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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 9th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Julianna Dailey takes you to the Bob Klawitter Lake Lemon Woods in our recurring segment, Hiking with Julie.
But first, your Statehouse Roundup:
Governor Eric Holcomb says he endorses State Representative Sue Errington’s proposed bill to build an infrastructure system in Indiana for cannabis legalization.
According to the preliminary draft, the bill would establish a cannabis compliance commission to regulate all forms of legal cannabis in Indiana, industrial hemp and low THC hemp extract.
While this doesn’t translate to sweeping cannabis reform, the bill and the endorsement from the Republican governor, marks a major pivot for the status of cannabis policy in Indiana.
However, it should be noted that although Holcomb says he has “no problem” with Indiana lawmakers putting the infrastructure in place for cannabis legalization, he still wants to wait until it’s legal on the federal level before taking any further steps.
Meanwhile, the public largely supports cannabis reform. According to the 2018 Hoosier Survey Poll, about 80 percent of Indiana residents support some form of cannabis legalization, while 78 percent of state residents do not want simple possession to be a crime.
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According to the Associated Press, half of Indiana’s counties are now in the highest risk level of Covid-19 spread.
46 of Indiana’s 96 counties are now in the red advisory category with all other counties except one in the orange advisory category.
According to the Indiana State Department of Health’s color-coded map, virtually all of the counties in the state’s northern third are placed in the red metric score.
The state health department says the red advisory category means that the 7-day rolling average lies above 15 percent or higher and that the total weekly cases per 100,000 residents stands at 200 or more cases.
State health officials say it’s the worst surge we’ve had since last winter. As of Tuesday, an estimated 2,750 Indiana residents are hospitalized with Covid-19, more than double of the patients seen just one month ago.
Monroe County Commissioners
The Monroe County Commissioners voted to amend a zoning ordinance for future development at their December 8th meeting. The amendment only affects the development of land greater than five acres. Assistant Director of the Planning Department Jackie Nester Jelen presented the amendment.
Jelen explained the purpose of the amendment and how the sanctions benefit Monroe County residents.
Commissioner Lee Jones expressed her support for the ordinance.
Commission member Julie Thomas said that the amendment would help protect Monroe County Residents from things such as stormwater runoff while allowing community members to get projects approved in a timely manner. The amendment passed unanimously.
Thomas reminded county residents that applications for Monroe County boards and commissions are available, and encouraged individuals who are interested in making the community better to apply.
The next County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 15th.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. In today’s segment, hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green-Stone speak with guest Jim Kahn – emeritus professor of Health Policy at the University of California – San Francisco. We turn to our hosts for more.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Julianna Dailey takes you to the Bob Klawitter Lake Lemon Woods in our recurring segment, Hiking with Julie.
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 Karen Green Stone and Rob Stone.
Hiking with Julie is produced by Julianna Dailey.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Lucinda Larnach.
