Courthouse square
The clock in the Monroe County courthouse is banging out 12 gongs. It’s 2026.
Dave Askins
Buckle up for 2026: Elections, courts, construction, development, and more
Bloomington’s 2026 civic calendar is packed: contested elections, major construction, housing developments, stalled jail plans, annexation lawsuits, and budget politics. Many storylines are easy to foresee—even if outcomes are unpredictable
Former Westinghouse property on course to be purchased by Bloomington Transit for new operations center
Bloomington Transit is moving toward buying the former ABB/Westinghouse property at Curry Pike and Profile Parkway for a new operations center. The board has OK'd a 180-day purchase option, to replace the space-constrained Grimes Lane facility as BT expands its fleet and electrification plans.
Dec. 29, 2025: Voting patterns, hotel deal, hoops victories
In this edition: A 15-question year-end news quiz!
Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish
Hawk: Eggs Benedict is more appropriate than biscuits and gravy to eat off disposable dishware. Why does Fish agree?
Monroe County sheriff: Armed, dangerous suspect at large, fled through airport then to Greene County, seeking tips from public
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies pursued a stolen SUV across the county airport tarmac on Christmas Day before losing sight of the suspect in Greene County. The suspect may be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.
No land deal yet, but CIB keeps Dora in game for Bloomington Convention Center host hotel at least until Jan. 21, 2026
With no land deal in hand, the Monroe County CIB has given Dora Hospitality a bit longer to produce a viable host-hotel proposal. Talks over the College Square site remain stalled by a major funding gap; without progress, the CIB will issue a new RFP at its Jan. 21, 2026 meeting.