The Political Spotlight - Episodes Tagged with “Acting Mayor Jeff Howe”

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

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

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VIDEO version of Ep 691: https://youtube.com/live/7BTboGPX9bw

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#676 | Money Is the Root of All Politics! Politics Is a Synonym for Evil! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines the Probable Cause Affidavit for the arrest of former Delaware County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) office manager Meagan Coutinho.

Coutinho was arrested earlier today, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, by the Indiana State Police on six felony charges. She was booked into the Delaware County Jail on a $30,000.00 bond and was able to bond out of jail almost immediately.

Her charges stem from two separate incidents. One involves allegations of theft from the Delaware County Government, and the other involves allegations of theft from a sports booster program at Delta High School.

Coutinho's charges are as follows:

Count 1: Theft
(Delta Golf Boosters)
IC 35-43-4-2 Level 6 Felony...

Count 2: Theft
(Delaware County Government)
IC 35-43-4-2 Level 5 Felony...

Count 3: Theft
(Delaware County EMS)
IC 35-43-4-2 Level 6 Felony...

Count 4: Theft
(Delaware County Government)
IC 35-43-4-2 Level 6 Felony...

Count 5: Official Misconduct
IC 35-44.1-1-1 Level 6 Felony...

Count 6: Conflict of Interest
IC 35-44.1-1-4 Level 5 Felony...

Coutinho is alleged to have taken more than $200,000 over the past four years, during which she was among the 20 highest-paid employees in Delaware County. Bilbrey demands to know how this was possible!

There is much to unpack about Coutinho's actions, but that is only half the story. Her husband, John, is the Director of the Emergency Management Agency of Delaware County. He has been on paid leave while this investigation runs its course. What did he know? How could he not have known? Again, HOW WAS THIS POSSIBLE?

Bilbrey examines the broader implications of this situation.

While keeping the focus on fiscal questions, Bilbrey shifts to the City of Muncie. The Board of Works held its weekly meeting earlier today, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The meeting raised a serious concern for careful observers.

Did Jeff Howe, the Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission and the recently appointed Deputy Mayor, who is also currently the "Acting" Mayor of the City of Muncie, receive a raise around the first of the year (2026) that no one knew about?

All this and more in an ACTION-PACKED episode!

This episode connects to episode 681. Click the following link to listen to that episode: https://youtube.com/live/peN24gRaVfc . . .

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VIDEO version of Ep 676: https://youtube.com/live/oa9h375x6QM

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#675 | Muncie City Council Meeting Review & Mayor Howe's First Day! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the June 1, 2026, Muncie City Council public hearing and the regularly scheduled monthly City Council meeting.

And of course, today was Jeff Howe's first day in the big seat! How did it go? Who knows...

Bilbrey covers it all in this episode!

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VIDEO version of Ep 675: https://youtube.com/live/SY251wooHz4

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#674 | Muncie's Tomorrow — The Promises, The Problems, & The Truth! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 31 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Muncie, Indiana, stands at the precipice of an uncertain and potentially consequential chapter in the city's political future.

As Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour hands the City over to "Acting" Mayor Jeff Howe, the recently appointed Deputy Mayor and current Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, effective at 12 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, some wonder what the future holds!

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down the impending transition of power at Muncie City Hall as Mayor Dan Ridenour prepares to hand over the reins of city government to Acting Mayor Jeff Howe at midnight on June 1, 2026. With Howe recently appointed Deputy Mayor while continuing to serve as Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, questions remain about the legality of the move and what the coming days and weeks could mean for the city's future direction.

Bilbrey also previews what could be a highly attended and potentially controversial night at Muncie City Hall on Monday evening, as the Muncie City Council holds a public hearing at 6:45 p.m., followed immediately by its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., during which the Council will consider several important ordinances and a resolution.

Will the council chambers be packed? Will important questions be answered? Will the Council do what is best for the City or for the Ridenour Administration and itself? And what challenges, surprises, or controversies could arise as Muncie enters this temporary leadership transition?

Then, Bilbrey examines what the city may face over the next several weeks with an acting mayor at the helm and explains why local residents should pay close attention to the decisions being made.

Finally, The Political Spotlight turns to a viral traffic stop by a Palm Beach County, Florida, Sheriff's Office deputy that has sparked outrage nationwide. A law enforcement officer pulled over a woman and accused her of illegally using her cell phone with her right hand while driving.

There was just one problem: The woman didn't have a RIGHT hand!

Bilbrey examines the body camera footage, raising concerns about accountability and professionalism in law enforcement and why this incident should serve as a case study for police training programs and departments across America.

Link to the Body-Cam video: https://youtu.be/PdA1nS5suWQ?si=B_58hDHZiW1McD-r . . .

From local government and city politics to accountability, leadership, and public trust, Episode 674 is packed with the stories that matter.

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VIDEO version of Ep 674: https://youtube.com/live/m7uwj8Sngxs

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#673 | Muncie Flipped the Script! Who’s in Charge Here? | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Fri, 29 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey had to do it!

It's Friday night... which is supposed to be a night off, but it just couldn't wait until Sunday... so here he is for a special Friday Night episode! All because the City of Muncie, Indiana, is unlike any other government! At the last minute, they "flipped the script," and boy oh boy, is it a major flip!

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour is expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks starting June 1, 2026. The prevailing account was that he would name Muncie City Councilor Jeff Green as the "acting" Mayor. Mayor Ridenour has said as much in interviews over the past few weeks.

Then, at the last minute earlier today (Friday, May 29, 2026), the City of Muncie announced that Muncie Redevelopment Commission Director Jeff Howe has been named "Deputy Mayor," a position that has been unfunded for the past couple of years.

Under Indiana Code 36-4-5-8, Mayor Ridenour has designated the newly named Deputy Mayor Howe to serve as "acting" Mayor starting at 12 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, for 15 days.

What is supposed to happen after those 15 days, given that Ridenour could be absent for 6 to 8 weeks?

What happened to naming Councilor Jeff Green?

Why does the official paperwork show Howe was sworn in on Tuesday, May 5, 2026?

What is really going on?

Bilbrey discusses it ALL right here in episode 673!

Now, do you see why this episode could not wait?

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VIDEO version of Ep 673: https://youtube.com/live/1QHzj7M2bgk

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#672 | Muncie's Failed Transparency! Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How? | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 28 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Muncie politics continues to grow more complex by the day!

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey dives headfirst into several major questions about Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour's medical absence and the designation of Muncie City Council President Jeff Green as "Acting Mayor."

Why is the administration refusing to provide greater transparency?
What legal steps are being taken under Indiana Code 36-4-5-8 to designate Councilor Green as "Acting Mayor" during Ridenour's absence?
When does the transfer of authority officially take effect?
Will Councilor Green receive additional compensation for serving as "Acting Mayor"? If so, where will that compensation come from, and what is the process?
Can Councilor Green legally serve as both "Acting Mayor" AND City Councilor?
Could this create separation-of-powers concerns or constitutional questions?

Bilbrey breaks down what is known, what is not known, and why the public deserves REAL answers!

PLUS...

⚠️ More bad press for a local first responder and for emergency services as a whole.

A former Muncie firefighter now faces multiple serious criminal charges alleging misconduct involving a minor. Bilbrey will discuss the charges and explore what this case means for the community. As always, Bilbrey recognizes that the current charges are merely allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty or until they plead guilty in court.

AND...

🍿 Republican Party drama is heating up (ONCE AGAIN) in Madison County.

Republican candidate Mikeal Vaughn has reportedly filed multiple complaints with Indiana GOP District 5 leadership. His complaints appear to involve fellow Madison County Republicans Katherine Callahan, Nicole Kapuściński, and Larry Savage. What's behind the complaints? What's the fallout? And what does it mean for local Republican politics moving forward?

💥 Real issues.
💥 Real conversations.
💥 Real accountability.

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VIDEO version of Ep 672: https://youtube.com/live/Hm4Y3fPDUrE

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