One person was taken to a Bloomington hospital after a house fire Thursday afternoon severely damaged that home and caused some damage to another.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
St. Jude Game Feed fundraiser returns to Sit N Bull in Hudson this weekend
By Jake Fogal HUDSON – The eighth annual St. Jude Game Feed comes to Hudson on Saturday to help raise money for a good cause. You can enjoy all you can eat and drink for $25! Menu features smoked pulled pork and sides courtesy of Annie’s Eats. Plus there will be an auction, 50/50 drawing…… MORE
Coaching milestone not the only accomplishment U-High baseball is chasing in 2024
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Coach Steve Paxson will always remember the 2024 season for reaching a hallowed milestone, his 500th career win. Paxson said, “It’s been a good thing because I’ve been able to connect with a lot of guys I’ve coached over the years and that’s been really fun. But I’m sure excited to…… MORE
Several street closures in Uptown Normal Saturday for Rivian’s community event
Several streets will be closed early Saturday around Uptown Normal for Rivian’s community event to show off some of its new vehicles.… MORE
Ben Folds coming to the BCPA
Emmy-nominated, multi-platinum selling music artist Ben Folds announced the return of his popular “Paper Airplane Request Tour,” performing solo shows across the U.S., which includes a stop in Bloomington.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo carousel under repair this summer
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The iconic Miller Park Zoo carousel is getting a facelift this summer. After years of wear and tear, the Zoo is sending the carousel out of state to be restored, meaning the amusement ride will be out of commission for the summer. The restoration process will take up to 6…… MORE
Illinois State University and Heartland Community College hosting watch parties for total solar eclipse Monday
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Many will have their eyes on the sky Monday to witness a total solar eclipse crossing over North America. Several watch parties are planned around the Twin-Cities, including events being held at Illinois State Universities quad and Heartland Community College’s Challenger Learning Center. A total solar eclipse happens when the…… MORE
USDA releases 2024 planting forecast for Illinois
Corn growers intend to plant 10.9 million acres in 2024, down 3 percent from 2023. … MORE
Minnesota man sentenced to 80 years for 2021 Bloomington fatal shooting
A Minnesota man will spend 80 years in prison for shooting and killing a Bloomington man in 2021.… MORE
Rivian plans to show off new electric vehicles in Normal this weekend
Central Illinois residents can get a first look at the future of Rivian Automotive this weekend in Uptown Normal.… 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…