Today
in Bloomington
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Saturday's second annual Ms. Lake Lemon pageant took place at Riddle Point Park near Lake Lemon. Women competed in a frozen T-shirt contest, lawnmower driving and mud-pool dives to raise funds for Monroe County firefighters under light rain. The B Square Bulletin
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Blue Run Spirits will release an Indiana-only limited edition Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon ahead of the Indy 500 via select retailers. The collectible bottle carries a checkered flag design and commemorative tax strip, said a spokesperson, honoring the race with a unique tribute. WTHR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington is offering rebates for energy efficiency upgrades through the Green Home Improvement Program. Homeowners installing solar panels, EV chargers or insulation can apply on a first-come – first-served basis, with rebate amounts varying by income and project type. City of Bloomington
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A 12-year-old girl from Greenwood received Indiana’s first FDA-approved gene therapy for beta-thalassemia, a rare blood disorder affecting about 1,500 people in the country. Riley Children's Health said the treatment, done in February after stem cell collection in November, is working as expected (offering a potential cure). WTHR
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti is preparing to drive the honorary pace car at the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He tested his USA-themed Corvette and (with guidance from racing vet Sarah Fisher) will take one more test run Friday night ahead of Saturday’s race. The Herald-Times
- ➤ A poll to choose this week’s Herald-Times Athlete of the Week is open until Thursday, May 21 at noon, inviting votes for local athletes from North, South, Edgewood, Eastern Greene, and Seven Oaks, presented by IU Health. Last week, Bloomington South’s Violet Hall won 64.5% of the vote. The Herald-Times
- ➤ Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries is working to finalize the non-conference schedule for 2026-27. The team has set games at Assembly Hall along with neutral site matchups on Nov. 9 and Dec. 27, and will join the FISU America Games in Peru from July 20 to Aug. 1. The Herald-Times
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Case Oats Album Release Concert
8 PM - 12 AM — The Bishop Bar — 18+ entry — Experience the debut album of Case Oats, a blend of alt-country and folk from Chicago's rising star Henry True.
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Sounds From the Black Hole featuring Bubba Fontaine and Byrdman
5:30-8 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $10 + food/drink purchase required — Experience live experimental music from talented local artists.
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One Step Above Annual Dance Performance
6:30 p.m. — Buskirk-Chumley Theater — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of diverse dance styles showcased by local kids, including a special dad routine.
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Pinball League and Trivia Night
6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Orbit Room — Food or drink purchase required — Compete in a pinball tournament and test your trivia skills for a chance to win gift certificates.
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Joe Jordan Concert
7-11 p.m. — The Bluebird — Ticket info available online — Experience the smooth vocals and rich R&B sounds of Joe Jordan live.
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The Goonies | 15 Years, 15 Hits
4 PM — Indiana University Cinema — Ticket info not provided — Experience an epic adventure with a classic treasure hunt as the Goonies embark on a thrilling quest.
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Strawberry Shortcake Festival
All day — Switchyard Park Pavilion — $9 Strawberry Shortcakes and $5 Hot Dog Specials — Indulge in sweet treats and family-friendly fun at this local festival.
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Tales of Ambergrove at Nexus Convergence
10 AM - 6 PM — Bloomington Convention Center — Free entry — Explore video games, TTRPGs, and unique vendors at this exciting game-themed convention.
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Greg Mendez at The Bishop
9-11 p.m. — The Bishop — 18+ — Experience the poignant alt-pop sounds of Greg Mendez with tracks from his latest album, 'Beauty Land'.
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Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival 2026
June 17-20 — Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground — Tickets sold separately — Experience top bluegrass performances with legendary artists and local talent.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
~ Carl Sagan
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