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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, April 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we bring you coverage on the upcoming total solar eclipse which will bring more than 300,000 visitors to Bloomington.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
During the April 3rd meeting of the Bloomington City Council, City Clerk Nicole Bolden introduced a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and for delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
President of the Council Isabel Piedmont-Smith co-sponsored the policy. She explained why she brought forth this resolution.
Council Member Dave Rollo said the purpose of the initiative is to show solidarity with innocent people affected by the conflict.
Then, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson addressed racist and Antisemetic comments made by speakers during the initial public comment period of the meeting.
After the mayor’s address, the council took questions from its fellow members on the resolution. Council Member Hopi Stosberg asked the sponsors of the resolution if they tried to make the policy as inclusive as possible without alienating anybody. Piedmont-Smith and Rollo responded.
Council Member Isak Asare then asked if Piedmont-Smith would elaborate on her rationale of the proposal.
During public comment, a representative from Citizens Concerned for Justice in Palestine and Israel expressed his support for the resolution.
Another local resident argued he does not support the resolution. In his view, he believes the matter is beyond the purview of the city council.
After extensive public comment demonstrating both support and opposition of the resolution, the council members voted 9-0 to approve the policy. Mayor Kerry Thomson previously stated that she would not sign any resolutions that extend beyond the scope of the city. The city council will meet again for its next regular session on April 10th.
Local Officials Give Public Safety Tips for Solar Eclipse
In March, local public safety officials gave preparedness tips for the upcoming total solar eclipse. The eclipse is expected to bring an estimated 300,000 people into the community to watch the cosmic event.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said the city has partnered with various local and state entities to prepare for the increased number of visitors.
Superintendent for Public Safety at Indiana University Benjamin Hunter said his mission is to ensure the utmost amount of safety for students, faculty, staff, visitors and community members.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Kevin Getz said the state police have been preparing for the eclipse for months in advance. He asked that visitors be patient during the expected increased amount of traffic for the event.
Celebratory events will take place in the city, on campus and in the county. To learn more about activities surrounding the solar eclipse, visit this link.
Astronomer Looks at Science Behind The Total Eclipse, Safety Tips for Viewers
Caty Pilachowski is the Daniel Kirkwood Chair of Astronomy at Indiana University. Pilachowski teaches and conducts research about the evolution of stars and the chemical history of the Milky Way galaxy, according to her university web page.
The professor gave a talk on the 2024 Solar Eclipse for IU’s Food for Thought series. During her presentation, she describes what viewers will see.
Pilachowski offered a warning to viewers of the eclipse to never look directly into the sun during the celestial event.
She explained the path of totality – which is essentially the area where viewers can see the moon totally block the sun. She said it will last only around 4 minutes in any given viewable location.
Pilachowski touched on what makes Bloomington an ideal spot to witness the solar eclipse.
She then went on to talk about how often solar eclipses occur, and the science behind scale and alignment when it comes to eclipses.
Professor Pilachowski parroted traffic and safety concerns mentioned by public safety officials. She recommended that visitors spend the night in town to avoid the traffic jam following the eclipse.
Stay tuned for Monday’s broadcast of the WFHB Local News where Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on how the eclipse will impact the unhoused community in Bloomington.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
