Articles by Mike Rhodes

Education August 14, 2025

Muncie Community Schools IREAD-3 Results Recognized By IDOE

By Andy Klotz— INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner has recognized Muncie Community Schools (MCS) among a handful of districts around the state for its significant improvement in Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) third grade assessment scores. The recognition came at today’s State Board of Education meeting where it was announced that schools statewide saw an unprecedented increase in third grade literacy proficiency. “Indiana has made extraordinary progress from where we began just a few years ago, when nearly one in five Indiana third graders could not read, to today when literacy rates have increased by nearly five…

Education August 13, 2025

Ball State and Muncie Community Schools Partner to Strengthen Leadership Pipeline

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University’s Teachers College, in collaboration with Ball State Online, has partnered with Muncie Community Schools (MCS) to expand the district’s leadership pipeline by supporting current educators who aspire to become school leaders. Through the new Leadership Pipeline program, eligible MCS employees who enroll in Ball State’s fully online Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision—a 36-credit hour degree—will receive a 50 percent tuition reduction for all 36 credits, representing a savings of approximately $11,000 over the course of the program. The initiative reflects both institutions’ shared commitment to…

Non-Profit August 13, 2025

Muncie Public Library Receives Prestigious NEA ‘Big Read’ Grant for 2025–2026.

MPL to Celebrate Food, Family, and Tradition Through Books, Community, and Culture By Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie Public Library (MPL) is proud to announce it was selected as one of only 65 organizations nationwide to receive a 2025–2026 Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest. The grant, totaling $20,000, will support a year-long series of free programs designed to bring the Muncie community together through a shared reading experience centered on the theme of “Food, Family, and Tradition.” The NEA Big Read fosters meaningful conversations, encourages artistic expression,…

Education August 13, 2025

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun Appoints Aidan Davis as Student Representative on Ball State Board of Trustees

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has appointed Aidan Davis as the new student representative on the Ball State University Board of Trustees. Mr. Davis, whose appointment began July 10, 2025, will serve a two-year term through June 30, 2027. “We are pleased to welcome Aidan Davis as our newest member of the Board of Trustees,” said Rick Hall, chair of the Ball State Board of Trustees. “Aidan is an accomplished student whose leadership, perspective, and passion for serving others will be a valuable addition to our board.” Mr. Davis, a Greenfield, Ind., native,…

Non-Profit August 11, 2025

Indiana Black Expo Muncie Chapter Honors Local Community Leaders

By Conner Tighe— MUNCIE, IN—The Indiana Black Expo Muncie Chapter’s corporate luncheon honored community leaders for their service and advocacy. The 30th annual luncheon, held July 31 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts and was sponsored by Shafer Leadership Academy. The event marked the start of the chapter’s Summer Celebration weekend and included remarks from local leaders. Featured speaker Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns reflected on the individuals who inspired him and highlighting the power of education and community. His message aligned with this year’s luncheon theme: Educate. Empower. Elevate. The luncheon kicked off the chapter’s annual Summer Celebration…

Non-Profit August 11, 2025

Deadline Approaching For 2025 Fisher Governance Award Nominations

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Delaware County nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate a board member for the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award before the deadline on August 15. The award, given by Ball Brothers Foundation, recognizes the important role board members play in strategic planning and financial oversight to achieve their organization’s mission. The award recipient will receive a $10,000 grant for their organization. “Board members often work behind the scenes, but their leadership plays a big role in a nonprofit’s success,” said Jud Fisher, president and CEO of Ball Brothers…

Entertainment August 7, 2025

13th Annual Soup Crawl Returns to Downtown Muncie on October 2nd and Tickets Now Available

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN —Get ready for a delicious way to give back. Tickets for the highly anticipated 13th Annual Soup Crawl are now available at curehunger.org/soupcrawl. Join Second Harvest Food Bank and PrimeTrust Credit Union on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., in downtown Muncie for an evening of delicious soups, community spirit, and vital support for kids and their families facing food insecurity in East Central Indiana. This year, the Soup Crawl is setting its sights on an incredible milestone: reaching a $200,000 cumulative total for the event’s history. Achieving this goal will…

Business August 7, 2025

First Choice for Women Names Maria French as New Executive Director

By Liz Gardner— MUNCIE, IN – Local nonprofit First Choice for Women has announced the hire of Maria French as Executive Director for the organization. As a lifetime East Central Indiana resident, Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Ball State University. The majority of Maria’s career has been concentrated in English education at New Castle High School and Muncie Community Schools, while also holding supervisory and department chair positions. In Maria’s professional experience, she has also held the roles of Communications Director and Business Manager, giving her additional experience with public relations, strategic communications, and business…

Entertainment, Non-Profit August 7, 2025

The Best ‘Fire Up DWNTWN’ Yet – Over 17,000 Strong!

By Amber Greene and Vicki Veach— MUNCIE, IN—This year’s Fire Up DWNTWN event was truly one for the record books. With an unprecedented attendance of over 17,000 people, it stands as the largest and most successful Fire Up celebration to date. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us—from families and friends to visitors and first-time attendees. Your enthusiasm and spirit are what make this event so special each year. We also want to sincerely thank the remarkable partners and sponsors whose generous support and dedication make this event possible. Their commitment to the community is invaluable and…

Health August 6, 2025

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Recognized by AHA for Improving Outcomes of Heart Disease and Stroke

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN— IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is among 4,800 hospitals nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke. Each year, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals across the country for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. These health crises require swift and proven treatment to ensure the best outcomes for patients. The…

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