#698 | A Look at Madison County, Indiana, on a Friday Night in July 2026! | The Political Spotlight

July 10th, 2026  |  2 hrs 29 mins

amendments, anderson, anderson politics, contributing correspondent, delaware county, delaware county politics, democratic party, dr. katherine v. callahan, hodgepodge of a.d.d.-fueled thoughts about political and governmental goings-on, indiana, indiana politics, local politics, madison county, madison county politics, muncie, muncie politics, republican party, rights, special friday night episode, state of indiana, state politics, vote, voters, voters' rights, voting, wild ride

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes back contributing correspondent Dr. Katherine V. Callahan to the program for this special Friday night episode. And look, it's been over a month since Callahan was last here... which means there is NO WAY Bilbrey could even begin to craft a legitimate set of show notes, a description of what Bilbrey and Callahan will cover, in what is almost sure to be a hodgepodge of A.D.D.-fueled thoughts about political and governmental goings-on in Anderson, Indiana... Madison County, Indiana... the State of Indiana... and maybe Bilbrey will get a chance to throw in a few comments or thoughts about Muncie, Indiana... and/or Delaware County, Indiana. So join the ride. It's bound to be wild! #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#693 | State Rep. JD Prescott’s Property Tax Fantasy Tour Comes to Muncie! | The Political Spotlight

July 1st, 2026  |  2 hrs 41 secs

after-action report, audience's response, brandon rudd is back, comprehensive look at house bill 1288, developing issues involving the city of muncie and delaware county, hoosier state, hoosiers, house bill 1288, indiana, indiana politics, indiana state general assembly, indiana taxpayers, local governments, mother arrested on a warrant after leaving kids in a hot car, property tax repeal and replace plan, property tax repeal and replace proposal, property tax repeal and replace tour, special guest john bartlett, state government, state house, state legislature, state politics, state representative, state representative j.d. prescott, statewide tour, strengths and weaknesses, the future of property taxes

Kristopher H. Bilbrey and Brandon Rudd of The Political Spotlight attended Prescott's presentation on House Bill 1288 (Property Tax Repeal and Replace Plan). In this 693rd episode, Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey delivers an after-action report on the event. He breaks down Prescott's message and delivery, analyzes the audience's response, and explains why he believes Hoosiers should pay close attention to the proposal. Bilbrey also previews an upcoming special episode featuring Hosts Bilbrey and Rudd, along with special guest John Bartlett, who'll take a comprehensive look at House Bill 1288, examine the proposal's strengths and weaknesses, and discuss what it could mean for Indiana taxpayers, local governments, and the future of property taxes in the Hoosier State. Plus, Bilbrey wraps up the show with updates on a couple of developing issues involving the City of Muncie and Delaware County. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#690 | Winning the War Means Losing Some Battles! | The Political Spotlight

June 25th, 2026  |  2 hrs 22 mins

bot, delaware county / muncie politics, east central indiana, fire station #5 project, henry county / new castle politics, house bill 1288, indiana republican platform now backs property tax elimination, latest news, local government updates, local politics, look beyond the headline and sound bite, madison county / anderson politics, muncie city council meeting, muncie fire department, on board with repealing property taxes, property tax repeal & replacement proposal, public services committee meeting, state politics, state representative jd prescott, tax abatement committee meeting, the indiana capital chronicle, the rob kendall show

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers the latest news and local government updates from Delaware, Madison, and Henry counties. He also offers a brief look at State Representative JD Prescott's Property Tax Repeal & Replacement Proposal, explaining why Hoosiers should look beyond the headline to understand how the plan works, who pays for it, and its potential long-term impact. Bilbrey draws on recent discussions and reporting to put the proposal in context. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#687 | The IN-GOP Convention Is Over! Tuhey Pool Problems! Res 8-26! | The Political Spotlight

June 21st, 2026  |  1 hr 50 mins

city of muncie, current acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, david shelton, diego morales, gop establishment, indiana, indiana politics, indiana secretary of state candidate, indiana state republican party convention, jamie reitenour for indiana, local politics, max engling, muncie, muncie city council, muncie controller's office, muncie indiana, muncie mayor dan ridenour, pool closed, pool problems, press release, resolution 8-26 part 1 deadline, state politics, tuhey pool, tuhey pool season

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares his thoughts on the Indiana State Republican Party Convention held this past weekend in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Of course, the results favored the Indiana GOP Establishment! From there, Bilbrey turns to the issues facing the City of Muncie's Tuhey Pool. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the City of Muncie praised employees for their work around the pool and noted that the Tuhey Pool season was going wonderfully. But then came Saturday, June 20, 2026, just two days later. The pool closed early due to insufficient staffing, and now The Political Spotlight is aware of even worse issues facing Tuhey Pool. Lastly, Bilbrey discusses the upcoming deadline for the first part of Resolution 8-26, which concerns the City of Muncie's Controller's Office and the City Council. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#684 | Panem et Circenses! | The Political Spotlight

June 16th, 2026  |  2 hrs 24 mins

acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, bread and circuses, commissioner shannon henry, commissioner sherry riggin, commissioner stephen brand, cory kissick, credit card issues, delaware county auditor ed carroll, delaware county commissioners meeting, delaware county's emergency management agency, deputy director ema, deputy mayor appointment, director of the muncie redevelopment commission, former director ema, house bill 1288, indiana state representative j.d. prescott, john coutinho, local politics, national politics, panem et circenses, roman satirist juvenal, state politics, statewide, tuhey pool, ufc fight at the white house, white house

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey examines how the ancient Roman warning of "Panem et Circenses" (bread and circuses) still applies today. Episode 684 covers local, state, and national issues, including meetings of the Delaware County Commissioners and the Muncie Parks Board. He then shares a few unanswered questions about Muncie's current "Acting" Mayor and his role with Tuhey Pool and the Parks Board. From there, he examines Indiana State Representative J.D. Prescott's property tax repeal tour, and finally, Bilbrey explains why he isn't sold on the idea of the UFC event held at the White House. This episode is packed with commentary and analysis, making it one you won't want to miss. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#683 | Dan's Good News! Questions Remain About Howe! & INGOP's Big Week! | The Political Spotlight

June 14th, 2026  |  1 hr 52 mins

candidates, delaware county indiana severe weather, deputy mayor appointment, director of the muncie redevelopment commission, embattled incumbent diego morales, encouraging news about muncie mayor dan ridenour's health, establishment's new wonder boy max engling, former gubernatorial candidate jamie reitenour, gop, indiana politics, indiana republican delegates, indiana republican party convention, indiana secretary of state, knox county clerk david shelton, local politics, muncie board of works, muncie city council, muncie politics, public services committee, questions remain about acting mayor george-jeffrey howe, republican, several developing stories in henry county, state politics, storm report, what is the status of resolution 8-26, wild ride

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares encouraging news about Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour, while questions remain about Acting Mayor George-Jeffrey Howe, his appointment as Deputy Mayor, and his continued role as Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. Bilbrey examines what action, if any, the Board of Works and the City Council might take. Will the Council soon schedule a meeting of the "Public Services Committee"? What is the status of Resolution 8-26? Bilbrey also previews the upcoming Indiana Republican Party convention (June 19 and 20, 2026), where roughly 1,800 delegates will select the party's nominee for Secretary of State. Will it be embattled incumbent Diego Morales, the establishment's new wonder boy Max Engling, Knox County Clerk David Shelton, or former gubernatorial candidate Jamie Reitenour? Bilbrey expects a wild ride. Plus, a look at several developing stories in Henry County that the team is actively investigating. #ThePoliticalSpotlight

#678 | Republicans in BADDER Standing! | The Political Spotlight

June 7th, 2026  |  2 hrs 45 mins

5th district gop committee, chairman darren reese, clown show, contributing correspondent, delaware county gop, full recording, gop, indiana republican convention, indiana republican party, kangaroo court, katherine callahan, larry savage, local politics, made up the rules, madison county, madison county gop, nicole kapuściński, played the game their way, republican in even badder standing, secretary jessica piper, stacked the deck, state delegate, state politics, treasurer mario massillamany, vice chairwoman kelli heuer

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey welcomes Madison County correspondent Katherine Callahan for Episode 678. Together, they break down the most ridiculous Indiana Republican Party 5th District disciplinary hearing, held on Sunday, June 7, 2026. They examine the latest actions against Callahan and two others and what it reveals about party leadership and internal politics. Bilbrey and Callahan discuss the hearing, the process behind it, and their criticisms of the Indiana Republican Party, the 5th District GOP Committee, and local party organizations. They play a recording of the hearing so listeners can hear it for themselves. #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

#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!

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

August 3rd, 2025  |  2 hrs 29 mins

big announcement, city council, corruption, county commissioners, delaware county, delaware county prosecutor, episode 500, fayette county sheriff, indiana politics, kristopher h bilbrey, local politics, muncie, national politics, party hopping, plan commission, political commentary, randolph county, state politics, the political spotlight, winchester

This 500th episode might be a milestone event, but there is no time to celebrate...'The Political Spotlight' delivers hard-hitting commentary on the latest political developments in Muncie and across Indiana. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey covers party shifts on the Muncie City Council, a canceled budget workshop, upcoming meetings, a complaint involving the Delaware County Prosecutor, and new revelations in another police corruption scandal. Plus, a major announcement to mark this 500th episode! #ThePoliticalSpotlight