Good morning, Bloomington.

This weekend, Bloomington hosts holiday markets offering local crafts and festive food at Upland’s Profile Tap Room—while benefit shows at Buskirk-Chumley Theater and the Back Door support Habitat for Humanity and Hoosier Hills Food Bank—with extra events at Congregation Beth Shalom and Emo Nite at the Bluebird.

Santa Claus will appear at several community events in Bloomington to launch the Christmas season.

Families can snap free photos and enjoy festive gatherings—some featuring sensory-friendly visits and special breakfast meet-ups—at venues such as Fountain Square Mall and the Monroe County Fairgrounds in the coming weeks.

Darn Good Soup, which closed five years ago during the COVID pandemic, is returning today at Chocolate Moose at 405 S.

Walnut St.—it will offer eight to 10 rotating soup varieties including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options and will serve orders daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November 30th.

Monroe County Community School Corporation will lose over $30 million in funding by 2031 as Senate Enrolled Act 1 cuts referendum revenue and charter school revenue sharing, and the district will launch a financial portal in January 2026—officials said they will update finances in February 2026 to adjust spending for classroom instruction.

IU Public Safety advised Bloomington residents to prepare for winter by checking local weather, updating campus emergency alerts, and stocking emergency kits at home and in cars — tips aimed at reducing risks from snow and ice.

Arafan Diane, the top-rated center in the 2026 class and ranked 13th nationally, committed to Houston on Wednesday — leaving Indiana men’s basketball without its top recruit as he chose the Cougars over offers from Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia.

The IU Athletics exhibition “Outfitting IU Athletics: Hoosier Champions” is open for free at McCalla on East Ninth Street and runs through October.

It shows IU memorabilia like a 1967 football jersey and a 1945 leather helmet — mixing old gear with new to tell stories of past champions.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a top Heisman contender, is preparing for the rivalry game against Purdue for the Old Oaken Bucket on Black Friday at Ross-Ade Stadium next week.

He said the matchup will be tough and gritty — Purdue has struggled against the pass while IU looks to secure a perfect season and a spot in the Big Ten championship.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza praised first-year coach Chandler Whitmer during a Zoom call on Wednesday, saying his guidance—compared to NFL coach Sean McVay's—improved his footwork, timing, and overall performance.

Mendoza credited Whitmer as a major factor in the strong season he and his teammates had experienced.

Bloomington South won 55-7 over Floyd Central and now heads to Friday's Class 5A semi-state game, where they will face unbeaten New Palestine—both teams seek a state finals berth with the game starting at 7 p.m. at Kelso Stadium.

Indiana football flipped a second recruit in the last three days — offensive lineman Benjamin Novak pledged to the Hoosiers on November 19.

Novak, a three-star from Andrean High in Merrillville, joins the team as Indiana works to keep in-state talent amid recruiting battles with Wisconsin.

Indiana women's basketball coach Teri Moren said her team exacted revenge on Butler by winning 72-53 at Assembly Hall yesterday, erasing the bitter memory of last year's loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the Hoosiers (5-0) never trailed while opening with a 16 point lead in the first quarter. She added that the strong performance will help the team address ongoing growing pains on both offense and defense.

Stand-Up Comedy with Alex Falcone

7-8:30 p.m. — The Comedy Attic — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughs with comedian Alex Falcone, known for his appearances on Portlandia and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Monroe Community Kitchen

3-6 p.m. — Community Kitchen — Free meal — Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner served to anyone in need, no questions asked.

Fall Prospect Camp

10 AM - 4 PM — Armstrong Stadium — $160.00 — A dedicated soccer camp for female athletes to showcase their skills and potential.

Historic Homesite Volunteer Workday

1-7 p.m. — Fairfax State Recreation Area — Free — Help uncover the remnants of a historic late 1800s farm and home site.

Joe Pug Live Concert

8 PM – 12 AM — The Bishop Bar — Ticket price unknown — Experience the soulful sounds of Joe Pug, a masterful singer-songwriter with heartfelt lyrics.

Nutcracker Behind-the-Scenes Tour

10:00 – 10:45 a.m. — Musical Arts Center — Limited to 30 guests per tour — Explore the set and costumes of The Nutcracker in a guided tour.

Candlelight Christmas Carols on Strings

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Woolery Mill — Ticketed event — Experience a magical evening of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet under candlelight.