WFHB Local News WFHB Local News

 This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.

Later in the program, a supercell storm hit Monroe County yesterday leaving thousands without power. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More in the bottom half of the program.

But first, your local headlines:

Supercell Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power





Photo courtesy of Josh Brewer.



A supercell storm with winds ranging from 55 to 70 miles per hour hit South Central Indiana on Tuesday leaving over 100,000 residents without power across the state.



Monroe County was among the most impacted. Monroe County Emergency Management issued a local disaster declaration saying the county was impacted by “wind damage, downed power lines and trees, public structure damage as well as life safety issues.”



According to Duke Energy, rough terrain is making assessment and power restoration challenging. As of 2:20 p.m., the estimated time of restoration is June 27th at 11:59 p.m. Duke Energy’s power outage map claims that crews are on the scene and out working to make repairs.



Angela Protogere, spokesperson for Duke Energy Indiana, said that Monroe County was “ground zero” in terms of damage.



Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor at Indiana University Cody Kirkpatrick made a public social media comment last night stating “After six hours of power being out in Bloomington, the temperature in my freezer is a blurry 41 F. If you are out of town during this, consider that everything in your freezer will have thawed and should be tossed.”



Protogere walked through challenges crews are facing in restoring power in Monroe County, including rough terrain and fallen power lines.



She said that crews of all forms including linemen, damage assessors and tree trimming crews are tirelessly working as power restoration efforts begin to rise.



Protogere provided safety tips for residents navigating the struggles of the power outage – specifically advising residents to avoid downed power lines.



Local residents expressed frustration in the delays for power restoration. One Reddit user in Bloomington posted that in their view Duke Energy needs to be better regulated. The post said, “I realize that weather like yesterday is beyond the control of anyone, but how is this utility company never prepared to address outages quickly? They want to dramatically raise rates in the area but they can’t even be bothered to manage their grid.”



Protogere thanked customers for their patience and assured work is underway and progress is being made.



Monroe County Emergency Management says that if you were impacted by the storm and are in need of sheltering assistance due to your residence being damaged, please reach out to them at Justinbaker@co.monroe.dot.in.us or 812-349-2546.

Bloomington City Council





The Bloomington City Council met this Tuesday, June 18th. During their meeting, the council members approved a new salary grade system for the city’s non-union employees. The council ordinance will affect approximately 430 positions, and will result in pay increases potentially totaling $10 million dollars. Director of Human Resources Sharr Pechac presented the ordinance.



Council Member Hopi Stosberg questioned the potential fiscal impact of the ordinance.



Pechac responded.



City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for more details on the $10 million price tag.



Pechac elaborated on the number of employees whose position and pay grade will need to be reviewed.



Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp also responded to Piedmont-Smith’s que...

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 25th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60 in the upcoming election in November. 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, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works





Photo courtesy of CATS.



The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on June 18th. During the New Business section, Bloomington Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh shared a request from Strauser Construction for a sidewalk, bike lane, and alley closure on Grant Street.



The two board members present, Kyla Cox Deckard and James Roach unanimously approved the closure request.



Baugh also shared a request for a planned closure on North Walnut Street near Miller Showers Park. He said it will be maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.



Cox-Deckard asked when the closure would take place. Baugh responded.



The board passed and approved this motion.



Next, Engineering Field Specialist Alex Grey spoke about the city-wide fiber project, and shared a lane and sidewalk closure request.



The board approved the sidewalk closure request. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd.



Bloomington Redevelopment Commission





Photo courtesy of CATS.



During the June 17th meeting of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission, Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren introduced a resolution pertaining to access to the Fourth Street Parking Garage for a public art installation. She explained that the city would install an art sculpture in the alleyway beside the parking garage.



Warren expounded on the prism-based sculpture which was done by artist Esteban Garacia Bravo. She walked through accessibility and maintenance concerns of the art installation.



Commission Member John West said he was unfamiliar with this style of art. He inquired about damage control and liability issues. City Attorney Larry Allen addressed those concerns saying it would fall under the city’s insurance policy.



Commission Member Deborah Myerson asked why the city chose this location for the sculpture and what concerns the city took into account when it comes to pedestrian traffic. Warren said they selected this site due its lack of vehicle traffic.



Commission Member Randy Cassady suggested that they work with the Public Works department to track whether the art installation would bring in more people to the alleyway. Cassady also asked if they need public works’ approval. Allen responded that the redevelopment commission would not need a greenlight from the public works department.



The Commission approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. The Bloomington Redevelopment commission will meet again on July 1st.

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs, who is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 60 in the upcoming election. We turn now to Zyro Roze for Part Three of that interview on the WFHB Local News.







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

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

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

Our feature was produced by Zyro Roze.

 This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Julianna Dailey speaks with Robyn Skuya-Boss, the Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana about the proposed Duke Energy electric rate increase. More in today’s feature report.



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

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Council





Photo by Benedict Jones.



The Monroe County Council met on June 11th. Council President Trent Deckard noted that the American Rescue Plan Act Fund deadline is approaching, and said that they have a year to decide what to spend the funds on.



During staff reports, Planning Director Jacki Jelen gave an update on the proposed County Development Ordinance zoning districts.



Council President Deckard asked how residents would know if their property would see a zoning change. Jelen responded.



The next Department update came from the Sheriff’s Department. Chief Deputy Phil Parker said that they have achieved their hiring goal for the Jail Transition Team.



Council Member Kate Wiltz said she has qualms with the County Commissioners’ working so separately from the council on the new jail. She also said she was surprised to learn the council would be assigned to determine the size and bed count of a potential new jail. .



Wiltz then outlined her recommendations, saying the council needs to make sure it watches its spending of Local Income Tax funds.



Council Member Jennifer Crossley said that she agrees with Wiltz’ proposal for de-appropriation of funds. She explained that she doesn’t believe that the county council should be responsible for bed counts at the jail.



Wiltz clarified her intentions behind the de-appropriation, she said the purpose is to give the council the opportunity to look more closely at each item, rather than fund the project in a general sense.



The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on June 24th.

Feature Report:





Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club.



In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Julianna Dailey speaks with Robyn Skuya-Boss, the Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana about the proposed Duke Energy electric rate increase. For more, we turn to Julianna Dailey.







Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now 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 Julianna Dailey.

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, June 17th, 2024.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s unanimous passage of a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for gender-affirming health care. More in today’s feature report.



Shawn Miya, is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington. She wants to strap a heat sensor to your car and have you drive around town to identify Bloomington's hottest hot spots. Get the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Bloomington City Council





Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.



Bloomington City Council Members unanimously passed a resolution to protect people seeking gender affirming care during their meeting last Wednesday. This comes after the Indiana Statehouse passed a law last session which prohibits medical providers from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. City Council Member Courtney Daily, who co-sponsored the legislation, described what motivated the resolution.



Council Member Daily outlined the resolution for gender affirming care. The resolution cited the American Medical Association among other medical institutions that say, “gender affirming healthcare has been proven to be evidence-based, medically necessary, and lifesaving.”



Bloomington and Monroe County Human Rights Commission Chair Ryne Shadday discussed the history of the city’s efforts to advocate for the L-G-B-T-Q + community. Shadday called out Council Members Andy Ruff and Dave Rollo who previously signaled via a memo that they would sustain from the vote.



Shadday continued to explain why gender affirming care is needed when the state has banned such healthcare. Shadday urged the council to pass the resolution.



Council Member Matt Flaherty, who also co-sponsored the legislation, walked through why he supports the resolution, highlighting the value of “intersectional justice.”



During public comment, local resident London Montgomery encouraged the council to pass the legislation for gender affirming care.



County Councilor Jennifer Crossley gave public testimony speaking in support of the policy. She spoke about her role as a mom of a “queer teenager.”



Local resident Lilliana Young took to the public mic to urge the council members to support the resolution, calling it their “moral obligation.”



Council Member Dave Rollo was on the fence initially about supporting the resolution. In the memo Rollo and Ruff submitted prior to the meeting, he shared his hesitancy when it came to gender affirming care for minors. During his final comments at Wednesday’s meeting, Rollo explained the rationale behind his uncertainty to support the policy.



Both Rollo and ruff voted in support of the resolution. Council At-Large Member Matt Flaherty criticized the memo and said it has caused harm in the community.



The Bloomington City Council will meet again for its next regular session on June 18th.

Feature Report:

Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s unanimous passage of a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for gender-affirming health care. We turn to Dave Askins for more.







When Shawn Miya says "stay cool Bloomington," she means it literally. Shawn is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington which puts her in charge of our local climate action plan.

El día de hoy nos acompaña este talentosísimo músico, compositor y productor rockero de Puebla, México, para compartirnos un poco de su música. Los invitamos a escuchar algunas de sus canciones a lo largo de este episodio, como lo son "Por favor perdóname" y "Ojos color café". Asimismo, nos platica de sus proyectos y del material y giras que tiene en marcha. Su música se encuentra disponible en todas las plataformas digitales. También puedes encontrarlo en sus redes sociales:



Canal Jei Pir VEVO:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0pwlEm5e98_PkK4innClQ



#Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/16WqaPC0klJL3cTzQhBK5p



#iTunes:

https://itun.es/mx/bBPZfb



#GooglePlay:

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Jei_Pir_Pyrock_2_4?id=B7r3s6eqcs47u63efzimordrxee



#Deezer:

http://www.deezer.com/album/14443850



#YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsZVhO3krgMX5NRxWQv2_VxW5D6xNa-Qt



#Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyrock-2-4-Jei-Pir/dp/B01M5INVBJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497452878&sr=8-1&keywords=pyrock+2.4+jei+pir



Redes sociales:



#Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jeipiroficial



#Twitter:

a href="https://twitter.com/jeipiroficial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 12th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News continues its fourth and final installment of its series on the deregulation of Indiana wetlands on the latest episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, “Spanish Prisoner Game” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive.

Feature Report:





This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.



In 2021, Hoosier lawmakers passed Senate Enrolled Act 389 – despite strong opposition from environmental advocates. The policy amended the State Regulated Wetland Law which gutted protections for the state’s wetlands.



A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision loosened the federal regulations of wetlands, which then in turn allowed the states to decide how to enforce wetland protections. Some states took the opportunity to increase their wetland protections. Indiana, however, loosened them further and it is what enabled the State of Indiana to pass House Enrolled Act 1383 this February.



State Senator Shelli Yoder



To learn more about Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands, WFHB News spoke with Indiana Senator Shelli Yoder – a representative for District 40, which encompasses a majority of Monroe County. Yoder gave us an overview of the legislation she has seen during her time as Senator that has involved wetlands and how they are enforced.



You’ve been listening to Deep Dive WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. That concludes our series on Indiana’s wetlands. To read the full article, What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?, written and photographed by Anne Kibbler, visit Limestone Post.







Up next, “Spanish Prisoner Game on Better Beware” - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

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 feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.

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

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.