Inside Richmond: The City's Pulse

This week on Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, guest host Kalleigh Smith welcomes Kristi Cruse to talk about Richmond Parks and Recreation, the Richmond Farmers Market, and the opportunities you might be missing right in your own backyard. Think there’s nothing to do in Richmond? This episode might change your mind. From JUCO (Just Us Kids Outdoors), a longtime free summer camp, to seasonal festi...

What does a day in the life of Richmond’s mayor actually look like? For Mayor Ron Oler, it can start with the phone ringing before sunrise and change completely before he ever makes it through the day’s calendar. Mayor Ron Oler joins host Lindsay Darnell on Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse for a behind-the-scenes look at what municipal leadership really looks like in Richmond. From packed schedul...

A red, white, and blue safe buried beneath concrete for 50 years. A plaque counting down to July 4, 2026. On July 4, 2026, Richmond's Bicentennial time capsule was finally opened, revealing a remarkable collection of everyday history that had been waiting half a century to be seen again. On Episode 31 of Inside Richmond, we welcome Richmond Mayor Ron Oler and Sue King, archivist at the Morris...

A modern airport terminal is about far more than appearances. It impacts safety, accessibility, economic development, and the first impression visitors have when they arrive in Richmond. Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Richmond Municipal Airport Manager Rodney Mayse and Board of Aviation President Jonathan Meade to discuss the long-awaited terminal replacement project, the funding behind it, a...

Richmond has been quietly doing something most cities put off for years: counting and assessing its public trees one by one. In this episode, Lindsay Darnell is joined by Thomas Hill, GIS Coordinator for the City of Richmond; Laura Karnes, ISA Certified Arborist at Richmond Parks & Recreation; and Schelby Schlager, IU ERI McKinney Climate Fellow working with the City through an Urban Green Gov...

Host Lindsay Darnell is joined by Jack Bales, a survivor of the April 6, 1968 Main Street explosions, and Richmond Mayor Ron Oler for a powerful and deeply personal look at one of the most devastating days in the city’s history. From inside the Marting Arms building, Jack recalls thinking the first blast was a sonic boom, until seconds later everything changed. He walks through the chaos moment by...

Richmond was named as a potential casino market, local leaders got behind it, developers showed interest, and then Wayne County was pulled from House Bill 1038 at the last minute. That shift left a lot of people asking what actually happened and what it means moving forward. Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Mayor Ron Oler to break down the full timeline and the real numbers behind the headlines...

Vacant lots don’t just sit there, they slow everything around them down. On Richmond’s south side, that’s starting to change in a real way. Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Sarah Mitchell from the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County along with Jeb Reece and Bennett Bensman from Intend Indiana to break down the Vaile Neighborhood Project, a plan bringing 22 new single-family homes t...

Want to see Main Street buzzing after dark again? Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Acacia St. John of Forward Wayne County and Rebecca Gilliam of the Wayne County Foundation to talk about how the new Wayne County Land Trust is working to keep historic buildings in local hands, open the door for mixed use housing, and create a downtown that truly serves residents and small businesses. The conver...

In this episode of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Richmond Municipal Airport Manager Rodney Mayse and Board of Aviation President Jonathan Meade to discuss why Richmond’s nearly 80 year old airport terminal has reached the end of its usable life and what a modern, ADA compliant facility could mean for the future of the community. Rodney and Jonathan explain...

This week on Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Mayor Ron Oler to close out 2025 by taking a clear look at the momentum building across Richmond. Big change feels different when you can see it from your car window and from a kayak on the river. Together, they pull back the curtain on a downtown comeback rooted in historic preservation, a housing strategy moving...

A locked door, a soft bassinet, and a two minute response window. Sometimes that is the difference between a life saved and a tragedy. On this episode of Inside Richmond, host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Monica Kelsey, CEO and Founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes , along with Richmond Fire Department Deputy Chief Nick Arbogast and Battalion Chief Chris Chappel, to talk about the Safe Haven Baby Box...

Inside Richmond: The City's Pulse, hosted by Lindsay Darnell, welcomes Parks Superintendent Denise Retz and Councilman District 3 Bill Engle to discuss how a small line on your dinner receipt could transform Richmond’s parks. Together, they break down the proposed 1% food and beverage tax, what is taxed, what is not, why state property tax caps created the funding gap, and how council oversig...

Want a clear view of how a city actually pays for people, projects, and progress? On Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Mayor Ron Oler and Beth Fields, Director of Strategic Initiatives, to unpack Richmond’s 2026 budget. They explain what comes in, what goes out, and why some dollars cannot be moved even when needs feel urgent. If you have ever wondered why sew...

Ready to rethink what a Midwest getaway can be? Host Lindsay Darnell sits down with Mary Walker and Angel Murphy from the Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau to explore how Richmond blends national history, vibrant art, and outdoor adventure into an affordable trip that truly feels different. From the Levi Coffin House and the legacy of the Underground Railroad, to the birthplace of recorde...

Richmond, Indiana is redefining its future by investing in people. In this episode, Valerie Shaffer, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, joins host Lindsay Darnell and Mayor Ron Oler to talk about how the Make My Move program is attracting remote workers and skilled professionals with a $5,000 incentive, curated perks, and genuine community support. We also hear from...

In this powerful episode of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , host Lindsay Darnell welcomes two of the city’s top leaders in public safety: Chief Kyle Weatherly of the Richmond Police Department and Chief Jeff Kinder of the Richmond Fire Department. Chief Weatherly shares his lifelong commitment to service — from his time in the U.S. Army to his career in law enforcement — and explains how the c...

Baseball is making its triumphant return to Richmond’s historic McBride Stadium! Trevor Amerson, the newly appointed General Manager of Richmond’s Northwoods League team, joined Inside Richmond host Lindsay Darnell to share what promises to be an exciting new chapter for our community. The Northwoods League delivers a unique baseball experience. It features top college players from across the coun...

🎙️ On this episode of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , host Lindsay Darnell welcomed Kristi Cruise , Community Recreation Coordinator, and Stephany Plantz , Special Projects and Community Engagement Coordinator, to share all the exciting things happening at Richmond Parks and Recreation . 🌳 Green spaces aren’t just places we visit – they’re where community happens. Richmond Parks and Recreatio...

Richmond is transforming before our eyes, and Mayor Ron Oler joined host Lindsay Darnell to give an exclusive look at the exciting changes reshaping our community’s future. The centerpiece of this transformation? A comprehensive new city brand that goes far beyond just a logo – it’s a strategic platform for decision-making and economic development that will position Richmond to compete for residen...

The skyline of Richmond, Indiana is undergoing a powerful transformation thanks to a $100 million investment that's reshaping the heart of our city—and the story behind it is just as inspiring as the impact. On this episode of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse , Dakota Collins of Earlham College and Roxie Deer of Richmond Neighborhood Restoration joined host Lindsay Darnell for a compelling c...

"The One Constant in a Child’s Life" – A Conversation with Natalie Natusch from Wayne-Union CASA When a child enters the foster care system due to abuse or neglect, their world is turned upside down. In an instant, they’re surrounded by unfamiliar faces—caseworkers, attorneys, foster parents, therapists—all trying to help, but all stretched thin. Amid this whirlwind of change, what if on...

Ever wonder what secret document guides practically every decision in Richmond’s growth? Mayor Ron Oler, Planning Director Dustin Purvis, and host Lindsay Darnell pull back the curtain on the Comprehensive Plan —the city’s essential roadmap that’s used every day, not something collecting dust on a shelf. This insightful conversation explores how the plan influences everything from downtown revital...

Guests Eric Helms and Jeremy Scarrette join host Lindsay Darnell on Inside Richmond: The City's Pulse for a powerful look behind the scenes of one of Richmond’s most cherished traditions. Each Independence Day, Glen Miller Park lights up with a dazzling fireworks display—but surprisingly, it's not hosted by the city. For 81 years and counting, American Legion Post 65 has been the driving...

Discover the heartbeat of Richmond’s local food scene in this engaging conversation hosted by Lindsay Darnell, Community Development Coordinator, as she sits down with Hannah Snoddy, Coordinator of the Richmond Farmer’s Market. What began 50 years ago as a handful of farmers on a street corner has grown into a thriving community hub featuring over 40 vendors every Saturday at Jack Elstro Plaza. Ha...