WFHB Local News – February 5th, 2026

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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, February 5th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, you’ll hear Ashton from Fourth Wall, a local trans queer band playing fundraiser shows for causes they believe in. Hear more about musical activism in Bloomington later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news.

Ellettsville Town Council Debates Higher Sewer Deposit for Renters

On February 2, 2026, the Ellettsville Town Council met. This council addressed bids for the Community Crossing Grant, resolutions, and other orders of business. This was a “special” meeting due to having to reschedule the original meeting due to the snow storms.

One of the motions proposed was to increase the sewer deposit fee for renters from $100 to $250. This caused discourse due to the impact it would have on the renters. This proposal is in response to the renters who fail to pay this fee, which results in the diligent renters paying more.

The board will re-evaluate this at the next board meeting as they are looking into other possibilities such as liens and property-owner responsibility.

Another proposal was the implementation of SCADA. This is a professional service from Wessler Engineering. The budget for the labor, programming, licensing computer, and system software is not to exceed $258,400.

The Wessler Engineering Bid was approved.

The board also chose to address the recent snow fall and temperatures. Michael Farmer opened by expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the snow removal crew. Farmer then made a public service announcement for the residents.

Continuing the discussion of snow removal procedures and protocols, Kip Heady shared how the snow removal crew worked for three days, but he coordinated with surrounding towns to ensure crews were properly taken care of.

Heady also shared how the salt supply is running low, but not completely depleted. This is due to salt being sent to southern states, as they are not equipped for such weather conditions.

The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9th.

Featured Segments:

Protest takes many forms. Those who are musically inclined express resistance through song. From Tiny Dorm Concerts to bands who perform almost exclusively at fundraisers, in Bloomington the spirit of musical activism is strong. Correspondent Eli Alvis has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month hosts Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone interview Dr Belinda McIntosh, a psychiatrist in Atlanta, Georgia, and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program. She was one of the chief authors of “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color”, an important report released in October, 2025. Medicare Advantage plans claim that they help expand healthcare to underserved populations, but this report challenges that claim. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

Now, we turn to WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson who brings you today’s Sports News Briefing – a rundown of local, state and national sports news. That’s coming up next on WFHB.

Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Camdyn Glover, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on musical activism in Bloomington was produced by Eli Alvis in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone produced Prescription for Healthcare.
Chase Dodson produced today’s Sports News Brief.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors were Chase Dodson and Coco Duneman.