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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 city council paves way for middle-of-the-road approach to outdoor dining through year’s end

Bloomington city council paves way for middle-of-the-road approach to outdoor dining through year’s end

This past weekend could have marked the final chance for restaurant patrons to enjoy a meal straddling the double-yellow roadway markings on Kirkwood Avenue. It’s been an option since mid-June, and was set to expire on Sept. 30. But Bloomington’s city council acted on Wednesday to

Monroe County mulls $3 million in capital projects for yearly GO bond issuance, after concept gets kicked around in debate on local income tax increase

Monroe County mulls $3 million in capital projects for yearly GO bond issuance, after concept gets kicked around in debate on local income tax increase

At last Tuesday’s meeting of Monroe County’s council, county board of commissioners president Julie Thomas presented a list of projects that could be funded using proceeds from a $3-million general obligation (GO) bond. It’s a routine strategy for the county, each year to set property taxes

Indiana’s highest court name checks Animal House’s Dean Wormer as it hears arguments in Bloomington zoning case

Indiana’s highest court name checks Animal House’s Dean Wormer as it hears arguments in Bloomington zoning case

The day after Monroe County’s health department announced that Alpha Epsilon Pi and Indiana University had reached an agreement to shut down the fraternity through next summer, Indiana’s five supreme court justices heard oral arguments that could impact how Greek organizations are defined in the state. The case

Split votes on race-related topics by city, county electeds

Split votes on race-related topics by city, county electeds

Wednesday is the usual meeting day for two local elected bodies—Bloomington’s city council and Monroe County’s board of commissioners. This week they each approved legislation involving anti-racist efforts. The city council approved a resolution endorsing a proposal for art featuring the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” The

Election update: Voting machine accuracy test passed; Poll workers still needed; Registration deadline Oct. 5

Election update: Voting machine accuracy test passed; Poll workers still needed; Registration deadline Oct. 5

At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Monroe County’s election division started running its voting equipment through the logic and accuracy test that’s required under state statute. After two hours of testing, the county’s equipment passed with a 100-percent score, deputy county clerk Tressia Martin told The

Technology center application to feds for $9.4 million building gets more OKs from RDC, city council committee endorsement comes after grumbling

Technology center application to feds for $9.4 million building gets more OKs from RDC, city council committee endorsement comes after grumbling

On Monday night, Bloomington city council’s four-member sustainable development committee convened a meeting to consider signing a letter of support for an application by the city to the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). The city looking to build a technology center in the Trades District, just north of

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

Late August marked the conclusion of a four-night series of city council hearings on Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s proposed 2021 budget. Shortly after that, councilmembers submitted written questions to city staff. In the second week of September, staff responses to councilmember questions were posted in a Q&