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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.

Concern about Bloomington’s police staffing levels in light of potential annexations: By the numbers

Concern about Bloomington’s police staffing levels in light of potential annexations: By the numbers

According to Bloomington’s fiscal plan in support of its proposed annexation of territory, the police department would need to add between 24 and 31 sworn officers, at a cost of up to around $2.6 million a year. The additional officers would be needed in order to provide service

State law OK’d in 2015 might curb future Bloomington expansion, if current annexation proposals are approved

State law OK’d in 2015 might curb future Bloomington expansion, if current annexation proposals are approved

A work session held by Bloomington’s city council on Friday at noon highlighted a fact about Indiana’s current annexation law, which has a potential impact that does not seem to be widely understood. A 2015 amendment to the state statute on annexation looks like it gives a city

Mixed bag for direction of Monroe County, Indiana COVID-19 trends

Mixed bag for direction of Monroe County, Indiana COVID-19 trends

COVID-19 numbers are up for Monroe County, but might have plateaued for at least some measures. That contrasts with numbers statewide, which show a clear upward trend. The generally higher numbers now, compared to a month ago, are blamed by health officials on the prevalence of the Delta variant of

County clerk to pitch more space for elections division, election board welcomes Rana as new Dem appointee

County clerk to pitch more space for elections division, election board welcomes Rana as new Dem appointee

At Thursday’s regular meeting of Monroe County’s election board, one of the highlights was a briefing from county clerk Nicole Browne on an upcoming conversation she’s requested with Monroe County’s three county commissioners. The idea that Browne will be pitching to commissioners at next week’s

Bloomington annexation hearing updates: Possible postponement until 4 p.m. with no in-person access

Bloomington annexation hearing updates: Possible postponement until 4 p.m. with no in-person access

The Bloomington city council announced in a news bulletin released a few minutes after 2 p.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 4) a possible change to its scheduled 3 p.m. public hearing at city hall on annexation. The council could consider a motion to postpone the start of the meeting

Monroe County OKs mask mandate for fully vaccinated starting Aug. 5, Indiana University also says “mask up”

Monroe County OKs mask mandate for fully vaccinated starting Aug. 5, Indiana University also says “mask up”

Face coverings will now be required in public indoor settings, even for Monroe County residents who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. That’s the basic point of a new health order approved unanimously by Monroe County’s three commissioners at their regular meeting on Wednesday morning. The order

Analysis: Most Bloomington annexation remonstrance waivers not valid under 2019 law, population density unevenly spread

Analysis: Most Bloomington annexation remonstrance waivers not valid under 2019 law, population density unevenly spread

On Aug. 4, starting at 3 p.m. a public hearing will be held by Bloomington’s city council on eight separate annexation ordinances. If all eight areas were annexed, more than 9,000 acres and 14,000 people would be added to the city of Bloomington. In the lead-up