WFHB Local News Features

A report finds Blacks in Monroe County are disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system. The report was compiled by the Monroe County chapter of the NAACP and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington’s Racial Justice Task Force. A press conference and public discussion addressing the report and recommended policy changes will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 12, …

It’s a felony to have a syringe in Indiana. Prosecuting attorneys can level a felony charge against a defendant, if they’re arrested in possession of a needle. In Monroe County, the number of arrests for needle possession doubled over the last year, despite the Monroe County Prosecutor’s office agreeing to throw out many syringe charges. Needle exchanges were allowed to …

In Indiana, it’s a felony to have a syringe with the intention to use illicit drugs. Indiana Recovery Alliance Director and Founder Chris Abert said he hopes to change that in January, when the state’s legislature reconvenes. In Monroe County, Abert points to a report by WTIU that the number of arrests for felony syringe possession doubled over the last …

The Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit (MC3) aims to improve health and wellness for young people in Monroe County. The summit, which is open to community members, is hosted by the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County and the area non-profit Building a Thriving Compassionate Community, BTCC. WFHB News Director Wes Martin spoke with Youth Services Bureau Prevention Coordinator Stephanie …

Midterm elections earlier this month left Democrats in the state with just 10 of 50 seats in the State Senate. Democrats control 33 seats in the 100 member State House of Representatives, leaving Republicans with another super-majority in Indiana, until 2020. Despite their super-majority, Senate Democrat Mark Stoops said Republicans will need to reach across the aisle to advance at …

Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge announced she is considering running for Mayor of Bloomington, last week. Barge has since put together an exploratory committee to examine the viability of a successful run for office, against fellow Democrat, incumbent Mayor John Hamilton. Barge’s campaign announced she’s embarking on a listening tour yesterday, aimed at gathering opinions and hearing out residents’ concerns. …

Bloomington’s Sofra Cafe was closed last week by the Indiana Department of Revenue for 18 thousand dollars in unpaid taxes. The Turkish restaurant, located at 340 S. Walnut St., is owned and operated by Naciye and Mehmet Akgun, a married couple. Mehmet says they’re waiting to hear back from the state on how much they need to pay the state …

Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge announced an exploratory committee will look into the her candidacy for Bloomington Mayor. Barge made the announcement at a press conference at RCA Park, in Bloomington. She criticized current Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton’s administration, referring to the city’s failed annexation attempt and the publishing of addresses of overdoses on an opioid map hosted by the …

Nearly 60 percent of registered voters in Monroe County cast ballots in yesterday’s midterm election. That’s despite several polling places in Monroe County running out of ballots. Monroe County Election Board Chair William Ellis said some voters waited three to four hours. Voter turnout during this year’s midterm election surpassed the 2016 presidential election. Ellis said that’s unprecedented in Monroe …

Federal Authorities are considering logging thousands of acres of the Hoosier National Forest, including over 400 acres of clear cutting south of lake Monroe.  WFHB Correspondent Annie Aguiar speaks with Indiana Forest Alliance Director Jeff Stant on the possible effects of logging and clear cutting the state’s only national forest —in today’s Feature Report.