Fred Pitts, Author at The Bloomington Star

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Be More Awards, an annual celebration recognizing volunteers whose dedication leaves a lasting mark across Bloomington and Monroe County.

Bloomington local

Bloomington opens nominations for 2026 Be More Awards, inviting residents to honor volunteers whose quiet leadership strengthens Monroe County

Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington is inviting residents to help spotlight the people who quietly strengthen the community every day. Nominations are...

Fred PittsMarch 5, 2026

Democrats have added another upset to their growing list of special election victories, flipping a Republican-held seat in Arkansas after a legal fight forced the race onto the calendar months earlier than originally planned

National

Democrats can’t stop winning: Massive upset in deep-red Arkansas as Democrat crushes GOP candidate by double digits, flips seat BLUE in stunning blow to Trump and Sanders

Democrats have added another upset to their growing list of special election victories, flipping a Republican-held seat in Arkansas after a legal fight forced...

Fred PittsMarch 5, 2026

A federal grand jury has declined to bring sedition charges against six Democratic lawmakers, from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and New Hampshire

National

“Abuse of power by Trump and his lackies”: Trump’s revenge plot explodes as grand jury humiliates his admin, says ‘NO’ to locking up 6 Democrats

A federal grand jury has declined to bring sedition charges against six Democratic lawmakers, from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and New Hampshire. With this decision,...

Fred PittsMarch 3, 2026

The Indiana University School of Medicine secured more than $230 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health during the 2025 federal fiscal year, placing it 15th among all public medical schools nationwide

Indianapolis

Indiana University research enterprise earns top 15 public ranking in 2025 NIH awards

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana University School of Medicine secured more than $230 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health during...

Fred PittsMarch 3, 2026

A 69-year-old New Jersey woman has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting she carried out a long-running fraud scheme that targeted several companies, including a food service operation in Indiana.

Crime and Safety

Fake vendors, fake invoices, and a luxury shopping spree: NJ woman, master thief, steals half a million from companies in Indiana, now goes to prison

Indiana – A 69-year-old New Jersey woman has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting she carried out a long-running fraud scheme that targeted...

Fred PittsFebruary 27, 2026

The City of Bloomington is once again calling on residents to turn creativity into environmental action as it launches the 14th Annual Linda P. Thompson Eco-Heroes Art Contest.

Bloomington local

Bloomington’s Environmental Commission invites artists of all ages to explore native insects in nighttime theme

Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington is once again calling on residents to turn creativity into environmental action as it launches the 14th...

Fred PittsFebruary 27, 2026

The Bloomington Board of Public Works has approved guidelines for the 2026 downtown outdoor dining season, formally setting the direction for how Kirkwood Avenue will operate in the coming year

Bloomington local

Bloomington approves 2026 guidelines keeping Kirkwood Avenue open under shared street model

Bloomington, Indiana – The Bloomington Board of Public Works has approved guidelines for the 2026 downtown outdoor dining season, formally setting the direction for...

Fred PittsFebruary 26, 2026

One of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar’s invited guests to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington D.C. was arrested Tuesday night after what authorities described as a disruption inside the House chamber.

National

“Blatant abuse of power”: Disabled woman, Ilhan Omar’s invited guest, was handcuffed during Trump’s speech for ‘silent protest’

One of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar’s invited guests to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington D.C. was arrested Tuesday night...

Fred PittsFebruary 26, 2026

The Monroe County Community School Corporation is moving forward with a $8 million enhancement project that will pay for itself through bonds. This means that students at Bloomington High School North will soon have a lot of new sports facilities.

Bloomington local

Bloomington High School North set for major facility upgrades as MCCSC launches $8 million athletics improvement plan

Bloomington, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation is moving forward with a $8 million enhancement project that will pay for itself through...

Fred PittsFebruary 24, 2026

Tensions between the White House and the highest court in the nation rose fast when President Donald Trump attacked members of the U.S. Supreme Court who ruled against his use of emergency tariff powers. The legal community responded quickly and in an unusual way.

National

“It must stop!”: Trump attacked conservative justices who stabbed him in the back, but he went too far, expert says

Soon after the Supreme Court ruled against the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that ‘Trump took hard-earned money...

Fred PittsFebruary 24, 2026