To stave off inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday by another three-quarter of a percentage point.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
District 87 launches gun safety campaign
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – District 87 is working to keep its students safer this year when it comes to guns. The district will remind parents of their legal obligation regarding storing guns at home. Wednesday night, the school board unanimously approved a ‘secure storage notification’ resolution. It’s a part of the national “Be Smart”…… MORE
McLean County’s largest school district to host community meetings before November tax hike referendum
By 25 News NORMAL – The Unit 5 school district will host a series of community meetings before residents vote on a tax hike referendum. The school board last month voted unanimously to put a referendum on the November 8 ballot that asks for an increase in the district’s tax rate to reduce multi-million dollar…… MORE
McLean County Health Dept. reminding the public of do’s and don’ts of septic tanks
This week marks septic smart week, and local health officials are reminding the public of the dos and don’ts of septic tank usage.… MORE
Illinois State University is working with local school districts to fill teacher shortages
Local school districts are in crisis mode as the statewide teacher shortage worsens, leading to larger class sizes.… MORE
Normal district referendum remains off the ballot following judge’s ruling
By 25 News NORMAL – The issue of districts for the Normal Town council will remain off the ballot following the most recent ruling from a McLean County judge. Following multiple hours of arguments before Judge Scott Kording Monday, he released his decision virtually Tuesday. The question at the heart of the case is an issue of…… MORE
ISU president delivers State of the University Address
By WJBC Staff and 25 News NORMAL – Illinois State University President Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy outlined the future steps for the university during the school’s annual State of the University speech. One of those new plans is to hire a Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to be the center point of collaboration and creative…… MORE
SAFE-T Act, eliminating cash bail, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023
Illinois’ elimination of cash bail at the first of the year is stirring up political debate across the state.… MORE
‘Active’ investigation into crash that critically injured 2 ISU students
By 25 News NORMAL – No criminal charges have been filed so far against a driver who struck two Illinois State University students from Plainfield, critically injuring them outside a popular bar near campus last week. Meantime, a classmate of the two victims has organized a GoFundMe page to help their families with medical bills and other…… MORE
UPDATE: Normal Police release more details on weekend shooting
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Normal Police are releasing more details regarding a man who died from gunshot wounds early Sunday morning. After a preliminary autopsy report from the McLean County Coroner’s Office, it was determined the 29-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident happened around 3:40 a.m. Sunday in the 200…… 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…