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.

Credits: