This is an audio transcript of the Weekly News Rundown Episode 24.
Annabel Prokopy: It’s Monday, September 1. Happy Labor Day Hoosiers!
Nate Soco: We hope you had a great first week back on campus. Here at IU, Michael Arnold will lead Indiana Public Media as executive director beginning on September 22, an announcement that was made by the Media School on Monday, August 25. In his new role, Arnold will oversee student media and Indiana Public Media, the umbrella organization including WTIU Public Television and WFIU Public Radio. Indiana Public Media also falls under IU Radio and Television Services, which is part of the Media School, though it retains a distinct budget and editorial independence. The change in leadership comes after IU fired Indiana Public Media’s executive director Brad Kimmel and chief financial officer Christina Linnot in September last year, a decision that came as IU Provost Rahul Shrivastav said the media organization was going in the wrong direction. Annabel, what else do we know about Arnold and the future of Indiana Public Media?
A: Nate, Arnold has held numerous previous positions in media leadership, including chief audience and content officer for KUNC Radio and The Colorado Sound, as well as roles at Wisconsin Public Radio, Public Radio International and New Hampshire Public Radio. David Tolchinsky, the dean of the IU Media School, is optimistic that Arnold will increase the impact of Indiana Public Media and expand its reach. However, this new leadership does come as federal cuts to public media stations impact Indiana Public Media’s funding. Indiana Public Media is predicted to lose 14% of its funds, losses which total 1.4 million dollars.
N: Thanks Annabel. In Bloomington, the City Council met on Monday, August 25 to review the proposed 2026 budget. The meeting focused on the community health and vitality section of the budget, which includes eliminating 300,000 dollars allocated to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging training. The cuts come as revenue for local governments decreases due to Indiana Senate’s Enrolled Act 1 which lowers property and local income taxes. It also comes after state and federal mandates, including executive orders signed by Governor Mike Braun and President Donald Trump in January, seek to eliminate DEI in state agencies and in the federal government. Margie Rice, the city’s corporate counsel, explained during the meeting that funds cannot be allocated to DEI due to these policy changes. Annabel, what else do we know?
A: So Nate, while these 300,000 dollars are eliminated in the proposed budget, the director of the department that they were allocated to, the Community and Family Resources Department, said during the meeting that they were never used last year. City Controller Jessica McClellan said this was due to the American Rescue Plan Act allocating funding for employee training for both the CFRD and Bloomington’s Human Resources Department. McClellan said it was not possible to use both pools of allocated funds, and said it was like both departments were trying to accomplish the same function. The funds will carry over into the next fiscal year but will not be used for DEIB-related services due to the state and federal policies.
N: While DEI training funds face challenges, Mayor Thompson told attendees that the city is not “wavering one bit” on its values and will continue to support all community members.
A: Also in city news, the Monroe County Jail moved all inmates to courtrooms in the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center on Wednesday, August 27 after mold tests returned positive, but acceptable, results in the Monroe County Jail. The evacuation was temporary while the jail was treated by fogging to eliminate mold spores. Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marte cited the decision as “protecting the health of our residents and staff while maintaining dignity and care.”
N: That’s right Annabel. Also in Monroe County, the County Council approved a request on Tuesday, August 26 to give Simtra BioPharma Solutions a tax break on a new site for producing sterile injectable products. The company’s 241 million dollar capital investment seeks to contribute to Indiana’s life sciences and pharmaceutical industry while redeveloping and expanding its existing industrial site. Previously operated by Cook Group as a General Electric manufacturing facility, they intend on increasing pharmaceutical production and providing new jobs.
