By HOI ABC NORMAL – All students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State University are receiving KN95 masks at no cost to them, but it’s costing the school $23,000, a university spokesperson said Thursday. ISU is paying that amount for industrial supply company Grainger to quickly deliver 25,000 KN95s, said university spokesperson Eric Jome. He…… MORE
By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC NORMAL – KN95 face masks are being distributed to the entire campus community at Illinois State University. ISU is procuring a stock of KN95 masks to make available to every student, faculty, and staff member, according to a university coronavirus update. “KN95 masks are shown to provide wearers with…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Missouri Valley Conference is rescheduling dates for six games and that includes the Illinois State men’s basketball game this weekend against Evansville. The Redbirds and Purple Aces will now play on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. at Redbird Arena. The game was originally scheduled Saturday in Evansville. Meanwhile,…… MORE
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified an Illinois State University graduate student who died during a car accident near ISU’s campus Monday evening.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The annual Illinois State University Homecoming Parade is making its return in a more traditional format this weekend. The typical parade route will be in full force with over 100 participants and plenty of candy. There is also a way to watch the parade if you can’t be there in…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University is celebrating 100 years of homecoming with plenty of events throughout the week leading up to the football game Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State. On Saturday morning, the “Town and Gown 5K” is making its return in a hybrid format this year. Rachel Kobus is the…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Fall classes started this week at Illinois State University, and leaders there said they are pleased so far with vaccination rates that far exceed those for all of McLean County and the rest of the state. The university said 61% of all students and 80% of all employees were fully vaccinated…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – In accordance with the new CDC guidance this week, Illinois State University will require face coverings in all public indoor spaces, even for people who are fully vaccinated. ISU issued the directive Wednesday as McLean County is currently designated as having “substantial” transmission by the CDC. Illinois State continues to keep health and safety…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Illinois State University is seeking permission from its governing board to sell almost 26 acres of land northeast of campus that used to be bustling with activity, but is vacant now. Shelbourne Apartments is at the corner of Shelbourne Drive and Beech Street in Normal, formerly the site of 100 townhouse…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A career that spanned five decades is coming to a close. Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz retire Wednesday as the university’s 19th president. “This has been a great experience working for the university and I’m going to miss the people. But I’ve been at this for 50…… 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…