WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Managing editor for the Bilerico Project blog Alex Blaze discusses the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA) and critiques what he considers to be a mistake made by various queer political groups in Indiana as well as other national groups when they declined to support the new gender/sexual identity inclusive legislation. A political correspondent since the Bush era, Alex brings a critical viewpoint to what has been an intense debate among various groups and believes that progress is being made in spite of the divisiveness within queer communities. bOUT2 is a spinoff podcast of bloomingOUT, Indiana's only out, loud, and proud radio show, a public affairs program dedicated to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Each week on bOUT2 Helen Harrell and Sean Lemieux deconstruct the week's top queer news and talk with guests you didn't hear in this week's bloomingOUT.

A Monroe County institution will close after nearly four decades as Buddy Bill's Bait Barn sells its last nightcrawler this coming Sunday; city officials are negotiating to buy the rest of the old CSX rail switchyard to create Bloomington "Central Park"; Indiana State Police's Curt Durnil says Thursday's detainment of anti-I-69 activist Philip Shelton was not in his database because it wasn't an ISP action but rather a state task force utilizing ISP resources, as the task force targets Shelton and takes his DNA for alleged connections to Roadblock EarthFirst operatives; Indiana University police nab the perp in what might be their first-ever drive-by punching; the Pastors for Peace humanitarian aid caravan bound for Cuba is in Bloomington right now as local donations are loaded onto a bus for delivery to our sister city.
FEATURE

Indiana Black Expo is in full swing this week in Indianapolis with the 39th annual Summer Celebration, featuring guest speakers, a minority health fair, networking opportunities, and plenty of great music and good food. Chairman of the IBE communications committee Vernon Williams joins us by phone to discuss this year's events. Also in this program: Bloomington's westside Banneker Community Center will host a free block party on Saturday and city recreation program manager Bev Johnson joins us in the studio to invite everyone to come out and enjoy the community spirit of fellowship, the great food provided by a local African-American grill master and fantastic live music. We also feature a clip from last week's Juneteenth special to crown the king and queen of this year's Juneteenth Pageant, celebrating the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. Bring It On!