‘Stadium District’ sidelined: Bloomington council votes 7–1 to nix naming plan for now. Bloomington’s city council voted 7–1 on Wednesday to postpone indefinitely a proposal to name the area around Miller-Showers Park the “Stadium District.” Neighbors objected to the branding effort, saying it ignored residents and would amplify unwanted “stadium culture.”
Panthers roar back with late rally for football sectional title over rival Cougars, 31-28. For the second straight week, Bloomington South mounted a late comeback—this time beating rival Bloomington North 31-28 on a last-second 18-yard field goal by freshman Sam Stolberg. The Panthers erased a 14-point halftime deficit to win their fifth consecutive sectional championship.
Bloomington gathers more feedback on College-Walnut corridor overhaul. Bloomington planners are gathering public input on redesign options for the College-Walnut corridor, including possible two-way traffic. Open houses and pop-up events, as well as an online form, are the tools city staff are using to collect feedback.
Early voting for 2026 primaries in 5 months, Monroe County preps new space, vote centers linger. Monroe County is preparing new space for early voting and voter registration inside the North Showers building, which also houses Bloomington city hall. Remodeling is supposed to start this month under a $653,600 contract, with early voting to begin April 7, 2026.
Panthers and Cougars set for rematch in sectional championship showdown. Bloomington South and Bloomington North meet again Friday night at Huff Field for the Class 5A Section 15 championship. South dominated their September game 36-7, but North has surged since, winning six straight. The city rivals now battle for a spot in the state tournament’s next round.
Nov. 6, 2025: Charlotte Zietlow, Princess Theater, economic news, infrastructure, social services. It's easy to receive this free message in your email inbox, instead of waiting for social media to serve it up to you: Visit the B Square website and click on the red button in the upper right hand corner.
Bloomington icon Charlotte Zietlow dies at 91 after lifetime of community service. Charlotte Zietlow, a stalwart in Bloomington civic life and the first woman to lead both city and county government, has died at 91. Her five-decade legacy spanned politics, business, and activism—from restoring the courthouse to co-founding Goods for Cooks.
Retail notebook: Fresh facade for Princess Theater building means possible Dec. 1 opening for new downtown dining spot. After eight months under scaffolding, the century-old Princess Theater building on Walnut Street has a restored facade and a new tenant on the way. Restaurateur Mey Cristobal plans to open Japonee, a sushi-focused eatery, by Dec. 1 in the space that last housed the Village Pub.
IU Kelley School panelist drops ‘rough‘ news about Bloomington wages, points to Trades District as site of ‘creative collision‘. At IU’s Futurecast Economic Outlook in Bloomington, Kelley School economist Phil Powell said the region’s wages fell 6.2% over the past year—among the worst in the state—due to IU job losses. Still, he praised local entrepreneurs and pointed to the Trades District as a hopeful hub for innovation.
Bloomington RDC: $5M for roads, $145K for Hopewell South rezone, $58K for police HQ Study. Bloomington’s redevelopment commission approved $5 million for design work on road projects in the southwest of the city, a $145,000 contract to guide the Hopewell South PUD rezone, and a $58,250 feasibility study on converting the vacant 714 S. Rogers Street building into a new police headquarters.
Monroe County council distributes $174K to 44 nonprofits through Sophia Travis grants. Last Tuesday, the Monroe County council awarded $174,000 in Sophia Travis Community Service Grants to 44 nonprofits. The meeting also saw discussion about awards to Planned Parenthood and charter schools, and concern about next year’s allocation, which had been cut from $250,000 to $190,000.
Little 500 fall series: Street sprints through IU campus. On Sunday, as part of the Little 500 fall series, riders sprinted 200 meters down 7th Street from the Indiana Memorial Union toward Showalter Fountain. Photographer Juliette Kniola captured the action on campus.
Nov. 3, 2025: Annexation, jail, football, funeral as protest, bicycle races. It's easy to receive this free message in your email inbox, instead of waiting for social media to serve it up to you: Visit the B Square website and click on the red button in the upper right hand corner.
Little 500 fall series: Riders trade oval for off-road cyclocross fun. This year’s edition of the Little 500 fall series cyclocross event took place on Saturday. Riders pedaled standard Little 500 machines around a cyclocross course laid out on the tailgate grounds south of the Indiana Memorial football stadium. Photographer Juliette Kniola was there for the B Square.
Dirge for democracy: Bloomington protesters stage mock funeral at Switchyard Park. A mock funeral procession at Bloomington’s Switchyard Park on Saturday served as a protest against the Trump administration. The demonstration featured a casket labeled “Rule of Law,” mourners in black, and a brass band playing "March and Canzona (Funeral Music for Queen Mary)"
Monroe County property transfers through Oct. 29, 2025. This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Oct. 9 to Oct. 29, 2025. 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. Hawk: Why did the frog make extra sure his car was parked correctly in the reverse angle on-street spot? What does Fish say in reply?
Bloomington North blanks Vigo North 49-0 to set up rematch with Bloomington South for title. Bloomington North rolled past Terre Haute North Vigo 49–0 in the Sectional 15 semifinals. The Cougars built a 35–0 halftime lead behind Carter Matthew and a pick-six from Anthony Wrancher. With Bloomington South also victorious, next week’s sectional final stays in town at South’s Huff Field.
Bloomington South rallies late to top Terre Haute South, 41–34, advances to Sectional title game against cross-town rival. Bloomington South outlasted Terre Haute South 41–34 in the Class 5A Sectional 15 semifinals. Junior QB Duncan Combs threw for 249 yards and three TDs, and Hayden Clark’s late touchdown sealed it. The Panthers advance to face Bloomington North in next week’s sectional final.