{"id":9320,"date":"2024-03-07T10:28:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T10:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bloomingtonnews.online\/?p=9320"},"modified":"2024-03-07T10:45:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T10:45:31","slug":"local-news-headlines-march-7-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomingtonnews.online\/?p=9320","title":{"rendered":"Local News Headlines: March 7, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Attorney General advocates for strong stance against antisemitism <\/strong>
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita expressed his\u00a0strong support\u00a0for an antisemitism measure as passed\u00a0unanimously\u00a0by the Indiana House of Representatives, before\u00a0the proposal\u2019s most meaningful components were\u00a0gutted by an\u00a0Indiana Senate committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original version of this bill, passed unanimously by the House, provided a uniform definition to increase awareness of anti-Jewish discrimination\u00a0and increase predictable enforcement, especially in our schools \u2013 ranging from kindergarten to college.\u00a0The Senate\u00a0removed\u00a0language condemning\u00a0hateful calls for the destruction of Israel\u00a0\u2014 bowing to misguided arguments that\u00a0terms like \u201cFrom the River to the Sea\u201d and \u201cGlobalize the Intifada\u201d are directed at Israel, not specific Jewish\u00a0people\u00a0or organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must do better,\u201d Attorney General Rokita said. \u201cThe only way to fix this is to pass this Senate version, which was made toothless, so the House can make it correct again in conference committee. Anything less than that is a betrayal of Jewish individuals and the whole notion of equal protection under the law.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This bill defines antisemitism and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of religion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new study by the Anti-Defamation League found 73% of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the start of this school year. This, combined with the devastating attacks on Israel on October 7, raised awareness and encouraged the General Assembly to push this bill. Attorney General Rokita has rigorously supported this bill to further shield the people of the Jewish faith.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bloomington Mayor appoints new Fire Department Chief<\/strong>
Bloomington’s Mayor Kerry Thomson named Roger Kerr as the new Chief of the Bloomington Fire Department. Kerr has been serving as interim chief since the start of the Thomson administration on January 1st.\u00a0He was selected for the permanent role based on his successful performance as interim chief and his long history with the department.\u00a0Kerr will officially retire as a career firefighter on March 11 and become the appointed fire chief as a civilian effective March 12th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWithout a doubt, Roger Kerr is the best person to lead the Bloomington Fire Department forward,\u201d said Thomson. \u201cHe has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues. He brings the experience of a career firefighter who has worked his way up the ranks. And, he has the skills and heart of a leader and a public servant.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kerr, who has been with the\u00a0Bloomington Fire Department since 1988,\u00a0previously served as Chief from 2008 to 2014.\u00a0He has also held the rank of Battalion Chief, Captain, Engineer, Ariel Technician, and Firefighter throughout his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bloomington launches Geohub Geospatial Portal
<\/strong>The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department today announced the launch of the new Bloomington Geospatial Hub (GeoHub) at\u00a0https:\/\/geohub.bloomington.in.gov\/<\/a>. The GeoHub is the primary public resource for web maps, dashboards, and applications from the ITS Department\u2019s GIS Division. Utilizing the industry’s best practices in the creation of the site, the GeoHub allows for easier access to GIS content and increases transparency within the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinnce the early 2000s, the City of Bloomington has deployed GIS tools for enterprise use. Over the last few years, the City has updated its GIS platform, allowing for the development of user-centered interactive applications and the creation of the GeoHub. City of Bloomington ITS GIS staff are responsible for the development and maintenance of the City\u2019s central enterprise geodatabase, creating and updating datasets, producing cartographic maps, providing data analysis, and developing web mapping services and applications. The GeoHub showcases City data and applications with a fresh and easy to navigate website.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the launch of the new GeoHub, the GIS team has redesigned the\u00a0Historic Resources and Preservation map<\/a>\u00a0showing Bloomington\u2019s local, state, and national historic resources, as well as the results from the 2018 Historic Sites and Structures Survey.\u00a0 The new Historic Preservation map\u00a0is the first of a new generation of public-facing GIS applications featuring a mobile device friendly, intuitive, and accessible design that is the new standard for all City of Bloomington GIS applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the coming months, residents can expect to see the redesign of the current GIS mapping applications such as Zoning Districts, Council Districts, and the Bicycle Network along with release of new applications. The GIS team plans to create an interactive property map allowing residents to easily view address details such as economic incentives, zoning classifications, and districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where’s my refund?<\/strong>
“Where’s my refund,” is the #1 question from customers. The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) offers\u00a0two ways<\/a>\u00a0to get an answer without waiting to speak with Customer Service.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n