Articles by Mike Rhodes

Emens Auditorium Artist Series Subscription Renewals Are Now Available

By Haley Wade— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie is thrilled to announce that the Emens Auditorium Artist Series Subscription are ready for renewals. Artist Series Subscribers can save with this package deal that allows them to attend 5 select Broadway shows each season. This season is stacked with hits, including these Artist Series picks: The Addams Family – September 23, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Doubtfire – October 30, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. The Tina Turner Musical – November 19, 2025 at 7:30 p.m….

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Changes In Indiana Law Impacting Our Students 

By Tami Silverman, President & CEO of Indiana Youth Institute— INDIANAPOLIS—On July 1, several new education laws took effect across Indiana, bringing changes that will shape the experiences of students, families, educators, and youth-serving professionals. These changes cover everything from math skills and graduation readiness to teacher pay, school safety, and how we support students navigating challenges like absenteeism or career uncertainty. To help us stay informed and prepared to best serve children and youth, below are highlights of the…


Ball State University Honors More Than 1,300 Graduates at Summer Commencement Ceremony

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University celebrated its Class of 2025 on Saturday, conferring more than 1,300 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees during its Summer Commencement ceremony. Held in Worthen Arena on the Ball State campus, the event featured an address by David Taylor Little, associate teaching professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. A 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Creative Endeavor Award, Prof. Little delivered his address, “Buckle Up, Buttercup!”, in which he…


ECI Regional Planning District Releases Draft of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

By ECI Planning District— EAST CENTRAL IN—The ECI Regional Planning District, in partnership with Ball State University and the Purdue Center for Regional Development, has completed a draft of the 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan, which focuses on the region served by the district: Delaware, Grant, Jay, and Blackford counties. As required every five years, this plan outlines the region’s economic priorities and identifies key projects eligible for funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).  The draft…


City of Muncie Parks Board Institutes Rules Changes at Prairie Creek Reservoir

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN — The City of Muncie, in collaboration with Indiana American Water, is announcing a series of changes to the rules and operations at Prairie Creek Reservoir Park. These changes are being implemented to ensure long-term water quality and environmental sustainability of this vital resource, which serves as a source of drinking water for our community. Several decades ago, the City of Muncie expanded the use of certain areas of Prairie Creek Reservoir Park, specifically its…


Minnetrista Opens Newest Exhibit-‘Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend’

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Dive into the icy depths of the Arctic this summer at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens with Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend, a captivating traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The exhibit is located in Gallery 3 of the Center Building and runs through September 28, 2025. With its iconic spiral tusk, the narwhal has captured imaginations for centuries—often called the “unicorn of…


Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Application Now Available

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN— Incoming high school seniors can now apply online for the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship administered by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Applicants must be residents of Delaware County, Ind., and attend an accredited high school in Delaware County. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Muncie and Delaware County awards a student who possesses leadership potential and is well-rounded and community-minded. The scholarship covers tuition and required fees for four years of…


Vera Mae’s Bistro Earns Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for Second Consecutive Year

By Dawn Brand Fluhler— MUNCIE, IN— Vera Mae’s Bistro has once again been honored by Wine Spectator with its prestigious Award of Excellence, marking the second consecutive year the upscale downtown Muncie restaurant has earned national recognition for its exceptional wine program. The 2025 Wine Spectator Awards celebrate restaurants around the globe whose wine lists offer a thoughtful, high-quality selection that complements their menu in both style and price. Vera Mae’s stands out among this year’s 2,150 recipients with a…


Muncie Public Library Debuts New Name for Library Branch as Part of 150th Anniversary Celebration

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor at Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) continued its yearlong celebration of a remarkable 150 years of service recently with an anniversary event held at Connection Corner on Saturday, July 12. Included in the festivities was a surprise unveiling of a new name for the MPL branch located in the Whitely community. The party was attended by more than 250 community members and representatives of local organizations who shared information, distributed free books,…


Photo Gallery: 46th Annual Ironman 70.3 Muncie, 2025

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, Muncie Journal.com— SELMA, IN— Ironman 70.3 Muncie took place over the weekend at Prairie Creek reservoir. The race, once named the Muncie Endurathon, is one of the Midwest’s most popular triathlons, and the oldest 70.3 distance race in the continental US. In 2022, the Muncie race was voted the number one participant experience in all of the US, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada. According to Ken High, Race Director of Ironman 70.3, the event included 1100…