Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Education August 28, 2025

Ball State University Wins Cartwright Award for First Time in History

By Ball State Athletics— CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today the presentation of the Dr. Carol A. Cartwright Award to Ball State University for its program excellence in academics, athletics, and citizenship during the 2024-25 school year. This marks the first time in program history that the Cardinals have earned this prestigious honor. “The Cartwright Award recognizes the overall excellence of a member institution’s athletics department,” said Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. “It provides us with…

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Alacia Johnson, Club Kid of the Year for 2017, delivers a speech on what the Club means to her during a past Great Futures event.

Non-Profit August 28, 2025

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Announces Tickets on Sale for 2025 Great Futures Dinner

By Dominic Bordenaro, Director of Operations & Programs— MUNCIE, IN — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is proud to announce that tickets are now available for its annual Great Futures Dinner, a signature fundraising event that celebrates the achievements of local Club kids and raises critical support for programs that shape bright futures. Tickets are just $30 each, but their impact is priceless. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie estimates the true cost of serving one child for…

The Innovation Connector is located at 1208 W. White River Blvd in Muncie.

Business August 27, 2025

Bridging the Gap: How Muncie’s New Mentorship Hub Will Transform Entrepreneurial Success

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—In the world of entrepreneurship, the challenges are constant: managing cash flow, building customer relationships, hiring the right people, and adapting to market changes. For business owners in Muncie and the surrounding region, these pressures are compounded by a persistent challenge. Too many entrepreneurs are facing them alone. While Muncie has a rich base of talented and experienced business leaders, many new and growing entrepreneurs don’t have easy access to…

Chad Kinsella, executive director of the Voting System Technical Oversight Program. Photo provided.

Government August 26, 2025

League of Women Voters to Sponsor Public Meeting on Vote Centers on August 28

By Sheryl Swingley—  MUNCIE, IN—The public is invited to attend the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County’s meeting about vote centers for Delaware County at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, in the auditorium of Muncie Central High School. The current precinct polling system Delaware County uses requires citizens to vote at a specific location on Election Day. Vote centers allow voters to cast a ballot at any county location of their choice on Election Day. Early voting, which is…

Photo courtesy of JennyDevoe.com

Entertainment August 26, 2025

Muncie Three Trails to Present Jennie Devoe in Concert on August 30

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Acclaimed Indiana artist Jennie Devoe will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2025 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Cory Hill will open the show. This show is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Jennie DeVoe, an Indiana native and Ball State…

Little Red Door's new location, 413 S. Tillotson Ave, Unit 3. Photo provided.

Health August 25, 2025

Little Red Door Cancer Agency Expands Muncie Office to Serve More Cancer Patients and Families

By Brenda Ewigleben— MUNCIE, IN— Little Red Door Cancer Agency is proud to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new, expanded Muncie office, marking a significant step forward in providing more services and support to cancer patients, survivors, and their families in East Central Indiana. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:30 p.m. at the new location, 413 S. Tillotson Ave, Unit 3, in partnership with the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of…

Business, Education August 25, 2025

Ball State University and Woof Boom Radio Expand Listening Opportunities

Ball State Football Returns to WLBC Radio; Cardinals & Woof Boom Lineup to Include Weekly Podcast By Ball State Athletics— MUNCIE, IN—Renewing and expanding a broadcast relationship that spans decades in East Central Indiana, Ball State Athletics and Peak Sports Management have announced a new, three-year agreement with Woof Boom Radio that will keep Cardinals sports broadcasts on WLBC and WMUN Radio. The biggest and most immediate impact is the return of Ball State football games to WLBC Radio (104.1 HD1),…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $215,264 in Community Grants to 18 community organizations during the third quarter of 2025. Little Red Door Cancer Agency received $10,000 to support the cost of nutritional supplements for low-income, underserved, and unserved cancer patients in Delaware County. Pictured below, workers unbox nutritional supplements to provide local cancer patients. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 21, 2025

Community Grants Totaling $215K Awarded By The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County

By Kallie Sulanke, Chief Community Partner for Outreach and Donor Relations, The Community Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $215,264 in Community Grants this week. Community Grants provide nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County with the opportunity to apply for funding to support their work. Grants are awarded to address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit…

Charlie Cardinal is pictured holding an example of an acceptable clear bag that can be used during ticketed events. Photo by BallStateSports.com

Education August 21, 2025

Ball State Athletics to Implement ‘Clear Bag Policy’ at All Ticketed Sporting Events

By Ball State Sports— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State Athletics has initiated a new “clear bag” policy at its ticketed athletic events (plus baseball and softball games), starting with the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. The new policy was put in place to enhance existing security and public safety measures at Scheumann Stadium, Worthen Arena, Shebek Stadium and the Ball State Softball Stadium. Now a standard at many college and most pro sports facilities, the policy is designed to regulate the size and…

Muncie Central Senior Selah Derby is pictured in front of the world famous New York Times news organization. Photo provided.

Education August 20, 2025

Muncie Central Senior Selah Derby Attends Prestigious Summer Journalism Program

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Central High School senior Selah Derby was one of 38 students nationwide to attend the Princeton University] Summer Journalism Program. The workshop, which was an all-expense paid experience to Princeton, started online on July 1. The students selected for the journalism program had two to three Zoom lectures for three weeks prior to the start of the in-person workshop on campus in Princeton, New Jersey. The online sessions Included reading and reporting assignments. Two of…