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Monroe County commissioners declared a jail-overcrowding emergency Thursday after sheriff Ruben Marté said the county must prepare to move 50 to 100 inmates elsewhere. The first-year cost could reach $5.09 million as the jail population far exceeds its functional capacity.

Monroe County commissioners say time and space will drive their jail-site decision—and both factors point to North Park. They also unveiled a site-evaluation grid and dynamic map, while warning of mounting legal, financial and human costs as a city-county panel nears a recommendation on July 13.

Dora Hospitality and MHG Hotels pitched competing plans Wednesday for a convention center host hotel, differing sharply on parking and financing. The CIB is expected to weigh the proposals July 15 as a possible land swap for the preferred College Square site remains unresolved.

A jail-site panel narrowed its active list to five options Monday, including: renovation of the current justice center in combination with the Curry Building; and three sites near I-69. Members also refined evaluation criteria and sought more data before meetings on July 9 and July 13.

At least 60 people rallied at Bloomington city hall Monday, urging the RDC and CIB to negotiate a land swap that could preserve Seminary Pointe. Hours earlier, mayor Kerry Thomson’s administration and CIB president John Whikehart traded statements over how talks should proceed.

Monroe County’s latest Nov. 3 ballot adds write-in clerk candidate Joe Davis and three Democratic township board candidates. Republicans left some major countywide vacancies unfilled, including sheriff, while Lisa Jeneé Trimble’s independent assessor candidacy awaits final paperwork.

The 2026 edition of Bloomington’s Fourth of July parade unfolded under sunny skies and temperatures around 80F°. The city’s parks and recreation department oversaw basic logistics, with several city departments playing their customary key roles. Juliette Kniola captured highlights for The B Square.