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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 11th, 2020.
Later in the program, Bring It On hosted its first live program since the start of the pandemic. Host William Hosea welcomes a variety of guests to discuss the results of the 2020 election. We will have an excerpt from the episode in today’s feature report.
Bloomington Sustainability Commission Reviews Climate Action Plan
Assistant Director of Sustainability Lauren Travis reviewed the Bloomington Climate Action Plan during the November 10th Commission on Sustainability meeting. She said a local survey expressed community concern about climate change.
Travis stated the action plan will move Bloomington toward carbon neutrality by 2050. She reported emission reduction strategies were created by a series of focus groups.
Travis said there are goals, strategies, actions, metrics, and benefits listed for each category. She mentioned a city-wide desire for increased solar energy and energy efficacy. Travis said the plan is now available on the city website for review.
Commission member Dave Rollo requested a letter of recommendation to the City Council be drafted for the Climate Action Plan and reviewed at their December 2nd meeting.
Governor Holcomb Announced Executive Order After Covid-19 Hospitalizations Increase
Governor Eric Holcomb provided updates on the state’s response to Covid-19 at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The update comes after record high numbers of new Covid-19 cases in recent weeks. Indiana set a single-day record on Saturday with more than 5,000 new Covid-19 infections.
He announced a new executive order with more pandemic restrictions amid what he called a “second surge.” The new restrictions will take effect this weekend.
Certain counties will limit social gatherings to 50 people – if the county’s positivity rates are orange, according to the state’s color-coded map of coronavirus spread. Counties in red will have a social gathering limit of 25 people.
“Beginning November 15h and for the next month, I’ll sign an executive order that will implement pandemic requirements for all Hoosiers and targeted restrictions for counties that are in the orange and red status,” said Holcomb.
Any special events with a planned large attendance will be required to receive permission from their local health department. These restrictions will take into effect for high school sporting events. The statewide mask mandate will be extended for another month.
The executive order marks a reinstatement of coronavirus limits after the increases in hospitalizations and deaths. It will take effect in 87 of the state’s 92 counties. Holcomb confirmed the number of hospitalizations are increasing and healthcare workers are experiencing staff shortages.
“The number of hospitalized Covid patients is at an all-time high – 2,544 to be exact,” said Holcomb.
However, he said we need to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” despite the state’s increasing numbers in most of the state’s counties. In September, Holcomb lifted almost all of the state’s crowd size restrictions.
According to the Associated Press, Indiana hospitals have seen a 200 percent increase in Covid-19 patients and the seven-day rolling average of deaths has jumped from 10 a day to 38 per day – the highest we’ve seen since late-April.
Indiana Economy Expected to Recover, Said Panelists at 2021 Business Forecast
Indiana will likely recover economically in the coming year, said panelists at the IU Kelley School’s 2021 Business Forecast on Tuesday.
Sponsors of the presentation included the Bloomington Rotary Club and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Panelists discussed economic recovery in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kyle Anderson, clinical assistant professor of business economics at Indiana University, said the state is well-positioned for economic recovery. However, he said this takes into account that the coronavirus pandemic will improve. Anderson also said an economic stimulus is needed for the economy to recover.
“You’ll see output increases in job growth in 2021, and basically we expect that to offset the damage of 2020,” said Anderson, “but where we’re forecasting to be is essentially a loss of two years.”
He projected that unemployment will fall to between 4 and 5 percent. Right now, the unemployment rate is 6.2 percent. However, the state’s unemployment rate may be deceiving. 60,000 jobs are considered “missing” which is the reduction of the labor force since the beginning of the year.
“Any unemployment number below 5 percent is a pretty healthy economy,” said Anderson.
Anderson said that job growth is strongest in construction, transportation, warehousing and healthcare. He said the strongest geographical areas for economic growth includes Indianapolis, the Louisville-area and college towns. Harder-hit areas of the economy include retail and education.
A more detailed report on the outlook of 2021 will be published in the Indiana Business Review in December.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works Approved Uphold Order for Repair
The Bloomington Board of Public Works discussed an Uphold Order to repair an unsafe structure on west 11th street. During their November 10th meeting, Assistant Attorney Daniel Dixon stated the home was wrongfully approved for demolition.
Attorney Alphonso Manns said the property owner died and left the property to Catherine Mobley. Manns said Mobley is unable to work and is in need of housing.
Manns requested the board of Public Works resend their order and allow time for Mobley to find housing. Mobley said she would allow demolition.
Board member Dana Palazzo clarified Mobley could remain in the home during repairs and the cost of repairs would become a lien on the house at time of sale. Board members unanimously approved the uphold with review of repair of demolition in sixty days. Further board discussion must be held if demolition is requested.
Feature Report:
On Monday, Bring It On hosted its first live program since the start of the pandemic. Host William Hosea welcomes a variety of guests to talk about the aftermath of the 2020 election.
The post-election roundtable guests included: Beverly Calender-Anderson, director of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources; Jennifer Crossley, Monroe County Democratic Party Chair; Shelli Yoder, Indiana State Senator Elect for District 40; and Jim Sims, At Large Representative on the Bloomington City Council. We now turn to an excerpt of Bring It On.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Aaron Comforty, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our executive producer is Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Aaron Comforty.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
