News & Public Affairs

Host Andy Mahler explores cultural divides with Indiana University doctoral students Munir Gibrill and Abdulai Salifu, both natives of Ghana. They discuss Ghana’s history and cultural traditions, its role in the slave trade, and post-colonial independence under charismatic pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah. They reflect on their lives and studies, the paths that brought them to Bloomington, and their perceptions of …

Host Lisa-Marie Napoli interviews Karta Kaur about her work as a Yogini, Co-founder of the Midland Yoga Center, and Music Engineer. The interview explores Karta’s personal journey on her spiritual path and the role that the Bloomington community has had on her development. Two beautiful songs, played on the harmonium instrument and sung by Karta, are shared for listeners to …

Host John Brunicon interviews Bill Williams, Director of Engineering for the Monroe County Highway Department. Topics include the local impact of the I-69 project and other funded and unfunded projects, pollution caused by ice melting ingredients, costs of asphalt verses concrete, Curry Pike then and now, and increasing the gas tax as an alternative source of funding to leasing public …

Host Andy Mahler speaks with long-time Orange County resident and Texas native Helen Monica Vasquez about her activism on behalf of immigrants. Helen, a retired civil servant, has been a volunteer with the Guadalupe Center in Dubois County which provides services to the area’s Hispanic community which has more than doubled in the last decade. The conversation touches on the …

Host Sarah Eckard gets up close and personal with Betty Cockrum, CEO Planned Parenthood of Indiana. Cockrum talks about her fight to stop Attorney General Steve Carter from seizing medical records in a battle over patient confidentiality and recalls the little-publicized story of how a state bill introduced last year sought to criminalize abortion in Indiana. She also expresses frustration …

Host John Brunicon talks with Monroe County Commissioner Herb Kilmer, who is running for Judge Circuit Court 5. Topics include taxes, I-69, funding mandates, septic issues, the jail system and law enforcement, Herb’s involvement with the Monroe County School Board, and the ways Bloomington has changed (and remained the same) over the last forty years.

Host Lisa Morrison spends an hour with Bloomington resident Gretchen Clearwater, a candidate for Congress vying for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming primary for a chance to unseat ninth district Republican incumbent Mike Sodrel. Learn about Clearwater’s positions on the war in Iraq, education, health care, and employment as she details her travels and conversations with area citizens. You’ll …

Host Andy Mahler interviews Bloomington surgeon and IU professor Dr. Jerry Jesseph about patient care and the practice of peace of mind. Jesseph explores the divergent paths of western science and eastern mystical traditions, the nature of disease, the physiology of the mind, particle physics, the inspiration of Buckminster Fuller, and the joys of his newly-found grandparenthood. Dr. Jesseph is …

“The People of WFHB News” – In this special celebration of volunteer spirit news director Chad Carrothers spends and hour with nearly a dozen of the movers and shakers in local community newsradio to find out what makes them tick. In segment one you’ll hear familiar voices like senior correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall and lead reporter Sarah Eckard talk about the …

Host Lisa Morrison talks with local writer and musician Barbra Lantz about her newly published book, “The Return of Chief Joseph”, and her workshop series at the Bloomington Womens’ Writing Center. Joseph was chief of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce Indians during General Oliver O. Howard’s attempt to forcibly remove his band and the other “non-treaty” Indians to a …