Noon Edition

Indiana Public Media
  • 5.0 (2)
  • News
  • Updated Biweekly

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

  1. Jun 19

    How LGBTQ+ Hoosiers are celebrating Pride Month

    June is Pride Month, a month-long observance commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) culture and community. Indiana started celebrating Pride in 1990 with the Celebration on the Circle event in downtown Indianapolis. Today, over 40 Pride events are celebrated throughout the state, from small rural events to several-day festivals. But this year has been a challenging one for LGBTQ rights in Indiana, with a federal appeals court upholding an Indiana law dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by opponents, the state banning transgender Hoosiers from updating their gender on driver’s licenses and birth certificates, and legislative attempts to ban transgender people from using bathrooms that don’t align with their sex at birth. Read more: Indiana governor declares Pride month ‘nuclear family month’ On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss how Pride Month is being celebrated in Indiana amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation at the state and the federal level. GUESTS Elisabeth Solchik, Spencer Pride Melanie Davis, the Front Door community center in Bloomington

    52 min

  2. Jun 12

    What to make of Supreme Court decisions released, still to come

    The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release more than two dozen decisions of cases it heard this term by the end of the month. The court has already released several verdicts so far, including allowing some states to redistrict their congressional maps and denying others; striking down much of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and voiding President Trump’s tariff policies. Still to be decided are cases involving birthright citizenship, which has been guaranteed under the 14th Amendment, a ban on trans athletes in sports, immigration status and election laws. Read more: The Supreme Court is in its final stretch this term. On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss already released and impending key decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court as it wraps up its current session this month. GUESTSZachary Cormier, Associate Professor of Law, Indiana University McKinney School of LawSteve Sanders, Professor of Law, Indiana University Maurer School of Law

    53 min

  3. Jun 5

    What does the future hold for graduating high schoolers?

    Last weekend, high school seniors across the state walked across the stage for graduation. The class of 2026 grew up in a world of social media and lived through the COVID-19 emergency as middle schoolers, which shut down schools for a year and upended their learning experiences. Members of Gen Z, they’re entering a world with the U.S. once again at war, a slowing economy, unaffordable housing and a challenging job market, with everyone concerned about a future dominated by artificial intelligence. Now of voting age, they will have a role in shaping the direction of the political landscape of the country. Many will be headed to college in the fall, where the high cost of education is a worry for many. In a Third Way poll of graduating seniors, 56 percent of respondents said "the best path forward for me is not to attend a four-year college or university, regardless of the cost." But, more than three-fourths believe they have a “great future ahead of them.” Nationally, nearly a third of graduating high schoolers do not attend a post-secondary education institution, choosing to enter the workforce or alternative training right after high school. This week we’ll talk with graduating high school seniors about their educational experiences, living through COVID and their plans and expectations after high school. GuestsKelton O’Connell, Bloomington High School NorthFinn Wolfger, Eastern Greene High School

    52 min

  4. May 29

    How to safely enjoy Indiana's wilderness this summer

    With school letting out and the summer weather upon us, a lot of people will be heading outdoors for recreation. And around Bloomington, there’s a lot of nature to take advantage of, with four prominent lakes, two state parks and several wilderness areas and nature preserves to explore. Read more: Hiking paths in and around Bloomington But with all the fun comes some risk. Dozens in the state die annually in boating and swimming accidents; there are four venomous snakes in the state, including the Northern Copperhead, which is prevalent in southern Indiana; ticks, which seem to be particularly thick this year; and heatstroke. Read more: Tick season has arrived, here's what to know On this week’s Noon Edition, we’ll discuss how to safely enjoy the outdoors, places to camp and hike, the abundance of ticks, wildlife and the differences between nature preserves, national forests, and state parks. GuestsHeidi Shoemaker, Natural Resources Coordinator for Bloomington Parks & RecreationTom Swinford, Land Preservation Director for Sycamore Land TrustJill Vance, DNR Interpretive Naturalist for Monroe Lake

    52 min

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (966)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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
    966
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Noon Edition