On March 24, 2016, then-Governor Mike Pence signed into law House Enrolled Act 1337. The law introduced additional stipulations on abortion procedures throughout the state, including a measure which required women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound 18 hours before an abortion procedure. Two years later, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, along with the Indiana Chapter of the …

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is proposing the hiring of five additional public safety officers. Hamilton is expected to put the proposal before the city’s budgetary meeting, later in August. City of Bloomington Communications Director Yael Ksander said the five proposed public safety officials would act as community liaisons, rather than law enforcement officials. The proposal from Mayor Hamilton’s office follows …

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is calling for a renewed push towards passing hate crime legislation in the state. Holcomb’s call comes after the weekend vandalism of a Jewish synagogue in Carmel, Indiana. The state is one of five across the country which has not ratified independent hate crimes legislation. Anti-Semitic graffiti was found at the entrance to the Carmel synagogue …

The “Red Scare,” often called McCarthyism, went much deeper than what was directed by Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy in the 1950s and had, even as early as the late 1940s, a broad reach into the states. Local “scares” were often instigated by individuals, mini-McCarthys, who would red-bait state and city politics. But this “fear of communism” in the backyard, like …

The Monroe County Community School Corporation is hosting a public forum tonight at 6 pm in Bloomington; Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is proposing the hiring of five additional public safety officers to the Bloomington Police Department; Indiana governor Eric Holcomb is calling for a renewed push towards passing hate crime legislation in the state. FEATURE The Indiana Chapter of the …

Reported cases of Hepatitis A are on the rise throughout Southern Indiana, including Lawrence county. Monroe County Health Commissioner Penny Caudill said the increase in the reported cases of the fecal-oral disease mimics a wider outbreak across the country. Hepatitis A is caused by ingesting fecal particulates, and can be transmitted between people, or through contaminated food. Caudill said the …

Perry Township is a three-part edition of the Bicentennial Journal. Perry Township Trustee Dan Combs tells the history of how townships came to be, and what a township trustee did historically, and the continuing tasks of the township trustee today. In Part One, Combs about the complications of accurately surveying a township. Support for The Bicentennial Journal and WFHB comes …

Jennifer Crossley and Clarence Boone welcome Liz Watson PART ONE On tonight’s show, Jennifer and Clarence are joined by Indiana 9th Congressional District candidate, Attorney Liz Watson. She, along with BIO contributor William Hosea, joins us to discuss her candidacy for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District, a district that includes Monroe, Brown, Lawrence and parts of Morgan County. CREDITS Hosts: Jennifer …

The City of Bloomington Police Department is investigating two stabbings, one of which was fatal, which took place in the early hours of this morning. At 2:46 this morning, officers from the Police Department responded to a 911 call on W. 3rd Street, in Bloomington. According to a statement issued by the police department, the caller stated there was a …

The Monroe County Community School Corporation is inviting community members to weigh in on whether or not the school corporation should implement a security program. Tomorrow’s public forum comes after the state of Indiana released funds for school districts to purchase metal detectors. MCCSC Spokesman Andrew Clampitt said the metal detectors are being released in waves. Clampitt said tomorrow’s community …