When buying clothes, it is not uncommon to first be drawn to the color of a garment above everything else. Upon checking the price tag, one may levy the opportunity cost of buying the garment before ultimately deciding to either hang it back on the rack or toss it in their cart.

This common product-consumer interaction inside retail stores suggests many American shoppers may not consider the broader costs of their clothing beyond its purchase price. However, research indicates that the environmental and health impacts of synthetic fabrics and dyes extend far beyond their financial cost.

In August 2023, research from Ocean Generation, a nonprofit organization that "aims to improve ocean literacy," according to its website, found that "synthetic fibers make up almost 60% of annual fiber consumption." Thus, according to the organization, "our clothes are around 60% plastic… Just washing them can pollute the ocean."

Those percentages are understood to be a byproduct of a practice known as "fast fashion," which has gained traction across the U.S. over the last quarter-century with the advent of online shopping in the mid-1990s, according to Ocean Generation.

Sophia Dentino, a third-year media production student at Ball State, defined fast fashion as "the mass production of cheaply made clothing and garments that are usually based on trends."

Dentino, a self-described "fashionista" since childhood, takes a special interest in fashion and textiles, which has translated into her work in the textiles department at Goodwill in Anderson, Indiana, since October 2025.

"It all goes back to the money," she said.

This article was written for Cardinal Media by a student in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication in a classroom environment with a faculty advisor. It was not produced by independent student media.

"The river serves as a power source, helps cool industrial equipment at factories, and was a way to dispose of industrial waste and sewage, which made the river ugly and smelly at times," said James J. Connolly, the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of History and director of the Center for Middletown Studies at Ball State University. When Connolly moved to Muncie in 1996, the river's condition was a vivid reality. "The river was dirty with visible pollution that was sometimes red, green or yellow. It was filled with trash - appliances, tires and paper. It was not a river you wanted to spend much time around."

As some enjoy the river today, others are walking along the bank, carrying trash bags in their gloved hands and continuing their efforts to care for the river. According to the Muncie Bureau of Water Quality, the White River is serving as a primary source of drinking water for over 70,000 residents in Muncie and its surrounding areas. This makes river cleanliness not only a gathering area for residents but also a matter of public health.

Since 2006, a cleanup effort led by Muncie-Delaware Clean & Beautiful and the Muncie Sanitary District has gathered over 5,000 volunteers and removed 150,000 pounds of trash and 1,000 tires from the water. The cleanup has become one of the largest volunteer efforts to cover the miles of riverbank. The volunteers collect everything from plastic bottles to metals.

According to a 2024 study by Silva published in the journal "Environmental Science and Pollution Research," urban waterways are highly vulnerable to pollution from human activities and require ongoing hands-on management to maintain their health.

In Muncie, the change began when residents were ready to care for their environment and see a visible change. In 2006, Toni Cecil organized the first White River Cleanup at Morrow's Meadow in Yorktown. What started as one location quickly expanded to the east side of Muncie to the West county line.

"My mom, Toni Cecil, started the White River Clean up in 2006," said Lacy Muellenberg, Cecil's daughter. "She organized the cleanup until 2020, where she organized her last before retiring, and shortly before her retirement, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness."

The residents' time cleaning up is more than just removing trash from the water; it also helps make new mindsets for many to continue to put in the effort for their community. According to a 2024 study by Wang published in the journal "BMC Public Health," collaboration among the environment, organizations and local communities is a key factor in solving ecological challenges. This journal shows that when citizens come together and are actively involved in their environment, they tend to have a much stronger impact on how it is maintained.

For many volunteers, the clean-up is something to look forward to each year. For volunteers like Callie Tuma, the group makes the cleanup enjoyable; some of the things she has found along the bank are very eye-opening. In her most recent cleanup, she found pillows and a blanket that were tucked away near the riverbank.

"This really made me feel upset because this showed that someone was sleeping near the water," Tuma said. "This was one of the first times I saw how bad the homeless population was in Muncie and how they use the river to drink and eat."

Although the community is impacted by many challenges, the sliver of hope that is given to many residents as they once remember what the river used to look like does not go unrecognized. For some like Tuma, she passes the river everyday on her way to work, and as she looks at the river, she has a sense of pride that she was able to help contribute to the progress.

Tuma also suggested keeping the river clean-up going to really engage the younger generation as they start to be able to help pick up along the banks. "I think making it a huge group activity or even a few of your close friends that get together would make it more enjoyable," Tuma said.

In Delaware County, the river is no longer a dumping ground for industrial factories and for everyday residents to dump objects like tires. Instead, it is now a place that many view as an area where they can gather and enjoy doing work where they know they are making a difference. As the annual White River cleanup continues, it will remain a place of hope for many and protect the legacy for the next generation of Delaware County Residents.

This article was written for Cardinal Media by a student in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication in a classroom environment with a faculty advisor. It was not produced by independent student media.

Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, pressed Arnold on the topic at a State Budget Committee meeting, saying the committee and the public needed to understand the effect of the program.

Committee chair Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, asked if the agency is just now approaching the "break-even point" for the deal because of upfront costs. The budget committee OK'dnearly $15.8 million last yearfor a number of infrastructure enhancements to the facility ahead of the immigration detention agreement.

Arnold said the facility, which deployed a previously unused wing of the prison for the detentions, would've incurred many of the expenses regardless of the immigrant detainees.

"I look at it, we're already in the black," Arnold said.

He later added he expects the number of immigration detainees, currently over 600, to continue to increase, also upping the IDOC's profits. The state receives about $291 from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement per bed per day.

The department has been receiving its monthly federal payments after about 100 days, Arnold said. The last payment the IDOC received was for February, and the March funds are expected early next month.

Debate over electrical grid analysis grant

Some legislators also knocked a federal grant that seeks to give utilities guidance on providing service to large load customers such as data centers.

The $4 million would fund a one-year study to assess how to "minimize electric grid infrastructure costs associated with adding high electric demand customers to our grid," said Luke Wilson, chief policy officer for the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

The study will analyze the electricity usage of transmission parts manufacturer Raybestos Powertrain, multiple data centers and "an unnamed hyperscaler," Wilson said, with the money itself going to the office's technical partners, including Duke Energy.

Some lawmakers voiced concern, however, arguing the grant would advance the interests of data centers and the utility rather than consumers.

Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, connected the grant to an influx of data center construction and utility rate increases, including theIURC's Wednesday approvalof a $71 million hike for AES Indiana customers.

"I am so over this whole thing of us subsidizing multi-trillion-dollar companies in the state of Indiana," Qaddoura said.

The budget committee approved the grant when it adopted its agenda.

After a long nearly three year wait, Olivia Rodrigo finally releases her third studio album. There was a lot different about this project compared to her previous: ditching the four-letter title gimmick and the color purple that is synonymous with her brand, instead going for a bright pink and sky blue look. The end result is you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, an ambitious, perfectly produced masterpiece of a record. This is a beautiful album that delves into the highs and lows of dating, and an album that's goal is to tell a cohesive beginning to end story with its tracks.

Girl so in Love to Seeming Pretty Sad

The album is split into two distinct halves: the "girl so in love" side and the "you seem pretty sad" side. Rodrigo wrote a love song for GUTS (Spilled) called "so american," an energetic love anthem to her then partner Louis Partridge. The album details the rise and fall of this relationship. "drop dead" opens the album on the wonderful feeling of yearning and fantasizing about someone you love. It is an amazing opening track. The song leaves you with so many warm feelings and a sense of joy and pure happiness. "stupid song" slows it down a touch but keeps the same idea of yearning, this time to a slightly more unhealthy degree. The next three songs detail the highs of the relationship and how doing anything with your partner makes life so much better. In "maggots for brains," Rodrigo details how she can't even live without him and "u + me = <3" is the dumb fun being with your partner is. But my favorite track in this section and in the whole record is by far "honeybee." The slow, beautiful piano compliments Rodrigo's vocal performance perfectly. The gentle lyrics are extremely powerful. The nickname "honeybee" is an extremely sweet name to title the track off of. Lines like, "God, I love the way you look at me," and, "but even when I'm quiet, I love you, baby, I promise," get me very emotional, especially as a chronic over-thinker. Olivia Rodrigo is one of the best writers in the music industry and her ballads have always been her best songs lyrically. "my way" is the most unique track off the album. The song details a girl who is trying to force herself into their relationship and create all this petty drama. The song is essentially an alternative take of Paramore's "Misery Business." Both are about "winning" their partner's love and the other girl lost out. It is by far the most different song on the record but it is fantastic.

"purple" is where we see a slight shift in the album. If I had to criticize the album for anything, the first minute of the track is just okay. Not even bad, but just okay. But once the first chorus starts and the tempo picks up, the track comes to life. It is also a clever shift between the two halves: with red for love and blue for sadness making purple. While being a love song and having sweet lines about her partner, there's lines in there that show the cracks in the foundation. "And we fight over who I'm hanging out with," and, "I had big dreams 'til I tied myself to you," reveal that the perfect relationship portrayed in the first half may not be all that perfect. The ending line of, "melt with you 'til I just feel sad," is a bleak way to transition to the "you seem pretty sad" section of the album.

"the cure" kicks off the second half. These first few tracks feature the rough, self-destructive, and dreadful parts of the relationship. "the cure" is about thinking love will solve all your issues when it sadly won't. Asking yourself, "why can't it ever be enough," when the issues are not ones that can be fixed simply by dating. "begged" talks about the dissatisfaction and pain that a relationship can cause when one person is constantly begging the other person to be better and do the bare minimum. From the "you seem pretty sad" side, "begged" is my favorite as it is the most powerful to me. "what's wrong with me" is the first time Olivia has featured another artist in her song, with Robert Smith of The Cure. Thankfully, unlike David Byrne's cover of "drivers license," Robert Smith sounds really good and fits in naturally. I love the realization that she feels this bad about herself because of her partner. It's simple, but it is effective. Rounding out the album, we have the post breakup songs. "less" is when the relationship is coming to an end. Despite being a weaker track, it is still a beautiful and heartbreaking song. "expectations" is one last fun energetic song before the album ends. She is free, she can go out and party, but this time she isn't falling for anyone with slightly good looks. She has bigger expectations and values herself more now. But when the party is over, "cigarette smoke" is the vibe that fills the room. Beers in the fridge, a second car not in the driveway, and someone missing from bed. It is hard. It is lonely. But as Rodrigo puts it, "it's better than begging for you to stand up for me." The line that shook me the most is the direct callout of "honeybee." It truly made this album a full story and a beautifully tragic one at that. And in the end, the memories go dark and the "honeybee" is nothing but a distant memory. It is tragic, but at the same time beautiful.

A Production to Fall in Love With

The songs and the lyrics on the album are fantastic. Olivia Rodrigo's music truly grew with her as this is the first album she has produced where she sounds adult and not like a teenager. What helps this grow up in lyrics is a growth in instrumentals. While it is a little sad that Rodrigo moved away from the rock sound that made SOUR and especially GUTS instant classics, her new soft rock and bubblegum pop approach sound fantastic. Seeing Rodrigo branch out of her normal genres of rock and ballads was an idea that worked perfectly in her favor. Even when the album does go back to her roots, they sound more full than ever before. "honeybee" has an intense choir of singers backing her up towards the end. "stupid song" builds and builds until she lets loose on the bridge. "my way" and "expectations" have a super funky techno sound to it. Olivia Rodrigo's producer Dan Nigro did an excellent job of making every track sound perfect while allowing each song to keep its own identity. It all sounds cohesive even when the album radically changes sound and tone.

You Seem Pretty Perfect

I can not praise you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love enough. The album will go down as a modern classic and as Olivia Rodrigo's best album to date. Whereas SOUR showcases the raw emotion of a heartbroken teenage girl and GUTS showcase Rodrigo's ability to be fun and a killer rockstar, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love showcases Rodrigo's best strengths: her storytelling and her musical skills. This album is one of the greatest works of art I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and is an album you can and will fall in love with, whether or not you are seeming pretty sad going into it.

Photos: Spotify, LastFM

Contact Mason Mundy with comments at mason.mundy@bsu.edu or on Instagram @masonmundy1029.

The event, which will take place on the National Mall from June 25th to July 10th, is meant to evoke a modern-day world's fair-type celebration. It will showcase unique features and exhibits from states and territories across the country.

This week, the Indiana State Fair Commission unveiled what Indiana plans to display as part of the event.

Five mini-golf courses that highlight various aspects of Indiana culture will showcase the state to a national audience. The mini-golf courses display the Indy 500, the Indiana State Fair, the Pacers and the state's agricultural businesses.

Executive Director of the Indiana State Fair Commission, Ray Allison, says the idea was to bring a piece of Indiana's state fair tradition to the nation's capital.

"This mini golf course was inspired by the FFA golf course at the state fair, so we're tying in our state fair to what we're doing in DC," Allison said.

Indiana's state fair dates back to 1852 and is the sixth-oldest state fair in the country, according to Allison.

At least seven states have declined to participate in the event. Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have all decided not to participate for varying reasons.

Gov. Mike Braun said during Monday's event that he was proud that Indiana is participating and showing off the state's entrepreneurial spirit and strong economy.

"Our state is one we ought to be proud of, because it's actually, if you've been paying attention, got probably the best fiscal future it's ever had," Braun said.

The fair is being organized by Freedom 250, a public-private group working with the White House to organize the country's 250th celebration.

The celebration has drawn criticismover concerns that the event is no longer a "bi-partisan" celebration due to Trump's increased involvement.

This article is republished as part of a collaborative content-sharing agreement between Ball State Unified Media andIndiana Public Radio, established to expand access to high-quality journalism and to better inform and serve the public through trusted, in-depth reporting.

"Following an investigation into alleged health and safety violations, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, in conjunction with Ball State University, decided to suspend the chapter," a statement from the fraternity's national organization said. "This decision reflects our commitment to a collaborative relationship with university partners and the expectation that our members maintain the highest possible safety standard."

Senior Director of Communications of SAE's national organization, Holly Drzyzga, said the chapter will be eligible to return no earlier than August 1, 2030.

The national organization added that it is "committed to upholding the highest standard of accountability."

Ball State University confirmed June 17 that the national headquarters of SAE has closed the Indiana Zeta chapter.

"The national headquarters of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity has closed the operation of the Indiana Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Ball State University," said Associate Vice President of University Communications and Digital Strategy Greg Fallon.

Fallon said the national organization notified members of the chapter's status and that the university has shared resources with students who had signed leases to live in the SAE house during the upcoming academic year.

Boards were covering multiple first-floor doors and windows at the SAE house as of June 18. It is unclear whether the boarding is connected to the chapter's closure by the national fraternity or Ball State's withdrawal of recognition.

Ball State policy requires fraternities and sororities to maintain recognition and good standing with their national organizations.

Fallon said the university withdrew recognition of the chapter effective June 16.

The closure of SAE marks one of the most significant fraternity disciplinary actions at Ball State in recent years and involves one of the university's oldest fraternity chapters.

In 2017, all fraternities on campus suspended social events through January 2018 after university officials cited ongoing concerns involving alcohol misuse, hazing, bystander intervention and sexual assault prevention, according to WRTV. The pause was accompanied by mandatory educational programming and was described by university leaders as an effort to address cultural issues within Greek life.

Related: Students speak out after IFC fraternities are put on 'pause'

The university also saw an individual fraternity lose its campus presence in 2018 when Theta Chi's national organization revoked the chapter's charter and shut down operations. At the time, university and fraternity officials provided limited details regarding the decision. The chapter was removed from campus and has not been active since 2018.

Related: Theta Chi fraternity chapter shut down at Ball State

According to SAE's website, they have 209 chapters across the United States.

At Ball State University, the fraternity's Indiana Zeta chapter was established on Oct. 28, 1967, becoming part of the university's Greek community.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Contact Ball State Daily News Editor-in-Chief, Cameron Noe, ateditor@bsudailynews.com.

NewsLink Indiana weather forecasters have been tracking the system throughout the day, warning that residents should be prepared as storms intensify across the state.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed western and central Indiana under a Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) for severe weather, while Delaware County and much of the rest of the state remain under an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5), indicating the potential for widespread severe storms.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for Muncie and surrounding areas until 4 a.m. Thursday, June 18, with forecasters warning that heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, creeks and roadways. The NWS said some areas could receive between 1 and 2 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible in stronger storms.

At the same time, Delaware County is under a Tornado Watch until 1 a.m. on Thursday, June 18. ATornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornado development. While a watch does not mean a tornado has been spotted, it signals that residents should be prepared to act quickly if a warning is issued.

Strong wind gusts of up to 45 mph had already been reported across Indiana Wednesday afternoon ahead of the storm system, with forecasters warning that even stronger winds are possible as the storms move east.

Delaware County emergency officials have previously said outdoor warning sirens are intended to alert people who are outside and should not be relied upon as the sole source of emergency information.

The Delaware County Emergency Management Agency took to social media Wednesday to remind residents to prepare for the overnight storms by:

• Ensuring Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on their phones
• Keeping phones charged and nearby
• Having a NOAA Weather Radio with fresh batteries
• Knowing where to take shelter if a warning is issued

The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook also warned of the potential for damaging wind gusts exceeding 40 mph, frequent lightning and isolated tornadoes through the evening.

Forecasters said storms are expected to move through Muncie overnight before conditions improve Thursday morning.

The alerts come less than a week after severe weather caused widespread damage and power outages across East Central Indiana, leaving thousands without electricity and prompting storm surveys by the National Weather Service.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program. For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program, please click HERE

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the western and central parts of Indiana in a Moderate risk (threat level 4/5), while Delaware County and much of the rest of the state are under an Enhanced risk (threat level 3/5).

Strong wind gusts up to 45 mph have already been blowing through the state as these storms move in, and stronger winds are yet to come. Make sure you have a way to receive warnings and follow the NLI Weather Facebook page for more information.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @NLIWeather for breaking weather updates.

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program. For more information about the Weather-Ready Nation program, please click HERE

This week, meet Tavoris Chapman, a junior media production major from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Chapman's interest in video editing grew out of work on his YouTube channel and was further developed in high school.

"I really fell in love with video editing because of the hundreds of meme sound clips that I have to go along with my commentary," Chapman said. "I also happened to take a couple of media classes back in high school. I remember making a couple of short films with a group, as well as doing videography projects for local companies when I was attending AMP Lab at Electric Works my senior year."

His high school, South Side, also shaped how he thinks about where he came from.

"South Side shaped me into believing that where you come from does not define you because we have a deep history and many successful alumni that walked those halls before me," Chapman said. "And having that mindset was one of the biggest reasons I chose Ball State because there is a huge history, community, and our alumni, especially in the media industry, run deep."

At Ball State, Chapman has had opportunities to build his portfolio, including a recent recognition from the Indiana Broadcasters Association.

"My favorite opportunity was very recently, actually, getting rewarded and honored by the Indiana Broadcasters Association as one of ten students who are receiving the $5,000 scholarship for the 2026-2027 School Year," Chapman said. "It was a surreal feeling driving down to Indy to the Colts Practice Facility to be celebrated by the department of media, my friends, peers, and family, as well as veterans who had been working in the industry for a long time."

Chapman says the chance to work on live sports coverage has been a highlight of his major.

"The coolest part of my major is getting to work on the games," Chapman said. "Whether I'm doing a videography project or doing live ESPN+ broadcasts with ChirpVision, it is always a fun experience every single time."

At Cardinal Media, we believe everyone at Ball State has a story worth telling. Cardinal Spotlight is our way of getting to know students beyond the surface - what they're up to, what matters to them, and what makes them who they are. Ordinary college life is more interesting than it gets credit for, and we want to hear about it.

When Senator Todd Young recently sat down with our members at the Ivy Tech Fisher Building, he laid out two possible futures for the country. In one, the rise of artificial intelligence leaves us disoriented and struggling to keep up, culturally, socially, economically, and militarily. In the other, we meet the moment and open the door to a second American century. What stuck with me wasn't the caution, but rather that he treated the outcome as a decision for the country and for communities like ours in Delaware County to make.

If the outcome is ours to decide, the place to start is knowing where our strength actually lives. Big wins matter, but as we've seen in Delaware County, what sets us apart is the one- and two-person shops that grow into something larger and choose to stay. Their owners live here, hire here, and reinvest here - and when the economy struggles, they're the ones who stay and figure it out, because Delaware County is home.

Those roots are what carry a community like ours through change, whether that change is AI or a challenge we haven't yet identified. The danger isn't the change itself, but rather the assumption that we'll adapt later, once the bigger places have sorted it out.

Waiting for later is exactly how communities get left behind. The places that thrive in the next decade will be the ones that chose early to lean in, train, and build, while everyone else was still deciding what to believe.

That is why, in Delaware County, we should stop treating the future as a storm that will pass and start treating it as a plan we write. For our part, the Chamber will keep bringing the people and conversations that matter to the members who need them, and building the connections that keep a good business growing. We'll push for the workforce development and training that lets a small Delaware County company compete with anyone, and we'll keep backing the people willing to start something here and stay. We're asking our members to lean in now, to experiment, to ask hard questions, and to claim their seat at the table.

Young said he didn't believe America could lose this century unless we played our hand badly, and the same is true for Delaware County. We hold a far better hand than we tend to give ourselves credit. I'm reminded each day of what we're working with: a tradition of building, a well-trained workforce that knows how to do difficult things, and a business community that keeps showing up for the betterment of our community.

Let's play it like we intend to win.

Juneteenth Muncie will host its 7th annual Juneteenth celebration at McCulloch Park from 1-7 p.m. June 20.

Co-chair Doria Watson said this year's event is shaping up to be unlike any before it.

"There is something for absolutely everyone," Watson said.

The free, family-friendly event is organized by a group of volunteers operating under the Indiana Black Expo, Inc., Muncie Chapter, with co-chairs Watson and Anitra Davis. The group's mission is built around the "three E's:" engage, educate and empower.

The celebration was revitalized in 2020. Davis, who at the time served on the Muncie City Council, called together friends with roughly two weeks to spare.

With their own money, their own grills, and free hot dogs, chips, and water, the committee pulled together an event that drew approximately 300 people. There was spoken word, live music, photographers, mental health counselors and community organizations handing out books.

The two women, longtime acquaintances from childhood, haven't looked back since.

"A few days after we had the Juneteenth celebration, [Davis] said, 'How about doing this again next year?'" Watson said. "And I said, 'I think I can do it,' and she said, 'But if I do it, you have to be my partner.'"

This year's event takes a meaningful turn, paying homage to the earliest Juneteenth celebrations of 1866, which centered on prayer, gospel music, communal meals, and gratitude. The committee is introducing a gospel hour they're calling "celebration and praise."

"So many of those original, early celebrations were all about thanking God and prayer services and eating food and gathering and just singing gospel music," Watson said. "....We are going to celebrate in praise intentionally."

Also new this year: a mental health matters conversation hosted from the main stage. Mental health counselors have attended every Juneteenth Muncie celebration, but Watson said this year they wanted to make that support more visible.

"We just don't want people to have to carry that around without knowing that we care, and we want to help support in any way that we can," she said

Beyond the new additions, the opening ceremony kicks off at 1 p.m., with stage performances beginning at 2 p.m. Attendees can expect a DJ, live talent, awards, line dancing, and a wellness village with community organizations offering free resources.

There will also be a wrestling championship, a basketball tournament, a cornhole tournament, a chess tournament, and a UNO tournament, plus a kids' train, a game truck, inflatables, and more.

And of course, there's food. Free hamburgers and beef hot dogs will be available.

Beyond the annual celebration, Juneteenth Muncie also runs the Representation Matters Youth Initiative, a multi-phase program focused on helping young people in Delaware County see themselves and their futures clearly. Watson is emphatic that the celebration is for everyone in the Muncie community not just those who look like her.

"We don't just need allies, we need accomplices," she said. "We need people who are in this with us and are willing to fight alongside us and sometimes in front of us, so that we can reach that level of equity, justice, freedom that we all deserve."

Those who want to get involved as vendors, volunteers, or sponsors for future years can reach Juneteenth Muncie at june19muncie@gmail.com or online at juneteenthmuncie.com.

Contact Trinity Rea via email attrinity.rea@bsu.edu.

The Delaware County Commissioners unanimously voted on June 15 to remove John Coutinho as executive director of the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, ending his tenure after he spent nearly three months on paid administrative leave.

Coutinho was placed on administrative leave in March while county officials conducted an investigation involving the agency. At the time, commissioners provided limited details regarding the nature of the investigation.

The vote comes after Meagan Coutinho, John Coutinho's wife and a former employee of the Delaware County Emergency Medical Services, was charged in connection with allegations involving county resources and funds. John Coutinho has not been charged with a crime.

Related: Delaware County suspends emergency agency directors, citing 'investigation'

Meagan Coutinho was arrested earlier this month and charged with six felonies, including theft, misconduct and conflict of interest. The investigation shows that about $200,000 had been stolen while she was the office manager between 2021 and 2026.

After voting to remove Coutinho, the commissioners then unanimously voted to promote Deputy Director Cory Kissick to lead the agency.

The county's EMA is responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, disaster response and recovery efforts throughout the community.

Before approving Kissick's promotion, commissioners praised his leadership. Commissioners described Kissick as highly qualified for the role and credited him with managing the department effectively since March.

They also cited the agency's response to recent severe weather and expressed confidence in Kissick's ability to lead the department moving forward.

Contact Ball State Daily News Editor-in-Chief, Cameron Noe, ateditor@bsudailynews.com.

"It's too early to tell," National Weather Service meteorologist Alexander McGinnis said. "There is a chance that there may have been a tornado in the Muncie area. It's not likely, and we'll have to take a closer look."

Indiana Michigan Power reported on Friday that a nearly 8,000 customer peak outage occurred across its East Central Indiana service region overnight, including just under 5,000 in the Muncie area.

By 2 p.m. on June 12, approximately 3,500 customers in the region remained without power, according to I&M.

Despite widespread damage, the National Weather Service in Indianapolis had not confirmed a tornado in Delaware County as of the afternoon on June 12, but survey teams were dispatched to Muncie to assess damage and determine whether the destruction was caused by a tornado or powerful straight-line winds.

Assessment teams have identified a path of damage extending across Muncie and into eastern Delaware County, according to the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The damage path appears to begin near the intersection of Morrison Road and Peachtree Lane on Muncie's west side, continuing through areas just south of Ball State University, across neighborhoods south of downtown Muncie, and eastward along the Kirby Avenue corridor toward Selma.

Significant structural damage has been observed in areas south of the Town of Selma.

Among those affected was Selma resident Sara Hodges, who returned to her home the night of June 11 to find much of her roof torn from her house.

"My whole roof was ripped off and it's in my driveway," Hodges said. "There was water pouring into my living room and back bedroom."

Hodges said she was at her boyfriend's house nearby when the storm moved through. Neighbors later called to tell her something had happened to her home.

When she arrived, portions of the roof were scattered across the driveway and water was pouring into her house. She and her 10-year-old son were unable to stay there overnight.

"It's just kind of one of those devastating things," Hodges said. "Your home and then all your stuff and all your things, they're kind of ruined. But thankfully, for me and my son no one was there and no one was hurt. It's just all stuff that can be replaced."

No injuries or fatalities have been reported, EMA said.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis will review findings and determine whether the damage across the area was caused by straight-line winds or a tornado.

"The National Weather Service will use this information, along with field inspections, to determine whether the damage was caused by straight-line winds or a tornado," said a press release from EMA

That determination of a tornado can be complicated.

"We have received numerous reports of damage, and we are uncertain yet if there was a tornado in Delaware County or Muncie," said McGinnis. "We actually have some people who are heading there right now who are going to be checking that out for us."

According to McGinnis, the NWS received a preliminary damage map from Delaware County emergency officials showing reports of downed trees, roof damage and structural impacts across Muncie and surrounding areas.

While some residents suspected a tornado may have occurred, McGinnis said investigators would need to examine damage patterns before reaching a conclusion.

McGinnis said most storm damage surveyed elsewhere in central Indiana has been attributed to straight-line winds rather than tornadoes. A survey conducted in Clinton County on June 12 found damage there was caused by wind rather than a tornado.

The strongest officially recorded wind gust in Muncie was 41 mph at the Muncie Airport, though McGinnis said damage reports suggest winds in some areas may have reached 60 to 65 mph.

I&M said wind speeds reached up to 75 mph during the storm, contributing to widespread damage across the city.

For Hodges, the storm was unlike anything she had experienced in the 12 years she had lived in Selma.

"It's one of those things where I'm just like, how is this even happening?" she said.

Her cleanup effort included moving salvageable belongings away from damaged rooms and covering the exposed roof with a tarp to prevent additional water damage. Across Selma, Hidges said residents were already cutting fallen trees and clearing debris from properties.

Despite the damage, Hodges said the experience reinforced the importance of taking severe weather warnings seriously.

"I feel like I used to be one of those people who liked to sit out in the storms and didn't really think tornadoes or damage like that could happen around here," she said. "Everyone just needs to be cautious and take it more seriously than we used to."

McGinnis also urged residents to remain weather aware heading into the weekend, noting another round of potentially severe thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. with rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, and to expect higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

According to the NWS, I&M said crews are actively working to restore outages, with about 500 crew members and 1,250 additional workers from surrounding utilities assisting in restoration efforts.

The company estimated an 11 p.m. restoration time on June 12 for the most affected customers in Fort Wayne and Muncie.

The electric utility said outages were caused by a combination of downed power lines, broken poles and fallen trees. Crews are working in hazardous conditions, including areas with live wires and debris.

"We are working quickly, but safely to restore power," Demetrious C Lewis with I&M said. The company also urged residents to avoid downed power lines, treat non-working traffic signals as four-way stops and report hazards to 1-800-311-4634 or local authorities.

Contact Ball State Daily News Editor-in-Chief, Cameron Noe, ateditor@bsudailynews.com.

RELATED: Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour announces cancer diagnosis, leave of absence

Judge J. Quirk Cole of Delaware Circuit Court No. 1 authorized Howe to continue exercising the powers and duties of the mayor's office during Ridenour's recovery.

The order notes that all actions lawfully taken by Howe as acting executive will carry the same force and effect as actions taken by the mayor. It also specifies that the arrangement does not remove Ridenour from office or create a vacancy in the mayor's position.

In a statement released on June 11, the City of Muncie said Ridenour's surgery "went well and as expected" and that he is currently recovering at home. The city said the temporary appointment is intended to ensure continuity of government operations and city services while the mayor focuses on healing.

The court found that Ridenour's inability is physical and temporary in nature and is not the result of any mental incapacity. The order states that Ridenour is currently unable to discharge the powers and duties of the mayor's office while recovering from a medical condition requiring continued recovery.

Court documents also indicate that Ridenour anticipated returning to the full discharge of his duties upon completion of his recovery period.

Common Council President Jeff Green filed a verified statement with the court under Indiana Code 36-4-5-8(c), asserting that Ridenour was temporarily unavailable to discharge the duties of the office. The filing was accompanied by an affidavit from Ridenour acknowledging his temporary inability to perform mayoral responsibilities.

The ruling allows Howe to continue serving as acting executive for the duration of Ridenour's temporary inability. Unlike the initial designation announced on June 1, the court order does not establish a specific end date. Instead, Howe's authority will remain in effect until Ridenour recovers and resumes his duties in accordance with Indiana law.

RELATED: Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour appoints Councilman Jeff Green to run city during absence

Contact Ball State Daily News Editor-in-Chief, Cameron Noe, ateditor@bsudailynews.com.

According to a press release from IU Health, the free one-day camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 8 at the Minnetrista Cultural Center.

Camp Good Grief is offered through a partnership between IU Health and Redcrest Healthcare and is open to children ages 6 to 16. The program is designed to help young people navigate grief through activities including art, music and play while providing education about loss and coping strategies.

The camp is facilitated by IU Health team members, primarily nurses and other clinicians. Children will learn ways to preserve memories, honor loved ones and connect with peers who are also experiencing loss.

According to the release, childhood grief is common and can be difficult for families to navigate. It also notes that unaddressed grief can increase the risk of challenges, including depression, suicide, poverty and substance abuse.

Organizers say providing understanding, support and opportunities for children and teens to express their thoughts and feelings can help them develop healthy coping skills.

Registration is required and spots are limited. Families can register through July 27. More information is available by calling 765-747-4273 or emailing ECRCampGoodGrief@iuhealth.org.

Contact Ball State Daily News Editor-in-Chief, Cameron Noe, ateditor@bsudailynews.com.

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is one of the country's most prestigious awards for college sophomores and juniors, according to its website. The scholarship is awarded based on commitment to careers in the environment, Tribal public policy, or Native health care, along with leadership potential, record of public service, and academic achievement.

In 2026, the Udall Foundation increased the number of scholarships from 55 to 65 and the award amount from $7,000 to $7,500. This year's class was selected from 383 candidates nominated by 181 colleges and universities.

Em Allen, Roman Hughes, Trey Michael Mathews, Jack Tagle, and Kade Wereley-Bross have been selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards. Third-year student Gem Sambugaro has been selected for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship.

The Fulbright awards will allow Ball State recipients to spend the upcoming academic year abroad as English Teaching Assistants or graduate students.

Allen, a graduate who majored in English with a concentration in literature, received a Fulbright award to pursue a master's degree in English literature at Ulster University in Northern Ireland. Hughes, who holds a master's degree in English studies from Ball State, will teach English at a university in Poland.

Mathews, who majored in Spanish and minored in history, will teach English in Honduras. Tagle, who majored in English, will teach in Thailand. Wereley-Bross, who earned a degree in theatre with minors in technical theatre and German, will teach in Germany. Sambugaro, a third-year Honors College student majoring in biology and pre-veterinary preparations, is one of 65 Udall scholars selected this year from across the country.

This is the second consecutive year a Ball State student has been named a Udall Scholar.