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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.

Monroe County adopts $131M budget—big decisions still ahead on public health, $6M in bonds

Monroe County adopts $131M budget—big decisions still ahead on public health, $6M in bonds

The 2026 budget for Monroe County government, with about $113 million in approved spending, was adopted on Tuesday night by the county council. But the council put off votes on new health department positions and the issuance of $6 million in GO bonds.

Monroe County 2026 budget set for vote: Balanced with help from economic development, jail funds

Monroe County 2026 budget set for vote: Balanced with help from economic development, jail funds

Set for a vote on Tuesday by the Monroe County council is a budget for 2026 that shows a total of about $131 million in approved spending. In addition to the budget the council will consider new positions in the health department and a $6-million general obligation bond.

Oct. 11, 2025: Bloomington budget, solar panels, football

Oct. 11, 2025: Bloomington budget, solar panels, football

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Griffey Lake Causeway

Griffey Lake Causeway

A flock of Canada geese taxi down a runway blocked with a log full of turtles, but manage to achieve clearance and land safely on the other side of the log.

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Hawk: Did you ever swim in a Bloomington city councilmember’s stream of consciousness? What does Fish say in reply?

Kinser Pike & Winding Way

Kinser Pike & Winding Way

Inflatable dinosaurs (triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex) with lighted jack-o-lanterns on the lawn. If the people who visit this house on Halloween to do not say, “T-Rex or treat!” they are missing a great chance to be hilarious.

$163M budget for 2026 OK’d by Bloomington councilmembers, 2 dissent citing lack of trust

$163M budget for 2026 OK’d by Bloomington councilmembers, 2 dissent citing lack of trust

At its Wednesday meeting, Bloomington’s city council approved the city’s $163-million budget for 2026 on a 7–2 tally, with councilmembers Matt Flaherty and Kate Rosenbarger casting the dissenting votes. The total includes planned expenditures from the general fund of about $65.1 million.