Noon Edition

Indiana Public Media
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  • Updated Biweekly

Noon Edition is a weekly radio program inviting your participation on news and issues facing the southern and central Indiana community

  1. May 22

    Farmers facing uncertain future amid rising costs, trade wars

    Farmers across Indiana are facing a difficult economic landscape in 2026. Farm bankruptcies rose sharply last year, with the Midwest seeing the largest increase in the country. At the same time, many farmers are dealing with tight profit margins, rising fertilizer and fuel costs, uncertain commodity prices and questions about the future of trade and exports. Read more: Ag bill in federal legislature could help Hoosier farmers But economics aren’t the only challenge. Across Indiana, farmers and rural communities are also grappling with land use issues tied to solar developments, data centers and large infrastructure projects. As energy demand grows and development pressures increase, debates continue over how farmland should be used and who gets to decide its future. Read more: Conference highlights ways farmers can use land for both solar and agriculture On today’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the state of Indiana’s agricultural economy, the financial pressures facing farmers, and the land use and development issues reshaping rural communities. GuestsDave Fischer, Farm Manager at Fischer FarmsJesse Uebelhor, agronomist at Superior Ag and farmerMichael Langemeier, Director for the Center for Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University

    53 min

  2. May 15

    This month is about shining a spotlight on mental health

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month. First observed in 1949, the annual observance is meant to “highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions,” according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The council reports one in five adults have experienced some kind of mental illness in the past year, with one in 20 have a serious mental illness in the past year. And, one in five children have some sort of mental health issues, the most common of which is anxiety. That led to 20 percent of high school students considering suicide in 2023. Mental Health America’s theme for the month is “Have more god days, together.” The goal is to help more people have good days through support and understanding of mental health issues and to reflect on what a good day looks like. Indiana ranks 24th in the nation for mental health access and outcomes, a big improvement over 2022 when the state ranked 42nd. If you or anyone you know is having a crisis or needs emotional support, they can call or text the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. To find mental health counseling and community resources in Indiana, call 211. On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss mental health concerns, how people can support those with mental health issues, suicide rates and mitigation, and available resources on mental illness. GuestsJune Coleman, Greater Bloomington Area NAMIAmy Makice, Relational-Cultural therapist, Bloomington Center for ConnectionJennifer Scott, Mobile Crisis Coordinator, Centerstone's STRIDE Crisis CenterBarbara Thompson, Executive Director, NAMI Indiana

    53 min

  3. May 8

    County commissioners, council racing to beat deadline for new jail

    Last week, the Monroe County Commissioners again approved a purchase agreement to buy the North Park site for a new jail. The commissioners are trying to stay ahead of a deadline to make progress on building a new jail as outlined in a 2009 lawsuit settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union. It says that if the Monroe County Council doesn’t approve the new purchase agreement by May 29, the county could face another lawsuit from the ACLU. Read more: County commissioners and ACLU reach last ditch agreement The last time the commissioners agreed to purchase the land in the fall, the council refused to fund it, citing concerns about costs and a desire to keep the jail within city limits. The Bloomington City Council has also come out in opposition to North Park as the site for a new jail. Read more: Monroe County Council refuses $8M to buy new jail property After years of legal extensions and deteriorating conditions in the jail, Commissioner Jody Madeira says the county needs to find a workable solution now. “We stumble if we continuously look back over our shoulders,” Madeira said. “The 17-year history of this must be a hand on the back that shoves us forward and not a grip on our shoulder that holds us back.” On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss the latest on a new jail between the county commissioners and the county council and if they can avoid a potential lawsuit. GuestsJulie Thomas, President, Monroe County CommissionersTrent Deckard, Monroe County Council, At-largeSeth Mutchler, Care Not Cages

    52 min

  4. May 1

    How to keep Bloomington growing in uncertain economic times

    Indiana University has been the backbone of the Bloomington economy for some time, helping the community avoid the hardships other cities have faced.  But due to funding cuts at the state and federal levels and changes to the property tax laws in the state, that is no longer the case.  Layoffs at Indiana University have continued into 2026. And Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant in town, recently announced 400 layoffs. Add in the high cost of living in the city and Bloomington’s economic outlook looks a little bleak.  Read more: Private businesses will bolster Bloomington after IU cuts  Last year, wages in Bloomington fell by 6.2 percent. Statewide, they grew by 5.6 percent.  And in its 2026 Futurecast, the Indiana Business Research Center at IU predicted a less than 1 percent growth for Bloomington and the surrounding area this year.  A market research survey ranked Bloomington below Lafayette and South Bend in “salary and income, job market strength, quality of life and amenities, and industry presence.”  Read more: Bloomington at a crossroads, with urgent need to grow the economy  Former Bloomington mayor John Fernandez, now the CEO of Amplify Bloomington, said the city needs to lean into its quality of life and amenities. But, he said, the city needs to invest in attracting and retaining the 25- to 50-year-old workforce.  On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll be discussing issues impacting Bloomington’s economic outlook and what can be done to ensure a healthy, growing economic forecast going forward.   Guests  John Fernandez, CEO, Amplify Bloomington Carol Rogers, Director, Indiana Business Research Center Eric Spoonmore, Executive Director, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

    53 min

  5. Apr 24

    The inspiration behind the Oscar-winning movie 'Breaking Away'

    This year marks the 75th anniversary of the men’s Little 500 bicycle race at Indiana University.  Billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” more than 25,000 people pour into Bloomington for the numerous events leading up to Saturday’s 200-lap, 50-mile men’s race at Bill Armstrong Stadium.  Little 500 is also synonymous with the 1979 movie “Breaking Away,” a coming-of-age tale of four Bloomington “cutters” trying to find their place after high school graduation in a college town. They end up competing in – and winning – the Little 500.    The movie was written by Indiana University grad Steve Tesich, a member of the winning 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team the film is loosely based on. “Breaking Away” was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Tesich taking home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.  READ MORE: ‘Breaking Away’ celebrates 40th anniversary  Dennis Christopher starred in the lead as Dave Stohler, a cycling enthusiast obsessed with Italian racers. That character was based on Dave Blase, who was on the bike for more than half the 1962 race for Phi Kappa Psi. The character’s name was a combination of Blase and team manager Bob Stohler.  Tesich died in 1996 at the age of 53, but his little film about the biggest college weekend in Bloomington remains a must-see.  On this week’s Noon Edition, we'll talk with members of the 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team that was the inspiration behind the Oscar-winning movie, Breaking Away.  Guests Dave Blase, member, 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team John Odusch, member, 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team Rich Burns, member, 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team Bob Stohler, manager, 1962 Phi Kappa Psi team

    53 min

  6. Apr 17

    What environmental issues are Hoosiers facing this Earth Day?

    It’s been almost 56 years since the founding of both the Environmental Protection Agency and the first Earth Day in response to public outrage about pollution. A lot's changed since then, with several pieces of landmark legislation passed to protect the water, land, and air of the USA. Over the past year, big changes have been made at the federal and state level to weaken or eliminate existing environmental regulations. On this week’s Noon Edition, we talked with environmental policy experts about the key environmental issues facing Indiana and the United States, from data centers to water pollution, and what environmental deregulation means for Hoosiers. Guests:  Kerwin Olson, Executive Director of the Citizens Action CoalitionChristian Freitag, Executive Director of Conservation Law CenterDavid Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director of the Hoosier Environmental CouncilJanet McCabe, Former deputy administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency

    52 min

  7. Apr 10

    What's behind the planned merger of Ellettsville, Richland Township?

    Last week, a reorganization committee comprised of members of the town of Ellettsville and Richland Township presented a draft plan on how to merge the two governing bodies into one entity. The two governments began exploring the merger last November. The goals are to help avoid stringent Monroe County zoning codes, give residents a bigger voice in local government and mitigate lost property taxes due to changes in the last state budget. Read more: Draft plan complete for Ellettsville-Richland reorganization The draft could receive some pushback from the Town Council, where two members were critical of the selection process for the reorganization committee. Ultimately, the plan will be voted on by residents in November when it will be a referendum on the ballot. Read more: Reorganization subcommittee reports On this week’s Noon Edition, we'll talk with Ellettsville and Richland Township leaders about the proposal to merge the two governing bodies into one entity and what it would mean for residents of the town and county. GuestsWilliam Ellis, Ellettsville Town Council, Ward 2Mike Farmer, Ellettsville Town ManagerKevin Farris, Richland Township representative, Reorganization CommitteeJill Thurman, Director, Greater Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce

    52 min

  8. Apr 3

    COTA celebrating 40 years, National Donate Life Month

    April is National Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness of – and encourage people to sign up for – organ donation. It’s also the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in Bloomington. COTA’s mission is to “help children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support.” It’s raised more than $160 million since opening in 1986. Last year, COTA paid out more than $4 million to help with transplant expenses. According to Donate Life Indiana, “more than 1,000 Hoosiers are among more than 100,000 Americans waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. In the U.S., another person is added to the transplant waiting list every eight minutes. Each day, 16 people die because a donated organ wasn’t available in time.” On this week's Noon Edition, we’ll talk about the history of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, its mission, and what it’s like to be the family of a donor and a recipient. GuestsRick Lofgren, CEO and president, COTASuzanne Seiders, Board member, COTA and parent of child recipientLisa Vanderkleed, Parent of child donor

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Noon Edition is a weekly radio program inviting your participation on news and issues facing the southern and central Indiana community

Information

  • Creator
    Indiana Public Media
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    962
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Noon Edition

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