’s. We turn to Shapiro for the latest edition of Disabulletin on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 1st, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on the “Fight For Abortion Rights” vigil at the Monroe County Courthouse. This comes after the Indiana Supreme Court decided it was within the state’s constitution to ban abortion. More in today’s 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:

Monroe County Commissioners

The Monroe County Commissioners met Wednesday July 26th, 2023. During the meeting, Health Administrator Lori Kelley presented on the Grant Funding for Local Schools for the amount of $12,280. The Health department will support local schools through the Cooperative Agreement for emergency response.

Dr. Sarah Ryterband spoke to the commissioners about the grant, and the requests they received from the schools.

Commissioner Julie Thomas followed up on the request from the Seven Oaks School, and said she was unsure what the next steps should be on the motion.

Kelley explained the timeline they have to use the grant funding.

The Commissioners made a motion to table the discussion of the grant for the next meeting which passed 3-0. The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on Wednesday August 9th, 2023.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on the “Fight For Abortion Rights” vigil at the Monroe County Courthouse. This comes after the Indiana Supreme Court decided it was within the state’s constitution to ban abortion. We turn to Lambright for more.

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

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 31st, 2023.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on the Bloomington Community Survey from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report.

That’s Patty Moon, volunteer coordinator for the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival. She needs FOUR HUNDRED volunteers to make this year’s thirtieth annual LotusFest a success. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Bloomington City Council

The Bloomington City Council met on July 26th, 2023. Director of Survey Research for Poll Co, Jade Arocha shared the results from a city-wide survey asking citizens various questions about their experience in the city. The survey ranked Bloomington alongside five hundred cities which the surveyors had in their database. Arocha shared that this is the fourth year Bloomington has done the survey.

She walked the council through characteristics that residents said pertain to Bloomington. The highest being the overall opportunity for education and enrichment.

Arocha went over what residents liked the most about Bloomington, according to the survey.

Then, Arocha announced the results from the survey pertaining to what residents like least about the city – namely the lack of affordable housing and the prevalence of homelessness.

After the presentation, there were a few questions from the council members. Council member Jim Sims questioned the validity of the survey sample, which represents all the residents despite less than 20 percent of the population responding to the survey.

Next, the council heard from Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson about the Lower Cascades Park Pedestrian and Bicycle network. The road going through Lower Cascades, called North Old State Road 37, had been set aside to be closed to through traffic to increase the connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians, specifically for students at Bloomington North High School that don’t drive. That plan heard opposition from residents who said the road should remain open. Robinson walked the council through the options available to use the road moving forward.

Robinson warned that if they do expand the street to accommodate both uses, it could have harmful effects on the streamback. He explained that streambank stabilization is a priority

The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on the Bloomington Community Survey from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” We turn to Dave Askins for more.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 26th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports that an Indiana bill repealing state tax on menstrual products was denied a hearing and how period poverty impacts women nationwide. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Utilities Service Board

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met Monday, July 17th 2023. At the start of the meeting a motion was made to change the agenda and to add an additional Petitions and Communications item at the beginning of the meeting.

The adjustment gave petitioners the opportunity to avoid sitting through the entire meeting in order to present. The petitioners spoke to the board about an increase in water fees that occurred due to a water line break.

Board President Amanda Burnham asked for clarification on how the restaurant owners received the Utilities notices that there was a leak. Kamen responded.

Director of Utilities Vic Kelson explained the city typically can waive sewer bills, however they do not normally waive water bills.

Board Member Kirk White asked if there was a board precedent for adjustments like this. Kelson responded.

Kelson explained that since they do not make any money from delivering water, they have to charge the cost it takes to deliver the water.

Board Member Jim Sherman shared what he remembers the board has done in the past for water petitions.

Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler shared the rules and regulations the city has on unusually high or low bills.

Wheeler advised the board to adhere to the precedent so previous petitioners will know they have been treated fairly.

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board was unable to provide any aid other than payment adjustments to the restaurant and tenant.

There was a motion to continue which passed unanimously.

The next Bloomington utilities service board will meet Monday, July 31st, 2023.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright reports on an Indiana bill repealing state tax on menstrual products that was denied a hearing and how period poverty impacts women nationwide. We turn to Lambright for more.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 25th, 2023.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls. More in today’s feature report.

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

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on July 18th. At the meeting, Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler spoke on behalf of the Utility Department. Wheeler explained an upcoming project they are working on to install stormwater infrastructure on the city’s remnant properties.

The board voted to approve the Indiana Brownfields Program Phase 1 Site Agreement 2-0.

Next, Engineering Field Specialist, Paul Kehrberg, explained that Duke Energy is beginning the second phase of their Bloomington Reliability Project. It will link the Dun Street substation to the 11th street substation.

Wells & Wells Construction sought approval from the board for a sidewalk closure in front of 2038 North Walnut St. from August 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025. A new 8-story mixed use building with commercial space will be under construction during this time.

During public comment, Bloomington Resident Greg Alexander shared his concerns about the two year sidewalk closure.

The senior project manager for Wells & Wells Construction, Jesse Graber, told the board the project will not interfere with the bike lane on North Walnut Street.

The board did not vote on the sidewalk closure and will discuss the issue with staff in greater detail.

The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet next on August 1st.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright spoke with local advocate Sam Mitchell about his podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls, which raises awareness and works to end the stigma around autism. Lambright has more.

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

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 24th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides a report on a closure of Lower Cascades Park from the media outlet’s “Morning Bulletin.” More in the bottom half of tonight’s program.

Local Girl Scout leader Holly Bales Hall. She’s looking for volunteers to help scouts in Monroe County and Owen County discover, connect, and take action. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners

The Monroe County Commissioners met on July 19th. At the meeting, the board approved the B-Tech Fire and Security agreement for the justice building. The agreement will supply the justice building with a replacement of the current swipe lock systems on two doors.

The board also approved an agreement with B-Tech Fire and Security for a replacement of a security camera on the exterior of the Johnson Hardware Building.

The board also approved a quote from Matrix Integration to install hardwired network access for the county jail. The jail will be converting storage space into office space and requires Internet access to these areas.

The Monroe County Government is seeking new copiers to replace the current copiers which are beyond their service life. The board approved an agreement with Toshiba Business Solutions to replace thirty-two copiers. The old copiers will be reserviced rather than sent to a landfill.

The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on July 26th.

Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees

The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on July 19th. Director of Public Services Josh Wolf gave the monthly Director’s Report.

Board President Chris Harrison commented that she was glad to hear they are working to stock the children’s collection. Wolf responded.

The board discussed the renewal of a contract with Polaris, their catalog system program. Wolf shared the details on their decision to continue to contract with the company.

The board voted unanimously to approve the contract renewal.

The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on August 16th.

Feature Report:

Holly Bales-Hall joined Girl Scouts in fifth grade and it was a deeply formative experience for her. Now she pays it forward as the scout leader for her daughter’s troop, helping the next generation of Girl Scouts discover, connect and take action to make the world a better place. Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

In today’s feature report, WFHB Sports Correspondent Leo Paes reports on the rise of pickleball. While pickleball has become the nation’s fastest growing sport, it has also led to a rise in injuries. Correspondent Leo Paes has more. 

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