On the Beat – Civic Life
BLACK VETERANS’ GROUP CALLS FOR REPRESENTATION AT VA
Jan. 27, 2021
The Black Veterans Empowerment Council, a coalition of state and national Black veterans’ organizations, wrote an open letter to the Biden-Harris administration asking to diversify senior leadership roles within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
COVID BILL COULD FINALLY FIX WAGE DISCRIMINATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Jan. 26, 2021
As part of his pandemic relief plan, President Joe Biden plans to introduce legislation that would eliminates a little-known provision in labor law that allows some employers to pay employees with disabilities less than the minimum wage.
BIDEN WILL NOT USE PRIVATE FEDERAL PRISONS. PRISON REFORM ADVOCATES WANT HIM TO DO MORE.
Jan. 26, 2021
President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order that began the process of phasing out the use of private prisons in the federal system. Biden has signed four orders designed to address racial inequities.
BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER NEW LAW PROTECTING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN PARKS
Jan. 23, 2021
A new local law that would provide certain protections to homeless living in city park encampments could be brought to Bloomington’s city council on Feb. 3. This proposal comes after homeless advocates protested the clearing of encampments.
OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN A PANDEMIC
Jan. 21, 2021
Eszi Waters, Limestone Post
Economic distress, isolation and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased need for mental health services in Monroe County. Agencies are working to combat the barriers that people face when accessing mental health resources.
HOUSELESS ADVOCATES MARCH FROM SEMINARY PARK TO PEOPLE’S PARK TO PROTEST CLEARANCE FROM PUBLIC SPACES
Jan. 19, 2021
The clearance of an encampment at Bloomington’s Seminary Park in early December and again in January prompted another protest. Protestors want Bloomington’s mayor to allow the encampment of homeless people in parks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNDERSELLING THE VACCINE
Jan. 18, 2021
David Leonhardt, New York Times The Morning
The vaccine for COVID-19 is being advertised to the public with warnings about its limitations and is overshadowing its effectiveness. While experts say the vaccine is almost 100% effective, a cautionary approach makes the public distrustful.
BEACON: PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE IN POVERTY
Dec. 23, 2020
Rodney Margison, Bloom Magazine
Beacon is an organization in Bloomington that provides various services to those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Beacon used to be known as the Shalom Community Center until its expansion into six major programs.
BLOOMINGTON PUBLIC SERVICES EXPERIENCE DECREASE IN USE DURING PANDEMIC
Dec. 3, 2020
Zoe Auskalnis, Bloomington Beat
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused public services to suffer because of loss of funding and new guidelines for cleanliness and social distancing. Public transportation remains open and functioning, but with difficulties.
LOCAL ACTIVIST, PATRICK FORD, FIGHTS FOR BLACK LIVES
Nov. 12, 2020
Jake Taylor, Bloomington Beat
Patrick Ford II is a local Black Lives Matter activist who organizes events about racial inequality in Bloomington. After the death of George Floyd, he organized protests, community discussions, and vigils in hopes to dismantle racist institutions.