Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 29th of August.
Good morning, Bloomington.
🎭 Culture
Retired IU professor John K.
Kruschke will read nine of his poems on Sunday at Last Sunday Poetry Open Mic at the Writer’s Guild, sharing his creative work with Bloomington audiences—reflecting his shift from academia to a new passion for verse.
🎓 Education
Indiana University is expanding access to ChatGPT Edu—a version of ChatGPT built for higher education—for all 120,000 students, faculty and staff.
Faculty and staff will be able to request access starting Sept. 2 while students will get it on Jan. 1, showing the university’s strong role in AI innovation.
🏛️ Government
Bloomington Parks and Recreation appointed Leslie Brinson as the new Recreation Services Division Director, effective Aug.
18. She brings over 20 years of community programming experience + will oversee programs like Kid City camps and afterschool sessions at the Banneker Community Center.
On August 27, Bloomington council members backed raising the cost-of-living adjustment for city employees from 2% to 2.7% in mayor Kerry Thomson’s proposed 2026 budget—aiming to better match rising inflation.
The city administration said funding the nearly $500,000 extra cost may require cutting expenses in other budget areas while maintaining a cushion in the general fund.
On August 27, 200 inmates were moved from Monroe County Jail at the Zietlow Justice Center so that a fungicide fog could remove mold from the top floors, which forced the justice center offices to close and county staff to take the day off.
Mold remediation continued on August 28 as workers cleaned linens and surfaces while police secured the building with vehicles and a drone.
🏈 Sports
Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson emailed students a link to buy $33.60 tickets in reserved areas for Saturday’s game against the Monarchs—student tickets have sold out for the 2025 season after a record-setting run last year.
The team has practiced for months and is preparing to compete in its season opener.
Bloomington Speedway will host a night of dirt-track racing today in honor of Indiana University’s Welcome Week—pits open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m., featuring USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets, Ford Performance Racing School 410s and Tex-a-Con Super Stocks as local management under Speedway Partners, LLC takes charge of the nearly century-old track.
No. 7 Indiana men’s soccer will play Green Bay at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington for the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic—coach Todd Yeagley said midfielder Charlie Heuer and defender Josh Maher are day-to-day after their injuries and the team is looking to build on its recent draw and win. Green Bay seeks its first Big Ten win since 2021 and both teams face important challenges ahead of the game.
🎉 Bloomington Events
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Bloomington Indiana Amazing Race & Tour
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Hopscotch Coffee & Kitchen — Ticket per person — Explore Bloomington through a fun scavenger hunt filled with wacky tasks and local surprises.
Northern Kentucky Norse at Indiana Hoosiers Women's Volleyball
10-11:30 a.m. — Wilkinson Hall — VIP tickets available — Cheer on the Hoosiers in an exciting collegiate volleyball matchup.
Edgewood Dollars for Scholars 5K
8:30-9:30 a.m. — Edgewood Intermediate School — Registration fee applies — Participate in a 5K run/walk to support scholarship funds for local high school seniors.
Dummy Album Release Show
7 PM – 1 AM — The Bishop Bar — Ticket prices to be announced — Celebrate Dummy's new album with live performances by them and Good Flying Birds.
Daniel Villarreal Trio Performance
6-9 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $17 — Enjoy an evening of music with the Daniel Villarreal Trio featuring special guests.
People Watching Book Tour with Chloe Liese & Jillian Meadows
6-8 p.m. — Morgenstern Books & Café — Click here for tickets — Celebrate the release of ‘People Watching’ with authors Hannah Bonam-Young, Chloe Liese, and Jillian Meadows.
Volunteer Orientation at WonderLab
3:30-5 p.m. — Indiana University Cinema — Free entry — Discover the joys of volunteering at the greatest little science museum in the world.
Plein Air In Practice at TC Steele Historic Site
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Bloomington Fine Art Supply — Cost not mentioned — Gain real-world painting experience with guidance from plein air expert Scott Sullivan at a historic site.
Free Screening of INHERITANCE
7:00-9:30 p.m. — Indiana University Cinema — Free entry — Watch the thought-provoking film INHERITANCE at a premier university venue.
She Returns From War Concert
6:30-9:30 p.m. — The Orbit Room — $13.60 — Enjoy a night of americana music with Hunter Park in a vibrant venue.
🏠 Bloomington Real Estate
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💼 Bloomington Job Board
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📣 Bloomington Announcements
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