WFHB Local News

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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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026.

In today’s broadcast, WFHB News hits the streets of Bloomington to ask residents what issues matter most to them. Hear more from your fellow community members in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Volunteer Connection, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington. But first, your local headlines:

Mayor Thomson vetoes Kirkwood Avenue closure ordinance

By Kade Young

Mayor Kerry Thomson vetoed a city council ordinance that would close Kirkwood Avenue to vehicular traffic on a seasonal basis.

The mayor put out a news release on Monday evening, announcing her decision. She called for a broader community plan for a more “pedestrian-friendly” Kirkwood; however, she argued the ordinance committed the city to a long-term closure without the fiscal analysis and community consensus necessary to carry it out.

Ordinance 2026-12 passed in the city council by a narrow 5-4 vote on June 10th. During that city council meeting, Council Member Hopi Stosberg expressed concerns that additional planning and investment are needed before making the closure permanent.

“I don’t think what we have right now on Kirkwood spells success for a closure to vehicular traffic,” said Stosberg.

During that same city council meeting, Resident Zach Ammerman supported pedestrianizing Kirkwood.

“Bloomington has every structural advantage research identifies for implementing a successful pedestrian program. The one ingredient we are missing is political will and vision,” said Ammerman.

Mayor Thomson hosted a listening session last Tuesday regarding the future of Kirkwood Avenue following the council vote. Several speakers brought up accessibility concerns for elderly residents or people with disabilities. Charlie Davis, who is blind, said accessibility issues have not received enough attention in the conversation about Kirkwood.

“How is this not reducing or limiting accessibility?” asked Davis. “I just haven’t heard this discussion at all…it makes me feel invisible.”

Mark Lockley, a real estate developer, said he doesn’t believe the decision to close off Kirkwood to cars is well thought out.

“There are more important questions that still need answers,” said Lockley. “How will businesses not located on Kirkwood compete if they don’t have outdoor seating? Where will customers park? How far would those people have to walk? And what will be the economic impact of permanently eliminating almost 100 if not more than 100 parking spaces?”

Not everyone in the listening session opposed the idea of closing traffic downtown. One resident said the city could afford to dedicate a small portion of the street to pedestrians.

“Mayor Thomson, I’ve heard you mentioned multiple times about how you’d like to bring more young professionals into Bloomington. A car-free street is exactly the sort of thing that attracts more young professionals to it to a city,” he said.

Resident Mitchell Farmer says the debate shouldn’t be limited to whether the street is open or closed. In his view, the city should focus on long-term investment.

“Any plan like this only works with infrastructure and investment, so it needs a plan,” said Farmer. “Bloomington summers are not the way that they were… we are increasingly becoming a resort town for the university.”

Community member Alex York says he’s a young professional with children. He says his family enjoys when Kirkwood Avenue is closed off to cars.

“When the street is closed, I am much more likely to bring my family there. I am much more likely to be there. I feel like my children are safer. We visit the businesses there more often,” said York.

York also mentioned climate change saying the closure allows Kirkwood to become less car-dependent.

“We need our communities to be more sustainable, which means denser, which means more walkable, less car dependent, and that is difficult,” said York. “There’s no one project in Bloomington that accomplishes that goal, but this project would go a long way towards that goal.”

The mayor’s veto means the council will revisit the ordinance on July 22nd following its summer recess.

Housing advocates urge delay as CIB advances hotel process

By Kade Young

The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board met last Wednesday and laid out a plan that could select a hotel developer recommendation by its July 15th meeting.

Housing advocates urged the board to delay the process and pursue an alternative hotel site. The CIB seeks a developer for a convention center hotel that would likely require acquiring Seminary Pointe. Seminary Pointe is a block of affordable housing and commercial property near Kroger and adjacent to the new Hopewell development.

Local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All has proposed preserving seminary Pointe and instead use the College Square site for the hotel. However, the CIB signaled they will move ahead with a tightened schedule that could produce a host hotel recommendation within weeks.

During the meeting, board president John Whikehart spells out the timeline that could lead to a hotel developer recommendation by mid-July.

“The hotel evaluation group will be reassembled to review all the information submitted in the RFPs, to review the information from the interviews, and to come back to us at our regular meeting on July 15 with a recommendation on a hotelier at that time,” said Whikehart.

Meanwhile, the local activist group Bloomington Homes for All urged the CIB to pump the brakes on the hotel selection process. Organizer Bryce Greene says this would give the CIB more time to make an arrangement with the city’s redevelopment commission to consider a “land swap” for the College Square property. Greene says this would open the door to preserve Seminary Pointe.

“Delaying the decision on whether or not to move forward with some development on the RDC or on Seminary Pointe would be worthwhile for everyone involved,” said Greene.

Greene says circumstances have changed and the board should revisit the College Square property as an alternative site for convention center expansion.

“I believe that the RDC is open to a deal. We have been interfacing within Bloomington Homes for All about a proposed redevelopment project at Seminary Pointe that involves preserving these affordable housing units and this affordable business space,” he said.

Matthew Joseph, business representative for Homes for All, asked the board to submit a proposal to the RDC for College Square. He says Homes for All has financing lined up to preserve Seminary Pointe.

“We have a 25 page business plan about how we’re going to do this, as well as a built-out pro forma reviewed by interested lenders for how Seminary Pointe can not only be retained but also flourish with the necessary renovations and maintaining the super-affordability of it,” said Joseph.

In Joseph’s view, the College Square site is a better location for a convention center hotel.

“The research is clear that the closer a hotel is to a convention center, the more successful the convention center is,” he said.

The CIB now has a public offering of the College Square site with responses to the requests for proposals due on June 30th.

Homes for All members presented a plan for the future of Seminary Pointe on Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library. Visit this link to hear coverage of that presentation during yesterday’s local newscast.

Ellettsville–Richland reorganization headed to November ballot

By Dave Askins

The proposed reorganization of Richland Township and the Town of Ellettsville will now go to voters in November, after the Richland Township board and Ellettsville town council each voted Monday night to put the question on the ballot.

The one vote of dissent came from township board member David Willibey, who said, “The majority of the people I’ve talked to are against it, so therefore I say no.”

The separate votes came after the second of two public hearings required under Indiana state law. The first hearing was held June 10, and the second took place Monday, June 22.

The proposal, if approved by voters, would dissolve Richland Township government and consolidate its functions into a reorganized Town of Ellettsville. The new municipal government would cover both the existing town limits and the unincorporated parts of Richland Township.

Under the plan, the reorganized town would have a seven-member town council, with five district seats and two at-large seats. The government would also include two primary taxing districts: an urban district, roughly corresponding to the current town boundaries; and a rural district covering the rest of Richland Township.

Supporters of the move say it’s needed in order to protect essential public services, preserve local identity, and create a more efficient and sustainable structure for future growth for the entire township. That comes against the backdrop of fiscal pressure from SEA 1 and a concern that the state legislature wants eventually to completely eliminate township government.

President of the Ellettsville Town Council, Scott Oldham, exhorted voters to get their questions answered before Nov. 3, and not to rely on mere rumors:

This is a significant vote. I would encourage everyone to ask the questions you need to find out the answers for yourself. Don’t just believe everything that’s floating around, because there’s a lot of misinformation, both pro and con, out there. This shapes this town’s future. This shapes this township’s future, so let’s all try and get it as absolutely right as we can, and not just believe a rumor of a rumor of a rumor of a rumor.

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: “Ellettsville–Richland reorganization headed to November ballot.” 

Featured Segments:

WFHB News Correspondents Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde took to the streets of Kirkwood and asked residents: What should Bloomington’s top priority be right now? And other questions over residents’ opinions on the current state of the city.

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 Zoe Moczek for more.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 22nd, 2026.

In today’s newscast, local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All presented a plan on Saturday to preserve affordable housing and commercial spaces at Seminary Pointe. More from that presentation in today’s headlines.

You’ll also hear Carrie McHaley from Bloomington Meals on Wheels, with the amazing story of a food delivery that went way beyond a hot meal. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

Featured Segments:

Local advocacy group Bloomington Homes for All presented a plan to preserve affordable housing and commercial spaces at Seminary Pointe at noon on Saturday at the Monroe County Public Library. The plan would transfer Seminary Pointe into community ownership through a partnership with the Avalon Community Land Trust. It would require collaboration between the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board and the city’s redevelopment commission, which are currently at odds over a potential land swap involving the convention center expansion. In today’s headlines, WFHB News features perspectives from local activists at the podium.

Given heightened awareness of data practices on digital platforms, WFHB News Correspondent Elena Bai uses a series of cases on mental health apps to explore broader issues around privacy in our healthcare system. Although Talkiatry LLC was not found guilty in this case, recent Supreme Court cases such as Charlie vs. US on digital privacy and data make this still relevant and important. We turn to Elena Bai for more.

The Bloomington chapter of Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound locals for over 50 years. Historically many of those clients are elderly – seniors who cannot shop or cook for themselves. But Meals on Wheels isn’t aged-based; they also serve people with a chronic illness or a disability or injury. Carrie McHaley is the executive director of Bloomington Meals on Wheels. She says the impact goes beyond nutrition – it’s about human connection. For some clients that volunteer bringing a hot meal might be the only person they see or talk to that day, and having someone checking on you might just save your life. Carrie has a great example of that 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 18th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News covers the aftermath of yesterday’s tornado.

Featured Segments:

(Photos by Ben Sharpe).

Last night, a strong tornado tore through the forest on the northern end of Monroe County across Interstate 69. WFHB news reporters Kade Young, Ben Sharpe, Jorge Casillas and Aidan Verde describe the aftermath, coming up next.

Up next, we have 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 Karen Palmer, adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, an independent health policy analyst, health systems researcher and consultant. Palmer says, “U.S. doctors are moving to Canada.” Learn more about Canadian healthcare on the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare.

A tornado swept through northern Monroe County last night, leaving behind downed trees, scattered structural damage and power outages across rural areas north of Bloomington. In light of yesterday’s storm, we rebroadcast a feature from WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe who speaks with IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick about Tornado Alley’s expansion into Indiana, and how to be prepared for severe weather. That’s coming up next on the local news.

Earlier today, WFHB News interns Aidan Verde, Jorge Casillas and Ben Sharpe attended an autograph signing with IU student-athletes at Merchant’s Bank of Indiana in downtown Bloomington. Coverage of that signing is coming up next on the local news.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 17th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Rick Seraphinoff, a local man who builds period-accurate reproductions of horns from hundreds of years ago. Head inside his workshop later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Movin’ But Not Groovin’” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

Featured Segments:

Mayor Kerry Thomson hosted a listening session on Tuesday regarding Kirkwood Avenue. This follows a recent vote by the Bloomington City Council, which would establish a seasonal closure of Kirkwood to vehicular traffic. The council ordinance narrowly passed by a 5-4 vote. It now awaits Thomson’s signature. Thomson was joined by City Councilmember Sydney Zulich to hear public opinion on the future of Kirkwood. Zulich was one of the council members to vote against the ordinance last Wednesday. Mayor Thomson has until June 26th to decide whether to approve or veto the council ordinance. To watch the full listening session, you can visit Community Access Television Services.

Let’s say you want a historically accurate reproduction of a classical music horn from 200 years ago. The ancestor of the modern French horn, known in the music world as “natural” horns. The kind Beethoven wrote music for. The guy you want for that job lives and works right here in Bloomington, Indiana. Richard Seraphinoff is a music professor who plays these period-correct instruments and also makes them by hand. Simply Google “natural horns” and Richard’s website will be very near the top of your search results. Rick and his wife Celeste are the power couple of the classical horn world. Correspondent Henry Holloway has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, “Movin’ But Not Groovin’” 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 16th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Tanner Terrell, a senior director at IU’s Walter Center for Career Achievement. Gen Z needs a job – is anyone listening? Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a new segment called Volunteer Connection – in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Featured Segments:

Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson gave updates and answered questions from local residents during a town hall last night at the Monroe County History Center. Mayor Thomson was joined by Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street to share more about city projects and initiatives. WFHB Correspondents Ben Sharpe and Jorge Casillas report on the mayor’s remarks as part of her traveling town hall series. That’s coming up next on the local news.

Chris Arsenault needs a job. This new IU grad is fresh out of college and…uhhh…it isn’t going well. Gen Z is navigating a historically tough entry-level job market, and we’re not sure Chris is ready. Over at the Indiana University Walter Center for Career Achievement, Tanner Terrell is offering sound advice, but is anyone listening? Correspondent Jack Hogan has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Construction has become a familiar sight along Kirkwood Avenue in recent months. WFHB News Correspondent Aidan Verde speaks with Bloomington residents about the ongoing work, outdoor dining and what they hope to see from Kirkwood in the future.

Up next, we have a new segment on the WFHB Local News in collaboration with the Bloomington Volunteer Network. We turn to Aubrey Seader and Kade Young for the segment, Volunteer Connection, highlighting volunteer opportunities in Bloomington.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 15th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll 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. Hear more later in the show in a feature report.

You’ll also hear from Greg Janowiak from the Community Bike Project, where you can earn a free bike by volunteering at this non-profit bike repair shop. Learn how bicycles are building community in Bloomington later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

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.

Monroe County takes a step towards the litigation route after the county council rejected the North Park Property as the location for a new county jail. The vote to reject North Park nearly guarantees lawsuits to be filed against Monroe County officials which would create a situation where the Monroe County taxpayer becomes the piggy bank to pay for legal fees. However, the approval of North Park would guarantee a price tag of approximately 100 million dollars to be placed upon taxpayers. In today’s feature report, WFHB correspondent Jorge Casillas speaks with activists and county officials to paint a picture over the current state of legal issues that have haunted Monroe County for 17 years.

Cicada Cinema is opening up a movie theater. For nearly a decade, Cicada has operated as a pop-up movie theater, screening an eclectic array of films. Now, the organization plans to open up a permanent movie theater in Bloomington’s near west side, and today they’re kicking off a fundraising campaign with a dollar-for-dollar match. WFHB speaks with Derek Navardauskas, programming chair of Cicada Cinema, coming up next on the local news.

When Greg Janowiak  moved to Bloomington in late 2024 he found connection in an unexpected place: a non-profit bike shop. The Bloomington Community Bike Project is a volunteer-run space where anyone can stop in, use professional tools, get help with repairs, and maybe even earn a free bike by volunteering. Greg says the group does more than fix flats; volunteers build relationships and sometimes help change the direction of someone’s life simply by showing up. Hear how a few hours in a bike shop can turn into real community 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 11th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Josh David, giving a tour of the Bloomington Community Orchard at their open house last night. Learn about this edible public park later in the show in a feature report.

For many Bloomington residents, the annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival is about more than dessert. The fundraiser helps support programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington. Correspondent Ben Sharpe has more in the bottom half of our program.

Election Board Refers Complaints Against Joe Davis to Prosecutor

The Monroe County Election Board met on June 4th and approved sending complaints against former clerk candidate Joe Davis to the county prosecutor for further investigation. This comes after allegations that Davis violated state election laws. County attorney Molly Turner King walked through a summary of the first complaint against Davis.

Former election supervisor Karen Wheeler provided testimony to the board, saying she observed Davis throughout early voting.

Wheeler continued to explain why she believed Davis’ conduct was problematic.

Election Supervisor Kylie Farris described multiple attempts by election officials to address the situation.

Local resident Carol McGarry, who filed the second complaint, said Davis approached her after she exited her car. She said she kept telling him she didn’t want to talk while walking to vote early.

Wheeler said she believed Davis’ demeanor was misleading and “bizarre” – not emblematic of how Monroe County candidates should behave during elections.

Then, Joe Davis had the opportunity to defend himself. Davis argued he wasn’t acting improperly with voters, he was cleaning the area.

Davis said it was alleged that he violated several rules during the election cycle.

Davis then defended his title of “jurist at law.”

Republican Chair Danny Shields explained the board isn’t deciding whether Davis is guilty.

The board approved sending the complaints to the prosecutor in two unanimous votes. The next meeting of the Monroe County Election Board will take place on July 2nd.

Featured Segments:

Summer in Bloomington means a bountiful harvest at the Bloomington Community Orchard – our town’s edible park. Volunteers are hosting weekly Work and Learn Days every Wednesday evening, so WFHB went on-location last night to learn more. We found out it’s not just about harvesting produce – it’s also about growing community. Correspondent Hunter Drummond has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Local residents turned out to Switchyard Park today for Bloomington’s annual Strawberry Shortcake Festival. The event raises money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington while serving up a summertime favorite. WFHB News Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with attendees and organizers.

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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 10th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear from Amy Gaffney, an expert in helping neurodivergent students improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. Meet Bloomington educators working to normalize neurodiversity later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Scams Busting Out All Over” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

By Dave Askins

A new Indiana law (SB 285) that takes effect July 1, will make it illegal to camp, sleep or live for an extended time on land owned by the state or a local government, unless the land has been set aside for that purpose.

With a month to go before the law takes effect, Monroe County commissioners last Thursday (June 4) took formal action to strike a clause from their existing policy on responding to homeless encampments, which says they’ll give 30 days notice to residents before removing them. The resolution enacting the new policy says the 30-day prior notice has been made “irrelevant” by SB 285.

The law does not require police to arrest someone the first time they are found sleeping or camping on public land. First, an officer has to decide whether the person should be taken for emergency mental health care under Indiana law. If that applies, the officer is supposed to use that process instead.

If emergency detention does not apply, the officer is supposed to give the person a warning and information about places where shelter or services are available.

A person can be charged with a crime only after that warning has been given, at least 48 hours have passed, and the person is still camping, sleeping or living on public land within 300 feet of the place where the warning was issued. The offense is called “street camping” and is a Class C misdemeanor.

The law also limits what local governments can do. Cities, towns and counties may not adopt policies that bar or discourage enforcement of laws against public camping, sleeping or blocking sidewalks.

Last Thursday, county attorney Jeff Cockerill told commissioners the new state statute requires local law enforcement to act when people are sleeping on public property without authorization, and bars local policies that could be interpreted as limiting that authority. The 30-day notice had to be eliminated, because of that, according to Cockerill.

Cockerill contended that the county’s policy has not changed: When a camp removal is initiated by county government, commissioners intend to give as much notice as possible and still views 30 days as the goal. But he said they can no longer guarantee that in writing without risking conflict with state law.

Commissioner Jody Madeira used the vote to deliver a blunt critique of the statute, fighting back tears to frame it as criminalizing poverty and shifting costs onto local governments without new resources for housing or services:

I think we have an obligation to protect public spaces and the quality of life for all residents. We also have an obligation to say really clearly that homelessness isn’t solved by pushing people from one place to another, and poverty shouldn’t become a pathway into the criminal legal system. People don’t have to sleep outside because it’s easy, they sleep outside because they run out of options, because housing is too expensive, shelter is unavailable and unsuitable, and treatment is hard to access, and the safety net has failed them.

Madeira called the state’s approach “horrible” and “a double cruelty,” adding that “criminal penalties are not housing policy.” That was an allusion to the title of SB 285, which was “Housing Matters.”

Commissioner Julie Thomas echoed the criticism, describing the statute as “another unfunded mandate from the state of Indiana” that doesn’t solve anything.

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: “Monroe County revises 30-day notice policy ahead of July 1 ‘street camping’ law.”

Featured Segments:

“Neurodivergent” is an umbrella term covering a variety of individuals whose brains process, learn, and experience the world differently than most. This includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia and even Tourette’s. Here in Bloomington two local educators are applying innovative methods to help neurodivergent students improve their learning systems and advocate for themselves. Correspondent Thomas Nicholson has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, we have today’s Statehouse Roundup – a rundown on Indiana news and politics on the WFHB Local News. Indiana’s Secretary of State race is facing new controversy, a former Indiana congressman has received a presidential pardon, and the Chicago Bears are taking another step toward a possible move to Northwest Indiana. Correspondent Max Schneider has those stories and more in today’s Statehouse Roundup.

With the Indiana Wrestling season at its end, head coach Angel Escobedo and former IU wrestler Jacob Moran speak with WFHB Sports Correspondent Aidan Verde on how wrestling has impacted their lives and how the IU wrestling program will continue to grow within a loaded Big 10 conference.

Up next, “Scams Busting Out All Over” 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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