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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.

COVID-19 vax survey says: Ratcheting up numbers for Bloomington city workers will be a challenge

COVID-19 vax survey says: Ratcheting up numbers for Bloomington city workers will be a challenge

The city of Bloomington has reported that about 54 percent of its workers have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. That’s about the same percentage as across Monroe County. A new survey of Bloomington city workers suggests that boosting their vaccination percentage could be a challenge. The current countywide

Analysis | A first look at remonstrance waivers: Numerical impact of new law not yet measured for Bloomington’s annexation effort

Analysis | A first look at remonstrance waivers: Numerical impact of new law not yet measured for Bloomington’s annexation effort

July is the last full month of summer before Monroe County Community School classes start on Aug. 4. The first day of school this year is also the date of a public hearing on Bloomington’s planned annexation of territory into the city. The annexation of eight separate areas, each

Column: Bloomington’s “reverse” July 4 parade a chance to turn back time to Titus Andronicus, cute babies

Column: Bloomington’s “reverse” July 4 parade a chance to turn back time to Titus Andronicus, cute babies

Late on Saturday morning, entrants in Bloomington’s Independence Day parade enjoyed sunny skies, a light breeze, low humidity, and temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. For the whole day, the mercury reached a high of just 80 degrees. That’s 6 degrees cooler than the average high

Photos: July 4 Sunday bunnies

Photos: July 4 Sunday bunnies

On July 4, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and a rabbit walk into a bar. The barkeep says, “Wait a minute, I think one of you is a typo.” Downtown Bloomington, Indiana, July 2, 2021: The Rabbits of 6th Street. Click to view slideshow.

Through July: Monroe County, Bloomington government meetings mostly electronic, as jabs slow, positive COVID-19 numbers stay stubborn

Through July: Monroe County, Bloomington government meetings mostly electronic, as jabs slow, positive COVID-19 numbers stay stubborn

A key reason that Indiana governor Eric Holcomb this week issued another extension of his emergency health order is the low vaccination rate among state residents. The order itself says: “Critically, only 48.1 percent of eligible Hoosiers are fully vaccinated and Indiana ranks 38th of the 50 states with

Songbird deaths still a mystery, as state, local experts advise: Don’t promote bird gatherings

Songbird deaths still a mystery, as state, local experts advise: Don’t promote bird gatherings

The word on Wednesday from Indiana’s department of natural resources (DNR) was that tests on dead songbirds, now reported in 50 of Indiana’s 92 counties, are still not conclusive. So state officials still don’t know whether the phenomenon is being caused by a disease or a toxin.

Video produced opposing Bloomington’s planned “island” annexation: “We definitely don’t want to pay higher taxes.”

Video produced opposing Bloomington’s planned “island” annexation: “We definitely don’t want to pay higher taxes.”

If Bloomington’s planned annexation is successful, the city will add to its population an estimated 14,000 people, several cows, a pig or two, and at least one chicken, whose “eyes don’t work any more.” For the hen’s owner, Susan Brackney, the longer phrase in place of