A two-vehicle crash has left one person dead in LaSalle County.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
COVID unemployment surge led to $5.2 billion in overpaid benefits in Illinois – including fraud
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – Illinois overpaid unemployment benefits to the tune of $5.2 billion during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of it paid to fraudulent claimants, according to a comprehensive new audit. Included in that sum was $6 million paid to 481 dead people and $40.5 million in unemployment checks written…… MORE
Illinois State University raises $34M in the past year
The Illinois State University raised more than $34M dollars in private support in the past fiscal year.… MORE
McLean County Health Department asking parents with children to take survey
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON — The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) sent out a press release notifying that they are asking parents with children from infant to five-years-old to participate in a survey in order to improve children’s health. The All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks (AOK) is currently looking into the needs of parents and…… MORE
Investigation underway after Bloomington mobile home catches fire
A fire investigation is underway in Bloomington after a mobile home caught fire Tuesday night.… MORE
State Senator Tom Bennett retiring in 2025
After serving the Illinois state legislator for many years, Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett is retiring from the General Assembly.… MORE
Illinois State University police to partner with mental health professionals
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Mental health professionals will assist Illinois State University police officers with on-campus 911 calls. This comes after Campus Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said that his department has received more mental health-related calls in recent years. These mental health professionals will be contracted from the Center for Human Services, which runs the…… MORE
New housing units approved by Bloomington city council
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – In Monday night’s city council meeting, the proposed addition of around 800 residential units was approved. Bloomington City Council authorized the annexation and zoning of a 77-acre plot of land north of West Market Street near Rivian Motors. The housing units range from apartments to townhomes. The project, called Bloomington 77…… MORE
Heartland Community College to hold classes at Mid Central Community Action
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Heartland Community College is partnering with Mid Central Community Action to open a new facility that will hold classes. The new facility was renovated to hold classes in industrial maintenance, construction, and other work-ready programs. Representatives from the two organizations as well as Bloomington-Normal community members gathered at Mid…… MORE
Illinois crops ahead of averages per USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.3 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 23, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.9 degrees, 3.7 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.71 inches, 0.27 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 14 percent very short, 35 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…