This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 10th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Max Schneider reports on IU dismantling its DEI program, Indiana Governor Braun removing three members of the IU Board of Trustees and a lawsuit over the university’s expressive activity policy. All that and more in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we feature two animals available for adoption and summer safety tips for pets on Lil Bub’s Lil Show.

But first, your local headlines:

City Council Passes Affordable Housing Agreements, Highlights Pride Month, Juneteenth and Gun Violence Awareness

The Bloomington City Council met on June 4th.

During Council Reports, Council Members drew attention to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, and National Cancer Survivor Day.

Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith spoke on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, also called Wear Orange Day.

She also shared how residents can now recycle their wax bottles.

Council Member Sydney Zulich spoke on Pride Month and the history of why it came to be. She touched on the Stonewall uprising and the intersection between feminism, antiracism and Pride.

Later in the meeting during City Staff Reports, Planning and Transportation Director David Hittle gave an update on UDOs. He discussed the housing crisis and explained that since the council has control over the UDO, they can attempt to make changes to incentivise housing stock growth.

Hittle said he would try to get new U-D-O language to the Plan Commission by January.

The council heard Ordinance 2025-22 and Ordinance 2025-21, which would authorize and approve a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, also referred to as Pilot, with Henderson Court Housing and Cambridge Square Apartments. According to the council packet, “Both ordinances are intended to facilitate the rehabilitation of and ensure the long-term affordability of their respective housing developments.”

Director of Economic Sustainable Development Jane Coopersmith spoke to the council giving an overview of the ordinance. Payment in lieu of taxes allows the city to set a fixed rate for a property instead of collecting property taxes, often saving the property owner money that, in this case, will be set aside to renovate and improve the units. This approach is being used to incentivize developers to maintain their affordable housing units.

Coopersmith said the developers cannot increase the rent to pay for the renovations. The renovations have to be paid using the money saved from the taxes.

Coopersmith continued to describe the annual subsidy as $98,206 and the term of the proposed pilot as lasting 17 years.

Director of Tax Credit Operations for the Gene B. Glick company, which owns the Henderson Apartment Complex, Janine Betsy spoke to the council, and shared how they plan to use the money saved on improvements.

Council Member Isak Asare spoke in support of the Pilot agreement.

Council Member Hopi Stosberg spoke in support as well.

The council voted unanimously to approve the Payment in Lieu of Taxes at Henderson Court.

The council voted to approve the PILOT with a vote of eight yeses and one abstention.

The Bloomington City Council will meet again on July 16th after a summer recess.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider provides a rundown on campus and local news over the summer. Indiana Governor Mike Braun used his new authority to remove three elected trustees from Indiana University and appoint replacements. IU has dismantled its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office. The university also faced a lawsuit over its expressive activity policy, with a court temporarily blocking certain restrictions. For all that and more, we turn to Correspondent Max Schneider.

Up next, learn more about a cat named Dolly Pawton and a dog named Ace, both available for adoption through the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. Also, stay tuned to today’s featured topic: Summer Safety for Pets. More coming up next on Lil Bub’s Lil Show.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 9th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we have an excerpt from an interview – where Eco Report producer Julianna Dailey speaks with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington More in today’s feature report.

That’s Margie Hershey, founder of the Foster Closet of Monroe County, donating essential items to local foster families. Hear how Margie saw a need in our community and did something about it later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Election Board Appoints Temporary Member and Reviews Voting Site Plans

The Monroe County Election Board met on June 5th, 2025.

Democratic Board Member John Fernandez was not in attendance, in his place was Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, Samuel Ujdak, who explained that they temporarily appointed themself to the Monroe County Election Board following John Fernandez’s resignation. He read a statement briefly explaining the situation.

During the meeting the board discussed a contract with B and L who helps with Election Technical support.

Clerk Browne explained that Mr. White has worked with the county doing I-T work for the county elections for 11 years.

Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas came to the meeting to explain why the commissioners were looking for more information about the contract, saying that there wasn’t enough information for the commissioners to feel comfortable approving it.

County Clerk Nicole Browne asked if Thomas had seen the letter that White had sent filling in those gaps. Thomas said she had not received a letter. County Attorney Molly Turner-King said she had only received the letter yesterday and hadn’t had time to distribute it. Mr. White was asked to summarize the letter for Commissioner Thomas.

Clerk Browne said that they have had good service working with B and L, and explained that they are a cost effective choice as well.

Thomas also spoke during public comment, outlining the future plans for Election Central following the demolition of the current Election Central building due to the expansion of the Convention Center. Thomas invited Fleet and Facilities Manager Richard Crider to give more information on the future plans for Election Central.

Later in the meeting, Farris shared that the Ellettsville Library would be a good location for an early voting location.

The Monroe County Election Board will meet again on August 7th.

County Commissioners React to CDC Vaccine Change, Criticize Chamber of Commerce Op-ed

The Monroe County Commissioners met on Thursday June 5th. During health department updates, Health Administrator Lori Kelly provided an update on Covid-19 in the community saying that the CDC will no longer include the Covid vaccine in its recommended vaccination schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.

Commissioner Jody Madeira described the news as heartbreaking, especially as new variants of the Covid-19 virus have sprouted. Madeira asked Kelley where people can receive better guidance.

During public comment, Senior Director of Government & Community Relations for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Chris Emge acknowledged the ceremonial groundbreaking of the convention center that took place on Tuesday calling it a “truly historic day for our community.” Also during his public comment, he referenced a contentious moment that happened during the Monroe County Plan Commission meeting saying that he believes disagreement is healthy in a democratic process.

Near the end of the meeting, Commissioner Julie Thomas criticized the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for putting out a statement denouncing county leadership and Plan Commission Member Margaret Clements.

The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, June 12th.

Feature Reports:

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 5th, 2025.

In today’s newscast – June is Black Music Month, a time to honor the legacy and global impact of Black musicians across all genres. This month, Bloomington also celebrates the annual Granfalloon festival, presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council and featuring legendary artist Mavis Staples this Saturday.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on South African labor industries, speaking with Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein. But first, your local headlines:

Queer Hoosier Art Exhibit Opens in Brown County

June is Pride Month and a local gallery is launching an exhibit of queer Hoosier art inspired by a visit to Bloomington’s world-famous Kinsey Institute.

Second Story Studio in Brown County is showcasing new work from 20 regional artists amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. Participating artists toured the Kinsey Institute and learned about Kinsey’s pivotal role in human sexuality research. Gallery owner Kurt Eagleman says the artists then created works inspired from their visit for this collaborative showcase.

“We actually wanted to bring these artists into the Special Collections Library so they could see some of these artifacts, documents, artwork, photography,” said Eagleman. “And then the idea was that they would leave inspired and then go create new artwork.”

Besides the new art, the exhibit also features priceless works on loan from the Kinsey Institute, by a queer Cuban-American artist from the 1930s. Emilio Sanchez lived at a time when he could not express his true identity in his public work.

“His outward facing artwork was one thing, and then behind closed doors, his artwork kind of revealed a little bit more about his personal life. These are personal drawings that he did, and it revealed nightlife, what he did with his friends. It was it’s very like free form, free love. They weren’t shown to anybody,” said Eagleman.

The exhibit is called “Brilliant Hues and Intimate Forms” and it opens to the public tomorrow with a kickoff reception at 6pm at Second Story Studio in downtown Nashville Indiana. It runs through July 7th. More information is online at secondstorystudio.art.

Feature Reports:

June is Black Music Month, a time to honor the legacy and global impact of Black musicians across all genres. This month, Bloomington also celebrates the annual Granfalloon festival, presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council and featuring legendary artist Mavis Staples this Saturday. In today’s feature, we bring you an excerpt from WFHB’s Black public affairs program Bring It On, where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Natalia Almanza, Dr. Olivia Ekeh, and Dr. Gloria Howell about Black Music Month and the Granfalloon. To hear the full conversation, visit wfhb.org. The interview begins with host Clarence Boone asking Natalia Almanza of the Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council, about the history of Granfalloon.

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on South African labor industries. Hur speaks with Indiana University Professor of History and American Studies Alex Lichtenstein. For more, we turn to Jiin Hur.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we continue our series about teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. Today, we speak with several teens about their experiences with social media and how that relates to mental health. More in today’s feature report.

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

Feature Report:

This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. WFHB News is looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.

You can’t talk about teen mental health without talking to teens. Youth Radio Volunteer Victoria Deckard agreed to talk with us, and brought along her three friends Iraa, Joseph and Winnie.

They were really insightful and able to share a lot about what stresses them out, some of the key things being academic pressure and social media.

We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.

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

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Justin Baker of Monroe County Emergency Management highlights disaster recovery efforts from the county following the tornado and storm that swept through the community on May 16th. 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.

Ellettsville Council Updates District Maps, Sets Heritage Center Fees

The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 27th, agreeing to pass an ordinance recertifying the current legislative body districts of the town.

Council President Scott Oldham noted that the maps of the current districts were created using data during the census conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have interfered with true population growth.

Council Member Dan Swafford added that the district lines would likely have to be redrawn after the next census, when more accurate data is available.

The council also discussed an ordinance surrounding fees for the rental of the Ellettsville Heritage Center, a new gathering space designed for weddings, concerts, and other events. Planning Director Denise Line shared that the parks board had voted in a recent meeting to set the rental fee for the facility at $250, with a $500 safety deposit.

Oldham expressed concern with the pricing, arguing that a public asset such as the Heritage Center should be more affordable for the general public

Town Manager Mike Farmer stressed the importance of the deposit in ensuring that the building won’t be damaged. Clerk Treasurer Noelle Conyer shared the price points of other, cheaper pavilion options. Council Member William Ellis suggested two possibilities; one in which residents of the town are charged $125 and non-residents are charged the full $250, and one in which those who acquire event insurance can have the deposit waived. The council voted to pass the ordinance.

During public comment, Ellettsville Resident Dennis Pence addressed the council, expressing concern about the high speed of traffic on the streets by his home. He suggested the possibility of the installation of speed bumps in the area, as well as increased police presence to hand out tickets to speeders.

Public Works Department Street Commissioner Kip Headdy shared that speed strips could be placed in the area once the department receives updated ones.

The Ellettsville Town Council will meet again on June 10th.

Redevelopment Commission Reviews TIF Parcel Boundaries

The Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission met on May 27th. The commissioners worked on clarifications of TIF Parcel numbers and descriptions.

Town Attorney Darla Brown explained that a few errors were found with the parcels, but noted that there were not that many.

Browne explained that Parcel C had not been included in the platt map, and would be left out of the TIF district for the time being.

Planning Director Denise Line asked for clarification, and said she thought that the parcel had been included. Browne said she would check to confirm.

Commissioner Member William Ellis asked if it was part of the tech park. Line responded the tech park was not a part of Parcel C.

They also discussed other areas that had not been annexed. The commission expressed that they would rather omit them from the TIF district to ensure they didn’t run into any legal trouble.

Town Attorney Darla Browne said she would find out more and get back to the commission.

The Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission will meet again on June 9th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Justin Baker of Monroe County Emergency Management, about recovery from the tornado that hit on May 16th. Baker offers information on financial assistance, debris cleanup and disposal, and how community members can help. We turn to WFHB Correspondent Kade Young for more.

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

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 2nd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, guest curator Annabelle Vosmeier speaks with WFHB’s LGBTQ+ public affairs program BloomingOUT about an exhibit at the Monroe County History Center looking at the passage of Bloomington’s first Gay Rights amendment. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Mary Beth O’Brien from Women Writing for a Change, hosting writing circles for incarcerated individuals at the Monroe County Correctional Center. They’ve got a writing circle for you too – find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners Approve Tornado Emergency Declaration and PUD Amendment

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners met on May 29th.

The first proposal on the agenda was for the ratification of a local disaster emergency declaration. This is the first meeting following the tornado that hit Bloomington two weeks ago, and put into place the declaration signed by Commissioner Julie Thomas.

The board also voted on the approval of an agreement between the Indiana Healthcare Information

Commissioner Jody Madeira described the agreement as “incredibly valuable”. It passed unanimously.

Later in the meeting, Planning Department Associate Planner Anne Crecelius presented an amendment to the North Park Planned Unit Development.

She shared that the petitioner is Logan Land Development LLC and outlined where the development is located.

Crecelius gave background information on the North Park PUD and why the petitioners are asking for the amendment.

She said that the amendment would take the 19 sub-zoning areas and instead consolidate them into 5 more general zoning areas.

Commissioner Judy Madeira asked if Crecelius could explain what a conservation development area is for the publics’ understanding. Crecelius explained that it is a zoning area that focuses on conserving sensitive environments on the property.

Commissioner Lee Jones expressed her support for the amendment, saying that the P-U-D had long been

During public comment on the amendment, County Resident Seth Muchler spoke on the new justice center that would be a part of the future development. Muchler expressed concern that the future jail would be too far away for citizens to walk in to town and would require walking on dangerous roads.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the amendment to the North Park P-U-D.

The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on June 5th.

Monroe County Council Pauses Hiring Incentive Program, Approves Cost-of-Living Increase

The Monroe County Council met on May 27th. At the meeting they reviewed funding requests from various departments, evaluated readopting procedures for awarding community service grants, discussed pausing the Knowledge Skills and Abilities hiring procedures, and discussed the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment.

The meeting began with public comment. Community business owners spoke about the May 16th tornado’s impact and the support they need.

Owner of Economy Inn Jay Patel shared the extent of the recent tornado’s damage on his family’s business. He asked for help from the council and community in their efforts to recover.

Next, due to a lack of a unanimous vote when presented in the May 13th Council meeting, the request for approval of readopting procedures for citizen appointments to the Sophia Travis Committee required a second vote.

In a roll call vote, the approval of Ordinance 2025-14 passed with a majority 5-2 vote.

Tabled from the May 13th, 2025, Council meeting, the Council discussed a possible pausing of Knowledge Skills and Abilities, or K-S-A, hiring procedures so that department heads may no longer submit for consideration a request to hire applicants at the three or eight year salary level. Instead, all new hires would have to start at the base salary listed in the salary ordinance.

Prosecuting Attorney Erica Elephant asked the County Council to reconsider pausing the K-S-A procedures option for hiring employees as it has allowed her to effectively hire deputy prosecutors with relevant local experience.

In a roll call vote, Resolution 2025-24 passed with a majority 5-2 vote, signifying an official K-S-A procedure pause due to fiscal limitations by the state legislature.

Additionally tabled from the May 13th meeting, Council Administrator Kim Shell presented the fiscal impact of the proposed 2026 cost of living adjustment, also referred to as COLA.

Shell explained it is necessary to increase Monroe County Government employees’ salaries due to the rising cost-of-living.

Shell explained that the 3 percent increase was based on the presentation and determination of the Midwest Consumer Price Index.

Shell explained that with adjustments the step increase fiscal impact was estimated to be $813,32214.

The council voted in favor of the proposed Cost of Living Adjustment, three percent increase. Council members officially adjourned the meeting.

The next Monroe County Council meeting is scheduled for June 10th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, Annabelle Vosmeier, who is the guest curator for a new exhibit at the Monroe County History Center, joined our public affairs program BloomingOUT last Thursday. The exhibit highlights the 50th anniversary of the passage of Ordinance 75-67, Bloomington’s first Gay Rights Amendment. According to the history center, Vosmeier takes a deep look at the debate around the ordinance and the legal ramifications for the Human Rights Commission in Bloomington. Vosmeier is also the Human Rights Administrative Assistant for the City of Bloomington. We turn now to an excerpt from that conversation from BloomingOUT on the WFHB Local News.

Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington is a local non-profit hosting writing circles for people of all ages and genders. Their circles provide an opportunity for writers to share their work within a small group. Women Writing for (a) Change sees writing as a tool for personal growth and building community. That’s why some of their writing circles include local schools, and there’s even one for incarcerated individuals at the Monroe County Correctional Center. Creative Director Mary Beth O’Brien invites you to join a writing circle on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 29th, 2025.

In today’s broadcast, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with Christine Herring, executive director of PALS, about the recent tornado which took out their horse barn. More today’s feature report.

Also in the newscast, the Monroe County Election Board struck down vote centers in their latest meeting. That’s coming up next in your local headlines.

Monroe County Election Board Strikes Down Vote Centers in Split Vote

The Monroe County Election Board held a public hearing at their meeting on May 19th. The public hearing was the final opportunity for community members to give their input on the Vote Center Study Commission’s report.

Vote Center Study Committee Member Ami Gandhi started the public hearing by sharing that the committee believes that vote centers would help ensure fair and equal access to voting in the county.

Gandhi explained that the main purpose behind switching to a vote center model is to eliminate the confusion of having to find the right polling location.

Gandhi added that Monroe County’s current system of assigned polling locations can be confusing for residents who have moved here from other parts of the state since most counties in Indiana have moved to a Vote Center Model.

Gandhi said that the committee worked to ensure that all members of the community would have access to vote centers, for example Indiana University Students and citizens who live farther out in the county so they wouldn’t have to travel as far.

First to the podium to give public comment on Vote Centers was County Resident, Laramie Wilson, saying she is in support of vote centers. She shared that she has worked as a poll worker and has seen many voters get turned away because they were at the wrong poll site.

She also expressed concern about the staffing at the 29 proposed locations of the vote centers. She said that the poll sites need to be better staffed moving forward due to the increased amount of voters showing up.

County Commissioner Penny Githens gave public comment expressing her support for vote centers. Githens highlighted the fact that the majority of Indiana Counties have adopted Vote Centers.

Githens also addressed concerns about the costs associated with moving to vote centers saying that in the long term vote centers could save money.

Many other County Residents spoke in support of Vote Centers. To hear more, you can find the full meeting on CATS.

Also during public comment, County Resident Jack Schmidtt shared that they think the current model is working very well. He said he has worked as a poll worker and has seen many people not being able to find their polling location, however, he believes that it should not be made simpler for them.

Democratic Chair John Fernandez shared why he is in support of moving to a vote center model.

Republican Chair Danny Shields shared why he is not in support of vote centers.

For the Vote Center Report to be adopted it needed a unanimous vote from the Election Board. The vote did not pass, with County Clerk Nicole Browne and Democratic Chair John Fernandez voting yes, and Republican Chair Danny Shields voting no.

The Monroe County Election Board will meet again on June 5th.

MCPL Board Discusses ICE Procedures, Library Fees and Storage Space Concerns

The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees met on May 22nd. The meeting involved adjustments to the fee for non-resident subscription cards and dealing with a surplus of furniture.

During the Director’s Monthly Report, Library Director Grier Carson was asked by Board Member Kathy Loser if the library had procedures in place in the event that ICE agents entered the

When asked if the library would take an active stance in providing information regarding “Know Your Rights”, Carson explained that information would be provided upon request but would not be encouraged.

Continuing to the action items, Carson explained that an error had been made regarding calculations to the pricing of non-resident subscription cards and requested an updated fee. It was unanimously approved.

Director of Finance Gary Lettelleir laid out the issue of storage space, describing many items of surplus as “obsolete”. He asked the board to declare the list of items as surplus in order to be able to get rid of it.

The motion was passed with unanimous approval. The next meeting of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will be held on June 18th.

Feature Report:

On May 16th, an E-2 level tornado struck Bloomington causing significant damage, injuries and power outages. The storm impacted one place in particular – the People and Animals Learning Services, also known as PALS. PALS is a non-profit, equine assisted learning facility. The storm destroyed their horse barn and caused their services to be temporarily halted. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with Executive Director Christine Herring about the damage to the property, the condition of the horses and how the community can help following the storm. We turn to Babbitt for more.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.

In today’s broadcast, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that launches on Monday. More in today’s feature report.

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

But first, your local headlines:

MCCSC Staffing Cuts Prompt Community Pushback 

The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on May 20th. This followed the announcement that the school corporation would eliminate 61 non-classroom jobs partially resulting from budget cuts after the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 1 at the Statehouse. During public comment, Monroe County Education Association Board Member-elect Erich Nolan expressed concerns about the budget cuts and the announcement that the school corporation would eliminate non-classroom jobs.

Then, MCEA President Jenny Noble Kuchera brought up a petition urging the school corporation to adopt a policy clarifying which positions would be eliminated.

MCEA Board Member Angie Shelton also commented on the non-classroom layoffs saying these are important positions for the school system. She said she disagrees with the school corporation’s determination to layoff employees who don’t make as much money as classroom employees.

Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston said in her 2-year strategy update that the school system hopes to save around 7 million dollars per year through staff reductions and leaving vacant positions open.

To watch the full presentation, you can visit this link. The next M-C-C-S-C board meeting will take place on June 24th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that will launch on Monday, June 2nd. For more, we turn to WFHB News Correspondents Ella Cummings and Kade Young.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 27th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB’s Youth Radio covered The Mini Midwest Print Fest which took place on May 17th.

Also coming up in the next half hour, an interview with Alex Valdez of the Goat Conspiracy on Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council Votes Down $10 Million Convention Center Allocation Amid Confusion Over Project Finances

The Bloomington City Council met on May 21st. The city council heard an ordinance to appropriate 10 million dollars worth of Food and Beverage Tax Funds to the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board. Controller Jessica McClellan asked that the council not pass the appropriation ordinance saying the money isn’t actually needed for now.

Council Member Isak Asare asked for clarification on the money the city owes to architect Schmidt Associates on a purchase order for work on the Convention Center. According to the city council packet, the money owed for the purchase order was 9.8 million dollars. McClellan said this was an error and that the amount was less than the 9.8 million presented.

During public comment on the appropriations ordinance, local resident Kevin Keough pointed out that the original purchase order was 4.1 million dollars. He said the city owes Schmidt Associates a little over 2 million dollars. Keough expressed concerns over this discrepancy.

Council Member Dave Rollo asked if Controller McClellan would respond to Mr. Keough’s comment clarifying the numbers of the open purchase order. McClellan said that she doesn’t have a comment and would need to check the numbers.

Council Member Asare responded to Mr. Keough’s comment saying that he wished the council and staff noticed the discrepancy earlier.

Council President Hopi Stosberg urged members of the public to attend the meetings of the Capital Improvement Board for more information on the Convention Center happenings in the future.

Council Member Piedmont Smith said she’s glad the controller asked to vote this initiative down.

The council voted 0-7 on the appropriations ordinance striking it down unanimously.

The next regular session of the Bloomington City Council will take place on June 5th.

Feature Reports:

On May 17th, 2025 a parking lot in downtown Bloomington was transformed into a printmaking festival. Organized by Badknees and Hideout Press, The Mini Midwest Print Fest invited printmakers from all over the Midwest to share their work. Youth Radio News Correspondent Shefar Rafiul attended the event to talk with the artists and organizers about different printmaking techniques.

Up next, an interview with Alex Valdez of the Goat Conspiracy on 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.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 21st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB News continues its series on teen mental health on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Top Five on the Bottom” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re looking into the rising concern of declining teen mental health.

One resource in Bloomington we don’t often associate with mental health is the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. The department is making an effort during Mental Awareness Month to inform residents about their programming and the benefits it can provide them with.

We spoke with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator. Drake’s background is in nutrition and dietetics, but she gained experience working with mental illnesses at Riley’s Children Hospital in Indianapolis.nDrake said that while getting out in nature won’t solve mental health issues – there are benefits to the outdoors on one’s mental well being.

You’ve been listening to Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We are going to keep diving into Teen Mental Health and looking at a local level of how the younger generations are doing here in Monroe County. To read the full article, written by Becky Hill; and photographed by Benedict Jones, visit LimestonePostMagazine.com.

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

Credits: