Some university faculty and staff around the state want to pump the brakes on what they perceive as hurrying back to campus needlessly.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington Schnucks recalls fresh ground beef
Schnucks is recalling fresh ground beef purchased July 23 from the service meat case at its Bloomington store located at 1701 East Empire Street. The product may contain metal shaving caused by an equipment malfunction.… MORE
Twin-Cities jobless rate up almost 7%; Increase in all 14 metro areas
The unemployment rate in Bloomington-Normal is 10.6%, up from 3.8% in June of last year, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.… MORE
18 new cases of COVID-19 in McLean County
The McLean County Health Department on Thursday announced 18 new cases of coronavirus as the county continues to see an increase in the younger age ranges.… MORE
Unit 5 Superintendent explains reopening plan
The new superintendent of Unit 5 explained how plans were made for the upcoming semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.… MORE
Vote-by-mail applications to be sent out in McLean County no later than Aug. 1
Vote-by-mail applications will be sent out to active registered voters in McLean County and the city of Bloomington no later than August 1.… MORE
Twin-Cities transit system defends bus service for vets after elected official’s complaints
Bloomington-Normal’s public transportation system is defending the way it serves Veterans using the community’s new VA clinic.… MORE
Redbirds Rising campaign raises $180.9 million
Illinois State University concluded its largest fundraising campaign at the end of June, raising $180.9 million.… MORE
McLean County adds 9 new cases of COVID-19; Bloomington testing site stays busy
McLean County health officials on Wednesday announced nine new cases of coronavirus, bringing the county total to 411.… MORE
Quick action leads to a contained garage fire in Normal
Thanks to firefighters’ quick action and a closed door, an early morning fire in an attached garage did not spread into a home.… 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…