The Political Spotlight - Episodes Tagged with “Citizen Involvement”

#761 | Sunday, November 01, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey kicks off the 761st episode of The Political Spotlight, welcoming Jim Nicholson, the Republican candidate for Henry County Sheriff, to the show.

Nicholson currently serves as a Captain with the New Castle Police Department, where he has served for 36 years, including 8 as Chief.

This is Nicholson's second run for Sheriff; he ran four years ago and lost the primary to the current lame-duck Sheriff John M. Sproles.

Bilbrey and Nicholson discuss the campaign, Nicholson's views on Henry County's current state, and his plans for the county if elected.

Connect with Nicholson on social media at the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587574460100 . . .

After the interview, Bilbrey again shares that he feels underwhelmed by nearly everyone running for office in the 2026 midterm general election, which is just two days away.

Bilbrey is ready to put this election behind him and look ahead to the 2027 municipal elections, which he believes could have a much greater impact on local politics and government across East Central Indiana.

Bilbrey then looks ahead to the Muncie City Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2026. He reviews the agenda and notes that it appears to be a relatively quiet meeting.

Lastly, Bilbrey shares a few quick thoughts on the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, which met last Thursday, October 29, 2026.

At that meeting, the McKinley Neighborhood and Mayor Dan Ridenour's administration once again found themselves on opposite sides of this important issue. Bilbrey believes this was merely the opening round of a much larger fight in the months ahead.

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VIDEO version of Ep 761: https://youtube.com/live/QJTKWZ99lqw

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🚨🚨🚨
'The Political Spotlight'
LIVE Sunday - Thursday @ 9 p.m. (ET)
Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey
Produced by: Kate Thornburg & Brandon Rudd
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© 2026 Mud Creek Studio.
—

Special Guest: Jim Nicholson.

#759 | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

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

The 2027 race for Muncie mayor has officially begun—or has it? Just kidding, it has... Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey will explain!

This 759th episode of The Political Spotlight opens with the biggest local political development in a while: well-known businessman and Muncie Southside wrestling star Gary Myers has announced plans to run for mayor of Muncie in the 2027 municipal election.

Myers is the first to publicly announce his intention to run for mayor of Muncie in the 2027 municipal election, and the announcement quickly spread throughout Muncie and Delaware County.

However, the rollout was a bit confusing.

Myers' original post initially limited comments, then disappeared altogether. He later said he had accidentally deleted the post, confirmed he is running, and said another announcement would follow.

Bilbrey shares his initial thoughts on Myers entering the race, what it could mean for Muncie politics, and why the announcement and the news of the announcement may mark the beginning of a new chapter in how The Political Spotlight approaches politics from here on.

From there, Bilbrey reviews the City of Muncie Board of Works meeting held this morning, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Bilbrey also checks in on the Henry Township Advisory Board's emergency makeup meeting, held earlier this afternoon. All board members were present, and a township resident was on hand to "redress" those on the board.

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VIDEO version of Ep 759: https://youtube.com/live/ETQWp5xFQQs

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
(Sunday — Thursday at 9 p.m. ET)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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#757 | Monday, October 26, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is back in the studio after attending the AMA/Data Center Town Hall in Delaware County.

(The event was livestreamed here on The Political Spotlight; those interested can watch the Town Hall event here: https://youtube.com/live/4JZJL0EfTPw . . .)

In this 757th episode of The Political Spotlight, Bilbrey examines what happened at the AMA/Data Center Town Hall.

— Where does everything stand?

— Were any new details learned?

— What questions remain unanswered?

— And, most importantly, what happens next?

With the 2026 midterm general election just over a week away, Bilbrey has MAJOR concerns about Hoosiers who have requested mail-in ballots.

If you have requested an absentee ballot by mail in Indiana, you will want to hear this discussion.

This is an IMPORTANT topic you will not want to miss!

Lastly, Bilbrey has an update on his request for records related to the Muncie Police body camera footage of the officer who shot a dog that was acting aggressively.

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VIDEO version of Ep 757: https://youtube.com/live/jN_0LDuf5R0

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
(Sunday — Thursday at 9 p.m. ET)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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#756 | Sunday, October 25, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In this 756th episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes John Bartlett to the program.

Bartlett is the Democratic challenger to incumbent State Representative J.D. Prescott in Indiana House District 33, which includes Blackford and Randolph Counties and portions of Delaware, Henry, and Jay Counties.

Bartlett makes his case to District 33 voters, explaining why he believes they should support him during early voting or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Bartlett's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BartlettForIN

From there, Bilbrey shifts gears and begrudgingly turns to the past couple of days' nonsense—once again arguing that the public seems eager to get involved, though not always in what matters most.

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VIDEO version of Ep 756: https://youtube.com/live/dnEuDa8Kau0

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
(Sunday — Thursday at 9 p.m. ET)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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Special Guest: John Bartlett.

#753 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In this 753rd episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey takes a closer look at the growing data center dispute in Muncie and Delaware County.

As the debate heats up, citizens are being bombarded with facts, rumors, misconceptions, outright misinformation, and, in Bilbrey's view, obfuscation from those in power.

The time to get involved is now!

But getting involved starts with getting educated!

Bilbrey argues that this fight must be grounded in facts—what is known, what is not known, and what still needs to be answered. Once emotion takes over and facts are lost, these debates can quickly derail.

Bilbrey reviews the current state of affairs, including remarks by Delaware County Commissioner Stephen Brand at the end of the Commissioners' meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Bilbrey reminds the audience that many unknowns remain!

So Bilbrey tries to cut through the noise, separate fact from rumor, and get down to brass tacks: what is actually happening, what citizens should watch for, and what comes next.

Data centers. Local government. Private property. Citizen involvement. Facts. Rumors. Transparency. Accountability.

All that and more in this 753rd episode of The Political Spotlight.

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VIDEO version of Ep 753: https://youtube.com/live/xo1mHQ-onJE

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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#736 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In this 736th episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey brings back an old favorite right up front: Winchester, Indiana!

It all began with a Winchester Board of Works meeting that two sources sent to Bilbrey for very different reasons. While reviewing the meeting, something caught his attention—and suddenly, an old controversy came back to mind.

That's right. Bilbrey revisits former Winchester Mayor Shon Byrum (D), the five bumbling Republicans who served on the Winchester City Council, and the disastrous decision that brought the "Winchester House" drug treatment facility to Winchester.

Bilbrey recounts what he sees as Byrum's attempt to jump-start his political career by putting Volunteers of America (VOA)'s interests ahead of his responsibility to Winchester's citizens.

But that was roughly TEN YEARS AGO! VOA has been gone from Winchester for years.

So what brought all this back now?

Bilbrey shares what caught his attention at the Winchester Board of Works meeting and takes a well-deserved, long-awaited victory lap!

From there, the spotlight shifts back to Muncie, where the City Council is preparing for three key meetings about the proposed 2027 budget.

All three meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET:

Meeting 1 - Tuesday, September 22, 2026...
Meeting 2 - Thursday, September 24, 2026...
Meeting 3 - Wednesday, September 30, 2026...

The next couple of weeks in Muncie will be critical, and Bilbrey explains why citizens need to pay attention!

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VIDEO version of Ep 736: https://youtube.com/live/Dx0F4IssGXE

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

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#735 | Thursday, September 17, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In this 735th episode of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is at his wit's end over what he sees as the complete breakdown of "public service" among far too many local public servants across East Central Indiana and beyond.

Muncie, Delaware County.
Anderson, Madison County.
Winchester, Randolph County.
New Castle, Henry County.
Indianapolis, Marion County.

Different communities. Different offices. Same recurring problem:

Too many people in public office seem to have forgotten who they work for... and too many citizens aren't involved and can't be bothered. It's only getting worse!

Bilbrey begins with a brief review of the most recent Muncie Board of Works meeting from Wednesday, September 16, 2026, then turns to the Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting from earlier today, Thursday, September 17, 2026.

This is where the frustration really mounts.

As calmly as he can, Bilbrey attempts to explain the problems citizens face with the Redevelopment Commission — the decisions being made, the way business is conducted, the lack of accountability, and the larger question of whether the public is truly being served by those exercising public power: Mayor Dan Ridenour and Jeff Howe.

Then, for the rest of the episode, Bilbrey heads straight down the rabbit hole:

It is time for more people to run for local office! Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians!

Not someday! Not after the next disaster! Not after another four years of complaining! Now! Starting now, because the next election cycle begins in January 2027!

If citizens are tired of the same miserable mopes making the same bad decisions, someone has to step up and challenge them.

Bilbrey spends the rest of the show talking directly to the people who keep saying local government is broken — and asking the obvious question:

Are you willing to do something about it?

If better people never file, organize, campaign, or put their names on the ballot, nothing changes.

This episode is about local government, public service, accountability, citizen power, and finding the next generation of people willing to step forward and run for office.

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VIDEO version of Ep 735: https://youtube.com/live/qIRUU2HHGAM

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
(Sunday — Thursday at 9 p.m. ET)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
& All Other Podcast Hosting Sites

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