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

November 1st, 2026  |  2 hrs 1 min

2026 election, 2026 midterm election, 2027 municipal elections, board of zoning appeals, bza, citizen involvement, citizen power, city council agenda, dan ridenour, delaware muncie metropolitan board of zoning appeals, east central indiana, general election, government accountability, henry county indiana, henry county politics, henry county sheriff, indiana politics, jim nicholson, john m sproles, john sproles, law enforcement, local elections, local government, mayor dan ridenour, mckinley neighborhood, muncie, muncie city council, muncie indiana, new castle indiana, new castle police department, november 2 2026, november 3 2026, public safety, republican candidate, sheriff candidate, zoning dispute

In Episode #761 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes Jim Nicholson, the Republican candidate for Henry County Sheriff, to the program. Nicholson, a longtime New Castle Police Department officer who currently serves as Captain and previously spent eight years as Chief, discusses his campaign, his view of the current state of Henry County, and what he would want to change if elected Sheriff. After the interview, Bilbrey shares his frustration with the overall field of candidates in the 2026 midterm general election, now just two days away, and explains why he is already looking ahead to the 2027 municipal elections and the impact they could have across East Central Indiana. Bilbrey also previews the November 2, 2026, Muncie City Council meeting, reviews what appears to be a relatively quiet agenda, and closes with thoughts on the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals meeting from October 29, where the McKinley Neighborhood and Mayor Dan Ridenour's administration once again found themselves on opposite sides of an important issue that Bilbrey believes could grow into a much larger fight. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#750 | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 14th, 2026  |  1 hr 56 mins

candidate interview, community update, dan ridenour, delaware county, east central indiana, fayette county indiana, henry county, indiana politics, local government, local politics, muncie, muncie board of works, muncie mayor, political candidates, viral candidate interview, winchester indiana

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews an unusually long Muncie Board of Works meeting, Mayor Dan Ridenour's first Community Update since announcing he will not seek a third term, and a viral candidate interview out of Fayette County, Indiana. Bilbrey breaks down the meetings, shares his thoughts, and looks at yet another example of questionable candidates and bizarre political behavior reaching well beyond the communities The Political Spotlight normally covers. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#749 | Monday, October 12, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 12th, 2026  |  1 hr 28 mins

2027 election, 2027 mayoral race, breaking news, citizen engagement, citizen power, city hall, dan ridenour, delaware county, delaware county indiana, delaware county politics, east central indiana, government accountability, indiana politics, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mayor retirement, muncie, muncie city hall, muncie indiana, muncie mayor, muncie mayoral race, muncie politics, municipal elections, political announcement, political breaking news, political developments, third term

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down major political news from Muncie, Indiana, after Mayor Dan Ridenour announced he will not seek a third term in 2027. Mayor Ridenour says he will retire at the end of his current term on Friday, December 31, 2027, ending his tenure as Muncie mayor. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on the announcement, the timing, and what it could mean for Muncie and Delaware County politics, City Hall, and the 2027 mayoral race. Bilbrey also hits a few other political odds and ends that have been circulating and deserve a moment in the spotlight. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#745 | Tuesday, October 06, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

October 6th, 2026  |  3 hrs 5 mins

Brandon Garrett, citizen oversight, citizen power, city council public hearing, city council votes, council leadership, dale basham, dan ridenour, delaware county republican party, east central indiana, government accountability, government transparency, indiana politics, jerry dishman, leaked text messages, local government, local political figures, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie democrats, muncie indiana, muncie politics, muncie republicans, october 5 2026, political controversy, political fallout, political maneuvering, public meetings, ro selvey, shifting political power, text messages, tim overton, william mcintosh

ThePoliticalSpotlight

#740 | Sunday, September 27, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 27th, 2026  |  2 hrs 6 mins

2027, 2027 muncie budget, Contract, acting mayor, bob mccoy, carl malone, city budget, city contracts, city leadership, city of muncie, city of winchester, conflicting statements, contract employee, dale basham, dan ridenour, december 31, deputy mayor, east central indiana, end of the term, facebook, facebook post, finance committee, government accountability, government confusion, government transparency, indiana politics, jeff howe, jerry dishman, local government, local politics, mayor bob mccoy, mayor dan ridenour, mrc director, muncie, muncie city council, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie parks board, muncie parks department, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, parks superintendent carl malone, public administration, public oversight, randolph county, social media controversy, taxpayer accountability, term, tuhey, tuhey pool, william mcintosh, winchester, winchester government, winchester indiana, winchester politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines a bizarre dispute over who is actually running the City of Muncie, Indiana's Tuhey Pool. During the September 24, 2026, Finance Committee meeting, Parks Superintendent Carl Malone said he was no longer in control of Tuhey Pool and that responsibility had shifted to contract employee Jeff Howe. After Bilbrey sought clarification, Mayor Dan Ridenour gave a completely different account, saying nothing had changed and that Tuhey remained under Malone and the Parks Department. Bilbrey breaks down the conflicting statements, questions Howe's expanding role within city government, what the Parks Board and Finance Committee knew, and how councilors can responsibly build a budget when city officials apparently cannot agree on something as basic as who is in charge. The spotlight then turns east to Winchester, Indiana, where Bilbrey examines a controversial September 25, 2026, social media post that may involve Mayor Bob McCoy and has angered local residents. Muncie. Winchester. Conflicting accounts. Confused government. And one simple question: Who the hell is actually in charge? #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#737 | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 22nd, 2026  |  2 hrs 11 mins

2027 muncie budget, 313 south meridian street, budget meetings, budget review, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, county commissioners meeting, dan ridenour, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, delaware county indiana, east central indiana, energy development, finance committee meeting, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, indiana politics, letter of intent, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, nuclear energy, nuclear power, nuclear reactors, public meetings, public notice, public service, randolph county, randolph county indiana, ridenour administration, small modular reactors, smr, smrs, taxpayer money, voa, volunteers of america, winchester, winchester city council, winchester government, winchester house, winchester indiana, winchester politics

In Episode #737 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines three local-government meetings across East Central Indiana. First, Bilbrey breaks down the September 22, 2026, Muncie City Council Finance Committee meeting, where the council began reviewing the proposed 2027 city budget. He questions who knew about the meeting, how councilors and citizens were informed, and what he describes as continued political gamesmanship by the Ridenour Administration and Council leadership. Bilbrey also explains why he considers the meeting a MOCKERY of the budget-review process. Next, Bilbrey turns to the September 21, 2026, Delaware County Commissioners meeting and the county's letter of intent regarding nuclear energy and small modular reactors (SMRs). Lastly, it's back to Winchester, Indiana, where the former Volunteers of America (VOA) Winchester House facility at 313 South Meridian Street was discussed during the September 21, 2026, Winchester City Council meeting. Bilbrey discusses the latest developments there and what he's done since the previous episode. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

September 17th, 2026  |  1 hr 27 mins

2027 election cycle, 2027 elections, Indianapolis, anderson indiana, board of works, candidate recruitment, citizen engagement, citizen involvement, citizen oversight, citizen power, city of muncie, county government, dan ridenour, delaware county, delaware county indiana, democratic candidates, east central indiana, elected officials, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government leadership, government reform, government transparency, henry county, henry county indiana, indiana politics, jeff howe, libertarian candidates, local candidates, local elections, local government, local leadership, local politics, madison county, madison county indiana, marion county, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie board of works, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment commission, municipal government, new castle indiana, political accountability, political campaigns, political candidates, public meetings, public office, public servants, public service, randolph county, randolph county indiana, redevelopment commission, republican candidates, run for office, running for office, winchester indiana

In Episode #735 of The Political Spotlight, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey focuses on what he sees as a growing breakdown of public service and citizen engagement across East Central Indiana and beyond. Bilbrey briefly reviews the September 16 Muncie Board of Works meeting before turning to the September 17 Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting, examining its decision-making, accountability, and the roles of Mayor Dan Ridenour and Jeff Howe. From there, the discussion broadens to local government across Muncie/Delaware County, Anderson/Madison County, Winchester/Randolph County, New Castle/Henry County, and Indianapolis/Marion County. Bilbrey argues that too many public officials have forgotten whom they serve while too many citizens remain disengaged. With the next local election cycle beginning in 2027, Bilbrey challenges citizens who believe local government needs better leadership to get involved—organize, campaign, challenge incumbents, and consider running for office as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, or otherwise. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#734 | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - (PART 2) | The Political Spotlight

September 16th, 2026  |  2 hrs 36 mins

Part 1, Part 2, budget ordinances, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, city spending, council attorney, council leadership, craig wright, dan ridenour, delaware county, east central indiana, episodes 733 and 734, finance committee, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, in god we trust, in god we trust ordinance, indiana politics, jeff howe, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mits, msd, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie common council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie indiana transit system, muncie politics, muncie public hearing, muncie salary ordinance, muncie sanitary district, ordinance 16-26, ordinance 17-26, ordinance 18-26, ordinance 19-26, ordinance 20-26, ordinance 21-26, ordinance 22-26, proposed 2027 muncie budget, public comments, public hearing, public meetings, resolution 13-26, resolution 14-26, salary ordinance, september 14 2026, taxpayer money, two part series, viewpoint discrimination

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey tackles the completely "OFF THE RAILS" Muncie City Council meeting from Monday, September 14, 2026, in a two-part breakdown of the Public Hearing and the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. This 734th episode is part 2. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#733 | Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - (PART 1) | The Political Spotlight

September 15th, 2026  |  2 hrs 14 mins

Part 1, Part 2, budget ordinances, citizen oversight, city budget, city council leadership, city of muncie, city spending, council attorney, council leadership, craig wright, dan ridenour, delaware county, east central indiana, episodes 733 and 734, finance committee, george jeffrey howe, government accountability, government spending, government transparency, in god we trust, in god we trust ordinance, indiana politics, jeff howe, local government, local politics, mayor dan ridenour, mits, msd, muncie, muncie budget, muncie city council, muncie city council meeting, muncie common council, muncie finance committee, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie indiana transit system, muncie politics, muncie public hearing, muncie salary ordinance, muncie sanitary district, ordinance 16-26, ordinance 17-26, ordinance 18-26, ordinance 19-26, ordinance 20-26, ordinance 21-26, ordinance 22-26, proposed 2027 muncie budget, public comments, public hearing, public meetings, resolution 13-26, resolution 14-26, salary ordinance, september 14 2026, taxpayer money, two part series, viewpoint discrimination

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey tackles the completely "OFF THE RAILS" Muncie City Council meeting from Monday, September 14, 2026, in a two-part breakdown of the Public Hearing and the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. This 733rd episode is part 1. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#731 | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

September 10th, 2026  |  1 hr 54 mins

9/11, 9/11 remembrance, Privacy, alpr, american hero, automatic license plate readers, citizen oversight, city of muncie, civil liberties, constitutional liberty, dan ridenour, data sharing, east central indiana, flight 93, flight 93 passengers, flock cameras, flock safety, government accountability, government power, government surveillance, government tracking, indiana politics, lets roll, license plate readers, local government, local politics, love letter, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie city council, muncie government, muncie indiana, muncie police department, muncie politics, police surveillance, privacy rights, producer kate, public safety, randolph county, september 11 2001, september 11th, shanksville, surveillance oversight, the journey home, todd beamer, united flight 93, winchester indiana, winchester politics

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey kicks off episode 731 with a deep dive into Todd Beamer — A TRUE AMERICAN HERO! (If that name does not immediately ring a bell, this episode is absolutely for you.) Bilbrey reflects on Beamer's courage, sacrifice, and role aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. THIS IS A MUST-SEE FOR EVERY AMERICAN. From there, the show returns to the City of Muncie, Indiana, and the fallout from Mayor Dan Ridenour's "love letter" to Flock cameras. It is safe to say the reaction did not go as the mayor likely expected. This may now be turning into a real line in the sand over surveillance, privacy, government power, and how far Muncie is willing to go in embracing Flock's license-plate reader network. Soon, Muncie City Council members will have to make a tough decision. Which side will they take? Will they back the mayor's push for Flock cameras? Or will they draw a line when it comes to government surveillance and tracking citizens? This one could get very interesting. Finally, Bilbrey heads to Winchester, Indiana, where greed, poor decisions, and sheer ignorance may have finally killed 'The Journey Home' — something Bilbrey and Producer Kate warned could happen long ago. #ThePoliticalSpotlight