Ella Abbott

Fort Wayne

Reporter at WBOI-FM

caffeine-free journalist. 😴 @wboi but opinions are mine and my desk plant’s alone.

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Articles

Local immunologist responds to RFK Jr's claim of "leaky" MMR vaccine

1 week ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Governor Mike Braun in Indianapolis Tuesday where Kennedy spoke about measles amid an outbreak in Allen County. Allen County announced an outbreak of six cases of measles last week, with four unvaccinated children and two adults. While in Indianapolis yesterday, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, described the measles vaccine as “leaky.”“People get measles because they don’t vaccinate,” he said.
Fort Wayne City Controller announces retirement

1 week ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Fort Wayne City Controller Garry Morr announced his retirement today/Tuesday, effective May 2, after seven years in the position. In a press release announcing his retirement, city officials said Morr’s leadership helped Fort Wayne prioritize “fiscal responsibility and being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” with hallmarks of his tenure including balanced budgets, record investments in neighborhood infrastructure and overseeing city government finances through a pandemic.
Rural food pantries cope persist amid falling food donations and federal budget cuts

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Cuts to federal funding, inflation and a drop in available goods are affecting food banks around the country. For people who rely on rural food pantries, many of whom live in designated food deserts, continued rising costs can escalate food insecurity. Earlier this month, the USDA announced it would be cutting $1 billion for programs that pay local farmers to provide food to local schools and food pantries.
Five more measles cases confirmed in Allen County

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

The Allen County Health Department has confirmed an additional five cases of measles. The first case was confirmed on Monday. This is the seventh national measles outbreak of 2025, according to CDC guidelines. Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Gutwein said all of the cases are connected and they expect transmission is low.
Cedar Canyon introduces students to district-first therapy dog

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Northwest Allen County School’s Cedar Canyon Elementary introduced a therapy dog to students Tuesday, the first of her kind in a local Allen County school. Birdie Blue is an 11-month-old Australian labradoodle who will begin working at Cedar Canyon three days a week in the next few weeks, helping students both academically and emotionally.
Local filmmaker talks short film ahead of Fort Wayne premiere

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

The short film ‘Dead-End Dreams’ follows two estranged friends who come back together when one of them needs a favor from the other and finally have to address the things that drove them apart in the first place.
Allen County has first reported case of measles in Indiana

2 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

The Allen County Health Department confirmed one local case of measles in an unvaccinated minor on Monday, marking the first case in Indiana this year. The department said the confirmation comes as part of an ongoing investigation in partnership with the Indiana Department of Health, but exposures to the confirmed case are minimal. The patient is stable and recovering. Measles outbreaks have risen in the last several months, with cases in Texas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, California and Alaska.
Allen County unveils new flag, celebrates end of bicentennial

3 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Allen County officials unveiled its new flag at a ceremony celebrating the end of the year-long bicentennial celebration for the county. The new flag was chosen from a pool of nearly 400 designs, narrowed down by a flag committee. It features a deep blue design with a white pall, or sideways y-shape and Allen County’s new seal, which was unveiled in 2022. Emily Almodovar, the public information officer for Allen County council, served as the Allen County Flag committee chair.
Fort Wayne City officials ask for feedback on future of southeast strategy

3 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

Mayor Sharon Tucker and other Fort Wayne city officials invited residents of the southeast side to an open house to update them on progress in the city quadrant and take feedback. The open house, held at the McMillen Park Community Center, included six stations to see how the area has improved on housing, revitalization, economic development, heath and wellness, public spaces and community pride.
City officials honor late Mayor Tom Henry a year after his death

4 weeks ago | wboi.org | Ella Abbott

It’s been a year since the passing of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. City officials invited Henry’s family and staff members at Citizen Square to remember him with a moment of silence Friday. The memorial began with music from Heartland Sings as city officials, Mayor Tom Henry’s family and employees who’d served under him gathered on the first floor of Citizen Square.