WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, September 21st, 2021.
Later in the program, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where WFHB News interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. In today’s Minutes with the Mayor, we discuss Covid-19 and climate issues. More in the bottom half of our show.
Also coming up, an online Pre-K program is now available at no cost to Hoosiers in need. We spoke with Kim Fischer, vice president of communication for Waterford.org, about the remote early learning program, Waterford Upstart. More in the top half of the program.
Bloomington City Council Puts a Pause on Annexation Until Tomorrow
The Bloomington City Council deliberated the annexation ordinances at the September 15th meeting. The council took into consideration the citizens’ concerns over increased taxes and removed parcels of land from annexation. Mayor John Hamilton explained why he believes the annexation process is necessary, and why the city is following through with it regardless of the opposition it has faced.
One parcel of land was left to be discussed whether or not it would be included in the annexation. The residents on Heritage Woods Road made several comments against their annexation, saying that they only received city water, and would not benefit from annexation. Heritage Wood Road resident Jonna Capio explained why she thinks this parcel of land should not be annexed.
The vote to exempt it from annexation failed 3-6-0. In concluding comments Council Member Sandburg explained her hesitation to move forward with annexation.
The council decided to recess for the night, and will continue the discussion on the proposed annexation parcels on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Early Education Program Available to Hoosiers in Need at No Cost
An online Pre-K program is now available at no cost to low-income families. Waterford Upstart offers remote early learning to four-year-olds a year before they begin kindergarten.
Kim Fischer, vice president of communication for Waterford.org, explained the basis of the program, and what it’s trying to accomplish for Indiana’s youth.
The program offers a free computer and internet access free of charge. Fischer speaks to how Waterford Upstart aims to cultivate productive screen time for young children.
Fischer said that children ages zero to five are still being shaped by the world around them. She says that she hopes the program provides a head start during their developmental years.
In 2018, the Federal Communication Commission, or the FCC, estimated that one quarter of rural Americans and one third of tribal Americans did not have access to broadband internet – a minimum of 25 Megabits per seconds for download and 3 Megabits for upload speeds.
Fischer spoke to how she wants the program to at least partly close that gap.
Waterford Upstart partnered with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the state legislature to expand the program to families in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fischer says that early education sets a foundation for children to succeed in the future. She recommends that parents enroll their child into a Pre-K program, even if it’s not Waterford.
Families with a child entering kindergarten in the Fall of 2022 can register for the program at waterfordupstart.org.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where WFHB poses questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. In today’s episode, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider speaks with the mayor on Covid-19 and climate issues. 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.
Benedict Jones and Tod Wicks are today’s anchors
