Today
in Bloomington
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Pantry Pizzeria opened Feb. 18 at 5440 S. Old Ind. 37 offering the same menu as Pizza Pantry in Ellettsville with buffet options. Tap Brew Pub reopened at 204 W. Kirkwood Ave — it offers craft beers and small plates, while Freddy's offers a crispy fish sandwich until Apr. 7. The Herald-Times
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 500 Festival announced on Feb. 18 that 33 princesses from 19 Indiana colleges and 21 cities were chosen to represent the event during May. The young women, who have a cumulative 3.75 GPA, are expected to build lasting community connections as they honor the festival tradition. WTHR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ IU student government presidential candidates from EMPOWER (Alexa Avellaneda and Anna Sofia Nguyen Loeb) and FORWARD (Dennis Lee and Anna Wagner) answered questions on campus safety, mental health, and sustainability in a town hall at Briscoe Quadrangle Wednesday evening ahead of early March elections. Indiana Daily Student
- ➤ At Regionals at the Rotunda on Feb. 18, 56 IU students presented over 40 research projects at the Statehouse, covering topics such as personalized lung cancer treatment, cybersecurity for drones, rural pollinator gardens, urban soil health, and Hoosier Underground Railroad history. The studies link academic work with local community challenges. Indiana University
- ➤ In Indiana, the law to encourage intellectual diversity in university classrooms has led to a few complaints and self-censorship among professors (including two cases at IU Bloomington), with more teaching changes expected as campuses review its impact. The Herald-Times
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington received $1.44 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve street and road safety. The grant will fund local road upgrades to ease traffic and boost safety. Indiana Daily Student
- ➤ City and county officials are considering donating land (including city and county-owned parcels) to restart a stalled hotel project at the expanded convention center. Negotiations paused over financial transparency and land disputes, and officials plan to clarify the proposal in the coming weeks. The Herald-Times
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ In 2019, longtime mechanic John Nedderman had a quick $49 heart scan at Franciscan Hospital that revealed a high calcium score and led to an eight-hour quadruple bypass surgery + he now urges others to get tested to catch heart issues early. WTHR
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Indiana native Nick Goepper from Lawrenceburg competes for Team USA in the men's freeski halfpipe qualification today at Livigno Snow Park at 4:30 a.m. EST — he is the first Indiana winter sports athlete to qualify for four Olympics. The Herald-Times
- ➤ The Indiana baseball team earned its first win of the season at Bart Kaufman Field on Feb. 17 against Bradley University, with key plays from players (Reagan Rivera, Hogan Denny, and Jake Hanley) leading the victory. Indiana Daily Student
- ➤ South sophomore Nick Russell, a 106-pound wrestler, will compete in the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis tomorrow & aims to build on tough regional wins as he pursues his long-held goal. The Herald-Times
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Oregon Ducks vs. Indiana Hoosiers Women's Basketball
1-3 p.m. — Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall — Affordable tickets available — Don't miss this exciting clash between the Ducks and Hoosiers in a thrilling women's basketball showdown.
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Laid Back Country Picker Live
6:30-9:30 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $24.72 — Enjoy an evening of good music and a friendly atmosphere with Laid Back Country Picker and The Hammer and the Hatchet.
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Sword II Live Concert
9:00 – 11:00 p.m. — The Bishop Bar — Tickets on sale now — Experience the thrilling live performance of Sword II in Bloomington for their first time ever.
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Brass Band Concert with Nick Hinman
8 p.m. — Auer Hall — Ticketed event — Experience the magic of a breathtaking orchestral performance led by conductor Nick Hinman.
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feeble little horse Live Concert
7-10 p.m. — The Bishop Bar — Tickets available now — Experience the unique sounds of feeble little horse live in concert.
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Shamrock Shuffle 5K
9 AM – 1 PM — Monroe County Fairgrounds — Registration fees apply — Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a festive 5K Run/Walk.
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Bloomington Symphony Orchestra: Between Silence and Strauss
5-8 p.m. — Buskirk-Chumley Theater — Children FREE, Students $16, Adults $29 — Experience an evening of classical music featuring soloist Shawn Tairyu Head and award-winning performers.
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Brownstone Midwest Supper Club: Dr. Allon Friedman
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Lennie's Brewpub — Cost varies — Engage in vibrant conversation and enjoy a talk on the state of medicine.
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Master’s Recital – Carl Ek, Clarinet
5 PM — Ford-Crawford Hall — Ticket purchase required — Experience an enchanting evening of live clarinet performance.
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Junior Recital – Allison Sharp, Soprano
7 PM — Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — Ticketed entry — Experience the breathtaking performance of soprano Allison Sharp at this enchanting junior recital.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The hard part isn't making the decision. It's living with it.
~ Ryan Holiday
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