This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 6th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, Bloomington police arrested a third person in connection with the recent attack outside Upstairs Pub on a man experiencing homelessness.
You'll also hear from Mena Morcos from IU Dance Marathon, kicking off their 2025 fundraising for Riley Children's Hospital this Thursday on the Bloomington campus. We'll have the details later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Third Arrest Made in Recent Altercation Outside Upstairs Pub
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: Bobby, a 60-year-old unhoused man, lost three teeth after being punched and kicked by a group of masked men on Kirkwood Avenue near the Upstairs Pub. A video of the assault was posted to Reddit and widely shared on social media. Bobby, who has lived unhoused in Bloomington for more than a decade, told The Bloomingtonian he forgives his attackers despite his injuries. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)
A third arrest was made in the recent attack on 60-year-old Robert Ballard outside of Upstairs Pub. Bloomington police arrested a 16-year-old in connection to the assault.
According to Bloomingtonian reporting, two men were previously taken into custody. “Avery Williams, 25, of Bloomington, and Khalil Morris, 21, of Bloomington. After interviews, both men were arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.”
Last week, WFHB News featured an interview with the man known as “Bobby” who was assaulted. The interview comes from the
Bloomingtonian. Bobby described what happened.
Following the incident, we interviewed Rev. Forest Gilmore, executive director of the anti-poverty organization Beacon Inc. Gilmore described the incident as “horrifying.” Gilmore says he believes that violence inflicted on the unhoused community relates to dehumanizing and harmful rhetoric surrounding homelessness.
Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.
Rev. Gilmore says that at the end of the day – the way to push back against this kind of hate-filled rhetoric is to treat people with humanity. Also, he said we need to create a system to care and support people experiencing homelessness.
Police have still not made an arrest related to a murder that happened on the same night at near the intersection of West Howe and South Morton.
Bloomington City Council Postpones Vote on Stadium District Boundaries, Addresses Recent Violence
The Bloomington City Council met on Tuesday, September 30th. The meeting began with council Member Kate Rosenbarger expressing grief for the recent attacks in Bloomington, including the murder of Shawn Sullivan and the assault of Robert Ballard.
Rosenbarger stated that there is a Go Fund Me for both parties that can be found on the Bloomingtonian website.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith also commented on the violence this weekend, stating that this is a nation-wide issue that should be examined thoroughly.
Next, Piedmont-Smith introduced reports from the special fiscal committee which discussed the setting of salaries for elected officials for 2026.
Council Member Courtney daily responded to the discussion saying she did not agree with increasing salaries, especially right now.
Council Member Rosenbarger expressed her wish to discuss the matter when all members are present.
Bloomington Resident Kevin Keel suggested that perhaps the council could look to the median household income for ideas on paying elected officials.
Next, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development for the city, Jane Kupersmith introduced the resolution 2025 dash 18 which ...
