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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 30th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Bring It On – Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, today the Supreme Court voted to limit the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. This blow to climate change mitigation efforts could lead to more air pollution and a warmer climate. WFHB Correspondent Bode Hoover shares some findings from a recent air purification study that individuals might be interested in learning more about in light of today’s Supreme Court decision.
The Statehouse Roundup
Indiana lawmakers pushed back the special session to discuss taxpayer refunds and abortion from July 6th to July 25th.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade case — which now leaves the legality of abortion up to the states.
Erin Wittern, a spokesperson for the Indiana House Republicans, said in a statement, “In light of the historic Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, legislative leaders are anticipating a multi-week special session versus one or two days. Due to this extended session and to minimize logistical issues, leaders worked with the governor to push the start date to July 25th.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has previously stated that he is pro-life, and said the state will address the abortion issue in short order. He said in a statement, “we have an opportunity to make progress in protecting the sanctity of life, and that’s exactly what we will do.”
Right now, abortion is still legal in Indiana. For more information about Planned Parenthood in Bloomington, call 317-205-8088 or visit planned parenthood dot org.
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Over a dozen new laws passed by the Indiana Statehouse will go into effect on July 1st. Among these new policies — House Bill 1296 repealed the law requiring people to receive a license to carry a handgun in the state.
All in all, this means that people don’t need a license or permit from the state of Indiana in order to have a handgun.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter had previously come out against the law saying that it could make it hard for police to determine who is legally allowed to carry a gun.
People barred from owning a handgun under the old law are still barred from owning a handgun under the new law.
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Lastly, a new law that bans transgender females from competing in girls school sports will go into effect on July 1st.
House Bill 1041 was authored by Representative Michelle Davis, a Republican who represents District 58.
Late last month, the Indiana General Assembly overrode Governor Eric Holcomb’s veto effectively banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams.
Holcomb previously claimed the ban was unnecessary and expressed concern the policy would leave the state vulnerable to lawsuits.
However, the House overrode the governor’s veto with a 67-28 vote, while the Senate voted 32-15 to overturn the governor’s objection to the law.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, at least 18 states have introduced restrictions on transgender sports participation in recent years.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
During public comment at the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on June 20th, a concerned parent asked the board to rewrite the policy regarding attendance during finals week.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin asked the board to approve changes to the 2022-2023 classified handbook. Irwin explained that it is a yearly renewal and that they work with Ferguson Law to ensure the handbook is current with the law and board policies.
Board Member Brad Tucker thanked Irwin for his work on the handbook and asked him how it would be shared with staff.
Irwin responded.
Board President Dana Robert Kerr thanked Ferguson Law for their help reviewing the handbook and other contracts on the agenda.
The board approved the handbook changes unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on July 18th.
Monroe County Plan Commission
At the June 21st Monroe County Plan Commission meeting, commissioners heard a petition for a performance bond release at a property on 3110 South Leonard Springs Road.
Planner Drew Meyers presented the case to the commission.
Commissioner Geoff McKim asked if there was any reason the commission would not want to release the performance bond. Meyers responded.
The commission approved to release the performance bond back to the petitioner voting 8 to 0.
The Monroe County Plan Commission will meet again on July 19th.
Corsi-Rosenthal Box: A Cheaper Alternative for Air Filtration Systems
Once the CDC confirmed that COVID-19 was airborne, there was an increased demand for air filtration systems. Individuals and businesses sought to create a cleaner environment but were faced with expensive equipment and product shortages. To address the mass shortage, a popular do-it-yourself strategy arose known as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box. For the first time, this cheaper alternative was independently evaluated for its effectiveness.
Standalone air filtration systems, also referred to as portable or in-room, typically use HEPA filters. The cost for these systems increases with the clean air delivery rate. The new DIY method uses four MERV-13 filters connected to a box fan to pull in air and filter out particles. The Corsi-Rosenthal Box was originally proposed by Richard Corsi in 2020 and the first one was built with the help of Jim Rosenthal. It can be built for less than $50 which is inexpensive relative to other HEPA filtration systems. When operated at higher flow rates for longer durations, the lifetime of the box is estimated to be 1-2 months.
In a study published in January 2022, researchers tested particle concentrations using three filter-based cleaners in two settings: a home office and a classroom. Both rooms were equipped with a Corsi-Rosenthal Boxe and two HEPA filter-based air cleaners. By comparing concentrations of particles when the air cleaners were on, off, and operating at varying flow rates, the effectiveness of each setup could be evaluated.
Less than 30 minutes after being turned on, particle concentrations in the home office dropped to near zero. The Corsi-Rosenthal Box achieved lower particle concentrations faster than the HEPA based systems even when operating at a low flow rate.
The Corsi-Rosenthal Box cost 75% less per clean air delivery rate and reached more than double the clean air delivery rate of the HEPA filters. The sound level of the low flow rate Corsi-Rosenthal Box was comparable to the HEPA filters but was higher at medium and high flow rates. This difference is comparable to the difference between a household refrigerator and a dishwasher (A Concise Decibel Comparison Chart From Electrical World).
The Corsi Rosenthal Box cost less than $0.2 per CADR measured in cubic feet per minute compared to the commercially available in-room filters ranging from $0.71 to $2.66 per clean air delivery rate (Pistochini 2021). This study found the cost to range from $0.7 to $0.9 per CADR for the available Energy Star rated filters.
Overall, the DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a great alternative that can deliver clean air faster and cheaper than the HEPA filter-based air cleaners, as long as you are okay with a little more sound.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from Bring It On – Indiana’s only weekly radio program committed to exploring the people, issues and events impacting the African-American community.
Bring It On airs each Monday at 6 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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 Clarence Boone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
