WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:04 — 38.6MB)
Subscribe: RSS
This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 17th, 2022.
Later in the program, Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Commissioners gave an update on the convention center during their latest meeting. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines.
Monroe County Commissioners
The Monroe County Commissioners read a statement in regards to how the Bloomington Office of the Mayor has approached them about the Monroe County Convention Center. Commissioners Penny Githens, Lee Jones, and Julie Thomas spoke respectively.
Next, the commissioners read a statement about the importance of Lake Monroe, and established October 22, 2022 as Lake Monroe Day in the county.
Next, Health Department Director Lori Kelley informed the commissioners about Covid-19 in the county and on a mobile vaccination unit.
Thomas said she was glad to hear there would be a mobile clinic, and thanked Kelley for keeping them up to date on the spread of new variants.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting on October 19th was canceled. Their next meeting will be held on October 26th.
Indiana U.S. Senate Debate – Abortion Rights, Federal Spending and Cannabis Reform
Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election.
Candidates clashed over reproductive rights, federal spending and cannabis reform during Sunday’s debate.
Senator Young criticized the President Biden administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress during his opening remarks.
McDermott, who is currently the mayor of Hammond, distanced himself from Young by saying he doesn’t accept corporate donations. He also attacked his opponent over abortion rights.
Sceniak discussed his background and described parts of his platform during the opening statement.
***
The candidates were asked about whether the legality of abortion should be determined at the state or federal level. McDermott responded first, saying he supports Roe v. Wade. He criticized Todd Young for voting to approve the Supreme Court justices that led to the overturning of Roe.
Senator Young said he supports exceptions for abortion, but he believes Roe v. Wade was not a valid interpretation of the law.
Sceniak said he doesn’t support banning abortions but that he does believe in limiting the procedure. He said, “politicians should not act as physicians.”
McDermott offered a rebuttal criticizing Senator Young for his belief that reproductive rights should be left to the states. He made an analogy to the Civil War saying some rights should be determined by the federal government.
***
Debate moderator Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis, asked the candidates about their stances regarding cannabis reform.
Wilson asked if the candidates support the legalization or decriminalization of cannabis at the federal level for medical or recreational use. McDermott responded first.
Senator Young said cannabis reform is not his top priority. He brought up other issues such as inflation that he believes are more important.
Sceniak called out the senator for what he believes to be too much spending that contributes to the national debt. Sceniak said he does support cannabis reform. He argued that prohibition has never worked and that he believes legalizing cannabis could help boost the economy.
***
With inflation and the cost of living on the rise, each of the candidates were asked how they would help struggling Indiana residents. Young responded first.
Sceniak offered sympathy to residents of Indiana who may be struggling. He criticized the amount of federal spending in the Senate. He cited increased spending as the cause for inflation and called for a proper balancing of the budget.
McDermott said the inflation crisis is not solely the fault of President Biden. He called out Senator Young for contributing to the national debt and for his spending habits.
Voters in Indiana will decide the senate race on Election Day, which will happen on November 8th. To listen to the full debate, click this link.
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 Kade Young.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
