WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 28th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with City Councilman Matt Flaherty about the passage of the 2022 City Budget during last night’s Common Council meeting. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, we provide a rundown of all the latest news on the state level. That’s coming up next during your Statehouse Roundup:
The state of Indiana will start to administer the Covid-19 vaccine for children under 12 years old as early as next week.
According to a press release from the Indiana State Department of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to announce a decision on administering vaccines to children from ages 5 to 11 in the coming days.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box commented, “we are working to ensure that every county has access to Covid-19 vaccines for children once they are approved.”
State health officials say more than 1300 vaccine sites around the state are ready for that age group. Upon approval, you can visit ourshot.in.gov to see an updated map of vaccine clinics that offer shots to children under 12.
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Governor Eric Holcomb has asked that the Indiana Supreme Court review a lawsuit he lost against the Indiana General Assembly over a law that gives the state legislature more authority during a public health emergency.
House Enrolled Act 1123 allows the Indiana General Assembly to convene for a special session if the governor declares an emergency. It also regulates how the state spends federal stimulus money.
After its passage, Governor Holcomb vetoed the legislation. Then, lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto. This led to Holcomb’s lawsuit against the General Assembly, which he lost.
In a prepared statement on Friday, the governor said, “This lawsuit is about making sure that state government operates the way our constitution outlines. Our State, and its people, deserve clarity and finality on this important issue, which is why I am filing an appeal today.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita will represent the General Assembly in the appeal and has criticized the governor’s lawsuit.
The attorney general’s office was printed in the Indy Star saying, “He got his answer. Turns out he didn’t like the answer. So, now the taxpayers have to continue to be on the hook for his lawsuit.”
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As cold weather approaches, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration asks Indiana residents to consider donating clothing and infant supplies to Afghan evacuees temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury in Johnson County.
Thousands of evacuees remain housed at Camp Atterbury, including many families who escaped Afghanistan. With cold weather approaching in Indiana, new coats and warm clothes, along with baby and hygiene items, are in critical need according to a press release. More than 40 percent of the population at Camp Atterbury is under the age of 14.
New items are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at nine National Guard armories across the state, none of which are in Bloomington. However, Any organization or business seeking to make a large donation and cannot deliver to a designated site should contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security at [email protected].
Bloomington City Council Unanimously Passes 2022 Unanimously
At the Bloomington City Council special session on October 27th, the 2022 budget passed unanimously.
The negotiations were intense at the last meeting on October 13th, with several council members saying that they would vote no on the budget unless certain changes were made by the mayor.
Mayor John Hamilton spoke about the changes that were made to address council members’ concerns regarding police salary and climate action.
Council member Dave Rollo commented that he was glad to see the mayor make changes to the police budgets.
President of the council Jim Sims said he appreciated that the local city government worked together on the budget, saying that QUOTE “teamwork makes the dreamwork” END QUOTE.
Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith commented on the collaboration between the council, the mayor, the treasurer and department heads.
She also said she was disappointed that the position for a climate action director was not filled. Saying that there is a level of exigence with the climate crisis, and Bloomington is already behind schedule on implementing ways to mitigate climate change and the effect it will have on the town.
Council member Kate Rosenbarger shared her remarks on the budget. She highlighted the things that were not included in the budget that she would like to see in the future.
Council member Steve Volan said that the council was pushed to negotiate the budget. He said he is encouraged the mayor made changes, and that the council members stood up for their budget concerns.
The next council meeting will be held on November 3rd. Stay tuned to hear more about the budget deliberations from council member Matt Flaherty.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondents Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider spoke with City Council Member Matt Flaherty in the aftermath of the council’s passage of the 2022 city budget during last night’s meeting. We turn to Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for that interview.
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Julianna Dailey accompanied by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, takes you to the Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve – one of the Sycamore Land Trust preserves near Lake Monroe. That’s coming up in your new, recurring segment, Hiking With Julie.
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 Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Hiking With Julie is produced by Julianna Dailey and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Wilder Mouton and Lucinda Larnach.
