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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.

Aug. 6, 2026: Toxic gas in justice center; Bloomington 2027 budget; MCCSC bargaining limits; rival College Square plans; city survey

Aug. 6, 2026: Toxic gas in justice center; Bloomington 2027 budget; MCCSC bargaining limits; rival College Square plans; city survey

This morning's edition includes reports on Bloomington’s proposed 2027 budget, MCCSC bargaining limits, a justice center drain-cleaner incident, rival College Square redevelopment plans and a city survey showing strong quality-of-life ratings but deep concern about housing and homelessness.

Kirkwood Avenue & Dunn Street

Kirkwood Avenue & Dunn Street

(several photos) Could be a Chevy II Nova wagon from the 1960s. It's part of the set for the film “Little Five,” which is being shot around town. The ”Wander Indiana“ plate from the 1984–1986 era designates Bartholomew County with its 3 prefix.

Bloomington’s 2027 budget: No new full-time positions, still taps $5.5M in general fund reserves

Bloomington’s 2027 budget: No new full-time positions, still taps $5.5M in general fund reserves

Bloomington’s proposed 2027 budget has dropped. It authorizes $165.7 million in spending, excluding utilities and debt funds. It provides a 2.7% COLA for employees, and no net new full-time jobs. It taps general fund reserves for $5.47 million. City council review starts Aug. 17.

Use of drain cleaner fills Monroe County justice building with rotten-egg odor; workers report vomiting, nausea

Use of drain cleaner fills Monroe County justice building with rotten-egg odor; workers report vomiting, nausea

At least two Monroe County employees vomited and others reported nausea, headaches and watery eyes Tuesday after jail maintenance workers used an unfamiliar drain cleaner, filling the Justice Center with a rotten-egg odor. Some went outside for air or left work.

Dora, Concord pitch rival College Square projects; Bloomington RDC mulls decision

Dora, Concord pitch rival College Square projects; Bloomington RDC mulls decision

Bloomington’s RDC heard rival $4 million College Square proposals Monday but made no decision. Concord’s hotel-and-housing plan depends on CIB cooperation and a reversal of its convention center host-hotel choice; Dora’s stand-alone plan pairs a boutique hotel with market-rate housing.

Bloomington’s latest survey finds high quality-of-life ratings, big concern about housing

Bloomington’s latest survey finds high quality-of-life ratings, big concern about housing

Bloomington’s 2026 community survey found general satisfaction with quality of life, but a lot of concern about affordable housing, homelessness, streets and sidewalks, and the local economy. City councilmembers will receive a presentation at their Wednesday meeting.

Aug. 3, 2026: College Square hotel and housing plans; jail transfers, rising population; racist pepper-spray assault

Aug. 3, 2026: College Square hotel and housing plans; jail transfers, rising population; racist pepper-spray assault

This morning's edition includes reports about competing College Square hotel and housing plans, jail overcrowding and inmate transfers, and a racist pepper-spray assault at a greenhouse.