WFHB Local News

WFHB Local News
WFHB Local News

Listen to the WFHB Local News Monday through Thursday nights. Hear the latest headlines for South Central Indiana, hyperlocal coverage on government meetings and our daily feature reports. Local, independent, volunteer-powered news on WFHB Community Radio.

  1. OCT 3

    WFHB Local News – October 3rd, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 3rd, 2024. Later in the program, we have important election information on Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters and WFHB. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, a back-to-school edition of Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio. But first, Civic Conversations: In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the League of Women Voters and WFHB. This month, we welcome Ralf Shaw of the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County to discuss voting in the November general election. During this episode, Ms. Shaw shares the basics of Indiana voting, including absentee and early voting requirements. She also talks about LWV US Vote411. Launched in October 2006 by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF), VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process. We turn now to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News. Up next, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio. Today’s edition of Voices in the Street took place at the Indiana University festival, First Thursday, organized by the IU Arts and Humanities Council. This segment focuses on how students, faculty and community members prepare for heading back to school following summer break. We turn now to Part I of the “Back to School” edition of Voices in the Street on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Civic Conversations was produced by Becky Hill. Voices in the Street was produced by Youth Radio and the News Department. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

    28 min
  2. OCT 2

    WFHB Local News – October 2nd, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024. Later in the program, we revisit our episode covering Indiana’s power grid on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, “Are We Having Fungible Yet?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Ellettsville Town Council Photo courtesy of Ellettsville. The Ellettsville Town Council passed an ordinance for appropriations and tax rates for the 2025 Budget at their regular meeting on September 23. The ordinance sets the tax rate to .7579%, but Clerk Treasurer Lauren Conyers says that it will likely drop after the town gets a Levy appeal. The town will apply for a $318,000 Excess Levy Appeal, but Conyers said they likely won’t receive the total requested based on past years. Council Member Dan Swafford expressed concern about increases residents might expect on their taxes. Conyers mentioned that in writing the budget, many cuts were made to ensure the rates wouldn’t increase too much. Council President William Ellis responded he understood the process, but was worried about the impact on the residents. The Council discussed that tax rates should increase in correlation with property value increase. Ellis said that while it’s good for property value to grow, it would be nice if the rates could go down so residents aren’t paying so much more. He continued on to ask if the town could accept less if the Levy Appeal is approved so rates could stay lower. Baker Tilly Consultant Paige Sansone responded that the town is growing at a rate where they should accept the entire amount if it’s provided. Sansone said that the town has a fully justified need for the entire amount of the appeal, but said they could accept a smaller amount if they chose to. The Council approved the Excess Levy Appeal Petition in a close 3-2 vote. The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on October 11. Richland Bean Blossom School Board At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board Meeting on September 25th, Edgewood Junior High School Counselor, Brittany Straw, gave an update on the school’s therapy dog in-training, Barley. Barley began training at the school in the 2023-2024 school year. Next month, Barley is scheduled to take her certification exam to be an official therapy dog. Superintendent Jerry Sanders noted how Barley has been beneficial to students. Next, the school board opened the floor to public comment about amendments to the Superintendent’s contract, but no public comment was made. Legal Counsel Christine Bartlett discussed the two changes made to the contract. President Dana Karr and Vice President Jimmie Durnil shared their thoughts about Dr. Jerry Sander’s efforts as superintendent. Updates to the Superintendent’s contract were approved. The next Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting will be held October 28th at 6pm. Feature Report: In today’s feature report, we revisit our episode covering Indiana’s power grid on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. WFHB News spoke with SIREN (Solar Indiana Renewable Energy Network) Communications Manager Anne Hedin, who walked us through the different types of electric utilities there are in the U.S., how solar and wind energy help to reduce strain on the grid and what we can hope for in the future with renewable energy in Indiana. We turn now to that rebroadcast of Deep Dive on the WFHB Local News. Up next, “Are We Having Fungible Yet?” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment o...

    29 min
  3. OCT 1

    WFHB Local News – October 1st, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 1st, 2024. Later in the program, we hear more from Steven Stewart of the Heartwood Forest Council on protecting Indiana forests from burning and logging in today’s news feature with Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze. 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 At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on September 24th, the board voted on the renewal of micro-mobility applications. Transportation Demand Manager, Jeffrey Jackson, spoke to the board about the alternative transportation companies Bird and Lime. He explained why they are recommending the approval of the application for Bird scooters, and denying the application for Lime Scooters. Board Member Kayla Cox Deckard asked if they had any issues with Bird in the past. Jackson said they had not. Director of Public Works, Adam Wason, shared a public comment from Bloomington Resident and Member of the Redevelopment Commission, Deborah Meyerson, who wrote in an email that she is disappointed that Lime would not be continuing to operate in Bloomington. Also during public comment on the ordinance, Bloomington Resident, Charles Livingston, shared pictures of scooters and bikes that he has seen parked in a way that blocked the sidewalk. Livingston expressed concern on behalf of individuals who use wheelchairs who are being blocked by the incorrect parking of scooters and bikes. Wason responded to Livingston’s comment, and shared with the board the work they do to enforce micro-mobility parking issues. Deckard asked Wason how responsive Bird has been to the city’s parking enforcement. Wason responded. The board voted 3-0 to approve the license for Bird scooters and bikes, and reject the license for Lime. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on October 8th. Feature Report: And now, Zero Roze speaks with IFA's Hoosier National Forest Program Director Steven Stewart about burning Buffalo Springs and a new lawsuit aimed at protecting the Lake Monroe Watershed. Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment. 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 Zyro Roze. 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.

    30 min
  4. SEP 30

    WFHB Local News – September 30th, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 30th, 2024. Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item of his regular newsletter, “The Almost Daily Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report. That’s Jules Erwin from WildCare. Got a bat in your attic? Baby possum crying under your porch? Your local animal control cannot help with these things but WildCare can. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate! But first, your daily headlines: MCCSC School Board Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student. During the September 25th Monroe County School Corporation Board Meeting, the board held a public hearing on the 2025 budget. The hearing went over the total annual budget and bonds, the M-C-C-S-C Equity Goal 3, and the Childs-Templeton merger. The Director and Municipal Advisor at Baker Tilly, Jeff Hamon, went over the School Corporation’s outstanding bonds. There are eight in total and a plan to have them all paid by 2039 was presented. The total 2024 annual payment on those bonds is about $17.3 million. The General Obligation Bond capacity was also considered at the meeting for the coming year. The school’s full bonding capacity would be capped at $15,850,000 with a repayment term of just a little over ten years. Chief Financial Officer John Kenny spoke on the budget. He outlined the 2025 Budget Hearing reported a total of $187,697,070 for total budget for funds for education, operations, referendums, debt service, and school pension. Kenny said the budget will increase funds for Referendums and Debt service in order to offset tax levies. Kenny compared M-C-C-S-C to other school corporations’ tax rates, and showed that M-C-C-S-C has the second lowest tax rate compared to ten other schools closest in terms of Average Daily Membership enrollment. Next, the M-C-C-S-C Equity Goal Three for student learning was addressed. Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Alexis Harmon said the goal is to accelerate learning for students with accessible high-quality curriculum and instruction to reduce academic disparity. The current data presented says that I-LEARN from the 2023-2024 school year, from MCCSC’s third grade to eighth grade, is performing above the rest of the state in all grade levels, but wants to do better. This is true for graduation rates as well as S-A-T stats. Harmon shared a report which showed a focus on a new route taken for reading literacy and language comprehension. She said that I-READ 2 came as a response to the I-READ 3 law, stating a school cannot pass a child onto the 4th grade if they do not pass I-READ 3. By having 2nd graders take I-READ 2 it can show educators what needs to be Brandene in 3rd grade to pass them on to 4th. Lastly, the Childs-Templeton Merger has been getting great feedback from the public and school board. M-C-C-S-C Interim Superintendent Doctor Markay Winston reported a 3D model of the school has been completed and will help figure out how many students and staff will be able to fit into each classroom. A feedback form is on their website for those wanting to share ideas on what they want for the merger and a bi-weekly newsletter has been created in order to create transparency and give updates to families and employees. Isolated redistricting was brought up during the report, but Dr. Winston assured the board, specifically Board Member BranBranden Shurr who brought up the issue, that it has only been talked about, but will not be in the final recommendation. Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer agrees with Schurr and goes on to explain how the merger is a positive opportunity for the students of Childs and Templeton. Dr. Winston requests that the board think about and answer...

    30 min
  5. SEP 26

    WFHB Local News – September 26th, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 26th, 2024. Later in the program, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council heard several appropriation ordinances on the 2025 city budget during last night’s meeting. More coming up in your daily headlines: Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole The Bloomington City Council met on September 25th. Council members heard an ordinance regarding appropriations and tax rates for the Bloomington Transportation Corporation for 2025. General Manager for Bloomington Transit John Connell urged the council to pass the ordinance. Council Member Matt Flaherty questioned how Bloomington Transit plans on improving bus stops in the city. Connell discussed B-T’s strategies for more accessible bus stops over the next several years. Then, Council Member Dave Rollo inquired whether Bloomington Transit would expand bus services to a new potential county jail site. Connell says that they’ve been in touch with Monroe County officials regarding transportation for the possible new location for the jail. Local resident Joe Davis offered public comment advocating for a more centralized jail location which he believes would mitigate transportation issues for the new jail initiative. Council Member Rollo echoed the concerns Davis brought up and encouraged the council to work with the county to advocate for a more central location for the jail. The council recommended the adoption of the ordinance by a 9-0 vote. Next, the council heard an ordinance for appropriations and tax rates establishing the 2025 civil city budget for the City of Bloomington. City Controller Jessica McClellan walked through amendments made to the budget. The council voted 8-0-1 to recommend approval of the appropriations ordinance with Council Member Dave Rollo abstaining from the vote. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will take place on October 1st. Feature Report: In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interviewed Danielle Bargo, native Hoosier, health economist, and a doctoral student in health policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Bargo published an article last year in the Indianapolis Capital Chronicle, “Why do Indiana hospitals charge more in poorer communities?” Using Indiana University Health as an example she discusses the issues around how hospitals set their prices in Indiana, and we discuss the example of Maryland where a commission sets hospital prices uniformly throughout the state. We turn now to Prescription for Healthcare on the WFHB Local News. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

    30 min
  6. SEP 25

    WFHB Local News – September 25th, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 25th, 2024. Later in the program, Big Talk host Michael Glab speaks with political scientist Jeff Isaac who works as a professor at Indiana University. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, “Cryptocurrency Scams” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines: Bloomington City Council During the September 20th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Council Member Kate Rosenbarger started the meeting by reporting for “Safe Streets for All.” She reported most crashes occurring on Bloomington streets are at speeds of 30 miles per hour or higher. She said that “Safe Streets for All” encourages a 20-mile-per-hour speed limit, but Indiana makes this difficult due to their speed limit minimum being set to 25 miles per hour except for school zones and related zones. Post-crash care and the structure of the second highest priority intersection, 3rd and College are being looked into. During his council report, Council Member Isak Asare reminded the public that we are in the midst of National Hispanic Heritage Month running from September 15th to October 15th. For more information, visit Bloomington.in.gov/latino/nhhm. Next, the council heard a report from the Bloomington Housing Authority Director of Real Estate Development, Nathan Ferreira, who spoke on the development of the Summit Hill Works. Ferreira said that because incomes don’t keep pace with rising housing costs, more and more subsidies are required to develop affordable housing. He explained that the primary purpose of the Community Land Trust is to acquire and hold land and perpetuity for the benefit of the community. While the Community Land Trust retains ownership of the land, it is used to develop or renovate housing to be sold affordably to income-qualifying households. He shared that with Clear Creek modular homes, they have been able to build four homes, and two are under construction. One two-bedroom home is currently available for purchase. With land excluded from the equation, Ferreira said homes range from $205,000 to $226,500. Ferreira shared a story of a homeowner who was able to buy a home through their program. He said that she is a single mother of four and works at a local bank, and could not afford a home in Bloomington. She is a graduate of the Bloomington Housing Authorities Family Self-Sufficiency Program, so she was able to convert her Section 8 voucher into a mortgage payment. The opportunities Summer Hill Works has provided her have been able to create some stability. Ferriera spoke on another housing situation. Ferriera explained that projects have an affordability period, and when they expire, they often go to the market rate. With their model, this won’t happen, because it will still be part of Summit Hill, which has an affordability mission. They are planning to complete a Learning Center and Core Community flats in 2026. They are also aiming to build out current Community Land Trust homes by early 2027. You can apply for one of these homes by completing their information session found on info@hsc.org, and completing the city's Home Buyers Club which also creates access to $10,000 in down payment assistance. The Federal Home Loan bank of Indianapolis has an additional Down Payment Assistance Program for minority home buyers of up to $25,000 that can be paired with the cities. Next, during public comment, Bloomington Resident Greg Alexander called the skywalk a show of “segregation” between those exper...

    30 min
  7. SEP 24

    WFHB Local News – September 24th, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. Later in the program, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. 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: Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees Upon entering the library, you can see the words, "read, learn, connect and create" (Young). At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on September 18th, the board held a public hearing on the 2025 budget. Financial Officer Gary Lettelleir outlined the library’s proposed budget. The board will hold the final vote to adopt the 2025 budget at their next meeting. Next, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly director’s report. Later in the meeting, the Vega Discover Implementation Team presented on the new catalog software, Polaris Vega Discover. I-L-S Coordinator, Christine Sneed, started off by sharing what the current catalog offers, and what the new catalog would improve upon. Sneed shared how the new catalog will include all of the e-content that they offer like Libby and Hoopla. Carson shared his appreciation for the implementation team, and said that they did fantastic work. Board Member Nichelle Wash said she was glad the website was still familiar. Wash also suggested that the three women be nominated for an award for their work. The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees will meet again on October 16th. Feature Report: The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. In today’s feature, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on the effort to allow for residential development without eroding Indiana’s farms (Photo courtesy of Flickr). The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has called for a study on the economic impacts of the loss of farmland throughout the state. In today’s feature, WFHB Correspondent Janek Schaller reports on the effort to allow for residential development without eroding Indiana’s farms. Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn 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 Janek Schaller. Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky. Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

    28 min
  8. SEP 24

    WFHB Local News – September 23rd, 2024

    This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 23rd, 2024. Later in the program, Megan Gushwa from the Brown County Humane Society, on the help they provide to the community that bigger shelters do not, like free pet food for local pet owners struggling with poverty. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate! Also coming up in the next half hour, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the regular newsletter, the Almost Daily Bulletin. Today’s entry tackles a postponed vote by the Bloomington City Council. But first, your daily headlines: Monroe County Council Photo by Benedict Jones. The Monroe County Council met on September 17th. County Commissioner Julie Thomas presented during department updates to comment on Monday’s public discussion on the jail. She also stated that the commissioners will be moving forward with the North Park site. Next, the council continued their discussion on increasing the county jail tax to help fund the construction of a new jail facility. Jail Transition Director, Corey Grass, started the discussion. He and Councilmember Kate Wiltz discussed the timeline leading up to this vote. Councilmember Geoff McKim asked Grass about what he thinks about the saying, “If you build it, they’ll fill it," asking for those concerned about building a larger jail than necessary. Grass responded. Council Member McKim said he is in support of approving the maximum tax increase of 0.2%. As did Council Member Cheryl Munson, who said that she has been involved in approving a tax increase for Monroe County in the past, and takes that responsibility very seriously. Council Member Jennifer Crossley shared that she cares about all of Monroe County citizens, those that are incarcerated, and those that are on fixed income who will be impacted by a tax increase, but that she thinks they need to make a new jail. Councilmember Wiltz shared her concern about the size of the jail facility, and explained why she is not in support of voting to approve the maximum tax increase rate of 0.2%. Councilmember Peter Iverson said that he is in support of increasing the tax rate. He said that the expansion of the jail facility will allow for more community groups to visit the jail and provide more opportunities for the inmates. The council members passed an amendment of the ordinance, for a 0.175% tax rate. A public hearing of that rate will be held on October 7th. Feature Report: The Brown County Humane Society calls itself the little shelter with big results. Despite having resources that are more limited than nearby cities like Bloomington and Columbus, this shelter headquartered in Nashville, Indiana is able to offer help to the community that bigger shelters do not, like free pet food for local pet owners struggling with poverty. Community Relations Manager Megan Gushwa says volunteers are what makes it all possible, and she's here to ask for YOUR help on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News. Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item from the regular newsletter, the Almost Daily Bulletin. Today’s entry tackles a postponed vote by the Bloomington City Council. For more, we turn to Dave Askins. Credits: You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News, Today’s headlines were written by Kate C and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services. Our feature was produced by Kade Young. Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced Activate! Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers. Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

    30 min
4
out of 5
8 Ratings

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Listen to the WFHB Local News Monday through Thursday nights. Hear the latest headlines for South Central Indiana, hyperlocal coverage on government meetings and our daily feature reports. Local, independent, volunteer-powered news on WFHB Community Radio.

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