This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 15th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Civic Conversations - our podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.

Today’s episode covers tribalism with Professor of Political Science Marjorie Hershey at Indiana University. More coming up in today’s feature reports.

Photo courtesy of Indiana University.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana lawmakers voted to override Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto on emergency powers. It could lead to a court battle between legislators and the governor’s office.

Credits

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News

Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Jim Allison.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

Welcome to the April edition of Civic Conversations - a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters.

Our episode today revolves around tribalism. Our guest, Marjorie Hershey, professor of political science at Indiana University, walks through the issue of tribalism with our host, Jim Allison.

According to her university bio, Professor Hershey's research and teaching interests focus on political parties, campaigns, and elections.

She has published three works, including a widely-used textbook, Party Politics in America, which is now in its 18th edition.

Photo courtesy of Indiana University.

Civic Conversations airs on the third Thursday of each month on the WFHB Local News.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, citizen-led organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all citizens in the decisions that impact their lives.

You can find this program online and wherever you get your podcasts.

Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 14th, 2021.

Later in the program, we report on Indiana University being awarded $8 million to host a competition aimed to develop better technology to track first responders.

WFHB News spoke with David Wild, a professor in the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering and Director of the Crisis Technologies Innovation Lab.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish.

But first, your local news brief:

The 85-room Wingate hotel on North Walnut Street, near the 45-46 bypass will be converted into an 85-unit micro-apartment complex.

The Bloomington Plan Commission approved the proposal earlier this week. The eighty-five new apartments will be rented at market rate.

While the sheer size of the micro-apartments is expected to make them rent for less than the standard studio apartment in Bloomington, the lack of units expressly carved out for individuals without housing or living in poverty is an expected disappointment for local housing activists.

It’s morel mushroom season here in south central Indiana, which means that foragers are scouring the forest for the local delicacy, which tends to grow near dead or dying trees.

While the mushrooms may evoke memories of a sweet smelling buttery saute, foragers should be aware that the City of Bloomington recently sprayed the forest around Griffy Lake with the toxic pesticides, ecozampyr and glyphosate.

The pesticides are very toxic and can be easily ingested by consuming morels that were incidentally sprayed. Before you forage this year, check to see whether the area you’re in is free from pesticides or other harmful contaminants.

You may have noticed new construction near the B-line bridge which passes over Grimes Lane. The construction marks the groundbreaking of the next location of the New Hope For Families emergency shelter for families without access to housing.

The new facility will be able to serve twelve families instead of the current seven family limit. There will also be an early childhood care center and educational programming building which will have the capacity to serve 48 children.

That’s a threefold increase from New Hope’s current capacity.

ISDH Pauses Its Use of the One-Shot Johnson and Johnson Vaccine

The Indiana State Department of Health temporarily halted its use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they will review six reported cases of a rare blood clot found in recipients of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

In a news conference on Wednesday, Indiana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver, addressed the halt of the single-dose vaccine in Indiana.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was scheduled to host a mass vaccination site using only the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Now, after the pause, the state health department will primarily use the two-shot Moderna vaccine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway site.

Dr. Weaver stated those who have scheduled their appointments for the one-shot dose will now have to make a second appointment for the Moderna follow-up dose.

As for other clinics in Indiana who were offering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, they will follow the same course of action as the Speedway.

Weaver addressed those who have already received the one-shot vaccine during the press conference.

Dr. Weaver says, to her knowledge, none of the blood-clot cases were reported in Indiana. She recommended those who have an appointment at the Indi...

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 13th, 2021.

Later in the program, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for the second part of an interview with Jonah Furman on Covid-19 outbreaks at Bloomington's Catalant Covid-19 Vaccine Factory. Stay tuned to hear the interview in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Artbeat - a segment spotlighting artists, activists and educators about their work. More at the bottom half of the show.

But first, your local news brief:

The WFHB Local News Brief breaks down the daily local news cycle into 2-3 minutes of what you need to know each day. Listen live Monday through Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio. Visual broadcasts of the news briefs are available on our Youtube channel, WFHB-TV.

Covid-19 cases continue to trend upwards in Indiana. On Tuesday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported 970 new positive cases.

The state health department also announced 16 new deaths. The 7-day positivity rate currently stands at 12.9 percent. Since March of last year, ISDH accounted for almost 700,000 total Covid-19 cases with over 12,700 total deaths.

***

In a COVID-19 Press Conference, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton confirmed 5 new positive cases among City employees in the last few weeks.

Nearly 10 percent of the city’s workforce has tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to Mayor Hamilton. The City offers a 100 dollar wellness benefit for employees who have received their COVID-19 vaccines.

Last week, the Bloomington Solid Waste Management districts approved a similar wellness benefit, giving its employees a 100 dollar bonus for getting their COVID-19 vaccines. Governor Holcomb reiterated how important the vaccines will be to ending the pandemic.

All Hoosiers ages 16 and older can sign up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. You can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

***

Indiana will be following national guidelines and temporarily suspending use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Indiana Department of Health is working with providers of the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to make sure they have an adequate supply of the two-shot Moderna vaccine, so that Hoosiers who have appointments can still start their vaccines.

Weekly COVID-19 Press Conference

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported two new positive COVID-19 cases among city employees at the April 9th COVID-19 press conference. He expressed concern over Indiana's rising COVID-19 numbers.

Indiana University Assistant Vice President Kirk White emphasized how important it is that Hoosiers who make new vaccine appointments cancel their original. He said this will reduce the amount of wasted vaccines.

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the health department will share statistics on COVID-19 variants in Monroe County when they receive that information from the State.

Bloomington Plan Commission

The Bloomington Plan Commission discussed turning a downtown hotel into apartments. At the April 12th meeting, Zoning and Long Ranger Planner Keegan Gulick petitioned for the conversion of the Wingate and Wyndham hotel into an apartment complex. He said all 85 hotel rooms would be converted into individual apartments. Architect Gene Goldstein clarified the apartments would be smaller than one bedroom apartments.

Commissioner Beth Cate asked for the planned cost of rent.

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 12th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a weekly segment where Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues.

Today, Jake Jacobson, our new assistant news director, interviews Director of Public Engagement Mary Catherine Carmichael. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, a bill that places further restrictions on rioting and property damage passed the Statehouse last week. More in today’s legislative update.

But first, your local news brief:

Photo courtesy of CT Mirror.

Covid-19 numbers continue to trend upwards in Indiana and across the U.S. April has seen Indiana averaging about 1,000 cases per day.

That’s according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Today, the state’s moving average is just shy of 1,150. Over 900 Indiana residents are currently hospitalized with complications related to Covid-19. That’s the most since February.

While Covid-19 related deaths are relatively low right now, in the single digits, past trends suggest that in a couple weeks or so, deaths could rise to 20 to 25 per day.

Many health experts are calling this the beginning of the fourth wave of the pandemic. The fourth wave appears to be fueled by new more contagious and more deadly strains.

While the State of Indiana has lifted its Covid-19 safety precautions, Monroe County recently announced that it will impose a public mask mandate, limitations on bars and restaurants, and limits on gathering sizes until at least May 28th.

Almost 1.5 million Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated so far, another two million people have received the first dose of either Moderna or Pfizer.

About half of Indiana’s population has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. About 1,800 Monroe County residents are getting vaccinated everyday on average.

About one-fifth of the county has received at least one dose. About 35 Monroe County residents are testing positive for Covid-19, on average at this point.

Monroe County Solid Waste Management 

The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District considered an employee COVID-19 vaccine benefit. Board member Isabel Piedmont-Smith proposed the resolution during their April 8th meeting.

Piedmont-Smith stated employees who proved their vaccination status would receive one hundred dollars. Tom McGlasson said the program was modeled after the City of Bloomington. Board member Penny Githens questioned Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton about employee interest.

Hamilton stated half of the city benefit was covered by their insurance provider. Board members unanimously approved the benefit. Piedmont-Smith stated employees must provide proof before October first.

Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals 

Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals discussed a buildable area variance for property on Hinkle Road. Planner Drew Myers stated the petitioner requested to make renovations to their home near Griffy Lake.

Myers mentioned the home was not in livable condition for all seasons. He stated proof of compliance with State and Monroe County requirements for domestic water supply and on-site sewage disposal would be required from the petitioner.

Petitioner Demetri Viteza stated the construction would include replacement of an existing septic system. Community member Richard Martin stated the home would cause a visual intrusion from the lakefront. He claimed no structural reforms were needed to make the home livable.

Petitioner Antonia Curry stated the current resident experienced wild animals finding their way into the home. She said the home would not be functionable for a family or renters.

Covid-19 Outbreaks At Indiana Vaccine Factory: Jonah Furman Interview

Catalent's Bloomington vaccine production facility failed to enforce health and safety protocols. It led to Covid-19 outbreaks among workers.

Aaron Comforty

 

This interview was lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

 

Jonah Furman, Photo courtesy of The Intercept.

Aaron Comforty: Jonah Furman was the national labor organizer for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign. He’s written for Labor Notes, Jacobin, and he writes a weekly update on organized labor in the U.S. on his Substack, Who Gets The Bird? Furman authored a piece which was jointly published by The Intercept and Labor Notes on how unenforced Covid-19 safety protocols at the Catalent vaccine manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Indiana led to worker Covid-19 outbreaks and thousands of dollars in lost wages. The article is called Catching COVID-19 At A Covid-19 Vaccine Production Facility. Jonah Furman, thanks for joining us on WFHB News.

Jonah Furman: Thanks, glad to be here.

AC: For many of our listeners who live in Bloomington, the Catalent plant, featured in your article is familiar. It’s the second largest employer in the county. Now, the the first worker you mention in the article is Chris Shanyfelt. He started working with ERMCO, an Electrical systems company that was contracted to work on building Catalent’s new vaccine production addition to its facility. What did he tell about  the Covid-19 safety protocols at the plant, and how the protocols were enforced?

JF: Yeah, Chris was working on the Catalent build since October. The first thing he noticed was that there was a rear door entry and a front door entry. So, most of the workers were going through the front door entry, which had basic things like temperature checks and health questionnaires. If you were cleared for the day, you’d get a wrist band saying saying so. On his first day, they sent him to the front door, and he went through all of the checks. He felt they were a little lax compared to other jobs, but overall ok. After the first day and for the rest of his time on the job, he went through the rear door. The rear door was what they called a “construction door,” meaning it had no checks, no temperature monitoring, no wrist-banding, no questionnaires, no safety procedures standard to other job sites with Covid-19 protocols. So that was, for him, the big red flag. Other issues on the job included the impossibility of social distancing; they had to work in cramped spaces, where you could literally reach your arm out and touch another worker. The ceiling was four feet high in those spaces, and there was no real mask enforcement. I also heard safety concerns about the cafeteria, which had no dividers and would have up to 60 workers at the same time, sitting four to a table. You know, the job site clearly did not enforce the CDC guidelines for indoor gathering spaces.

AC: You write that workers would take off their masks. I can understand to some degree. I imagine it was hot in some of those cramped locations. But basically Catalent had this flowery language to essentially give the workers the impression that ‘Hey, these protocols are in place. It’s going to be safe. We’re doing everything we can. We’re a vaccine production facility. We take it seriously.’ Were  those words totally hollow?

JF: It’s a good question.

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 8th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of our podcast, Prescription for Healthcare, a monthly segment dedicated to increasing the understanding of healthcare issues for the WFHB listening community through interviews with and commentary from medical and community experts. More coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Board of Health made changes to local Covid-19 regulations. More in today’s headlines.

Your Local News Brief

Positive COVID-19 cases continue to trend upward in Indiana. Today, the Indiana State Department of health reported over 1000 new positive cases for the fifth time in seven days.

Lawrence County reported 11 new cases yesterday, breaking double digits for the first time since February 8th. Monroe County continues to average around 30 new cases per day, as well.

All Hoosiers ages 16 and older can sign up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. You can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

***

New Leaf-New Life is hosting an information session on Indiana expungement law this Saturday.

New Leaf-New Life is teaming up with representatives from Indiana Legal Services’ Expungement Help Desk to educate Hoosiers on how to seal certain arrest and conviction records.

The information session will be hosted on Zoom this Saturday, April 10th, at 11 AM. You can find more information, including the Zoom link, on the New Leaf-New Life Facebook page.

***

The Indiana State Police approved the transfer of two new state troopers to the listening area this week.

Senior Trooper Kent Rohlfing and Trooper Ian Portteus, both Indiana natives, will join the district that includes Brown, Lawrence, and Monroe Counties.

Portteus, a K-9 handler, will be joined by his German Shepherd, Czar.

Bloomington City Council - Ordinance 21-07

The Bloomington City Council discussed redevelopment of the warehouse near Switchyard Park. At the April 7th meeting, Councilmember Matt Flaherty motioned to introduce Ordinance 21-07. The ordinance would allow Tom Brennan to redevelop his two thirds of the warehouse at 300 W. Hillside Drive. Architect Doug Bruce said the land near Switchyard Park is perfect for this kind of housing development.

Michael McBride spoke on behalf of Storage Express, which owns the other third of the property. He said that, while some of his concerns have been addressed, he is still unsure if two thirds of the warehouse can be safely demolished.

Elizabeth Cox-Ash, a resident in the area, expressed concern that a future property owner won't build affordable housing. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith clarified affordable housing is required under the ordinance.

The City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 21-07.

Monroe County Board of Health 

The Monroe County Board of Health discussed changes to COVID-19 regulations at their April 6th meeting. Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill recommended university communal living return to 90 percent capacity in the Fall.

Board member Carol Touloukian motioned houses must apply for an exception. Caudill said regulations would last until May 28, unless extended or rescinded.

Feature Reports:

Up first, we have the April edition of Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration with Medicare for All - Indiana.

Hosts Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone bring on expert sources to talk about all things healthcare. Today’s guest is Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a practicing primary care physician and distinguished professor of public health and health policy in th...

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 7th, 2021.

Later in the program, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for an interview with Jonah Furman on Covid-19 outbreaks at Bloomington's Catalant Covid-19 Vaccine Factory. Stay tuned to hear the interview in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware, your weekly-consumer watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More at the bottom half of tonight’s show.

Your Local News Brief

The City of Bloomington announced the construction of a new apartment complex beside Switchyard Park which will include 48 units reserved for people earning 30-80 percent of the Area Median Income.

The apartments will be called Retreat @ Switchyard. They are a collaboration between the City’s Redevelopment Commission and RealAmerica Companies, which was contracted to do the build.

The press release noted that, “Ten of the units will be reserved for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities," supported by Stone Belt, a local nonprofit organization.

Critics of the City’s housing policy are calling this a small step forward. They are characterizing it as a drop in the bucket, when it comes to the expensive, unaffordable housing situation in Bloomington, and the local homelessness crisis.

A new state Republican Bill, Senate Bill 5, would greatly restrict local health officials’ abilities to set local regulations during a health emergency.

As of now, local health officials, like the Monroe County Department of Health can set more stringent rules about issues like mask mandates, gathering size, and regulations on bars and restaurants.

SB 5 would strip local health officials of their abilities to just that. The bill was approved by the statehouse yesterday, and now heads to the state senate. The bill also gives business owners more avenues to appeal and contest local health department policies.

The bill passes as Indiana is seeing an uptick in new Covid-19 cases. The state is averaging over 1,000 new cases per day.

While deaths are relatively low right now, in the single digits, the statistics suggest that in a week or two, deaths could rise to twenty to 25 per day.

Many health experts are calling this the beginning of the fourth wave of the pandemic. The fourth wave appears to be fueled by new more contagious and more deadly strains.

Bloomington Plan Commission 

The Bloomington Plan Commission continued their discussion regarding Residential 4 zoning districts in the Unified Development Ordinance. At the April 5th meeting, commissioners debated possible amendments to the zoning map. Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan presented the first amendment, which included an R4 rezone.

Commissioner Brad Wisley introduced Amendment 2, changing a mixed use residential zone to mixed use healthcare. Amendment 3, proposed by Commissioner Susan Sandberg, would have removed the R4 district entirely. She explained amendment 3 was supposed to slow down the implementation of R4 districts.

Sandberg decided not to introduce the amendment. Sandberg did introduce one amendment with concern for R4 district infrastructure and historical qualifications.

The Commission failed to second this amendment. Commission members approved the Zoning Map Ordinance as amended on a 7 to 1 vote with Sandburg dissenting. The package must still obtain approval from the Bloomington City Council before implementation.

Bloomington Redevelopment Commission 

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved an addendum to a contract with F-C Tucker Commercial. Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley stated FC Tucker performed land acquisitions for the city of Bloomington during their April 5th meeting....

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 5th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Sydney Foreman interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton in our weekly segment - A Few Minutes with the Mayor.

A Few Minutes with the Mayor features listener-posed questions to Mayor Hamilton on community issues. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in our legislative update, Governor Holcomb signed a police reform bill into law and said he would veto another bill aimed at stripping away his executive power on public health restrictions. More in today’s headlines.

Your Local News Brief

The WFHB Local News Brief breaks down the daily local news cycle into 2-3 minutes of what you need to know each day. Listen live Monday through Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio. Visual broadcasts of the news briefs are available on our Youtube channel, WFHB-TV.

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

1,000 Hoosiers a day are diagnosed with Covid-19 on average right now. The uptick in new cases signals that Indiana is likely entering a fourth wave. It was last October, that Indiana first averaged 1,000 cases per day, and at that same time, the state started a steep climb into a third wave. On the Indiana State Department of Health graph, which charts diagnosed cases, the third wave was so large that it makes the first two waves look like ripples in a bathtub.

The U.S. as a whole appears to be entering this fourth wave, and while deaths are still a near-all-time lows from the lull after the last wave, we can expect Covid-19 related deaths to tick up in the next week or two. Deaths usually lag behind cases by about two weeks. In the middle of last October, about two weeks after the state was averaging about 1,000 new deaths per day, Indiana was averaging about 25 deaths per day.

With the spring weather, the vaccine rollout underway, and about one-fifth of Indiana’s population already vaccinated, it can be tempting to let one’s guard down and be a little lax on Covid-19 safety guidelines, but local and national health officials have voiced concerns that this fourth wave will be quite severe.

In the weekly Covid-19 press conference, hosted by the City of Bloomington last friday, Indiana University Assistant Vice President, Kirk White, announced that this week the university was set to vaccinate 7,000 people. Until now, that number has been closer to 700.

Kinser Flats, a new 50-unit apartment complex in Bloomington for people without housing is just opening now. The project is run by Centerstone, a national community health organization. The project is opening behind schedule, but for the people moving in, it serves as permanent low cost housing, costing 50 dollars per month.

Local Joint Covid-19 Press Conference

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported three new positive COVID-19 cases among city employees at the April 2nd COVID-19 press conference. Monroe County Health Commissioner Penny Caudill addressed the spike in positive cases.

Caudill stated the Optimserve and Morton Street COVID testing sites will remain open, despite an increased number of vaccinations.

Governor Holcomb Plans to Veto Bill to Strip Emergency Executive Powers

In today's legislative update, WFHB reports on several bills which made their way to the governor's desk. Governor Eric Holcomb says he plans to veto House Bill 1123, which is designed to limit the governor's executive authority to declare a public health emergency. Also, last week, Holcomb signed a bipartisan police reform bill into law, which some supporters are calling "historic."

Photo courtesy of CBS Indy.

Governor Eric Holcomb says he plans to veto a bill designed to limit his emergency p...

In today’s episode, performance artist Diane Kondrat talks with Dr. Cicek about her latest theater play, Golda's Balcony. The listeners can view the play via Zoom from April 8-18th.