Episode Archive

205 episodes of The Political Spotlight since the first episode, which aired on August 3rd, 2025.

  • #704 | Muncie's Financial Folly! & Del-Co Commissioners Mtg (07.20.26)! | The Political Spotlight

    July 20th, 2026  |  2 hrs 21 mins
    2nd amendment, city of muncie, commissioner shannon henry, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, community update, delaware county, delaware county commissioners meeting, delaware county government, delaware county politics, ed vs fred, financial folly, george-jeffrey howe, local politics, long period of silence, muncie city council, muncie city government, muncie fire department, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, proposed fire station 5 project, public services committee, questions and answers, recaps, ridenour administration

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey highlights the "Financial Folly" by Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour in relation to the Mayor's most recent "community update" from Friday, July 17, 2026, which references the Muncie Fire Department's proposed plans for a new Fire Station 5. Then, Bilbrey recaps the Delaware County Commissioners meeting from Monday, July 20, 2026. There were key details from the meeting that citizens of Delaware County need to be aware of. Lastly, Bilbrey shares what he believes is the start of what will likely be a long period of silence from the Ridenour Administration, as he attempts to get answers to several important questions concerning the City of Muncie! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #703 | The Week Ahead (July 19 - 25, 2026)! | The Political Spotlight

    July 19th, 2026  |  1 hr 50 mins
    city of muncie government, city of muncie mayor dan ridenour, delaware county commissioners, delaware county commissioners' meeting, delaware county fair 2026, delaware county government, delaware county politics, george-jeffrey howe, local politics, muncie city council (public services committee) meeting, muncie parks board meeting, muncie politics, questions

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey prepares for the week ahead (July 19 - 25, 2026)! From Delaware County's 2026 Fair Week, to the Delaware County Commissioners' meeting, and the Muncie Parks Board meeting, as well as the Muncie City Council (Public Services Committee) meeting, and all of the QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS for those at Muncie City Hall! It's going to be one of those weeks! Let's Roll! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #702 | The Ridenour Administration Looks Ahead! Current Questions Remain! | The Political Spotlight

    July 15th, 2026  |  2 hrs 11 mins
    city of muncie, community update, delaware county commissioners, delaware county government, delaware county health department, deputy mayor, doc peterson, financial aspects of the muncie fire department's proposed station 5 project, former acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, health officer, howe controversy, howe's veto of ordinance 13-26, ken hudson, local politics, looking ahead, mckinley neighborhood, muncie board of works, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission director, new member, ordinance 13-26, ridenour administration, ridenour's first day back as mayor, special emergency meeting, upcoming public services committee meeting

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey follows up on Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour's first day back as Mayor! He's looking ahead, and the Administration is pushing the message that "all is well." However, Bilbrey just isn't buying it. In the 702nd episode of The Political Spotlight, Bilbrey covers key developments from the Muncie Board of Works meeting, including the latest appointment to the board. Next, Bilbrey reviews the Mayor's first community update, which includes additional commentary on the veto of Ordinance 13-26. Bilbrey offers further thoughts on the issue. From there, Bilbrey shares the latest updates on the upcoming Public Services Committee meeting. This is the second attempt to obtain answers to questions about the financial aspects of the Muncie Fire Department's proposed Station 5. Of course, questions still remain about the ongoing controversy surrounding George-Jeffrey Howe, his contracts, and his current titles and duties at the City of Muncie. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #701 | Ridenour's Return & The Veto! | The Political Spotlight

    July 14th, 2026  |  2 hrs 6 mins
    "acting" mayor howe's veto of ordinance 13-26, 000 payment, 43-day medical leave, acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, affected property owners, attempt to halt any investigation, city of muncie indiana, court filings, howe's contractual procedural irregularities, local politics, mayor dan ridenour's return to city hall, mayor's temporary absence, mckinley neighborhood overlay district, muncie city council, muncie politics, neighborhood residents, other stakeholders, passed ordinance, political game play, questionable $66, unanimous bipartisan vote

    Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour returns to City Hall after a 43-day medical absence, raising questions about the timing and whether growing controversy forced an earlier return. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the court filings that end Ridenour’s absence and George-Jeffrey Howe’s role as Acting Mayor, examines what Howe’s duties may be going forward, and questions whether the return could affect scrutiny of Howe’s contracts and nearly $66,000 in payments. Bilbrey also breaks down Howe’s veto of Ordinance 13-26, which created the McKinley Neighborhood Overlay District despite unanimous City Council support and backing from residents and property owners. He explains why he views the veto as political game-playing and what stakeholders and Council members can do next. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #700 | The City of Muncie Gets a Social Media Policy! | The Political Spotlight

    July 13th, 2026  |  2 hrs 20 mins
    700, 700th episode, acting mayor, amber greene, attitudes just get worse, certain members of the administration, change the attitudes, city of muncie, communications director, concerned for whistleblowers, deputy mayor, george-jeffrey howe, harassment, hot, implemented a new social media policy, indiana, interact with the public, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie city attorneys, muncie city council, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission director, shareen wagley, stalking, target employees who speak out against wrongdoing within city hall, time will tell

    The city government in Muncie, Indiana, implemented a new "social media" policy as of today (Monday, July 13, 2026). Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey has been waiting for this policy to take effect for more than two years. But it might not be all it's cracked up to be. Many are hopeful that this will change the attitudes of certain members of the Administration and how they interact with the public. But will it? Or will nothing change? Or will attitudes just get worse? Time will tell! Plus, Bilbrey is concerned that this might be a way to target employees who attempt to speak out against wrongdoing within City Hall! This has to be considered! Bilbrey discusses it all on this 700th episode of The Political Spotlight! It's about to get HOT! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #699 | Tired of the Attitude! | The Political Spotlight

    July 12th, 2026  |  2 hrs 49 mins
    amber greene, attitude, breaking news, city of anderson politics, city of indianapolis politics, city of muncie politics, city of new castle politics, city of portland politics, city of winchester politics, delaware county politics, henry county politics, henry county sheriff, jay county politics, john sproles, lame duck, local politics, madison county politics, marion county politics, randolph county politics, sproleswatch, sproleswatch2026, ted baker, tired of the attitude in government, united states senator lindsey graham

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is tired of the attitude in government! This isn't new; it's been this way for a while. He talks about it periodically. This is just his "report on the situation" from July 2026! City of Muncie... Delaware County... City of Anderson... Madison County... City of New Castle... Henry County... City of Indianapolis... Marion County... City of Portland... Jay County... City of Winchester... Randolph County... and beyond! Every time he talks about it, he hopes, "This is the time when change will occur..." Alas, here we are! Bilbrey is talking about it again! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #698 | A Look at Madison County, Indiana, on a Friday Night in July 2026! | The Political Spotlight

    July 10th, 2026  |  2 hrs 29 mins
    amendments, anderson, anderson politics, contributing correspondent, delaware county, delaware county politics, democratic party, dr. katherine v. callahan, hodgepodge of a.d.d.-fueled thoughts about political and governmental goings-on, indiana, indiana politics, local politics, madison county, madison county politics, muncie, muncie politics, republican party, rights, special friday night episode, state of indiana, state politics, vote, voters, voters' rights, voting, wild ride

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes back contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine V. Callahan to the program for this special Friday night episode. And look, it's been over a month since Callahan was last here... which means there is NO WAY Bilbrey could even begin to craft a legitimate set of show notes, a description of what Bilbrey and Callahan will cover, in what is almost sure to be a hodgepodge of A.D.D.-fueled thoughts about political and governmental goings-on in Anderson, Indiana... Madison County, Indiana... the State of Indiana... and maybe Bilbrey will get a chance to throw in a few comments or thoughts about Muncie, Indiana... and/or Delaware County, Indiana. So join the ride. It's bound to be wild! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #697 | Put On Notice! | The Political Spotlight

    July 8th, 2026  |  2 hrs 33 mins
    acting mayor, city council investigation, city councilor sara gullion, city of muncie, deputy mayor, george-jeffrey howe, indiana, local politics, muncie board of works, muncie city council, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, newsman and author rick yencer, procedural irregularities, public services contract, put on notice, ridenour administration, the first and second addenda, transparency and accountability

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey recaps the Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Muncie Board of Works meeting, during which questions about the City's contracts with George-Jeffrey Howe went unanswered. After procedural concerns were raised and Rick Yencer asked how much Howe is being paid, the Board offered no response and ended the meeting just over 10 minutes after it began. Combined with comments from Muncie City Councilor Sara Gullion earlier in the week, Bilbrey examines what these events reveal about transparency and accountability, and why the Ridenour Administration may now be on notice. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #696 | The BIG Recap of the Commissioners & City Council Mtgs (July 2026)! | The Political Spotlight

    July 7th, 2026  |  3 hrs 44 mins
    circle jerk, city controller, city of muncie, communications, delaware county, delaware county auditor ed carroll, delaware county commissioner shannon henry, delaware county commissioner sherry riggin, delaware county commissioner stephen brand, delaware county commissioners, delaware county politics, fire station 5, fred vs ed, joke, local politics, monthly meeting, muncie city council, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, ordinances and resolutions, political posturing, public hearing, resolution 8-26, tabled, tax abatement committee meeting, transparency, vote of no confidence

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey recaps the Delaware County Commissioners' and Muncie City Council meetings, both held on Monday, July 6, 2026. In the 696th episode of The Political Spotlight, Bilbrey breaks down the key discussions, votes, and decisions from both meetings while offering in-depth analysis and commentary on the issues that matter most to Delaware County and the City of Muncie. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #695 | Upcoming Commissioners & City Council Mtgs & An Email From Sproles! | The Political Spotlight

    July 5th, 2026  |  2 hrs 8 mins
    chief deputy sheriff, city controller, commissioners, county attorney, county auditor, county council, delaware county commissioners' meeting, delaware county politics, henry county politics, lame duck, let's roll, local politics, muncie city council meeting, muncie fire department, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, sheriff john sproles

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey kicks off what will definitely be a busy week with several great episodes. This 695th episode looks at the upcoming Delaware County Commissioners' meeting (Monday, July 6, 2026, at 9 a.m.) and a very busy Muncie City Council meeting (Monday, July 6, 2026, at 630 p.m.). Bilbrey will share his thoughts on the agendas for both meetings, including the items on those agendas. Bilbrey wraps up the episode by sharing an interesting email exchange he had over the holiday weekend with Henry County's lame-duck sheriff, John Sproles. It's time to get back to work! Let's Roll! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #694 | The Big 250th Birthday - Week! | The Political Spotlight

    July 2nd, 2026  |  1 hr 30 mins
    4th of july, acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, america, america's 250th birthday, city of muncie, constitution, declaration of independence, founding fathers, fourth of july, indiana, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie board of works meeting, muncie indiana, muncie politics, proud to be an american, slow week, united states of america, us, usa

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey closes the week out the same way it started and the same way it's been rolling... with not much going on! But it is the United States' 250th Birthday week... so there's that! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #693 | State Rep. JD Prescott’s Property Tax Fantasy Tour Comes to Muncie! | The Political Spotlight

    July 1st, 2026  |  2 hrs 41 secs
    after-action report, audience's response, brandon rudd is back, comprehensive look at house bill 1288, developing issues involving the city of muncie and delaware county, hoosier state, hoosiers, house bill 1288, indiana, indiana politics, indiana state general assembly, indiana taxpayers, local governments, mother arrested on a warrant after leaving kids in a hot car, property tax repeal and replace plan, property tax repeal and replace proposal, property tax repeal and replace tour, special guest john bartlett, state government, state house, state legislature, state politics, state representative, state representative j.d. prescott, statewide tour, strengths and weaknesses, the future of property taxes

    Kristopher H. Bilbrey and Brandon Rudd of The Political Spotlight attended Prescott's presentation on House Bill 1288 (Property Tax Repeal and Replace Plan). In this 693rd episode, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey delivers an after-action report on the event. He breaks down Prescott's message and delivery, analyzes the audience's response, and explains why he believes Hoosiers should pay close attention to the proposal. Bilbrey also previews an upcoming special episode featuring Hosts Bilbrey and Rudd, along with special guest John Bartlett, who'll take a comprehensive look at House Bill 1288, examine the proposal's strengths and weaknesses, and discuss what it could mean for Indiana taxpayers, local governments, and the future of property taxes in the Hoosier State. Plus, Bilbrey wraps up the show with updates on a couple of developing issues involving the City of Muncie and Delaware County. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #692 | That Time of Year (June 30, 2026)! | The Political Spotlight

    June 30th, 2026  |  1 hr 18 mins
    a complete disaster! summertime 2026, acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, banger, chinwag, city of muncie, communications director amber greene, it's that time of year, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie city council, muncie indiana, muncie politics, ordinance 9-26, record requests, resolution 8-26, tech issues, technical problems

    It's that time of year! Summertime, 2026, and Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey explains what it means while having a chinwag with the audience! (Tuesday, June 30, 2026). ...this episode turned into a complete disaster! Not all of them can be bangers! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #691 | The Non-Meeting Meeting! | The Political Spotlight

    June 28th, 2026  |  1 hr 34 mins
    acting mayor jeff howe, ball state university, bot, bsu, build operate transfer, city controller craig wright, councilor brandon garrett, councilor dale basham, councilor harold mason, councilor jeff green, councilor jerry dishman, councilor nora powell, councilor ro selvey, councilor sara gullion, councilor william mcintosh, financial questions, fire station 5, gm development, greg martz, indiana, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, meeting-nonmeeting, muncie, muncie city council, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie mayor, muncie politics, ordinance 9-26, public services committee, resolution 8-26

    On this 691st episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down the so-called Muncie City Council Public Service Committee meeting—"non-meeting" last Friday, June 26, 2026. The "meeting" left council members and the public with more questions than answers. For the second time in one week, the Ridenour Administration has stuck its middle finger up to the council and the citizens of Muncie. The question now is what to do. At some point, something has to give. Bilbrey discusses this and more in this episode. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #690 | Winning the War Means Losing Some Battles! | The Political Spotlight

    June 25th, 2026  |  2 hrs 22 mins
    bot, delaware county / muncie politics, east central indiana, fire station #5 project, henry county / new castle politics, house bill 1288, indiana republican platform now backs property tax elimination, latest news, local government updates, local politics, look beyond the headline and sound bite, madison county / anderson politics, muncie city council meeting, muncie fire department, on board with repealing property taxes, property tax repeal & replacement proposal, public services committee meeting, state politics, state representative jd prescott, tax abatement committee meeting, the indiana capital chronicle, the rob kendall show

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers the latest news and local government updates from Delaware, Madison, and Henry counties. He also offers a brief look at State Representative JD Prescott's Property Tax Repeal & Replacement Proposal, explaining why Hoosiers should look beyond the headline to understand how the plan works, who pays for it, and its potential long-term impact. Bilbrey draws on recent discussions and reporting to put the proposal in context. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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    #689 | LIVE From the Great Outdoors! | The Political Spotlight

    June 24th, 2026  |  45 mins 34 secs
    delaware county crisis center ribbon cutting, henry county court, knightstown special election, live from outside of mud creek studio, local politics, mud creek studio, muncie crisis center

    Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is LIVE from outside of Mud Creek Studio! #ThePoliticalSpotlight