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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 22nd, 2022.
Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, an Indiana judge temporarily blocked the statewide abortion ban earlier today.
The Statehouse Roundup
An Indiana judge blocked the statewide abortion ban on Thursday one week after the law took effect.
The temporary halt of the law came from a lawsuit by abortion providers who argued the policy violates the Indiana constitution.
Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction against the ban effectively placing the abortion ban on hold.
The judge wrote, “there is reasonable likelihood that this significant restriction of personal autonomy offends the liberty guarantees of the Indiana Constitution.”
Indiana became the first state to issue severe restrictions on abortion once the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of this year. The ban was approved by the GOP dominated state legislature in August and was then signed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana said in a statement, “We knew this ban would cause irreparable harm to Hoosiers, and in just 7 days, it has done just that. We are grateful that the court granted much needed relief for patients, clients and providers but the fight is far from over.”
The ACLU said this is a temporary but crucial victory while their lawsuit challenging the ban moves through the courts.
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Tuesday, September 20th marked National Voter Registration Day – a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy in the United States.
The holiday involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts.
Indiana residents can register to vote online, by mail or in-person.
To register to vote online, visit indianavoters.com. Residents with a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card can use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.
To register to vote or update your current registration by mail or in person, you will need to complete the Voter Registration form on or before October 11th ahead of the 2022 General Election. A link to that voter registration form can be found here.
You will need to return the completed form to Monroe County Election Central at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Indiana 47404. You can also return the form to the Indiana Election Division at 302 W Washington Street, Room E-204 in Indianapolis.
For more information, you can contact Monroe County Election Central by calling 812-349-2690 or emailing [email protected].
Monroe County Women’s Commission
The Monroe County Women’s Commission met on September 15th. Chair of the Commission Nichelle Whitney Wash expressed concern that their commission has not had access to their meeting room, and made a note that they need to have this problem addressed.
Whitney Wash also said the commission needs a secretary and a Vice President.
Next, Whitney Wash introduced the Co-chair of the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women Ashley Hazelrig who shared how the two commissions could work together in the future.
Whitney Wash said the commissions have collaborated with each other over the years.
Next, Whitney Wash suggested that they consider changing the date and time of the meeting in 2023 to accommodate Commission Member Jennifer Crossley’s schedule.
Council Member Nicki Williamson agreed and said that is a good idea to reevaluate everyone’s availability at the start of the new year.
The commission voted unanimously to continue meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 5 pm, and reevaluate in 2023.
The next meeting will be held on October 20th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In the September edition, we welcome Professor Shruti Rana, a professor at Indiana University’s Department of International Studies specializing in international law. She holds a degree from Columbia Law School, the London School of Economics and Politics, and UC Berkeley. We turn to that interview.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by , in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
