Noon Edition Indiana Public Media

Bloomington kicked off its fifth annual Granfalloon Festival last month, more than sixty years since Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s novel Cat's Cradle was released.An Indiana native, Vonnegut defines a granfalloon as a proud and meaningless association of human beings; part of the made-up religion in his book.The Granfalloon Festival in Bloomington celebrates art, music, and Vonnegut’s work. This year features a line-up of local and touring performers like Amy O, The Linda Lindas, Sleater-Kinney, and Young@Heart Chorus.It also includes art exhibitions and discussions related to Vonnegut.His writing is known for its satire, social commentary, and dark humor. Researcher Christina Jarvis says his work’s honest tone and sense of humor continue to resonate with people.This week on Noon Edition, we’ll talk with guests about the Granfalloon Festival and the life and work of Kurt Vonnegut Jr.You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.You can also record your questions and send them in through email.GuestsBob Cilman, Young@Heart Chorus co-directorAnita Shumway, Young@Heart Chorus memberChristina Jarvis, Fredonia State University of New York, author of Lucky Mud & Other Foma 

Indiana is a predominantly rural state, according to an Indiana State population overview.Living in a rural area typically is correlated with worse health outcomes and lower pay for women. A University of Chicago working paper indicates that the social attitudes where a woman grows up continue to affect health and earning potential, even after a woman moves from the area. And while sexist attitudes have overall declined, Indiana has one of the highest rates of sexist attitudes in the Midwest.The 2023 Indiana Girl Report, released in November, says that Hoosier girls are admitted for inpatient care at three-times the rate of boys, and that there’s little explanation for the disparity.Additionally, girls in Indiana report exercising less than boys in the state.But in 2022, Hoosier girls graduated at a higher rate and boys. And 45 percent of girls in Indiana graduated high school with honors, compared to 32 percent of boys.This week on Noon Edition, we'll talk about outcomes for girls in rural Indiana.You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.You can also record your questions and send them in through email.GuestsDeb Getz, Associate Clinical Professor, Applied Health Science, IU School of Public HealthElizabeth Beiersdorfer, Dearborn County 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Tamisha Sales, Girl Coalition of Indiana Executive Director of Evaluation and LearningJonna Breitwieser, Girls On The Run Southwest Executive Director

How quickly should you RSVP to an event? What do you do if you show up underdressed? Do you call someone or send a text? Everyone at dinner is on their phones, is that ok?Social expectations are always changing and have become more relaxed in the last 50 years.This week on Noon Edition, we’ll talk with guests about common courtesies and social expectations, and the ways these have changed in recent years with influences like social media, technology, and COVID.A Pew Research Survey reports 31 percent of American adults are almost constantly online and more than half are online several times a day.And since 2019, virtual meetings have increased by 50 percent. The move to remote work and virtual interaction means many workplaces now have more relaxed dress codes.Social events are changing too, and demand for live events is on the rise. The Wall Street Journal reported a 45 percent increase in concert ticket sales from 2019 to 2023, despite a 14 percent jump in ticket sale prices.But for that price, people have varying expectations of the experience. Some want to document the experience by taking videos and pictures on their phones. And some attendees object to heavy cell phone use during live entertainment. People are spending more on personal events like weddings. According to The Knot, the average wedding cost in 2024 is $33,000. Americans will spend a record $68.7 billion in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic prices by more than $16 billion.But the rise in spending trends puts pressure on hosts and their family. Guests and wedding party members turn online to vent frustrations about the cost of attending. And some bridal party members report going into debt to participate in an event. You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.You can also record your questions and send them in through email.GuestsRahul Shrivastav, Executive Director IU Dining and HospitalityCebronica Luft, Founder of 317 Events and cofounder/partner of The Pavilion at The Pan Am PlazaBeverly Randolph, Etiquette and International Protocol Coach, The Protocol School of Indianapolis

‘Bad Bars’ investigation 
The IndyStar investigative team’s dive into violence and other issues at Indianapolis bars started in fall 2022.  Journalists Ryan Martin and Tony Cook uncovered more than 600 reports of violent acts tied to Indianapolis bars since 2016, including homicides and gun violence. Their investigation revealed lax oversight and a decline in enforcement of underage alcohol rules. The reporting led to bars being shut down, calls from the community for more oversight, and an increase in funding for an understaffed Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.  
WFYI’s School accountability of student seclusion and restraint  
And Governor Eric Holcomb signed a new law this legislative session that blocks schools from temporarily removing a student from instruction except as a last resort.  The Commission on Seclusion and Restraint also has to meet twice a year now, rather than once.  These changes, among others came after reporting done by WFYI’s Lee Gaines. Her work, based on public records, school logs, audio records of state meetings, and parent interviews– found that some schools do not accurately report incidents of restraint and seclusion to the state. The DOE is also required to conduct an annual audit of seclusion and restraint data reported to the agency by school districts, according to a rule that took effect in 2018. But the department has no record of an audit ever being done for the year before 2023, according to a spokesperson for the agency. The IDOE began conducting audits following inquiries from WFYI. This week on Noon Edition, our hosts will talk about local news reporting focused on these two stories, which had policy impacts in Indiana.  You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.GuestsLee Gaines, WFYI Investigative reporter, 2023 SPJ journalist of the year Tony Cook, IndyStar Investigative Reporter, SPJ story of the year Gerry Lanosga, The IU Media School Director of Journalism and Associate Professor

High school seniors across Indiana will be graduating in May. Some will continue on to higher learning at two- or four-year colleges, some will enter trade schools and some will go into the workforce. All will face the challenges of an economy recovering from the pandemic, but still seeing high interest rates and inflation. This Friday on Noon Edition, we’ll be live from Eastern Greene High School in neighboring Greene County to talk with seniors about their plans after high school and find out what they think about the current state of affairs in Indiana - and around the world. You can follow us on X — formerly known as Twitter — @WFIUWTIUNews or send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.  

Protests are breaking out throughout the nation in opposition to the war between Israel and Hamas and the role the U.S. plays in it. At Indiana University, students and faculty are pressuring the university to divest from Israel.IU Divestment Coalition spokesperson Bryce Greene said the group hopes to remain in Dunn Meadow until their demands are met.Read more: Pro-Palestine protestors arrested at IUProtestors set up over a dozen tents around 11 a.m. Thursday.A change in policy by an ad hoc committee created by IU administration Wednesday updated assembly policy to only allow pre-approved temporary or permanent structures like tents. It also prohibits signs and posters.IU president Pamela Whitten said in a letter to faculty Thursday night “the change was posted online and at Dunn Meadow (Thursday) morning, and participants were told repeatedly that they were free to stay and protest, but that any tent would need to be dismantled.”Thirty-three people were transported to the Monroe County Jail on an IU bus, according to the IU Police Department.IU has allowed temporary structures without prior approval in Dunn Meadow since 1969. This week on Noon Edition, we'll talk with experts to discuss the first amendment and what students, faculty and citizens need to know about protests on campuses. You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.GuestsJosh Bleisch is an attorney with FIRE and an IU law school alum.Steve Sanders is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Law at IU’s Maurer School of Law, and Val Nolan Faculty Fellow.Cali Lichter is a reporter with WTIU News.