The Political Spotlight - Episodes Tagged with “Madison County Indiana”

#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'
LIVE Sunday - Thursday @ 9 p.m. (ET)
Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey
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#729 | Tuesday, September 08, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is back from the Labor Day 2026 holiday for the 729th episode of The Political Spotlight!

The program gets back on track as the 2026 general election season approaches; there's work to be done concerning the election and all the insanity in local, state, and national government.

Bilbrey begins with a look at the City of Muncie's proposed 2027 budget and the ongoing Delaware County Budget meetings. This is just a teaser, as a more in-depth episode is coming.

Also, as another teaser, Bilbrey again mentions the McKinley Neighborhood ordeal currently underway in Muncie. As he has always known, this is going to be a bigger story than it has already been made out to be.

From there, Bilbrey turns to Henry County, where he has heard of another concerning situation involving a former employee of the Henry County Sheriff's Office.

The conversation then shifts to candidates, campaigns, and political behavior.

Bilbrey wants people to understand what they need to know before they file to run for public office. It seems like many don't fully understand the responsibilities that come with becoming a candidate and, if elected, a public servant.

That discussion includes the latest round of craziness involving Randy Howard and what his behavior says about candidates, campaigns, and the people who decide to put their names on the ballot.

Finally, Bilbrey heads west to Madison County, where tonight's County Council meeting became heated — giving us one more example of why local government deserves far more attention than it usually receives.

Episode 729 is a bit of a catch-all:

Muncie budgets. Delaware County government. Henry County concerns. Candidates behaving badly. Randy Howard. Madison County politics.

As election season 2026 comes into focus, The Political Spotlight is back on track and moving onward and upward.

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VIDEO version of Ep 729: https://youtube.com/live/R2hVEciBVvc

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#728 | Friday, September 04, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

(Part 2 of 2) :

Once again, Dr. Katherine Callahan, a contributing correspondent from Madison County, Indiana, joins Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey for this 728th episode (part 2 of 2) of The Political Spotlight to discuss the past couple of weeks of political and governmental developments in and around Madison County!

From residency issues involving a Lapel Councilor to the insanity of the recent Madison County Commissioners meeting, and the open-door violations and more involving the Madison County Parks Board... this is going to be an informative show, as always!

(This is part 2 of a 2-part series)

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VIDEO version of Ep 728: https://youtube.com/live/14YZzeQfkuM

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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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Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#727 | Thursday, September 03, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

(Part 1 of 2) :

Dr. Katherine Callahan, a contributing correspondent from Madison County, Indiana, joins Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey for this 727th episode (part 1 of 2) of The Political Spotlight to discuss the past couple of weeks of political and governmental developments in and around Madison County!

(This is part 1 of a 2-part series)

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VIDEO version of Ep 727: https://youtube.com/live/ZulXq0fwr-w

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

Audio Podcast: https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#718 | Monday, August 17, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

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

This 718th episode will be a free-for-all!

First up, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes back Madison County's contributing correspondent, Dr. Katherine Callahan. Callahan joins Bilbrey to break down several major developments in Madison County and the City of Anderson over the past month and a half, including:

The most recent Election Board meeting on July 30, 2026...
The recent historic weather event—Callahan shares her thoughts on the flooding in her neck of the woods and how she feels public servants and elected officials have handled the situation...
The "emergency" Madison County Council meeting, held today, Monday, August 17, 2026. The meeting concerned appropriating funds from the Rainy Day Fund — 1186 for flood relief — to the Madison County Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security...

Then, from Madison County to Delaware County... the focus shifts back to the ongoing discussion of the issues faced by the Delaware County (City of Muncie) 911 Emergency Communications Center during the historic flooding on August 12-13, 2026.

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the Delaware County Commissioners today, Monday, August 17, 2026, Delaware County 911 Director Fred Cummings addressed the Commissioners and the public regarding the ongoing public-safety communications situation. His latest remarks appeared to walk back several statements he made at last week's "emergency" meeting while also offering significant new claims about the system's current status.

Bilbrey examines what has changed, what has been clarified, and what questions still remain—and oh yes, there are still plenty of questions. That said, it appears that The Political Spotlight is making some headway!

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VIDEO version of Ep 718: https://youtube.com/live/3eGK_NigSIs

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The Political Spotlight Airs LIVE
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Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#632 | The Non-Public 'Public' Test of Madison County's Voting Machines! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan back to the show after an extended break to discuss all the chaos surrounding the 2026 Election in Madison County, Indiana.

Of particular interest to Bilbrey is the 'public' test of the voting machines conducted by the Madison County Election Board during a 'public' meeting yesterday (Thursday, April 2, 2026). The Election Board members went through the motions while being unusually distant and unresponsive to the citizens in attendance.

You won't want to miss this 632nd episode of 'The Political Spotlight'.

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VIDEO version of Ep 632: https://youtube.com/live/oDlyk2nypRY

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🚨🚨🚨
'The Political Spotlight'
LIVE Sunday - Thursday @ 9 p.m. (ET)
Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey & Brandon Rudd
Produced by: Kate Thornburg
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight
https://rumble.com/c/ThePoliticalSpotlight
https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
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Email: tpsprogram@gmail.com
© 2026 Mud Creek Studio.
—

Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#575 | What’s the Deal W/Madison Co Sheriff John Beeman & the Sumner Case? | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

For more than two years, former Madison County Councilor and preacher Steve Sumner was on the run, wanted as a fugitive from justice. The Madison County Sheriff's Department and the United States Marshals Service were allegedly searching for him. Yet whenever questions were asked, there were no answers, and it was as if he were a ghost!

That was until Dr. Katherine Callahan, a Madison County citizen and political activist, offered a $25,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of Sumner and any accomplices who helped him hide.

In September 2025, a tip led to the arrest of Sumner's girlfriend, Sharon Bailey Barker, in Howard County, Maryland. That arrest then led to Sumner's arrest the next day in Tennessee, as he attempted to drive back to California.

Both suspects were extradited to Madison County, Indiana, and it seemed like that was it! Sumner and Barker would be booked into jail, and there they would wait until trial!

But that was only the start of a series of bizarre questions that still plague many today.

Questions like who provided the tip that led to the arrests?

They get the reward money, right?

Why has Madison County Sheriff John Beeman been in such a hurry to issue the $25,000.00 reward to someone who did not make the call?

Where does all of this stand?

These and more questions have been swirling in the background and on the minds of 'The Political Spotlight' team for quite some time, but now, in episode 575, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey lays it all out!

While these questions will be brought to the forefront now and some answers will be given... this is nowhere near the end of this bizarre situation; on the contrary, it's only the start!

Be sure to tune in to this episode, as you will NOT want to miss this one!

To see the records discussed in this episode, click the following link: http://bit.ly/HCPDRecords . . .

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VIDEO version of Ep 575: https://youtube.com/live/outwdBYT4HY

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#573 | Park Board Mtg! + MadCo's No Vote to New Precincts! + Boards 10-96! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is feeling much better and ready to rock and roll!

First, Bilbrey highlights the ongoing issues the City of Muncie faces with communication, transparency, and, flat out, just giving a shit!

Bilbrey attended the Muncie Park Board meeting this evening and became increasingly upset as a citizen addressed the board about feeling excluded by the Mayor and his team. Things only got worse when Parks Superintendent Carl Malone stood up and showed a complete lack of understanding of how a public servant should behave, clearly proving the citizens' point.

Because of that, Bilbrey had to step up to correct the record and share a few points.

Next, shifting to a few Madison County points of interest, Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to discuss the Madison County Commissioners' "NO VOTE" on the effort to redraw voting precincts.

Then, Bilbrey and Callahan discuss the recent decision by Madison County Circuit Court Division 3 Judge Andrew Hopper, who ruled that Carl Roy Webb Boards II—the man charged with the shooting death of Elwood Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz—is not competent to stand trial.

This and much more is coming your way... DO NOT MISS A SECOND OF IT!

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VIDEO version of Ep 573: https://youtube.com/live/obmDV6JYuAg

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Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#568 | The Bare Minimum of an Already Broken Process! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to the program to discuss the events from the Madison County Commissioners meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Bilbrey and Callahan also talk about the upcoming City Council caucus in Anderson.

Finally, they review the day's events from the Indiana State House.

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VIDEO version of Ep 568: https://youtube.com/live/5zhK6lJQVEE

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============================

Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.

#567 | December 1, 2025 - Review of the Day’s Governmental Happenings! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the events from various government meetings held throughout the day (Monday, December 1, 2025).

Bilbrey covers the following meetings in this 567th episode:

Delaware County Commissioners Meeting...
Madison County Commissioners Meeting...
State of Indiana General Assembly - House of Representatives (Day 1 of the 2026 Session)...
City of Muncie City Council Meeting...

Tune in for Bilbrey's review and commentary on the proceedings of these meetings.

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VIDEO version of Ep 567: https://youtube.com/live/65C1J3k8E5U

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#566 | A Long December! Meetings & a Possible Redistricting Reversal! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey and 'The Political Spotlight' are back after the Thanksgiving 2025 break, and it's time to get back to work. Bilbrey gives an overview of the key upcoming meetings scheduled for early December 2025.

He also discusses the "about-face" made by Indiana's State Senators at the very end of the news cycle last week, as everyone was heading into the Thanksgiving break. The Indiana State Senate will now be heading into session on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Let's roll!

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VIDEO version of Ep 566: https://youtube.com/live/dDpWfpXd1k0

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#522 | Extradition Waived! & A Killer Caught! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

It's been a long and emotional week...

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey discusses the update on the Steven Sumner arrest. Sumner, the former Madison County Councilor, has been a fugitive from justice for the past two years until his arrest on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Sumner waived extradition and has now been taken back to the Madison County, Indiana, jail. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on this ongoing situation.

Bilbrey then reports the latest details about the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Hang on tight, it's about to get crazy... because it's a special Friday night show! Let's roll!

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VIDEO version of Ep 522: https://youtube.com/live/VxtVKN04CJ4

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#520 | Wanted Fugitive From Madison County Steven Sumner — CAPTURED! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

BREAKING NEWS

WANTED FUGITIVE FROM MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA, STEVEN "STEVE" CRAIG SUMNER HAS BEEN CAPTURED!

As The Political Spotlight has covered in past episodes, former Madison County Councilor Steven Sumner was arrested and charged with several serious sex crimes against children in 2021.

While navigating the start of Madison County's "Mickey Mouse" joke of a legal system, Sumner was given an outrageously low bond, which allowed him to flee in 2023, making him a fugitive from justice ever since.

However, due to the persistence of Sumner's survivors, a few other determined citizens, the Madison County Sheriff's Department, led by Sheriff John Beeman, and the U.S. Marshals, tips were received, leads were followed, and every effort was made to capture Sumner. This was finally accomplished on Tuesday afternoon, September 9, 2025.

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey celebrates this MASSIVE victory for justice in the 520th episode of 'The Political Spotlight.'

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VIDEO version of Ep 520: https://youtube.com/live/aIRlzVy2w2E

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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
& All Other Podcast Hosting Sites

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Special Guest: Dr. Katherine Callahan.