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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 29th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with concerned resident Andy Mahler about the proposed Buffalo Springs Restoration Project. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana lawmakers canceled a one-day session to hear a bill that would make it harder for private businesses to mandate the Covid-19 vaccine at workplaces throughout the state.
Indiana Lawmakers Cancel One-Day Session After Backlash from Critics
Indiana lawmakers canceled a one-day session to hear a bill that would make it harder for private businesses to mandate the Covid-19 vaccine at workplaces throughout the state.
After backlash from critics, Governor Eric Holcomb announced he will extend the state’s public health order by another 30 days. This marked a walk-back from last week, when the governor said he wanted to end the health order “responsibly” by passing three statutory measures.
Those measures included: continuing enhanced federal matching funds for Medicaid expenditures, receiving federal food assistance and the ability to vaccinate 5-to-11 year olds.
Holcomb said even though the state will move forward without those changes, he will continue to work with House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray to end the public health order in the future.
In a statement, House Speaker Todd Huston said, “Over the next month, we’ll continue to listen and talk with stakeholders about our policy proposals, and we’ll file legislation in the near future. Hoosiers can rest assured that we’ll hit the ground running come Jan. 4.”
Meanwhile, Indiana Democrats criticized GOP lawmakers saying that the special session was a partisan attack on Covid-19 vaccines.
Lauren Ganapini, executive director for the Indiana Democratic Party, said in a statement, “Indiana Republicans embarrassed themselves and the state government when they tried to cancel out the necessary tools needed for businesses and Hoosiers to fight COVID-19. Republicans are quickly proving they are the party that’s bad for business, and it’s because they would rather put their extreme partisanship ahead of creating a better future for Hoosiers.”
In proposed legislation for the special session, lawmakers would require businesses to allow exemptions for pregnancy, “anticipated pregnancy” and for religious reasons.
The preliminary draft of the bill also stated that employees can submit to weekly testing if they do not want to get the vaccine. Furthermore, the bill said that an employer cannot deny an employee’s request for exemption.
Although the state’s public health order has been extended, the issue is certainly not over as lawmakers will convene for the 2022 legislative session in January of next year.
Operation Allies Welcome: Update on Afghan Refugees at Camp Atterbury
Over 3,000 Afghan refugees have resettled throughout the United States after being temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury.
Camp Atterbury is located in Johnson County, Indiana, and it serves as a training base for the Indiana National Guard. Nearly three months ago, the base was selected as a location to temporarily house evacuees fleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.
During a press conference last week, Col. Mike Grundman, who serves as the base’s installation commander, said the effort has given evacuees hope for the future.
“It has been a truly incredible outpouring from communities and organizations alike and I cannot stress that enough,” said Grundman.
Since September, Camp Atterbury has brought in over 7,000 refugees – less than 10 percent of the 82,000 people who have relocated to the U.S. as a part of the “Operation Allies Welcome” initiative.
As of now, roughly 250 people have permanently resettled in Indiana. State officials say the goal is to resettle over 700 people throughout cities in Indiana, such as Bloomington, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, among others.
Operation Allies Welcome works with various resettlement agencies to permanently house those fleeing Afghanistan. Exodus Refugee Immigration stands among those agencies to assist with the effort. Executive Director Cole Varga discussed the long-term process of resettlement.
“We’ll stick around and help them with what they need. Whether that’s ongoing employment support, whether that’s helping single parents figure out childcare, whether that’s mental health needs,” said Varga.
Nahid Sharifi says she came to Camp Atterbury in early September and her journey has been, “long and scary.” Sharifi fought back tears as she explained that she was separated from several family members during the evacuation. However, she says she’s excited for her new life in the United States.
“I want to say that people of the United States has a heart of the gold. Thank you so much for everything. I’m sure that in difficult conditions, they never leave African people alone,” said Sharifi.
Indiana residents can still donate items for Afghan refugees at eight locations throughout the state. For more information, you can visit teamrubiconusa.org/resettlement.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with forest activist and concerned resident Andy Mahler about the proposed Buffalo Springs Restoration Project.
Mahler listened to WFHB’s interview with U.S. Forest Service staff members Chris Thornton and Marion Mason. He said that he has researched this subject for around 35 years and called many of their answers into question. We turn to Herhusky-Schneider for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Don Geyra and Nicki Stewart-Ingersoll.
