WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 22nd, 2021.
Later in the program, we revisit two stories from WFHB Correspondents Max Campbell and Robert Robinson on Bloomington annexation and a lawsuit filed against Indiana University over its vaccine mandate. More in the bottom half of our show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we introduce a new segment – the WFHB Environmental News Brief – hosted by WFHB Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel. More following today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
Yesterday, the City of Bloomington launched their new Green Home Improvement Program. It will provide $1,000 rebates and low-interest loans for eligible homeowners undertaking solar, geothermal, or other energy efficiency projects. The program is a part of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward Initiative, which aims to bolster Bloomington’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and foster racial, economic, and climate justice. Interested Bloomington residents can fill out the intake form on the City of Bloomington’s website to determine their eligibility. There will be a registration-required webinar on Monday, July 26th, for homeowners and contractors with questions.
In a recent decision, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana upheld Indiana University’s vaccine mandate planned for the 2021 academic year. The opinion, written by judge Damon R. Leichty, refused an injunction against Indiana University’s policy. The injunction was requested as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by a group of IU students seeking to challenge the mandate, alleging it violates their Fourteenth Amendment rights to personal autonomy. Attorneys for the students have said they plan to appeal the ruling.
In other news, the FBI arrested a 28-year old man in Bloomington yesterday for his participation in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Monroe County Community Schools will have their first day of classes in two weeks, on Wednesday August 4th. The 2021 Bloomington Community survey results released this morning showed nine out of ten respondents favorably reviewing Bloomington as a place to live. The most frequent concerns reported were homelessness and the availability of affordable housing.
Bloomington City Council
At its first meeting back from recess, the Bloomington City Council discussed American Rescue Plan Act fund appropriation. At the July 21st meeting, members of city staff gave brief presentations about plans for the first round of ARPA funding. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked why the ARPA general plan and the first appropriation ordinance both list each appropriate. Corporation Counsel Philippa Guthrie said there were few guidelines for how to appropriate ARPA funding. She said Bloomington worked with outside counsel and agreed that this was the best way to keep track of the funding.
Council member Matt Flaherty asked about proposed funding for residents with section 8 housing vouchers. He questioned Housing and Neighborhood Development Director John Zody about the decision not to have a more general appropriation for more homeless resources. Zody responded that the city prioritized voucher holders because they must be housed within a specific time frame.
Council member Ron Smith asked why funds were being appropriated for repairs to the Waldron Arts Center if the city was considering building a new arts center. Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley said that the Waldron Arts Center is an important step in helping the arts recover from the pandemic right now.
Council members voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees
The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees discussed progress on the southwest branch. Architect Christine Matheu presented the latest details on the proposed southwest branch of the Monroe County Public Library. She talked about connecting the interior of the library to the exterior by making design choices that felt more organic.
Matheu added that the design included silhouettes of native trees. She said putting these in key areas would add to the feeling of being outdoors.
Board members motioned to approve the design and begin advertising it so construction companies can bid to build it. Board members voted to do so unanimously.
Monroe County Commissioners
Monroe County Commissioners discussed the transfer of land to the Town of Stinesville. County Attorney Dave Schilling said Monroe County obtained one fourth of an acre of land in Stinesville in 2012. He said Indiana law allows Commissioners to transfer ownership of the land to Stinesville, who would like to build a garden on it.
Commissioners approved the transfer 2 to 0. County Commissioners also discussed renewing a contact tracing partnership with Indiana University. Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the agreement would extend the partnership, which ended in June of 2021, until June of 2022. She added that she was thankful for Indiana University’s cooperation throughout the pandemic, which she said is not a common occurrence.
Commissioners approved the agreement 2 to 0.
Environmental News Brief
As of this week, WFHB Community Radio begins a weekly segment providing environmental news in the local area, the state level as well as on the national level. The goal of this segment is to highlight the environmental issues that are important but are often drowned out by other news.
Throughout the Midwest and eastern United States, reports of several species of songbirds being sick or dying has increased. Reports have described this sickness as having neurological effects such as eye swelling and crusty discharge that has led to cases of sickness and death. In Indiana, 69 out of 92 counties have reported these cases. State organizations have asked that residents remove any bird feeders and birdbaths that may attract large numbers of birds due to the tendency for this sickness to spread in large groups. While the outbreak is unlikely to be catastrophic, scientists have yet to identify what exactly is causing the disease.
Indiana is in a tricky situation at the moment. Drivers don’t know whether or not it is okay to buy an electric vehicle without the charging infrastructure needed, while companies don’t want to invest in the installation of electric stations without the people driving electric vehicles. Indiana has decided to get ahead of this problem by investing $5.5 million into adding 60 fast-charging stations across the state. The electric stations will be located along the major motorways of the state, such as on I-69 and in Bloomington. These efforts will encourage drivers to purchase cleaner vehicles.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we revisit a feature we aired during Thursday’s local news broadcast. WFHB Correspondent Max Campbell spoke with Margaret Clements, member of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation, in a new installment of an ongoing series on the city of Bloomington’s effort to annex about 10,000 acres of Monroe County land. We turn to Max Campbell for more.
Also on Tuesday, WFHB Correspondent Robert Robertson reported on a lawsuit filed by 8 students against Indiana University over its mandatory vaccine policy. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson reported on a recent ruling in the case during the Tuesday newscast. We turn to Robinson for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Robert Robinson, and Nathaniel Weinzapfel, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our features were produced by Max Campbell and Robert Robinson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Lucinda Larnach.
