Statewide, the average temperature was 64.3 degrees, 3.4 degrees above normal. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
One displaced after two mobile home fires in Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Fire Department responded to two mobile home fires near Seventh Street and Avenue A on Saturday. According to the Bloomington Fire Department, crews arrived on the scene at about 6:36 p.m. and found thick black smoke and fire coming from the side of a mobile home. The heat from…… MORE
ISU teachers union accuses university of bullying, unsafe working conditions
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The newly formed teachers union has many unresolved issues as they negotiate their first contract with the university. It was a full room at the Bone Student Center on Friday as United Faculty of ISU members shared their concerns about bullying and unsafe working conditions during the last ISU Board of…… MORE
Tazewell County gives tick tips for Lyme Disease Awareness Month
By WMBD-TV PEKIN – Tazewell County is reminding the public to keep an eye out for ticks for May, or Lyme Disease Awareness Month. According to their website, ticks can spread Lyme Disease and like to hide everywhere on your body. This includes ears, hair, arm pits, waist, legs and knees. It’s always important to…… MORE
IDOC releases more details about plans for 2 state prisons
How long can Illinois’ aging prisons last? State corrections officials don’t want to find out, while the union and Downstate lawmakers don’t want the prisons closed for even one day.… MORE
Bloomington Salvation Army fan drive kicks off later this month
A Central Illinois non-profit wants to keep McLean County residents cool this summer during warm weather.… MORE
Woman faces charges for bomb threat at Illinois State Capitol
A 23-year-old woman faces charges for allegedly playing a role in a bomb threat at the Illinois State Capitol. … MORE
Florida woman killed in Wednesday’s crash on U.S. Route 24 was visiting family
By WMBD-TV WASHINGTON – The Tazewell County Coroner has identified the woman killed Wednesday morning when she was struck by a pickup truck on U.S. Route 24. Pronounced dead at the scene at 7:32 a.m. Wednesday, May 8 was 20-year old Jacksonville, Fla., resident Hailey Parks, said Coroner Charles R. Hanley. She was in the…… MORE
House Speaker Mike Johnson to speak in central Illinois
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) will be the keynote speaker at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Peoria on June 1, according to the Tazewell County GOP website.… MORE
Bloomington couple sentenced to federal prison for illegally distributing pills, drugs
A Bloomington couple will go to federal prison for illegally distributing hundreds of prescription pills though the mail, some of which turned out to be a type of fentanyl.… 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…