#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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