By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 10, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 77.5 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.07 inches, 1.22 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 10…… MORE
By HOI ABC and WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council members didn’t vote Monday night on a proposal for parking ticket amnesty that would benefit area kids. Several questions came up about repeat parking ticket offenders, more than 50 of them, and whether they should have to pay. Under the proposal, the city would…… MORE
According to a report from Bloomberg, Rivian Automotive is on the verge of laying off hundreds of workers.… MORE
An Alton man is behind bars in McLean County for allegedly keeping a woman hostage in LeRoy over the weekend.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A recent uptick in book boxes being set on fire have spread throughout the Twin City area. Little libraries throughout Bloomington-Normal have recently been set ablaze and burned to the ground. A victim of burned little libraries throughout Bloomington, Bob Williams, doesn’t understand the recent hate. “I was pretty ticked…… MORE
By Jake Fogal FREEPORT – The fourteenth annual Doodle for Google competition is down to 54 contestants, with one from each State and Territory. Fourth grader Amelia Winter of Freeport is Illinois’ winner, and she dedicated her doodle to her dog Dasher. “In art class, that was what we were assigned to do as our…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have dropped 16 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $5.15 today. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Illinois are 45 cents lower than a month and year ago. The cheapest station in the state is $4.09, while the most expensive is $6.79 a gallon. “The…… MORE
By HOI ABC MCLEAN COUNTY – McLean County Republicans are planning a party at the Normal CornBelters’ baseball game later this month and are welcoming the entire community, but not everyone was excited. McLean County Democrats called out a big-ticket raffle item they felt was out of touch with recent events. The GOP is raffling…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The sentencing for McLean County piano teacher Aaron Parlier, convicted of sexually assaulting students, was postponed on Friday. However, his punishment has already been determined. He’ll spend the rest of his life behind bars unless a higher court overturns his convictions. Aaron Parlier, 41, was supposed to be sentenced Friday,…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Fuel prices in Illinois have continued to slightly fall over the last few weeks. Gas prices continue to drop across the state as prices at the pump are down 14 cents over the past week. According to GasBuddy’s latest price report, prices at the pump have dropped 15 cents over…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…