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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 plan commission splits on payment-in-lieu rule, backs lower income thresholds for affordable units

Bloomington plan commission splits on payment-in-lieu rule, backs lower income thresholds for affordable units

Bloomington’s plan commission was split Monday on two proposed changes to affordable housing rules. A revision tightening the payment-in-lieu option advanced to the city council with no recommendation, while a proposal lowering qualifying income thresholds won unanimous support.

Veterans Day 2025 notebook: ‘Relationships matter.’

Veterans Day 2025 notebook: ‘Relationships matter.’

At Indiana University’s annual Veterans Day flag raising, held under freezing temperatures and a dusting of snow, Ivy Tech chancellor and retired Air Force colonel Erik Coyne urged cadets to value relationships, teamwork, and trust. “Get out, meet others, get known...” he said.

Monroe County councilors, commissioners try to regroup on question of next steps for new jail

Monroe County councilors, commissioners try to regroup on question of next steps for new jail

Two weeks after the county council rejected funds for a new jail site, Monroe County officials met to discuss next steps. Councilors may draft a “risk tolerance” resolution as commissioners are pressing for answers on questions about the council’s position on location and one-story jail design.

Owner wants land annexed into Bloomington: Zoning recommendation OK’d by city plan commission

Owner wants land annexed into Bloomington: Zoning recommendation OK’d by city plan commission

Bloomington’s plan commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend R2 zoning for 2005 W. Cory Drive, a 0.39-acre lot that could be annexed voluntarily. The property lies in an unincorporated “island” where forced annexation has failed, at least for now.

Nov. 10, 2025: Commercial agriculture, marketing districts, high school football, voting

Nov. 10, 2025: Commercial agriculture, marketing districts, high school football, voting

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Bloomington says no to commercial urban agriculture use in residential areas

Bloomington says no to commercial urban agriculture use in residential areas

Bloomington’s city council voted 7–1 to reject an ordinance creating a new “urban agriculture” land use allowing outdoor garden classes and small-scale commercial farming in residential areas. Supporters cited food security; opponents called it the wrong approach to allowing outside teaching.

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Hawk: Was talking to a father buffalo, whose first-born male child went off to school to study to be a mascot. When he left, you know what the dad said? What does Fish say in reply?