WFHB Local News WFHB Local News

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 9th, 2024.

Later in the program, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.



This month we interviewed Dr. Matt Hoffman of Alina Health in Minnesota and Marisa Powell, lead organizer for Doctors Council, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union.

But first, your local headlines:

Ellettsville Plan Commission





Photo courtesy of Elletsville.



At the Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting on May 2nd, Planning Director Denise Line gave the Planning Department update. She shared that they have tentatively scheduled a Unified Development Ordinance Open House for the 30th of May.



President of the commission David Drake asked if the Plan commission reviews the U-D-O during the open house. Line responded that it is a time for the public to give their input.



Line said she plans to have the U-D-O draft ready by the commission meeting in July.



The next Ellettsville Plan Commission meeting will be held on June 6th.



Monroe County Commissioners' Jail Feasibility Study





Photo by Benedict Jones.



On April 29th, the Monroe County Commissioners held a public hearing about the Jail Feasibility Study, also referred to as the Justice Study. According to a release sent out by the commissioners, the purpose of the hearing was to provide a “feasibility study of possible alternatives to the construction or reconstruction of the county jail." The public hearing coincided with the release of the



Monroe County Justice Study conducted by the R-Q-A-W Corporation, a consultant based out of Fishers, Indiana.



Project Manager Sanjay Patel introduced the staff working on the study and their roles.



The Monroe County Justice Study can be found online on the county’s website by going to their document center and searching Justice Study.

Feature Reports:





Up next, Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana, broadcasting the second Thursday of every month as part of the Local News.



This month we interviewed Dr. Matt Hoffman of Alina Health in Minnesota and Marisa Powell, lead organizer for Doctors Council, SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. Dr Hoffman, a family practitioner, was one of the leaders of the campaign that unionized more than 550 primary and urgent care physicians who work for Alina Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.



We turn now to the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News.



In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit's mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses.



Up next, WFHB Correspondent Kelsey Pease interviewed executive director and a volunteer from People and Animal Learning Services about the nonprofit's mission to preserve the beneficial connection between humans and horses.



Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

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

Our features were produced by Dr. Rob Stone, Karen Green Stone and Kelsey Pease.

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

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News delivers a Primary Election Day Special speaking with voters, poll workers and Monroe County Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, the Election Day Special:

WFHB News – Primary Election Day Special





A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).



Today marks Primary Election Day in Monroe County. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.



WFHB News spoke with voters, poll workers and the county election supervisor to capture a glimpse of what Election Day looks like in Monroe County.



At 1 p.m., WFHB News Director Kade Young interviewed Monroe County Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland about what her position entails, what went into organizing the election and how to better engage voters in the election process. We turn now to that interview.







Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Kade Young.

Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.

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

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 6th, 2024.

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.



That's Andrea Kleesattel from Windfall Dancers, a local nonprofit using dance to promote health AND build community. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Bloomington City Council





At the Bloomington City Council meeting on May 1st, during council reports, Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith gave an update on their deliberations about public comment, and how they might restructure it.



During public comment, Chair of the Human Rights Commission Ryan Shaddy spoke out against the hate speech at the Council meeting on April 3rd.



Then, council members revisited the resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, following the Mayor’s passive veto of the resolution on April 19th. City Clerk Nicole Bolden read aloud Resolution 2024-08.



City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith provided a brief overview on the mayor’s veto of the original resolution.



Council Member Dave Rollo spoke in solidarity with innocent people impacted by the war and Bloomington’s history passing similar resolutions against humanitarian crises.



The council unanimously passed the resolution on April 3rd. Council members unanimously passed it again at this meeting on May 1st, formally instating the resolution.



The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on May 8th.

Monroe County Commissioners





Photo by Benedict Jones.



At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 1st, the commissioners shared a statement on the recent events at Indiana University protests in Dunn Meadow.



Later the commissioners heard from Commissioners' Administrator Angie Purdie and Area 10 Director Chris Meyers for the annual Rural Transit agreement renewal. Purdie clarified that this year, the agreement does not include transportation between Bloomington and Ellettsville.



Area 10 Director Chris Meyers outlined the cost that the county would have to match, and said that they are looking to replace two of their large buses.



Commissioner Penny Githens said that the individuals using the service are making important trips.



Commissioner Julie Thomas explained why Rural Transit is not able to provide services to Elletsville anymore, and said that they are still working on finding a permanent solution.



During public comment on the Rural Transit renewal Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Director of Advocacy & Public Policy Christopher Emge spoke in support of Rural Transit.



The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 8th has been canceled. The commissioners will meet again on May 13th.

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin reads an item from his weekly newsletter for the WFHB Local News. We turn to Askins for more.





Dance studios are typically set up as commercial businesses, but in Bloomington Windfall Dancers is a non-profit promoting movement for individual health AND building community. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel offers their facility to groups that need a space, and she'd love to talk to you about volunteering at Windfall or maybe trading some gardening work for free dance classes. Learn more on a href="https://wfhb.org/news-public-affairs/public-affairs/activate_/activate-andrea-kleesattel-windfall-dancer...

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.

Earlier today, protesters gathered outside Bryan Hall to deliver a letter of resignation for Indiana University President Pamela Whitten. More in the bottom half of our program.



Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound.

But first, your local headlines.

Students, Faculty and Staff Write Resignation Letter for IU President Pamela Whitten





Earlier today, protesters gathered outside Bryan Hall to deliver a letter of resignation for Indiana University President Pamela Whitten.



The letter was written by a handful of students, faculty and staff and was addressed to the IU Board of Trustees.



Dr. Micol Seigel commented on the letter outside Bryan Hall earlier this afternoon.



This comes in the aftermath of an overnight policy change by the university banning encampments in Dunn Meadow, reversing a decades old policy.



Furthermore, it coincides with the Indiana Graduate Workers’ strike and vote of ‘no confidence’ of the IU president.



Then, a protester read the letter. It says, as follows:



Demonstrators then began chanting, “sign the letter.” They were denied entry into Bryan Hall. A faculty member then addressed the crowd into a megaphone.



Protesters marched to the Bryan House, the traditional home of the president of the university. There, they read the letter again with a series of chants. The IU Police Department showed up, commenting that they were there simply to “keep the peace.”

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Brookelyn Lambright brings to us another segment of History Unbound. In today’s report, Lambright traces the origins of whiteness in America, beginning with Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. She, along with scholar Micol Siegel, argue that whiteness, the ideology, has a starting place in time. Lambright tracks whiteness through time taking us to the present with the election of Donald Trump and the building of prisons in Appalachia. Lambright argues that whiteness not only hurts people of color, but it also hurts the people we might think benefit from the privileges associated with whiteness: lower-class white folks.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young.

Our feature was produced by Brookelyn Lambright.

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

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News spoke with protesters at Dunn Meadow on Day 1 of Palestine solidarity demonstrations. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, “Three Strikes, No Hit” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners





Photo by Benedict Jones.



On April 24th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Monroe County Climate Resilience Fellow Victoria Seest gave an update on the Monroe County Climate Resilience Plan.



Seest outlined steps moving forward, and explained that the Blue Ribbon Commission will be working on implementing the plan.



Later in the meeting the commissioners read off a proclamation recognizing the importance of Earth Day and the Monroe County Climate Resilience Plan in Monroe County.



The Commissioners held a public hearing on the Jail Feasibility Study on April 29th. The justice study is now publicly available. You can find the full report on the county’s website here.



The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners will be held on May 1st.

 Bloomington Board of Public Works





During the April 23rd meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard a request for an alley closure and metered parking reservation. The request came from Fox Properties for building facade work. Project Engineer for the City Kendall Knoke walked through the request.



Director of the Public Works Department Adam Wason said he recommends approval of the request.



The board approved the request by a unanimous vote. Then, the board heard a resolution regarding the West Second Street Modernization and Safety Improvement Project. Knoke introduced the resolution.



The board approved the resolution 2-0. The Bloomington Board of Public works will meet again on May 6th.

Dunn Meadow Protest Continues Into Day 7





Palestine solidarity protests have continued for seven days at Indiana University’s Dunn Meadow.



Since demonstrations began last Thursday, state police have arrested 57 people. Snipers were spotted on the roof of the student union, a state police helicopter surveilled the demonstration, and both students and faculty received bans from campus.



On Day 7 of the protest, WFHB News spoke with two organizers, Soha and Elena, both students at the university, who chose to only divulge their first names. They said they have been staying at the encampments for the past seven days.



Soha summarized in her own words the purpose of the Dunn Meadow protests, saying it has to do with “disclosure” and “divestment.”



The Indiana State Police arrested over 50 protesters since demonstrations began last Thursday. Soha gave her reaction to the police response to the protest.



Since 1969, Dunn Meadow has been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects. Soha described how protesters view the overnight policy change by the university, which she says contradicts historical precedent.



Then, WFHB News spoke with Elena, another organizer of the protest. Elena talked about her experience being banned from campus and challenges that protesters have faced, especially those who live on campus, following the arrests and subsequent trespassing bans.



Elena denounced the university’s response to what she says are peaceful protests. She described the “brute force” used by police, saying she was injured during the demonstrations.



Soha and Elena told WFHB News what they hope will change as a result of the protests,

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.

Later in the program, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University's financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines.

Monroe County Community School Corporation





Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.



During public comment at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting on April 23rd, parents spoke in opposition to the resolution to merge Templeton and Child’s Elementary Schools.



Katey Buress spoke, saying that some parents are worried that students with an Individualized Education Plan are not going to be supported during the merger.



M-C-C-S-C English Teacher and Member of the Monroe County Education Assembly, or the M-C-E-A, the teacher’s union Paul Rhodes spoke on the amendment to Bylaw 135 and expressed support for reinstating the Union’s ability to discuss with employers during the decision making process.



The board voted on an amendment to Bylaw 135, to Meet and Confer for School Employees Exclusive Representatives and Discussion Rights.



Board President April Hennessey said this was a difficult decision to make, but that she will vote yes on the amendment to support the teacher’s union.



Board Member Erin Cooperman touched on the policy that prohibits teachers from speaking directly to the board.



Hennessey explained that the reason teachers are not allowed to speak directly to the board is to empower the union, but that the board is open to discussing this policy more in the future.



Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer added that the policy is to ensure that the board gives the teachers the opportunity to democratically come to a decision, rather than hearing from a handful of teachers.



The board voted to amend Bylaw 135 with a vote of 5-1, the amendment passed.



Next, the board voted to approve the merger between Child’s Elementary and Templeton Elementary schools.



Superintendent Jeff Hauswald answered some questions that the board has had about the merger.



The board voted to approve the resolution to converge the two elementary schools, with Board Member Ross Grimes abstaining.



The next Monroe County Community School Corporation Board Meeting will be held on May 21st.

Protests Continue Monday at Dunn Meadow





On Monday, demonstrators gathered at Dunn Meadow to protest Indiana University's financial relationship with Israel amid its war on Palestine. Spokesperson for the IU Divestment Coalition Bryce Greene spoke to the crowd into a megaphone.



Then, Jeffrey Isaac, professor in political science at IU, brought up the vote of no confidence against IU President Pamela Whitten calling it “unprecedented.” He called out Whitten’s approach to the situation.



Matthew Rodriguez, a graduate student at Indiana University, addressed the police presence at the Dunn Meadow protest.



Protesters say they will continue their efforts until their demands are met. According to the IU Divestment Coalition’s Instagram, their demands include: the end of the university’s partnership with the Crane Naval Base, the resignation of IU administrators Pamela Whitten, Rahul Shrivastav, and Carrie Docherty, financial transparency and divestment from Israel and adherence to BDS, which stands for ‘boycott, divestment and sanctions.’







Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Sh...