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Dave Askins

Dave Askins

Bloomington, Indiana

Dave Askins is editor and publisher of The B Square Bulletin. A Hoosier native with a background in math and linguistics, he previously co-founded the Ann Arbor Chronicle with his wife, Mary Morgan.

Bloomington set to OK $1.2-million land deal for 150-bed hotel in Trades District

Bloomington set to OK $1.2-million land deal for 150-bed hotel in Trades District

Appearing on the Monday meeting agenda for Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) is a $1.2-million land deal in the Trades District, north of city hall. Under the terms of the agreement, Alluinn IU Trades District Hotel, LLC would pay $1.2 million for the land—which are parcels included

Monroe County early voting continues brisk pace, ends at noon on Monday, Nov. 4

Monroe County early voting continues brisk pace, ends at noon on Monday, Nov. 4

At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, under clear skies and a temperature of 37 F degrees, a line of voters stretched from the door of the Monroe County election operations building at 3rd and Walnut streets, around the building, down 3rd Street, nearly to College Avenue. At 9 a.

Monroe Convention Center expansion moves ahead with final design, election ops sees last votes

Monroe Convention Center expansion moves ahead with final design, election ops sees last votes

Last Wednesday (Oct. 23), the final project definition (aka schematic design) for the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center was approved unanimously by the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB). The CIB’s approval will allow the architect, Schmidt Associates, to begin the actual design phase of the project. The

Bloomington city council, mayor fight: Can legislative body raise pay grades without breaking state law?

Bloomington city council, mayor fight: Can legislative body raise pay grades without breaking state law?

At its Wednesday meeting, Bloomington’s city council approved three salary ordinances for 2025—one for the city’s police officers and firefighters, one for the city clerk’s staff, and one for the other employees of the city, including the members of AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and

Monroe County OKs $167K in social services grants named after Sophia Travis

Monroe County OKs $167K in social services grants named after Sophia Travis

At its meeting on Monday, the Monroe county council approved $167,000 in social services grant awards to 42 different projects. The top award this year, of $9,730, went to a collaborative effort to fund CPR training for several nonprofits. Participating in the collaborative application were Middle Way House,

Monroe County OKs 2025 budget, but might see near term push to bump pay for sheriff’s deputies

Monroe County OKs 2025 budget, but might see near term push to bump pay for sheriff’s deputies

A budget for 2025 that calls for $122.5 million in spending, when home-ruled funds are included, was approved by the Monroe County council on Monday night. The vote was 5–1, with dissent from Marty Hawk. Cheryl Munson was absent with illness. As councilor Geoff McKim noted, the 2025

Week 10: IU free speech policy protesters cite uneven enforcement for ESPN GameDay football crowds

Week 10: IU free speech policy protesters cite uneven enforcement for ESPN GameDay football crowds

Sunday night was the 10th week in a row for a protest at Sample Gates in Bloomington, against Indiana University’s new “expressive activities” policy, which was effective Aug. 1. Sample Gates is the spot where Kirkwood Avenue dead ends at the western edge of the Bloomington campus. On the