The B Square’s Most Recent 20
This is a list of the B Square Bulletin’s 20 most recent headlines with links to articles and the 300-character synopsis of each article.
Seven hospitalized after shooting in Bloomington near IU campus following football victory. At least seven people were wounded in a shooting on Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, hours after IU's homecoming football victory. Police chased and caught a man near Dunn Meadow, but have not determined if he fired the shots. No deaths were reported.
Monroe County property transfers through Oct. 29, 2026. This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Sept 25 to Oct. 29, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish. What do Yoda and John Mellencamp have to say about zoning regulations in Bloomington? The answer might surprise you!
Monroe County Retail Food Inspections: September 2026. During 45 of the 54 inspections of retail food establishments done by the Monroe County health department in September 2026, no violations were found. During 3 of them, at least one priority violation was found.
Monroe County jail notebook: Population at 205, with 10-day average down by 50 since July. Monroe County’s jail held 205 people Saturday, marking 25 straight days below the ACLU’s 229-person functional-capacity estimate. Since July 21, at least 856 departures have been recorded, with a median stay of two days. The latest 10-day average was about 204, down from 254 in late July.
Homecoming parade: Crowds throng Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington for return of IU alums. Indiana University’s homecoming parade brought considerable merriment to Kirkwood Avenue on Friday, with marching music, autumn colors and enthusiastic crowds. The procession toward Sample Gates celebrated college loyalty ahead of Saturday’s contest of foot ball against Minnesota.
Monroe County Food and beverage tax panel reviews spending plans. Monroe County’s food and beverage tax advisory panel reviewed 2027 spending plans Friday, including $300K for a convention center hotel and $12.3M for convention center expenses. Some members questioned whether the county was leaving enough cash on hand.
Monroe County health department shakeup continues: 2 removed from board, 1 resigns. Monroe County commissioners voted 2–1 Thursday to remove two health board members and appoint three new ones. Hours later, board chair Lisa Hanner-Robinson resigned, leaving two vacancies as the health department struggles to regain stability after a leadership crisis and interrupted services.
Oct. 29, 2026: Monroe County GO bonds, food and beverage tax, ICE detainers, dispatch tax, health department. This morning's edition includes a report on a $3.1M GO bond package and a possible plans for food and beverage tax money to support a convention center host hotel. A judge weighs ICE detainers. Bloomington rejects a dispatch tax increase. The county health department reopens with an interim officer.
Monroe County cuts GO bonds to $3.1M, but leaves project list intact. Monroe County councilors approved $3.1M in GO bonds, down from a $6.5M ceiling, but left nearly $3.9M in projects on the list. Councilors floated food and beverage tax funds for parks, while commissioners eye $300K from that tax to advance the convention center host hotel.
Judge hears arguments in Rokita–Marté ICE detainer fight, decision not expected before Nov. 12. A ruling is not expected before Nov. 12 in the dispute between Indiana attorney general Todd Rokita and Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté over ICE detainers. At Tuesday’s hearing, the judge weighed whether county jailers can legally hold people based on the say-so of a federal immigration officer.
Bloomington council votes down dispatch tax increase, absences seal defeat. Bloomington’s city council voted 1–4 Monday on raising the dispatch local income tax, leaving Monroe County’s 2027 rate at 2.205%. With four members absent, the tally also completely blocked the countywide increase. Opponents cited affordability and available reserves among other reasons.
Monroe County health department to resume regular services Tuesday with interim officer. Monroe County’s health department will reopen Tuesday, restoring walk-in services, permits, vital records and STI testing. The board appointed Paul Broderick, Morgan County’s health officer, to serve on an interim basis for up to three months. The department’s top administrative post remains vacant.
Oct. 26, 2026: 911 dispatch tax, impact of health officer’s resignation, jail population below 200. This morning’s edition includes a reports about Bloomington’s choice between imposing higher taxes and using dispatch reserves. Monroe County’s health department remains closed to walk-in service amid a leadership shakeup. Plus, the a jail population dipped below 200.
Raise taxes or tap reserves? Bloomington council weighs 911 dispatch funding gap on Monday. Bloomington’s city council will vote Monday on a dispatch tax increase that would bring Monroe County’s overall income tax rate to 2.2419% in 2027. The proposal would close a funding gap without tapping $3.2 million in county dispatch reserves, ahead of a statewide tax overhaul in 2029.
Monroe County health department stays closed to walk-ins Monday as interim officer awaits final OK. The Monroe County Health Department will remain closed to walk-ins Monday (Oct. 26) as officials finalize the appointment of an interim health officer. Permits, birth and death certificates, and STI testing and treatment remain suspended. Other services are available by appointment.
Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish. Hawk says his grandmother has the best recipe for a custardy, cake-like dessert. Where is this leading?? Find out when Fish delivers a hilarious reply!
Monroe County property transfers through Oct. 21, 2026. This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Sept 25 to Oct. 21, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
Monroe County jail notebook: Population dips below 200 for first time since July. Monroe County’s jail held 204 people Saturday, down 10 from a week earlier and marking 18 straight days below the ACLU’s 229-person functional-capacity estimate. Friday’s count of 196 was the lowest since The B Square began tracking in July. The sheriff puts functional capacity lower, at 186.
Monroe County income tax panel asks state for flexibility, stops short of suggesting 2029 rates. Monroe County’s local income tax task force unanimously asked state lawmakers for more flexibility in the tax overhaul set for 2029, but recommended no specific rates. Uncertainty over revenue, consolidations and possible legislative changes led the panel to hold off on detailed recommendations.