Community Connection - August 19, 2026 - Tina Cosby

Community Connection – August 19 2026 – Tina Cosby with Open Lines and producer Eric

Community Connection: A Conversation on Flooding, Infrastructure, and More

As the devastating floods continue to affect communities across Indiana, this week’s episode of Community Connection delves into the complexities of infrastructure, power outages, and the importance of community support. Host Tina Cosby and producer Eric, discuss the ongoing efforts to aid those affected by the floods, while also exploring the underlying issues that led to this disaster.

The episode begins with a discussion on the Help in the Heartland campaign, a joint effort between local stations, Fox 59, CBS 4, and Kroger to provide relief to those impacted by the floods. Tina shares, “We are all banding together to help with this historic flooding, these historic flood waters that have left hundreds… I suspect it’s probably in the thousands… homeless in one small community alone.” The campaign aims to raise $500,000 to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

The conversation then shifts to the infrastructure challenges facing Indiana, particularly in the wake of the recent floods. Tina notes, “We’re seeing major flooding events more often… Before we start thinking about building a new bridge or rebuilding something, we need to take a really close and hard look at the underlying assumptions that are actually going to be there when we’re talking about repairing infrastructure.” This sentiment is echoed by Corney Page, an assistant professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, who emphasizes the need to build infrastructure that can withstand extreme environments.

The episode also touches on the Carmelo Anthony case, a high-profile trial that garnered national attention due to its racial undertones. Tina shares, “The reaction to the crime itself, all of that reaction had to do with race… I don’t know what they’re saying when they say this had nothing to do with race.” The case has been appealed, with a new judge set to be assigned and a hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

In addition to these topics, the episode covers the flooding in Gary, Indiana, where Pastor Willoughby shares a disturbing report of the city being underwater, with over 80% of the town affected. However, further investigation reveals that the power outages are the primary concern, with many residents without electricity for over a week. Tina notes, “Eight days without power is a long time… It’s not a balance. You know, no companies are going to make their money but to gouge out the eyes of their customers.”

The episode also explores the issue of data centers in Indianapolis, with the Metropolitan Development Commission approving a proposal to ban new data centers within the city limits through 2027. This move is seen as a victory for anti-data center activists, who have been vocal in their opposition to the facilities.

As the episode comes to a close, Tina reminds listeners of the importance of community support during this difficult time. “If you’d like to help those who’ve been affected by the floods, you can donate to the Help in the Heartland campaign on our website and Praiseindia dot com.” Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode of Community Connection, where Tina and her team tackle the tough topics and offer a message of hope and support.