#681 | The Other Shoe Appears to Be Dropping! | The Political Spotlight

June 10th, 2026  |  2 hrs 38 mins

000 theft case, 2025 death of a child left in her father's truck, acting mayor george-jeff howe, arrest is coming, breaking news, conflict of interest, contracts, coutinho will be fired because of his role in the theft his wife committed, delaware county ema director john coutinho, delaware county government, deputy mayor, ema board recommendations, follow-up to episodes 676 and 680, former ems office manager meagan coutinho, indiana state police investigation, june 15 2025 delaware county commissioners meeting, mayor dan ridenour, muncie redevelopment commission director, nearly $209, newly obtained records from the city of muncie, special prosecutor's report to the court

BREAKING: Just before going live, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey received the Special Prosecutor's report filed with the court regarding the August 14, 2025, death of a child left in her father's truck, a case previously discussed in Episode 680. Bilbrey concludes the episode by reading the report. To start the show, however, Bilbrey reveals that sources close to Delaware County government say the future of Delaware County EMA Director John Coutinho, who has been on paid leave since March 23, may be decided at the June 15 Commissioners' meeting. Sources within the Indiana State Police also indicate an arrest could come at any time in connection with the nearly $209,000 theft case involving his wife, former EMS Office Manager Meagan Coutinho. Bilbrey also examines newly obtained records from the City of Muncie involving Acting Mayor George-Jeff Howe, Deputy Mayor duties, and his continued role with the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, saying that "something about the situation just doesn't feel right." This episode builds on Episode 676. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#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

#649 | Rachel Parham (R) Candidate for Henry County Clerk! | The Political Spotlight

April 25th, 2026  |  2 hrs 10 mins

2026 white house correspondents’ association dinner, assassination attempt. california, breaking news, chief deputy clerk, chief election official of the county, clerk of courts, cole tomas allen, county clerk, county election board, election 2026, henry county, indiana politics, kevlar vest, officer shot, president donald j. trump, press conference, rachel parham, republican, secret service, teacher, trump

Join Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey as he welcomes Rachel Parham, a Republican candidate for Henry County Clerk, to the show. Parham is a lifelong Henry County resident and currently serves as Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts in the Henry County Clerk's office, where she has worked for the past 10 years. She is now running for the office of the Henry County Clerk as a Republican. Bilbrey and Parham discuss the campaign, Parham's views on Henry County's current state, and her plans for the Clerk's office if elected.

BREAKING NEWS: During the candidate interview, we learned that a suspect attempted to enter the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. President Trump and the First Lady, along with many others, were escorted out of the event by the Secret Service. One officer was shot; however, his Kevlar vest prevented serious injury, and one suspect was taken into custody! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#622 | Public Perception: (PCR & MFD)! | The Political Spotlight

March 18th, 2026  |  2 hrs 39 mins

breaking news, cheating scandal, contributing correspondent rachel clark, delaware county indiana, firefighter troy d delaney, lawsuit, marion county superior court, muncie fire department, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie parks board, prairie creek reservoir

In Episode 622 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is joined by Rachel Clark to examine growing concerns about public perception and leadership in Muncie. Bilbrey breaks down a controversial email involving Prairie Creek Reservoir and the Mayor’s Office, recaps a recent Muncie Parks Board meeting, and then dives into breaking developments surrounding the Muncie Fire Department and the ongoing “cheating scandal.” New details raise serious questions about accountability, transparency, and leadership—making this an episode you don’t want to miss. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#601 | Change of Plans: We’ll Talk Filings Next Week & Sproles Now! | The Political Spotlight

February 6th, 2026  |  2 hrs 17 mins

2026 election, breaking news, campaign statement, filing period deadline, henry county, henry county jail, indiana politics, little hatch act violation, madison county, never before seen video, nick gulley incident, randy howard, record request, security video, sheriff john sproles, snag, sproles watch, sproles' official statement

Join Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey for this special Friday night episode. The show was intended to explore the various filings for political office across the State of Indiana; however, an earlier snag made that impossible. That said, Henry County Sheriff John Sproles never fails to offer himself as fodder for the show! Therefore, Bilbrey will cover the latest "Official Statement" from Sheriff Sproles and share his thoughts on it. Bilbrey also has a few other bits and pieces to toss out for the viewers' consumption. While this won't be the show that was originally planned, it will definitely be one to watch! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#562 | The Doors of Participation: The Public Access Issue! | The Political Spotlight

November 21st, 2025  |  2 hrs 28 mins

98 apartments, accountability, bond, breaking news, communication, curt d. andersen, election board, indiana, initial hearing, judge dale arnett forced to resign, madison county politics, muncie politics, open door violations, public access laws, transparency, whitestown shooting investigation

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey and contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan are here on a very special Friday night episode to discuss a serious PUBLIC ACCESS CRISIS affecting Madison County, Indiana... and beyond! From city council meetings to commissioners meetings, to election board meetings, and everything in between. It's just another symptom of the broader disease of BAD GOVERNANCE! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#552 | The City of Muncie Finally Made the Paper! & 2025 Election Results! | The Political Spotlight

November 5th, 2025  |  1 hr 56 mins

2025 general elections, breaking news, communications director amber greene, doug walker, indiana, indiana state house, lt. governor micah beckwith, mayor dan ridenour, muncie board of works meeting, muncie city council, muncie indiana, muncie politics, ordinances, resolutions, the star press

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey responds to an article in The Star Press about the recent Muncie City Council meeting held on Monday, November 3, 2025. Bilbrey then discusses the results of the general election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in various states across the country. Indiana was not among those states, as this is an off-year election. Indiana's election cycle will resume in January 2026. But can Hoosiers learn anything from the results elsewhere to help decide what might happen next year? Tune in and find out! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#534 | Dan Said, Nora Said! | The Political Spotlight

September 30th, 2025  |  2 hrs 19 mins

2026 budget process, breaking news, city of muncie, deadline, emails, engaged, finance committee, grant county commissioner ron stewart, grant county government, indiana, insurance, madison county commissioner oliva pratt, madison county government, muncie city councilor nora powell, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey continues to examine the back-and-forth "he said, she said" between Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour (R) and Muncie City Councilor Nora Powell (D) over the proposed 2026 budget process. Bilbrey shares the latest emails exchanged between the two sides. #ThePoliticalSpotlight