Those who gathered for a peaceful protest in Downtown Bloomington Thursday evening said they hope their actions will ultimately help bring the public and police back together.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Miller Park starts to open in stages
Summer is back on at the Miller Park Zoo as they get ready to reopen.… MORE
No new coronavirus cases in McLean County; 4 more have recovered
The coronavirus total in McLean County held steady Thursday at 223 confirmed cases.… MORE
Community-based testing sites now open to all
The state’s COVID-19 community-based testing sites are now open to anyone regardless of symptoms or other criteria.… MORE
Man dies in fatal car crash near LeRoy
A car crash Thursday morning near LeRoy killed one person, according to McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder.… MORE
BN NAACP leader: Change starts with each one of us
President of the Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP Linda Foster says when it comes to change it starts with every single person.… MORE
Smoke bomb suspect turns himself in
A smoke bomb was lit during yesterday’s peaceful protest at the law and justice center and after posting a photo on social media a suspect has turned himself in and has been booked into the McLean County Detention Facility.… MORE
Bloomington city officials expect looting to end
After break-ins to several businesses lead to the arrest of 16 looters, three of the city’s top officials expect the looting to end.… MORE
2 new cases of coronavirus in McLean County; Heritage Health with first confirmed case
McLean County has added two new cases of coronavirus, bringing the county total to 223.… MORE
Local organizations partner to help distribute face coverings
Several local organizations are asking for the public’s help to gather face masks or coverings for those in underserved and vulnerable communities. … 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…