By A.J. Harris NORMAL – The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture held its annual ag competition this year in Platte, Nebraska, and Illinois State University took 26 students hoping to show of their skills. They ended up as Grand Champions. Blake Dean, a senior at ISU, was one of those students. He spoke…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A topic that has people ready to rally in Bloomington: federally protected abortion rights. Monday, a draft was leaked from the Supreme Court with the majority deciding to overturn Roe v. Wade. People brought their emotions and the signs out to the Twin Cities in opposition. About every step was…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 3.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 1, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 53.7 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.90 inches, equal to the average. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 40 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A consultant is being hired to draw up a master plan to build another part of Uptown Normal, and the town’s manager is getting a raise following town council action Monday night. The council voted 5-2 to hire a Chicago-based firm to plan for Uptown South, which encompasses about eight…… MORE
A Tazewell County judge has loosened a protective order in a lawsuit brought against Reditus Labs CEO Aaron Rossi.… MORE
The school year is coming to a close for many local school districts, and a Regional Superintendent is looking back on the year.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Miller Park Zoo has received a donation from the Fort Jesse Imaging and Gale Keeran Center for Women that includes an ultrasound unit. The equipment will be used by zoo staff to better diagnose and treat the zoo animals for variety of conditions. Jay Tetzloff, Zoo Superintendent, said, “This new…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Department of Public Health is showing support for the FDA’s proposal to ban menthol flavored cigarettes and cigars. The proposal is in an attempt to help prevent people from picking up the habit says the FDA. State Public Health Tobacco Control Program Director Gail DeVito is pushing for…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Two Bloomington men were arrested for numerous drugs and weapons offenses after police broke up a party at a park in Normal. Nakolis Spiller, 23, and Keon Spiller 21, of Bloomington, were arrested during a traffic stop after police broke up a party at around 4:44 p.m. Friday, April 29.…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois remained unchanged in the last week, averaging $4.41 a gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 2.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand a $1.31 higher compared to this time last year. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in…… 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…