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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.

Skipped over: Bloomington city council won’t get chance to OK $500K interlocal accord on animal care, $44K deal on justice grant

Skipped over: Bloomington city council won’t get chance to OK $500K interlocal accord on animal care, $44K deal on justice grant

Bloomington is bypassing city council review for 2 long-standing interlocal accords—on animals and JAG grants—by sending them to the state attorney general instead. The mayor’s administration says it’s easier and already OK'd. But it leaves the council without its usual public briefing on costs.

Hopewell South PUD pitched as path to homeownership, heads to plan commission in 2026, gets first city council scrutiny

Hopewell South PUD pitched as path to homeownership, heads to plan commission in 2026, gets first city council scrutiny

Bloomington’s RDC has OK'd a petition to rezone Hopewell South as a PUD, clearing the way for a plan commission review in January. The proposal would allow up to 98 homes aimed at buyers earning around the area median income. City councilmembers also got an initial look at the PUD proposal.

Archived Live Report: Convention center host hotel, Hopewell rezoning

Archived Live Report: Convention center host hotel, Hopewell rezoning

This is a live report from the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting of the Bloomington redevelopment commission. The agenda includes a resolution about land for a convention center host hotel, and a rezoning request for Hopewell South.

4th Street & College Avenue

4th Street & College Avenue

Looking north along the sidewalk next to the government-owned (Bloomington redevelopment commission) south of 4th Street, the sidewalk is still packed with snow. Across 4th Street, the sidewalks have been cleared down to concrete.

Dec. 15, 2025: Trash, school impacted by cold; convention center host hotel; homeless encampment; busy meeting week

Dec. 15, 2025: Trash, school impacted by cold; convention center host hotel; homeless encampment; busy meeting week

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Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Hawk says: Fernando Mendoza is some kinda hero. he shoveled the snow off all the bricks on Kirkwood. Cleared the snow off the courthouse steps before it froze. He should get some kinda award. What does Fish say??

As convention center rises, Bloomington council bristles at potential host hotel land donation

As convention center rises, Bloomington council bristles at potential host hotel land donation

As construction begins on Bloomington’s convention center expansion, there is still no deal for a host hotel. At a joint work session, councilmembers criticized the mayor’s administration as the RDC considers donating city-owned land to help bridge a long-known funding gap.