Bente Bouthier

Bloomington

Digital Reporter and Producer, Noon Edition at WTIU-TV (Bloomington, IN)

Digital Reporter and Producer, Noon Edition at WFIU-FM (Bloomington, IN)

reporter and producer in Indiana. Work @WFIUWTIUNews. she/her. tips: [email protected]

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Articles

Leaving the halls: A conversation with graduating high school seniors

1 week ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Thousands of graduating high school seniors are getting ready to take their next steps into young adulthood. Most of them were in middle school when a public health emergency was declared because of COVID-19 in Indiana, closing schools, restaurants, and public gatherings. The 2025 cohort saw President Donald Trump elected to office in 2016, when they would have been about 9 years old. Some of them voting age now, saw the nation re-elect him this year.
MCCSC cutting positions after budget stress

2 weeks ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

The Monroe County Community School Corporation’s May personnel report listed at least 60 eliminated positions, with more on the table. Superintendent Markay Winston said the cuts, along with other efforts, put the district on the “right path” to avoid a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. “But to be clear, we are not there yet,” she said during MCCSC’s Tuesday meeting.
Businesses brace for Indiana’s new tobacco tax

3 weeks ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Local businesses and convenience stores are bracing for an increased tax on cigarette and tobacco products in Indiana. Matt Borders, manager of The Briar and the Burley in downtown Bloomington, said the store relies on the sale of tobacco. The store also sells other items. “We sell luggage, leather goods, shaving accessories, writing instruments, all kinds of other things,” Borders said. “But those are not items that you turn every day.
Court date for ICE detainee delayed

3 weeks ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

A court appearance for one of the men detained by ICE agents in south central Indiana between April 29 and May 1 has been pushed back and he has been sent to another jail. Manuel Sente-Tevelan was detained by ICE agents in Monroe County April 30. Sente-Tevelan faces pending charges in Monroe County for driving while intoxicated; he already has a previous conviction in Jackson County for driving under the influence.
Mother, sister of Bloomington man detained by ICE speak out

4 weeks ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier |Ethan Sandweiss

Mahogani Rosales and Ahlai Carballo can see Aharon Rosales, but he can’t see them. In a video call from the Hopkins County Jail, Aharon’s face appears in a small window as he talked to his mom and sister Monday evening. Since he was detained by ICE agents last Wednesday in Bloomington, his mom, Mahogani, and sister, Carballo, have anxiously awaited these calls. He’s been at the Kentucky ICE detention facility for more than a week. They have no way of reaching him unless he calls.
WFHB could lose 25 percent of its funding from Trump administration cuts

1 month ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Bloomington’s community radio station — WFHB — stands to lose about 25 percent of its funding if the Trump administration’s plan to rescind $1.1 billion to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting passes in Congress. House leaders are reportedly preparing to vote on Trump’s budget bill as soon as next week. WFHB receives support from CPB’s Community Service Grant. The exact grant amount is determined by how much community support the station receives.
Bloomington Exodus office closed since Tuesday because of ICE reports

1 month ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Bloomington Exodus’s office has been closed since Tuesday because of reported ICE presence in Bloomington. The nonprofit’s Bloomington location opened in 2022. Since then, it’s helped resettle about 500 people with humanitarian immigrant status. Erin Aquino, Bloomington Exodus’s resettlement director, said it is still providing services. Exodus works with refugees and parolees in the United States on temporary protected status – which are both legal.
IUPD respond to 36 reports of criminal activity over Little 500 weekend- one less than last year

1 month ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Indiana University’s annual Little 500 bike race took place on Friday and Saturday. Friday was the women’s 37th race. Women’s teams race 25 miles around a quarter-mile track. The men’s 74th race was Saturday. Men’s teams race 50 miles. The race brings approximately 25,000 people to town, according to Visit Bloomington’s website. Hannah M.
City cracks down on Pendragon Properties, affecting sober living business Malibu House

1 month ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

The city of Bloomington is revoking occupancy permits for 11 properties owned and run by Jeff Jones of Pendragon Properties, a rental company in Bloomington. A letter to Jones from the city said occupancy permits at all of his other Bloomington properties will not be renewed after the current cycle. Jones owns about 34 properties in Bloomington, a city spokesperson said. Occupancy permits with the city have a cycle of three to five years.
Indiana religious experts reflect on legacy of Pope Francis

1 month ago | indianapublicmedia.org | Bente Bouthier

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church since 2013, died Monday morning. The Pope serves as the head of the Catholic Church. The Pew Research Center estimates that about 20 percent of the United States Christian population is Catholic — about 53 million adults. Of the 65 percent of Indiana residents who identify as Christian, 16 percent are Catholic.