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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 Flock camera contract expired March 5, mayor reveals non-renewal 6 weeks later

Bloomington Flock camera contract expired March 5, mayor reveals non-renewal 6 weeks later

Bloomington did not renew its contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers, mayor Kerry Thomson announced April 15—six weeks after the contract expired. The city says it is transitioning away from Flock while continuing to evaluate other vendors.

Bloomington city hall

Bloomington city hall

In city council chambers before the start of tonight’s work session, temporary council staff attorney Larry Allen extracts a spider from the nook of a chair armrest using a clipboard, and escorts it from the building, releasing it unharmed into to the outside world.

Pushback from public, county council on North Park jail site after filing for settlement extension

Pushback from public, county council on North Park jail site after filing for settlement extension

Residents urged Monroe County councilors not to build a new jail at the North Park site during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting. Councilors also reacted to a court-approved extension of the county’s jail settlement agreement, which is tied to a purchase deal for the property.

Preliminary injunction allowing student IDs at polls gets immediate use in Monroe County

Preliminary injunction allowing student IDs at polls gets immediate use in Monroe County

IU student Josh Montagne cast an early ballot Wednesday at Bloomington’s North Showers site using his university ID, hours after a federal judge blocked enforcement of Indiana’s SB 10. Montagne is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the law.

Monroe County land transfer to CIB has final OK, with calls for land swap to preserve housing, put host hotel on north parcel

Monroe County land transfer to CIB has final OK, with calls for land swap to preserve housing, put host hotel on north parcel

Monroe County councilors voted April 14 to transfer downtown property that includes Seminary Pointe apartments to the CIB, clearing the way for a potential convention center host hotel deal. The move could, but is not guaranteed, to allow a land swap involving the former Bunger & Robertson site.

Judge restores use of state-issued university student cards as voter ID in Indiana—for now

Judge restores use of state-issued university student cards as voter ID in Indiana—for now

A federal judge has blocked Indiana from enforcing its new ban on using state-university student cards for voting, finding plaintiffs likely to succeed on their constitutional claim. The preliminary injunction restores the previous practice until the lawsuit over the 2025 law is concluded.

Deadlock on delay leads to 5–3 approval by Bloomington for 360-unit residential project

Deadlock on delay leads to 5–3 approval by Bloomington for 360-unit residential project

Bloomington’s plan commission approved a 360-unit, 760-bed Greystar apartment project at the Bloomington Iron and Metal site on North Rogers Street after a failed 4–4 vote to delay the decision. The major site plan passed 5–3 with conditions on environmental testing, utilities and public paths.