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In response to the recent tornadoes and severe storms that caused widespread damage across south central Indiana, United Way of South Central Indiana (UWSCI), in partnership with Monroe County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (MoCOAD) and Greene County officials, has launched a Disaster Relief Fund to aid in both short- and long-term recovery efforts.
The fund will focus on supporting low- to moderate-income residents in Monroe and Greene counties, particularly those in the hardest-hit areas who face unmet needs not covered by traditional assistance programs. “Like so many in our community, we are heartbroken by the impact of these storms,” shared Randy Rogers, President & CEO of United Way of South Central Indiana. “But we are also inspired by the resilience and generosity we see as neighbors come together to help one another. This fund is one way we can all be helpers in a time of urgent need.”
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The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), in collaboration with the City of Bloomington, has announced its 2025 Artistic Advancement Grant cycles to support local artists. Grants are for up to $2,000; funds may be used for expenses accrued from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
Formerly called the Emerging Artist Grant, the Artistic Advancement Grant funds the professional career advancement of artists living and working in Bloomington and may be used for any expenses related to their artistic work. Eligible artists may practice any generally recognized art form, including but not limited to music, visual arts, performing arts, film, architecture and literature. Recipients are eligible to receive the Artistic Advancement Grant twice. Prior Emerging Artist and Artistic grant awards count toward this total. Applications will be accepted now through Friday. June 27, 2025. More information regarding the grant cycle and the application form is available at civiform.bloomington.in.gov/programs/artistic-advancement. To help artists prepare their applications, the BAC will host an Artist Statement Workshop session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 at the Waldron Art Center, 122 S. Walnut St. Registration is available at bton.in/Jp3nq. Commissioners will offer office hours for applicants on a first-come, first-served basis during the application period for anyone interested in discussing the application process. Please contact Holly Warren, Assistant Director for the Arts and Staff Liaison to the Bloomington Arts Commission, at [email protected] or 812-349-3418 to schedule an appointment. The Telly Awards named WTIU Public Television the winner of seven awards in its 46th annual competition, which honors excellence in video and television across all screens.
WTIU’s television series Journey Indiana earned four Tellys, including three silvers in the editing, videography and cinematography, travel and tourism categories; and one bronze in the culture and lifestyle category. Flyover Culture, a digital series on Midwestern pop culture, won one silver Telly in the interview and talk show category. WTIU’s project Peggy’s Poetry and Zarg won two bronze Tellys in the voiceover and narration and use of music categories. WFIU News earned two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).
WFIU News won the Digital and Breaking News Coverage categories for Protests on college campuses interrupt graduation ceremonies. The RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news. The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of broadcast and digital journalism. The 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards received entries from hundreds of digital and broadcast network journalism organizations. WFIU News competed in the small market radio division against newsrooms in the region comprising Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Regional winners automatically advance to the National Edward R. Murrow Awards competition, winners of which will be announced in August. National Murrow Award winners will be celebrated at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala in New York City on October 13. City of Bloomington Invites Public to Join Focus Groups on Bloomington’s Community Identity5/22/2025 The City of Bloomington announced a new series of public focus groups beginning June 3 as part of the WeAreBloomington branding initiative. The one-hour sessions will be held both virtually and in-person to gather input on what makes Bloomington unique and how the city should present itself to residents, visitors, and future employers and investors.
The WeAreBloomington project is a citywide effort to create a shared identity that reflects Bloomington’s values, strengthens civic pride, and supports future planning. Input collected from the focus groups will help shape messaging in marketing, economic development, tourism, recruitment, and community storytelling. Residents can register for up to two of the following focus groups: What Makes Bloomington, Bloomington?
Attracting and Retaining Young Professionals
City of Bloomington Releases Updated Resource Guides Covering Healthcare, Housing, and More5/21/2025 The City of Bloomington released its updated community resource guides designed to help Bloomington and Monroe County residents access free and reduced-cost basic services. These guides are available for download at bloomington.in.gov/cfrd. The latest releases include:
The City of Bloomington encourages renters, landlords, and homeowners to take advantage of an opportunity to reduce their utility bills significantly by applying for the new Indiana Energy Saver program through the Indiana Office of Energy Development (IOED).
The program, which offers significant funding for energy efficiency upgrades, has two components: the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program and the Home Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program. The HOMES program is for energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits to residential buildings. A qualifying project can include a combination of energy-efficient products and building material installations, which together must save at least 20 percent of a home’s energy usage. This program involves a whole-home energy assessment with targeted recommendations. Low-income households may qualify for up to 100 percent of the project cost and up to $18,000 for Energy Star-rated HVAC systems and water heaters, insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, appliances, and lighting. People and Animal Learning Services (PALS) announces that a powerful storm destroyed its main barn and significantly damaged other structures on the evening of May 16, 2025. No people were present, and all horses survived without life-threatening injury.
Thanks to the quick response of staff and volunteers, the horses were secured and some of them were moved to other locations. PALS’ staff, volunteers, and neighbors in the community are ensuring the horses are well cared for. “We’re heartbroken over the damage to our facility but incredibly grateful that every person and horse is safe,” said Chris Herring, Executive Director of PALS. “The outpouring of support from the community and the dedication of our staff and volunteers gives us strength and hope.” PALS team is dedicated to providing healing and restoration through horses and is working hard to re-establish services to our clients and community. Support from the public is welcome, monetary donations to https://palstherapy.org/disaster-relief/ For other offers of support, please email [email protected]. 45-Day Closure of Winslow/High/Rogers Roundabout Planned for Maintenance, Safety Improvements5/20/2025 A 45-day full closure of East Winslow and East Rogers roads at the intersection of South High Street is scheduled from Tuesday, May 27, to Monday, July 14 for roundabout maintenance and the construction of planned safety improvements.
The scheduled work is part of a larger project, which is already underway, along Winslow and Rogers roads. The project was prompted by necessary maintenance, but it also opened opportunities for the construction of safety and accessibility improvements in the area.  Beginning on Monday, June 2, Bloomington Transit will operate a free downtown shuttle as a part of its existing BLink Microtransit service. The shuttle will provide free, curb-to-curb rides to and from anywhere within the designated downtown travel zone: Rogers St to Indiana Ave (east to west) and 10th St to 1st St (north to south). There are no minimum or maximum distance requirements, as long as the point of origin and the destination are both within the zone.
The free downtown shuttle will be in operation Monday–Friday, with the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Operating days and hours were selected to serve peak lunch and dinner times in the downtown and Kirkwood Ave business areas. Rides can be ordered on demand or scheduled up to 24 hours in advance. For priority booking and travel, Bloomington Transit suggests that users make reservations on the “BloomingtonLink” mobile app (Apple Store or Google Play) or on their preferred web browser at Book.BLink.RideCo.com. |
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