Connections

Hawk: The officiating at the Rose Bowl was bad. That Alabama player absolutely meant to kick the ball, but he missed. Shoulda been a flag. What does Fish say?

Dozens of Bloomington area residents welcomed 2026 with a polar bear plunge at Paynetown State Recreation Area. About 50 people dashed into 43-degree water on New Year’s Day, most for a quick dunk. The 13-minute event mixed shock, cheers and a familiar bear suit.

Hawk: Eggs Benedict is more appropriate than biscuits and gravy to eat off disposable dishware. Why does Fish agree?

Hawk quotes from the RFP for the convention center expansion RFP. (Because Hawk and Fish are civically engaged that way.) What does Fish say?

A sculpture honoring Ryan White will be installed at the IMU next spring. At an early-December talk, artist Melanie Cooper Pennington described the research and personal work behind “Keep Going,” a figural tribute to White, whose fight to attend school with HIV reshaped national views on AIDS.

Hawk says: Fernando Mendoza is some kinda hero. he shoveled the snow off all the bricks on Kirkwood. Cleared the snow off the courthouse steps before it froze. He should get some kinda award. What does Fish say??