WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020.
Later in the program, the League of Women Voters bring you the second installment of its podcast, “Civic Conversations.” Today’s program focuses on the problem of gerrymandering.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner reports on Part 2 of her feature on a federal lawsuit that alleges the Indianapolis Power and Light Company repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act.
Today’s Local News Brief
728 new cases of COVID-19 and ten new Covid related deaths were reported in Indiana on Tuesday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Locally, Monroe County saw 37 new confirmed cases yesterday, that’s just shy of the county’s moving average. The mostly rural surrounding counties are typically seeing between zero and five new cases a day.
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The county’s statistics do not appear to incorporate the vast majority, if any, of Indiana University’s Covid-19 testing results, although county health officials say that they are in touch with the state health department and are trying to fix the reporting issue.
The university reported that, since mid-August, 1,226 positive cases had been documented at its Bloomington Campus alone, and last week it reported another 345 positive tests.
This morning, Indiana University reported last week’s mitigation testing brought another 242. The university website did not state how many of the newly reported tests belonged to unique individuals, but emphasized that positivity is trending downward across all testing categories.
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Beginning Monday, September 28th, the Monroe County Library will resume limited in-building services at the Main Library and Ellettsville Branch.
This includes the use of technology, as well as the ability to browse the shelves and pick up holds. Both curbside pickup locations will be replaced by drive-up pickup at the Main Library.
Patrons can drive, walk, or bike up, and no appointment will be required.
Bloomington City Council – Sustainable Development Committee
Director of Economic Alex Crowley requested a letter of recommendation for the trades district technology center from the Bloomington City Council Sustainable Development Committee during their September 21st meeting. Crowley said the center would be funded by a coronavirus aid relief and economic Security Act grant.
Crowley said the technology center would Construct critical infrastructure and facilities that will support economic recovery and job creation. Bloomington economic Development Corporation president Jennifer Pearl said technology is a key cluster for job growth and could strengthen other industries. She presented services that the project would provide.
Pearl mentioned the benefit of federal information connections. Crowley said approximately 7 million dollars would come from federal funding in two million from city Tax Increment Financing. He stated the land and building would continue to be owned by the redevelopment Commission. Committee members signed a recommendation letter on September 22nd, Councilman Steven Volan was absent.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved a Feasibility Study Endorsement, Development Strategy Endorsement, and a Funding Match for the construction of a Trades District Technology Center, during their September 21st meeting. Bloomington Economic Development Corporation President Jennifer Pearl said a third-party feasibility study was required for the grant application which to pay for construction.
Pearl said the grant was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. Commission member Cindy Kinnarney asked Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley about community involvement over the project development.
Commissioners approved a percentage funding match for the total grant amount. Kinanrney clarified the percentage with Crowley and Special Projects Manager Kasia Goodman.
Goodman said if the grant funding amount is less than requested the R-D-C would pay less.
Feature Reports:
- Up first, we have a second podcast from the League of Women Voters titled “Civic Conversations.” In today’s segment, host Jim Allison talks to guest George Hegeman, professor emeritus of Microbiology at Indiana University. Hegeman is a long time advocate and member of the League of Women Voters Redistricting Committee. The topic today is gerrymandering.
- In our last program, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner brought you Part I. of her feature on a federal lawsuit against Indianapolis Power and Light Company. You heard from an environmental activist on allegations that the company violated the Clean Air Act. In Part II., Bruner speaks with an environmental expert on the coal-fired power plant’s alleged violations. You will now hear from Janet McCabe, Director of Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, about why the Clean Air Act is in place and why companies need to follow it.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Aaron Comforty and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by the League of Women Voters and Katrine Bruner.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive Producer is Kade Young.
