By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois jumped up last week by 43 cents, averaging $5.44 a gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $4.59 while the most expensive is $6.79. Gas prices in the state are 85 cents higher than a month ago and $2.20…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A passion for the past came alive in Bloomington as the McLean County Museum of History hosted an event focused on all things steampunk. Cosplayers and fans of the genre flooded downtown for the ‘Cogs and Corsets’ festival. Activities included a market, Tea room, workshops and even a murder mystery…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Miller Park Zoo hosted a party on Saturday over a century in the making. The Twin Cities attraction celebrated its 131st birthday, complete with games, crafts, and a wide variety of activities. The zoo originally started in 1891 as a side exhibit for those going to boat and swim…… MORE
On the heels of a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Illinois Wesleyan’s President calls for more gun control.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Three new programs and a new innovation building are making their way to Illinois Wesleyan University. A multi-million dollar donation from Dave and Ellen Petrick allows construction to begin on the new Innovation building, dubbed the Petrick Idea Center. IWU President Georgia Nugent says lots of excitement is taking place…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A phone call from Springfield to Newtown, Ct., late Wednesday was an alleged threat on Sandy Hook Elementary School. A fourteen-year-old Springfield boy is in custody and charged with disorderly conduct. City, Sangamon County, and school officials here say after an investigation the boy, a Springfield High School freshman, was…… MORE
The State Board of Elections is launching a new effort to make it easier for those with disabilities to cast a mail-in ballot.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Make Music Normal is making a return to Uptown in June, and nearly 50 performers are scheduled to take the stage. Make Music Normal is an all-ages, free-to-attend festival taking place annually in Uptown Normal. Missing from this year’s event will be Normal native Leah Marlene. Fresh off her thrill…… MORE
By HOI ABC HEYWORTH – Heyworth’s police chief calls it one of the most serious crimes to happen in the small McLean County community since he became chief there six years ago. Jason Harris, 33, of Bloomington remained jailed on a high bond Wednesday night accused of starting a fire late on the night of…… MORE
By HOI ABC CHENOA – Vandals who punctured tires on seven school buses at a Chenoa elementary school put students’ safety at risk, the superintendent said Wednesday. All 14 front tires of buses parked at Prairie Central Primary West were punctured, and several buses sustained other damage, said Superintendent Paula Crane in a letter to…… 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…