WFHB Local News Features

According to a recently completed study of incarceration and the local criminal justice system, Monroe County has uncovered a number of “critical issues” that “require urgent attention and remediation.”  Initiated in 2019, the “cornerstone-purpose of this study was twofold: 1) gain a clearer understanding of jail conditions and court related practices, and 2) obtain recommendations for improving incarceration and court- related …

Welcome to the June edition of Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters in Bloomington-Monroe County. Today’s episode of Civic Conversations focuses on climate change. Host Jim Allison speaks with Melissa Widhalm, Operations Manager of the Purdue University Climate Change Research Center. Widhalm begins by talking about her work at the Purdue University …

With Indiana lawmakers set to reconvene at the end of the year to “approve new congressional and General Assembly districts,” nonpartisan organization Common Cause Indiana hosted a voting rights webinar this past week to educate Hoosiers on many aspects of redistricting across the state. The state’s history of gerrymandering in the drawing of its districts has led both Indiana voters …

Each week, community members and volunteers and WFHB pose questions for Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton about local current events. Each Monday, Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson asks Mayor Hamilton those questions. Today, on A Few Minutes With the Mayor, we talk about the flooding in Bloomington and Monroe County from the storm on June 19. Mayor Hamilton talks about how …

In Bloomington, growing concerns over lack of representation for renters have led housing advocacy group Neighbors United to begin the formation of a new ‘Renters’ Neighborhood Association.’ Intended to be an alternative to the current homeowner-dominated neighborhood associations that can be found around Bloomington, the Renters’ Association will provide renter-specific support in the protection of their rights and representation in …

Welcome to the June edition of Prescription for Healthcare – a once-a-month podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana.  In today’s segment, hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone speak with Dr. Mark Bauman – a former physician at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital and professor at IU School of Medicine who specializes in …

Experts weigh in on the transition to solar energy in light of Duke Energy’s solar investment. Betty Lynch starts her day like anyone else: she flips on the lights, makes coffee and breakfast, and watches the news. Some days she cuts the grass, or hops in her car to drive to work. But Lynch doesn’t have to stop at the gas station on her way, or worry about her energy bill later. Her routine is powered by the solar panels on the roof of her home in Lawrence, Indiana. Experts say conditions are right for a transition to solar and renewable energy in Indiana. A subsidiary of the Duke Energy Corporation, Duke Energy Renewables, has announced plans for the $180 million “Hoosier Jack” solar farm in Vigo and Sullivan counties. Sophia Hall reporting for WFHB EcoReport

In its meeting this past Wednesday, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners moved to approve an agreement through which public accounting firm Baker Tilly will review and analyze the City of Bloomington’s Annexation Fiscal Plan. The motion to approve this agreement was amended to make it subject to legal department review pending contract finalizations before it was passed in a …

The WFHB Local News recently interviewed Pat East, the Executive Director of Dimension Mill. He spoke about the recognition Bloomington received as a Rising Tech City from Techpoint, and the resources available for entrepreneurs and all community members through The Mill.

More than 200 members of the Bloomington community gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse this past Saturday evening in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Organized by “Jews Against Israeli Apartheid,” the “Free Palestine” rally featured passionate statements from local community members, live music and a diverse audience. Members of the crowd brought with them Palestinian flags, as …