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Photo designed by Madison True and edited by Sydney Foreman.

WFHB Local News – May 22, 2020

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This is the WFHB Local News for Friday, May 22nd, 2020.

In today’s show, WFHB Correspondents Jasmine White and Braydyn Lents break down racist comments from Indiana lawmaker, Jim Lucas. Also, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner covers a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for approving the Houston South Forest Restoration and Management project.

Your Local Headlines:

Bloomington City Council discussed appropriating funds for the Sares Road multi use path, intersection improvements and the re-pavement of College Mall Road. Clerk Nicole Bolden presented the ordinance during their May 20th meeting.

Council member Kate Rosenbarger said the council transportation committee had concerns of repaving College Mall Road without including bike lanes. Council member Isabel Piedmont- Smith asked Public Works Director Adam Wason about cumulative capital development fund uses.

Wason said the repaving budget could not have funded both the college mall re-pavement and previously planned 2020 projects. He said the project is pavement maintenance, not a redesign. He said bike or pedestrian lanes could be added in a later project. Councilor Matt Flaherty asked City Engineer Neil Kopper about adding bike lanes during the re-pavement.

During public comment, County Councilor Geoff McKim said the cost dramatically increases for delayed paving projects. Council member Stephen Volan proposed to send the ordinance back to the Transportation Committee for further deliberation. Wason said the grant money would be lost if the project is not approved by August 1st. Council members voted against sending the appropriation back to committee. Piedmont-Smith said the dollar amounts don’t support the Transportation plan.

Piedmont-Smith said the council needs to work to support bicycle and pedestrian travel. Council members approved the ordinance on a six-three vote with Volan, Flaherty, and Rosenbarger voting no.

 

Monroe County Commissioners approved the removal of surplus vehicles from the Sheriff and Highway Departments. Administrator Angie Purdie said the vehicles were no longer fit for use during their May 20th meeting.

Purdie listed the Highway Department’s surplus materials.

Purdie said anyone interested in the surplus material should reach out to the Highway Department for more information.

Feature Reports:

  1. Up next, WFHB Correspondent Alex Dederer reports on a survey at Indiana University regarding sexual misconduct.
  2.  Monroe County officials and various environmental groups have sued the U.S Forest Service for approving the plan for the Houston South Forest Restoration and Management project. WFHB Correspondent, Katrine Bruner discusses the details of the conflict and how the plan will affect Bloomington.
  3. Earlier this month, IUPUI’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health encouraged students and Hoosiers around Indiana to apply to be a contact tracer through the Indiana State Health Department. WFHB Correspondent Jake Jacobson tells us more about what contact tracing is, and how it can help.
  4. The NAACP called for the resignation of Indiana Representative Jim Lucas after he posted a racist meme on his personal Facebook page. Lucas was removed from two committees and lost his position as vice chair on the standing Committee on Government Reduction. WFHB Correspondent Jasmine White breaks down why Lucas’ comments are considered racist. Then, WFHB Junior Correspondent Braydyn Lents provides some commentary on the issue. For more, we turn to Jasmine White and Braydyn Lents who are covering the social justice beat in today’s local newscast.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News.
Today’s headlines were written by Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Alex Dederer, Katrine Bruner, Jake Jacobson, Jasmine White and Braydyn Lents.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Executive producer is Kade Young.

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