Courthouse square
The Monroe County historical courthouse is backlit against the stormy sky as lightning crackles around during a tornado warning. This is the view southwestward.
Dave Askins
‘Back on track’: Bloomington mayor commits downtown land for convention host hotel
After talks with Dora Hospitality collapsed, Bloomington’s mayor has pledged city-owned land south of the convention center to the CIB at no cost, reviving the stalled host hotel plan. County land transfers and swaps are also being explored before issuing a new hotel RFP.
Feb. 19, 2026: Voting hours, student ID ban, Showers West tenants
This edition includes reports on setting of early voting hours, the status of a lawsuit over the ban on student IDs as voter IDs, and the fight by some Showers West tenants against the termination of their leases by the city of Bloomington.
Monroe County election board OKs 28 Election Day polling sites, early voting hours, but state legislation could limit schedule
Monroe County’s election board OK’d traditional early voting hours for 2026, while warning that pending state legislation could cut the voting window from 28 days to 16. The board also moved toward using 28 polling places, though some sites have not yet confirmed they can host Election Day voting.
Federal lawsuit challenging Indiana’s student ID voting ban seeks emergency court order ahead of primary
With early voting set to start April 7, plaintiffs challenging Indiana’s new student ID voting ban have asked a federal judge to block the law before the May 5 primary. If the judge agrees, college IDs could be used at the polls this spring; if denied, students will need other identification.
Two Showers West tenants fight Bloomington’s bid to terminate leases; judge weighs city’s ‘inverse condemnation’ theory
Two Showers West tenants are fighting Bloomington’s effort to terminate their leases, after the the city declared their interests “inversely condemned.” The judge has to decide whether the city can end leases without formal eminent domain—or is bound by the contracts it assumed.
Feb. 16, 2026: Voter registration move, bus service in limbo, failed inspection at Crawford
This edition includes reports on the move of voter registration services, the possible end to Route 13 bus service, and a failed inspection at Crawford Apartments.