Government

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin— MUNCIE, IN—Homelessness is often viewed as a problem belonging to larger cities-something distant from our neighborhoods and daily lives. But the truth is far closer to home. Across Delaware County and throughout Central Indiana, individuals and families are experiencing housing instability at alarming rates due to job loss, domestic violence, mental health challenges, medical crises, rising rents, and the growing inability to afford safe, stable housing. This crisis becomes even more urgent as Indiana prepares to implement a new law on July 1st prohibiting unauthorized camping or sleeping on public property. While the legislation is intended…

By Amber Green– MUNCIE, IN — Pursuant to Indiana Code 36-4-5-8, the City of Muncie announces the temporary designation of Deputy Mayor Jeff Howe as Acting Executive during Mayor Dan Ridenour’s upcoming medical leave. As previously announced, Mayor Ridenour will be out of the office for surgery to treat recently discovered prostate cancer. Earlier this morning, Jeff Howe was formally appointed Deputy Mayor. In accordance with Indiana law, the temporary designation of Acting Executive will take effect at 12:00 a.m. on June 1, 2026, and will remain in place for fifteen days. Mr. Howe will continue to serve in his…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Rumors are circulating that you have to have a driver’s license with a star on it to vote or that you have to prove your citizenship with a birth certificate that matches your driver’s license. That is false. You can still use your driver’s license – with or without a star in the upper righthand corner – or other government-issued photo ID, detailed below, to vote. The only change this year is that students at state universities can no longer use their students IDs for identification to vote. If you do not have a current Indiana…

By  Chad Kinsella, Ph.D., MA, MPA— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University is partnering with the League of Women Voters to survey Delaware County primary voters to find how they feel about the newly deployed voter centers.  Since 2006, Indiana counties have had the option to adopt vote centers.  In 2025, Delaware County’s Board of Elections approved the use of vote centers, joining a majority of other Hoosier counties that also deploy them.  Since this will be the first time vote centers have been used in Delaware County, several organizations decided to collaborate to do a survey of voters in…

By Sydney Kokinis, Press Secretary— INDIANAPOLIS — Bibi Bahrami, Founder and President of AWAKEN (Afghan Women’s and Kids’ Education and Necessities), has been named a Distinguished Hoosier by Gov. Mike Braun. The award was presented by State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) at AWAKEN’s annual fundraising dinner in Muncie. The Distinguished Hoosier award – one of the highest honors that an Indiana citizen may receive – is given to “those who distinguish themselves by significant contributions to their communities, and whose qualities and actions endear them in the hearts and minds of Hoosiers.” Widely recognized as one of Muncie’s greatest humanitarians,…

By Gabriel B. Tait Ph.D.— MUNCIE, IN—Students of Ball State University’s JOUR302, or the People and Cultures in the Media, course announce they will be partnering with non-profit organization Forward Visions to host a non-partisan candidate forum. This forum is focused on familiarizing Delaware County and Muncie residents with the candidates for the upcoming election. We are excited and honored to showcase these candidates and get Delaware County and Muncie residents to participate in the upcoming elections. Forward Visions’ Project 50 organized the forum as part of its ongoing mission to increase civic engagement and create space for informed community…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Candidates running in the May primaries for Indiana House and Senate seats, the Indiana secretary of state position and the 5th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives have been invited to Muncie to participate in respective public forums. Muncie Resists is the sponsor of the public forums and has provided this public service since 2016. “In 2024, only 18.32% of Delaware County voters participated in the May primary elections,” said Sarah Vitale, chairwoman of Muncie Resists. “As a result, fewer than 1 in 5 local voters decided who would be on the November ballot….

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN — On Thursday, March 5th, Mayor Dan Ridenour and County Commissioner Stephen Brand jointly delivered a State of the Community presentation outlining recent accomplishments, ongoing partnerships, and a shared vision focused on growth, public safety, infrastructure investment, and responsible governance. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration between the city and county governments in delivering efficient services and advancing initiatives that benefit residents throughout the community. The Mayor and Commissioner highlighted continued cooperation on key projects, including public safety services, planning and development efforts, infrastructure improvements, and community investments. Joint initiatives have strengthened coordination across…