WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 4th, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you will hear Germanic Studies professor Johannes Türk on the elimination of foreign language programs at IU. Hear more about language cafes popping up around town to keep foreign language learning alive, later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, a bill authorizing the death penalty by firing squad was rejected in the Indiana House of Representatives. More following today’s headlines.
League of Women Voters Host Statehouse Update
State lawmakers Matt Pierce and Shelli Yoder gave updates on legislation being considered in the Statehouse on Saturday.
The local chapter of the League of Women Voters organized the legislative update. Pierce and Yoder focused on issues including housing, healthcare and criminal justice.
State Representative Matt Pierce addressed House Bill 1001 – a bill that’s aimed at housing affordability. Pierce says he’s skeptical of the bill and he voted against it. In his view, the policy would not guarantee lower costs for buyers and could benefit developers.
State Senator Shelli Yoder criticized Senate Bill One, which would tighten eligibility and add new restrictions to SNAP and Medicaid.
Yoder also brought up concerns about a constitutional amendment which would expand when judges can deny bail.
Then, Pierce walked through House Bill 1315 which would reorganize townships. Pierce denounced the bill saying it would force smaller townships to dissolve or consolidate.
Earlier this week, the House passed the township reorganization bill by a 55-44 vote. Pierce voted against it. The bill was then referred to the state senate yesterday.
To view the full legislative update, you can visit this link.
Featured Segments:
A bill authorizing the death penalty by firing squad was rejected in the Indiana House of Representatives. For more on the state’s push to bring back death by firing squad, we turn to WFHB Prison Affairs Correspondent Zoe Moczek.
Over 400 higher education degrees have been eliminated, merged or suspended in Indiana to comply with new state law. Foreign language programs were among the hardest hit. In Bloomington, “language cafes” are one way that foreign tongues persist, like the German conversation table happening weekly at The Runcible Spoon. Correspondent Mia Hilkowitz has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Up next “Snow Jobs” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zoe Moczek.
Today’s feature story on Bloomington’s foreign language conversation tables was produced by Mia Hilkowitz in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University with theme music by AuDioChosis.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
