The Bloomingtonian

06/14/2026

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-06-14/u-s-iran-agree-to-peace-deal-pakistan-says

President Trump confirms the deal and says the Strait of Hormuz will open immediately.

06/13/2026

Update from press release sent this morning by ISP.

Owen County deputy shot during welfare check near Spencer, suspect taken into custody

Written from ISP press release

OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — June 13, 2026

An Owen County sheriff’s deputy was shot Friday afternoon during a welfare check near Spencer, according to Indiana State Police.

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, in the 4000 block near Texas Pike in Spencer. Indiana State Police said detectives from the Bloomington Post are investigating at the request of Owen County Sheriff Ryan White.

According to ISP, the Owen County Sheriff’s Department had received a request from the Owen County Probation Department to conduct a welfare check on Wendell L. Hart, 58, after Hart missed a scheduled appointment earlier in the day.

Police said an Owen County deputy arrived at Hart’s residence and shots were fired in the deputy’s direction. The deputy called for assistance, and when additional officers arrived, Hart allegedly fired again toward officers. An Owen County deputy was struck by gunfire, police said.

Officers returned fire, and Hart barricaded himself inside the residence, according to ISP.

The wounded deputy was taken from the scene to another location, then flown by air ambulance to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment. ISP said Saturday morning the deputy was in stable condition.

Indiana State Police SWAT and hostage negotiators were called to the scene. After about two hours of negotiations, Hart surrendered and was taken into custody by ISP SWAT, police said.

Hart was provided medical treatment by EMTs and transported to a Bloomington hospital for injuries he received during the incident, according to ISP.

No additional information was released Saturday morning. ISP said once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Owen County Prosecutor’s Office for review and possible formal charges.

06/13/2026

Update: Owen County deputy shot during welfare check near Spencer, suspect taken into custody

Written from ISP press release OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — June 13, 2026 An Owen County sheriff’s deputy was shot Friday afternoon during a welfare check near Spencer, according to Indiana State Police. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, in the 4000 block near Texas Pike in Spencer. Indiana State Police said detectives from the Bloomington Post are investigating at the request of Owen County Sheriff Ryan White....

Written from ISP press release OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — June 13, 2026 An Owen County sheriff’s deputy was shot Friday afternoon during a welfare check near Spencer, according to Indiana State Police. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, in the 4000 block near Texas Pike in Spencer....

06/13/2026

Bloomington police investigating early morning shooting on South Basswood Drive

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 13, 2026 Bloomington police are investigating a shooting early Saturday morning on South Basswood Drive. Police and ambulance crews were dispatched around 1:16 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, to the 500 block of South Basswood Drive after multiple reports of gunfire, according to emergency dispatch traffic. Police have not released official information early Saturday morning about the number of people injured, the circumstances of the shooting, or whether anyone had been arrested....

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 13, 2026 Bloomington police are investigating a shooting early Saturday morning on South Basswood Drive. Police and ambulance crews were dispatched around 1:16 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, to the 500 block of South Basswood Drive after multiple reports of gunfire, accordi...

06/13/2026

Owen County deputy stable after being shot; Suspect taken into custody after standoff
Staff report

OWEN COUNTY, Ind. — June 12, 2026

An Owen County sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized Friday after being shot during a welfare check near Texas Pike, according to Indiana State Police.

Sgt. Matt Ames, public information officer for the Indiana State Police Putnamville District, said during a media briefing that the deputy was transported to an Indianapolis hospital and was in stable condition.

The incident happened at a residence on Texas Pike, just north of Manhattan Road, after the Owen County Sheriff’s Department was asked by the Owen County Probation Department to check on 58-year-old Wendell Hart, according to Ames.

Ames said Hart had missed a probation appointment earlier in the day. When the first deputy arrived at the residence, shots were fired toward the deputy, Ames said.

The deputy immediately called out that shots had been fired. About 10 to 15 minutes later, other officers from the Owen County Sheriff’s Department and Spencer Police Department arrived at the scene, Ames said. Gunfire was exchanged between Hart and officers, according to preliminary information released by state police.

Hart later barricaded himself in a garage at the property. Ames said the barricade lasted about two to two and a half hours before Hart surrendered willingly after negotiations with police and conversations with family members.

The Indiana State Police SWAT team entered the residence area and took Hart into custody. Hart was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, Ames said. State police did not immediately release details about the nature of Hart’s injuries.

The Owen County Sheriff’s Office earlier posted an alert on social media warning residents of a “criminal incident” on Texas Pike north of Manhattan Road. The sheriff’s office told people to avoid the area, lock their doors and call 911 immediately if they saw anyone suspicious.

Ames said authorities initially were not sure whether the suspect remained inside the residence or had fled into the surrounding wooded area. Indiana State Police aviation units responded to help search the area and later assisted investigators with aerial photographs of the scene.

Several agencies responded after the report that an officer had been shot, including the Owen County Sheriff’s Department, Spencer Police Department, Indiana State Police, ATF and FBI, Ames said.

“Anyone and everyone’s coming” when officers hear that shots have been fired at a police officer, Ames said.

State police crime scene investigators remained at the property Friday evening collecting evidence. Ames said investigators would process the scene, collect weapons believed to have been used and conduct ballistics testing. The findings will be forwarded to the Owen County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Ames said there was no arrest warrant when officers first went to the residence. He described the initial response as a welfare check related to the missed probation appointment.

Authorities did not immediately release the deputy’s name or additional details about Hart’s probation case.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

06/12/2026

Four Indiana University faculty members named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 12, 2026 Four Indiana University faculty members have been named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows, including two from IU Bloomington and two from IU Indianapolis. The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announced its 101st class of fellows in April, selecting 223 artists, scholars and scientists from nearly 5,000 applicants across 55 disciplines. IU Bloomington faculty members Christoph Irmscher and P....

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 12, 2026 Four Indiana University faculty members have been named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows, including two from IU Bloomington and two from IU Indianapolis. The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announced its 101st class of fellows in April, selecting 223 artists, sch...

06/12/2026

Indiana University lecturer Jessica Adams is appealing the university’s decision not to renew her contract after a student complained about a lesson on structural racism. The lesson included a graphic listing “Make America Great Again” among examples of covert white supremacy. The complaint, referred by U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, prompted an investigation under Indiana’s “intellectual diversity” law. Adams argues the material was relevant to social work education and denies presenting MAGA as worse than other examples. Her contract expires June 30, and FIRE is supporting her appeal.

Adams spoke at an AAUP press conference in December 2025, and in November. Video links below.

Indiana University School of Social Work instructor Jessica Adams, ...

06/11/2026

Hardcore bands perform in Bloomington tonight.

Fightback, By All Means, Care Free, Formal, Full Stride and Get Right will perform an all-ages show at Banneker Gym, 930 W. Seventh St.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with music beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $10.

📍 Banneker Gym
📅 Thursday, June 11
🚪 Doors: 7 p.m.
🎸 Show: 7:30 p.m.
🎟️ $10 | All ages See less

06/11/2026

Bedford man identified after being found dead outside downtown Bloomington business

Staff report BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 11, 2026 A man found dead Wednesday morning outside a downtown Bloomington business has been identified as 51-year-old Raymond Stewart of Bedford, according to Monroe County Coroner Jeff Hall. Stewart was found shortly before 8:45 a.m. June 10 in front of a business in the 200 block of North Walnut Street. Bloomington police officers and emergency medical personnel responded after a caller reported finding a man who appeared to be unconscious and not breathing....

Staff report BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 11, 2026 A man found dead Wednesday morning outside a downtown Bloomington business has been identified as 51-year-old Raymond Stewart of Bedford, according to Monroe County Coroner Jeff Hall. Stewart was found shortly before 8:45 a.m. June 10 in front of a bu...

06/11/2026

Buio-Omega / Bootcamp / Birth Rejects / Bleeder / Gogogo

Punk show coming up in Bloomington: Buio-Omega, Bootcamp, Birth Rejects, Bleeder and Gogogo play Friday, July 3, at Harmony School, 909 E. 2nd St.

Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10, PWYC.