Good morning, Bloomington.

IU's Homecoming parade is Friday, Oct.

30, at 5:30 p.m., starting at Kirkwood and Washington and ending at the Sample Gates, with attendees able to vote for walking, vehicle, and float entries. Parking will be banned on Kirkwood and nearby downtown streets, and a Hoosierween student carnival follows in Dunn Meadow.

Sacred Places Indiana awarded $500,000 to two Bloomington churches for historic repairs: Bloomington Reformed Presbyterian got $150,000 capital and $25,000 planning for masonry tuckpointing, and First United Methodist got $300,000 capital and $25,000 planning for limestone repairs; statewide grants total $2.5 million and applications open in Jan. 2027.

Royal Encounters IU is a student group that dresses as Disney and superhero characters to visit kindergarten–fourth grade kids almost every weekend at events across Bloomington and the state, including Riley Hospital and local schools.

The group supplies costumes, trains members, and matches students to characters before visits.

People and Animal Learning Services is nearly finished rebuilding after the May 16, 2025 EF2 tornado; its new heated indoor arena, tack-room storm shelter, classroom, and offices will let adaptive riding and equine-assisted learning run year-round, and the nonprofit is seeking donations and volunteers.

Friendly Beasts Cider Co. will reopen on Saturday, Oct.

31 at 615 N. Fairview St., moving after losing its lease at 222 W. Second St. (The new spot remains near the B-Line Trail.)

IU’s La Casa/Latino Cultural Center hosted Día de los Muertos on Wednesday, Oct.

28 at La Casa and neighboring campus centers, featuring colorful ofrendas, food, crafts, and a Ballet Folklórico de IU performance that drew students, families, and children (6-8 p.m.).

Jacobs School of Music is offering classes open to students not majoring in music next spring, including History of Rock ’n’ Roll, Musical Creativity in Culture, and Music and Videogames (which involves gameplay and a small purchase); registration began Oct.

22 for some students.

MCCSC reported on Oct.

28 that more than 900 children used its free preschool and pre-K during the 2024-25 or 2025-26 school years, and preschool enrollment climbed from 262 in spring 2024 to 542 this fall. The district says it invested $6.26 million to add classrooms and will expand to more 3-year-olds.

Bloomington North football players Carter & Chase Roberts are asking the community to help find a life-saving donor for their father; the family says the search is ongoing and they will share updates as they become available.

Indiana installed a state historical marker in October in front of Frankfort City Hall honoring IU alumni Vesto and Earl Slipher for discoveries that helped establish an expanding universe and for pioneering planetary photography of Mars.

Indiana women's basketball debuted its new-look roster in an exhibition on Wednesday (Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall), beating Marian 87-39.

Coach Teri Moren started freshmen and transfers who showed depth, and the Hoosiers will open the regular season on Nov. 3 against Florida Gulf Coast.

Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover fought through an undisclosed throwing-arm injury to lead the No. 4 Hoosiers (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) to a 13-6 overtime win at Michigan Stadium, their first there in 59 years, with a 21-yard overtime pass and a 4-yard touchdown rush.

Indiana beat Marian 87-39 in its lone exhibition at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, led by Mackenzie Hare's six 3s and 18 points as the Hoosiers forced 19 turnovers and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.

They open the regular season against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Assembly Hall.