This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 9th, 2020.

Later in the program, you will hear from Pallavi Rao, a PhD candidate at Indiana University's Media School. She spoke with WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty about her involvement with the Indiana Grad Workers group and the protest they organized back in August.

But first, your local headlines.

COVID-19 Joint Press Conference

Indiana University Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Kirk White said an increase in COVID-19 cases was detected through 20 thousand COVID-19 mitigation tests from IU students and staff. During the September 4th COVID-19 Press Conference meeting, White presented a concern for rising cases among congregate Greek living facilities.

White stated IU does not have authority to close Greek living facilities. Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said Greek house isolation would be safer than sending students home. White mentioned one residence hall was set aside for student quarantine space. Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported low virus prevalence rates from City of Bloomington Utilities wastewater studies.

Caudill said a mass increase in testing could cause a lag in reported results. She reported 33 mandate compliance complaints last week and reminded businesses to publicly post their reopening plans. Caudill said a COVID vaccine is likely to come in 2021.

IU Health Program Director for Community Relations and Outreach Shana Gergis stressed the importance of getting a flu vaccination to preserve healthcare resources. She said Indiana University Health ordered extra vaccinations.

Gergis reported steady COVID-19 case numbers for the South-Central Region. She said fewer cases are being reported than at the beginning of August.

 

MCCSC Moving into "Code Yellow"

The Monroe County Community School Corporation announced earlier this week that it would be moving into “code yellow” instruction.

Monroe County has established a green-yellow-red color scheme for its re-opening plan. A code red means all grade levels will be online-only; a code green means all grades are open to in-person instruction with an online option.

This week’s Code Yellow means different things for different grades. All elementary schools will be offering in-person instruction, Monday through Friday. Secondary schools will move into a hybrid schedule, with students alternating in-person and digital days based on their last name. For example, students with last names beginning with L through Z will meet in-person today, while students with last names beginning with A through K will meet online. Students who choose to meet online-only can continue to meet online.

Bloomington Commission on Sustainability

Founder of Carbon Neutral Indiana Daniel Poynter spoke to the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability during their September 8th meeting. Poynter stated three main climate change combatters listed in New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s America’s Pledge Report.

Poynter said all states were grouped into three tiers, and Indiana was in the 3rd tier.

Poynter said carbon pricing covers all solutions. He reported Indiana as one of 10 states that produce half of America’s carbon emissions. Poynter said Hoosiers must offset the social cost of carbon.

Poynter added there are over 200 ways to create carbon offset. He said Carbon Neutral Indiana transformed 5 businesses and 75 houses into carbon neutral buildings, preventing approximately 4 hundred and 60 thousand dollars in damage. He said currently Indiana does not have any offset projects.

Poynter said measuring Bloomington’s footprint would initiate transformation.

October 5th Deadline for Voter Registration

October 5th marks the deadline for voter registration in I...