#747 | Thursday, October 08, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 8th, 2026  |  1 hr 45 mins

2026 election, boss hogs of liberty, candidate forum, citizen engagement, county government, david bockover, democrat david bockover, democratic candidate, east central indiana, election 2026, first amendment, flock camera, freedom, henry county, henry county indiana, henry county politics, henry county sheriff, indiana politics, investigations, jail, jim nicholson, john sproles, law enforcement, local elections, local government, local politics, new castle indiana, political candidates, public safety, republican candidate, republican jim nicholson, sheriff candidates, sheriff election

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey jumps on the Boss Hogs of Liberty feed for our first real look at the two candidates for Henry County Sheriff: Republican Jim Nicholson and Democrat David Bockover. Let's see how this goes! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#746 | Wednesday, October 07, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 7th, 2026  |  1 hr 53 mins

appointed officials, citizen accountability, citizen oversight, citizen power, delaware county, east central indiana, elected officials, government accountability, government communication, government transparency, henry county, inappropriate text messages, indiana politics, lack of accountability, lack of transparency, local government, local government accountability, local political controversy, local politics, muncie, political candidates, political fallout, political frustration, political slop, political text messages, public servants, public service, randolph county, winchester

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey dives into the day's 'political slop' in East Central Indiana on Wednesday, October 7, 2026... It's not even worth naming it all; it's just slop! Entitled, self-important elected and appointed officials and candidates running around, not giving a shit! Public servants who DO NOT serve the public! Doing whatever they please, with no communication, transparency, or accountability! Bilbrey talks freeform for a bit, then gets into the latest developments regarding the inappropriate text messages sent among four men in the local communities. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#745 | Tuesday, October 06, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 6th, 2026  |  3 hrs 5 mins

brandon garrett, citizen oversight, citizen power, city council public hearing, city council votes, council leadership, dale basham, dan ridenour, delaware county republican party, east central indiana, government accountability, government transparency, indiana politics, jerry dishman, leaked text messages, local government, local political figures, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie democrats, muncie indiana, muncie politics, muncie republicans, october 5 2026, political controversy, political fallout, political maneuvering, public meetings, ro selvey, shifting political power, text messages, tim overton, william mcintosh

ThePoliticalSpotlight

#744 | Sunday, October 04, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 4th, 2026  |  1 hr 50 mins

citizen engagement, citizen power, city council leadership, city council meeting, east central indiana, government accountability, government transparency, indiana politics, local government, local political figures, local politics, muncie, muncie city council, muncie indiana, muncie politics, october 5 2026, political buzz, political controversy, political developments, political rumors, social media politics

In this 744th episode, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the upcoming Muncie City Council meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026. Will this meeting remain calm, or will it continue down the path of insanity seen in the last several? Then, Bilbrey examines the recent buzz on social media about several local political figures. Is something significant developing—or is it much ado about nothing? Bilbrey breaks down what's being said, what may actually matter, and what to watch for as Muncie politics heats up. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#743 | Thursday, October 01, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 1st, 2026  |  1 hr 45 mins

2026 election, 2026 general election, campaign questions, candidate accountability, citizen engagement, david bockover, democratic candidate, democratic sheriff candidate, east central indiana, government accountability, henry county, henry county indiana, henry county sheriff, indiana politics, local elections, local government, muncie, muncie city council, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, new castle indiana, september 14 2026 meeting, sheriff election

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares an update on the upcoming Muncie City Council meeting held Monday, September 14, 2026. Bilbrey also updates listeners on Democratic candidate for Henry County Sheriff David Bockover and his continued refusal to answer questions about his campaign. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#742 | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 30th, 2026  |  1 hr 56 mins

2027 muncie budget, budget oversight, budget review, citizen oversight, citizen power, city budget, city council leadership, clerk treasurer kerry sayre, delaware county, delaware county indiana, delaware county republican party, east central indiana, finance committee, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, indiana politics, kerry sayre, local government, local politics, local republican party, muncie, muncie city council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, october 5 2026, political influence, prairie creek reservoir, prairie creek reservoir budget, public meetings, public records, public records request, randolph county, taxpayer money, voa, volunteers of america, winchester, winchester house, winchester house controversy, winchester indiana, winchester politics

In this 742nd episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the third and final meeting of the Muncie City Council's Finance Committee, held Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Bilbrey highlights several revealing moments from the discussion of the proposed 2027 budget for Prairie Creek Reservoir. He also offers more on the Delaware County Republican Party and what he views as its ongoing effort to influence Muncie City Council leadership ahead of the October 5, 2026, meeting. Finally, the spotlight returns to Winchester, Indiana, where Bilbrey reviews public records he received from City Clerk-Treasurer Kerry Sayre and explains what they reveal about the VOA "Winchester House" disaster. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#741 | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 29th, 2026  |  1 hr 43 mins

2026 general election, 2027 muncie budget, bob mccoy, budget meeting, candidate questions, citizen engagement, citizen power, city council leadership, city council meeting, city government, clerk treasurer kerry sayre, david bockover, delaware county, delaware county indiana, delaware county republican party, democratic sheriff candidate, east central indiana, finance committee meeting, government accountability, government transparency, henry county, henry county indiana, henry county sheriff, indiana politics, kerry sayre, local elections, local politics, local republican party, mayor bob mccoy, muncie, muncie city council, muncie finance committee, muncie indiana, nora powell, official facebook page, political influence, public meetings, public records request, randolph county, sara gullion, sheriff election, social media controversy, winchester, winchester indiana

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers political developments across Muncie, Winchester, and Henry County. Bilbrey begins with an unusual Delaware County Republican Party social media post promoting the upcoming October 5 Muncie City Council meeting—something he views as more than a simple reminder and possibly part of a broader effort to influence Council leadership. He then shares responses from Muncie City Councilors Nora Powell and Sara Gullion on the recent Finance Committee meetings and previews the committee’s final budget meeting on September 30, 2026, ahead of the proposed 2027 budget reaching the full Council on October 5, 2026. Next, Bilbrey returns to Winchester, where he discusses the response to his public-records request about control of the city's official Facebook page and the controversial post that angered residents. Finally, he heads to Henry County, sharing questions sent to Democratic sheriff candidate David Bockover as TPS continues its 2026 election coverage. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#740 | Sunday, September 27, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 27th, 2026  |  2 hrs 6 mins

2027, 2027 muncie budget, acting mayor, bob mccoy, carl malone, city budget, city contracts, city leadership, city of muncie, city of winchester, conflicting statements, contract, contract employee, dale basham, dan ridenour, december 31, deputy mayor, east central indiana, end of the term, facebook, facebook post, finance committee, government accountability, government confusion, government transparency, indiana politics, jeff howe, jerry dishman, local government, local politics, mayor bob mccoy, mayor dan ridenour, mrc director, muncie, muncie city council, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie parks board, muncie parks department, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, parks superintendent carl malone, public administration, public oversight, randolph county, social media controversy, taxpayer accountability, term, tuhey, tuhey pool, william mcintosh, winchester, winchester government, winchester indiana, winchester politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines a bizarre dispute over who is actually running the City of Muncie, Indiana's Tuhey Pool. During the September 24, 2026, Finance Committee meeting, Parks Superintendent Carl Malone said he was no longer in control of Tuhey Pool and that responsibility had shifted to contract employee Jeff Howe. After Bilbrey sought clarification, Mayor Dan Ridenour gave a completely different account, saying nothing had changed and that Tuhey remained under Malone and the Parks Department. Bilbrey breaks down the conflicting statements, questions Howe's expanding role within city government, what the Parks Board and Finance Committee knew, and how councilors can responsibly build a budget when city officials apparently cannot agree on something as basic as who is in charge. The spotlight then turns east to Winchester, Indiana, where Bilbrey examines a controversial September 25, 2026, social media post that may involve Mayor Bob McCoy and has angered local residents. Muncie. Winchester. Conflicting accounts. Confused government. And one simple question: Who the hell is actually in charge? #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#739 | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 24th, 2026  |  2 hrs 20 mins

2027 muncie budget, amber green, budget meeting, budget review, citizen oversight, city budget, city clerk, city court, city court judge, communications, communications director, council leadership, councilor dale basham, councilor jerry dishman, councilor william mcintosh, east central indiana, elected officials, finance committee, flock, flock cameras, frustration, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, human rights ccommission, idiots, indiana politics, judge, kristopher h bilbrey, local government, local politics, muncie, muncie city council, muncie city police department, muncie finance committee, muncie indiana, municipal government, proposed 2027 budget, public access, public servants, ridiculous, taxpayer money, the political spotlight

Piggybacking off the last episode... In this 739th episode, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shows why he is so bloody frustrated with our elected public servants by reviewing the second meeting of the Muncie City Council's Finance Committee. It was, AGAIN, a difficult watch! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#738 | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 23rd, 2026  |  1 hr 40 mins

2027 muncie budget, breaking point, budget meetings, budget review, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, communications, communications director amber green, contracts, councilor ro selvey, finance committee meeting, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, indiana politics, investigation, jeff howe, kristopher h bilbrey, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mrc, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, political commentary, political frustration, public meetings, public notice, record request, resolution 13-26, ro selvey, the political spotlight

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is nearing his breaking point... #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#737 | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 22nd, 2026  |  2 hrs 11 mins

2027 muncie budget, 313 south meridian street, budget meetings, budget review, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, county commissioners meeting, dan ridenour, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, delaware county indiana, east central indiana, energy development, finance committee meeting, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, indiana politics, letter of intent, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, nuclear energy, nuclear power, nuclear reactors, public meetings, public notice, public service, randolph county, randolph county indiana, ridenour administration, small modular reactors, smr, smrs, taxpayer money, voa, volunteers of america, winchester, winchester city council, winchester government, winchester house, winchester indiana, winchester politics

In Episode #737 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines three local-government meetings across East Central Indiana. First, Bilbrey breaks down the September 22, 2026, Muncie City Council Finance Committee meeting, where the council began reviewing the proposed 2027 city budget. He questions who knew about the meeting, how councilors and citizens were informed, and what he describes as continued political gamesmanship by the Ridenour Administration and Council leadership. Bilbrey also explains why he considers the meeting a MOCKERY of the budget-review process. Next, Bilbrey turns to the September 21, 2026, Delaware County Commissioners meeting and the county's letter of intent regarding nuclear energy and small modular reactors (SMRs). Lastly, it's back to Winchester, Indiana, where the former Volunteers of America (VOA) Winchester House facility at 313 South Meridian Street was discussed during the September 21, 2026, Winchester City Council meeting. Bilbrey discusses the latest developments there and what he's done since the previous episode. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#736 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 20th, 2026  |  2 hrs 10 mins

2027 muncie budget, addiction treatment, budget meetings, budget oversight, citizen involvement, citizen oversight, city of muncie, city spending, drug treatment facility, east central indiana, finance committee, former mayor shon byrum, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, indiana politics, local government, local government controversy, local politics, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, political accountability, proposed 2027 budget, public meetings, public service, randolph county, randolph county indiana, shon byrum, taxpayer money, voa, volunteers of america, winchester, winchester board of works, winchester city council, winchester government, winchester house, winchester house drug treatment facility, winchester indiana, winchester politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey returns to Winchester, Indiana, after two sources point him to a recent Board of Works meeting. Something in that meeting brings back a controversy from nearly a decade ago: former Winchester Mayor Shon Byrum (D), five Republican City Council members, Volunteers of America (VOA), and the decision to bring the "Winchester House" drug treatment facility to the community. Bilbrey revisits his criticism of that decision, explains what caught his attention in the latest meeting, and takes a long-awaited victory lap! Then it's back to Muncie, where the City Council is preparing to review the proposed 2027 city budget during three meetings: September 22, September 24, and September 30, 2026 — all beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. Bilbrey explains what's at stake and why Muncie citizens should pay close attention in the coming weeks. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#735 | Thursday, September 17, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 17th, 2026  |  1 hr 27 mins

2027 election cycle, 2027 elections, anderson indiana, board of works, candidate recruitment, citizen engagement, citizen involvement, citizen oversight, citizen power, city of muncie, county government, dan ridenour, delaware county, delaware county indiana, democratic candidates, east central indiana, elected officials, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government leadership, government reform, government transparency, henry county, henry county indiana, indiana politics, indianapolis, jeff howe, libertarian candidates, local candidates, local elections, local government, local leadership, local politics, madison county, madison county indiana, marion county, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie board of works, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, municipal government, new castle indiana, political accountability, political campaigns, political candidates, public meetings, public office, public servants, public service, randolph county, randolph county indiana, redevelopment commission, republican candidates, run for office, running for office, winchester indiana

In Episode #735 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey focuses on what he sees as a growing breakdown of public service and citizen engagement across East Central Indiana and beyond. Bilbrey briefly reviews the September 16 Muncie Board of Works meeting before turning to the September 17 Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting, examining its decision-making, accountability, and the roles of Mayor Dan Ridenour and Jeff Howe. From there, the discussion broadens to local government across Muncie/Delaware County, Anderson/Madison County, Winchester/Randolph County, New Castle/Henry County, and Indianapolis/Marion County. Bilbrey argues that too many public officials have forgotten whom they serve while too many citizens remain disengaged. With the next local election cycle beginning in 2027, Bilbrey challenges citizens who believe local government needs better leadership to get involved—organize, campaign, challenge incumbents, and consider running for office as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, or otherwise. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#734 | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - (PART 2) | The Political Spotlight

September 16th, 2026  |  2 hrs 36 mins

budget ordinances, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, city spending, council attorney, council leadership, craig wright, dan ridenour, delaware county, east central indiana, episodes 733 and 734, finance committee, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, in god we trust, in god we trust ordinance, indiana politics, jeff howe, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mits, msd, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie common council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie indiana transit system, muncie politics, muncie public hearing, muncie salary ordinance, muncie sanitary district, ordinance 16-26, ordinance 17-26, ordinance 18-26, ordinance 19-26, ordinance 20-26, ordinance 21-26, ordinance 22-26, part 1, part 2, proposed 2027 muncie budget, public comments, public hearing, public meetings, resolution 13-26, resolution 14-26, salary ordinance, september 14 2026, taxpayer money, two part series, viewpoint discrimination

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey tackles the completely "OFF THE RAILS" Muncie City Council meeting from Monday, September 14, 2026, in a two-part breakdown of the Public Hearing and the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. This 734th episode is part 2. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#733 | Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - (PART 1) | The Political Spotlight

September 15th, 2026  |  2 hrs 14 mins

budget ordinances, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, city spending, council attorney, council leadership, craig wright, dan ridenour, delaware county, east central indiana, episodes 733 and 734, finance committee, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, in god we trust, in god we trust ordinance, indiana politics, jeff howe, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mits, msd, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie common council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie indiana transit system, muncie politics, muncie public hearing, muncie salary ordinance, muncie sanitary district, ordinance 16-26, ordinance 17-26, ordinance 18-26, ordinance 19-26, ordinance 20-26, ordinance 21-26, ordinance 22-26, part 1, part 2, proposed 2027 muncie budget, public comments, public hearing, public meetings, resolution 13-26, resolution 14-26, salary ordinance, september 14 2026, taxpayer money, two part series, viewpoint discrimination

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey tackles the completely "OFF THE RAILS" Muncie City Council meeting from Monday, September 14, 2026, in a two-part breakdown of the Public Hearing and the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. This 733rd episode is part 1. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#732 | Sunday, September 13, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 13th, 2026  |  1 hr 58 mins

2026 election, 2026 general election, attorney john brooke, budget season, campaign season, campaigns, candidate accountability, candidates, citizen oversight, city council leadership, city of muncie, council leadership, delaware township, delaware township government, delaware township indiana, delaware township trustee, denise thornburg, east central indiana, elected officials, government accountability, government transparency, henry county, henry county government, henry county indiana, henry county politics, henry county sheriff, henry county sheriff election, indiana elections, indiana politics, john brooke, legal strategy, local government, local politics, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, political candidates, public office, september 14 2026, sheriff candidates, sheriff race, township government, township trustee, trustee denise thornburg, voters

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey looks ahead to a busy week in local politics — starting with the Muncie City Council meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026. Bilbrey previews what to expect, shares his thoughts on several issues likely to shape the meeting, and offers a broader look at the current state of Muncie City Council leadership. How will the council conduct itself during the meeting? How will current leadership address the issues at hand? What should citizens expect from the council as the budget season and the city's day-to-day operations continue? Only time will tell! From there, Bilbrey turns to the ongoing issues involving Delaware Township Trustee Denise Thornburg and Attorney John Brooke. A lot is going on in Delaware Township, and Bilbrey breaks down the latest developments, the personalities involved, the broader questions about local government, legal strategy, and accountability, and how strange the situation has been. Then the show heads south to Henry County, where Bilbrey offers commentary on the two sheriff candidates and what voters should watch for as the race unfolds. Finally, as election season approaches, Bilbrey outlines how The Political Spotlight plans to cover candidates from across the region and beyond. #ThePoliticalSpotlight