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Tilly Robinson

Tilly Robinson grew up in Bloomington, where she is spending the summer of 2025. She is currently managing editor of the Harvard Crimson. | tilly@bsquarebulletin.com

Bloomington mulls cutting funds for diversity training, 2 cultural programs amid GOP directives

Bloomington mulls cutting funds for diversity training, 2 cultural programs amid GOP directives

Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson’s office has proposed cutting $300,000 in city funding previously allocated for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging training from next year’s city budget in response to fiscal pressures and the Republican crackdown on DEI.

At talk with Bloomington developers, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith pushes for overhauling property taxes—or abolishing them

At talk with Bloomington developers, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith pushes for overhauling property taxes—or abolishing them

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said homes should be taxed based on purchase price, instead of assessed value, at a talk on Thursday. The talk was hosted by the Building Association of South Central Indiana, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Uplands Realtor Association.

ACLU presses Monroe County to move ahead on construction of new jail

ACLU presses Monroe County to move ahead on construction of new jail

As Monroe County’s plans to build a new jail face headwinds, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is still pushing for the county to move forward with construction, according to remarks by attorney Ken Falk at the county council’s Tuesday meeting.

At press conference, Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson says ‘other jurisdictions’ are sending homeless people to Bloomington

At press conference, Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson says ‘other jurisdictions’ are sending homeless people to Bloomington

Mayor Kerry Thomson said at a press conference on Tuesday that other Indiana jurisdictions were sending homeless individuals to Bloomington, claiming that an influx of nonresidents was straining city services. She declined to specify which jurisdictions have sent people to Bloomington.

Monroe County jail plans faced monthslong delay, sharp cutbacks after projected costs rose above $260M

Monroe County jail plans faced monthslong delay, sharp cutbacks after projected costs rose above $260M

Monroe County’s plans to design a new jail were set back for months because of cost estimates that grew to more than $260 million by mid-spring, well over the planned budget. A meeting for public presentation of schematics set for May 29 didn’t take place and might not happen until Aug. 19 or later.

Tax limits give new energy to jail opponents as Monroe County lawmakers debate letter to legislature

Tax limits give new energy to jail opponents as Monroe County lawmakers debate letter to legislature

On Tuesday, the county council sat down with two county commissioners to revise a joint letter asking the legislature to modify state tax law to allow more funding for a new jail. But some residents want the county to rethink the jail project, continuing debate that started in 2008.

MCPL trustees consider shortening downtown library hours in response to state tax cuts

MCPL trustees consider shortening downtown library hours in response to state tax cuts

The Monroe County Public Library may reduce hours at its downtown location as tax cuts passed by the Republican-led Indiana legislature in April threaten more than $300,000 in MCPL funding next year. The library might close at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday every week.