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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB News reports on the city hosting the Black History Month kickoff at City Hall on Saturday. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Gina Mitchell from Autism Rocks & Rolls, a podcast now airing on WFHB. Her son Sam is the host, breaking down misconceptions and stereotypes about autism. Hear their story later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Council Green Lights Resolution for Convention Center Expansion
The Monroe County Council met on January 28th. During the meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill, asked the council to approve Resolution 2025-02.
Cockerill explained that before moving forward on the Monroe County Convention Center they need to transfer properties from the Convention Center Building Corporation to the Capital Improvement Board.
He said that two transfers are being contemplated, one requested by the Capital Improvement Board consisting of the “northern portion” of the properties. This is owned by the Convention Center Building Corporation, which would be transferred to the County and then over to the Capital Improvement Board.
Cockerill pointed out that there are a few parcels a little bit farther away that are not going to be included in the property transfer.
Cockerill said that after the County Council approves the transfer, the Capital Improvement Board will work with the City of Bloomington to address the funding of the properties for intended expansion.
Council Member Pete Iversen expressed enthusiasm for the approval.
During public comment on the agenda item, Monroe County Resident Joe Davis shared that they are opposed to the resolution.
The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
The County Council also heard a request to approve an additional appropriation of about $47,000 for the Family Court Project. Circuit Court Judge Catherine Stafford presented the request, and explained that this money would go towards providing free legal services to low-income people on family law cases.
The council voted unanimously to approve the appropriation of funds. The next Monroe County Council Meeting will be held on February 11th.
City Hosts Black History Month Kickoff at City Hall
The City of Bloomington hosted the Black History Month Kickoff on Saturday at City Hall.
The event took place in the Council Chambers and featured a speech from the mayor, a four-person panel of Black business owners and local leaders, and musical performances.
Emcee Dr. Jessica McClain, visiting research scientist at Indiana University, said the theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and Labor: From Slave Ships to the White House.”
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson said that the strength of community comes from its people.
The event included a panel discussion with four Black business owners and local leaders. McClain, host of the panel, asked what unique challenges panelists faced as Black professionals in their industries.
Susan Johnson, director of grants administration for the Lumina Foundation, said there weren’t many people of color when she first got involved with philanthropy.
Maurice Johns, deputy division manager for the electromagnetic warfare science and technology division for Crane, outlined how racism was different growing up in the South compared to the Midwest.
Itia Saahir, therapist and owner of Be Finer Marketing, shared her experience growing up in Bloomington and having to advocate for herself.
Don Griffin, Jr., owner of Griffin Realty, said “there is no mountaintop” for people of color across industries.
To close out the evening, McClain expanded on this year’s theme for Black History Month and how it impacts us here locally in Bloomington.
According to its website, the city will be hosting several other events throughout February and March to celebrate Black history and culture.
On Saturday, February 15th – the city will host the Black Market at City Hall. The event celebrates and supports Black-owned businesses, creators, and organizations, honoring the legacy of Bloomington’s original Black Market, destroyed by a firebomb in 1968.
Feature Report:
There’s a new show on WFHB called “Autism Rocks and Rolls” – a podcast started by Sam Mitchell when he was 16 to talk about his experiences living with autism. The show airs weekly on Tuesdays at 5:30pm – that’s right after the Tuesday edition of the WFHB Local News. Autism Rocks and Rolls is now more than just a podcast – it’s grown into a nonprofit organization managed by Sam’s mom, Gina Mitchell. Together Sam and Gina are on a mission to break down misconceptions and stereotypes about people on the spectrum, and she’s here to tell you their story on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Mucherheide, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Lukas Jackson through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
