WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 21st, 2020.
Later in the program, you will hear coverage of the first governor’s debate in Indianapolis. The three candidates for Governor clashed over how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and how to fund schools in Indiana. More on that later in the show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we talk to a listener to ask why it’s important to support community radio during our 2020 Fall Fund Drive. OR Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment.
But first, your local news brief:
The Indiana State Department of Health reports that new Covid-19 cases approached 1,800 today. The state’s moving average is a bit higher, closer to nineteen-hundred, which is, unfortunately, a record high.
Indiana is averaging about 20 Covid-19 related deaths per day. That’s the most since the beginning of June. About 1,500 Hoosiers are currently hospitalized because of Covid-19 – that’s the highest number since early May.
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Locally, Monroe County recorded fifteen newly confirmed cases yesterday. That’s a bit less than average. Surrounding counties saw between zero and 15 new cases, except for Lawrence County, which saw about 40 cases for the second time in a week.
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Indiana University-Bloomington published new statistics about its Covid-19 testing results this morning. About 80 tests came back positive over the past week.
There are likely more positive tests than positive cases, but we don’t know because the university does not publish how many people test positive, as John Hopkins University recommends, it only publishes how many tests come back positive.
This has the effect of altering the campus’ apparent positivity by making it look lower than it actually likely is. In other words, IU-Bloomington may be painting too rosy a picture of Covid-19 on its campus.
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The twenty twenty fall fund drive continues today at WFHB. WFHB broadcasts its local news shows four times a week: Monday through Thursday.
But we need your support to keep this programming going. To donate, click the red donate button. Or call 812 323 1200 to donate or become a subscriber by phone. A WFHB supporter has offered to match your donation dollar for dollar. And a generous donation of 72 dollars, for example funds one week of the WFHB Local News.
Stay safe and thank you for supporting community radio.
Board of Park Commissioners
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners Reviewed their 2021 Price Schedule during their October 20th meeting. Administrator Paula McDevitt said the review processes projected revenue streams for the Parks and Recreation General and Non-reverting funds.
McDevitt said the operation division saw no increases. Director Becky Higgins reported on price increases for the recreation program division. She presented a three-dollar flat fee increase for Farmers Market vendor spaces per week.
Higgins said a two-dollar fee would be implemented on most Tuesday Farmers Market vendors. She mentioned Food and Beverage Artisan fees would remain at a point 7 point 5 percent of gross income. Higgins also mentioned booth price changes for Fair of the Arts vendors.
Higgins reported on multiple changes to Switchyard Park rental and permit costs. McDevitt said golf course prices also saw an increase.
McDevitt said final approval will be held in November.
Monroe County Council
Monroe County Councilwoman Kate Wiltz presented the 2021 Elected official salary ordinance to the county council. She spoke during their October 19th budget hearing meeting.
Council member Marty Hawk said the council would not have equal input into the personnel policy. Hawk expressed concern over being told what to.
County Attorney Margie Rice said the language has been a part of the ordinance for decades. She mentioned the Waggoner, Irwin, Scheele, or WIS, study suggested such language to assure paid parties are in compliance with personnel policy.
Rice mentioned discrimination or unfair treatment are avoided by a uniform personnel policy. Council member Geoff McKim proposed and amendment to utilize the personnel policy as of October 20th.Council members unanimously approved the ordinance during their October 20th budget hearing meeting.
Now it’s time for your feature reports:
Last night, the Indiana Debate Commission hosted the first governor’s debate. There were two main topics of debate: the pandemic and education. For more, we turn to WFHB News Director Kade Young.
Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment, hosted by Richard Fish. On today’s segment, Richard Fish dissects misinformation when it comes to elections.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Sydney Foreman.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive Producer is Kade Young.
