#674 | Muncie's Tomorrow — The Promises, The Problems, & The Truth! | The Political Spotlight

May 31st, 2026  |  1 hr 59 mins

accountability, acting mayor jeff howe, at the precipice, body camera footage, case study for police training, city council meeting, conflict of interest, current director of the muncie redevelopment commission jeff howe, deputy, dual lucrative offices, ego check, important ordinances and a resolution, indiana, indiana politics, law enforcement, local politics, muncie, muncie city council, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie's tomorrow, no right hand, oath of office, palm beach county florida sheriff's office, political future, professionalism, public hearing, recently appointed deputy mayor jeff howe, ridenour's medical leave, the problems, the promises, the truth, transition of power, uncertain and potentially consequential times, viral traffic stop, woman accused of illegally using cell phone with right hand while driving

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey looks at the uncertain times the City of Muncie, Indiana, is getting ready to enter during the 674th episode of 'The Political Spotlight.' Mayor Dan Ridenour hands the city's leadership to Acting Mayor Jeff Howe, and Bilbrey examines the transition, questions Howe's appointment, and considers what the coming weeks could mean for Muncie's future. He also previews a potentially contentious Muncie City Council meeting where key ordinances, a resolution, and public concerns are expected to take center stage. Then, Bilbrey breaks down a viral Florida traffic stop that has sparked national outrage after a deputy accused a woman of using her right hand to hold a cell phone—despite the fact that she does not have a right hand. The incident raises serious questions about accountability, professionalism, and police training. From local politics and leadership transitions to public trust and law enforcement accountability, Episode 674 covers the stories that matter most. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#673 | Muncie Flipped the Script! Who’s in Charge Here? | The Political Spotlight

May 29th, 2026  |  2 hrs 14 mins

acting mayor jeff howe, cancer diagnosis, city clerk, city councilor jeff green, communications director amber greene, emails, indiana, indiana code 36-4-5-8, last-minute leadership shakeup at muncie city hall, local politics, mrc, muncie city council, muncie city hall, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment director jeff howe, newly named deputy mayor jeff howe, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, secretary shareen wagley

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey breaks down a surprising last-minute leadership shakeup at Muncie City Hall in this special Friday night episode. With Mayor Dan Ridenour expected to be away for 6–8 weeks due to health issues, many anticipated that Councilor Jeff Green would serve as acting Mayor, based on Mayor Ridenour's statements. Instead, Ridenour suddenly appointed Jeff Howe, the current Redevelopment Director, as Deputy Mayor and then designated him acting Mayor for the first 15 days of June 2026. Bilbrey examines the timeline, the legal questions, the unexpected paperwork, and what may really be happening behind the scenes in Muncie politics. Episode 673 explains why this story couldn't wait until Sunday. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#672 | Muncie's Failed Transparency! Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How? | The Political Spotlight

May 28th, 2026  |  1 hr 46 mins

acting mayor jeff howe, arrested, cancer diagnosis, city clerk, city councilor jeff green, communications director amber greene, emails, escalating republican party infighting in madison county, formally charged, indiana, last-minute leadership shakeup at muncie city hall, local politics, mrc, muncie city council, muncie city hall, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, muncie politics, muncie redevelopment director jeff howe, newly named deputy mayor jeff howe, private ems, prosecutor, real accountability, real conversations, real issues, ronald d elliot jr, secretary shareen wagley, serious criminal allegations against a former muncie firefighter, sex crimes, under indiana code 36-4-5-8

Muncie politics grows more complicated as Mayor Dan Ridenour's upcoming 6-8-week medical absence from the city raises new legal and transparency questions. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines the designation of City Council President Jeff Green as Acting Mayor, including when the transfer of authority takes effect, potential compensation, dual-office concerns, and whether constitutional issues could arise. Plus, Bilbrey discusses serious criminal allegations against a former Muncie firefighter and breaks down escalating Republican Party infighting in Madison County. Real issues. Real conversations. Real accountability. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

March 5th, 2026  |  1 hr 43 mins

achievements for 2025, always negative, always positive, board of works, city of muncie, delaware county, delaware county commissioner stephen brand, goals for 2026, indiana, local politics, muncie mayor dan ridenour, public officials, the state of our community

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! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

February 9th, 2026  |  2 hrs 27 mins

delaware county democratic party chairman, delaware county republican party chairman, election season 2026, henry county indiana, henry county jail, henry county sheriff john sproles, local politics, rumors, state politics

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. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

January 6th, 2026  |  2 hrs 20 mins

city council, council president, councilor jeff green, delaware county republican party chairman, district 35, first amendment, house joint resolution 2, indiana, indiana state government, local politics, muncie, muncie city council meeting, new year, reorganizational meeting, state representative elizabeth rowray, the star press, tim overton

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). #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

January 5th, 2026  |  1 hr 14 mins

city council, council president, councilor jeff green, first amendment, indiana, local politics, muncie, new year, reorganizational meeting

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. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#543 | Disrespect Toward Taxpayers! | The Political Spotlight

October 15th, 2025  |  1 hr 50 mins

2026 budget process, anderson, city clerk, city council, city council meeting, commissioners pass ordinance to cary guns, councilor dale basham, councilor nora powell, county council, delaware county, disrespect toward taxpayers, emails, grant county, indiana politics, investigative powers, local politics, madison county, marion, mayor, muncie, muncie city council, muncie mayor dan ridenour, resolution #17-25

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. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

September 17th, 2025  |  2 hrs 10 mins

bilbrey's holiday break, election integrity, election laws, election security, guest host, indiana, katherine callahan, larry savage, local politics, madison county politics, plea deal, political bullies, politics and bullying, producer kate, prosecution, surprise show, taxes

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is on autopilot as he prepares for his big holiday break. So, he called Dr. Katherine Callahan to help Producer Kate keep everything on track. The show focuses on bullies and bullying in politics. Additionally, this episode sets the stage for part two, where Katherine will guest-host in Episode 526. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

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

September 14th, 2025  |  1 hr 53 mins

america, budget meetings, charlie kirk, commissioners meeting, delaware county, delaware county commissioners, delaware county council, democratic party, finance committee meetings, first amendment, indiana, industrial solar, local politics, muncie, muncie city council, national politics, politics, republican party, solar ordinance, state politics

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

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!