Articles by Mike Rhodes

Lung illustration by Storyblocks.

Health November 18, 2025

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

By Grace Fair, Exercise Physiologist, Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Cancer Rehab, IU Health— MUNCIE, IN—During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to shed light on a disease that continues to take more lives each year than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer does not discriminate—anyone with lungs can get lung cancer—and awareness, education, and early detection are the keys to saving lives. Every two minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with lung cancer. While smoking remains…

Read More
Artificial Intelligence generated image from descriptive prompts written by Mike Rhodes.

Government November 17, 2025

Public is Invited to View Completion of the ‘Judicial Portrait Project’ on November 21

By Emily M. Anderson— MUNCIE, IN—The Delaware County Circuit Courts have completed the Judicial Portrait Project. Each courtroom now features portraits of the sitting judges, celebrating their dedication and service to our community. You are encouraged to attend a reception and open house on Friday, November 21, 2025, beginning at noon. The reception will be held in the Circuit Court 2 courtroom. Courtroom Tours: Noon – 1:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided for attendees. Come see the new portraits and…

Yokota community members stand at parade rest during a Veterans Day ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2025. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I and honoring the peace that followed. Today, it serves as a time to honor all veterans and reflect on the unity, strength and resilience of the nation. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Carissa McSwain.

Veterans November 17, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Jadden

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Yorktown High School senior Jabin Barnes. Photo by Thomas Peek.

Education November 15, 2025

Jabin Barnes—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— YORKTOWN, IN—When it comes to athletics, Yorktown High School senior Jabin Barnes is involved. He’s captain of both his school’s basketball and football teams. Previously he played baseball and was captain of the JV team. But his life is about more than sports. Barnes is…

Photo provided by Ivy Tech.

Education November 14, 2025

Ivy Tech Muncie and Anderson Campuses Announce 2025–2026 Early Childhood Education Model Classrooms

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN — Ivy Tech Community College Muncie and Anderson Campuses proudly announce the early learning programs selected to participate in the Ivy Tech Model Classroom Initiative for the 2025–2026 academic year. Through a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Model Classroom Initiative strengthens Indiana’s early childhood education workforce by connecting Ivy Tech students with high-quality, real-world learning environments. The selected classrooms represent excellence in early learning and a shared commitment to mentoring the next generation…

Indiana National Guard Indiana National Guard Recruiter of the Year, Sgt. Brooke Bailey, poses with fellow recruiters at a career fair, Oct. 11, 2013, at the Muncie Area Career Center, Muncie, Ind. Bailey was the first female recruiter to be named Recruiter of the Year in Indiana. U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Brian Weitzeil.

Veterans November 13, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Levi Mathews

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  

Lone Pine Lodge Family Shelter. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government November 13, 2025

Center Township Trustee’s Office Opens Lone Pine Lodge Family Shelter to Serve Muncie Families in Need

By Kay Walker, Center Township Trustee— MUNCIE, IN — Center Township Trustee Kay Walker announced the official opening of the Lone Pine Lodge Family Shelter, a new community resource designed to provide safe, short-term housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness in the Muncie area. The shelter will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, November 14, at 1214 E. Main St., Muncie, Ind. The Lone Pine Lodge Family Shelter represents years of collaboration among local…

Pictured left to right: The Dunckels, Robin Phelps-Ward, Cassie Dunmyer, the Wrights, and Mark Sawrie. Photo by Joshua Dunckel, Dunckel Haus Photography.

Entertainment November 13, 2025

Muncie Artists Take Bold Step With ‘An Evening at the Murray’ Event on November 21

By  Carrie Wright— MUNCIE, IN—On Friday November 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., the nine professional artists representing six different art studios at the historic Murray Building in downtown Muncie are throwing a unique party, and everyone is invited. For over a year, they’ve been calling themselves “Art at the Murray” which could be considered nothing more than a logo and a Facebook page since they all have different career goals, reasons for needing studio space and typically work…

Graphic provided by Ball State University

Entertainment November 12, 2025

Ball State University Presents B.J. Tindal’s ‘Goodnight, Tyler,’ November 15-16 and 18-22

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present Goodnight, Tyler by playwright B.J. Tindal, with original dramaturgy by Mansi Sahay Seth and direction by Lisa Gaye Dixon. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 18-22 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall (AR 217) of the Fine Arts Building. Tickets can be purchased in person at the College of Fine Arts Box Office…

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), disembark San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), to provide foreign assistance to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 6, 2025. At the direction and request of U.S. Southern Command and Jamaica's government, the 22nd MEU(SOC) supports Joint Task Force-Bravo by providing foreign assistance in the wake of Hurricane Melissa to alleviate suffering and help stabilize affected communities. U.S. Marine Corps photo.

Veterans November 11, 2025

‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Kaleigh Brinkley

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by students from Burris and Muncie Community Schools. We will be publishing one letter each weekday. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.       Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/