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
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Kate Thornburg has hosted 194 Episodes.
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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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#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
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#688 | It Might Be Cool Outside, But Government Is Heating Up Everywhere! | The Political Spotlight
June 23rd, 2026 | 2 hrs 47 mins
all culp all the time, and breaking news, and the council, anderson city councilor jennifer culp's announces campaign for mayor, anderson politics, controversies, court intervention, delaware county council meeting, delaware county politics, doomed muncie crisis center, east central indiana, escalating tensions between the muncie city council and muncie city controller craig wright, failure to comply, heated exchange among the county auditor, henry county hearing, henry county politics, indiana, knightstown politics, letter from councilor nora powell to council president jeff green on behalf of afscme, letter of resignation fromcouncil attorney jagan arnold, local politics, madison county election board meeting, madison county politics, meridian health services, muncie city council committee meetings, muncie city council's resolution 8-26, muncie mission, muncie politics, muncie's july 2026 city council meeting, need for a special election for the knightstown clerk and council at large positions, ordinance 9-26, ordinances 13-26 and 14-26, political maneuvering, proposed muncie fire department station 5 project, proposed tax abatement, public meetings, public service committee, resolution 9-26, resolutions 9-26 10-26 and 11-26, ridenour administration, subpoena power, tax abatement committee, the 911 director, whirlwind week of local government
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers the latest developments on the "doomed" Muncie's Crisis Center, escalating tensions between the Muncie City Council and Controller Craig Wright, upcoming council committee meetings, and major agenda items for the July 6, 2026, Muncie City Council meeting. He also discusses the upcoming Knightstown special election hearing and the Madison County Election Board meeting, as well as his initial thoughts on Anderson City Councilor Jennifer Culp's announcement that she is running for Mayor of Anderson in 2027. Bilbrey wraps up the busy episode with a review of the Delaware County Council meeting, where viewers witnessed a heated exchange among the County Auditor, the 911 Director, and the Council. From local government controversies to political developments across East Central Indiana, Episode 688 delivers the latest news and analysis citizens need to know. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#687 | The IN-GOP Convention Is Over! Tuhey Pool Problems! Res 8-26! | The Political Spotlight
June 21st, 2026 | 1 hr 50 mins
city of muncie, current acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, david shelton, diego morales, gop establishment, indiana, indiana politics, indiana secretary of state candidate, indiana state republican party convention, jamie reitenour for indiana, local politics, max engling, muncie, muncie city council, muncie controller's office, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, pool closed, pool problems, press release, resolution 8-26 part 1 deadline, state politics, tuhey pool, tuhey pool season
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on the Indiana State Republican Party Convention held this past weekend in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Of course, the results favored the Indiana GOP Establishment! From there, Bilbrey turns to the issues facing the City of Muncie's Tuhey Pool. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the City of Muncie praised employees for their work around the pool and noted that the Tuhey Pool season was going wonderfully. But then came Saturday, June 20, 2026, just two days later. The pool closed early due to insufficient staffing, and now The Political Spotlight is aware of even worse issues facing Tuhey Pool. Lastly, Bilbrey discusses the upcoming deadline for the first part of Resolution 8-26, which concerns the City of Muncie's Controller's Office and the City Council. #ThePoliticalSpotlight
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#686 | Attitudes Not Access! What’s Really Happening Here? | The Political Spotlight
June 18th, 2026 | 2 hrs 38 mins
a turning point has been reached, acting mayor, amber greene, attitudes not access, citizens concerns, deputy mayor, dismissive attitude, drama, lacks access to muncie city hall's computer system, local politics, mckinley neighborhood residents, mrc board president isaac miller, muncie communications director, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour's secretary, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, muncie redevelopment commission meeting, press release, public comment, redevelopment commission director george-jeffrey howe, shareen wagley, tuhey pool, what’s really happening here
Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting held earlier today (Thursday, June 18, 2026). What unfolded was low-key, off the chain. Redevelopment Commission Director George-Jeffrey Howe — who also currently serves as Muncie's "Acting" Mayor and was recently appointed Deputy Mayor of Muncie — provided yet another example of why Bilbrey believes he is unfit for those positions. From his dismissive attitude and rude behavior to the revelation that he apparently lacks access to Muncie City Hall's computer system, Bilbrey asks the obvious question: How can someone serve as "Acting" Mayor and Deputy Mayor without access to the City's computer system? But Howe wasn't alone. MRC Board President Isaac Miller once again displayed the behavior that has made him one of the City's biggest yet still nearly unknown assholes! Mayor Dan Ridenour's secretary, Shareen Wagley, also played her part in the drama. Bilbrey breaks down the clash between city officials and citizens, highlighting the "large" number of McKinley neighborhood residents who attended the meeting to voice concerns about what is happening there. Those citizens held their ground even after Miller tried to limit what the public could say. After hearing what transpired at the meeting, Bilbrey believes a turning point has been reached — and if this meeting is any indication, things are only going to get more interesting from here. #ThePoliticalSpotlight