Kate Thornburg is half of the "Vulgar Poets," a production team for several political programs hosted by Kristopher H. Bilbrey over the years. The other half is her husband, Niles Thornburg.
Kate is the Head of Production and Research at The Political Spotlight.
Producer Kate is a military wife, mother, activist, friend, and reporter. She is very active in her community and the State of Indiana! Her main roles on the show include research, production, and trying to channel Bilbrey and Brandon's passions and chaos into nightly episodes.
Kate is the chair of the Libertarian Party in Randolph County, Indiana.
The Political Spotlight team is dedicated to this mission.
Join the conversation and help make the world better one conversation at a time!
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Link: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight
Audio-only episodes can be found at the following Home Link: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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Kate Thornburg has hosted 166 Episodes.
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#672 | Muncie's Failed Transparency! Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How? | The Political Spotlight
May 28th, 2026 | 1 hr 46 mins
acting mayor jeff howe, arrested, cancer diagnosis, city clerk, city councilor jeff green, communications director amber greene, emails, escalating republican party infighting in madison county, formally charged, indiana, last-minute leadership shakeup at muncie city hall, local politics, mrc, muncie city council, muncie city hall, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment director jeff howe, newly named deputy mayor jeff howe, private ems, prosecutor, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, ronald d elliot jr, secretary shareen wagley, serious criminal allegations against a former muncie firefighter, sex crimes, under indiana code 36-4-5-8
Muncie politics grows more complicated as Mayor Dan Ridenour's upcoming 6-8-week medical absence from the city raises new legal and transparency questions. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines the designation of City Council President Jeff Green as Acting Mayor, including when the transfer of authority takes effect, potential compensation, dual-office concerns, and whether constitutional issues could arise. Plus, Bilbrey discusses serious criminal allegations against a former Muncie firefighter and breaks down escalating Republican Party infighting in Madison County. Real issues. Real conversations. Real accountability. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#671 | Muncie's Packed Council Agenda Creates Questions Ahead of Meeting! | The Political Spotlight
May 27th, 2026 | 2 hrs 7 mins
accountability, agenda, another expensive fire station construction project, appropriations for the muncie city police department, cancer diagnosis, city councilor jeff green, communication, controversial decision, controversial resolution, council investigation, financial operations, huge, indiana politics, interim mayor, internal controls, local government, local leadership, medical treatment, muncie city council, muncie mayor dan ridenour's planned absence from city government, muncie's controller's office, ordinances, public hearing, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, regularly scheduled meeting, resolutions, spending, the city's direction, transparency
Episode 671 of 'The Political Spotlight' breaks down the packed agenda for the upcoming Muncie City Council meeting on June 1, 2026. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines controversial proposals involving fire station funding, police appropriations, and a possible investigation into the City Controller’s office — all unfolding during Mayor Dan Ridenour’s planned medical leave. A must-listen episode for anyone concerned about transparency, accountability, and Muncie’s future. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#670 | It Costs to Not Be Corrupt! & Indiana's INTERESTING GOP Convention! | The Political Spotlight
May 26th, 2026 | 2 hrs 21 mins
accountability, ai, beau bayh, blythe potter, communication, david shelton, delaware county auditor ed carroll, delaware county commissioners meeting, delaware county council meeting, delaware county indiana government, diego morales, ems issues, endorsements, fiscal issues, fraud, greg ballard, indiana politics, indiana's 2026 gop convention, jamie reitenour, jim banks, lauri shillings, local delaware county republican party, local government, local leadership, open gov, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, secretary of state indiana, spending, the cost of fighting corruption, todd rokita, transparency
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines the "cost" of fighting fraud and corruption in Delaware County, as outlined by Delaware County Auditor Ed Carroll during the Delaware County Council meeting earlier today, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Then, Bilbrey discusses his continued frustration with his interactions — or lack thereof — with the local Delaware County Republican Party as he looks ahead to what promises to be an interesting State Republican Convention, to be held Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, 2026. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#669 | You Get the Government You Tolerate! | The Political Spotlight
May 24th, 2026 | 2 hrs 42 mins
accountability, continued dysfunction, contributing correspondent, controversy, corrupt chaos, diego morales' controversies, dr katherine callahan, indiana attorney general todd rokita, indiana secretary of state diego morales, indiana secretary of state race, indiana's 2026 republican convention, madison county clerk's office, madison county commissioners, madison county election board, madison county government, madison county republican party, madison county's 2026 primary election, max engling, political climate, political drama, public servants, republican elite, us senator jim banks, you get the government you are willing to tolerate
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes back contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine V. Callahan to break down the escalating chaos within Madison County government. From there, they turn to the political drama surrounding Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Indiana Republicans scramble to distance themselves from Morales ahead of the convention — without holding him accountable — and, oh yeah, relatively unknown Max Engling has entered the IN SOS race as well. With local dysfunction reaching new levels and a very interesting Indiana GOP Convention on the horizon, things are heating up. Bilbrey and Callahan ask the question nobody in power wants answered: What happens when citizens tolerate corrupt chaos for too long? This episode pulls no punches. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#668 | Little Bit of Everything! | The Political Spotlight
May 22nd, 2026 | 2 hrs 20 mins
2026 election, a few odds and ends, casey daniels, city of muncie indiana, delaware county indiana, fake tort claim, henry county indiana, henry county sheriff, indiana secretary of state diego morales, johnette cruz, local and state politics, muncie board of works meeting, muncie parks board meeting, muncie redevelopment meeting, randy howard, wibc
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers a few odds and ends about Muncie, Delaware County, and Henry County... along with all the fuss over Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales and his bid for re-election. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#667 | Henry County Sheriff's Department: A Culture of Chaos & Corruption! | The Political Spotlight
May 20th, 2026 | 1 hr 38 mins
corruption, culture of chaos and corruption, federally funded traffic safety initiative, fluid situation, ghost employment, henry county government, henry county indiana, henry county politics, henry county sheriff john m. sproles, henry county sheriff sergeant bobby lackey, henry county sheriff sergeant ryan burns, henry county sheriff's department, henry county sheriff's office, investigation, lame duck, operation pull over, opo assignments, paid leave, possible criminal charges, possible terminations, serious allegations, sproles watch 2026, the hits keep coming
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down explosive allegations inside the Henry County Sheriff’s Department in this 667th episode. Two deputies are under investigation for alleged “ghost employment” tied to Operation Pull Over, a federally funded traffic safety initiative. Sources tell 'The Political Spotlight' the allegations could lead to terminations and possible criminal charges. Bilbrey examines the latest developments, the growing controversy surrounding Sheriff John M. Sproles’ administration, and what this could mean for Henry County moving forward. This is a developing story. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#666 | The Episode From Hell! | The Political Spotlight
May 19th, 2026 | 2 hrs 48 mins
bilbrey to the rescue, breaking news, broken ribs, dan ridenour, delaware county, due regard, episode 666, fbi, filing fees, hcsd car accident, hearing, henry county, henry county's lame duck sheriff john sproles, independent federal agency, indiana, insurance claim, key to the city, knightstown's 2026 primary election, local government, mayor on the move, muncie, muncie mayor, muncie park board meeting, new castle, pcr, petitioners, politics, prairie creek reservoir, public speaking, respondents, special election, sproles' lies, the episode from hell, the political spotlight, unofficial review, verified petition to contest an election
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers several bits and pieces of information about Muncie, Henry County, Knightstown, and beyond! He's really feeling the pain from his broken ribs, which is fitting since this is the episode from hell - episode 666! #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#665 | "No More R's & D's... Only You's & Me's!" Del Co's CCDF Tax is DOA! | The Political Spotlight
May 18th, 2026 | 2 hrs 17 mins
1200, 1200 citizens, 3-0 vote, accountability, broader implications, broader plan, commissioner shannon henry, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, commissioners meeting, corruption, defeat this proposal, delaware county commissioners, delaware county government, huge victory, no further action, no more r's & d's, only you's & me's, ordinance 2026-8, political dynamics, proposed cumulative capital development fund tax, proposed new tax fails, public comment, public hearing, speaking out, stay engaged, tactical pause, tax burden, too easy, transparency, win for the people
Episode 665 of The Political Spotlight breaks down the Delaware County Commissioners’ 3-0 vote to take no further action on the proposed Cumulative Capital Development Fund Tax, following strong public opposition at the public hearing on Monday, May 18, 2026. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines whether this was truly a victory for taxpayers or part of a larger political strategy, covering citizen concerns, the potential impact of the tax, the decision’s implications moving forward, and what residents should watch for next in Delaware County government. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#664 | Fighting the New Tax! Bad Attitudes, Failures, & ODL Violations! | The Political Spotlight
May 17th, 2026 | 2 hrs 46 mins
1200, 1200 citizens, accountability, bad attitudes, camping, city hall, commisisioners meeting, commissioner shannon henry, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, communications director amber greene, corruption, danatics, delaware county commissioners, indiana public access counselor, indiana’s open door law, local government, mayor dan ridenour, mayor's assistant shareen wagley, misconduct, muncie city council, muncie mayor, muncie parks, north shore, open door law complaint, open door law violation, poor treatment, prairie creek reservoir, proposed cumulative capital development fund tax, public hearing, ridenour administration, sycophants, tax burden, transparency, white-hot spotlight
Episode 664 of The Political Spotlight covers several major issues affecting Muncie and Delaware County. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses an upcoming public hearing on the proposed cumulative capital development fund tax, growing complaints about treatment by Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour’s administration, and ongoing problems at Prairie Creek. Bilbrey wraps up with a major transparency victory after the Indiana Public Access Counselor ruled that the Muncie City Council violated Indiana’s Open Door Law. Join Bilbrey as he demands accountability and keeps the spotlight on local government corruption and misconduct. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#662 | Delaware County Commissioners Want MORE Taxes! What Say You? | The Political Spotlight
May 14th, 2026 | 1 hr 59 mins
a light on the darkened path, a voice of reason amid the chaos & corruption, accountability, commissioners meeting, communication, conservative republican, cumulative capital development fund, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, first amendment, fourth amendment, government spending, indiana politics, muncie, newly proposed property tax increase, priorities, property taxes, public hearing, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, rinos, shannon henry, sherry riggin, stephen brand, tax increase, taxpayers, transparency
In Episode 662 of 'The Political Spotlight,' Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down a proposed property tax increase in Delaware County tied to the new “Cumulative Capital Development Fund” and explains why the upcoming public hearing could have major consequences for local taxpayers. Bilbrey examines what the fund would support, why local officials are pursuing the increase, and what citizens can legally do to oppose it ahead of the May 18th Commissioners meeting in Muncie, Indiana. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#661 | Bridge Builder -or- Gatekeeper! | The Political Spotlight
May 12th, 2026 | 1 hr 43 mins
2026 primary election, bridge builder, delaware county indiana republican party, gatekeeper, gop, henry county clerk, henry county election board, indiana state delegate, knightsown situation, leader, leadership, local republican party, muncie board of works, party chairman tim overton, special election
Delaware County Republican Party Chairman Tim Overton tells anyone he considers an "outsider" in or around the party that they need to work on "building bridges" and be less "standoffish!" Yet when Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey attempts to communicate with Overton about being appointed to one of Delaware County's open delegate seats, Bilbrey doesn't get very far and feels shut out and unheard. This leaves Bilbrey wondering whether it's Overton who needs to build those bridges! Overton acts less like a bridge builder or a leader and more like a "Gatekeeper!" Bilbrey shares his thoughts on this issue in this 661st episode. He also provides an update on the Knightsown situation and other topics under review. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#659 | Speaking W/O Saying Anything - Del Co! & Innies and Outies - KTown! | The Political Spotlight
May 7th, 2026 | 2 hrs 31 mins
2026 primary election day, certify election results, claims, commissioner shannon henry, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, communication, credit cards, delaware county auditor, delaware county commissioners, ed carroll, election board, henry county, henry county clerk, indiana, indiana secretary of state's office election division, knightstown, lack thereof, special election, special meeting
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on the special meeting of the Delaware County Commissioners held earlier today — Thursday, May 7, 2026. The meeting was intended to address claims that needed to be paid after Commissioner Stephen Brand raised concerns and refused to sign off on them during the commissioners’ regular meeting on Monday, May 4, 2026. But after watching today’s brief meeting, Bilbrey has even more concerns than he did on Monday. There are still plenty of questions and very few answers. It feels like the public servants are speaking without actually saying anything. This is a serious issue that should concern every taxpayer in Delaware County. Now is the time to get to the bottom of what’s really happening and work toward correcting the situation. Then Bilbrey turns his attention to the chaos surrounding Primary Election Day in Knightstown, Indiana, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Bilbrey shares what he knows about the voter situation in Knightstown. He then outlines what he believes may happen next and attempts to clear up the misinformation surrounding the situation in Knightstown, Henry County, Indiana. This is an episode you do not want to miss. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#658 | Endings, Beginnings, and Hot Mics! | The Political Spotlight
May 6th, 2026 | 2 hrs 3 mins
2026 primary election final thoughts, allen wisely, auditor ed carroll, beginnings, city councilor brandon garrett, city councilor nora powell, city councilor ro selvey, claims, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, crisis center, delaware county commissioners meeting, endings, henry county sheriff john m. sproles, hot mic, muncie board of works meeting, muncie city council meeting, muncie mayor dan ridenour, ted baker
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey offers a few final thoughts on the endings and beginnings created by Tuesday's primary election (May 5, 2026). From there, Bilbrey turns to recent meetings of the Delaware County Commissioners, the Muncie City Council, and the Muncie Board of Works to discuss a few notable happenings. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#657 | 2026 Primary Election (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) RESULTS! | The Political Spotlight
May 5th, 2026 | 1 hr 53 mins
2026 primary election results, delaware county, henry county, madison county, midterm elections, randolph county, state of indiana, tuesday may 5 2026
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers the results of the 2026 Primary Election in Indiana. (Tuesday, May 5, 2026). #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#656 | Muncie City Council Meeting 05.04.26 RECAP & Election Day Eve! | The Political Spotlight
May 4th, 2026 | 1 hr 45 mins
2026 primary election, delaware county commissioners meeting, election day eve, monday may 4 2026, muncie city council meeting, votes
It's all come down to this... ELECTION DAY EVE (Monday, May 4, 2026)... Well, that and the Muncie City Council meeting that just wrapped up. While the meeting may have been brief, it still deserves discussion! Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on the meeting and the BIG DAY tomorrow in this 656th episode! And oh yeah, he also mentions the Delaware County Commissioners meeting from earlier in the day! #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#655 | Primary Election 2026: Winners & Losers — The Final Prediction! | The Political Spotlight
May 3rd, 2026 | 3 hrs 3 mins
2026 primary election, and the completely ignorant, delaware county, henry county, live from mud creek studio, madison county, midterm election, politicos, predictions, rachel clark, randolph county, ryan reese, state of indiana, the bad, the final prediction, the good, tuesday may 5 2026, ups and downs, winners & losers
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes longtime friend (and politico) Rachel Clark and her daughter, Ryan Reese (an up-and-coming politico), to the show—LIVE from Mud Creek Studio—to discuss the upcoming 2026 Primary Election (Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The trio will share their thoughts on the past four-plus months of campaigning, including the ups and downs, the good, the bad, and the completely ignorant! They'll share their wishes for who they want to see win various positions across several counties and at the state and national levels. Then they'll offer their predictions for who they believe will win in the various races. This midterm election will come and go like many others, without much fanfare nationally. However, locally (in several counties) and at the state level here in Indiana, this primary election is one of the most important elections voters and non-voters alike have faced! Tune in to this 655th episode of 'The Political Spotlight' for the best political commentary ahead of the upcoming 2026 Primary Election. #ThePoliticalSpotlight