Sign in Subscribe

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 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

Monroe County council at-large hopefuls field questions at forum

Monroe County council at-large hopefuls field questions at forum

The contest for the three at-large county council seats is one of two local races where Monroe County voters will have any kind of choice on Nov. 5. The Democrats whose names appear on the ballot for the pick-up-to-three race are: Cheryl Munson, Trent Deckard, and David Henry. Also appearing

District 3 Monroe County commissioner hopefuls: VanDeventer, Madeira field forum questions

District 3 Monroe County commissioner hopefuls: VanDeventer, Madeira field forum questions

The only local race that gives Monroe County voters a choice between a Democrat and a Republican on Nov. 5 is the District 3 county commissioner contest between Jody Madeira (D) and Joe VanDeventer (R). On Saturday, Madeira and VanDeventer fielded questions at a candidate forum held on Saturday in

Column: 2023 survey asked Bloomington residents if they voted 2x a week or more. Let’s do better in 2025.

Column: 2023 survey asked Bloomington residents if they voted 2x a week or more. Let’s do better in 2025.

Every two years since 2017, Bloomington residents have been surveyed by an outside consulting company about their attitudes on a variety of subjects. It was an off year in 2024, but in 2025, the city is planning to pay for another survey, according to the mayor’s office. Many, if