#533 | Building the Benches! + Free Speech Battles Continue! + The PAC! | The Political Spotlight

September 29th, 2025  |  1 hr 58 mins

ball state university, charlie kirk, democrats, first amendment, free speech, gop, government accountability, indiana access to public record act, indiana politics, jennifer ruby, lincoln day dinner, local parties, midterm elections, midterms 2026, muncie resists, open door laws, public records, republicans, transparency matters

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the local GOP and Democratic parties ahead of the 2026 midterms, the growing battles over free speech in America, and then addresses a few public records request issues, sharing his thoughts about Indiana's record request laws and open-door laws. This is a must-listen episode you won’t want to miss! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#532 | A Demand & a Deadline in Muncie! | The Political Spotlight

September 28th, 2025  |  1 hr 47 mins

accountability, communication, councilor nora powell, emails, muncie city council, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, proposed 2026 budget, record requests, transparency

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey provides an update on the situation in Muncie, Indiana, following the city council's demand that the mayor give them a letter or email from the new insurance provider, detailing the latest figures and proposed savings for the city. That demand also had a deadline — Friday, September 26, 2025, which passed. Did Mayor Ridenour meet the deadline, or did he resist the Council's request? Where does everything currently stand, and what are the next steps for both sides? Tune in to find out! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#531 | And Then Mayor Ridenour Replied! (Muncie's 2026 Budget Battle) | The Political Spotlight

September 25th, 2025  |  1 hr 56 mins

city council, councilor nora powell, dan ridenour, emails, health insurance, muncie indiana, muncie mayor, muncie politics, proposed 2026 budget process

As the 2026 Budget process for the City of Muncie wraps up in these last few months of 2025, tensions seem to be rising instead of easing. While Muncie City Councilor Nora Powell (D - District 2) has been questioning and criticizing the Mayor and his administration over the past few weeks, Mayor Dan Ridenour now appears ready to push back against the Council and Powell specifically. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the Mayor's recent remarks and shares his perspective on how this situation might develop. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#530 | Madison County Budget 2026 Update! | The Political Spotlight

September 24th, 2025  |  2 hrs 34 mins

2026 budget process, indiana, madison county, madison county commissioners, madison county council, madison county politics, madison county sheriff's department

We've reviewed the 2026 budget processes for Muncie and Delaware County. Now, let's take a look at what's happening in Madison County, with a focus on their 2026 budget. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to the show to discuss it! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#529 | It's Going to Be Tight! | The Political Spotlight

September 23rd, 2025  |  2 hrs 4 mins

2026 budget process, city of muncie indiana, delaware county commissioners, delaware county council, delaware county indiana, delaware county politics, finance committee meeting, mayor dan ridenour, muncie city council, muncie politics

The 2026 budget processes for both the City of Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana, are nearing completion, and it's going to be tight. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the issues related to the processes happening in both Muncie and Delaware County. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#528 | How Do We Keep Them Engaged? | The Political Spotlight

September 22nd, 2025  |  1 hr 47 mins

2026 budget process, article, civil rights, courier-times newspaper, emails, federal lawsuit, first amendment, henry county sheriff john m. sproles, how do we keep them engaged, muncie city council, muncie mayor dan ridenour, new castle

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews two emails from Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour to the Muncie City Council about the 2026 Budget Process. Bilbrey believes the emails highlight a larger issue. Then, Bilbrey pulls up an article from the New Castle Courier-Times and reads their summary of the end of the federal lawsuit between Bilbrey and Henry County Sheriff John M. Sproles. Finally, everyone is talking about how there's "something in the air." It seems like more people are waking up to what's happening in our "political world" — but this has happened before, so Bilbrey asks, "How do we keep them engaged?" #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#527 | It's OK to Be Confused! | The Political Spotlight

September 21st, 2025  |  1 hr 38 mins

back from holiday, charlie kirk, community violence, current events, first amendment, indiana politics, indianapolis, its ok to be confused, muncie indiana, muncie politics, national politics, shootings

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey has returned from his holiday. While he enjoyed it, he doesn’t feel reset and senses that he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. Bilbrey discusses the recent increase in violence in Muncie and Indianapolis. He’s disappointed that there’s little discussion about it in Muncie. He also covers the upcoming busy week before touching on the uneasy feelings many are sharing right now, all across the nation. Bilbrey reminds the audience that it's okay to be confused! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#526 | Madison County's Plan to: MAX THE TAX! | The Political Spotlight

September 18th, 2025  |  1 hr 33 mins

bilbrey on holiday, contributing correspondent, dr. katherine callahan, indiana, madison county, madison county politics, max the tax

Contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan guest hosts for Kristopher H. Bilbrey, who is away on holiday!

Katherine will be examining the Madison County Government's plan to MAX THE TAX on all of their citizens!

If you live in Madison County, Indiana, or if you're a citizen interested in government and politics... then this is an episode you won't want to miss! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#525 | Bullying Bullies, and the Bullied Bulls they Bull and Katherine! | The Political Spotlight

September 17th, 2025  |  2 hrs 10 mins

bilbrey's holiday break, election integrity, election laws, election security, guest host, indiana, katherine callahan, larry savage, local politics, madison county politics, plea deal, political bullies, politics and bullying, producer kate, prosecution, surprise show, taxes

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is on autopilot as he prepares for his big holiday break. So, he called Dr. Katherine Callahan to help Producer Kate keep everything on track. The show focuses on bullies and bullying in politics. Additionally, this episode sets the stage for part two, where Katherine will guest-host in Episode 526. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#524 | Solar Ordinance Delay & Voter List Fiasco! | The Political Spotlight

September 15th, 2025  |  2 hrs 1 min

accountability, bluestate49, city council, commissioners meeting, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, delaware county politics, diego morales, first amendment, freaks, hoosier politics, indiana, indiana politics, indiana secretary of state diego morales, indiana state house, liberals, local government, solar ordinance, transparency, voter data

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey summarizes the Delaware County Commissioners’ meeting, where the Solar Ordinance was tabled yet again.

From there, Bilbrey then shifts his focus to Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, who recently provided the federal government with the personal information of 5 million registered voters from Indiana. Of course, Bilbrey is upset about that.

And finally, Bilbrey gives a shoutout to superfan “Bluestate49.” #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#523 | Out of the Box, No Turning Back! | The Political Spotlight

September 14th, 2025  |  1 hr 53 mins

america, budget meetings, charlie kirk, commissioners meeting, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, delaware county council, democratic party, finance committee meetings, first amendment, indiana, industrial solar, local politics, muncie, muncie city council, national politics, politics, republican party, solar ordinance, state politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey previews a busy week of upcoming public meetings in Muncie, Delaware County, and other parts of east central Indiana. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

Bilbrey also shares his thoughts on where America stands following the tragic events of last week. Additionally, Bilbrey discusses his stance on people saying horrible things about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Bilbrey is a First Amendment purist, and his views on this matter clearly show that!

#522 | Extradition Waived! & A Killer Caught! | The Political Spotlight

September 12th, 2025  |  2 hrs 37 mins

charlie kirk, charlie kirk assassination, county council, extradition waived, first amendment, freedom of speech, killer caught, madison county indiana, madison county politics, second amendment, steven sumner, tyler robinson

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares the latest on the arrest of former Madison County Councilor Steven Sumner, who is BACK in the Madison County jail. He also updates on the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation. It's been a long, emotional week. Tune in for top-tier political commentary with friends. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#521 | The Death of Intelligence! | The Political Spotlight

September 10th, 2025  |  1 hr 39 mins

assassination, charlie kirk, first amendment, murder, political commentator, political culture, political discourse, the death of intelligence, turning point usa

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reports the heartbreaking news that political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed earlier today, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while participating in a political discussion event at Utah Valley University. Bilbrey shares the limited information currently available, along with his thoughts on the incident. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#520 | Wanted Fugitive From Madison County Steven Sumner — CAPTURED! | The Political Spotlight

September 9th, 2025  |  1 hr 49 mins

arrest, madison county indiana, madison county sheriff's department, politics, prosecution, sex crimes, steven sumner, us marshals, wanted fugitive

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the arrest of wanted fugitive Steven Sumner from Madison County, Indiana. Former Madison County Councilor Steven Sumner was wanted on 18 charges related to serious sex crimes against children. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#519 | September 8, 2025 - Muncie City Council Meeting Review! | The Political Spotlight

September 8th, 2025  |  2 hrs 12 mins

mayor dan ridenour, muncie city council, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie politics, proposed 2026 budget

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews and gives his commentary on the Muncie, Indiana, City Council meeting from Monday, September 8, 2025. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#518 | Come One Come All to the Muncie City Council Mtg (Monday 09.08.25)! | The Political Spotlight

September 7th, 2025  |  1 hr 48 mins

arrests, first amendment, lt. governor, micah beckwith, muncie city council, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie politics, proposed 2026 budget, till-pond project, town hall meeting, warrick county indiana

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey stresses the importance of Muncie residents attending the upcoming city council meeting scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025. He also updates on the Muncie "Till-Pond" project and the arrests made at a Town Hall meeting held in Warrick County by Indiana's Lt. Governor, Micah Beckwith, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. #ThePoliticalSpotlight