This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021.

Later in the program, we'll turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, who hosted a panel discussion on the proposed zoning changes in the City's new Unified development Ordinance. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. Stay tuned to hear the first part of our panel discussion series.

Also coming up, we have the latest edition of Artbeat - a weekly program, where you hear from artists, activists and educators about their work. In today’s Artbeat, Dr. Filiz Cicek speaks with artist Korie Pickett about co-owning and running the Bloomington Playground Tattoo studio.

But first, we turn to Jake Jacobson for your local news brief:

1,567 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 65 newly reported deaths.

Locally, Monroe County saw 32 new confirmed cases yesterday. Lawrence County reported 11 new cases, and one new COVID-19 death. Brown County reported one new case.

The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana Department of Health is now 65 years of age and older.

Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up by visiting ourshot.in.gov, by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

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Last year, the federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. Included in the CARES Act was a 120 day prohibition on evictions.

A moratorium on evictions helps protect individuals and families who have lost their jobs due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, ordered a further moratorium on evictions, which lasted until the end of 2020.

Yesterday, the CDC, on recommendation from President Joe Biden, further extended this eviction moratorium through March 31. Hoosiers can find more information on rural development COVID-19 relief efforts online, at R-D dot usda.gov/coronavirus.

MCCSC Must Appoint New School Board Member

The Monroe County Community School Board must appoint a new school board member within 30 days following the death of board member Keith Klein. Klein had served on the School Board since 2009.

According to Indiana Code, if a school board vacancy occurs because of death, then the remaining members must appoint a new individual to the vacant seat. MCCSC has posted a notice of vacancy to their website, and must find a new school board representative for district five. A map district five was attached to MCCSC’s vacancy announcement. Any potential applicant for the vacant seat must reside within district five boundaries.

According to the vacancy notice, all applications are due by February 8th, and must be available on the interview dates of February 16th and 17th. All Applications can be emailed to Karen Butcher at [email protected], or mailed to MCCSC Attention: Karen Butcher.

U.S. Senate Confirms Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to the cabinet-level position of transportation secretary.

Buttigieg is 39-years old, a Harvard graduate, a Rhodes scholar and an Afghanistan war veteran. He made history as the first openly gay executive in the state of Indiana in 2015. Buttigieg unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020 against a field of Democratic challengers, including now-president, Joe Biden.