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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.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 11th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues the third and final installment of her series of reports on the arrests made at the Dunn Meadow protests earlier this year. 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:

Bloomington Board of Public Works





On June 4th, the Bloomington Board of Public Works heard a resolution for a property at 105 East Driscoll Street. Neighborhood Compliance Officer for the City’s HAND Department Mike Arnold walked through the contract to uphold an order to seal.



Board Secretary James Roach asked Arnold why the property owner wouldn’t do the sealing themselves. Arnold responded.



The board approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. Then, the board heard an encroachment agreement for the Posh Hotel at 200 East Kirkwood Avenue. Public Improvements Manager for the City’s Engineering Department Maria McCormick introduced the resolution.



Vice President of the Board Elizabeth Karon asked about all the other approvals needed for the hotel. McCormick said they have been approved by the planning department.



The board approved the encroachment agreement by a 3-0 vote. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will happen on June 18th.

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues the third and final installment of her series of reports on the arrests made at the Dunn Meadow protests earlier this year. For more, we turn to Harshbarger.







Up next, 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 Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.

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 10th, 2024.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s latest initiative to make changes to city code when it comes to public comment. More in today’s feature report.



That’s Ryan Jochim from Hoosier Hills Food Bank, distributing five million pounds of food to local pantries every year. Find out how you can help meet this critical need in our community later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines.

Monroe County Commissioners





Photo by Benedict Jones.



At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on June 5th, the commissioners read two proclamations, one proclaiming June 2024 as Pride Month in Monroe County, and the other proclaiming June 7th, 2024 as Gun Violence Awareness Day.



During department updates, Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland informed the commissioners that the Election Board meeting was canceled and shared updates from County Clerk Nicole Brown and the Election Board.



Later in the meeting the commissioners considered a resolution that would establish an Opioid Settlement Application Review Board.



County Attorney Jeff Cockerill explained the reasoning behind the creation of the board.



Commissioner Penny Githens thanked the working group that initiated the application process.



County Attorney Molly Turner-King spoke on behalf of council members who wanted to decrease the number of board positions to ensure that members of the board are not in a position that would be applying for the funds.



Thomas noted that once the board is created that they can change the number of appointees.



Githens commented that it is important to have appointees with experience be a part of the review process.



County Council Member Pete Iverson spoke during public comment on the resolution, and informed the public about submission deadlines for the application.



Cockerill informed the commissioners about who is able to apply.



The commissioners voted to table the resolutions until their meeting on June 26th, 2024.

Feature Report:





Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the Bloomington City Council’s latest initiative to make changes to city code when it comes to public comment. We turn to Dave Askins for more.







Food pantries are critical resources for families struggling to afford groceries, but where do food pantries get their food? The Hoosier Hills Food Bank keeps the shelves stocked at many south central Indiana pantries, distributing five million pounds of food every year. And it's not just canned and boxed food either - the food bank sources fresh meat and dairy, and even grows thousands of pounds of produce themselves. Volunteer coordinator Ryan Jochim needs your help meeting this critical need in our community. Find out how on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now 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 Dave Askins.

Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.

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

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 6th, 2024.

Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council made changes to its policy on public comment – limiting the amount of time residents can speak at the public mic from 5-minutes to 3-minutes. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, the Ellettsville Town Council continued its discussion on forming a redevelopment commission.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Council





Photo by Benedict Jones.



The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, May 28th. During department updates, County Assessor Judy Sharp spoke to the council about her concerns with the proposed changes to the county clinic’s healthcare provider.



Sharp then went on to discuss how the facility takes care of the employees year-round, and that it’s incredibly important to the whole county to continue using the same healthcare. She shared information about a petition being signed to halt the change.



County Treasurer Cathy Smith also spoke about the trouble she sees with this change.



Monroe County District 3 Council Member Marty Hawk spoke about her thoughts on the petition.



Monroe County Attorney Molly Turner-King said that this issue is on the Commissioners's agenda to address any concerns.



Later in the meeting, Monroe County Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge requested approval for the de‐Appropriation of Account Lines Sample Road Phase 2, Hunters Creek Rd Phase 2 and 3, Bicentennial Pathway, and Liberty Drive to Karst Trail. This request was unanimously approved by all County Council Board Members.



The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11th.



Ellettsville Town Council





Photo courtesy of Elletsville.



The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 28th.They continued their discussion surrounding the formation of a Redevelopment Commission and a TIF district.



Town Manager Mike Farmer introduced the discussion.



Town Attorney Darla Brown shared her answers to questions the council had asked during their discussion last week.



Council Member William Ellis shared concerns about the commission making frivolous purchases that the council would have to spend money to maintain after the 20 year TIF district expired.



Farmer said that might be true in a worst case scenario, however, he reminded Ellis that the TIF is meant to improve the town’s infrastructure and contribute to the town’s economic development. Farmer also suggested that the town council have members on the commission so they would have control over what is being done.



Ellis reiterated that he has seen other county’s left with projects that they could not sustain.



Council Member Scott Oldham asked Attorney Darla Brown if there was a way to ensure the committee had to get their approval for purchases. Brown responded that she was not sure, but thought it was a likely possibility.



Council Member Scott Oldham said he was in support of the Redevelopment Commission since the town council positions change every four years, and said that the commission could add continuity and ensure long term projects like Envision Ellettsville initiatives are followed through.



Brown suggested one way the council will have oversight on what the commission does, is to set up the expectations of the Redevelopment Commission. She shared that after the commission is established, they will draft up their plans for the commission, and the town council and Plan Commission will be involved in the process.



Farmer reminded the council that the reason they considered starting a Redevelopment Commission and a T-I-F district was to meet the city’s basic needs.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 5th, 2024.

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



Also coming up in the next half hour, “Scammers Take A Toll” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive:





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.









Up next, “Scammers Take A Toll” 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 feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Madison Stratton and Kade Young.

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.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU - the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. More in today’s feature report.



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

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners 





Photo by Benedict Jones.



On May 30th, members of city and county government met for a joint session to discuss the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center. Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson began the meeting saying she wanted to create an open and transparent space for county and city officials to work together and remove tensions within the project.



County Councilor Cheryl Munson walked through the history of the Convention Center and cautioned against an overly ambitious vision for the Convention Center.



Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones said she took issue with a letter written by the city council addressed to the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board. The letter made a handful of recommendations to the C-I-B. Jones called the letter “high handed” and criticized the city council's conduct in sending the letter.



County Council Member Geoff McKim offered his perspective on the Convention Center expansion project.



City Council Member Isak Asare said elected officials should have a more measured approach surrounding the convention center conversation.



City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith provided some concluding remarks on the project as a whole, saying she appreciated hearing all the perspectives and defending the city council’s drafting of the letter written to the C-I-B.



Both city and county bodies of government are expected to deliberate on the Convention Center expansion in the coming weeks.



The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the 55 protesters who were arrested for “criminal trespass” at Dunn Meadow in late April.

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU - the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. We turn to Annika Harshbarger for more.







Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – 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 Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.

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.