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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 26th, 2023.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
More in the bottom half of our program. Also coming up in the next half hour, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus outlined their priorities for the 2023 session More coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup:
The Statehouse Roundup
On Monday, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus outlined their priorities for the 2023 session emphasizing a focus on education.
Chair of the IBLC State Representative Earl Harris, Jr. from East Chicago touched on how the caucus aims to close “the achievement gap” through policy.
Harris, Jr. explained several bills filed by the IBLC, including House Bill 1499. This bill would allow qualifying students to be automatically enrolled into the 21st Century Scholars program. He elaborated on this initiative.
Harris, Jr. also highlighted House bills 1571 and 1153 authored by Representatives Robin Shackleford and Gregory Porter respectively. He explained what these bills would do to advance the IBLC’s priorities if passed.
He talked more generally about closing the achievement gap and what long-term benefits he believes the IBLC’s legislative agenda would create.
To learn more about the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, visit this link.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
At the Utilities Service Board meeting on January 17th, Board Member Amanda Burnham was nominated for president of the board, and Board Member Megan Parmenter was nominated for Vice President. The election of board officers was approved unanimously.
Next the board approved the consent agenda. There was only one item on the consent agenda, an approval with Blue Chip Technologies for $15,000 to repair a 25 foot grit screw. The board approved the consent agenda unanimously.
Up next, Director of Utilities Vic Kelson gave his report. He thanked the board members for their work as elected officers of the board.
Kelson also introduced six new Utilities Department staff members.
Parmenter also thanked Board Member Jeff Ehman for his work as president.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on January 30th.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting held on January 18th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the state of the library.
Board Member Kathy Loser asked Carson to talk more about the baking kits, and remarked that it is quite the collection. Carson responded.
Next Carson gave updates on the new South West Branch construction.
Carson asked the board to approve of the recent change orders that have come up during the construction.
Board Secretary Kari Esarey asked what the total of the change orders amounted to. Carson responded they have the funds for the changes, however, that they will need to start being more selective moving forward.
The change orders were approved unanimously.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on February 15th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Civic Conversations – a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Joining us for January 2023 is Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson. Dr. Wilson is the co-director of the Gender Center and Associate Professor of History and Political Science for the University of Indianapolis.
Dr. Wilson speaks with host Jim Allison about women in the state legislature. We turn now to the January edition of Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
The Statehouse Roundup is produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
