WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 19th, 2020.
Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman talks to Mayor John Hamilton for our regular Monday segment, A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Also coming up in the next half hour, you will hear from WFHB Correspondent Jake Jacobson about the importance of community radio during our Fall Fund Drive at WFHB.
But first, your local news brief:
Indiana reported almost 1,600 newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, and the state’s moving average is at an all-time high of about 1,800 new cases per day.
That’s all according to the Indiana State Department of Health. It added 23 Covid related deaths to the state’s tally as well. The health department issued an advisory today, citing what it called, “data issues” for preventing the agency from updating its Covid hospital admissions numbers. Without the updates, there are almost fourteen- hundred Hoosiers hospitalized because of Covid-19.
Locally, Monroe County recorded over 30 newly confirmed cases yesterday. That’s a bit higher than the county’s moving average. Since reporting began, Bloomington South High School has reported that 12 of its students tested positive of the coronavirus. For North High School, that number was 8. Surrounding counties basically saw between zero and 10 new cases.
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Today kicks off the 2020 fall fund drive at WFHB. WFHB broadcasts its local news shows four times a week: Monday through Thursday. But we need your support to keep this program running. Donate online right now. 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. A generous donation of $72 provides one week of the WFHB Local News. Stay safe and thank you for supporting community radio.
Bloomington COVID Press Conference
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said cases per hundred thousand people were inching back up. She spoke during the October 16th COVID-19 Press Conference.
Caudill reminded Bloomington city residents of the 15-person gathering limit and reported the Optum Serve testing site to remain open through November. Indiana University Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Kirk White reported student positivity rates.
President of Indiana University Health South Central Region Brian Shockney said region hospitals experienced an inpatient increase. He said positivity rates have risen.
Shockney said Monroe County numbers also saw an increase. County Commissioner Julie Thomas also reminded residents about available financial assistance.
Thomas reported 39 dollars has been allocated to assist local residents. She said one hundred thousand dollars was reserved for the program.
Hoosier Action Town Hall for Indiana’s AG Race
The non-partisan advocacy group Hoosier Action hosted a town hall on Thursday titled “The People’s Lawyer: A Town Hall for Indiana’s Attorney General.”
In the state’s attorney general race, Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel faces off against Republican Todd Rokita.
The Indiana Supreme Court suspended Attorney General Curtis Hill’s law license in May after Hill committed misdemeanor battery against four women. Indiana republican delegates then selected Todd Rokita for the AG race this November.
Both Rokita and Weinzapfel were invited to Hoosier Action’s town hall, but Rokita was unable to join the discussion.
Jonathan Weinzapfel, raised in the Evansville area, talked about why he entered the race for attorney general.
Zach, a resident from Jasper, talked to Weinzapfel about protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in Indiana. The state has yet to pass a comprehensive hate crimes law with protections for age, sex or gender identity.
Stephanie Wessler, a resident of Martinsville, spoke about how her husband died from cancer. The City of Martinsville’s water was found to be contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals, and the city has been treating it, with EPA oversight, since 2004. But a report from last year found that residents are still at risk.
According to Great Lakes Now, Morgan County had the highest cancer rate per 100,000 people in 2018.
A representative from Hoosier Action said, “in the middle of a pandemic, it is more important than ever that we have an Attorney General who will fight to protect the health of Hoosiers, hold law enforcement accountable and shield us from wealthy corporations who seek profits at the expense of our well-being.”
The race for state attorney general is on the ballot for the November 3rd election. We will have more election coverage next week in our Meet the Candidate series here on the WFHB Local News.
Bloomington City Council
Bloomington City Council cast a final vote on the 2021 city budget during their October 14th meeting. Mayor John Hamilton proposed a budget of approximately 95 million dollars.
Council member Susan Sgambelluri presented an amendment to raise the number of sworn Bloomington Police Department officers from one hundred to one hundred and five. Hamilton said the addition would include social workers, neighborhood resource specialists and data analysts. Council member Susan Sandburg said BPD runs on a short staff.
Sandburg said the amendment would only affect the 2021 budget. Sgambelluri mentioned a zero percent increase of sworn officers in past years.
Sgambelluri stated the Novak Consulting Group study suggested an increase in officers. Sandburg said many officers work double shifts, are tired and overworked. Councilwoman Isabel Piedmont-Smith said officer workloads should be reduced by a reallocation of duties not additional officers.
Council member Jim Sims expressed support of the adjustments in between transformation of public safety. The amendment was approved. The council voted in favor of the overall budget with Councilmember Matt Flaherty voting against the legislation.
Feature Reports:
WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton talk about the increasing coronavirus numbers, contactless parking and more.
WFHB Correspondent Jake Jacobson shares his experience as a volunteer in the news department and explains why community radio is so important during our 2020 Fall Fund Drive.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Aaron Comforty, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Sydney Foreman.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
