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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 29th, 2024.
Later in the program, dozens came out to protest IU’s cancellation of Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby outside the Eskenazi Art Museum on Friday. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Raquel Anderson from El Centro Comunal with some examples of the work their volunteers do to support Bloomington’s Latino community. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on January 24th, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on influenza cases in the region.
Next, Chief Deputy Phil Parker gave a department update on the jail facilities, which he clarified did not have any heating issues during the cold spell.
Although they didn’t have heating issues, he shared that they do have other infrastructure issues. The most recent one being the plumbing.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about a Memorandum of Understanding with the Community Kitchen to help fund their new facility.
Commissioner Penny Githens shared her support for the new facility.
Commissioner Lee Jones added that the location will help with the food desert.
The commissioners unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 31st.
Monroe County Council
During department updates, at the Monroe County Council meeting on January 23rd, the Sheriff Department Financial Coordinator Jordan Miller presented the Semi-annual Commissary Fund Report.
Council Member Kate Wiltz thanked him for the promptness of the report
Council Member Marty Hawke said that the transparency of the report serves to show the public that the sheriff’s department is being run well.
Council Member Geoff McKim asked about the expenditures, and if they were one time purchases. Miller responded, and Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons added more details about what has led to the recent increase in expenses.
Later during the meeting Convention and Visitors Commission Member Michael Campbell asked the council to approve an additional appropriation of funds for Karst Turf Project.
Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer spoke next to share her support for the project.
McKim thanked Witmer for her work to ensure the field is environmentally friendly.
The council voted unanimously to approve the appropriation of funds for the project.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on February 13th.
Dozens Protest IU’s Cancellation of Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby
Demonstrators gathered outside the Eskenazi Art museum to protest Indiana University’s canceling the art exhibition of Palestinian American artist, Samia Halaby.
A retrospective featuring Halaby’s work was slated to open on February 10th. In late December, the museum canceled the exhibit. This came in the aftermath of Halaby’s statements online criticizing Israel’s war on Gaza.
Reed Hepburn, a concerned community member and organizer of the protest, said the cancellation of Halaby’s exhibit goes against the university’s principles of academic freedom and diversity.
Hepburn said that he wants to see the university reinstate the exhibit and acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Protesters directed their frustration at IU President Pamela Whitten.
Hepburn reiterated that acknowledgement is key when it comes to his preferred response from President Whitten’s office.
Hepburn said that society needs to end the culture of silence and complicity surrounding Israel’s war on Gaza.
An IU spokesperson told WFHB News in an email, “Academic leaders and campus officials canceled the exhibit due to concerns about guaranteeing the security of the exhibit for its duration.”
Feature Report:
A local nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help support Bloomington’s Latino community. Raquel Anderson is on the board of directors over at El Centro Comunal, a grassroots organization completely independent of the university or government. Raquel is our guest this week on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
