Dave Askins

Dave Askins (born c. 1964) is an American journalist and the founder of the two digital papers, the Ann Arbor Chronicle (2008-14) and Bloomington, Indiana's B Square Bulletin (2018-24, 2025-present), both papers known for their in-depth coverage of local government matters allowing residents access to otherwise difficult information to obtain, allow them to more easily hold local government to account. In 2014, the Chronicle successfully sued the city of Ann Arbor for holding closed sessions meetings in violation of the Open Meetings Act. The B Square Bulletin shut down in late 2024 but relaunched in 2025 amid public support.

Early life

Askins was born in Columbus, Indiana about 1964, the son of Larry and Betty Askins. He graduated from Columbus North High School in 1982. Askins was a delivery boy for the Louisville Courier-Journal from 1974 to 1980.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, then studied German linguistics at Indiana University in the late 1980s.

Career

Askins' career took him first to China, where the couple taught English to medical professionals,

Ann Arbor Chronicle On 2 September 2008, Askins and his wife Mary, founded the for-profit, digital newspaper, the Ann Arbor Chronicle. The paper was her brainchild, known for its in-depth coverage of local government matters, city boards, and local election results. That lawsuit failed at the first hurdle, but a 2014 lawsuit by Askins on similar grounds was more successful. The couple shut down the Chronicle on 2 September 2014 after six years citing work-life balance

B Square Bulletin In 2017, Askins moved to Madison, South Dakota to work for the Madison Daily Leader. Askins was working in a newsroom in Pierre, South Dakota in 2018 Askins wrapped up the site on 20 December 2024 citing the heavy workload.

The county library is exploring options for archiving the newspaper, with Askins agreeing to cover the cost of hosting until an archive can be secured.