#562 | The Doors of Participation: The Public Access Issue! | The Political Spotlight

November 21st, 2025  |  2 hrs 28 mins

98 apartments, accountability, bond, breaking news, communication, curt d. andersen, election board, indiana, initial hearing, judge dale arnett forced to resign, madison county politics, muncie politics, open door violations, public access laws, transparency, whitestown shooting investigation

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey and contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan are here on a very special Friday night episode to discuss a serious PUBLIC ACCESS CRISIS affecting Madison County, Indiana... and beyond! From city council meetings to commissioners meetings, to election board meetings, and everything in between. It's just another symptom of the broader disease of BAD GOVERNANCE! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#561 | Mayor Dan Ridenour, Reimagining Muncie! Plus: A Stupid Movie! | The Political Spotlight

November 19th, 2025  |  2 hrs 15 mins

build back better, camping, city parks, crazy video, curt d. andersen, hollywood movie magic, indiana, indiana american water company, madison county election board meeting, madison county politics, mayor dan ridenour, muncie, muncie politics, prairie creek reservoir, press conference, reimagining muncie, whitestown indiana cleaning lady shooting

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers the BIG news of the day in Muncie, Indiana—the closure of 234 campsites on the North Shore of Prairie Creek Reservoir. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour announced this during a press conference held earlier in the day (Wednesday, November 19, 2025). This is something Bilbrey has heard was coming for some time, but it still comes as a shock. Bilbrey discusses what this could mean for the city in the long run, as well as the potential political fallout for Mayor Ridenour. Finally, Bilbrey explains the difference between reality and fantasy while describing how Hollywood movie magic works! For those wondering, this is connected to the "Whitestown Cleaning Lady Shooting" case. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#557 | Thursday, November 13, 2025 - Chit Chat! | The Political Spotlight

November 13th, 2025  |  1 hr 15 mins

board of works, delaware county sheriff's department, dustin clark, indiana politics, jonathon culp, madison county politics, muncie politics, muncie recovery opco llc lease, records request, whitestown cleaning lady shooting

This 557th episode of 'The Political Spotlight' will be an open-topic show! Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is currently working on a few topics that aren't quite ready to explore yet, and even though it seems like a lot is happening, everything still feels like it's moving at a snail's pace. There are a few odds and ends to cover as we head into the weekend; this is always a strange time of year, politically speaking. But, as usual, Bilbrey will make the most of it! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#554 | Buying Votes? | The Political Spotlight

November 9th, 2025  |  2 hrs 24 mins

2026 election cycle, campaign finance violations, campaign violations, commissioners office, contributing correspondent dr. katherine callahan, culp election committee, indiana, jennifer culp, jonathon culp, madison county, madison county council, madison county politics, madison county prosecutors office, todd culp

The 2026 midterm election cycle starts in less than 60 days (as of the initial broadcast of this episode: Sunday, November 9, 2025). However, that doesn't mean the campaigning hasn't already begun! The question then becomes: Is everything being done correctly? And what's all the fuss about Madison County Council's "newbie" Councilor Jonathan Culp? Has he really been using his county position to campaign for a higher seat, just 11 months into his first term as Councilor? What committee is he using to campaign? What will his campaign finance reports show? And has he really been buying votes? Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherin Callahan to the show to help break everything down! This will be an episode you won't want to miss! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#548 | Wasting Time, Drawing Lines! | The Political Spotlight

October 29th, 2025  |  2 hrs 6 mins

anderson politics, board of works, contributing correspondent, dr. katherine callahan, governor mike braun, indiana politics, local, lt. governor micah beckwith, madison county politics, national politics, redistricting congressional maps, special session of the indiana general assembly, state, white house

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to the program to discuss the redistricting nonsense that Indiana Governor Mike Braun and other bumbling elected officials are currently trying to make happen. All because the White House wants it. This is a national, state, and local politics topic! Keeping Katherine on topic is always a challenge... Bilbrey really tried this episode! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#540 | There Is Nothing More That Can Be Sacrificed! | The Political Spotlight

October 9th, 2025  |  1 hr 47 mins

2026 budget, contributing correspondent dr. katherine callahan, council meeting, indiana, madison county, madison county chief deputy prosecutor andrew hanna, madison county politics, politics, released on her own recognizance, sharon bailey barker, steven sumner, us marshals

Muncie is still Muncie... Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is on a mission to find the local newspaper—more on that soon! But for this 540th episode, Bilbrey invites Dr. Katherine Callahan back to the program to discuss the current situation in Madison County government. The Council continues to double down on its outdated, backwards thinking, and members of the Madison County Sheriff's Department have had enough! The president of the FOP, a deputy who has served for several years, resigned his position while speaking to the Council on Thursday evening, October 9, 2025. He is the first of many, Bilbrey is afraid. Things could get really, really bad before they ever get better—if they ever get better! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#530 | Madison County Budget 2026 Update! | The Political Spotlight

September 24th, 2025  |  2 hrs 34 mins

2026 budget process, indiana, madison county, madison county commissioners, madison county council, madison county politics, madison county sheriff's department

We've reviewed the 2026 budget processes for Muncie and Delaware County. Now, let's take a look at what's happening in Madison County, with a focus on their 2026 budget. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan to the show to discuss it! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#526 | Madison County's Plan to: MAX THE TAX! | The Political Spotlight

September 18th, 2025  |  1 hr 33 mins

bilbrey on holiday, contributing correspondent, dr. katherine callahan, indiana, madison county, madison county politics, max the tax

Contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine Callahan guest hosts for Kristopher H. Bilbrey, who is away on holiday!

Katherine will be examining the Madison County Government's plan to MAX THE TAX on all of their citizens!

If you live in Madison County, Indiana, or if you're a citizen interested in government and politics... then this is an episode you won't want to miss! #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

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

September 12th, 2025  |  2 hrs 37 mins

charlie kirk, charlie kirk assassination, county council, extradition waived, first amendment, freedom of speech, killer caught, madison county indiana, madison county politics, second amendment, steven sumner, tyler robinson

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares the latest on the arrest of former Madison County Councilor Steven Sumner, who is BACK in the Madison County jail. He also updates on the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation. It's been a long, emotional week. Tune in for top-tier political commentary with friends. #ThePoliticalSpotlight