This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 4th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich, speaks with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News covers the latest meetings of the Monroe County Zoning Appeals Board and the Ellettsville Town Council.

More coming up next in your daily headlines:

Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals Postpones Vote on South Shady Side Drive Variance Requests After Lengthy Hearing

The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals met on August 25th. The board heard from the Huff Revocable Trust for 10 variance requests on their property located on South Shady Side Drive. Some of the variance requests were for accessible dwelling units, new roads, and slope encroachments among others. Nearby residents expressed opposition to the variance requests.

Assistant Director of Planning Tammy Behrman gave background information on the area of proposed development. She shared staff recommendations on the variances. Huff Legal Representative Todd Borgman explained what the purpose of the variances are for. In his view, Borgman said the widening of the roads is a safety issue.

In support of the variances, Nearby Resident Lynn Rogers said that she felt that Joe Huff has been cooperative and has taken her preferences into consideration.

During public comment on the variances, Nearby Resident Michael Cain spoke against the development and said they have engaged in litigation against the petitioner in the past.

Also in opposition to the petition, was Mark Gallhousen who said he has lived on the road for forty years.

The board voted on some of the variances. The board voted to postpone the other variances due to the time constraints as the meeting had gone past 9 p.m. The meeting was 4 hours and 14 minutes long. The full meeting is available on CATS. The board will continue to discuss the variances at a future meeting. The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals will meet again on September 18th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich, speaks with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds. This is Part II of that interview, which previously aired on our environmental program, Eco Report. That interview is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

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

In today’s newscast, WFHB News speaks with Sheriff Ruben Marté. He discusses updates on his administration and provides a progress report on his reelection campaign as Monroe County Sheriff. More from the hosts of Bring It On in today’s feature report.

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

But first, your local headlines:

MCCSC Projects Future Deficit Amid Funding Cuts and Enrollment Decline

The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met on August 26th. During public comment, President of the Monroe County Education Association Jenny Noble-Kuchera said that the teachers union will begin collective bargaining next month. This comes in the wake of funding cuts for public schools at the state level.

Next, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Alexis Harmon presented instructional materials related to human sexuality. Harmon noted that according to a new law passed in the Statehouse, all public school districts need to post an online list of materials they use to teach about human sexuality.

The board approved the motion unanimously. Then, Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston went over the school corporation’s 2-year budget. She said the school district needs to factor in population decline, a reduction in state and federal funding – all the while trying to manage expenses.

Winston went on to measure the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1 in the Statehouse, which reduced property tax revenue for schools.

Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin projected that MCCSC will face a deficit in the future based on their current financial trajectory. Irwin says this is still a problem despite cost cutting efforts the school district has enacted.

To cut costs, the school corporation has already eliminated 61 non-classroom jobs, consolidated positions and natural attrition. The next MCCSC Board of Trustees meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on September 23rd.

Bloomington Board Approves Deed Restriction Following Soil Contamination Findings

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 26th. City Legal, Chris Wheeler, asked the board to approve an environmental deed restriction on a property located on West Fountain Drive and 8th Street.

Board Member James Roach asked for more information on the environmental issues on the property. Bloomington Utilities Director Katherine Zaiger responded that they found three harmful chemicals in the soil.

The board approved the deed restriction unanimously. Later in the meeting the board heard an update from Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh on the City Wide Fiber Project.

The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on September 9th.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Bring It On! – Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community. In this episode, hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell speak with Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté. He discusses updates on his administration and provides a progress report on his reelection campaign as Monroe County Sheriff. You can hear the full episode online here or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Up next, “Selling Snake Oil” 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, September 2nd, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we have coverage from yesterday’s Workers Over Billionaires protest on the Monroe County Courthouse square. 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.

Featured Segments:

On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered for the Workers Over Billionaires protest – a nationwide campaign focused on income inequality and the “billionaire takeover” of the U.S. government. The local chapter of the 50501 Movement organized the protest, a group that has formed in reaction to the current presidential administration. WFHB News attended the protest and spoke with organizers and community members about what the protest means to them. We turn now to that report on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That segment is coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 27th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we share a segment from Bring It On! where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk with leaders of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the African American Arts Institute at IU Bloomington. More in today’s feature report.

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

But first, your local headlines:

Board of Health Finalizes Public Comment Policy, Discusses Stricter Eligibility Rules

The Monroe County Board of Health met on Thursday, August 21st. The meeting began with board members finalizing legislation for the public comment policy. Chairperson Aurora DiOrio explained the new policy.

Then, Manager of Coordinated School Health, Lisa Greathouse, for I-U Health Bloomington Hospital, presented her departmental update. She explained the progress her department has made in order to meet their goals within the schools.

Health Administrator Lori Kelly went on to discuss how Monroe County’s funded Health First programs have implemented stricter eligibility requirements. The board members expressed their frustration with this new Indiana law that resulted in two individuals being turned away from county resources due to their documentation and citizenship status.

Chairperson DiOrio explained a new decision from I-U Health that will shift the responsibilities of communicable disease case investigation, TB followup, and vaccinations to the Monroe County Board of Health. She elaborated that IU Health has terminated this contract with Monroe County as of January first. The Board of Health will now retain the funds that were previously provided to IU Health and carry out these responsibilities.

The meeting wrapped up with a comment on the fluoride in the county’s water. Chairperson Stephen Pritchard, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, presented concern that the fluoride equipment has been malfunctioning for a number of years. He expressed how he believes this is a problem that could be related to an increase in tooth decay. The Board voted unanimously to invite individuals from the City of Bloomington Utilities to provide information on this topic and open discussion. The Board subsequently adjourned the meeting. The next Board of Health meeting will take place on Thursday, September 18th.

Justice Center Reopens After Mold Repair and Ongoing Testing

The Monroe County Commissioners met on August 21st. Health Department Director Lori Kelley issued an update for the Department, reporting more than 10 cases of infant deaths due to unsafe sleep across the state.

An agreement between the Monroe County Women’s Commission and the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering was accepted in order to provide middle-schoolers with a camp that would allow students to develop website design and STEM skills. County Attorney Molly Turner-King provided the details.

Finally, during announcements, Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie described the current conditions at the Justice Center, which she said resulted in the accumulation of mold and fungal spores.

The Justice Center closed on Tuesday and re-opened on Thursday after the conclusion of disruptive mold

The Monroe County Commissioners next meet on August 28th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, we share a segment from Bring It On! where hosts Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell talk with leaders of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the African American Arts Institute at IU Bloomington. The discussion focuses on the history of these institutions and the upcoming performances and events that showcase African American music, dance and culture. We turn to that segment from Bring It On on the WFHB Local News.

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 25th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with attendees and various organizations about what pride means to them. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear Suzanne Allen with a success story from IU Corps, the bridge between local organizations needing volunteers and students who want to help. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Featured Segments:

Up next, WFHB Correspondent Zoe Moczek reports on an Indiana prison that will hold 1,000 undocumented immigrants under state partnership with ICE. For more, we turn to Zoe Moczek.

On Saturday, Kirkwood Avenue was blocked off in downtown Bloomington for the 11th annual Pridefest. This festival brought out thousands of people celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and the fight for liberation. WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with various groups and attendees about what pride means to them. We turn now to that series of interviews on WFHB.

Now it’s time for your Sports News Briefing with WFHB Sports Correspondent Nate Rushemeza. This segment was written and recorded on Thursday, August 21st. We turn to Rushemeza for more.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 21st, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Art Walk – where Youth Radio reporters visit local galleries to talk with artists and art lovers.

Featured Segments:

In today’s feature report, we have an archived edition of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County and WFHB. This month, Civic Conversations welcomed Indiana University Professor Jeffrey Isaac. Isaac is the James H. Rudy Professor of Political Science and served as editor in chief for Perspectives on Politics, a flagship journal of the American Political Science Association, from 2009 to 2017. In 2017, he was awarded the APSA’s Frank J. Goodnow Award for Distinguished Public Service.

In the podcast, Isaac defines extremism and how it works within government. Extremism, Isaac says, is used to quiet political debates, and it is much more than a Democratic versus Republican divide; it is really an anti-system party divide that is hostile to liberal Democracy. According to Isaac, changing demographics and technological change have contributed to the increase in insecurity and suspicion of our government. We turn now to that archived edition of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 20th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Indiana University has ordered the Palestine Solidarity Committee to cease and desist all activities while under investigation for allegedly violating student code. Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with co-founder of the PSC Bryce Greene. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council Committee Weighs Time Limits on Reports

The Bloomington City Council held a Committee on Council Processes meeting on August 11th. The committee discussed introducing a 5-minute time limit for each presentation during reports for regular council meetings. The hope being, that by establishing a time limit for reports, that the overall time spent in city council meetings would be reduced.

Council Members Matt Flaherty, Council Administrator and Attorney Lisa Lehner, and Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith discussed if the time limit would change depending on how many reports were being given that night. Lehner asked for the limits to be applied in a uniform fashion.

Ultimately, the committee decided to officially vote on the matter in the next council meeting. The topic of consent agendas was also discussed. Consent agendas allow multiple agenda items to be passed at once, if they are routine and the council does not expect a need to deliberate them.

The next Council Processes meeting will take place on September 8th.

Feature Reports:

Indiana University has directed the Palestine Solidarity Committee to halt all activities while the group is under investigation for alleged student code violations. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Ella Cummings speaks with Bryce Greene, co-founder of the Palestine Solidarity Committee and organizer with the IU Divestment Coalition. We turn now to Ella Cummings.

IU has also placed sanctions on Professor Benjamin Robinson for allegedly violating Indiana’s recently passed intellectual diversity law. This came after Robinson received a complaint filed in November accusing him of using class time to criticize the university’s free speech policies and Israel, according to Indiana Public Media. WFHB News Correspondent Max Schneider interviewed Robinson in June of this year. We now revisit a portion of that story on the WFHB Local News.

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. Crystal Ritter from City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Shelby VanDerMoere from the Bloomington Fire Department participated in a popular impact training called Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County. Their group wanted to do something to help the unhoused. They discovered that frontline workers in downtown Bloomington don’t really get any kind of training on managing conflict with the local unhoused population. They produced a factfinding report and a de-escalation pamphlet, and soon, a de-escalation training video. They hope mediation techniques will reduce unneeded calls to 9-1-1. Link to the story here.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB’s Youth Radio brings you Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. In the final edition of the series, City Council Member Sydney Zulich joins the program to discuss civic engagement. 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 Board of Commissioners

The Monroe County Commissioners met on Thursday, August 14th. Health Department Director, Lori Kelley, asked the commissioners to approve a contract for the rental of an Ivy Tech classroom, to be used for Point of Dispensing training. Points of dispensing are locations used to dispense medications or other supplies during an emergency. President Julie Thomas emphasized the importance of this training.

The commissioners voted to approve the rental agreement.

Later on, Senior Planner Drew Myers from the Planning Department presented an ordinance surrounding the rezoning of a portion of land along Hunter Valley road, owned by Milestone Contractors in order to add a historic preservation overlay. This land occupies about 11 acres, and would be used to exhibit historic quarry landscape. President Thomas thanked the petitioner, Packing House Road LLC, for their work.

The Commissioners voted to approve the ordinance. President Thomas also made various announcements at the end of the meeting, including a shout out to the Monroe County Veterans Office and the Rural Housing Repair Program.

Commissioner Jody Madeira addressed a controversy surrounding a recently published Herald Times article in which residents claimed to have been displaced because of a donation of land to the Monroe County Nature Preserve.

The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, August 21st.

Ellettsville Town Council

The Ellettsville Town Council met on Monday, August 11th. Town Attorney Darla Brown explained the first reading of the meeting, which was an ordinance imposing a wheel tax and motor vehicle license excise tax.

The council deliberated on the necessity of the town adopting the wheel tax. They concluded that they need to pass it in order to receive the community crossing grant, which averages $250,000 a year. As a result, not passing it would result in the inability to repair the town’s roads. In relation to the adoption of the wheel tax, Council Member Scott Oldham criticized Senate Bill One, claiming that the fiscal cuts from the State have resulted in an increase of local taxes and layoffs.

Council Member William Ellis further commented on the adoption of the wheel tax, explaining that he is open to suggestions to alternative methods of funding the community crossing grant.

The town council wrapped up with Council Member Oldham thanking the supervisors for their efforts in the town council for the last 15 years. He explained that their efforts have made it possible for the town to stay afloat during fiscal challenges introduced by Senate Bill One. The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will take place on Monday, August 25th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB’s Youth Radio brings you 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 we continue the conversation with Council Member Sydney Zulich about civic engagement and the city government. We turn now to that segment from WFHB’s Youth Radio.

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.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 18th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, WFHB Correspondent Ella Cummings spoke with National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Hooper discussed an incident on Saturday where a group of armed neo-Nazis marched through downtown Indianapolis. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Emily Herr from the Bloomington Animal Shelter, which is currently overwhelmed with animals needing new homes. Find out how you can help later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Council Discusses Property Tax Changes, Jail Conditions and VA Clinic Plans

The Monroe County Council met on Tuesday, August 12th. The meeting began with discussions surrounding property tax levy limits and property tax caps. County Treasurer Cathy Smith explained that there will be changes to how the county is allowed to collect taxes. Smith said she expects this to be confusing for members of the public, and said she anticipates needing to set aside time to explain the changes to the taxpayers.

Council Member Marty Hawk explained the recent changes in the property tax caps and how it will affect both the public and the county.

Discussion moved to updates on the Monroe County Jail. American Civil Liberties Union, also referred to as ACLU, Attorney Kenneth Falk reiterated his view that the county jail needs to be rebuilt. He shared a summary of his history of involvement with the lawsuit against the jail’s condition.

Falk said that while he is not a fan of putting people in jail, he does recognize the need for humane conditions for those who are incarcerated.

He further elaborated that in his most recent visit to the facility, the jail looked good but the infrastructure was past its expiration date. Following Attorney Falk’s updates on the county jail, Council President Crossley questioned if the lawsuit will be extended. Faulk responded.

Then, Monroe County Veteran Service Officer and Director of Monroe County Veterans Affairs Steve Miller announced the opening of a new Veterans Affairs clinic that will replace two clinics that are in town at the moment.

The council then began discussion of Simtra BioPharma Solutions’ request for a tax abatement in connection with their plans to extend their operations in Bloomington. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented the deliberations the company has had with the county.

The County Council ended the meeting with councilmember updates and subsequently adjourned the meeting. The next Monroe County Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 13th.

Residents Raise Parking Concerns as Board of Public Works Extends Lane Closures

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 12th. The board approved lane closure extension requests on North Lincoln Street, East 19th Street, 17th Street, and North Washington Street.

Engineering Department Public Improvement Manager Maria McCormick presented the request.

During public comment on the lane closures, Resident Natasha Kim raised a concern over parking availability on the part of North Lincoln Street, saying their driveway access will be blocked off.

General Contract Developer for Wells and Wells Construction, Jesse Graber, responded to the public comment, and detailed the challenges regarding how the construction impacts driveway accessibility.

Graber said they will ensure that during those 24 hours of construction that there will be parking set aside a short walk from their house.

The board approved the lane closure extension requests unanimously.

The Bloomington Board of Public Works will next meet on August 26th.

Feature Report:

Emily Herr says animal welfare in our country is in crisis. Economic challenges are making it harder to afford pet food and veterinary care, and housing scarcity means fewer rentals that accept tenants with pets. The Bloomington Animal Shelter is constantly overwhelmed with animals needing new homes, and volunteers are crucial to carrying out shelter operations. Find out how you can help 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, August 14th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Youth Radio’s Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month WFHB interviewed Medicare for All Indiana co-founder Dr. Rob Stone to talk about the effects of the Medicaid cuts that have passed at the state and federal levels. This will impact Hoosiers throughout the state and is likely to cause the closure of many small town and rural hospitals. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits: