The Political Spotlight - Episodes Tagged with “Local Politics”

#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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#616 | Always Positive / Always Negative: The State of Our Community! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the "State of Our Community" (City of Muncie & Delaware County) from earlier in the day (Thursday, March 5, 2026).

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and Delaware County Commissioner Stephen Brand addressed nearly 500 attendees this morning, highlighting their respective "achievements for 2025" and "goals for 2026."

Bilbrey reviews the event and shares his thoughts here!

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VIDEO version of Ep 616: https://youtube.com/live/Jo8QD4Jqnr4

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#602 | The Chairs Are Running! + Odd Time Stamps! + Rumors! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines the fact that both the Delaware County Republican Party Chairman and the Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman have filed to run for office in the 2026 election cycle.

Bilbrey shares his thoughts on this and other serious overreaches by those in power during the upcoming election season.

From there, Bilbrey highlights a concern about a confusing timestamp in the Henry County Jail security video related to the Nicholas Gulley II incident.

Lastly, Bilbrey shares his thoughts on rumors.

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VIDEO version of Ep 602: https://youtube.com/live/6-UxKvZEmBE

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#584 | Rules, Tools, & Fools: Local & State Politics in 3 Words! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey provides more in-depth commentary on the Muncie City Council meeting held on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Additionally, he'll share his thoughts on The Star Press' coverage of the meeting—their journalism is genuinely remarkable.

Then Bilbrey recounts an intriguing telephone conversation he had earlier with Tim Overton, Chair of the Delaware County Republican Party. Tim attempted to explain Council President Jeff Green's (R) desire to amend the Muncie City Council's longstanding rules. Although Bilbrey and Tim remained respectful during the nearly thirty-five-minute discussion, it did get heated at times.

Lastly, Bilbrey turns his attention to the Indiana State Government, offering his perspective on "House Joint Resolution 2," authored by Indiana State Representative Elizabeth Rowray (R-District 35).

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VIDEO version of Ep 584: https://youtube.com/live/X1vViuofBXM

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#583 | Muncie City Council's 2026 Reorganizational Meeting - QUICK RECAP! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey provides a brief recap of the Muncie City Council Meeting... (this will be a short episode due to the meeting's length).

Bilbrey will provide the full recap in episode 584 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

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VIDEO version of Ep 583: https://youtube.com/live/Axc7Xo7HR9A

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#543 | Disrespect Toward Taxpayers! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The system is designed so that, regardless of who is in charge, the type of government, or the situation, it allows or even encourages elected and appointed public servants to be disrespectful toward taxpayers.

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers a few odds and ends as he waits for the big meeting for the City of Muncie on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

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VIDEO version of Ep 543: https://youtube.com/live/dwUEzkf2p6U

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#525 | Bullying Bullies, and the Bullied Bulls they Bull and Katherine! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is on autopilot because this is his last show before holiday; he'll be out of service after the show until Sunday, September 21, 2025.

So he's called contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to help Producer Kate keep him on track enough for a show!

Bilbrey has a few points of interest he plans to cover, but this will be a bit of a surprise-style show. That said, a large portion of the show will be devoted to "BULLIES" and the "ACT OF BULLYING" in politics!

Also, this will serve as (part 1) for episode 526, which airs tomorrow, Thursday, September 18, 2025. Katherine will fill in as guest host in Bilbrey's absence!

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VIDEO version of Ep 525: https://youtube.com/live/-SeF8uiiQlg

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#523 | Out of the Box, No Turning Back! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey previews a busy week of upcoming public meetings in Muncie, Delaware County, and other parts of east central Indiana.

Bilbrey also shares his thoughts on where America stands following the tragic events of last week. Additionally, Bilbrey discusses his stance on people saying horrible things about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Bilbrey is a First Amendment purist, and his views on this matter clearly show that!

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VIDEO version of Ep 523: https://youtube.com/live/hD8OSPDLFpE

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#500 | THE FIVE HUNDREDTH EPISODE! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Brandon Rudd, & Kate Thornburg (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

HERE IT IS — THE BIG 5-0-0! WOW... That is a lot of political commentary! Well, ok — enough of that! It's time to get to work. There is a lot to discuss!

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey celebrates this 500th episode the only way he knows how — by diving straight into the latest political and governmental issues impacting Muncie, Delaware County, and beyond. No fluff. No spin. Just straight talk. Let's get started... the topics for this episode are:

1️⃣ (Party Hopping in Muncie Politics)
City Councilor Jerry Dishman and former Councilor Roger Overby, both longtime Democrats, have switched to the Republican Party. What does this mean for local politics? Why does this keep happening, and will there be more swapping in the future?

2️⃣ (Muncie Government – August 2025)
Preview of the upcoming Muncie City Council meeting (Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 7 PM). A discussion about the DLGF’s 2026 Budget Workshop that was canceled last Thursday. Why was it scrapped, and what’s next for that meeting and the city’s 2026 budget process?

3️⃣ (Other Upcoming August 2025 Meetings)
— Delaware County Commissioners meeting.
Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 9 AM.

— Randolph County Commissioners meeting.
Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 9 AM.

— Winchester City Council meeting.
Monday, August 4, 2025 @ 6 PM.
Private Property Dispute - Bilbrey will be attending in person.

— Delaware-Muncie Plan Commission meeting.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 @ 6 PM.
Solar Ordinance discussion.

4️⃣ (The Text Message Question)
A citizen has made a complaint about a text message that his daughter received, which was allegedly sent by Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman. What is the context here? Bilbrey takes a deeper look into the situation to attempt to determine what went on.

5️⃣ (The Latest Story of Ongoing Police Corruption)
The former Chief Deputy Sheriff of Fayette County, Indiana, has been accused of working as a "mole" for a drug dealer who ran a multi-million dollar operation. This is just the latest in what is becoming a long line of law enforcement officers, other government officials, and public servants who are being implicated in illegal behavior. How many more are there? How far does this go? And how can this be stopped?

6️⃣ (BIG 500th Episode Announcement)
Bilbrey shares a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT with the audience!

💬 Join the conversation LIVE or via replay — celebrate the 500th episode of unfiltered political talk... debate the issues... and share your thoughts in the LIVE chat or comments!

VIDEO version of Ep 500: https://youtube.com/live/fmCE8L-FwWw . . .

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